Inuyasha got back to the camp in just enough time to see two giant spider demons choking Kagome. He pounced and cleaved both demons in two with one swipe of the Tetsusiaga.

Kagome sat on the ground holding her neck and gasping for air.

"Where is Shippo? He was supposed to be guarding you!" Inuyasha demeaned loudly, just as Miroku and Sango entered the clearing.

Kagome pointed up into the tree, where Inuyasha spied a little cocoon. He reached up and slashed it open with his claws. Shippo tumbled out.

"Some protector you are! Useless!" Inuyasha said pulling web off his fingers.

"I couldn't do anything! They ambushed me!" Shippo protested.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Inuyasha said, picking up the spider bodies with ease and tossing them into the woods.

"I'm sure Shippo did everything he could, Inuyasha." Miroku said trying to settle him down.

Inuyasha only grumbled and jumped off into the tree again.

"I believe there is a village nearby, and if I remember correctly they have a hot spring. Why don't we head there and get some much need rest." Miroku said, glancing at Kagome, who nodded.

The sun was coming up and the group began to pack up their things. Kagome looked at Inuyasha up in the tree. He was standing watching the sunrise. Little did she know that he was thinking about her at that very moment too. He was thinking how panicked he was when he had seen those demons threatening Kagome. Usually she was more than capable of defending herself when in danger, but this time she had been vulnerable and he had almost failed to protect her. He had felt like he was going to die if she had gotten hurt.

They approached the village with trepidation. Often they had a little bit of trouble with villagers who were afraid of Inuyasha and Shippo; after all they were demons.

Today, however, no one even gave Inuyasha a second glance. All the villagers were busy welcoming the lady demon slayer, Sango. It turned out that she had been there before the tragedy with her brother, and had defeated a snake demon that had been eating their oxen and other livestock.

They welcomed the demon slayer and her friends with open arms.

They were given a small empty hut to stay in and were told that they could use the hot springs at the edge of town at their leisure. The villagers were eager to help them in whatever way they could, as they could see the stains on their clothes and knew they had been battling demons near by. They offered them robes and took their clothes to wash them.

Kagome wasn't even sure she could stay awake long enough to take a bath, but since she was covered in spider guts, she was willing to try. The two girls headed off together.

They eased into the steaming water in the women's section of the spring. Kagome always brought toiletries with her from her era and Sango had come to love the fruit scented shampoos and soaps too.

"Kagome, can I ask you a question?" Sango asked. Kagome nodded.

"Not to bring up a bad subject, but what did you see in those dreams? I mean, what was it like?" Sango said quietly, just in case of prying ears. "Do you still love him?"

Kagome had long ago professed her love for Inuyasha to Sango, but never to anyone else, not even him.

"Yeah, I do still love him. And I suppose it is possible that I always will. But it was really hard to see him like that. He was all dreamy eyes and calm, and actually happy! It was a strange feeling, because I would let go of him, if he could be that happy now. But I guess things change and he is different now. So, I will just have to let it go." Kagome said.

Sango realized that Kagome had grown up a lot in their time together. She once would have stewed over this for a long time. Kagome knew she still had a lot of work ahead of her and Sango was proud to see her show of maturity.

Kagome got up and slipped into her robe. Sango followed suit. "I just hope that Inuyasha doesn't make a fuss about it."