A/N - Not a word. -- Not. A. Word.

Important - one quick thing. I seriously doubt that all the italics I put in this chapter are going to work, so the first letter of the first word in every paragraph that's all in italics will be in bold print. If the bold print doesn't work, the heck with it - figure it out yourself. -- --- (is very tired)

With You

 Chapter 11

 On the Road Again

The dream I had... it had been a weird one. It wasn't a very realistic dream...

Extremely unrealistic, more like.

I can't remember every detail, but there are certain events that I can recall.

Or rather, certain people with certain expressions and attitudes... and certain feelings I'd had.

Certain people like Inuyasha.

Certain expressions and attitudes, like how Inuyasha and I were laughing together. I don't remember what we were laughing about though...

Certain feelings... like how much I liked it when Inuyasha smiled and laughed that way.

Very strange...

But that wasn't all - it got even more unusual.

For example; there was one part where Inuyasha and I were back near the castle where Naraku had brought us to, and he was telling me something... something about his feelings towards me. I remember that I didn't know how to react to him...I was really confused. He usually isn't so open with me about his feelings - actually, he's never open about anything. Which was why I was so dumbfounded with how he was behaving.

First, he'd stepped towards me and tugged me close to him. His arms had been so strong... and I'd felt so safe... but holding me tight as he was, I really couldn't have pushed away from him if I had wanted to. But I hadn't wanted to leave him...

And then Inuyasha had really put me at a loss. He'd leaned back from the hug and put his hand on my shoulder, and then he'd slowly started to move closer to me. I hadn't known what he was going to do... but when he pressed his lips gently and firmly against my own, I'd gotten as stiff as a brick wall. He'd had his eyes closed, but I hadn't.

Mine had been wide open.

But then another unexpected occurrence came about - the ground between us was cracking...

And you know what the strangest thing of all was? That I had never finished dreaming that dream...

...because I'm still in it.

Alarm rose in both of us as the earth beneath our feet jarred and jerked itself in two directions; leaving Inuyasha and me on separate sides of the dividing land.

My eyesight's starting to blur and all my other senses seem to be fading... But as I subsided to the ground, I could hear Inuyasha shouting to me... I wanted to get up and answer him, but my body wouldn't let me.

And even though I could barely see in front of me, I could feel tears in my eyes... most likely because my sixth sense was shouting that if I didn't get back to Inuyasha right now, I could never see him again... and just thinking about being separated from him forever... it hurts me inside.

My vision's completely black now... and I can't hear anything either.

Wait... I can hear something; someone's saying my name. It's not Inuyasha, but it is someone I'm familiar with.

Whoever this person is...he's holding me. If I could, I'd respond to him...

I want to, but I...

I...

"Kagome - Kagome!"

I can hear him...

"Kagome, wake up!"

He wants me to wake up...

"You'll be fine... you're just having a nightmare..."

A nightmare...? So that means that whoever is talking to me isn't in my dream; they're outside of it...

I should wake up...

"Kagome!"

I blinked my eyes open rapidly and stared at the boy above me. Why is he holding me on his lap...?! "Inashi, wh-what are you doing...?" I stammered timidly as I sat up and scooted a pace or two away from him on the dewy grass.

He seemed a little surprised, but gave me his answer hurriedly enough. "I'm sorry... you were just... Well you see, first you started sweating and kind of thrashing around... so I um..." he cleared his throat and stared at the blade of grass he was rubbing in between his fingers. "I didn't like seeing you like that, so I tried to wake you up. But just a minute or so ago you started crying... so I sort of..." Inashi made an effort to relax and looked back up at me "Well you know me," he chuckled "I've always liked to keep my eye on you."

I loosened up as well and smiled back at him cheerfully "You've been like the older brother I never had for as long as I can remember - and a much better brother than Souta too!"

I giggled at my own comment, but I noticed that Inashi didn't even crack a smile. He actually seemed sad... "Inashi? What's wrong...?" Had I said something?

He glanced up at me with a pained smile, looking crestfallen as he stood to his feet. I clambered up beside him and caught his sleeve before he walked away. "Um... do you know where Inuyasha went to?" came my ever-so-witty question.

Inashi shrugged; he seemed to be having a hard time keeping that smile on his face... "I think that he went down to the river he found to get more water. It's straight in that direction." He answered, the weak smile still veiling his dejectedness as he pointed me westward.

I nodded appreciatively and flitted off along a scarcely trodden path to find Inuyasha.

I am worried about Inashi... truthfully, I am; I'm really concerned about how he was acting. He usually doesn't get so dispirited like that... but my dream is bugging the heck out of me. I just need to hear Inuyasha insult me or yell at me once; only because the dream Inuyasha really freaked me out.

Well, the dream me kind of scared me too. The way I had felt in the dream hadn't been anywhere near what I really feel. Because I noticed that there was a feeling I'd get every time I was around Inuyasha... and it had been unmistakable when he'd kissed me. That feeling... it must have been something like love.

Now that was more confusing than anything else I had ever dreamt.

How had dream me fallen in love with cold, insensitive, rough Inuyasha? I know that I want to be his friend... but I want to befriend him because that's something he really needs; not because I think he's a wonderful, kind, gentle person. He most certainly isn't any of those things.

But I doubt that he was always like that... I don't think it would have been possible for him to have been the same way he is now when he was a little kid... and-

Oh! I'm already here...?

I picked up the two fish I'd caught along with the full water bucket I made as I stood and started to walk; aiming for the little camp we'd set up last night. Or... the little camp that I'd set up last night. Those two may think they did a lot, but in truth, I did almost everything. I mean, they were standing over the stupid fire (trying to enlarge it) for how long?

My ears pricked attentively as I noticed Kagome prancing up to me from ahead. I'd known she was coming in my direction ever since she turned this way, but I didn't really care. I was busy trying to mentally plan at least the basics of the commencing trip. I hadn't really gotten far... I've been kinda scatterbrained lately.

"Inuyasha...?" she came over and walked next to me. I subtly moved a few inches away from her energetic little form; she was getting a little too close for comfort...

"What?" I grumbled, not sparing her a glance; half in absentmindedness and half in annoyance. Annoyance that she always had to be so friendly...

But out of the corner of my eye I caught the glinted grin that spread across her face. What was she so happy about? "Oh!" she beamed in a 'never mind!' sort of way as she took note of the two trout in my left hand. "Did you catch those, Inuyasha?" she tilted her head "You must have been here for a while..."

"Not really," I sighed edgily "Being half demon, I'm a lot faster than ordinary humans."

Kagome paused for a moment - almost as if she had to think of how to respond - before she shrugged agreeably. "That's right... I had forgotten for a minute."

Forget? How could she forget...?

"What's that?" she blinked and tugged on the handle of the bucket as we walked.

I sighed again "It's for water, idiot."

Kagome turned toward me sharply and narrowed her eyes. "I know that! I was just asking where you-!" she let out a puff of air and directed her gaze forward. "I wanted to know where you got it...that's all."

I stared at her suspiciously; why did she always do that? "I made it - so what?"

She looked back at me sort of doubtfully. There was another mystery emotion in there... can't stand those. "Really?" she asked - eyebrow raised.

I stared at her somewhat flatly "Is it really that hard to believe?"

The grin slipped back onto Kagome's face as her walking developed into skipping. "Oh... not really. I just thought it odd that a tough guy like you would be weaving baskets and buckets... makes you seem kinda... kinda..."

"Kinda what?!"

She stopped and faced me, leaning forward with her hand on her hip in quite the pose as she whispered "Wimpy."

"Hey! Just because I made a bucket doesn't make me wimpy!!" I barked frantically.

But she just turned on her heel and sashayed back down the road to the camp. I followed her the whole way, of course; shouting and objecting as she just kept saying the most annoying little phrases like 'Whatever you say, Inuyasha!' with about as much cockiness as a peacock.

Annoying...

"Inashi! Inuyasha!" Kagome chirped cheerfully as she wobbled into view on the path at the clearing entrance "I got more water!"

We won't mention how long it took her to get it though. I'd already been to the creek to clean up, and it had taken me half the time it took Kagome to get that bucket of water. It did look like it was a bit heavy for her...

"Took you long enough. Haven't you worked a day in your life?"

Apparently this 'Inuyasha' guy had noticed too.

"Here, Kagome," I dropped the fish bones I had been picking up and jogged over to her; earning myself a strange look from Inuyasha. "I'll take that."

"Oh," she smiled and lifted the filled pail as high as her little arms would allow "Thanks, Inashi."

I returned her friendly gesture as I took the water and poured it slowly over the fire. Yet another reminder that Kagome thought of me as a 'friend', and only a 'friend'. Nothing more.

I sighed... Little did she know, I'd had feelings for her within a year of knowing her. At first it was only a child's affection... being only 9 years of age it couldn't have been much more than that. But it had developed as I got older; especially when I was around 13 and 14 years of age. Kagome was only 12 when I left... but she was exceptionally mature for her age. She was... well, very different from any other girls I'd met. Always joyful and pleasant, always playful and outgoing, and always thinking about somebody else. Even at that age she cared about her friends and family more than herself... though I don't think she really knows it.

I set the bucket on the ground and glanced over at her. She's grown up so much since then... and to think I thought she was good-looking 4 years ago; now she's a lot more than just attractive. She's beautiful... which is why it really doesn't surprise me that she hasn't showed any signs of feeling the way I do. She's so perfect, and I'm just... me. Hoping to win a heart like hers is rather selfish anyway...

But I had to wonder about her and that guy. I noticed how protective he is of her and how friendly she is to him... but I really can't tell if there's anything between them. I'm pretty sure that they've only known each other since they met in Naraku's castle, so I doubt that there's any real relationship there.

Besides... he isn't a very agreeable person. And he's quite insensitive and rude, and he's got that closed-off attitude. While Kagome had been getting water I'd asked him about where he planned on heading first - he'd answered me with a grunt and "Bug off - mind your own business." I don't know why he sticks around her... or maybe Kagome's the one sticking around him...?

I hope not.

"Hey," I turned to face her as she tapped me on the shoulder "Are you okay?"

I nodded hurriedly and smiled at her worried expression "I'm fine, I'm fine."

She frowned "You don't look fine."

"No really, I'm-."

"C'mon, let's go! We need to get moving." Inuyasha growled "And somebody make sure they grab that water bucket." Kagome glanced hesitantly at me and padded up next to the bad- tempered male.

I shrugged and picked up the pail, trailing along behind her.

We walked for quite a while, a chilling wind blowing through the air as we went. My dress was terribly dirty, and my hair a frazzled mess, but it really didn't bother me too much.

Noon was passing quickly, but it didn't leave before we had a little bite of lunch. We'd went back and found the food I'd been given and snacked on a couple of apples as we walked. I'd hidden the potatoes in the bottom of the vegetable bag so Inuyasha wouldn't know I'd gotten them, and he seemed a little upset with me when he didn't find them. But I plan to cook them special for dinner tonight while he's off finding water and such.

At home, mother would have me cook the meals for the nobleman and princes that she would have come to see me; she always told me that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach, so why not try that theory out on Inuyasha?

I smiled slyly to myself and chomped another bite of my apple, the previously uncomfortable silence not so uncomfortable anymore.

But as I looked at the two boys on either side of me, and noticed that they still seemed a little uneasy. So I decided to perk up a conversation; "Hey Inuyasha," they both looked at me "Where do you plan on heading to first?"

"I want to head north east and pick up something of mine." He eyed me suspiciously "Why?"

I ignored his query and made another of my own "What do you have to pick up?"

"Something that I might need."

"Well..." he was clearly dodging the question. But then again, I had dodged his too... "What is it? Extra food, money, a weapon..."

"A weapon." He answered edgily "Now quit the questions."

For fear of him getting upset with me, I halted my flow of inquiries towards him and directed them towards Inashi. There had been on that was nagging at me for a while... "Inashi, when I was still in prison, you know how you had been giving me my meals for a while?"

He nodded meekly.

"Why did you stop?"

My question seemed to have made him feel awkward, because he stared at the ground ahead of him as he walked a bit slower. "I was replaced because I wasn't exactly following orders..."

I gave him a confused look; what did he mean he hadn't been following orders?

He took note of my expression and continued "I had been trading rations. I was giving you rations that you weren't supposed to have, and often drop you some extra..." he fidgeted "Let's just say they weren't too happy with me. Partly because the extra you'd gotten had been their snacks - so they took me off the job. I was then just assigned to patrol the halls and be on hand if they needed me."

Trading rations...? "Who had you traded rations with? I don't understand... you didn't take food from the other prisoners for me, did you?" Please God, let him say he didn't! I'd feel so guilty...

Inashi faced me quickly and shook his head "No, no, Kagome, I wouldn't take from them. I gave you my rations-!"

Seeing the surprised expression I was wearing, he quickly stopped himself and turned forward again. "It's of no importance... it was just a little food-."

"It is a big deal." I told him softly. It really flattered me that he would do something so kind and self- sacrificing.

But that was where the conversation ended - not another word was said for hours.

I sighed wearily as I gave one last kick to the pebble I had been prodding along in front of me for a good ten minutes. I didn't feel like planning the journey... and - strange as it was - I actually wanted to talk about something. I was so freakishly bored I could have talked to the trees... but I didn't, of course. So the three of us went on in silence, just like we'd been doing for the past few hours. I didn't think I'd ever wanted to talk so much in my life.

So... what should we do first; find a spot to stop and take a short dinner break, or walk for another hour or two? If we went on for a while longer we could make it to where I've got that sword hidden, but finding a good camp ground and a clean creek might be difficult after sunset. But if we stopped to eat now we'd have to wait until tomorrow to get that sword... either that or I miss dinner.

Not an option. Sword it is!

Two hours later...

I stopped rather swiftly and faced Kagome and what's-his- face as they halted a few steps ahead. "Wait here - I'll be back in a few minutes." Was the comment I left with them as I leapt up onto a high tree branch and flew through the forest across the boughs. Kagome had given several shouts as I was leaving, and though I wasn't deliberately ignoring her, I was in a bit of a hurry. She could wait 'til I got back.

I sniffed the air for the scent of the willow tree where the item I was seeking was located, and after several more jumps I reached it. Ah yes... that ancient old willow that I'd slept in so many times... Now all I had to do was remember where I left that sword...

After doing some digging, tree searching, and pacing while making desperate attempts to remember where I left the damn blade, I tripped over a rather large stick and fell flat on my face - getting a mouthful of crusty autumn leaves along with all the dirt under my tongue. But as I looked vengefully back at the audacious stick, I took note of how black the thing looked; too black.

I scrambled to my knees and spat the foliage out of my mouth as I stared at the half hidden item. It was the scabbard!

Snatching it up triumphantly I hopped to my feet - but the sheathed sword seemed... light. The thing felt like it was...

I held it up and looked inside.

...empty.

I cursed angrily and threw the empty case against the willow trunk. "Where is it!?" I shouted in rage.

"I believe that this is what you are searching for."

I spun at the sound of the young voice, looking frantically around me; but there wasn't anyone in sight.

"I'm right here."

I jumped and turned quickly to face the small girl that had stood behind me. She wore a long white kimono, had a white flower in her white hair, and even a mirror with a matching white frame. Wow. Give her some white wings, get rid of that creepy emotional deficiency on her face, and voila; you've got yourself a miniature angel. But nonetheless, I just had to ask... "Who the hell are you?!" I growled and hopped into a defensive stance; my eyes darting between her and the sheath-less rusted piece of crap that was... was floating in front of her mirror.

"My name is Kanna." She answered with that impassive, deadpan air.

Since she seemed fairly harmless, I decided I could let down my guard a bit. Although that little sneak-behind-my-back- and-scare-that-pants-off-of-me trick had unnerved me a little, I figured that hide-and-seek was probably the only game she knew how to play.

"Okay, kid," I stood straighter and held out a clawed hand "Let's just do this the easy way. You give me that sword, and I promise not to shred you."

She stood motionless as the blade's tip slowly started to... what the...!?

I leapt forward and haplessly tried to grab the hilt before the sword was completely sucked into the mirror, but to no avail. The white haired girl stepped back and stared blankly at my angry expression. "I do not wish to give it to you." She stated simply.

"Well that's just to bad!" I seethed as I slashed at her mirror. But every time I attacked, it seemed to just suck it up. She'd keep hopping backwards, I'd keep slicing forwards, but I didn't seem to be getting anywhere.

I jumped up and slashed "Sankontetsou!" at her as forcefully as I could. But the attack that could have executed a couple dozen people was only to be drawn right into her mirror. She remained straight faced and held up her mirror to face directly at me.

And that was when I realized what a huge mistake I'd made.

A/N - Alright! For those of you who didn't get to read this little section of the author note that I have replaced with this chapter...... I need opinions and preferences. Here's the dilemma: I have this song that fits perfectly with the last/second last chapter (And to anyone that thinks I may have already written this whole story and I'm just keeping all my other chapters from you for no sensible reason, the answer is a big fat NO! I haven't written that far yet. . I've just been planning the last chapter for a while... Actually, the last few chapters are what kind of started this story. . I'm so excited about writing them!! XD) and I want to know if you think it's a good idea for me to do one of those things where you... you know, write a line or two of the song, and then write a couple lines of the story, then write another line or so of the song, and another of the story, and so on and so on. Either that or just write the story straight - no song. And actually, I could even do both of the options if there's an equal amount of people voting on each side. AND I'd like to know if you want Sango and Miroku to be... erm, key characters in this story, (like kinda make their relationship at least half as important as Inuyasha and Kagome's) or if I should put them in and just kinda... have them there. . So please give me your opinions and tell me your preferences, because I'd really like to write what you peoples like best! Thank you!

And with the Sango and Miroku issue, yes, they're coming soon enough.