Chapter 1
That day in the waring era had started as normal as it could be around Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Shippo. The only off hand thing that could be pointed out that the weather was changing and soon winter was going to hit. No doubt about that. Kagome shivered but hid it with some trouble. A headache was slowly emerging and had no signs of giving out for a while. She gave a silent sigh but kept on a cheery smile that could easily be mistaken for a geniun one.
"You sense anything Kagome?" the silver haired hanou asked annoyed.
"No." Kagome answered honestly. How can I when this pounding in my head won't stop? Kagome slightly annoyed walked past Inuyasha and next to Sango.
"Oh, don't let him bother you today," Sango smiled, "He had a run in with Sesshomaru before you came." Kagome smiled at Sango. The young woman sighed as she glanced at Kagome. Something seems to be bothering you as well Kagome. Sango put a hand on her friends shoulder. She recieved another smile before Kagome's raven locks of hair hid her face.
Oh man...this pounding. I'll just take something for it when we reach a river and keep going. I knew I shouldn't have come today. Kagome in-wardly sighed, I wonder...She looked back at Inuyasha, What he's thinking about?
Inuyasha growled in annoyance at Shippo's antics. "Get off me," the dog hanou snapped and threw Shippo to the ground a little more roughly then he had first intended. The young fox demon started to cry loudly. His crying finally ceased when Kagome picked the fox demon up gently and craddled him in her arms. There was something about Kagome's stride that caught Inuyasha's attention that day. A distracted slow sort of stride. She looked frustrated.
Miroku and Sango had continued, knowing a fight between the two was about to start. When they heard no yelling they both turned around. Inuyasha and Kagome were staring at each other.
For some odd reason Inuyasha just pictured Kagome as a perfect mother. She held Shippo close, wether she knew it or not, and she looked so beautiful in his eyes. More so then Kikyo ever had at one point. Quickly he shook his head away from the thought and mentally punished himself for thinking like that. No. I love Kikyo but I also love Kagome-what am I going to do? Inuyasha noticed Kagome look away, if nothing, she was a little hurt and continued her slow stride. Kagome...I'm so-
Kagome felt her feet move slowly but not on her command. She felt so hollow inside right now but kept her smile on her face. At least her thoughts of Inuyasha and Kikyo together in the end made her headache disappear for a few moments. She still held Shippo. She felt that she had to protect Shippo like a mother protected her child, so she found some comfort, no matter how small, in holding this fox child. I'm nothing when it comes to the love Inuyasha and Kikyo share. I'm just a third wheel. I'm just a shared detector, when we're done I'll just go home and-What will I do? This is my life now and I like it here but I can't stay. Kagome felt the sting at the edge of her eyes but she fought them back and kept up a strong smile even though it was completely empty.
"Is it just me Sango," Miroku spoke up, "Or is there something that is really bothering Kagome?" Miroku looked at Sango with concern. Her eye twitched slightly and he backed away, "Now Sango I know what you're thinking but my hand just-AGH!" Miroku moaned as he sat up. His hand traveling to his cheek. "Ow..."
"That's what you get for grabbing my butt again!" Sango sped up, a strong blush on her cheeks. She looked at her hand. When will he learn?
"Kagome, did you bring that spinning sugar stick?" Shippo asked excitidly.
"Yes," Kagome grinned down at him. "And it's called a lollipop. You'll get it when we make camp. How does that sound?"
"Yay! When do we stop?" The fox demon asked jumping from her arms and jumping onto Miroku's shoulder.
"Not for some time," Miroku grinned, "But when it's time you'll be told." Shippo pouted and hung of Miroku's shoulder. Sango surpressed a laugh and caught up with Kagome.
"You okay?" Kagome looked up and nodded happily. What is she thinking?
"I'm fine Sango," Kagome replied. Sango gave her a weird look, "Really. I am." I wish this headache would go away!
Hours past and they finally came to a steady stream of water. They all decided now would be the time to sit down and set up camp. Kagome went to the river and took a good long drink. She spread out satisfied that she had got the pain killer into her system when she did.
"What are you doing?" a rather annoyed hanou asked looking at Kagome.
"Nothing, just relaxing." She replied and sat up, quickly wishing she hadn't. Her vision swam in and out before correcting itself. She stood and walked into the forest going to get fire wood. It was her turn. She felt a strong urge to cry as she walked through the forest. No one would hear her. She fought the urge to though. Silently she carried the wood back and dumped it in front of Miroku who worked on starting a fire. Sango was busy catching fish and Shippo was busy chewing on the candy she had given him. "Where's Inuyasha?"
"Oh he went for a walk," Sango replied after dumping another fish into the basket. "Said something about K-" Sango stopped and looked at Kagome.
"Kikyo..." Kagome let her arms drop to her sides like wet noodles. "Kikyo." She gritted her teeth but hid her face, "I'm going for a walk." Kagome left for the forest again. Once she was out of sight she took off at a run. She felt that if she ran far enough her tears could not be heard. He loves her! That's all he thinks about! I'm just a jewel detector...just another...what right do I have to be here? What right do I have to stay and stop him from being with-Kagome's running turned into a slow jog, which turned into a walk which turned into her stumbling her way through the forest holding the trees as she passed them.
Sango looked in the forests depths. "Kagome seemed really upset." She looked at Miroku. "You think she'll be okay?"
"I think so. She has her arrows and bow with her." Miroku finally got the fire started, "Is the fish ready?" Sango nodded.
"Miroku?"
"Yes?"
"Well...uh...do you think Kagome ran away because she's afraid she might not see Inuyasha after we're done finding all the shards and stopping Naraku?" Miroku looked up from the fire.
"Who knows, but this thing between Inuyasha, Kikyo and Kagome is killing her from the inside. It wasn't just that though that was bothering Kagome. It seemed that there was more to it then that."
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha asked sitting down near the fire. Sango and Miroku smiled.
"It was nothing." Sango and Miroku went back to cooking the fish.
"What?" Inuyasha bent close to the fire glaring at them, "AH! HOT!" Inuyasha's nose caught fire. He quickly put it out making for a laugh and good change of subject.
"Well duh!" Shippo mocked, "When you get that close to fire you burn! AH!" Shippo felt Inuyasha's fist on his head. The young fox demon started to cry again. Sango patted him on the head making Shippo stop.
Kagome knew she should head back soon. She practiced a fake smile and cleaned her face. Her walk was slow and unsteady. Once again her vision swam out of focus before returning to normal in a minute or so. She leaned against the tree and waited for the nausua to desperse. "That's better." She ran the rest of the way making it in time for fish.
"Kagome, where were you?" Inuyasha snapped.
"Walking!" She bit back a tear and sat down in front of the fire taking a fish from Miroku. She looked into the fire eating slowly. Not that you would care if Kikyo was with you. Kagome was done in ten minutes leaving three quaters of the fish. She set it down in front of Shippo who finished it off. She crawled into her sleeping bag, her back to the others.
"Weird..." Sango whispered to herself.
A pair of yellow eyes lurked in the bushes watching the scene. She seems to be a troubled young lady. The eyes closed and the form dashed away into the forest.
"Huh?" Kagome sat up.
"Is there something wrong?" Sango asked looking at Kagome.
"N-no. It was just my imagination." Kagome stretched out in her sleeping bag drifting off to sleep.
