Thank you everyone who has reviewed this story! I didn't know that it would get such a response! And for the person who asked about Kagome's ribs, Inuyasha wasn't pushing on them, he just rested his arm on her side. I broke my ribs once, and it only hurts if someone pushes against them. So, once again, thankies! ^_^ Oh, just a little spoiler, I think I hear wedding bells, but in the FAR FAR future! Plus I'm planning a sequel to this fic, so ya.

Act Five

This song is from Avril Lavigne, 'Complicated.'

'Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated.

..I see the way your acting like your somebody it helps get me frustrated.'

"KAGOME!!!!"

Sango, Miroku and Shippo came bursting through the cloth strip that acted like a door, only for Sango and Miroku to grab Shippo, covering his eyes and ears. Sango turned bright red with embarrassment and Miroku failed to stifle a laugh.

Kagome and Inuyasha where still asleep, and where in a very. uh, VERY interesting position. (Actually that's probably the understatement of the year.)

The blanket had bunched up around the two's waists, but besides that and Inuyasha's hand, they where in the exact same position they had been in last night. Anyways, back to Inuyasha's hand. During the night, Inuyasha's hand had 'somehow' managed to creep up under Kagome's shirt and was now resting on her bare stomach.

Lazily the two opened their eyes. Suddenly their eyes popped open as they realized their situation. Without moving, they eyed Sango, Miroku and Shippo. Then, very slowly, the two turned to look at each other. With a yell, they leapt away from each other. Kagome had the blouse of her shirt in her fists, pulling it down and yelling ineffective sits. Inuyasha proceeded to smack his hand and tell it off.

When the two where finished, they looked back over at Miroku and Sango. Both where red in the face with huge eyes. Shippo meanwhile was struggling for release. He finally managed to wiggle from their firm grip, lunging himself at Kagome's midsection.

Big mistake.

He hit Kagome in the stomach, enough to make her fall to her knees clutching her side and gasp for her escaped air.

Quickly Inuyasha picked Shippo up by his God-given handle, shaking him furiously.

"Shippo! Look what you did to Kagome now! You should have smelled that she was hurt! Why I could-"

"Let him go."

Inuyasha looked down at Kagome. She was struggling to stand, taking in deep raspy breaths. Small tears shined in the corners of her eyes as she took in one long deep breath.

"Put him down."

Inuyasha watched as Kagome stood. He knew she was hurt, and quite frankly, he wasn't ready-nor was she-to have a good ol' argument. So, with a sharp whack to the head, Inuyasha set Shippo down.

Quickly Shippo scurried to his feet, careful to climb up Kagome's good side, and perch himself on her shoulder. She hugged the kitsune close, tears of joy dripping from her cheeks.

Inuyasha walked over to the still frozen in shock Sango and Miroku. With a quick smack to the back of the head, both where brought back to reality.

"Nice of you to join us." Inuyasha sad, his voice dripping with venom. Both Sango and Miroku began to rub the backs of their heads.

"How'd ya do it Inuyasha?" Miroku leaned over and whispered into one of Inuyasha's ears, a glint in his eyes. Inuyasha screwed up his face.

"Do what?"

Miroku motioned over at the crying Kagome, who was now hugging Sango furiously. "Kagome."

In a split second Miroku was face-first in the ground, hands and feet twitching.

Sango and Kagome stopped their hugging to glance over at Inuyasha, whom was posturing dominantly over Miroku.

"Hentai no baka," muttered the girls in unison.

~*~

Inuyasha awoke from his sleep, sitting straight up. Cold sweat ran down his cheek. That dream. it had been so real. Inuyasha sat still, his ears swiveling about. It was once again raining out, and thunder crashed in the distance.

Inuyasha yawned, his lips curling up and around his fangs. He stretched, and then looked over at Kagome. She was curled up in a ball next to the fire; the blanket snuggled up under her nose. She looked so cute and innocent, like a little puppy. But when she was mad. boy could she bite!

Slowly Inuyasha crept up by Kagome. He froze as her breathing changed, and nearly burst out laughing when she crinkled up her nose and began to wiggle it, but somehow managed to lock it in. She then settled down and flipped over onto her back. The blanket settled further down on her waist, and her blouse was a little.loose, giving Inuyasha an eyeful. If he could just slide to the left a little.

Inuyasha mentally slapped himself. 'I'm starting to sound like Miroku,' he thought. With that he plopped himself down next to Kagome, staring at her, wanting for her to wake up. You could cut his boredom with a dull knife. He sat there for five, ten minutes, before she started to stir. He watched as her eyes slowly opened, blinking away her sleepiness. She then sat up, looking around as if she was confused. When her gaze met Inuyasha's eyes, she smiled. Crossing her legs, she rubbed her eye with one fist.

"Good morning Inuyasha." As Kagome dropped her arm, it struck her odd that Inuyasha was sitting next to her, and was there when she woke up. She furrowed her brow and cocked her head.

"Why are you here?"

Inuyasha looked around, as if there might be someone behind him. "What do you mean? I live here."

Kagome shook her head. "No, why where you right next to me when I woke up?"

Inuyasha felt the heat start to rise in his cheeks. "Well, I was bored, and well." He looked back at her. Suddenly every emotion rose to the surface. He felt as though he might lose her again. Like in his dream.

He suddenly grabbed her in a tight hug, wrapping his arms around her. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, taking her scent. Kagome was slightly taken aback, but then closed her arms around his back. "Inuyasha, what's the matter?"

"I don't ever want to leave you. I don't want you to ever leave me. Never again."

Kagome's eyes started to water as she thought about how much she had missed Inuyasha. She stuck her nose into his hair, smelling sweat and pine.

"I wont leave you again Inuyasha. I don't think I could. I missed you so much, I thought my heart would break."

Inuyasha nodded. "Kagome, I love you so much."

Kagome froze. So he DID love her!

But there was more. "When you left, I thought the world was going to end. Every day, the pain grew more and more. I tried to go to you, but the well, I just couldn't."

After another silent moment, Kagome pulled away from Inuyasha and looked him in the eye. Her face was stern and serious, but then it broke into a smile.

"You don't know how happy I am to hear that. And I love you too, Inuyasha." With that she pulled away and grabbed a cup from a small stack of supplies in the corner. She then walked over to the small roughly made teakettle and poured herself a cup. She sat down and began to comb her hair with her fingers, sipping her tea every now and then. When she felt that all the tangles had been removed, she took a small strip of cloth and tied up her hair, out of her face.

Despite the fact that she had slept late, Kagome was thoroughly exaughsted. Last night, after Miroku had gone back to his hut and Inuyasha had fallen asleep, the two girls had stayed awake into the wee hours of the morning, gossiping and talking about boys, love and other things.

Now, Kagome was regretting that decision. Fatigue was cruel.

Walking to the door flap, Kagome peeled it open. The drumming of the rain had lessened to a low hiss, and the sky was starting to clear as the sprinkling rain created small rainbows where the sun hit it just right. Water dripping from the trees made the forest come alive with sound.

Kagome sipped the rest of the tea down with one last gulp. Her ribs where aching something fierce today, so a little visit to Kaede might help. Taking the cup and setting it in the pile of dirty dishes (which was a far bigger stack than that of the clean dishes) she started out to Kaede's hut, her feet bare.

She was careful about where she stepped, since her feet where soft. She didn't like the wooden sandals, they hurt her feet, and a cold winter had prevented her from wandering outside without shoes. Several times she stepped on a rock with the arch of her foot, causing her to leap away or stumble. When she finally reached Kaede's hut, she stepping inside.

"Kaede! Hey, can I get some more pain herbs? My ribs are killing me!"

Kaede looked up from where she was grinding some herbal leaves into a fine powder. "Oh, Kagome-san, I have been waiting for ye for some time now. Yes, I have the pain herbs right here." The elderly miko held out a small vile, which held a small amount of fine powder. Kagome removed the small cork and sprinkled the small amount on to her tongue before swallowing. She screwed up her face and thought about gagging at the taste, but swallowed it down and tried to settle her stomach. A moment later the ache in her ribs disappeared and she finally felt a little better.

"Oh, and can I borrow a bow and a quiver of arrows?"

Kaede paused from her work and looked up. "Why would ye ask?"

Kagome shrugged. "I haven't practiced in three months, and I guess there is nothing better to do. I mean, since we have no jewel shards to collect or anything."

Kaede cracked a faint smile. "They would be in the barn next to the horses. And while your here feel free to take one out for a ride." With that she turned back to her work and gave Kagome a faint farewell with the wave of her hand. Kagome sighed and turned around, heading outside.

When she reached the stables she opened the heavy wooden doors. The smell of horses and hay hit her full in the face. She walked over towards a large supply pile and picked up the quiver and bow. As she turned around and was heading outside again, a whinny greeted her ear. She turned around and her eye caught sight of a very flashy head, poking out of the stall. Smiling, she shouldered her carry and started towards the horse. She patted his forehead, and he nickered lightly. His white fur was soft and his blue eyes where dazzling. Putting down her bow and arrows, Kagome grabbed a saddle and started into the stall.

~*~

"Kaede, have you seen Kagome?"

It was dusk out, and Kaede had been patrolling the village on a small walk, when Sango and Miroku had approached her. Kaede told them that she had last seen her heading towards the barn, yet Sango and Miroku said that they had searched the barn, and that Kagome had been nowhere to be seen.

It had started hours ago when the where trying to weasel out a confession of love from Inuyasha. Shippo had apparently been spying on the dog demon and his latest love, and had informed Sango and Miroku of their new change in relationship. But when the hanyou hadn't budged, Sango and Miroku had decided to find Kagome. After searching the village twice over, they had discovered that Kagome was missing. After telling Inuyasha, they hurried to find Kaede.

Inuyasha, however, was well ahead of his two comrades. He had picked up Kagome's scent from the barn and followed it. Flying through the trees, he jumped to the forest floor. A white horse was laying on the ground, one of his legs bleeding badly. Kagome's scent changed here. It was full of fear. And another scent entered; one of a demon. Growling, he took to the trees once more, following the two new scents. He had traveled maybe a mile when he paused in the trees. The scent was incredibly strong here. Inuyasha jumped to a lower branch and scanned the forest floor. His eyes widened suddenly as he caught sight of a bare form lying on the forest floor.

And it wasn't moving.

~*~ A/N: Cliffhanger! Lol. Sorry it took me so long to post this chapter. No time+writers block=longer times between posts. But I do have an idea for the next chapter! So I will try to get that one up in the next week. I still have to write it though.