Disclaimer: Inuyasha is awesome! Alas....he and his companions are not mine.

Chapter 21:

By the light glow of the fire, Kagome tended to the once again wounded Inuyasha. The others had long ago fallen asleep. Kagome smiled at Sango and Miroku. Sango was using Miroku's lap as a pillow as he leaned against the wall. Shippo had curled up in Kirara's soft fluffy tail. "Kagome?" A weak, soft voice questioned.

"Yes, Inuyasha? What do you need?" She answered as she rung out a wet cloth, placing it on his brow.

"Nothing." He fluttered his eyes open.

"What is it that you wanted? Are your ears still ringing?" She spoke softly, brushing aside his white bangs. She smiled at his tired expression; he seemed so sweet and calm when he was half awake.

"I...I just wanted to hear your voice." He smirked as he took her hand in his.

"Oh is that all?" Kagome smiled.

"It seems when I want you to shut up you don't and when I want to hear your voice, you aren't speaking." She swatted his shoulder.

"Hey! That's not very nice! Are you saying I'm annoying?" She stammered and loosened her grip on his hand, but he tightened and pulled her on top of him. "In-u-yasha!" Kagome breathed and her eyes narrowed. "The others are here and you're sick!"

"Not anymore; hanyou." He smirked as he sat up, Kagome in his arms.

"Grrrr....not playing fair." Kagome smiled as she kissed his cheek. "Is this all you wanted?"

"What?! I'm not the pervert over there!" He raised his voice up a notch.

"Shhhh! You'll wake them!"

"Ok." He jumped up and picked Kagome up in his arms. Her eyes widened and she was about to scream, when his hand gently covered her mouth. "Shhh." His golden eyes flickered in night. Kagome decided to let him take her wherever he pleased. She remained silent. Suddenly, Inuyasha leaped up into his favorite perch.

"Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!! INUYASHA!" Kagome screamed.

"Yo! Be quiet! I won't drop you!" They settled onto a branch and Kagome realized that what he stated was true: He wouldn't drop her, ever. "You alright?" He asked concerned.

"Sorry, that just startled me is all." She sighed as she settled against his chest. He was so comfy to sleep against.

"Now we don't have to be quiet." Kagome blushed and turned away from him. "Hey, what's wrong with you?" Being a naïve romantic, Inuyasha had no idea his comment could mean more than just talking.

"Oh nothing." 'If only he knew what else that could mean.' She then remembered he could read thoughts; Kagome turned quickly around to face him. "You heard that, didn't you?" He looked at her puzzled.

"Heard what?" Inuyasha raised his eyebrow.

"I just thought something. Are you telling me you can't hear thoughts anymore?" She asked.

"You're right. I haven't heard a thought all night from anyone. Think something!" Kagome smirked.

'I really would love it if you would strip me of all my clothes and ravish my body right now.' Inuyasha blinked. "Anything?" Kagome asked, hoping he really didn't hear that.

"Nothing, but by the goofy look on your face and you biting your lip while looking at me....I can only imagine. Pervert!" Kagome blinked and blushed.

"I am not! We all know that title belongs to Miroku-sama around here!" She stated. "So, you didn't hear anything?"

"Nope, but that look on your face....was...." He gulped and blushed. "Argghhh!! Woman why must you do this to me? Now I'm wondering what on earth you thinking?!" Kagome giggled and continued blushing.

"I'm not going to tell you. My you certainly recovered fast this time. Any reasons for that?" Kagome said with a glint in her eye.

"I don't like being cooped up in a bed sick. I don't like to be babied." Inuyasha grunted.

"Awwww....my poor little Inuyasha. What you don't like TLC?" Kagome turned around and crawled up his chest slowly, her eyes reflected the moonlight. Her raven hair fluttered in the wind. Inuyasha felt the heat spark between them and the closeness of her body to his. He gulped again.

"What's....TLC?" He questioned slowly. His ears perking up at her answer.

"Tender..." She kissed his nose, "Loving...." She kissed his cheek, "Care..." She kissed his lips slowly. She pulled away, not knowing where all this confidence had come from, but smirking from the reaction on Inuyasha's face. "Anymore questions?" He shook his head quickly. "I thought you didn't like TLC?" Kagome questioned as a grin spread across her face.

"Keh!" Inuyasha scowled, trying to hide his blush.

"Okay, well I'm going to bed then." She then proceeded to climb back down the tree, but with only one arm to work with....it was proving rather difficult.

"Kagome! Don't be stupid! You're gonna fall!" Inuyasha warned right before her foot slipped. "Kagome!"

"Ow, ah crap!" Inuyasha hurriedly bounded down and grabbed her hand, pulling her back into his arms. "Sorry."

"If you didn't do that, you wouldn't be sorry. What were you trying to prove?" He scolded.

"I dunno; I want to go to bed and you don't want me here." She whined.

"What?! I never said that! I want....you....to..." He studdered.

"You want me to what, Inuyasha?" Kagome said as she rolled her eyes.

"I want you....to...stay the night with me." Kagome must have blushed really bad because Inuyasha felt her forehead for a fever. "Hey, you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." She said softly. 'He's so naïve.' "I'll stay the night with you; there's no other place I want to be." Kagome smiled and Inuyasha grinned as he pulled her into his arms.

"Good."

"Houshi-sama?"

"Hmmm?" The sleepy monk looked down at the girl.

"Did you see that?"

"Uh huh; I did." He smirked as he played with her silky chestnut hair. "Finally, ne?"

"Yes, finally." Sango agreed. She longed to kiss him at that moment. He looked so handsome with the dying fire shadowing across his features. Miroku smiled and closed his eyes once again. Sango slowly got up, placing her hands on his shoulders and kissed him softly on the lips. Miroku, who was half awake, kissed her back. He moaned quietly and placed his hands on her waist. He suddenly became aware he was kissing Sango. Miroku pulled away.

"I'm sorry! So, sorry." He got up and headed out the door.

"Houshi-sama!" Sango was hurt. Tears welled up in her eyes and she rushed out the door after him to give him a piece of her mind. There he was leaning against a tree trunk; his fingers at his lips. "What was that all about?!" Sango screamed. He looked up, surprised that she followed him. The tears that were welling up, fell one by one, one right after the other. Miroku felt bad, but still didn't quite understand why she was so upset.

"I'm sorry Lady Sango." He was now using the proper term to call her. This enraged her.

"Why? Why did you pull away? And why are you calling me that?" She had so many questions and her normally calm exterior broke away. "You don't want me like that. That's why you have never said you love me. I was right all along; a girl like me would never suit a man like you. I'm not suitable for any man." She fell to the ground.

"Sango, Sango! That's not it at all! You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!" He went over to her and made her look at him. Miroku had tears falling from his face; he never cried. Sango was shocked. "I don't want to drag you into my curse. There are so many things that I can't let happen. You have suffered enough." Sango finally realized why he never made a move. "I'm sorry."

"No, no....I understand now, but no matter what happens...." She finally had courage; Sango decided to say it. "I will always love you."

"What?"

"I love you, Miroku." Sango said softly. "That's why whatever happens won't bother me, except if I lose you. But I won't! Naraku's curse will NOT take you away from me." She stated. Miroku was shocked; speechless.

"I don't know what to say." Suddenly, a large stick was dropped onto his head, "Ow, what the?"

"I LOVE YOU!" Two familiar voices rang from above their heads. Sango and Miroku looked up into the tree limbs. There was Kagome and Inuyasha, glaring down at them.

AN: Sorry I took so long to update guys! I've been so busy with my new job and just stuff.....I hope you enjoyed this fluff-filled chapter...I will be ending this story very soon....maybe in the next chapter....yup. I thank all of you who have left comments and reading my story! I 3 you!