Chapter 9

By Sup-pup17

Disclaimer: I only own one character…that's Okami. Inuyasha is sadly owned by someone else….I tried buying him but I was only 1 billion dollars short.

"Inuyasha?"

"Here," Inuyasha responded by handing Shippo a bucket of water. "Take that to Kagome."

"But Inuyasha," Shippo argued. He was about to continue on why he was there when Inuyasha interrupted him.

"Don't argue with me," he growled. "Go take that to Kagome."

Shippo sighed and did what he was told. Kagome would take care of him when he got back.

"Did you tell him," Sango asked as she stirred the stew for lunch.

"He's being mean…" Shippo whined. "He told me to carry water."

"Now Shippo," Kagome said softly. "Carrying water never hurts anyone."

Shippo pouted and placed the bucket next to Kagome and Okami.

Kagome had been sitting patiently next to Okami waiting for him to get better. He wasn't though. He couldn't even stand! He just whined here and there and looked at Kagome helplessly. It made Kagome's heart hurt more then ever.

Inuyasha stepped out from behind the bushes. He sat two more buckets down and sat down across the fire.

"Inuyasha," Kagome said softly.

"Hm?"

"You know about herbs don't you?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha raised her eyebrow.

"Will you come with me to get some?"

Inuyasha yawned. "Why?"

Kagome sighed. "Because I don't want to go alone…"

Inuyasha stood and shrugged. "Let's go."

"We'll take care of Okami," Sango reassured.

Kagome stood and led Inuyasha into the forest. Once far enough in, Kagome stopped and faced Inuyasha. "I want to thank you…" She looked up at him with soft eyes and a soft smile. "You've been really nice and helpful this morning."

"Feh," Inuyasha shrugged. "You needed my help so I gave you some."

"But you've been really good about me and Okami for now." Kagome reminded. "I really appreciate it."

Inuyasha looked away. Though he was glad she was noticing him again and she was happy with him. He looked at her for a second and noticed love. She was so happy with him, her eyes couldn't show it all at once. Her sent was sweet and…relaxing….yet it made his whole soul jump. He was getting hyper. He could feel his blood beginning to boil. Shit. He was affectionate….feelings, real feeling for Kagome. No. He had to hold himself back. He had to hold himself back for her.

Inuyasha gulped. "I'm glad."

Kagome leaped onto him and gave him a hug. "Thanks!"

Inuyasha slowly hugged her back. He knew he could have taken her right there and claimed her. That might've shocked her though. What if he hurt her? No, He had to hold back.

Kagome stood up on her tippy-toes and kissed his cheek. "Come-on," She smiled. "Let's go get those herbs!"

Inuyasha stood dumbfounded. Kagome walked slowly away to an herb plant and began examining it. He didn't know what to do for a few seconds. For the first time since he was with Kikyo, he had no idea what to do. He had options though. He could take her away, make her his or he could do what she'd asked him in the beginning and help her with the herbs. There was always that option of running away but why would he want to do that?

"I think this will work…" Kagome picked a few leaves. "Do you?" She turned around. Inuyasha hadn't moved.

He snapped out of his trance and nodded. "That'll work. That's what we had last night."

Kagome tilted her head when she noticed he was just standing there but went on. "How do you know?"

"It reeks." He said simply He walked smoothly up to her and hugged her. Kagome, taken off guard, took her turn to stand there and look clueless. His arms held her tightly, so tightly that her breaths were cute short. She was so close she could feel his warmth and his heart beat.

He let go and stepped back with a blush. "Sorry," he whispered.

Kagome nodded. "It's okay," She smiled.

"Let's get those herbs back before everyone starts to worry." Inuyasha took her hand in his and led her back through the bushes.

Kagome didn't know what to feel. She knew she felt good though just because she couldn't stop smiling. It was funny though because just before they hit camp, he let go of her hand and sped up his pace. His pride would always go first. That was okay though, once he really did admit his love for her, he'd show it. He'd want the whole world to know and she knew it.

"We got them," Kagome announced. "I think this is what we were using last night." She laughed. "Inuyasha confirmed it."

Sango smiled and turned her head. "Okami finally got some sleep."

Miroku nodded and turned his head. Kagome took notice of the hand mark on his cheek and shook her head. Inuyasha followed her actions.

"You just can't keep your perverted hands to yourself can you?" Inuyasha sat by Okami and began mashing the herbs. Kagome sat down by him and pet Okami lovingly.

"I'm glad he's feeling somewhat better." Kagome smiled.

Miroku nodded. Kirara's just about as bad as me!"

Sango giggled.

"She cuddled right up to Okami. I bet you that's why he's sleeping so well!" Miroku laughed. "It was when we turned around and my hand was exploring!"

Sango shook her head. "Monk!"

Miroku smiled.

"Shut it!"

Miroku chuckled.

"Thank god he doesn't have a prayer bead necklace," Kagome laughed.

"Yeah," Inuyasha laughed. "He'd met the other side of the world by now."

Miroku glared at Inuyasha. "At least the babes like me!"

"Hey!" Inuyasha argued. "All the girls I've met love the ears!"

Kagome smiled.

As Inuyasha and Miroku rambled, Sango and Kagome went for a walk. Shippo tagged along just so his little, sensitive, ears could be in peace. When they got back, both boys were breathing hard and dirty.

"Looks like they had some fun," Sango laughed.

The day only went by slow because Kagome refused to leave camp. Then by the end of the day, Sango and Kagome snuck off to go bathe. They left Inuyasha in charge of dinner, which was obviously ramen. Shippo, Sango, Kagome, and Okami all left to the river before it got too dark. Kirara stayed just to make sure Miroku stayed. Kagome got the chance to bathe all the blood and crap on Okami. And…for once….They bathed in peace.

That night wasn't peace though, Okami whined the whole night. Kagome coudlnt' handle it. In the middle of the night, Inuyasha's ears rang as he heard Okami's whining and Kagome's sobbing. What was she suppose to do for him? Inuyasha got up and picked up Okami out of Kagome's hands.

"No," Kagome cried softly, trying not to wake her friends. "Don't do it!"

Inuyasha raised his eyebrow. "Don't do what? Kill this poor thing?"

Kagome nodded.

"I'm not," Inuyasha smiled.

Kagome sat up.

Inuyasha sat down next to her and massaged the dog softly. He smiled and looked over at Kagome. Her eyes had softened but she was still crying. He lifted a hand up to her and gently wiped a tear away. "What?" He asked. "I thought you'd be happy that I'm helping…"

"I am," Kagome sobbed. "I am…"

Inuyasha wrapped Okami in his outer kimono and rubbed him softly. He didn't really know if it helped but he did remember his mother doing it to him when he fell once. He was sore all over so his mother had bathed him and massaged his muscles. That was the only thing he could think of to help Okami.

He felt something on his shoulder and slowly turned his head to see what is was. Kagome had leaned her head on his shoulder and had closed her eyes. He smiled and held the dog. His rough, beaten hands ran smoothly over Okami's coat. He leaned back and closed his own eyes. Okami stopped whining and fell into a deep sleep…his last sleep.

Sorry if there are any errors, I've been in a hurry for a while. I'm starting a new semester Tuesday and I'll be ina wreck for a while. I have 3 English classes. This mean...I may be anti -English by the time I get home. LOL Thanks for all the reveiws! This story is almost done! Then....I got a new story going up! Thanks y'all!