It was a little before dawn, when Inuyasha awoke again. Automatically, his eyes drifted to Sango's sleeping form. He moved closer to her, making sure he didn't wake her or anyone else. 'She didn't' seem to remember anything last night…no, if she had, I would've been lucky to survive the night.' After nearly falling on top of her, she would've nearly killed him, had she had her memory. He sat there for a few minutes, just watching her sleep, 'I wonder if she'll remember anything today.' The look on his face saddened slightly, "You could've have forgotten everything…could you?"
"Inuyasha, who are you talking to?" Shippou suddenly asked.
Inuyasha jumped and spun around to face the kitsune, whacking him a couple times in the head in the process, "Shippou?! Dammit, where'd you come from?!"
"Waaaaaah, I didn't do anything!" The young kitsune cried, waking up everyone else.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome said, picking up Shippou, who had run to her, "What did you do to Shippou-chan?"
Inuyasha frowned, crossing his arms, "Why am I always the one to get yelled at? I didn't do anything! He's the one who snuck up on me!"
Sango looked at Kagome and Shippou, before turning to Inuyasha, "But he's just a child, right?"
"But he shouldn't sneak up on me!" The hanyou replied, turning to face Sango. Then, leaning closer to the taijiya, his amber-colored eyes narrowed slightly, "How'd you remember that? Have you been faking this whole time? Ha! Of course! That's it, isn't it! You've been--"
"Osuwari!!" Kagome interrupted.
The rosary around his neck glowed slightly as he hit the ground.
Sango blinked, surprised about the 'sit' command. She looked down at Inuyasha, suppressing a laugh as she answered his question, "Inuyasha-san, anyone can tell that he's a child just by looking at him."
Kagome nodded, "That's right. Besides, Sango-chan wouldn't act like she's lost her memory. Why would she? We still have to hunt down Naraku."
Inuyasha finally sat back up and scowled. His face was slightly dirty and one fang stuck out over his lip, "Keh!" He glanced over at Sango, "So, Sango, you still don't remember anything then?" He asked, trying not to sound too interested in her response.
The taijiya shook her head slowly, "No…I'm sorry…"
"You don't need to apologize, Sango." Miroku said, "If anyone needs to apologize, its Inuyasha."
"What'd I do?!" Inuyasha asked, looking over at the monk. "Jeez! Is EVERYTHING my fault?! Was I the one who hit Sango with hiraikotsu? Was I the one who made her forget everything? Do you actually THINK that I'd hurt her like that?!"
The others just stared at him for a moment, surprised by his particular choice of words. "Inuyasha-san?" Sango finally asked, breaking the silence.
The hanyou crossed his arms and looked away from them, "Well, they were all acting like it was my fault or something." He mumbled.
"I simply meant that you should apologize to Sango for accusing her of faking this, Inuyasha." Miroku replied, looking from Sango to Inuyasha, "That's all."
"That's…all…"Inuyasha repeated, suddenly feeling very embarrassed about his outburst, "Well…mm...keh! Like I'm going to say I'm sorry. Sheesh…I didn't even do anything."
"He's hopeless." Shippou sighed. Then, looking over to Kagome, he realized that she hadn't said anything for a while, "Kagome? Everything okay?"
Kagome looked up, then turned to the kitsune, "Oh, sorry, Shippou-chan. Hmm…Its faint, but I can sense the presence of a jewel shard nearby."
"A jewel shard! Where? Where?" Shippou asked, excitedly, looking around.
"That way." Kagome replied, pointing in the direction that she felt it. She picked up her bow and arrows, "Come on, we should go…wait, what about Sango-chan?"
Hearing her name spoken, Sango looked up, "What, Kagome-san?"
Kagome shook her head slightly, "Nothing, Sango-chan. Its just…" She trailed off, thinking. It was well known that demons still held a grudge against the Demon Exterminators. And, though they'd only be gone for a few minute, that was well enough time for something to happen. It was that reason that Kagome didn't want Sango being alone right now.
"Miroku, Kagome, you guys go ahead. I'll stay here."
Inuyasha's voice brought Kagome out of her thoughts. She blinked, surprised, "Inuyasha…you sure?" She asked. Usually it was Inuyasha who couldn't wait to get a shard.
"I said I would, didn't I?" The hanyou said.
Kagome was about to say something more, but Miroku spoke up before she had the chance, "Lets go, Kagome-sama. We don't want to lose this jewel shard, do we?"
Looking back at Inuyasha and Sango once more, Kagome shook her head, "Right, Miroku-sama. Its this way." And with that, the two went off to find the shard.
Shippou jumped up onto Inuyasha's shoulder and looked at him curiously, "Inuyasha, you gave up the chance at a jewel shard. Are you feeling okay?"
"What's with everyone? Can't I get a break from battles sometimes?" Inuyasha asked, pushing Shippou off of him.
"Ouch! Hey!" The kitsune yelled as he hit the ground. "I was just asking! Come on Kirara, lets go over there." He said, walking over to where Kagome's sleeping bag was laid out. The little neko followed close behind.
"Stupid kid…" Inuyasha mumbled, once again crossing his arms and leaning back against a tree.
Sango silently watched the little scene play out. And soon, she found herself smiling at Inuyasha. 'I've been trying to remember things to help everyone else, but all I end up getting is a headache. But…when he's near, I feel fine.'
"What are you smiling about?" Inuyasha asked, raising an eyebrow.
The taijiya shook her head but continued to smile, "Nothing…nothing at all. But…thank you, Inuyasha-san"
"For what?" Inuyasha asked, looking at her curiously.
"For staying here with me." Sango replied.
"Staying with you? Ah, whatever you say, Sango." The hanyou stated, putting his hands behind his head and closing his eyes.
Sango smiled at him a few seconds more, before looking over to where Kirara and Shippou were playing.
Inuyasha cracked one eye open and looked at the taijiya. For a brief moment, a slight smile crossed his lips. 'You're welcome…Sango.'
~*~
I believe in you. I'll give up everything just to find you. I have to be with you; to live, to breath. You're taking over me.
~*~
AN: Ah, the first hint *wink, wink*
