"There is a plan people! They're going to attack Naraku's Castle! I want to admit so much! I really want to assure you guys about a few things but I mustn't!" "No, no, no! Don't do it Midnight Summer!" "I won't, just need to breathe a little."

Disclaimer: That Awkward Moment at the beginning of every chapter where I have to claim that Inuyasha isn't mine. Okay it's really not that awkward.

Chapter 23: New Pieces to a Plan

By the time morning came around, I felt so much better and as soon as I opened my eyes I was up and trying to figure out where we were exactly. Inuyasha was still awake; of course, there was no chance he was going to sleep when we're going to be attacking the castle the next day. So he noticed me get up and followed after me.

"What are you looking for?" he yawned.

"Where did you guys find me yesterday?" I asked, ignoring his question.

"Off that way," he pointed to the left. "Is there where Naraku's Castle is?"

"Where you found me, you were feet away from his barrier."

"Serious? Makes you wonder how many times we've been that close to his castle before."

I leaned on a tree and looked out into the rest of the forest. "How did Naraku get you out into the forest that night?" I inquired while he stood next to me.

I felt his gaze go to me but I didn't look. "He used your voice with one of his dummies and lured me to the edge of the village. Once it revealed itself he said that he was going after you. I guess he did the same thing to you, but it was actually him."

"Yeah, sick bastard. I got one good slice out of him but the miasma…I hope I wasn't delusional while I was there. I can't prove I wasn't but I just remember everything so well and-."

"Midori, I already believe you, you don't have to convince me."

"I'm not trying to convince you, I'm enthusing about how freaked out I am about being wrong."

"You're not wrong."

"How do you know?"

"Because you know what you saw, or heard, or whatever. I wouldn't be friends with you I didn't trust you."

"I can still be wrong though, but I could just me believing that I'm right."

"I guess we'll be figuring it out then."

I turned my eyes up to his. "I guess we will."

"Don't be nervous okay?"

"Why? We're going into a battle. Of course I'm going to be, and am, nervous," I shuddered.

"If you're gonna be freaked out then I'm going to freak out. I'm the most concerned about you out there."

"What?" I got off of the tree and turned to him. "I broke out of Naraku's Castle without a scratch on me and you're worried about me?"

"This isn't breaking out, this is actually fighting him." He furrowed his eyebrows at me, noticing my expression and leaned in closer. "Are you angry?"

"A bit."

"Why? A lot of people would be surprised I care about anything at all and you're angry because I'm worried about you?"

"Inuyasha," I whispered harshly, suddenly not entirely convinced that everyone was still asleep, "neither of us can control everything that's going to happen when we attack the castle. You can't be watching over me the whole time."

"I know that," he huffed, looking off in a different direction. "But the last time I stopped watching over you, you got kid napped, and before that the village got attacked by demons. You have to understand my nervousness."

"Don't be nervous."

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Because if you're going to be freaked out, then I'm going to be freaked out too," I smirked. "What happened to the big brave guy I've always taken you for? The one that didn't give what the consequences were to others, as long as he got what he wanted. Or do you no longer wish to be a full demon?"

"Hey, I stopped caring after I left the village, where did you hear about that?"

"I talk to Miroku and Sango and Shippo you know. But I did always know about your desire to be a full demon. Have your feelings shifted about that or have you finally realized that you were an idiot for wanting to be any different from how you are now?"

"So you've got an opinion on it now?"

"I've always had an opinion about it but I don't think you speak sighs and eye rolls. Why would you want to change?"

"Because it sucks to be in the middle."

"I know it does but there isn't anything wrong with you." I shook my head at him. "I shouldn't have to tell you this. For now, we should focus on Naraku. Let's talk after this is all over?" I remember the promise I made about if I got out of the castle without getting attacked, I'm not going to chicken out, I will tell him. I will tell him.

"Absolutely."

"You promise?"

"Promise."

Then his ears twitch and he lifted his nose. I watched him as his eyes grew then narrowed. "Of all times, why now?"

"What is it?" I asked, but I spotted a tornado coming towards us. "Oh…never mind." I sighed and the young wolf demon stopped right in front of me.

"Hello again Midori." He reached out to clasp onto my hands and Inuyasha got ready to pounce but I pulled my hands away.

"We're going to attack Naraku today," I stated bluntly. "He's supposedly in his human form-."

"He is in his human form," Inuyasha added.

"-and he doesn't know we're coming. Any help we can get with be nothing but helpful," I continued.

"Debatable," Inuyasha commented under his breath.

I shoved him a little. "Join us Koga?"

He blinked his blue eyes at me. "Wha? Naraku is in his human form? You guys are going to attack him? What else don't I know?!"

"I was also kidnapped by Naraku but that doesn't matter right now. Are you going to-?"

"What?! Ya stupid Mutt! She got kidnapped?! How could you let that happen?!" he snapped.

Inuyasha began to roll his sleeves up. "You think I decided for that to happen?! Come on over here and I'll-!"

I shot him a reassuring look over my shoulder and mouthed 'I got this' then winked. He reluctantly shut his mouth. 'Trust me?' I mouthed again. He nodded slowly and let the steam out of his ears. They twitched around, being irritated, which was just as adorable as when he did that when he was younger.

I jumped onto Koga and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Oh Koga, I don't want something like that to happen again! You must come with us to destroy Naraku! My little fan can only do so much to keep me safe."

He put his arms around me and my skin crawled. "I will come with a kill Naraku myself. It will be easy if he is indeed human, but it will only be that easier to protect you to and avenge my people. I'll be right back once I get my men." He released me then ran off.

I shuddered and turned back to Inuyasha, whose face was red from anger. His ears were going berserk on top of his head. "T-That was your plan?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Wasn't one of my best but any help is good help."

"That was easily the worst plan you or anyone has ever come up with."

"Oh you're just getting worked up that I hugged him." I rolled my eyes and moved back to where everyone was still sleeping. "At least he didn't try and kiss me." I smacked my lips together with a smooching sound just to irritate him. "Koga and I would have beaten you and Kagome to the first kiss thing."

"Ha, ha, you're hilarious."

"You know what Inuyasha?"

"What?" he grumbled, following behind me.

"I'm not so nervous anymore," I laughed.