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Chapter Sixteen

It was late afternoon when Kagome finally convinced Inuyasha that it was time to make camp. He had begrudgingly went into the woods with Miroku to gather firewood, leaving Kagome, Sango, and Shippo begins to set up their campsite.

"So, Inuyasha, now that it's just the two of us. How was it?"

"How was what?"

"You know what I'm talking about. Did anything...weird...happen while you and Kagome were...?"

"Nope. I was human."

"Ah...I see. So the two of you will only be intimate once a month?"

"Yeah...no...I don't know. That's a conversation for me and Kagome to have. Not me and you. Now you'd better shut your mouth, monk. We're almost back and I don't want her to hear your letchery. She might get you your own set of beads if you don't start watching your mouth."

"So that's why you do everything Kagome tells you to? Because she'll 'sit' you if you don't." Miroku smirked and was greeted with a swift thump to the back of the head.

"No, THATS not it. Think about it Miroku. Kagome cooks for me, loves me, keeps me warm at night, defends me when it comes to the rest of you humans. No offense. All I gotta do is protect her and do as I'm told. It's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. You could learn a thing or two. Maybe you could get a little further with Sango if you treated her as an equal."

"It's really that simple..."

"Yeah. It really is. It's not hard to keep a girl happy. Give her the respect she deserves and protect her from harm. Really anybody with a brain should know that."

"Okay but you know I have to ask...was the sex good?" Suddenly Inuyasha dropped the armful of wood and his hand shot to Miroku throat, lifting him up and pinning him against a tree. He growled, their faces only inches apart.

"You're my friend, Miroku. That's the only reason I haven't ripped your throat out. If you EVER say ANYTHING like that again I won't hesitate. Do. Not. Disrespect Kagome like that EVER again. Got it?"

"Got it," he choked out

"Good." Inuyasha let go, dropping Miroku to the ground with a thud. "Let's get going. They'll be worrying about now."

As they approached the campsite, Kagome stood up and walked toward them, Inuyasha stopped in his tracks and handed the firewood to Miroku.

"Inuyasha, what took you guys so long?"

"Miroku and I had to have a conversation," he tried to play it off even though he was still seething. Kagome let her gaze shift to Miroku and saw the bruise already forming on his neck.

"Uh...are you guys okay?"

"We are now. We've reached an understanding. Haven't we, monk?"

"Yes of course. Why don't I go and start the fire?"

"Good idea," Inuyasha snapped. Once Miroku was out of earshot, Kagome took him by the hand and started to walk back into the woods with him.

"Hey talk to me...what's up?"

"He just doesn't know when to shut up. That's really all there is to it. Please don't interrogate me anymore I don't want to upset you. I handled it."

"He asked you how the sex was...didn't he?"

"But how'd you?..."

"Sango asked me the same question," she giggled.

"Well that's different. That's women talking. And besides, Sango and I have no attraction to each other whatsoever. Miroku has been lusting after you since day one. Yeah he calmed down after Sango came along, but the attraction is still there. And I don't want to give him ANY visualization for his sick fantasies."

"He's not all that bad..."

"Let's drop it okay...climb on."

"Why?"

"Just do it and quit your whining." Inuyasha was bossy as ever. But she could hear the hint of playfulness in his tone. Suddenly he bolted. The world around them was just a big blur as he gradually ascended. Hopping from branch to branch, higher and higher, Inuyasha burst through the tree tops and Kagome felt like they were flying. She knew he was only running on the top of the trees, but his movements were so swift and clean she barely noticed and relaxed. Resting her head in the crook of his neck, she kissed his shoulder.

"I love you, Kagome."

"I love you too," she kissed his cheek this time before nestling back down into her little spot. After a beat, she reached up to stroke his ears.

"Shippo told me how well you handled talking to him. Said it sounded just like something I would say. I'm proud of you for not being so blunt."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah...and after everyone falls asleep I'm gonna show you how proud I am of you. It's only fair, after all."

"Remind me to make you proud more often," he laughed.

"You make me proud everyday," she ran her fingers through his hair and his heart fluttered.

"Really?" He somehow managed to choke out.

"Yes. Really. Why don't we set down somewhere?"

"Just what I was thinking. We're almost back anyways."

"Oh okay good."

"Ya know, Kagome. You'll make a really good mother some day."

"And you'd make a really good father."

"Psh. No I wouldn't. The kid would probably hate me."

"Shippo adores you," she stated matter of factly.

"You think?"

"I know he does. You're the closest thing to a dad he's ever going to have. And you do pretty good with him. You could be less harsh though."

"I gotta! To toughen him up! Especially with you coddling him all the time someone has to give the kid a back bone."

"I guess so...at least you're gentle when you need to be."

"Keh. I know what I'm doing."

"Yes you do, sweetheart. Now let's get back?"

"There you go with that sweetheart mushy stuff again," he rolled his eyes but she felt his heart beat faster and could see the smile playing on his lips that he refused to show. Inuyasha smirked as an idea hit him. This would be worth the laugh at least.

"Hold on Kagome. We've got a long drop."

"Wait wha-" suddenly he missed a treetop on purpose and straightened his legs, falling fast and hard toward the ground.

"Inuyashaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa what are you doinnnggggggggg!" She squealed and wrapped her arms as tight as she possibly could around his neck. Miroku and Sango heard squealing and looked up just in time to see a flash of red drop down right in between them.

"Kagome? Inuyasha? Nice entrance!" Miroku laughed. Sango took in Kagome's features.

"You okay?"

"I'll let you know when my stomach catches up with me. But Inuyasha that was fun! We should do that again! Did it hurt you?"

"Nah. I know it's fun. Been wanting to try it with you for a while but wasn't sure if I could land on my feet."

"You did that without knowing if we'd land okay?"

"I was gonna fall on my face if I fell! Chill out!" He countered as he sat her down.

"Okay fine. Sango, is dinner almost ready?"

"We ate a while ago actually. We weren't sure when you'd be back. But we saved some for you two."

"Thanks."

"Now that you're back, I think we're going to get some sleep."

"Fine by me," inuyasha rolled his eyes and sat down in front of the fire, taking Kagome's hand and pulling her down in his lap. He wrapped a possessive arm around her and kissed her temple.

"Are you warm enough, Kagome?"

"Yes."

"Sooo...when are ya gonna show me how proud you are?"

"Pick your favorite tree and let's go."

"Oh hell yeah," he grinned and scooped her up, jumping into the night.