Author's Note: Written for the prompt 'Bug' at iy_themes. Word limit was 400 and this is part 10 of the serial Harsh Reality.
To say Inuyasha was surprised to come back to a cheerful Kagome was a bit of an understatement. He hid it well though; with little more than a "Keh" devoid of its usual grumpiness.
"What did you say to her, Houshi-sama?" asked Sango quietly as the miko chattered on. Miroku smiled.
"Nothing much. Just a few words of reassurance."
She smiled. "I haven't seen Kagome-chan this happy in a while. Thank you."
Miroku belatedly realised he has not seen Sango smile for a time as well; thrown, he forgot to be lecherous as she walked away to prepare for bed.
In the darkness of the camp, the slayer could have sworn she saw Inuyasha smile.
The next day, everything seemed back to normal. The miko and the hanyou are squabbling over something trivial, Shippou loudly adding his input; it got him a clout over the head as usual.
Miroku leaned over. "I never thought I'd say this, but I've missed this. It was too quiet before."
Sango laughed. "Give it a day or two; it'll begin to grate on your nerves again."
They turned their attention back to the feuding pair; Inuyasha has his arms folded, claws tapping impatiently on his elbow.
"Damnit, Kagome, you're seriously beginning to bug me. For the last time, you can't go back for two weeks straight!"
She huffed. "Inuyasha, I have an important test coming up. I can't afford to fail or miss this one – like I did for the others..."
"You spend too much time on these test things," snorted the hanyou. Abruptly, his expression changed. His eyes flashed sideways; body now taut with tension.
On cue, goblin youkai leapt out of the surrounding wood. "These ambushes are getting a little annoying," commented Miroku.
Inuyasha grinned. "I'll make quick work of these lot with one swing."
The battle raged on for a while. The youkai are a lot stronger than the group expected; even Inuyasha seemed to be having difficulty.
Miroku grunted. He was completely surrounded by a group, blocking him in; Inuyasha blasted those around him to shreds –
"Inuyasha!"
He spun around, chest tightening; Kagome was overwhelmed by youkai, swarming to land the kill –
– at the same time, Sango released the Hiraikotsu, not noticing the blade hurtling towards her back –
– Inuyasha sprang into action.