Inuyasha quietly stoked the small fire burning in front of him. Kagome had fallen asleep hours ago leaving him to keep watch. Sighing, he tossed another branch onto the fire to coax it back to life before leaning back against the cool wall of the cave. Looking down at his companion, he noticed how small and fragile she looked while sleeping. He guessed she could be no taller than five feet four inches and the weeks of malnutrition she had suffered through had left her petite frame far too thin to be healthy. Anger grew in Inuyasha's stomach, how could anyone harm someone so delicate? Why did he feel the need to protect this woman from harm?

AAAA

Kagome woke to the smell of roasting meat and instantly her mouth began to water. She felt more rested than she had in a very long time, despite having slept on the cold, stone ground. She slowly eased her body up, nursing her sore muscles and bruised ribs. Inuyasha sat before the fire holding what appeared to be a rabbit over the flames. The smell was delightful and Kagome smiled "Gone hunting?" she asked

Inuyasha looked up and smirked "Unfortunately rabbit was all I could find" he replied, moving the carcass away from the fire. He broke the meat into pieces and held out a large portion to Kagome. Eagerly she took the meal and enthusiastically began to devour the tender flesh.

"May want to slow down there," Inuyasha warned, "you don't look like you've had anything decent to eat in a while"

Kagome ignored him and wolfed down the last of the rabbit in her hands. She began wiping her hands on her tattered shirt and smiled triumphantly at her companion. "Nonsense," she began, "I'm perfectly fine..." Kagome's expression changed from happy to nauseous in a split second and her hand flew to her mouth. Just as quickly as she had consumed it, her stomach rejected her meal. Inuyasha sighed, "I told you" he chuckled and moved to sit beside the coughing Kagome. He pulled a small flask from his pocket that was filled with water and offered it to her.

"Thanks," Kagome said, slightly embarrassed as she rinsed the taste of bile from her mouth. "I suppose I haven't eaten anything but rotten bread in a while"

Inuyasha frowned and handed her his share of the rabbit, "Here," he said, "try and eat it a bit slower this time, don't shove it down your throat all at one like a wild animal."

Kagome scowled at Inuyasha before gratefully accepting his offer, "Thank you," she said taking a small bite of the warm meat, taking care to chew it completely before she swallowed.

Inuyasha waited patiently for Kagome to finish her meal before he spoke again.

"So Kagome, tell me, how does a girl like you get involved in a war like this?"

"A girl like me?" Kagome asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You know, a small, fragile...weak girl" Inuyasha stuttered in reply.

Kagome laughed, "I'm a lot stronger than I look idiot." Her face then took on a more serious expression and she looked at the far wall of the cave, her eyes becoming distant. "My family lived in the western territories, where Naraku first came into power. My father was a general at the time and was strongly opposed to Naraku's ideas. He defied him and left the army, taking some of the best generals with him. One night I was sent out to fetch fruit for my mother," Kagome smiled at the memory, "she was pregnant at the time and having cravings for sweet things. While I was gone Naraku's men came, they trapped my family inside of our home and set it on fire. They were burnt alive."

Kagome's eyes hardened and her fists clenched by her sides, "I swore then that I would destroy the man who murdered my family" she said, her voice determined.

Inuyasha watched Kagome intently as emotions played across her eyes, fierce determination and anger, followed with a touch of sadness. Feelings he knew all too well.

Shaking her head, Kagome lifted her eyes to meet Inuyasha's gaze. "What about you?" she inquired, "how does a guy like you get involved in a war like this?" the slightest hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Inuyasha shrugged and looked away. "Keh," he mumbled, "none of your business woman."

Frowning Kagome crossed her arms and looked away as well "Fine, act like a five year old," she scoffed.

What felt like hours passed in the uncomfortable silence the two had created. Both refusing to look at the other and be the first to speak. Finally, Inuyasha couldn't take the quiet anymore.

"I don't understand why Naraku would take you captive for so long." He blurted out, "I mean he could have just killed you and taken another officer to find the base." He turned and looked at Kagome with questioning eyes. "What makes you so special?" he thought out loud. "What could you possibly know?"

Kagome turned her head from his intense gaze. "Naraku had reason to believe that I knew the identity of the rebel leader." She said quietly.

Inuyasha looked at her in surprise. "The Commander?" He threw his head back and laughed. "That's ridiculous, no one knows his identity! Only the highest generals. How the hell would an officer like you know information like that?"

Kagome shrugged, "Apparently he was miss informed," she stated coldly before looking to the mouth of the cave. The sun had begun to set and she realized she had slept through the entire day.

"We shouldn't stay here," she began to ease herself up from the ground onto her feet. Her right leg buckled under the weight of her body but Inuyasha caught her before she fell. "Thanks," she winced as the pain coursed through her body.

"Yeah, whatever," he muttered, holding her delicate frame as gently as he could while she regained her balance. Damn it, he thought, why do I want to help her so badly?