InuYasha rested solemnly, clutching the Tetsusaiga to his chest.
'Fifty years... Kikyou's been dead for fifty years. Now Kagome. I think – I think I love her. Kagome.'
He inhaled deeply through his nose, catching her scent mingled with that of the forest. He leapt from his perch just as she entered the clearing, landing in front of her. She let out a short yelp of surprise, stepping back, and then rushed forward and embraced him after she realized who it was. They locked eyes, InuYasha coming closer every second until his lips met hers. Eagerly Kagome parted her lips, pressing herself into him. She began to shiver as InuYasha's tongue playfully jostled hers, Kaede's words echoing in her head. 'Be wary, child, be wary!' She pulled away.
"Kagome..." He said her name gently as his cool amber eyes met her fear filled brown ones.
"Oh, god, Kagome – I'm sorry..." He bowed his head.
Kagome sighed. "InuYasha... it's not you! Actually – I want to be with you... its just – I've never...you know... and you can be really intimidating."
"I can?"
Kagome nodded.
"Well," He hugged her. "I'm not trying to pressure you."
She smiled. "InuYasha?"
He looked at her. "Yeah?"
"I love you."
He blinked, then smiled. "Kagome... I love you too."
I K
N & A
U G
Sango gazed into the darkness of night, listening to the rain that had long since begun pattering down. She turned to Kaede and Miroku.
"I'm worried about Kagome. I woke when she left – that was quite a while ago. Midnight or a bit after... its been at least three hours since."
Kaede sighed. "I think our InuYasha will have found her by now, she's surely with he."
Sango looked again into the night. "But... it's raining. Wouldn't InuYasha have brought her in out of the cold?"
Miroku finally spoke. "Well, Kagome is rather defenseless... she didn't take her bow... and with half of the shattered Shikon no Tama in her care..."
Sango hummed in agreement. "I want to go look for her. If I find her with InuYasha, I'll know she's safe and I can rest."
Kaede nodded. "If ye feel the need, then go."
Sango bent to pick up her Hiraikotsu.
Miroku stood. "I'll go with you." He followed her out the door.