A/N: Yea! I got reviews! I'm so glad you all like it! As promised, this chapter is much longer. Enjoy!

Ambient Flames: First reviewer! Yea! Thanks for being patient. I hope you like this chapter.

Smurf2005: I know, the first chapter was sad, but not to worry, I'm a big fan of fluff, so in time, it will come!

Flare4ever: It's so good to hear from you! I was so happy to see you had read my story! I hope I don't let you down!

Crimson Pooka: Thanks for the encouragement. I can never get enough of that. I hope you like what's coming up!

Animefreak808: I know. . .tension! Even more tension will develop. I love dramatic tension. Hope you keep reading!

Guardian of the Night: Thanks for reading! I'm glad you like it so far!

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Disclaimer: I am poor meaning I own nothing.

What happens now?

Chapter 2

By: Ks-Starshine

"But I wanna see Kagome!" whined Shippou. He was pouting outside the hut, sitting on Sango's lap. Miroku sat next to Sango, his hand oddly still as he appeared to be in solemn thought. Kaede sat on the other side of Sango grinding herbs for future use.

"Ye'll see her soon enough, child," Kaede responded. "Inuyasha just needs some time alone with her first."

Inside the hut, Inuyasha lovingly cleansed Kagome's forehead with a cool, damp cloth. She looked frightened and had broken out in a sweat. "It's just a nightmare," he assured her as she slept on. "Are you dreaming about what happened back there in the battle?"

'If only I knew. . .If only I could remember.' He thought as his mind tried to recall the events that now seemed so long ago, though it had been less than a day. Unable to dislodge any further memory, he backtracked further. . . ^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

Flashback

"We'll never get anywhere at this pace," Inuyasha muttered under his breath.

"Well it's not like we know exactly where we're going right now anyway, is it?" Kagome retorted. "I haven't picked up any trace of a shard fragment for days and we've heard no new rumors that could be related to Naraku. So, where exactly do you suggest we go racing off to?"

"Feh."

Kagome was starting to loose her patience with him. She could tell he was frustrated that they had no leads on Naraku, who had the only remaining shard fragments. 'That's no excuse for being such a grump, though,' she thought. 'We all feel that way.'

She stole another glance at the hanyou at her side. 'He does look awfully cute when he's in a huff, though.' She stifled a giggle at that thought. She had only just begun to admit to herself the feelings she harbored for Inuyasha. It was only natural to develop a close friendship after traveling together for more than two years, but as of late, when she looked at him, she hoped for more than just a friendship.

She began to notice how handsome he looked when his hair blew in the breeze. She longed to feel the soft silvery strands between her fingers. She caught herself staring at his slumbering body and wishing she could curl up by his side and feel his warmth envelop her. She tried as hard as she could to shake these thoughts from her head, though. After all, he didn't want her, he had Kikyou.

With a soft sigh she turned her attention back to the path before her. Suddenly, her breath caught in her throat and she stopped in her tracks.

"Kagome?" Sango asked.

"What is the matter?" Miroku added.

"Jewel shards," whispered Kagome. "A lot of them."

Inuyasha growled as he scanned the surrounding forest. "Naraku. Which way is he?"

"It's coming from over. . ." Kagome gasped. "It's gone!"

"What?! Which way did he go?" yelled Inuyasha.

"I think he went that way," Kagome indicated, pointing west. "It's hard to tell though. I only felt it for a second before he was gone. He must have been moving fast!"

"That just means we have to be that much faster. Come on!" Inuyasha knelt down n front of Kagome as their other companions climbed onto the transformed Kirara.

In a flash, Inuyasha charged westward into the forest. Skillfully avoiding trees and branches, he tried to catch Naraku's scent.

"Have you caught his scent nearby?" asked Kagome.

"No, nothing," he quickly answered. 'I can't smell anything but your sweet scent, Kagome,' he thought. 'Yeah right. If I told her that she would really flip out. Why can't I just talk to her? Why can't I tell her how I feel?'

They searched for hours, but when nightfall came without any further clues as to Naraku's whereabouts; they decided to set up camp. Inuyasha sat in a tree grumbling about how Naraku got away again, making Kagome feel guilty.

'If I hadn't been quarreling with Inuyasha, maybe I would have noticed the shards sooner and we could have caught him.' She sighed knowing it was no use to dwell on it and continued to prepare their ramen for dinner.

Sango had noticed how Kagome seemed rather despondent. 'Whatever it is, I'll bet it has to do with Inuyasha. Maybe if she had some time alone with him they could work it out.'

"We will need more wood if we are to keep the fire going tonight. Miroku, Shippou! Come help me collect more wood," she called.

Miroku's face brightened at the suggestion. "But of course, Lady Sango. I would accompany you anywhere," he commented as he walked beside Sango. Before his hand wandered any closer, though, a loud slap echoed through the forest.

"Hentai!" Sango screamed. She then stalked off with a dazed monk following in her wake, rubbing his cheek.

"Wait for me!" chirped Shippou. "I can help too! Besides," he added, turning briefly to Kagome, "Someone has to keep an eye on Miroku for Sango's sake." He then hurried after the couple.

Kagome let out a light giggle at her friends as she silently thanked Sango for giving them some time alone. She glanced up to where Inuyasha lay on his branch. She opened her mouth to call him down, but losing her nerve, promptly shut it. After doing this twice more, she heard the hanyou shout out.

"Did you want to say something or were you just hoping dinner would hop into your mouth?"

Kagome was fuming upon hearing his comment. She was trying to apologize and he just insults her. 'What did I expect?' she thought as she went back to cooking the ramen.

Inuyasha watched as she turned back to her task. He could tell he had upset her. 'Why do I always do this?' he mentally berated himself. 'Why can't I tell her how I really feel? I could explain that when she is near my heart beats so fast I can hardly think straight. I don't know what to do with myself when she is gone. Her smile brightens my day and she is on my mind every moment of every day. But do I tell her any of this? No, instead I hurt her feelings.'

He looked at her again. Her head drooped and he thought he could faintly smell tears. He sighed. He couldn't stand it when she cried, especially when it was his fault. He jumped down landing right next to her.

"Kagome?"

"What Inuyasha?" she answered back, hurt evident in her voice.

Gently, he touched her shoulders and turned her to face him. "I'm sorry," he said. "Please don't cry anymore." Without knowing what else to say, he pulled her into a warm embrace, attempting to stifle her tears.

Kagome's eyes grew wide as she slowly realized she was hugging Inuyasha. Closing her eyes, she whispered a quiet "thank you," silently enjoying their precious moment.

From the bushes, three pairs of eyes took in the scene before them. "Looks like some of us won't need a fire to stay warm tonight," whispered the monk.

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Well, that's it for now! See, I promised a little fluff! Did you like? R&R and let me know!