Chapter 9- Moonlight Shimmers
(A/N): woo hoo! Chapter 9! I wasn't sure what should come next.so this might be retarded, but oh well!! Forgive me if you don't like how this is turning out! I'm doin it MY way!! heehee..
Chapter 9

Kagome followed the small trail in the direction the missing comrade. The Red Forest was even darker and more haunting than during the day. When they had come, there was no movement and time stood still. Now, even the trees seemed to be alive, scheming and planning for everyone's deaths. The clouds had rolled in, covering the silver moon, and creating a night as black as hell. A constant dripping noise came from the branches, almost as if they were bleeding. Swift movements across the fallen leaves and the cracking of crisp twigs drove Kagome to a fright. She only hoped Inu Yasha was ok. Her mind wandered from world to world. She thought of her childhood, filled with memories of her family. And then she was a teenager. She remembered all her friends and smiled. Kagome could vividly remember the day she fell into the well. and met Inu Yasha for the first time. Her life had totally changed. They met Shippo, Miroku, and Sango. All the battles they had fought together drowned into one.

Before she knew it, she had lost the path. Being a teenager, she hated to admit that she was lost. The trees were howling. She was cold and thirsty. She found a tiny stream crossing the road, trickling downhill. Careful not to slip, she hiked down trailing the water. She came to a small clearing at the bottom. The red trees cleared away like the clouds, and the moonlight hit the water's surface to create a soft glow. Soft willow treed dangled over the pond, making the ripples dance to the wind. And there he was. His hair responded to the breeze and seemed to float on the music of the forest. He turned and stared up at her with lost eyes. They had no tears, but Kagome could tell the held much sorrow. He had been sitting there motionless for hours. She put on a small smile, and quietly came over to sit next to him.

And there they sat. The silence of a few minutes seemed to last a lifetime. Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but she had no words. She wondered what he was thinking, but his face hid his thoughts.

"Inu Yasha, what's wrong with you?" she sighed after she couldn't stand the stillness any longer.

". . . How can you be so brave, Kagome? You sit next to me, here, and you're dying. Aren't you afraid? I don't understand. . . "He slowly replied back.

". . . Well. . .I. . . don't know. . . why. I guess it's because I know that everyone I love will be ok. I know it."

He sat there calmly, hearing her words over and over again in his mind. He wouldn't be ok. He loved her. He knew it. And he knew he should have told her a long time ago. Then maybe they wouldn't be in this mess. It was all his fault. If he had never gotten involved with her, his brother wouldn't have attacked, and she wouldn't be sick. And she would probably die even sooner, thanks to him. This quest to find the rest of the Shikon no Tama couldn't be good for her health. But Inu Yasha knew that they could never defeat Naraku without her. And still, he dragged her out here. He turned to her, and she looked so beautiful staring up into the uncovered stars. She was so confident and brave. "But I won't be ok." He whispered, as he stood up.

"Huh? Wha. . . What do you mean? You'll be fine. You will finally have the Shikon no Tama!" She stood up as well.

"You really think that the only reason I care about you is to get my hands on that damn jewel?" Inu Yasha questioned as if she knew the answer.

"That was the impression you made. When I told you I was sick, the first thing that came out of your mouth was that you'd never get the jewel. . . and you always seem to just rub me off!" She argued.

"Kagome, you mean more to me than that. You freed me, you've helped me in a million ways. I couldn't live without you here with me. I lose my strength when you're not here."

Kagome looked through his eyes, speechless. He had hardly ever opened up to her before, and he never had even mentioned how he felt about her. She couldn't say anything to him. She was afraid of opening her mouth. "Kagome, I. . . I love you."

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(A/N): hey! What a great spot to stop, eh? Well, the next chapter should be coming up in a day or two, so don't worry! REVIEW!!! I WANT REVIEWS!!!! GIVE ME REVIEWS!!! Please????

~Jen