Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I profit from this work of fan fiction. =)

Sorry if I threw you guys off with the last chapter submission. I decided to combine ch 1 and ch 2, so my latest chapter was ch 7 even though it's now labeled 6. Thanks for the reviews =) especially my new readers BooBerryBlue, Mars, and LOL99.

Chapter 7

Kagome felt consciousness return to her again. As she slowly opened her eyes the blur of shapes around began to focus. For a moment, confusion riddled her mind until a familiar form came into view. Inuyasha sat quietly next to her staring down into the floorboards. Almost instinctually he lifted his eyes to meet hers. She smiled sweetly.

"Kagome…." Inuyasha said releasing a sigh of relief. "How are you feeling?"

Kagome tried to reply but it came out as a broken whisper. Her fingertips reached up to rub the base of her throat as she tried to clear it.

"Hold on" Inuyasha prompted as he turned and ladled a scoop of water out of a nearby bucket. "Here" he said softly as he slid his arm behind her and lifted her slightly so she could drink. He lifted the scoop to her lips. She looked up at him with a nervous smile then graciously took several sips.

"There….better?" Inuyasha questioned looking down at her. It felt out of sorts taking care of Kagome, after all it was usually the other way around, and even that he still wasn't used to. He certainly hadn't had a lot of experience taking care of someone or being taking care of for that matter, but somehow this just felt natural.

"Mhhmmm" Kagome nodded "Thank you" she said softly, gazing up ay him appreciatively. She could feel the butterflies begin to churn in her stomach when she realized just how close they were. It was only a matter of seconds that Kagome continued to gaze up at him but it felt like longer and she was sure he could hear the rapid beating of her heart. Suddenly, she realized the last she saw him he was lying in an unconscious heap thrown to the opposite side of the battlefield by an angry scorpion demon.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"I mean are you hurt?"

"Feh, are you serious?" he retorted egotistically.

"Inuyashaaaaaa" she threatened weakly.

"I'm fine"

"You always say that" Kagome smiled halfheartedly.

"Because I'm always fine" he snapped back teasingly. "Besides we've been more worried about you"

"Me…….?" Kagome questioned "How….how long have I been out?"

"About two days"

Kagome's eyes widened, shock visible on her face.

"I don't understand…….." she answered quietly "What happened?"

"We were hoping you could tell us" a voice said pulling open the bamboo curtain doorway. Miroku and Sango made their way in smiling at Kagome.

"Miroku, Sango" Kagome said cheerfully. "I'm glad to see you're all right"

"We're all right" Sango nodded sitting down next to her friend "How about you?"

"Well" Kagome tried to pull herself into an upright position "I feel okay, just weak."

"Kagome, what happened?" Miroku asked taking a seat next to Sango.

"She just woke up monk!" Inuyasha growled "Save the questions for later!"

"My apologies"

"It's alright, Miroku" Kagome answered quietly, secretly savoring every moment of Inuyasha's over protectiveness.

"I'm not sure" she answered sadly looking around at her companions. They all looked so solemn, something wasn't right. "Why do I feel there's something you guys aren't telling me?"

"Hrrrrrr" Inuyasha grunted "Not now, you need to focus on getting your strength back" and with that he scooped up the young priestess bridal style insisting he take her outside for some fresh air.

Miroku and Sango sat in the hut quietly after Kagome and Inuyasha's sudden departure. "He'll tell her right?" Sango questioned cheerlessly.

Miroku nodded "I believe, Sango my dear, he wants to wait for the right moment."

"Kagome is strong, she can handle it" Sango answered determined.

"Yes, and the sooner she knows about her developing powers the sooner she can begin managing them." He said absentmindedly rubbing Sango's leg.

"Houshiiiiiiiiii!" Sango threatened as the sound of a slap resonated through the village. Miroku smiled to himself as Sango stormed out, nearly ripping the bamboo curtain off the doorway.

"Inuyashaaaaaaa" Kagome sighed "where are you taking me?"

"I told you" Inuyasha replied "to get some fresh air"

"Okay, okay, any farther from the village and that's all we'll find"

Inuyasha slowed down close to a grove of trees near the edge of a large meadow filled with tall green grass. Patches of tall yellow flowers were scattered throughout the terrain and their sweet smell lingered in the area. He sat her down in the grass and took a seat beside her. Kagome sighed and laid back into the grass. Inuyasha turned at looked down at her curiously. She patted the ground next to her and looked up at him, hoping he would get the hint and lie down beside her. "Hmph" he grumbled lying back and crisscrossing his arms behind his head. Kagome's face lit up with a smile just for him. She rolled onto her side to face him. "Thank you" she said sweetly looking up at him.

"For what?" he gulped nervously looking away.

"For taking care of me Inuyasha"

"Feh………you'd do the same" he answered.

Kagome nodded "Always" she said thoughtfully, nervously scooting closer and laying her head on his shoulder. She waited hesitantly for him to respond. After a few seconds, the fear of rejection begin to form in Kagome's mind. Inuyasha began to feel her move away. He pulled his arms out from behind his head and wrapped his left arm around her pulling her close. Kagome's insides screamed with excitement. His displays of physical affection were scarce and she resolved to make the most of each one of them. She saw his other clawed hand resting on his stomach and slowly reached over his waist to touch it. She ran her fingertips over his worn knuckles and yelped softly in surprise as his hand grabbed for hers and held it softly intertwining their fingers. She looked up at him out of the corner of eye. She was surprised to see his eyes closed but most unexpected was the smile that graced his usually scowling face. She squeezed his hand and he pulled her tightly to him as his response.

Inuyasha's mind raced. His insecurities hidden from the rest of the world were well known to him. Why is she still here with me? he thought. I don't deserve her but ……..I need her to love me he realized. I have wasted so much time pushing her away from me and why? Because you're scared his mind answered back. Not anymore, I just never thought anyone could love me. Kagome could have anyone and yet she wants me, maybe I'm not so worthless after all. I need you to love me Kagome…..and I won't keep my heart from you this time. I'll stop this pretending that I don't deserve what I somehow already have.

Inuyasha opened his eyes to look down and the girl he held in his arms. Her eyes were shut and her breathing steady. She just woke up from a two day nap and she asleep again he thought to himself smirking. He lifted their intertwined hands and placed kiss on the top of her small, soft hand then lowered them back to his stomach. He would let her rest, and he, could get some more thinking done.

Inspiration for Inuyasha's thoughts came from a great song by Barlow Girl called I need you to love me. It seemed to fit. Review pretty, pretty please! It really keeps me motivated!