Rest

The wind blew gently through the trees, the soft fragrance of flowers and herbs stirred the hanyou from his slumber. Inuyasha opened his eyes then shut them tightly from the blinding sunlight. Covering his eyes with his hand he propped himself up and looked around. He was back inside Kaede's hut. When was this? It was empty but he knew that the others were not far off. Standing up from the mat he held himself up by balancing on a wall. His body throbbed in pain as he moved and decided to take it nice and slow, no doubt that if he moved too quickly he would be in for an earful. Using the Tetsusaiga as a cane, he walked out the door and headed towards a creek not far from the village.

Inuyasha reached his destination and sat down upon the earth. Lying down, he watched the sky with no particular interest. He couldn't really stand being inside a hut for too long; he was so used to the shelter and darkness of the forest that he finds it odd that he's resting under a roof than under the sky on a tree limb. His eyes wandered aimlessly and he drifted off to a light sleep.

Kikyo made her way through the forest purposefully, her attention focused on Inuyasha that was still asleep inside the hut. She worried for him constantly since it was almost two since he was last awake and it disturbed her greatly. She thought about his welfare every minute and even though she knew that the herbs and medicine that Kagome had brought were having a positive effect on his condition, she still had doubts.

With a sigh, she approached the door and opened it. She almost dropped the herbs she held in her basket to the floor when she saw the mat was bare. Reaching for her arrows and bow in the corner she exited out the hut and began to search for the hanyou.

Kikyo went to every spot she could think of where Inuyasha might go when he needed to clear his head and her search wasn't exactly going as she planned. She noticed a small clearing with her peripheral vision and decided to have a look. Pushing the bushes aside she entered it and saw a head full of silver hair lying down on the ground. Panic gripped her but she calmed herself before she jumped to conclusions. Heading over to where his head was, she looked down on the sleeping face and she kneeled beside him, making sure not to wake him.

He looks so calm when he's resting… she thought.

Kikyo knew that he probably still needed rest so she let him alone. She felt a hand touch hers and she quickly glanced down to see Inuyasha looking up at her with a small smirk on his face.

"Inuyasha you know that you shouldn't do that." she said chuckling.

Inuyasha only sat up and stretched his arms upwards. "And did you know it's rude to watch people while they're sleeping?"

She looked down feeling embarrassed but this was the way that Inuyasha and she used to joke around so she didn't mind it.

"Inuyasha," she said taking on a more sternly tone. "Why'd you leave the hut? You know that you should inform us where you are heading so we could check on you first."

This time he chuckled. "You worry a lot. "

"Yes I do; mostly about you." she said softly as she turned away.

Inuyasha fell silent at her words and was touched by her concern. He knew that she thought about him as much as he thought about her and he knew that those feeling he harbored would probably never subside. He felt her eyes on him and he turned his head to look at her, her mahogany orbs staring at him with intensity. He was about to open his mouth when he felt her arms wrap around his neck and pull him into a tight fierce embrace.

"I'm glad that you are all right." she whispered in his ear softly. "I thought that I would lose you all over again."

Inuyasha gaped at her excessive behavior and thought it a bit much but he ignored those thoughts and merely let her hold him, slowly wrapping an arm about her waist.

Kikyo didn't know why she was behaving like this. She was astonished at herself but that wasn't enough to stop her from keeping him close to her.

"Kikyo I'm sorry for making you worry." he told her sincerely.

"I know that Inuyasha… But…" she whispered gripping his kimono tighter her arms abruptly circling his waist.

"But…?" he breathed against her hair. He was beginning to enjoy himself. Her face and torso were still pressed against his chest and he held her closer. His thoughts began to wander to pleasant but rather naughty directions.

"Inuyasha I'm sorry."

"Why?" he questioned her as he tilted her head to look at her face.

"If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have had to go through everything that happened there."

"It's not you're fault," his voice was low but tender.

"But," she was about to argue when she felt his finger touch her lightly on the lips causing her silence immediately.

"Don't say anything more on the matter. We're rid of him for now so don't dwell on it,"

Nodding she released him from her hug and stood slowly, Inuyasha's eyes watching her closely.

"So would you like to accompany on the way back or do you want to stay here for a while?" she asked him with a small smile.

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders but he followed suit and they trudged back along the forest floor.

When they returned they met Miroku who looked at them quizzically as they came out of the trees.

"Well Inuyasha you seem to be doing much better," he said politely.

"Keh! I'm not a weakling like you humans are." he replied grumpily.

Miroku only smiled at his friend's normal behavior and looked at Kikyo in admiration. He knew that because of her quick thinking and stubbornness she managed to bring Inuyasha back. Something that seemed to be only capable in the hands of Kagome but now it appeared that Kikyo could do the same.

"Miroku why're you staring at Kikyo like that?" Inuyasha asked protectively.

"Why Inuyasha, I'm merely looking at Lady Kikyo in admiration. She was the one that saved you after all."

Right, Kikyo saved me. Kagome didn't this time, Inuyasha thought to himself as he began to recall the past events that occurred at Raidon's castle.

Inuyasha could still feel her slender fingers softly rub his ears and it had given him pleasure even in his demon state; something that was lost to him when he had to undergo that transformation. Glancing at the miko he looked down shyly. He just remembered he passed out in front of them, which was extremely embarrassing on so many levels. For one thing, they haven't seen him pass out after he reverted back to himself and secondly he passed out in front of Kikyo. She must think he's weak now or something. Even though it doesn't seem like it he knows it's true.

Kikyo gently touched his arm. "Are you all right? You still need rest?"

Inuyasha blinked and shook his head slowly. "No I'm fine,"

"Inuyasha you're awake!"

They all turned their head to look at the school girl that squealed happily as she ran to him her arms wrapping around his waist. "Thank god, I was so scared!" she wailed loud enough to shake the world.

Miroku and Kikyo backed away a step and Miroku was surprised that he didn't feel any tension rise off from her like he would usually feel when Kagome would witness an embrace between Inuyasha and Kikyo. They really were two different people in many ways.

"Kagome, you're choking me!" Inuyasha said as he gasped for air in Kagome's choke hold.

Kagome abruptly let go of him causing him to lose his balance for a minute. "Well sorry for worrying about you so much! I'm pretty sure when Kikyo hugged you, you didn't complain did you?!" the girl shouted.

Inuyasha was stunned by her words for a minute. Before he could open his mouth to retort she spoke.

"Ah, see you didn't?!" Kagome told him as she felt tears brim her eyes. "When I do it you get angry but when she does it you enjoy it! Don't deny it you dog!"

At this point Inuyasha had lost his temper. "You threw yourself on me and began to choke me! I had to say something! At least Kikyo didn't throw herself on me so forcefully!"

Kagome's mouth hung open and she shut it tight as she glared at him. "So you did let her hug you! God I hate you! You're so impossible!" With that she stormed off to the hut.

Inuyasha crossed his arms and cocked his head at an arrogant angle.

"Inuyasha," Kagome said when she was a few paces from him.

Inuyasha opened an eye and when he saw that she was about to say the command he narrowed his eyes at her. "So you're gonna use the command on me again huh? Come on," he said as he turned his body around to face her. Giving her a smirk he urged Kagome on. "I dare you."

Kagome was shocked at his challenge. He would usually turn pale and try to think of ways to get her to change her mind but this time he was actually confronting her. She knew that this was to see if she would resort to her usual punishment and this would made her look like she accepted defeat. She would not give. Whirling around she continued onwards to the hut.

Inuyasha smirked triumphantly and saw the others staring at him in surprise. He knew that Sango wanted to say something so he interrogated her before she could. "What? You have something to say? If you do, say it now."

Sango instantly shut her mouth and with a toss her head she followed after her friend; Shippo sticking his tongue out as he jumped on Sango's shoulder for a ride.

Miroku was as silent as all of them but after the others were out of earshot he applauded his friend's courage. "That was good Inuyasha. You actually didn't let her 'sit' you,"

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders. "Eh. I was getting annoyed with her sitting me every time I do something anyway."

Miroku glanced out the corner of his eye at Kikyo who seemed to be suddenly interested in the grass.

Kikyo felt his eyes on her and when she looked up, he gave her a wink before striding off towards where the others were. She didn't really get why humans winked but after studying them for time, she guessed it was a way to reassure others or it was used for some other positive effect. She guessed he wanted to make her feel better so she smiled.

"Hey Kikyo," Inuyasha said as he gazed off into the distance.

"Yes?"

"I know this is wrong of me to ask but… I didn't get a chance to ask you before."

"What is it?"

Inuyasha looked down sheepishly. His cheeks taking on a faint tint of pink and red.

"Inuyasha you can tell me. What's on your mind?" she asked softly.

"Um… You won't get mad?" he asked looking up.

"No, you have my word."

"Uh… How to ask this…?" he whispered to himself. "Did Raidon you know…?"

"Did he hurt me? No, actually. I thought he would." Kikyo told him before he finished.

Inuyasha began to blush a bit harder; not wanting to fully explain what he was trying to ask. "Uh, no not that… Did he… You know…"

Kikyo blinked twice and began to ponder about what he meant. It suddenly struck her and she slid her eyes over to him as he watched her intensely. "Inuyasha," she said sweetly as she placed her hand in the crook of his arm. "Was that what was disturbing you? I thought I explained it to you back there that he was fibbing."

Inuyasha looked a bit relieved at her words but he still didn't seem satisfied with her answer.

"There something else you wish to ask?" Kikyo asked nicely.

"Did he… Force himself on you though…?" Inuyasha asked with a bit of edge in his voice.

"No, everything is fine my little inu," she said as she chuckled.

"Little inu? I'm not little and I'm only half a dog you know?" he replied gruffly.

"I can't call you that?"

"No," he stated simply.

"Very well," she said as she released his arm and began to walk away. Kikyo paused and looked over her shoulder. "My little inu."

Inuyasha tried to scowl but he failed miserably when his attempted scowl turned to a small smile. He went over to her and began walk along side her; silently enjoying the other's presence like they used to fifty years ago.

A/N: Short again but longer than the last at least huh? I wish to inform you all that I'm going to give up this story to start an Inuyasha and Kagome one... dodges flying daggers and other pointy or life threatening objects I'm kidding people. I hate that stupid wench. I hope you guys are enjoying the fact that I made Kagome a bitch. She might be out of character but I don't care because I don't like her anyway. Speaking of people out of character, I think I'm making Kikyo too... Kagome-ish... You think she should be different, if so tell me. I'll try to make the next chapter longer… If I can… …I'm showing too much emotion again…