Thanks for the reviews/follows/faves! I'm so happy to see y'all enjoying this story so far :) This is a connective chapter, but I hope that you find it amusing too!

Once Kagome's stomach settled down, Inuyasha gently carried her back to their spot by the fire. He wiped away the sweat from her brow and noticed her shiver. He picked up his robe from where it had fallen as Kagome rushed to the trees and once again, placed it around her shoulders.

"Why don't you close your eyes and try to get some more sleep?" he asked her. "The sun won't be up for a few more hours. I'll keep watch over you."

Kagome didn't need to be persuaded. She was exhausted from the vomiting. She laid her head against his chest once more. Inuyasha watched as she closed her eyes and listened for the rhythmic breathing that came as she fell asleep. Worry crept onto his face again as he took note of her pale and clammy skin.

I wish it had been a stomach demon, he grumbled to himself. That I know how to take care of.

Inuyasha was still awake by the time the sun rose. As he sat deep in thought, Miroku and Sango came over to him. Miroku crouched down at eye level and placed a hand on his shoulders. "Earth to Inuyasha," he said, waving his other hand in the half-demon's face.

Inuyasha's eyes came back into focus. "Oh, hey, Miroku. Sango. Didn't realize you two were up."

"I heard you and Kagome awake in the night," spoke Miroku. "I trust that everything is alright?"

Sango's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. She looked to Miroku, and then to Kagome in the arms of Inuyasha. Her face flushed. I had no idea the two of them were so close!

Shippo popped up behind the protection of Miroku with a sly smile on his face. "Yea, Inuyasha, you two seem to he awfully familiar with each other."

BONK! Inuyasha's fist came down onto Shippo's head, and the small fox demon slid to the floor. "Geez, Inuyasha, it was just a joke."

"It was nothing like that," Inuyasha gritted out through clenched teeth, his face a beet red color.

Miroku chuckled at his friend's discomfort. "I meant nothing of the sort. I was merely checking on Lady Kagome's well-being. I would never lower myself to such scandalous and inappropriate suggestions."

As he made his remarks, it was Sango's face that turned red. "Monk," she spoke in a scarily even tone, "please apply that same principle to your actions and remove your hand from my backside!"

Miroku froze in place except for his hand. "Come on Sango, can you blame a guy for trying?"

BONK! Sango's fist made contact with Miroku's face, and he dropped his hand. "Sorry, dearest Sango," he eked out.

Regaining her composure, Sango turned again to Inuyasha. "Is everything alright with Kagome, then?"

Inuyasha turned his gaze down to the girl. She was still fast asleep. Her skin was less pale than it had been a few hours prior, but the rosy flush that usually graced her cheeks had yet to return.

"I don't know. She said last night that she hasn't been feeling great, and then I woke up to her puking into the forest."

"Hmmm," mused Miroku. "Perhaps she needs another day to rest before we move on."

"Yea, I was thinking the same thing. It's not like we've got any leads on where Naraku's hiding anyway," growled Inuyasha.

"There's a village not more than an hour's walk away from here," said Sango. "Why don't Miroku and I go visit to see if any of the villagers have information that may lead to Naraku."

"My dearest Sango, that's a wonderful idea!" exclaimed the Monk, placing an arm around her shoulder.

Shippo perked up. "Yea, Sango, that's a great idea! Maybe if we're lucky, there will be a demon Miroku can exorcize and score us some free food!"

"Now, Shippo, that's a rather unfair insinuation against my spiritual work. I am wounded by your words," Miroku countered with a barely believable hurt tone.

Now it was Inuyasha's turn to smirk. "Shippo, what Miroku really wants is a chance alone to work his spiritual charms on Sango."

Miroku chuckled nervously and took a step back from Sango as she turned a deep shade of red. Inuyasha could feel the fire coming off of her and shrunk back a bit too.

"Inuyasha!" she spoke through clenched teeth.

"Sorry, Sango!" He squeaked.

Sango turned and stormed off in the direction of the village. Kirara got up from her spot in the grass and followed after.

"She's a scary lady!" said Inuyasha.

Miroku and Shippo both nodded in terrified agreement before following the demon slayer and leaving Inuyasha to keep silent watch over Kagome again.