Chapter Six: Confessions

"That should do it" Kaede said.

"Wow!" Kagome stared in amazement, "my scar is gone"

"Aye, Child. With that herb mix in place, ye scars disappear and makes ye skin like new again" Kaede continued.

"Thanks, for everything" Kagome said to Kaede, bringing forth a knowing smile on the old priestess face.

"Are you almost done yet?!" Inuyasha yelled through the doorway.

"Hold your horses; I'll be out in a minute." Kagome called back.

"How are you feeling?" Inuyasha said as she walked out of the hut.

"I'll be just fine. But what about you? You're hurt too." Kagome stated.

"I'll live. My body isn't as weak as yours" Inuyasha grumbled back.

"What's that supposed to mean dog boy!" Kagome snapped.

After what seemed to be an eternity to Kagome, Inuyasha replied,

"Look…. About yesterday…"

"What?"

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you" Inuyasha whispered.

"I already told you, it isn't your fault" she responded.

"But it is my Fault! Don't you get it!" Inuyasha cut her off, "I couldn't protect you and you almost….. died"

"I'm going to be fine, and in truth, it was you that brought me back" Kagome said.

"What do you mean?"

"It's kind of hard to explain… just forget it." She continued.

"No, tell me"

"Just forget I said anything"

"Kagome, tell me now!"

"Alright!" Kagome snapped. She searched her mind for an explanation and after a few minutes, she could not think of a way to describe it.

"I… I heard you say you loved me." She finally whispered.

"Wha.... you did? He replied.

"Uh huh, and I don't think you heard what I said back"

"What did you say?" Inuyasha questioned. His heart began to swell in fear. 'What if she doesn't fell the same way, what if she rejects me?'

"I said that… I loved you too."

Inuyasha nearly fell backwards in shock 'she does love me' 'she does'. He was knocked out of his daydream when Kagome fell towards him and embraced him in a hug.

"Oh Inuyasha…." Kagome whispered into his kimono.

"You don't know how much this means to me, Kagome" Inuyasha exclaimed, "I was so afraid that you didn't share my feelings"

"After all the time we've been together I would have guessed that you would have figured it out by now" Kagome teased.

"Ohh, is that so" Inuyasha smiled back, "Maybe next time you get hurt I won't be so nice"

"Yea right, you softy" Kagome responded, reaching up to rub one of his ears with her palm.

Later that day, the gang had gotten on the move again and had made it all the way back to the Inn they stayed at earlier before dusk. By the time they had reached their rooms, all were tired and sleepy from the day of traveling. Inuyasha stood watch outside on the porch as Songo (and Miroku) walked off to the hot springs the innkeeper had suggested. Shippou and Kilala had retired into Songo's room for the night.

As usual, Kagome's sent was making Inuyasha very antsy. Still fearful of rejection, he refused to tell Kagome of such things. Unfortunately, this level of secretism was taking its toll on the half-demon. His instincts were overwhelming him as he could not stop thinking about her when in the presence of her intoxicating aroma. He desired more than anything to be able to hold her soft body is his arms and kiss her velvety smooth lips. Kagome had also been thinking such thoughts after his confession of love earlier that day. She too, longed to embrace and kiss him. She prayed that her sleeping bag would hold in the sent of arousal so that Inuyasha would not sense it. But Inuyasha did sense it, and he loved it. 'She's…. aroused?' 'Then that means… she wants me.' Inuyasha smiled to himself as happiness overflowed into his body. He loved someone and that someone loved him too.