Notes: FINALLY...A new chapter. :smiles from ear to ear: I want to apologise that I took so long to post this, but my heart needed time to heal. Since I stopped writting, I had a chance for a ton of new ideas to find their way into my brain, so this should continue to be quite interesting. I also want to send out a special thank you to Shaunda for your kind words during our difficult time. I hope you shook that nasty flu... :starts beating up the flu bug with a hockey stick: There. Ihope that helped...Well, anyways...let's get on with the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha charactors. Just Amaya...

Chapter 35- Conflicts of the Heart

The light hum of Shippo's song was the loudest sound on the wind this morning as he sat with his back against Kaede's hut. He peeked one eye open and saw Sango still cleaning her hiriakotsu, Miroku leaning against a nearby tree watching over her. His eye turned downward to see Shippo playing in the grass before him. He closed his eye and growled. "Shippo…"

"Hmm?"

"Think you could," he opened his eyes quickly and leapt, landing on all fours mere centimeters from Shippo's nose, "KEEP IT DOWN A BIT!"

The kitsune cub jumped with a squeak, landing on his back and squirming back quickly. "Gosh Inuyasha. I'm just a kid you know. It's not my fault we haven't left yet, so don't take it out on me." He flinched as Inuyasha rose to his feet. He looked over to see his friend hadn't gone but a few steps. He stared off into the distance, clearly deep in thought. Shippo walked up to Inuyasha and jumped up onto his shoulder. "I know you want to get going, but it's only one more day, Inuyasha.

"Yeah…I know," he muttered. Damn. I need to find out what Sesshoumaru's up to. The scent of death hasn't left the air yet, but it's starting to fade. Were running out of time. We have to leave by tomorrow. He sighed. "I guess I just can't stand sitting here doing nothing all the time."

"Not much longer, Inuyasha," the young demon smiled. "Man, when's Kagome gonna get back? I miss her, Inuyasha."

"Feh." His ear twitched as he heard a voice on the air. The voice was definitely angry. He closed his eyes to focus on the sound, when he began sensing anger deep within him. What is this I'm feeling? he wondered.

"Can we just drop this, PLEASE!" a voice yelled from a distance. "Just STOP!"

"Kagome…" he whispered. He turned around quickly, Shippo barely grabbing on to his shoulder before falling off. At the edge of the trees, he could see Kagome stomping forward toward the village.

Shippo looked on surprised. "Wow. I thought you were the only person that could make her mad like that, Inuyasha."

"Would you give it a rest!"

Moments later, Amaya caught up quickly and took Kagome's arm firmly in her hand. "Kagome," she said, softly. Her emerald eyes melted looking into Kagome's, but the miko only looked away.

"No, Amaya," Kagome insisted. "Right now, just leave me be."

"Ka…"

"I'm serious, Amaya. Now let go of my arm!" she yelled as she yanked her arm away from her mate. "Man, sometimes I wish I could make you sit." :THUD: "Huh?" She looked toward Kaede's hut where she saw Inuyasha face down in a crater shaped like himself. "Oops," she whispered. She walked up to Inuyasha and kneeled down before him.

The hanyou jumped up, eyes burning, fists balled tightly. "What the hell was that for, huh?"

"I'm sorry," Kagome said, sadly. Her eyes looked like cubes of ice, the melting tears threatening to roll down her cheeks.

The hanyou began looking around confused. Did I do something wrong?

She turned her head back to see Amaya walking angrily into Kaede's hut. "I…" she stuttered, "I can't…think, Inu…yasha."

"Come on," he outstretched his hand and helped her to her feet. "Let's walk." She nodded and they started roaming through Inuyasha's forest.

"I can't believe she got on my case like that," Kagome whimpered. "I mean, I can kinda understand why she's mad…but…" She huffed loudly from frustration.

"It's okay," Inuyasha said softly, stroking the miko's ebony locks as she buried her face in his chest.

"I mean, is it really wrong of me to be flattered when someone compliments me?" she pleaded. "And, besides…like the lecher would actually try anything. He knows better. I just don't know what to do, Inuyasha. I mean, I do love her…but, times like that I really question things. I don't know what it is, but…" Her voice trailed off as she stared up deep into his amber eyes. "I…" Her breathing deepened and a shiver ran up her spine. Her spirit seemed to float from her body as the distance between them slowly closed, a strange warmth flowing through her veins as their lips touched. Both closed their eyes as they leaned further into this passionate embrace. Kagome pulled slowly away and her glowing orbs penetrated his own. A small smile quirked her lips as she breathed in his delicious scent. Has he always smelt this good? Damn this demon nose, his scent intoxicates me. She leaned in again, barely touching her lips to his teasingly. Pulling back again, she blinked slowly looking deep into his eyes.

A pulsing feeling came from inside of Inuyasha. It was the same feeling as when he transformed, but somehow it was different. He felt all control leaving him as he took her firmly by the shoulders and lay her back in the grass. He straddled her small waist and a look of surprise, even a bit of uncertainty, snuck through Kagome's expression. In the same motion, he took one of her wrists in each hand and pinned them to the ground over her head. Before her mind or body could protest, he leaned in and forced a kiss on the helpless miko, nearly bruising her lips. To her surprise, Kagome realized she was not struggling at all. In fact, she started returning the kiss as his tongue tickled her lips. She wriggled beneath him as his hair cascaded down his body, tickling Kagome's sides.

After a few moments of intense passion, Inuyasha felt a bit of control return to his mind. Wait. This feels wrong. I mean…it feels perfect, but not like this. Something's wrong. But what? Finally he was able to pull away from Kagome's lips as she lie there, eyes still shut. The miko took in a deep breath and smiled, her chocolate eyes burning into his. He released her wrists and noticed that they were very red from his tight grip. She did not seem to notice as she caressed his cheek with one of her soft hands. Knowing that his control would start wavering, he rose to his feet and took a deep breath. As distance came between them, realization hit them as to what had transpired. "I'm sorry," Inuyasha said, almost silently.

"No," Kagome said, looking at the sky. "It's not your fault. It's getting late. We should probably start heading back."

"No point," he muttered. "We already missed dinner."

I know, she thought. He's tired of waiting around the village. At least out here, he can feel like we're traveling. Well, I guess I can humor him…but just tonight. "Hey Inuyasha," she called, walking up to the trunk of the sacred tree. "Can you help me up here?"

The sun rose slowly over the peaks in the distance. A bright ray of light struck the hanyou in the face, waking him. A sweet scent tickled his nose, causing him to peek one eye open. "Kagome," his voice rang soft, like a whispered litany. He nuzzled his cheek against her hair and she began to stir.

"Inu…yasha…" she said, sleepily.

He looked down at her and smiled. Moving her bangs out of her face, he leaned in placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and her cheeks had a slight twinge of pink. "Good morning," she said, stretching.

"Morning," Inuyasha smiled. He yawned deeply and returned his gaze to the beautiful miko in his arms. So warm…So perfect. This feeling…I…No! Kikyo…but, Kagome…I just don't know anymore. Who is my mate? Is it Kikyo…or is it-?

Kagome's arms wrapping around his neck and planting a light kiss on his cheek quickly halted his thoughts. "Let's get going, Inuyasha."

"Huh?"

"I know you're anxious to find out what happened to Sesshoumaru," she explained. "Let's head back to the village."

"Right." He smiled at her and he took her in his arms and jumped to the ground below the sacred tree. He set her down and allowed her to climb up on his back so they could return to the village quickly. I hope they're all still asleep, he thought, an image of Amaya flashing through his mind.

Notes: Yet another glimmer of hope for InuKag. Will they find love in eachother...or will their love remain still unrequited? Sorry, I really don't mean to tease...but I'm having fun with the suspense. I hope this chapter wasn't too short and I plan on posting another chapter very soon. Please R&R. Thanks and happy reading. InuNimue