Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha—big surprise.

Chapter 8 –  Daybreak

The sun had begun to rise as Miroku and Kagome made their way back to the village. It was a warm day, and the birds seemed to be chirping especially loud that morning. Villagers had risen from bed and were outside getting a start on their daily chores.

Kagome had done a lot of thinking on the walk back—as did Miroku. The trip back into the village was a quiet one. Both reflecting on the events that took place over the past few days. Kagome began to feel a little embarrassed at herself for making a move on Miroku. He had only been trying to be nice to her. I'm surprised he doesn't think I'm a complete idiot now. She smiled when she thought of what he'd said about Sango. She didn't know why she hadn't seen it before. Of course he's in love with her. She began to wish that Inuyasha felt the same way for her.

When the two returned to Kaede's hut, Kaede was already up, preparing some weird concoction which appeared to be a sort of medicine. Sango was fast asleep on the floor with Shippou in her arms. Inuyasha, however, was nowhere to be found.

"Hello ye two," Kaede smiled when she noticed the two were back from their trip. "I see ye made in back in one piece," she added with a wink. They nodded.

"Where's Inuyasha?" asked Miroku, who seemed a little concerned. "He didn't take off after us did he?"

"No," Kaede replied. "He left this morning as soon as he returned to his 'normal' self. I think he was tired of being cooped up in here." She eyed the two curiously for a moment. "Something seems to be troubling him lately." Miroku and Kagome exchanged glances.

"How long has Sango been back, Lady Kaede? I was worried for her." Miroku eyed the sleepy girl holding the snoring kitsune under her arm.

"A few hours." Kaede frowned. "She hasn't been quite the same lately either."

"Well, perhaps I'll wake her," Miroku said with a smile. Kagome and Kaede watched curiously as the monk walked to her side and gave her a little nudge, waking both the demon exterminator and the kitsune sleeping beside her. "Sango…Sango, wake up." She opened her eyes slightly with a look of surprise on her face. "Miroku…" He smiled down at her.

"Well, I need to get this medicine to a sick child in the village. Shippou, would you mind accompanying me?" The drowsy kitsune nodded and perched himself on Kaede's shoulder. "We will be back shortly," said the old priestess turning to leave the hut. "Don't worry about Inuyasha, child," she added looking at Kagome, "I'm sure he'll be back for breakfast."

"How did everything go?" asked Sango rubbing her eyes. "Did you get the shard?"

"Mm hmm," Kagome replied with a smile.

Sango noticed the wound on Miroku's shoulder. "Oh Miroku, you should let me dress that," she said gently grasping him by the shoulder.

Miroku grinned. "Yes, I think it might be a deep one, it's terribly painful." He turned towards Kagome. "Kagome, do you think you could go gather some water for breakfast?" asked the monk giving her a 'look'. Kagome nodded. She understood. "I'll be back in awhile," she said, grabbing a wooden pail which sat beside the door then turning to leave the hut.

Once outside, Kagome smiled to herself. She could hear the two's conversation, which seemed to be going well. He's going to tell her. She walked next to the shade tree beside Kaede's hut and leaned up against it, looking towards the bright, clear sky. It was a beautiful day—unseasonably warm. She watched as a couple of birds flew over and landed next to each other on a branch of the tree she was standing under. Love is in the air…

Kagome gasped and dropped the pail which she was holding as two clawed hands reached around her waste and pulled her against the chest of the person standing behind her. She turned around to see herself face to face with him. "Inuyasha?"

He pulled her closer into his embrace as he rest his chin on the top of her head. "Kagome." He took a deep breath, as if to inhale her scent. He pulled away from her slightly to gaze into her eyes. "Kagome, I'm sorry."

Kagome could feel her heart pounding in her chest and remained speechless. Is this a dream?

"I'm sorry…for everything. Especially for hurting you." His fingers reached up to tenderly grasp her long, dark hair. "I was afraid…I didn't think that you would understand…"

Kagome could feel her bottom lip begin to quiver. "Understand?"

"I want to be with you, Kagome. More than anything. But you see…How could I..." Inuyasha swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "How could I give you the life you deserve?"

Kagome smiled as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Is that why... you didn't say anything?"

Inuyasha nodded. "What kind of future would you have with me? In this place? I could never ask you to leave your family and friends to live here…and I could never make it in your world. Not like this."

Kagome buried her face into his chest. "Oh, Inuyasha. Don't you see? My friends are here…and you…you are just as much my family as Mom, Souta, and Grandpa are. Of course I would miss being with them, but I could always visit. Besides, I want to be with you."

Inuyasha stared at her intently with those big amber eyes and smiled. "Are you sure?"

Kagome grinned and nodded. "I thought you didn't care for me, Inuyasha. I thought I didn't really mean anything to you…that I was just…"

"A shard detector?"

She nodded.

He grinned at the girl and tipped her head up so that his lips could meet hers and kissed her gently. "Don't be stupid, Kagome," he said with a smirk. She smiled back at the hanyou and wrapped her arms tightly around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Inuyasha softly brushed his lips across her ear. "Kagome, I love you, too," his whispered softly as he held her tightly against his chest. Kagome smiled.

"You know…" Kagome said with a grin, "you were wrong about Miroku."

Inuyasha abruptly pulled away as his eyes widened. "You mean? You mean he does love you?"

Kagome laughed. "No. I meant he isn't the lecherous man you think he is. He does have morals, Inuyasha. Although he doesn't really show them much."

"Oh." Inuyasha grinned.

"Besides," Kagome looked towards the hut smiling as Miroku and Sango made their way outdoors, hand in hand. "He loves someone else."

The End

----------

Okay, did you like it? This is only the second fanfic I've written. Please tell me what you think…I don't mind constructive criticism, but no flames please. I have low self-esteem. J Thanks for taking the time to read my story.