AN: Yay finally a new chapter. Just to let you guys know I will be
without the internet for a while so my stories won't be able to be updated
for a bit. Please still review and I will still be writing just not able
to post for a while.
CH 3: Too Close
Kagome yawned and sat up in her sleeping bag almost knocking Shippou onto the floor. She looked over by the window to find Hiten awake and looking back at her. "Ohayou." Kagome said a bit sleepily. Hiten merely nodded.
He had been thinking about her all night. The only conclusion he could come to was that he didn't want to betray her. 'But if I don't I die.' He reminded himself. 'Is her trust really worth my life? What am I thinking?! Of course not. She's just a ningen.' Hiten mentally shook himself and stood up. He left the room without as much as another glance at Kagome.
'I wonder what that was about.' Kagome thought as she gently moved Shippou before standing. She went next door to Sango and Miroku's room and quietly opened the door. 'Ah, kawaii!' Kagome couldn't think of a better word as she looked at her two sleeping friends wrapped in each other's arms. 'They make such a cute couple.'
"Sumimasen, my lady." Kagome turned to see a girl about her age down the hall. "My lord wished to tell you that breakfast is ready." The girl said before turning and leaving Kagome alone in the hall.
Kagome turned back to the sweet scene in the room and smiled when she got a devilish idea. "Oh Kami, Sango, Miroku, what are you doing?!" Kagome practically yelled in a hysterical voice.
Sango and Miroku jumped awake, but still in each other's arms. Sango and Miroku turned to look at each other and noticed their position. A blush crept into Sango's cheeks. It darkened when Miroku decided to take advantage of their closeness and his hand traveled down to rub her back side. Sango pushed Miroku away and practically ran out the door.
"She didn't hit you." Kagome observed. "Maybe she's actually getting used to your lecherous ways."
"Me? Lecherous? Surely you jest, Kagome-sama. I am merely a worshipper of the female form." Miroku said sounding as if he were completely serious.
"Whatever you say, Miroku. By the way breakfast is ready." Kagome said as she left in pursuit of Sango.
Sango was found already at the breakfast table as was Hiten. "So how did you two get into that position?" Kagome teased as she sat down. Sango's still existent blush darkened.
"I have no clue. I'm not staying in the same room as him anymore though." Sango stated.
Kagome gave her a look that said 'sure I believe you.' "You know you liked it." Kagome said before taking a bite of rice to keep from smiling. Sango just glared at her.
Hiten sat silently eating and watching the rest of the group. Miroku soon joined them. "I wonder where Inuyasha is." Miroku said as he sat down. Just then Inuyasha walked into the room. His clothing was slightly mussed and he looked as if he hadn't slept at all. He ignored everyone's curious glances as he sat down and began to eat.
Hiten noticed Kagome's distressed look when she took in Inuyasha's appearance. He couldn't help, but want to go over to her and comfort her as he had the night before. 'I can't get close to her. Naraku wants her dead and with him holding my heart I can't protect her.' That was the worst part of the situation he was in. He knew that even if he came to the decision that he held her life higher than his own, he wouldn't be able to protect her anyway. Hiten swore that he would get his freedom and kill Naraku the first chance he got.
Breakfast went in the usual manner of Miroku getting slapped by an outraged Sango. Shippou came down and annoyed Inuyasha 'till the hanyou retaliated physically and ended up getting sat by Kagome. He then complained that they were taking too long and should be out searching for shards. Hiten just watched the groups exchanges in amusement.
'How can they possibly be able to destroy powerful youkai and be the greatest threat to Naraku?' Hiten wondered as he watched how openly foolish the group could be at times.
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The shard group continued on their travel again after the village had reassured them they would be able to complete the repairs without their help. Kirara was fully transformed carrying an unconscious Miroku. Sango had finally had to hit Miroku with her hiraikotsu after he had tried to ask every woman in the village if they would bear his child when they were trying to leave.
'More walking.' Kagome sighed. All her friends at school had complimented her on how her figure was looking from all this walking. 'I wonder if I could fit a car through the well. Not that I would be able to drive.' With all her travels to the past Kagome had never been able to get her driver's license. She was the only one in her group who still couldn't drive.
Hiten held back a grimace when once again the scent of unearthed bones and clay attacked his sensitive nose. 'Must be that damned undead miko.' Hiten turned to look at Inuyasha and, sure enough, the hanyou stopped and began to sniff the air.
"You guys stay here. I'll be back." Inuyasha said. Kagome questioned him where he was going before he left. "I smell a youkai nearby. I'm trying to protect the group here." Inuyasha said as if she had just insulted him by asking why he was leaving.
"It's a blessing Kagome-sama. We should enjoy this short rest break." Miroku told the still suspicious miko.
"I agree with houshi-sama, Kagome-chan. We should take this chance to relax a bit." Sango said and sat down at the base of a tree.
Kagome gave a concerned nod and walked over to another tree to sit down. 'I didn't sense a jewel shard, so why would Inuyasha go running after so random youkai? Unless...' Kagome turned to look at Shippou, but he was suspiciously avoiding her gaze. She them turned to look at Hiten and was surprised to find his intense crimson eyes looking back at her.
Her deep blue eyes seemed to plead for him to answer her unasked question. Hiten would normally love the chance to put down the hanyou who had defeated him, but he felt guilty doing so in front of Kagome. He gave a solemn nod and then turned to feign as if he were looking away. He caught her reaction out of the corner of his eyes.
'I knew it.' Kagome thought and lowered her head. 'It's always about Kikyou.' Kagome let out a small sniffle that only those with youkai hearing were able to pick up. Shippou ran over to Kagome and hopped into her lap to offer some comfort to his adopted mom.
Hiten was jealous of the little kit as Kagome held him close and ran her finger through his fur. He was not only jealous because of the attention the kit was receiving from Kagome, but also because of how open the kit could be with her. Were he to comfort the heartbroken miko right now, he was sure he would shock everyone in the group.
Kagome's grip on Shippou suddenly tightened, and she quickly jumped to her feet. "I sense a jewel shard coming this way." Kagome warned. Hiten sniffed the air and agreed with a definite nod that a youkai was moving in their direction.
Sango and Miroku stood in defensive positions. Sango had her hand on her hiraikotsu. Miroku was ready with his staff for the oncoming demon. They didn't have to wait long. Soon a large kumo youkai burst into their small clearing. The youkai instantly went for Kagome, who was carrying the Shikon shards.
Kagome screamed and raised her arms in an insignificant attempt to protect herself. Her eyes were tightly shut waiting for the blow to come, but after a few seconds of waiting and not feeling anything but a strange warmth around her, she opened her eyes to see one of the last things she'd expected. In her confusion and shock Hiten had grabbed her out of the way and was now holding her rather close. When Kagome finally opened her eyes all she saw was a very close up view of Hiten's profile.
Sango threw her hiraikotsu at the attacking youkai and was able to slice one of its protruding fangs. However, with the help on the Shikon shard the fang easily grew back in a few seconds. The youkai realizing that its target had been missed again, attacked Kagome, not paying attention to the deadly youkai who held her.
Miroku stood unable to use his kazaana considering his friends were all over the clearing and could possibly be sucked in along with the enemy. Instead he pulled out a ward and, after a short chant, threw it at the youkai who was advancing on Hiten and Kagome. The ward stuck onto the kumo youkai's forehead and sizzled upon contact. It bellowed in pain, pausing a moment in its attack.
Unfortunately for the youkai that pause was enough for Hiten to make his move. "Quick, where's the shard?" Hiten asked Kagome, knowing she knew where it was.
Kagome was shocked out of her own hectic thoughts by the Hiten's voice. She easily saw the glow of the shikon shard in the demon's forehead. Kagome told him where the shard was. "Stay here, just to be safe." Hiten said as he rushed forward attacking the distracted youkai.
Kagome couldn't help but compare this situation with all the times Inuyasha had saved her. She watched as Hiten slammed his fist into his opponent's forehead and pulled out the jewel. The kumo youkai then suddenly began to shrink without the power of the shard. A kumo youkai about the size of Kirara tried to make a hasty escape only to be easily squashed by an angry taijiya.
Hiten walked up to Kagome, and she got lost in his crimson eyes as he advanced on her. Hiten took the dazed girl's hand and placed the shard in it and then closed her fingers over it. Kagome realized what had happened and couldn't help but smile brightly at the thunder youkai. "Arigatou Hiten."
"It's just a shard." Hiten stated and turned away, but Kagome grabbed his arm.
"I meant for saving me." Kagome clarified. Hiten gave her a small smirk and then jumped up into one of the trees. He had a lot to think about.
Kagome watched him leave and felt a bit relieved. Every time she was with him she felt as if she were acting foolish. "Kagome-chan, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Sango."
"That was not what I had in mind for a rest break." Miroku stated. Kagome and Sango couldn't help but laugh.
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'I saved her again and gave her another shard.' Hiten looked down at Kagome from his tree branch. He felt his heart beat speed up as it had when she had smiled at him earlier. 'What is this feeling?' He wondered as he held back a smile at seeing her laugh. 'What's wrong with me?'
Hiten paused from his thoughts when he sensed a presence behind him. "You trust me so little as to follow me." Hiten stated with a smirk.
"I've been watching. You gave her two of the shards and saved her life. I hope that little miko has not made you forget your mission." Naraku crouched on the branch behind Hiten in his white baboon pelt.
"You told me to gain their trust." Hiten explained.
"I hope for your sake that is all you're trying to gain." Naraku looked down at the shard hunters. "She is a very tempting ningen isn't she?" Hiten glared at Naraku out of the corner of his eye. "Perhaps I'll find a use for her after I complete the jewel." Naraku baited Hiten.
'He wouldn't dare.' Hiten swung out his arm, slicing through Naraku. Unfortunately, he found that the pelt just crumpled in on itself, and a broken doll with a hair wrapped around it was revealed.
"Not a smart move." Hiten heard right before he fell out of the tree in pain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sango and Miroku were distracted being that Miroku had groped her again, but Kagome heard the crash and ran over to the fallen Hiten. He was clutching his chest in what seemed to be great pain. Kagome knelt as his side in panic. She didn't know what was wrong. "Hiten? What's wrong?" Kagome asked, but Hiten was in far too much pain to hear her words.
The pains slowly subsided. Hiten opened his eyes and saw Kagome looking worriedly back at him. He saw tears brimming in her blue eyes. He reached up and brushed away her tears. "Why?" He found her infinitely confusing and now she confused him even more by shedding tears for him.
"I thought you were going to die or something. I didn't know what to do." Kagome told him. He gave her a small smirk as he caught his breath. He had never felt anything so painful before. "Do you need anything?" Kagome asked, feeling a bit reassured by his smirk.
Hiten just shook his head and lay back on soft forest ground. He looked up when he felt Kagome's hands on his shoulders and allowed her to maneuver him so that his head was laying in her lap. Kagome held down her own blush as she tried to make Hiten feel more comfortable. She silently wondered what could have caused the youkai before her so much pain.
"What the hell are you doing wench?!" Kagome turned to see a seething Inuyasha staring at her.
"Where have you been?" Kagome asked.
"Don't try to change the subject! What is he doing in your lap?!" Inuyasha couldn't help but feel jealous. He remembered when he had been in the same position with Kagome once.
"We were attacked by a youkai, whose scent you obviously didn't pick up. So did you find the youkai you were looking for?" Kagome asked. She tried to keep the pain and betrayal she felt out of her voice.
Hiten just watched the conflict from his comfortable position.
"Excuse me if I was trying to protect you from the youkai in this forest." Inuyasha raged.
"If you wanted to protect me then you should have been here when that youkai attacked." Kagome stated. She helped Hiten up and then walked back over to where Sango and Miroku were sitting. They had heard Inuyasha's yelling and understood what had happened.
"Are you okay Kagome-chan?" Sango asked as her friend passed by. Kagome gave her a disheartened look.
"I'll be fine, Sango-chan." Kagome said and sat down. Shippou went over to her and jumped into her lap, snuggling up against her in an attempt to comfort her. "I'm fine Shippou." Kagome stated, but the little kitsune didn't believe her.
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"Stay away from her." Inuyasha snarled at Hiten.
"She's not yours." Hiten stated. "She knows you were not after a youkai." Hiten said over his shoulder as he walked to the rest of the group. Inuyasha was left in shock at Hiten's final words.
He couldn't stand to lose Kagome from the group. She was his shard detector. He needed the jewel to revive Kikyou and he knew he wouldn't be able to find all the pieces without Kagome. He stomped back into the clearing and everyone in the group looked at his entrance.
"Come on, we have shards to find." Inuyasha ordered.
Sango was about to say something about Inuyasha's rude behavior, but Kagome stood and put a hand on her arm. Kagome silently shook her head, telling Sango to calm down. "Inuyasha's right. We need to find more shards before Naraku gets them." Kagome reminded them.
She placed Shippou on her shoulder so she could pick up her pack. The group then continued its travels. A few hours later Kagome was ready to collapse. Her arms hurt from carrying her bag and her feet hurt from walking. She was slowly falling behind the rest of the group, but Inuyasha wouldn't let up on the pace.
Hiten noticed Kagome falling slowly behind. He slowed his pace so he was walking next to her. He saw her struggling to keep that strange bag she carried on her shoulders. A sigh escaped his lips and he grabbed the bag from her. She instantly looked at him, silently questioning why he had taken her bag.
He didn't answer her, but just continued on his way with her pack on his shoulder. Kagome gave him a thankful smile as he kept pace with her. Fatigue was quickly catching up with her and she leaned on Hiten for a moment as she walked. She noticed what had happened and quickly righted herself. Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire.
Hiten was surprised at the miko's actions but found a great amount in amusement as she blushed and mumbled an apology. Without giving a moment to second guess his own decision, Hiten picked up Kagome bridal style and began to carry her. At Kagome's surprised look, the thunder youkai merely chuckled. It was quiet and low, but Kagome still heard and felt it. "Sleep. You need your rest."
Kagome tried to stay awake, but she found being next to Hiten incredibly warm and comfortable. Unable to resist the pull of sleep any longer, she fell into a deep slumber in Hiten's arms.
Sango nudged Miroku with her elbow, getting the monk's attention. She gestured to look behind them and he turned his head a bit while trying to be inconspicuous. He was surprised to see Kagome asleep and being carried by Hiten. Hiten noticed the monk's glance and raised a brow as if daring him to say something. Miroku only gave a sheepish smile a turned back to face foreward.
No one noticed that Inuyasha was incredibly tense. He could smell Kagome and Hiten's scents being way too close together for his liking. 'Who cares if she wants to be with him? She's just a stubborn, weak wench. Nothing compared to Kikyou.' Inuyasha kept telling himself all this, but deep down he couldn't help but feel he was only making excuses.
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Hope you all enjoyed. Please review. And a big thanks to all those that did review last chapter.
~*Shichan
CH 3: Too Close
Kagome yawned and sat up in her sleeping bag almost knocking Shippou onto the floor. She looked over by the window to find Hiten awake and looking back at her. "Ohayou." Kagome said a bit sleepily. Hiten merely nodded.
He had been thinking about her all night. The only conclusion he could come to was that he didn't want to betray her. 'But if I don't I die.' He reminded himself. 'Is her trust really worth my life? What am I thinking?! Of course not. She's just a ningen.' Hiten mentally shook himself and stood up. He left the room without as much as another glance at Kagome.
'I wonder what that was about.' Kagome thought as she gently moved Shippou before standing. She went next door to Sango and Miroku's room and quietly opened the door. 'Ah, kawaii!' Kagome couldn't think of a better word as she looked at her two sleeping friends wrapped in each other's arms. 'They make such a cute couple.'
"Sumimasen, my lady." Kagome turned to see a girl about her age down the hall. "My lord wished to tell you that breakfast is ready." The girl said before turning and leaving Kagome alone in the hall.
Kagome turned back to the sweet scene in the room and smiled when she got a devilish idea. "Oh Kami, Sango, Miroku, what are you doing?!" Kagome practically yelled in a hysterical voice.
Sango and Miroku jumped awake, but still in each other's arms. Sango and Miroku turned to look at each other and noticed their position. A blush crept into Sango's cheeks. It darkened when Miroku decided to take advantage of their closeness and his hand traveled down to rub her back side. Sango pushed Miroku away and practically ran out the door.
"She didn't hit you." Kagome observed. "Maybe she's actually getting used to your lecherous ways."
"Me? Lecherous? Surely you jest, Kagome-sama. I am merely a worshipper of the female form." Miroku said sounding as if he were completely serious.
"Whatever you say, Miroku. By the way breakfast is ready." Kagome said as she left in pursuit of Sango.
Sango was found already at the breakfast table as was Hiten. "So how did you two get into that position?" Kagome teased as she sat down. Sango's still existent blush darkened.
"I have no clue. I'm not staying in the same room as him anymore though." Sango stated.
Kagome gave her a look that said 'sure I believe you.' "You know you liked it." Kagome said before taking a bite of rice to keep from smiling. Sango just glared at her.
Hiten sat silently eating and watching the rest of the group. Miroku soon joined them. "I wonder where Inuyasha is." Miroku said as he sat down. Just then Inuyasha walked into the room. His clothing was slightly mussed and he looked as if he hadn't slept at all. He ignored everyone's curious glances as he sat down and began to eat.
Hiten noticed Kagome's distressed look when she took in Inuyasha's appearance. He couldn't help, but want to go over to her and comfort her as he had the night before. 'I can't get close to her. Naraku wants her dead and with him holding my heart I can't protect her.' That was the worst part of the situation he was in. He knew that even if he came to the decision that he held her life higher than his own, he wouldn't be able to protect her anyway. Hiten swore that he would get his freedom and kill Naraku the first chance he got.
Breakfast went in the usual manner of Miroku getting slapped by an outraged Sango. Shippou came down and annoyed Inuyasha 'till the hanyou retaliated physically and ended up getting sat by Kagome. He then complained that they were taking too long and should be out searching for shards. Hiten just watched the groups exchanges in amusement.
'How can they possibly be able to destroy powerful youkai and be the greatest threat to Naraku?' Hiten wondered as he watched how openly foolish the group could be at times.
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The shard group continued on their travel again after the village had reassured them they would be able to complete the repairs without their help. Kirara was fully transformed carrying an unconscious Miroku. Sango had finally had to hit Miroku with her hiraikotsu after he had tried to ask every woman in the village if they would bear his child when they were trying to leave.
'More walking.' Kagome sighed. All her friends at school had complimented her on how her figure was looking from all this walking. 'I wonder if I could fit a car through the well. Not that I would be able to drive.' With all her travels to the past Kagome had never been able to get her driver's license. She was the only one in her group who still couldn't drive.
Hiten held back a grimace when once again the scent of unearthed bones and clay attacked his sensitive nose. 'Must be that damned undead miko.' Hiten turned to look at Inuyasha and, sure enough, the hanyou stopped and began to sniff the air.
"You guys stay here. I'll be back." Inuyasha said. Kagome questioned him where he was going before he left. "I smell a youkai nearby. I'm trying to protect the group here." Inuyasha said as if she had just insulted him by asking why he was leaving.
"It's a blessing Kagome-sama. We should enjoy this short rest break." Miroku told the still suspicious miko.
"I agree with houshi-sama, Kagome-chan. We should take this chance to relax a bit." Sango said and sat down at the base of a tree.
Kagome gave a concerned nod and walked over to another tree to sit down. 'I didn't sense a jewel shard, so why would Inuyasha go running after so random youkai? Unless...' Kagome turned to look at Shippou, but he was suspiciously avoiding her gaze. She them turned to look at Hiten and was surprised to find his intense crimson eyes looking back at her.
Her deep blue eyes seemed to plead for him to answer her unasked question. Hiten would normally love the chance to put down the hanyou who had defeated him, but he felt guilty doing so in front of Kagome. He gave a solemn nod and then turned to feign as if he were looking away. He caught her reaction out of the corner of his eyes.
'I knew it.' Kagome thought and lowered her head. 'It's always about Kikyou.' Kagome let out a small sniffle that only those with youkai hearing were able to pick up. Shippou ran over to Kagome and hopped into her lap to offer some comfort to his adopted mom.
Hiten was jealous of the little kit as Kagome held him close and ran her finger through his fur. He was not only jealous because of the attention the kit was receiving from Kagome, but also because of how open the kit could be with her. Were he to comfort the heartbroken miko right now, he was sure he would shock everyone in the group.
Kagome's grip on Shippou suddenly tightened, and she quickly jumped to her feet. "I sense a jewel shard coming this way." Kagome warned. Hiten sniffed the air and agreed with a definite nod that a youkai was moving in their direction.
Sango and Miroku stood in defensive positions. Sango had her hand on her hiraikotsu. Miroku was ready with his staff for the oncoming demon. They didn't have to wait long. Soon a large kumo youkai burst into their small clearing. The youkai instantly went for Kagome, who was carrying the Shikon shards.
Kagome screamed and raised her arms in an insignificant attempt to protect herself. Her eyes were tightly shut waiting for the blow to come, but after a few seconds of waiting and not feeling anything but a strange warmth around her, she opened her eyes to see one of the last things she'd expected. In her confusion and shock Hiten had grabbed her out of the way and was now holding her rather close. When Kagome finally opened her eyes all she saw was a very close up view of Hiten's profile.
Sango threw her hiraikotsu at the attacking youkai and was able to slice one of its protruding fangs. However, with the help on the Shikon shard the fang easily grew back in a few seconds. The youkai realizing that its target had been missed again, attacked Kagome, not paying attention to the deadly youkai who held her.
Miroku stood unable to use his kazaana considering his friends were all over the clearing and could possibly be sucked in along with the enemy. Instead he pulled out a ward and, after a short chant, threw it at the youkai who was advancing on Hiten and Kagome. The ward stuck onto the kumo youkai's forehead and sizzled upon contact. It bellowed in pain, pausing a moment in its attack.
Unfortunately for the youkai that pause was enough for Hiten to make his move. "Quick, where's the shard?" Hiten asked Kagome, knowing she knew where it was.
Kagome was shocked out of her own hectic thoughts by the Hiten's voice. She easily saw the glow of the shikon shard in the demon's forehead. Kagome told him where the shard was. "Stay here, just to be safe." Hiten said as he rushed forward attacking the distracted youkai.
Kagome couldn't help but compare this situation with all the times Inuyasha had saved her. She watched as Hiten slammed his fist into his opponent's forehead and pulled out the jewel. The kumo youkai then suddenly began to shrink without the power of the shard. A kumo youkai about the size of Kirara tried to make a hasty escape only to be easily squashed by an angry taijiya.
Hiten walked up to Kagome, and she got lost in his crimson eyes as he advanced on her. Hiten took the dazed girl's hand and placed the shard in it and then closed her fingers over it. Kagome realized what had happened and couldn't help but smile brightly at the thunder youkai. "Arigatou Hiten."
"It's just a shard." Hiten stated and turned away, but Kagome grabbed his arm.
"I meant for saving me." Kagome clarified. Hiten gave her a small smirk and then jumped up into one of the trees. He had a lot to think about.
Kagome watched him leave and felt a bit relieved. Every time she was with him she felt as if she were acting foolish. "Kagome-chan, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Sango."
"That was not what I had in mind for a rest break." Miroku stated. Kagome and Sango couldn't help but laugh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'I saved her again and gave her another shard.' Hiten looked down at Kagome from his tree branch. He felt his heart beat speed up as it had when she had smiled at him earlier. 'What is this feeling?' He wondered as he held back a smile at seeing her laugh. 'What's wrong with me?'
Hiten paused from his thoughts when he sensed a presence behind him. "You trust me so little as to follow me." Hiten stated with a smirk.
"I've been watching. You gave her two of the shards and saved her life. I hope that little miko has not made you forget your mission." Naraku crouched on the branch behind Hiten in his white baboon pelt.
"You told me to gain their trust." Hiten explained.
"I hope for your sake that is all you're trying to gain." Naraku looked down at the shard hunters. "She is a very tempting ningen isn't she?" Hiten glared at Naraku out of the corner of his eye. "Perhaps I'll find a use for her after I complete the jewel." Naraku baited Hiten.
'He wouldn't dare.' Hiten swung out his arm, slicing through Naraku. Unfortunately, he found that the pelt just crumpled in on itself, and a broken doll with a hair wrapped around it was revealed.
"Not a smart move." Hiten heard right before he fell out of the tree in pain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sango and Miroku were distracted being that Miroku had groped her again, but Kagome heard the crash and ran over to the fallen Hiten. He was clutching his chest in what seemed to be great pain. Kagome knelt as his side in panic. She didn't know what was wrong. "Hiten? What's wrong?" Kagome asked, but Hiten was in far too much pain to hear her words.
The pains slowly subsided. Hiten opened his eyes and saw Kagome looking worriedly back at him. He saw tears brimming in her blue eyes. He reached up and brushed away her tears. "Why?" He found her infinitely confusing and now she confused him even more by shedding tears for him.
"I thought you were going to die or something. I didn't know what to do." Kagome told him. He gave her a small smirk as he caught his breath. He had never felt anything so painful before. "Do you need anything?" Kagome asked, feeling a bit reassured by his smirk.
Hiten just shook his head and lay back on soft forest ground. He looked up when he felt Kagome's hands on his shoulders and allowed her to maneuver him so that his head was laying in her lap. Kagome held down her own blush as she tried to make Hiten feel more comfortable. She silently wondered what could have caused the youkai before her so much pain.
"What the hell are you doing wench?!" Kagome turned to see a seething Inuyasha staring at her.
"Where have you been?" Kagome asked.
"Don't try to change the subject! What is he doing in your lap?!" Inuyasha couldn't help but feel jealous. He remembered when he had been in the same position with Kagome once.
"We were attacked by a youkai, whose scent you obviously didn't pick up. So did you find the youkai you were looking for?" Kagome asked. She tried to keep the pain and betrayal she felt out of her voice.
Hiten just watched the conflict from his comfortable position.
"Excuse me if I was trying to protect you from the youkai in this forest." Inuyasha raged.
"If you wanted to protect me then you should have been here when that youkai attacked." Kagome stated. She helped Hiten up and then walked back over to where Sango and Miroku were sitting. They had heard Inuyasha's yelling and understood what had happened.
"Are you okay Kagome-chan?" Sango asked as her friend passed by. Kagome gave her a disheartened look.
"I'll be fine, Sango-chan." Kagome said and sat down. Shippou went over to her and jumped into her lap, snuggling up against her in an attempt to comfort her. "I'm fine Shippou." Kagome stated, but the little kitsune didn't believe her.
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"Stay away from her." Inuyasha snarled at Hiten.
"She's not yours." Hiten stated. "She knows you were not after a youkai." Hiten said over his shoulder as he walked to the rest of the group. Inuyasha was left in shock at Hiten's final words.
He couldn't stand to lose Kagome from the group. She was his shard detector. He needed the jewel to revive Kikyou and he knew he wouldn't be able to find all the pieces without Kagome. He stomped back into the clearing and everyone in the group looked at his entrance.
"Come on, we have shards to find." Inuyasha ordered.
Sango was about to say something about Inuyasha's rude behavior, but Kagome stood and put a hand on her arm. Kagome silently shook her head, telling Sango to calm down. "Inuyasha's right. We need to find more shards before Naraku gets them." Kagome reminded them.
She placed Shippou on her shoulder so she could pick up her pack. The group then continued its travels. A few hours later Kagome was ready to collapse. Her arms hurt from carrying her bag and her feet hurt from walking. She was slowly falling behind the rest of the group, but Inuyasha wouldn't let up on the pace.
Hiten noticed Kagome falling slowly behind. He slowed his pace so he was walking next to her. He saw her struggling to keep that strange bag she carried on her shoulders. A sigh escaped his lips and he grabbed the bag from her. She instantly looked at him, silently questioning why he had taken her bag.
He didn't answer her, but just continued on his way with her pack on his shoulder. Kagome gave him a thankful smile as he kept pace with her. Fatigue was quickly catching up with her and she leaned on Hiten for a moment as she walked. She noticed what had happened and quickly righted herself. Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire.
Hiten was surprised at the miko's actions but found a great amount in amusement as she blushed and mumbled an apology. Without giving a moment to second guess his own decision, Hiten picked up Kagome bridal style and began to carry her. At Kagome's surprised look, the thunder youkai merely chuckled. It was quiet and low, but Kagome still heard and felt it. "Sleep. You need your rest."
Kagome tried to stay awake, but she found being next to Hiten incredibly warm and comfortable. Unable to resist the pull of sleep any longer, she fell into a deep slumber in Hiten's arms.
Sango nudged Miroku with her elbow, getting the monk's attention. She gestured to look behind them and he turned his head a bit while trying to be inconspicuous. He was surprised to see Kagome asleep and being carried by Hiten. Hiten noticed the monk's glance and raised a brow as if daring him to say something. Miroku only gave a sheepish smile a turned back to face foreward.
No one noticed that Inuyasha was incredibly tense. He could smell Kagome and Hiten's scents being way too close together for his liking. 'Who cares if she wants to be with him? She's just a stubborn, weak wench. Nothing compared to Kikyou.' Inuyasha kept telling himself all this, but deep down he couldn't help but feel he was only making excuses.
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Hope you all enjoyed. Please review. And a big thanks to all those that did review last chapter.
~*Shichan