A/N; I'm sorry my schedule ended up like Kouga's pack when just after the holidays a cold attacked and sadly it's influencing my writing.
I know I promised some stuff, but this chapter grew a bit to big already, so I decided to post this now and then focus on what was promised.
Feel free to review and hopefully enjoy!

Give Her Back

The Sacred Tree was standing tall, regal and beautiful. A girl stood under it, feeling insignificant and anxious as she stood in its shade. It looked like a pillar holding up the heavens, massive and beautiful. The forest around was serene and full of life, but she wasn't used to its sound and was uneasy as she listened to the wind playing with the tree limbs.

She approached the Sacred Tree and put a hand against the smooth trunk, feeling how warm it was from the sunlight. Touching the tree wasn't taboo, but not many dared to go so far in the forest and stand in front of it. It was a place touched by the kami and all villagers held deep respect to the Tree within their hearts. It was where the miko went to summon the forest spirit, where the offerings were brought on special occasions, where her dear friend had found her power and had broken the seal on the forest spirit.

Her heart squeezed when she thought about her dear friend. They knew each other for a while now, but their friendship was a recent thing, since before their parents had been afraid to allow their daughters socialize with her. She'd learned how kind, how similar to all other girls she was, but also how brave and strong willed she was.

And now, now she was gone, swallowed by the wild forest.

"Please... Give her back..." she whispered. Nothing happened, just the wind swayed the branches overhead. She could hear her three companions whisper among themselves behind a tree a bit away. She was the bravest, so she approached the Sacred Tree. She took a deep breath.

"Give her back!" she shouted. This time it wasn't a plea, it was a demand.

Something bad had happened last night. Something that made the forest spirit howl that eerie, terrifying howl. Something that had made her father and some other men to leave everything and run towards the forest, following Lady Kaede. They all had returned soon after, all grim. They had told everyone to go home. From the rumors spreading through the village, some of the men had been spotted carrying bodies or escorting others to a makeshift custody shed. Both visiting headmen were still in the village, master Oda staying with his injured son.

This morning Ayumi had seen a crow land on a fence next to where Lady Kaede had been walking. A tiny aged man sat on the crow's back and he talked to the miko for a few minutes before flying away. Immediately, Lady Kaede had went to headman Kuma's house to spend a long time talking to him there. A feeling of uneasiness, of impending disaster was hanging in the air. and all the villagers were confused and afraid. Many cast worried glances towards the line of the forest, that was quiet and serene as if nothing was amiss. But there for certain was something wrong.

Kagome was nowhere to be found and from the fragments of the information the girls had gathered, it had been the forest spirit who'd took her into his forest. So they came to this spot, where Kagome had once told them she had been visiting the youkai pinned to this very tree, hoping they could persuade him. They'd gathered all their courage to venture into the forest and come to this meadow. Yuka lowered her head, whispering her plea once more, afraid for her friend.

Kagome was always a strange girl, a bit shy and reserved at first, but kind and generous. It had been Sakura who had reached a hand in friendship to her and encouraged them to do the same. Their parents no longer forbidding them to interact with the young miko, they quickly became friends and saw that she was not a cursed girl, a bringer of bad luck, but a girl just like them.

No one wanted to tell them the truth - if they even knew it - about what had happened to Kagome.

"Give her back? Why should I do that?" Yuka gasped and jumped, tilting her head to look at one of the branches swaying overhead. The voice was gruff and carried little warmth.

A youkai sat there, his kimono red like blood, his hair silver like moonlight, his eyes blazing golden. The canine ears on top of his head moved constantly.

He looked so much in place as he glared down at her, a being of nature, the spirit that guarded the forest around the village. Yuka swallowed hard. How could Kagome be so brave to befriend this scary creature?

"Well, human?" he growled, lowering his head as if readying himself to pounce. "Why should I give you back my miko?"

Yuka felt her mouth go dry and she tried to gather her words. She wished her sisters were right beside her to support her, but she knew they were as scared as she was. Yesterday he had appeared so much calmer, more approachable, it had been almost possible to forget that he was a youkai capable of tearing people to shreds. Was he going to pounce at her? She had no doubt that he could easily kill her and her sisters in no time, if he so wished. The knowledge that she stood in the presence of an otherworldly being was making her knees weak and a part of her was amazed how brave Kagome was - and how strong. The rumor had it that she held power over him, could summon him with a call, subdue him with a word, make him save or kill humans and youkai alike. Truly, Kagome was a gem with hidden beauty, her power only recently blooming.

Yellow, inhuman eyes of the youkai were blazing, looking down at her with no warmth.

"What can you do to protect her?" he spoke, not waiting for her answer. Yuka gasped and looked at his scowling face. "You are weak humans, the whole bunch of you, and among you she will never be free, she will never be safe. You can't prevent the repeat of the last night"

"Inuyasha!" a small cry stopped him from continuing. Shippou, the cute little kitsune, leaped on his shoulder, catching his attention. As soon as those fiery eyes looked away Yuka felt a wave of relief wash over her. "She's almost done with her bath, you need to go back."

"Keh," the forest spirit gave a nod and the kitsune disappeared in a poof of smoke from which an acorn fell to the ground.

"F-forest spirit!" Yuka called when she saw him turn to leap away. He glared down at her. "Is Kagome... Is she okay? Will you let us see her?"

"She's hurt, but will heal. And you will see her only when she wants to and I allow you," he replied. "And that ain't happening before I see justice."

With that he was gone, disappearing in the thick forest, leaping from tree limb to a tree limb. Yuka sighed and felt Eri and Sakura hold her arms as she sank to her knees, her body shaking after the encounter. How could Kagome stay around this youkai without fright? Sakura reached her hands to the Sacred Tree's branch and tied a kumihimo plait of tiny pink blossoms on blue background, with tiny bells attached to the ends of the cord.

"Let's go home," she said. "We need to find out what had happened to Kagome and figure out how to make the forest spirit let us see her and make sure she's okay."

.

Kagome woke slowly, as if emerging from warm darkness. She heard quiet voices close by and she felt Shippou's small body pressed against her side From the feel of it, Inuyasha was still laying behind her back, his body heat and the youki warming her and making her feel secure.

"So, what Kaede told you?" Inuyasha asked. He sounded tense.

"Lady Kaede, in her great wisdom, said that this matter can't be discussed via proxy, even if I am your faithful retainer. She wishes to talk to you personally and in Lady Kagome's presence. And about that - her testimony will be required when you decide to pass down the judgment on the survivors." Inuyasha's reply to this was a low growl. "I know you don't wish to bring her out of your den so early, but the humans lack your superior scent, they have little knowledge of what had transpired."

"Feh. I'll let her choose if she wants to go or not. She is here not against her will," Kagome felt warmth flood her heart when she heard Inuyasha's words. He was obviously not pleased with the idea of her leaving the den, but wouldn't stop her.

"I know," Myouga replied. He sounded happy and full of energy. "Master, let me congratulate..."

"Don't get so excited, it's not for sure yet," Inuyasha tried to tamper the flea's elation. "We'll see if Kagome still wants to stay here and let me court her when she wakes up and her wounds heal."

"You know, master, you could assist her in healing the... Gods, no, it was but an innocent...! Off! You are truly merciless, my lord..." Myouga grumbled in mild pain. Kagome shook her head internally, the flea had a real talent to make Inuyasha squish him.

Then all she had heard registered, followed by the memories of the night.

They'd tried to sell her. They'd hurt her, taunted her. He'd saved her. He'd brought her to his den. He'd told her that she could stay at his side. that he... that he wanted to... court... her. Not a pretty girl, not a powerful miko, not any other girl, but her.

And now, now it seemed that the forest spirit was planning to judge those that hadn't been slain by his claws the previous night. And, according to Myouga, she should go with him to tell everyone what had happened to her.

At first her memories were tinted with pain, heartache and betrayal, sour and harsh, causing her eyes to water. But then, as she thought about the forest spirit, his youki warming her, soothing her fears, those emotions faded away, replaced by... Warmth swelled in her heart, gratitude and relief making her tears spill from under her eyelids.

A calloused, rough hand, fingers tipped with dull, powerful canine claws, cupped her cheek, tilting her head a bit up.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha's voice was laced with concern and prompted her to look up, blinking away her tears. He sat next to her bedding, leaning over her. His silver hair fell over his shoulder, veiling the rest of the world, hiding her from it. She wouldn't notice the rest of the world anyway, too lost was she in the golden eyes of her forest spirit, looking at her with unusual softness.

She wanted to thank him, to assure him that she still meant what she had told him earlier, than with him she felt safe and would go whenever he went, even to face the villagers and assist at the court. But somewhere on the road from her brain to her mouth the words got twisted.

"I love you,: she blurted out. It took the sudden widening of Inuyasha's eyes and the rampant blush taking over his features for her to realize what she had said. Well, it was truth, but she didn't want to just confess to him like this, right now. To say that she wasn't prepared to tell him this and for his reaction would be an understatement.

Before she could shriek and hide her head under the blanket, the man lowered his head and nuzzled the side of her head. She felt his hot breath against the sensitive skin over her bruise. Mild pain followed when he ran his tongue from her jaw to cheekbone.

Despite the tingling ache in her cheek, Kagome felt her heart skip a beat. It was a canine version of a kiss - he'd done it before. But back then it had been a playful, fast lick, this one was slower, gentler. She felt her face flushing hotly when he nuzzled her under her ear - again, he had done it before, playfully pretending to go after her throat, but this time it felt different. Intimate and loving, as if he was trying to say the same thing with gestures more canine than human-like. It was not the first time he acted like a dog around her- she remembered countless occasions when he scratched his ear with a foot, or tilted his head like a confused puppy, or yawned with his tongue curling in.

...Was it her imagination or was her face hurting less...?

"You promised not to cry anymore, wench," he muttered, his breath ticking her ear. "Are you in big pain?"

"Nothing that a soak in the hot spring and a few days of rest can't help," she managed to say. She gasped when she felt Inuyasha's arms sneak under her and grimaced when her own reached to loop around his neck, her left hand hurting as she flexed her muscles. "Inuyasha, what are you doing?"

She looked up at him from where he held her against himself, not even trying to wiggle free. She didn't want to be dropped right now, her body ached already. Those yellow eyes looked down at her, his cheeks still covered in dusting of pink.

'"You need a bath," he simply said and carried her out of his room, towards the hot spring.

"I do, but I also need food!" she pointed out. He nodded in agreement.

"First bath. And... We'll talk when you're ready. I will be going to the village in a while," Inuyasha said, looking straight ahead. "You don't have to go if you don't want to."

Kagome nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.

.

Myouga and Shippou looked at each other and then at the door left wide open. They still could hear the voices of their friends down the corridor. They seemed to forget that the kitsune and the flea existed.

"That was... unexpected." Myouga said slowly. Shippou pouted and stomped his paw.

"He should've told her he loved her back!" he grumbled. "Doesn't he know that humans need to exchange mushy lines like this, otherwise it's not official?"

"Lady Kagome didn't seem to mind," the flea shrugged. "Besides, maybe he's waiting for her to allow the courtship before he says it?"

"I bet the idiot has no idea," the fox stomped his little paws. "Mom and dad used to tell me stories about humans and how they act, you know, so I can blend in better."

"That was admirable of them," Myouga nodded.

"And in each of the stories if the lovers don't say this stuff to each other then they can be split apart by bad guys," Shippou reached in his sleeve.

"I doubt that'd happen," the old youkai pointed out. "They seem pretty bend on staying together."

"I'll make sure they will. I won't let Inuyasha's stupidity drive Kagome away." the boy declared and showed what he held in his hand to Myouga before throwing it under his feet. A gust of smoke surrounded him.

"Oh, my..." Myouga whispered as he watched the boy exit the room, wisps of dust swirling behind the sleeves of his robe and long hair.

.

Kagome carefully sat down in the hot spring. She left her clothes on a pile nearby, they needed washing and she was going to wear an old yukaka she'd brought to Inuyasha's den some time ago. Inuyasha was gone now, probably on a patrol or hunting for the dinner.

Her various bruises hurt, but the healing water was going to soon make them hurt less. She had washed and rinsed herself earlier, so now all she had to do was to rest her head on the spring bank and relax. The feeling of being dirty no longer lingered on her skin and she had a box of her cure against bruises ready to apply later. She'd brought it for Shippou, since the boy could be clumsy at times. Well, he rarely used it, preferring to just heal with his youki, but she felt better knowing that there were some medicine in the den.

Now she should be able to make new cures and stock on herbs in the den. She hoped Inuyasha wouldn't mind letting her have one room for healing stuff. She bit her bottom lip - was there even any reason to prepare medicine? Maybe she could sell it outside of Inuyasha's Forest? This thought lifted her spirit, she could support the household and not just be a burden on Inuyasha.

The mere thought about the forest spirit made her blush, her memory supplying her with a detailed vision of his face when she'd blurted out that she loved him, Those golden, gleaming eyes widening. those lips parting as he let out a soft sigh, his cheeks as red as ripe cherries...

Kagome clasped her hands against her flaming cheeks and sank to her chin in the water.

Well, her secret was out. And, a hopeful smile spread her lips, he didn't seem to be bothered.

That made her remember something else. Carefully, the tips of her fingers brushed against her cheek. She'd been hit there the previous night and up until not too long ago her cheek had been pulsing with dull pain, swollen and sensitive to touch. Now, as she discovered, it was perfectly fine. Puzzled, she patted it a few times and found no pain.

That was... Surprising...

"Hm," Kagome frowned. The last time she'd felt ache was when... When Inuyasha'd licked her... "I need to ask him about it later," she muttered.

A soft smile appeared on her face when she thought that there would be 'later.' Inuyasha wanted her to stay in his den, at his side, despite the fact that the stupid people had tried to use her to control him, despite her weakness. He'd been most caring and gentle with her, not once raising his voice. Oh, she wasn't silly, she knew he wasn't going to stay so docile for long, but she appreciated that he did what he could to make her feel safe.

And that wasn't all. Apparently he wanted to court her. Her forest spirit, her beloved hanyou... It was like a dream to think that he could return her feelings for her.

It was hard to think about all the bad things that had happened when her heart was beating faster and her cheeks were flushing, her mind turning back to the memory of him stumbling over his words, expressing his wish..

Now, in the light of day, safe and free, the smith's son's words held no power over her. They'd called her names, but she refused to feel down, to let their lies take root in her mind and drive her down. The villagers would never accept her, she understood it now. They would turn against her at any sign of bad luck and Kagome no longer wanted to battle the rumors of herself being cursed, unlucky or a dark priestess. She no longer needed to do her best to try and fit in the community, she was free and...

Inuyasha wanted to court her.

With a dazed smile Kagome looked to the source of a soft sound of moving pebbles coming from the direction of the den entrance.

Then she shrieked and tried to cover herself with her hands.

'No, no, Kagome, don't be afraid, it's just me," Inuyasha, standing on the edge of the water, waved his hands in an attempt to calm her down. "It's me!"

"I know!" Kagome, her heart beating faster and her face red for a different reason, curled up in a ball, knowing very well that from his spot he had a good view of... well... all the view. "What are you doing here?"

It was unlike him to just startle her like this in a bath. He'd never intentionally tried to steal a peek, even if once he'd seen her in her chest wrapping and loincloth. But now, now he just stood there, no sign of a blush, no attempt of denying seeing anything, no running away or even turning around.

"I came to tell you something important, Kagome," he said evenly. Even his ears didn't lower at her yell.

"Then at least turn around!" she demanded. That was beyond embarrassing - first she'd confessed her feelings to him and now he saw her naked!

"But why?" he asked innocently and that made Kagome pause in her panicked attempt to crawl behind a rock without mooning him. She stared at him mutely. Why...? "I need to tell you this. To your face."

"Can's it wait?" she asked weakly. He shook his head, silver hair fanning out behind him as he did. "Okay, I listen."

"I love you, Kagome. You are the source of my strength," he spoke, his voice solemn, his words impactful. "You are the reason I laugh. You make the sun rise and the moon change its face. You hang the stars. You're fairer than any celestial maiden, you are smart and good, you are my beloved, you hold my heart and soul, forever and ever. There will never be another for me, darling. I wish to stay with you, to protect you, to lay my life in service to you. My heart soars when I'm close to you."

Kagome's jaw hit the floor, almost literally.

He just stood there, beautiful and otherworldly, his ears and eyes not straying from her, as he spoke. It sounded a bit as if he'd rehearsed it, but it was still him, his voice, his words.

It was a good thing she was already sitting...

Inuyasha sank to his knee and bowed his head.

"You are the cherry blossoms in the moonlight, you're the willow branches dancing on summer wind, you are grace and beauty in flesh, my fair Kagome. My love, my soul, forgive me for being such a terrible, terrible idiot. I know I'm a hanyou, but I want you to be my wife, my mate, to stay with me. I know I mess up stuff and I always act like I know best, that I'm a bossy moron and that I am too greedy, but don't mind that. Just stay with me and I will do my best to be worthy of your love."

That had to be a dream. Inuyasha was physically not capable of stringing so many words together without throwing in at least a dozen curses and stumbling over his own words.

And he would never just ignore the fact that she was in a hot spring.

And his youki would be all around the place...

That made her pause. His youki... It wasn't right. It was much smaller than usual and had not even a tint of red. She focused on it, ignoring his fierce assurances of undying love and her own embarrassment.

The youki was blue, forming a vortex definitely too small to be Inuyasha's energy. Even when he tried to mask it, he couldn't shrink his youketsu.

A realization dawned upon her. It'd explain everything.

"Shippou." she said. The man fell silent for a second.

"Who? Shippou? He isn't here," he assured her hastily.

"Oh, that's good," her sigh in relief was a bit too deeply to be a real one. Inuyasha in front of her smiled, relieved as well. A tail swayed behind him, broadcasting his good mood. "Inuyasha... Your tail is showing."

"What?" Inuyasha looked back to see a bushy, orange tail tipped with white fur. "Oh, dang it!"

With that he disappeared in a poof of smoke. When it cleared Shippou stood there, pouting at his tail.

Kagome giggled, partially in relief, partially amused at the kitsune's antics. Well, if she had to be honest, it was a bit depressing that the whole speech wasn't really Inuyasha's, but she still hoped she'd get a similar one from him one day. well, maybe not that poetic and long, but honest and real.

"So, you got me," Shippou looked back at her, serious now. "But you know, he thinks that. Well, maybe something simpler, since he;s a dog, but he likes you too. He's just an idiot and can't find good words. Just... Don't get angry at him and leave us, okay?"

"Thank you, Shippou," Kagome smiled warmly. "But it's fine, you don't have to pretend you're him. Besides, it counts only when he says it, even if he isn't as eloquent about it as you were."

Shippou puffed out his chest, pleased by her praise.

"And you shouldn't use your magic to deceive people like this. Feelings are delicate things. Anyway, I don't plan to return to the village, as long as I can stay here."

"Really?" the boy bounced on his paws and clapped his hands. "That's great!"

"As long as Inuyasha doesn't mind me staying here," she assured him.

"Keh!" Shippou crossed his arms over his chest. "He won't! And I'll steal from the village all your things for you!" he promised.

"Just don't let anyone catch you," she warned. "Um... Can you call Inuyasha? I mean he went hunting or something, but I'd like to talk to him before he's off to the court..."

"Sure thing!" the fox threw a handful of acorns in the air, calling forth his multiplying spell. A bunch of copies of himself appeared in poofs of smoke and rant out of the cave. "You just finish up your bath, he'll be back soon. And come to the kitchen, there's some food there, I'm sure you're hungry! I'll make you tea!"

Kagome smiled and shook her head, looking after the running boy.

"I wish you told me that, Inuyasha," she whispered.

Well, maybe not when she was naked in a hot spring, but in some romantic place, holding her close...

.

A young woman bowed her head as she entered the hut. It was tidy and warm, bunches of herbs drying under the roof. Outside rain was falling, so it was nice to get out of it.

An old woman sat next to the fire pit, looking in the fire. Her long hair was unbound, her face retaining signs of great beauty in her younger years.

"You called for me, Lady Tsubaki,' the woman bowed, not stepping onto the raised floor. Her feet were muddy and she didn't think the miko would appreciate that.

"I had a dream tonight," the aged miko said softly. "The Shikon no Tama is somewhere within the world of living again. You are to collect your companion and follow my directions to where it is. You must bring it to me."

"O... O course, my lady," the young woman bowed, her ponytail swaying as she stood back straight. Determination swelled in her heart at the information, along with adrenaline. The jewel was back, which meant that if they weren't careful, dark times could follow. "We will set out as soon as my partner is back. and we will bring the Jewel. We will protect it and don't allow it to fall in youkai hands."

"Good," Tsubaki glanced at the other woman and smiled. "We don't have much time, whatever caused it, the barriers around it, cast by the previous guardian, seem to lessen."

"We will make haste," the younger female promised. The old miko just nodded, looking back in the fire. "What... What about the current guardian?"

"Bring her here as well. If she refuses to come, use force. We can't allow the repeat of the fate that was the previous guardian's demise."

The young woman nodded and went away in search of her companion while the old miko stood up to retrieve her brush, paper and ink to draw a map.