Friends Reunited

In the morning, Inuyasha woke first not wanting to be found sleeping with Kagome by Miroku and the others. He really hated to leave her. Before leaving he stroked a hand over her hair then kissed her cheek. Quietly he left the hut. Kirara, also a light sleeper, woke and followed him out.

Miroku had to fight sleep as he was vaguely aware of Inuyasha leaving the hut. He shook his head to wake himself. He had figured that Inuyasha would wake early so as not to be caught holding Kagome so intimately. Miroku wanted to talk to Inuyasha so he pushed himself up and searched out his friend. Inuyasha was sitting beneath a tree with a tiny Kirara on his thigh watching the sunrise. Neither spoke as he joined them. It was a beautiful morning.

"So how bad was it really?" Miroku asked quietly.

"Dammit Miroku! I'm trying to forget – not remember what happened!" Inuyasha's voice startled the birds in the trees. He didn't say anything for a few minutes then began to speak very softly. "It was terrifying. Once I'd gotten her out of the water, she seemed well enough but then she got so sick…it was…if she hadn't come to long enough to tell me to come here – I might have lost her. I should have sensed the demon dammit!" Inuyasha's fist hit the ground. Kirara mewed up at him and Inuyasha reached out to stroke her, it calmed him.

Miroku watched Inuyasha. It was easy to think of Inuyasha as emotionless but that was mainly because the guy had had a rough life and he didn't know how to act most of the time. But truth was, Inuyasha felt things deeply, he just didn't show it. "Stop it Inuyasha, you couldn't have known. Blaming yourself won't change anything besides; Kagome is going to be all right." He'd guessed that things had been rough for them since their relationship had changed so drastically but it was over and it was time to move on. Miroku's expression changed and he grinned. "I would have loved seeing you bringing her here. You had to be flying! It must have been a sight." He elbowed Inuyasha.

Inuyasha grinned because when he thought about it, it did seem like he'd been flying. "Oh shut up. I had to get her here quickly. I'm just glad the old lady knew what she was doing. The treatment was bad too; she suffered just as much from the toxin leaving her body. That's why she's so weak. There's no way to know when she'll be ready to travel again." Inuyasha frowned, not because he was anxious to start searching for Naraku again but because he didn't like thinking of Kagome weak like this.

"Yes, that must be frustrating for her. What the two of you went through – it was rough but you got through it because you had each other. It will take time but Kagome will be herself again soon enough, especially since she has you to help her. Inuyasha who knew you were such a ladies' man?" Miroku's arm hurt from where Inuyasha hit him but he laughed through it. It was fun to tease Inuyasha.

~mg~

Inside Sango woke slowly and took her time remembering where they were. When it came to her, she immediately checked on her friends. Kagome still slept but the boys were already up and gone. She stretched, got up stepped out back for a few minutes then reentered the hut. Jinenji was fixing breakfast.

"Can I help?" She asked of the half demon who looked at her shyly then nodded. Sango smiled. He was kinda cute now that she saw how gentle he was.

Shippo was the next to wake mostly because he was hungry. He was careful not to wake Kagome then helped Sango and Jinenji before running outside. He saw the guys sitting under a tree and ran at them. "Breakfast is ready!" He landed on Inuyasha's shoulder

"Hey Shippo, did you have to watch Miroku the whole time?" Inuyasha wanted some dirt on his friend so maybe the monk would stop teasing him.

Shippo laughed. "Nah, it was my vacation too! I saw Sango smack him several times but I'm sure I missed a few. One day his face was swollen from where she'd hit him!" The little fox loved that memory, Miroku couldn't talk his face was so swollen.

"Hush Shippo! I did do my best not to touch her but Sango's butt…it's just so touchable!" Miroku explained to an amused audience.

Inuyasha let out a laugh, "Still the pervert." He got up leading the way back inside.

Everyone was up but Kagome and they let her sleep while they enjoyed a quiet breakfast. True to her word, the old woman put everyone to work in the garden. They got in several hours of work before Kagome woke up. Inuyasha had been listening for her. Hearing her stirring, he stopped what he was doing and walked back to the hut.

"Where are you going Inuyasha?" Shippo wanted to know. He didn't want the guy skipping out on his work.

Inuyasha sighed; the little fox could be so annoying. "Kagome's awake. Sango, could you come too? Kagome will need your help." He frowned when Shippo followed the girl. "Whatever." He muttered then turned back around.

The three of them went inside and saw Kagome was sitting up, resting against the wall. Shippo started to give her his usual greeting then remembered that he needed to take it easy. He gave her a quick, easy hug. "Morning Kagome."

Sango only nodded to Kagome as she watched Inuyasha. She stood to one side as he helped Kagome to stand up. For a long moment the two stared into each other's eyes. "Umm, Inuyasha, why don't you get some food for Kagome and I'll help her get dressed."

Inuyasha made sure the screen was in place as he and Shippo went to fix Kagome something to eat. He eavesdropped as the two girls talked.

Kagome wore a white kimono and Sango helped her slip out of it and back into her school uniform. "So Kagome, what exactly is going on between you and Inuyasha? I mean I know he's been taking care of you but there's something more. The two of you seem so – intimate with each other."

She fastened her skirt glad to find her fingers would do what she wanted them to then with Sango's help, eased back down to the floor. "Noticed that huh? Actually I'm not sure myself." Kagome said the wonder evident in her voice. "This attack frightened both of us really badly and we started treating each other like maybe we wouldn't have the next day together. Every moment is precious now. Being attacked was like a blessing in disguise." She heard Sango gasp. "Oh don't get me wrong, I never wanted to be attacked like that and I especially didn't want to be as close to death as I was but everything that happened has changed our relationship. This tender side of Inuyasha amazes and delights me!" Kagome giggled happily. "I know Inuyasha feels guilty for not preventing the attack but I don't blame him for it and I hope that's not why he's treating me this way – out of guilt." Now Kagome sighed. "Like I said, I really don't have an answer for you Sango. Whatever is going on between us, I plan to enjoy and treasure it for as long as it lasts." Kagome stated firmly as she finger combed her hair.

Sango stood with her arms crossed watching her friend. "You're right; this is a very complicated situation. This new side to Inuyasha is well…well it's surreal compared to the gruff guy we're used to. I suppose we'll just have to see if the change remains. Now if only Miroku would change from being a lecherous monk to someone better!" She gave a rueful smile.

"Oh come on Sango, even as annoying as Miroku can be, you wouldn't want to change him too much. Because I know you like him!" Kagome teased. "Inuyasha, I'm ready." She called out before Sango could start denying everything.

Inuyasha got up quickly. In seconds he was moving the screen aside. He picked Kagome up and walked with her outside. "Hey Shippo, bring Kagome's food. Meet us at the tree." Seeing Sango help the fox, Inuyasha took the opportunity for a quiet talk with Kagome.

"I do feel guilty about not finding that demon before it attacked you but that's not why I'm acting different. I-I really do care about you and I want you to know that. I'm also happy that you like what's happening between us because I like it too." He looked at her with a conspiratorial smile.

Kagome blushed happily. "Inuyasha! You're not supposed to listen to girl-talk!" She'd forgotten those dog ears weren't just for show. "But…in this case, I'm glad you did listen. Inuyasha I'm…I'm very happy…being with you." Kagome kissed him on his cheek very near his mouth then rested her head on his shoulder.

The gang spent another four days at Jinenji's place. They talked a lot, helped around the farm, visited the village and generally just enjoyed being with each other while Kagome continued to get better. Each of them made the conscious effort to relax and forget about demons. Thoughts of the Shikon Jewel never intruded on their time. On the fifth day there, it was decided that Kagome was well enough travel. They packed their belongings and gathered the herbs Kaede needed. It was as they were saying their goodbyes that Kagome felt the presence of a jewel shard coming from the village.

They were reluctant to go after it since it meant the end of their vacation but they knew they couldn't let a jewel shard slip through their fingers. Kagome was left behind with Jinenji while the others went after the shard.

Once they reached the village, they found chaos. People were running and screaming away from a demon. Apparently the shard was already in the demon's possession. In the confusion, they were unable to detect the exact location of the demon. Inuyasha caught the demon's scent and started to hunt it down but it disappeared almost as soon as he found the scent. He cursed mightily and searched the village but it was gone.

Sango and Miroku had to calm Inuyasha down so they could help the villagers. Some had been killed in the attack and others hurt because of the panic that had taken over them. There had been some minor damage done to the village as well. As it turned out, the group stayed one more day to help the villagers bury their dead and do some repairs. And the jewel was long gone.

The following day, they started out early. Jinenji made sure Kagome had all the herbs she needed and more while his mother fixed them some food for the road. The journey was taken slowly and they met a few people along the way but had no trouble. In a couple of days, they reached the infamous hot spring. After retrieving Kagome's bike from its hiding place in the tree, Inuyasha wanted to get away from the place since it brought up bad memories for him but Kagome had other ideas.