The moonbeams played on the surface of a small pond, giving it an eerie glow. Inuyasha walked closer to it, and heard a small noise coming from the bank. He drew his sword thinking a demon was near but when he rounded the bank he saw a small figure bent over the pond, tears dripping into the water. "Kagome" Said Inuyasha softly. She looked up, her tears illuminated by the moonlight. "Inuyasha..." She said, as if in disbelief. She picked herself up from the ground and moved closer to him. She reached out and put one hand on his face. "They...I thought you were dead..." She said as her eyes filled with an empty sort of happiness. A cool summer breeze lifted her silky hair from her shoulders and a small smiled played at her lips. "Inuyasha" Inuyasha gazed into the depths of her black eyes, wanting to tell her he was sorry, searching for the words to ask how Kikyou was, wanting to say anything at all but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. She sighed deeply and embraced him tightly. The moonlight danced around them, making the clearing look enchanted. Time seemed to stand still as Inuyasha leaned closer to Kagome, and then brushed his hand across her face. After what seemed like an eternity Kagome looked back into Inuyasha's eyes. "Sango and Miroku... they'll be wondering about me... I told them I was gathering herbs for Kikyou..." Inuyasha released Kagome slowly, and breathed deeply. "Yeah..." "Are you coming back with me?"

Inuyasha sighed and picked up Kagome's herb basket. "Yes." Kagome nodded in approval and walked to where Miroku and Sango had found shelter. As they drew nearer they heard voices. "I'm worried about Kagome. She left over an hour ago and she still hasn't returned..." Came Sango's voice. "I think she will be fine..." Came Miroku's soothing reply. Kagome walked up to the smoldering camp fire and looked into the glowing embers. "I'm back." She mumbled, cheeks flushing a brilliant crimson. Sango looked up, slightly startled from Kagome's sudden appearance and quickly moved from next to Miroku, also blushing. She felt Inuyasha slip in behind her.

Inuyasha could feel Miroku and Sango's eyes staring at him. He looked down at the ground. "Where's... Kikyou..." He said, moving closer to the remains of the fire. Sango motioned to her right where a small figure was curled in a ball. Inuyasha looked pained as he walked to her side and kneeled next to her slowly. He rested one hand on her shoulder, and then turned to Miroku. "Will she be alright?"

Miroku nodded slowly. "All is looking ok; she should be back to normal in a few days." Inuyasha bit his lip as if pondering something, then looked at Kagome. He looked as if he wanted to ask her something, but thought better of it and looked down at the ground again. Kagome sighed sadly.

I have to be by his side she thought, even though she wanted to turn away and run deep into the forest where she wouldn't be stuck in this mess. She walked lightly over to his side and sat down, the cold earth sending a chill up her spine. Inuyasha looked grateful for her company and smiled weakly at her before grasping her hand tightly. He almost seemed like a small child to her, begging for attention but to afraid to ask.

She tried to stop the tears from running down her cheeks, but before she knew it they flowed freely. Inuyasha's gaze was that of someone who has done something terrible as he reached out to comfort her as if he was the one making her cry. She wanted to sink into his embrace without having second thoughts about Kikyou and everything that was going on but she knew it wasn't about to happen. Kikyou was still living and breathing, right next to her in fact. She sighed deeply and sprawled out in front of the dimming embers, the crackling lulling her into a deep sleep.