Kagome shivered nervously as she heard something crash in the woods. She cast a timid glance at the high cliffs above.

"Nothing to get worked up about! Heh…it's probably just a branch or something that fell!"

She closed her eyes and let her mind wander…all the memories of the demons she and Inu-Yasha had encountered made her nervous.

"What am I thinking?! This is the Feudal Era! And here I am down here…I'm like a sitting duck!"

She buried her face into the rough, thick material of Inu-Yasha's kimono and sighed.

"Inu-Yasha…please come back for me soon!"

* * * * *

Inu-Yasha stopped running when he came to the Cliffside by the river, only slightly short of breath. Down below sat a worried Kagome, clutching his kimono as though it were her lifeline, her dark brown eyes now dry of tears. Her relaxed a little when he saw how her mood had changed, then nearer the edge of the cliff, and dropped down smoothly.

"Gasp!", Kagome uttered as she saw something drop beside her in the shadows. It was Inu-Yasha. He looked at her with a blank stare, as if expecting another reaction to him startling her.

"Oh, Inu-Yasha! You came back for me!"

She stood up and ran over to him, then stopped and stared.

"That look on his face…it's so different! What are you up to, Inu-Yasha?"

He walked over to her and threw her over his back with one swift motion.

"Hold on to me, Kagome. There's something I want to show you."

Kagome let out another startled cry as Inu-Yasha leapt over the cliff with her clinging onto his back. Once hitting the ground of the forest floor, he took off at full speed, Kagome yelling at him between bounds.

"Inu…Yasha….where…are….you…taking….me?!"

He threw her a quick look over his shoulder, still running at an incredible speed.

"Will you shut up already?! You'll just have to find out when we get there!"

He narrowed his eyes slightly and concentrated on finding that scent he smelled before. With Kagome on his back, it made things more complicated than he expected.

"I have the scent…just a little further now…"

He smiled to himself when he found what he was looking for and stopped, lowering himself to the ground so Kagome could slide off his back.

"Do you….always have to scare me like that!…oh!", Kagome lost her train of thought and her voice trailed off as she took in her beautiful surroundings.

It was a large grassy field, full of glowing fireflies, the bright grass glowing in the pale moonlight. Growing all around her were thousands of glittering purple lilies, glistering as though wet. A cool breeze blew against her cheek, smelling of the fragrant aroma of the field.

"Oh…it's…beautiful…", she gasped, a look of wonder on her face. Her eyes widened in surprise at Inu-Yasha and a light blush formed over her cheeks.

Inu-Yasha looked at her calmly, almost studying her.

"Kagome…", He stepped in front of her, looking her in the eyes.

She blinked, a light smile still on her delicate lips.

"Kagome…those lilies you had earlier….I didn't…" He squeezed his eyes shut, as though fighting to get the words out.

"What about the lilies, Inu-Yasha?"

"I…I didn't pick them for you, okay?! SHIPPO DID!"

Kagome jumped, the smile fading from her face, the hurt expression she had earlier returning.

"Oh…I see."

"Wait Kagome…", Inu-Yasha whispered, moving forward again.

Kagome turned away, her tears returning.

"That was…nice of Shippo…I'll have to thank him."

Inu-Yasha spun her around, glaring in frustration.

"Do you have to make everything so damn difficult!? Here!"

He pulled his hand from behind his back and handed her three large white Japanese orchids, Kagome looking awe struck as he did this.

"Do you understand now?!", he snapped nervously, his face growing hot. "I just thought they would mean more to you if I told you the truth about those flowers earlier!" He turned away and added sheepishly, "And…besides…I've never picked flowers for anyone before…uh…"

He looked up at Kagome nervously while she beamed at him.

"This…this is so…." She gushed, "Sweet of you!"

She ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her.

"Thank you, Inu-Yasha", she whispered, tears of happiness forming in her eyes.

"I…um…well…you're welcome.", Inu-Yasha stuttered as he hesitated, then returned the hug.

After a while Kagome gently pulled away and Inu-Yasha did the same. They looked at each other, taking in the emotion of each other's eyes.

"Kagome…I…", Inu-Yasha leaned close to her, looking deeply into her glistening brown eyes. She looked deeply into his dark amber irises and moved closer to him, whispering gently, "Yes, Inu-Yasha."

Inu-Yasha blushed as he leaned closer. His pride told him to stop but his heart lead him forward.

"I…um…"

* * * * *