Hrrm—I'm not going to outright state this of course, because they as the characters wouldn't. But taking someone's hand in the manner the two do in this chapter is kind of a subtle way of saying "Perhaps we're more than friends" in Japanese culture. Remember episode 48 with the "I'll stay by your side" InuYasha/Kagome scene? That's why they emphasized them holding hands so much there. It's a big deal.

I think that's all I have to say- With that, read, review, and enjoy. :)

"In More Ways Than One"

Chapter Four

In Which Secrets are Revealed

By Kelly O'Connor

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The calm of the spring night descended upon the village, as Kagome returned from the cave the wild thief Onigumo currently resided in. She clutched the salve she used on his wounds, as well as a now empty jug of water he drank from to her front and sighed deeply. InuYasha… where are you? The Miko brushed away a piece of stray hair the wind had blown into her face.

For the past couple days, he'd been with her. Much to her continued happiness, walking beside her like she'd wished of him.

Although with that happiness, he also caused his share of irritation brought on by his surly attitude and her stubborn nature. Still, despite the small arguments InuYasha and Kagome found themselves in, she rarely stayed annoyed at him for more than a short while.

And sometimes she looked back on those spats fondly. They did liven up the days.

But today, InuYasha had not shown himself to the Miko. Kagome found herself filled with concern… and a lingering feeling of loneliness. Have I gotten so used to him being here? It's only been eleven days since I met him…

Halting in her walk back to the village, Kagome felt a light flush come over her cheeks as her mind conjured an image of the silver-haired Hanyou boy. Why do I… feel so attached to him?

Brushing that thought aside, she found herself filled with a sudden guilt. And I haven't seen him today… I hope he's okay. Or did… did I scare him off? Closing her eyes in reflection, the Miko recalled the evening a few days before when he'd first come into the village with her. It went as well as it could have in any case…

Once they'd reached the hut that night, InuYasha and Kagome shared a meal of stew with Kaede. The younger girl was a bit apprehensive at times, on guard despite her sister's welcoming acceptance of the strange boy she'd invited into their home.

The Hanyou noticed it, the awkward tension brought on by his presence. It frustrated him to no end, but Kagome insisted that a lot of it was just because any girl would feel this way upon their older sister bringing a boy into their home.

"Kaede was just nervous because of the situation…" Kagome reassured herself, although deep down she knew that perhaps there was a bit of fear intermingled in with her sister's reaction. She'll get over it in time…

"The first time I've brought a boy into our home…" A blush crossed her cheeks. He is just a boy… right? A boy I spend time with… a friend, nothing more. Shaking her head, Kagome came to the realization that she was still standing, halted in her journey. Guess I got distracted in my thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, she cleared her head and focused on the task at hand. Before heading home in the evening, Kagome always did a round-about the village, checking for the possibility of nearby youkai that could come in the night.

Maybe I'll run into InuYasha… although, I don't sense him anywhere nearby.

Adjusting her bow and placing the salve and water jug in her voluminous sleeves, Kagome walked toward the small forest that surrounded the village, pausing once she'd reached the outskirts of it. Honing her trained ability to sense youkai, she stood at the edge of the forest- focused. I don't sense anything big or dangerous, but I guess I'll go in just in case.

Feeling a light spring breeze wrap around her, Kagome turned her face skyward. "Hmm," she mused as she stepped into the forest. "There's no moon tonight."

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A heavy sigh escaped Kagome's lips, and she stretched her arms in boredom. There have been less youkai the past several days… The Miko smiled warmly. InuYasha… has he been protecting the village?

Although he'd come back home with her that one night, InuYasha continued his ritual of leaving her behind on the outskirts afterwards. Kagome and he both mutually decided that he needed more time before he'd feel comfortable.

Is this what he's been doing on those nights?

"InuYasha… thank you." she said aloud. A rustling of leaves snapped her to attention, and her eyes narrowed as she nicked an arrow on her bow. I don't sense any youki… but it sounds too big to be a small animal.

Approaching the crop of bushes and trees that the noise had originated from, the Miko started up in shock when a crash of thunder sounded and a spring rain began to descend upon the forest.

Ignoring the sudden thunderstorm, Kagome continued to stealthily approach the bushes, until she was close enough that she could hear breathing. That is definitely not a small animal. Concentrating briefly and frowning in confusion when she still didn't sense any youki, Kagome decided on a direct confrontation. "Come out… who are you?"

No reply, just the continued steady breathing mixed in with the crashes of thunder.

"I won't hurt you… if you aren't a threat, so come out!"

Nothing.

Groaning in frustration, the Miko cocked her arrow in the direction of the bushes. "Please tell me."

Silence.

"Then I'm sorry but I'll have to force you," she leveled the arrow and pushed it forward, using it to part the branches aside. A bolt of lightning briefly cast light upon her target, causing her to leap back in surprise, her feet slipping on the muddy rain soaked ground. InuYasha, Kagome breathed deeply as her rear made contact with the forest floor. But… how… I couldn't feel him I…why was he hiding?

"InuYasha!"

"Kagome!" He answered, unthinkingly foregoing his hiding spot when he saw her rather unpleasant landing. Reaching out for her, he found himself befalling the same fate as her. The muddy forest floor catching his bare feet off guard, he fell down in a sitting position next to her. Embarrassed, the boy made a move to stand up, but felt Kagome's hand on his arm pull him back down. She hasn't noticed yet… then again its pitch black out. Only the lightning is…

"Idiot! Why were you hiding from me?" She inquired in confused irritation. Any further acquisitions were interrupted when a rather large strike shed light on the pair. InuYasha turned his face away, but not before Kagome made out his appearance. Dark hair, dark eyes, where are his ears? What happened? Is this why I couldn't sense his youki? Is this why he was hiding from me? "InuYasha… why are you…"

"Human," he spat bitterly.

"Human? Why I couldn't sense your youki and… what happened to you?" Kagome ventured with bewilderment and concern. Realizing his secret was out; InuYasha turned to her and exhaled deeply.

"Because I'm half human… once every moon cycle my youkai blood disappears."

"Oh… I see."

"Keh, don't Miko know these things?" He grumbled, uneasy about the whole situation.

"How would I know? You're the first Hanyou I've ever met." She shrugged, still taking in what had just occurred. Unintentionally, she found herself surveying the boy's human appearance when the lightning permitted.

"Is it that damn interesting that you have to stare?"

"It's not that!" Kagome gestured wildly with her hands. "I'm sorry." Securing her bow and arrows once again she sighed. "So… once every moon cycle?"

"Mine is the new moon," he explained, somewhat reluctantly. "It always happens then and…"

"Why did you hide from me today InuYasha?" She reached over to place a wet hand on his shoulder. Feeling a light blush cross his cheeks, InuYasha averted his gaze to the storm-ridden sky.

"No one knows about this..."

"Why couldn't you tell me though?"

"Hanyou are hunted at every possible turn by full youkai… I have enemies just because of what I am," he growled. "So if anyone knew about this… if I didn't hide, then…"

"So why couldn't you tell me?" The Miko reiterated. An awkward silence permeated between the pair and InuYasha finally took a deep breath.

"I was afraid."

"Afraid?" Kagome's eyes widened. "I told you that you can trust me."

"It's not that!" He snapped. "No one knows. No one has ever known, except my Mother… it's not that I don't trust you I'm just…"

"Ashamed?"

"Keh!"

"It's okay InuYasha." Kagome gave him a bright smile. "Just don't be…" She lowered her voice, keeping it loud enough so that the thunder wouldn't overpower it. "Something like this could never change… how I feel," her cheeks tinged pink, as did his. "I mean, could never change our friendship or anything like that!" She remedied a sheepish laugh escaping.

"Hmph, of course that's what you meant!" InuYasha crossed his arms in his sleeves, turning away to hide the blush that covered his face. Tentatively, he turned back to catch her gaze after a moment. Eyes meeting, the two of them gulped as a flash of lightning came down upon them once again. Moments passed, and although it was dark once again, they found themselves unable to look away.

They were finally able to when Kagome let out a strained cough.

"Kagome?"

"I'm fine InuYasha… the rain is just getting to me."

"Bah, then you gotta go home! You'll get sick otherwise."

"You're coming with me," Kagome stated as a definite.

"I can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"Because it's the new moon and…"

Kagome felt herself crack a small smile. "Okay, so first you can't come into my village because you're a Hanyou, and now you refuse to come back because you're human?"

"I'll be Hanyou again when the sun rises," he excused lamely.

"So what?" She raised her voice. "It's cold out and it's storming terribly. I'm not going to let you stay out here in this! What kind of person do you take me to be, you idiot?"

"Like it's safe for me to go into your village when they've already seen me as a Hanyou? You're the idiot here!"

"They won't know it's you! Its dark out and most of them are likely already in bed. The only one who will know is Kaede."

"Keh, she doesn't like me."

"She doesn't know you!" Kagome reasoned. "When you came home with me the other night--- you didn't speak to her. Hey, you hardly spoke at all. It's nice that you've started opening up around me, but what about everyone else? Give her a chance, talk to her. I'm sure you two could easily be friends."

"And what the hell about everyone else?"

Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath, coughing once more. "I can't just tell them… 'This is InuYasha. He's my friend so you should accept him.' InuYasha you're going to have to make an effort too."

"I bet they're already saying shit about us…"

"That doesn't matter." Kagome let out a heavy sneeze, and InuYasha's eyes widened in concern.

"I'll come…" The boy replied after a few moments.

"InuYasha?"

"Can't have you being sick… so I gotta make sure you get back," he excused himself.

"Will you stay?" Kagome asked hopefully.

"No Kagome—I'm not ready to do that."

"Do you have somewhere you can sleep then?"

Looking away, InuYasha frowned. "I never sleep on this night."

"I see… well then maybe next new moon?" She propositioned.

"Oi, maybe," the teenage boy took a deep breath. She's cold… it's not safe for her to walk back like this, is it? "Get on my back," InuYasha proposed, words coming out before he could fully register the thought. Eyes widening, he moved to amend his statement. "Keh, I mean, it will get us back quicker and… stuff…"

"InuYasha, you would do that?" Kagome asked, puzzled at his offer.

"Hmph just get on okay?" He grumbled, placing his hands behind him so she could climb on. In delighted surprise, Kagome took his hands and clambered onto his back, reaching her arms around his center to secure herself.

Slipping her eyes closed as the rain poured down upon them, Kagome relaxed to the constant movement of his rapid walking. "Even as a human InuYasha… you've got to be pretty strong to be able to carry me so well."

"Keh! You act like I'm supposed to be some weakling."

Smiling, Kagome shrugged. "Not at all," braving herself, she continued, "InuYasha… when you leave the village at night, do you come to this forest?"

"Yah I do."

"What do you do?" Kagome asked, absently toying with a strand of his thick black hair. "Tell me InuYasha," she yawned. "I want to know everything there is to know about you."

"What?"

"The good and the bad," she explained. "If I've already found out something this big, can't you tell me more?"

InuYasha made a sound of surprise in the back of his throat. Kagome…

"I—I… sometimes kill youkai I know are after the jewel," he stuttered. "I figure you have enough work already, I may as well get rid of some of it."

"Thank you," she mumbled into his hair, exhaustion beginning to show.

"And see that tree over there?" He pointed to a large camphor once they'd reached the edge of the forest.

"Goshinboku?"

"Yah, whatever it is. I sleep there." InuYasha paused. "So if you ever need to find me at night… I'll be there."

"I'll keep that in mind," she replied genially. "Will you tell me more about yourself?"

"Oi, I guess…" He trailed off. Kagome nodded as the lights of the village came into view.

"You mentioned your mother earlier…"

InuYasha stiffened. "…She died."

"Oh I'm sorry! I shouldn't have brought it up," Kagome apologized.

"It's okay," he sighed deeply. "It was when I was seven… I've been on my own since."

Hesitantly, Kagome ventured further with her questions. "How long has that been InuYasha?"

InuYasha went silent for a moment, figuring out the answer in his head. "Eight winters ago… she got ill and…" He cut himself off. "No more okay?"

Eight winters ago? That makes us both the same age, she mused. "Thank you for sharing what you did." Wrapping her arms around him in the closest manner she could to an embrace while on his back, she closed her eyes. "My Mother and Father died too… shortly after Kaede was born. We've been on our own since, although when I was training to be a Miko… a midwife in the village took care of Kaede."

"I guess… at least I only had myself to look after," InuYasha reflected. "You had your sister too."

The pair came to a stop directly outside the village, and InuYasha slipped the fatigued Miko off his back. Turning to face him, Kagome cautiously reached over to take his hand.

"We have a lot more in common than it would seem, neh InuYasha?" She pondered aloud as she squeezed his hand. InuYasha felt a blush rise on his cheeks.

Kagome, she's never taken my hand before. Is she… serious? Shakily, the boy closed his palm and curled his fingers around her smaller hand, returning the gesture.

With a small, but content smile- he looked to her. "Yah, you're right Kagome… we do."

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