A/N: Hello! I'm back!

Oh, wow. I'm getting more reviews with every chapter! I think I'm doing ok, right?

Sorry I took so long to update. I had a lot of things to do for the past week. I had choir practice and summer enrollment, my boyfriend is giving me a hard time, and I get home sooo exhausted, sometimes I could barely breathe. OK, so I'm exaggerating.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha! If I did own him, I wouldn't be a virgin. But hey, I own a plushie!

SEVEN WEEKS

The Hanyou and The Thief

-----/---@

"Sango-sama, I'm worried."

"About what, houshi-sama?" Sango looked at the monk, who was staring off into space as he spoke. "Houshi-sama? Is something bothering you? You are hardly ever like this."

Miroku laughed at the irony of his situation and thought back to the events of the day when Naraku took the princess before answering.

-Flashback-

"Miroku-sama!"

The anguished cry filled the room as the princess watched Miroku thrown to the floor, screaming out her aid's name. She knelt on the crystal throne, her panic showing in her blue/gray eyes.

"Naraku-san, please, stop this! What has come over you?! Naraku-san!" the princess called out as she saw him prepare to give Miroku another blast of youki.

Miroku was wounded heavily, blood gushing down nearly every inch of his body as he tried unsuccessfully to get up. Souta, the head of security, lay dead at the base of the princess' throne, since he had taken a blast that had been meant for Sango. Sango was unconscious. Her last encounter with Naraku's fist had decked her badly.

"Oh, hush, my dear lady Azalea. Soon you will know," Naraku laughed maniacally as he finally dealt the blow onto Miroku's bleeding form.

"Miroku-sama!!!" Azalea screamed as she saw Miroku raise his right hand in his last attempt to shield himself.

The attempt sent Miroku howling in pain as he absorbed the blast. When the light of the youki had vanished, Miroku's eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets as he clutched his right wrist, staring at his palm as wind seemed to gather around his hand.

-End Flashback-

"A lot of things are bothering me, Sango-sama. Firstly, Inuyasha-sama has not contacted us in nearly two days. It's not like him.." Miroku said distractedly.

"Houshi-sama, may I remind you that we barely know him, so we do not exactly know WHAT he really is like." Sango interrupted. "You said firstly. What are the other things on your mind?"

"Well," Miroku started. "Inuyasha-sama told me of a girl who helped him in his last battle. It seems rather odd. He said that she helped him fight off the youkai that attacked him. I'm guessing that whoever that was showed much strength, but nobody who does not have the mark has any such powers, and no one who bears the mark can use his powers outside the palace. It's strange, don't you think?"

"Houshi-sama," Sango said thoughtfully. "You never told me of this before. What else did he say about the girl?"

"He didn't say anything else. That was it. And I'm worried that she may work for Naraku."

"You took the words right of my mouth. Now, what else is bothering you?"

"Huh?"

"I know there's something else Houshi-sama. And I know that this has nothing to do with Inuyasha-sama," Sango prodded.

"Sango-sama, There really isn't anything else.."

"Don't lie to me!" Sango blurted out, her eyes suddenly spewing tears. "I know you Houshi-sama. I've known you for six years. This incident has had more of an effect on you than it has on anybody else, since no one else has been cursed as much as you!"

"Sango-sama.." Miroku started, his friend's tears making him loose his cool. "Alright, alright. Stop crying, lady Sango," he started soothingly. He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her trembling frame. "I admit, I am worried about the Kazaana.. this cursed wind tunnel on my hand. But.. it is not really of much concern.."

"Shut up you lech! Tell me, you stupid monk. Have you forgotten what Naraku said about it?"

"I remember perfectly," Miroku snapped back. "He said that the last blast that he gave me created the wind tunnel on my hand. It would suck in everything in it's path like a black hole would, and it would continue to grow larger until it has finally sucked me in and I would cease to exist. I know," Miroku said sadly. "I could only control the Kazaana because of the rosary and seals I had to put around my own arm. I'm scared, Sango-sama, but I must remain strong. Inuyasha will kill this monster and relieve me of this curse."

"And what if he doesn't?"

"Just trust him, Sango-sama."

Sango looked up into his eyes as he smiled down at her. She saw fear, pain, anger and most of all, hope. He hoped that he would be free of this curse, and he believed that it was possible. He..

SLAP!

"Hentai!" Sango screamed, slapping him hard as she felt his hand stroke her butt.

'Damn him,' Sango thought angrily as she stalked away. 'He always manages to ruin the moment."

-----/---@

The man stirred as he felt a cool dampness on his forehead. He felt stiff, his head was pounding and he couldn't open his eyes. He sniffed the air and caught a familiar fragrance in the air, along with an aroma that made his stomach growl softly. He could hear a beautiful melody somewhere near him, being hummed by the most beautiful voice he had ever heard.

'Where am I?' he thought as he once again tried to sit up and open his eyes. He succeeded in the latter, but his body felt so sore..

The singing stopped. He wanted to yell for it to continue but his voice seemed caught up in his throat. Then the voice was heard again, only, it wasn't in a song..

"Inuyasha! You're awake!"

With much effort, Inuyasha turned his head to the source of the voice and found a vision of beauty kneeling before him, gently running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, brushing his bangs away from his eyes, her other hand resting on his chest.

"K- Ka- Kagome?" he stuttered hoarsely, feeling dizzy.

"Hai, Inuyasha. It's me. I was so worried.. You.." she paused as tears spilled from her eyes. "I am SO glad that you're ok! You wouldn't move at all and I.. I.." she stopped as sobs racked her petite frame, her hands covering her face as she began to sob on his chest.

"OI!" Inuyasha managed as she started to cry on his chest. He hated it when girls cried! He didn't know why, but he just couldn't stand it. He was starting to panic, since as much as he hated seeing females in tears, he also didn't know just how to comfort them.

"Kagome- oi wench! St- stop crying will you?!" he tried to shout but his gashed throat only produced a husky snarl. She only cried harder, burying her face in his chest, murmuring apologies, thanks and gladness at his being awake.

"Oi! Kagome, stop crying please!" he tried again as his panic slowly made his voice get back to normal. "Kagome," he prodded again, lifting his hands from his sides and stroking her raven hair with his right hand while his left rested on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her.

Kagome stopped crying as she felt his hand tangle in her hair, his other hand gradually making her relax. She looked up into his worried golden eyes as her own glazed orbs began to clear up. His right hand left her long tresses and cupped her cheek, and she smiled a tiny smile at him, slowly standing to help Inuyasha sit up.

Inuyasha's brain turned to mush when she smiled, and when she stood up, he had to resist the strong urge to pull her back down. Her next movement though, caused a violent shade of red to cross his cheeks. She wrapped one arm around his waist, the other tugged at his arm as she helped him rise off from the bed. When she let go, he had to look down on his knees, attempting to let his long white hair cover his face to hide his tremendous blush.

As he looked down, he noticed for the first time that he was not wearing his haori and inner kimono. His chest was wrapped up in thick white bandages, as were his arms.

He consciously looked down and sighed in relief when he saw that he still had his pants on.

"Kagome," he began, then, pointing to his bandaged chest, he asked, "Who..?"

"Oh," Kagome replied, knowing what he meant. She had gone to a small campfire and seemed to be cooking something. He thought it was probably lunch. "I bandaged you up. You got pretty bashed up when you fought Kagura. I didn't have any money so I couldn't go ask for a doctor, and besides, you're a hanyou. Nobody would want to help."

Inuyasha blushed again as an image of Kagome stripping him of his clothes and diligently bandaging his wounds entered his mind.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked cautiously, pulling his thoughts from the wishful images his mind had come up with. "You're awfully quiet. Is something wrong?"

Fighting to take the red blush of his face, he looked up at her and, "Who, me? Nah!"

-----/---@

"Hey Kagome," Inuyasha began. Kagome had told him that after the fight, he had passed out and she had to drag him into the nearest cave. She had laid him on a pile of hay that was in the corner of the cave and she nursed him back to health.

"How long was I out?" he asked.

"About two days."

"WHAT?!" he exploded. "Two days? Gods! That's not good! I only have seven weeks max, and I lost two fucking days already?!"

"It's not my fault, and neither is it yours, so cool it," Kagome remarked calmly, not even looking up from the stew that she was stirring.

Inuyasha sat cross-legged on the straw bed. He looked down at his bandages thoughtfully as he sighed harshly. He began to take the bandages off his chest. He was still sore, but there was no stinging pain, so he guessed that his wounds had already closed up.

Kagome looked back at Inuyasha as she heard a soft rustling noise, and gasped audibly as she realized that he was taking his bandages off.

"Inuyasha!" she shouted as she ran towards him in an attempt to stop him. "What are you doing? Yamero! Stop that! Your wounds might get infected" she cried as she bolted and pulled his hands away from the partly undone bandages.

"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha snapped. Kagome pulled her hands back as Inuyasha continued to remove his bandages.

"Inuyasha, you have got to keep those on for a while! I'll replace the bandages later, and.." Kagome was cut off as Inuyasha completely took the bandages off himself.

"Your wounds.. where.. those wounds were fatal! How did they just disappear in less than 48 hours?!" Kagome asked in a shock as she stared as Inuyasha's now well-healed torso. Unconvinced at hwta she saw, she walked over to him and slowly felt around his chest with her hands. There was not a single gash nor mark.

It took her a while but when she realized that she had practically been stroking his chest, she pulled her hands back as a violent blush bloomed on her cheeks. She looked up to see a smirking, albeit blushing, Inuyasha.

"Baka," he said. "Don't you know that youkai heal faster than you flimsy humans?"

"Of course I do!" She snapped back. "I just didn't think it was the same for hanyous."

"Yeah, right," Inuyasha remarked as Kagome turned back to her stew with a huff.

Inuyasha silently watched her from behind as she cooked their meal. She looked tired and pale, as if she hadn't slept in days ('And she probably didn't. She said that she watched over me the ENTIRE time,' he thought), but still looked vibrant and beautiful somehow. Inuyasha's eyes softened as he continued to watch her.

"Kagome," he began. This time, she didn't even turn. He continued in a very soft voice.

"Arigatou, anata."

Kagome turned abruptly as the words left his lips. "Nani?"

"Thank you.. for helping me."

Kagome turned away as she felt a dark blush start its way on her cheeks.

"Douitashimashitte. Think nothing of it." Kagome stuttered.

An uneasy silence settled over the pair as Kagome continued cooking and Inuyasha found his haori and inner kimono, which she had put away when he slept, and put the white garment on. He didn't bother with the red haori just yet - it was hot inside the cave. Darn midday sun.

Kagome turned slightly to catch a peek of Inuyasha as he was putting his shirt on. She blushed as her mind registered how handsome and well muscled he was, even with his strange demonic attributes. Her face flushed an even deeper red as she pictured his broad shoulders and toned abs in her mind's eye even after she had turned away. 'Damn,' she thought. 'I'm starting to think etcchi thoughts now?'

"Oi," Inuyasha suddenly said from where he was sitting. "You said you had no money. Where'd you get the pot, bowls and food?" he asked, eying the said items.

"Oh, those things," Kagome answered with a wicked grin. "Those villagers were SO cruel to you, so I decided that they should pay us back.."

"You mean you STOLE those things?!" Inuyasha asked incredulously.

"Well, what did you think cat burglars do for a living, baka?"

-----/---@

"Shit Kagome, that food was great!"

"Why, thanks Inuyasha! I didn't know that golden stars liked Vegetable Stew."

"Are you kidding? That was one of the best stews I have ever had!"

"Aww, I'll bet you say that to all the cooks."

"I'm serious! And do me a favor: don't call me a gold star!"

The pair had just finished eating their lunch. Kagome had eaten one bowl. Inuyasha had practically licked the cooking pot clean.

As Kagome got up to put the dishes away though, Inuyasha stared at her with a puzzled expression on his face. What happened after he defeated Kagura was a blank, but he could clearly remember what Kagome had shouted at his opponent before the entire fight.

-Flashback-

"Kagura.. you bitch!" Kagome snarled as she helped Inuyasha stand. "I will never forgive you for what you and that bastard of a master of yours did to me! I swore that I will take back what you stole from me, and I swear upon Souta's grave that I will!"

-End Flashback-

So, she has a dead brother and she blames Naraku for it. But what about the 'I will take back what you stole from me' bit?

Realizing that he couldn't figure that out, and he'd be damned if he ever asked, he just decided to give the palace people a ring. He could probably tell them about Kagome and how she had helped him.

He went for his haori and found that the pockets had been emptied. "Oi. Where are my things?" he asked.

"You mean the ones in your haori's inner pocket?" she asked, then without even waiting for an answer, fished around beneath the hay and found the three items, then, looking them over, said, "This flask of your is great! It never gets empty! I used it for the food I cooked."

"Yeah. Miroku said it fills itself up," Inuyasha said, puzzled when Kagome seemingly winced at the mention of the monk's name.

"Well, you'd better call them up. They must be worried," Kagome suggested as she handed the items back to him.

"Yeah. I should. I'd even tell them about you.." he began, but Kagome cut him off suddenly.

"Dame! Don't. I.. Just don't, ok? I don't want anyone to know of me."

"Ok," he said reluctantly. Then, turning to his amulet, "Oi! Miroku!"

-----/---@

Miroku was rubbing his slap-stung cheek when Inuyasha called for him. The relief at knowing that the knight still lived flooded his senses, and, slap forgotten, he picked up his amulet.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku cried, catching the fuming Sango's attention.

"Inuyasha-sama? He called?" Sango asked, rushing towards Miroku to catch a peek at the well-missed man.

"Inuyasha! You're alive! Gods, we were so worried! We thought you were-" Miroku said but Inuyasha cut him off.

"It would take more than a horde of youkai to beat me up," Inuyasha said. Kagome snorted softly from behind him.

"What happened Inuyasha-sama?" Sango asked as she grabbed the amulet. "You didn't call us at all yesterday. Were you hurt?"

"Well.. " he began, not quite sure what to say. He wanted to reassure them, but Kagome..

He looked back at her for a moment and she nodded, signaling that he should tell them that he was ok.

"I just forgot to call you, ok? I'm only human.."

Sango raised a brow. "Alright, so I'm part human. But still!" he added hastily.

"You really got us worried Inuyasha," Miroku said as he took the amulet back.

"Well you shouldn't have gotten so worried. I'm fine as you can see. And besides, don't you guys get any sort of signal for you to know when I'm dead?" Inuyasha said with a huff.

"I guess," Miroku said. "Where are you by now?"

"Like there are landmarks and road signs in here," Inuyasha said sarcastically. "I don't have a fucking clue where I am, but I do know that I am a bit closer to the princess."

"That's great!" Miroku said. He was glad, but couldn't keep out the niggling worry that he was hiding something from him.

"Have you been attacked lately?" Miroku pressed.

"Just some damn bitch named Kagura."

"Kagura?!" Sango suddenly exploded from behind Miroku. "That bitch attacked you! She's horrible, but she's good. How did you get away?"

"You won't believe it," Inuyasha said, "But that rusty piece of scrap metal? The Tetsusaiga? It kinda transformed into this huge white fang-like thing."

'That's odd,' Miroku thought. 'If I'm not mistaken, that sword only works when..'

"That's great!" Sango exclaimed, cutting off Miroku's train of thought. "We knew we could count on you!"

"Yeah, well," Inuyasha started again. "I'd better get going now. You guys try to figure out a way to end your stupid curse or something. Just do ANYTHING for Kami's sake, and I'll just take care of myself, ok? I'm off. Call you in a bit."

"Yes, yes, be careful, Inuyasha," Miroku said. "But just one last thing, before you go.."

"What?"

"Who's Kami?"

Inuyasha just closed up the amulet.

-----/---@

"So, do we go now, Inuyasha?" Kagome said suddenly after Inuyasha stopped talking to the palace people.

"We?"

"Yes. WE." Kagome insisted. "After that fight I realized that I couldn't do this thing on my own. I found that out after you had to save me when Kagura and the bats attacked. And neither can you. You don't know this land just yet, and you can't use that sword except in saving other people, can you?"

Inuyasha generally didn't know what she was talking about. 'What does she mean I can't..'

Then it hit him. He couldn't use the sword in his first battle because he was alone. Maybe she was right..

"And besides.." Kagome was saying something advantageous to his having a partner when.

"When are we leaving?"

"What?" Kagome said, surprised. She had expected him to object or fuss about it in any way.

"When are we leaving?" Inuyasha repeated. "You're right. I need a tour guide. And you saved my ass a couple of times."

Kagome sweatdropped. 'A tour guide?' Then..

"Besides, I think I'd like to have you to keep me company." Inuyasha said. Then, as if realizing what he said for the first time, he blushed.

Kagome was blushing as well. "Yeah, I guess," she said. "It would be less boring, and I doubt that you can cook."

"Yeah. My thoughts exactly," Inuyasha replied. "So, what are we waiting for? We have a long way to go and I only have six weeks and five days left!"

"Yeah, let's go!" Kagome said enthusiastically as she ran to a corner of the room to pick some things up. Inuyasha, however, noticed something.

"Hey. What's up with the bandage around your right wrist?" He asked, coming up to her. Then, taking her hand in his, he asked, "Were you hurt in the battle as well?"

Kagome's face was a ripe tomato. "I-iie.." she replied, shaking her head. "It's just out of habit. My wrist was broken when I was a kid, and I had to bandage my arm for so long that I kept doing it even when it wasn't needed anymore."

Inuyasha noticed her blush and quickly realized why. He dropped her hand like a hot potato and said, "Well, I was just wondering. Let's go."

"Hai," Kagome replied, picking up her bow, her quiver full of arrows, and a square cloth bag that held various items, including the pot and bowls they used. Inuyasha was clueless again.

"Umm, Kagome? Where did you get all those things? I mean, the bag and the arrows? Last I checked your quiver was empty." He asked as they stepped out of the cave and into the afternoon sunlight.

"Oh these?" she replied. Inuyasha nodded.

"Same place where I got the bowls and the food," she said with an evil grin.

-----/---@

A/N: Well. I think I would be right in saying that mindless fluff abounds in this chapter. It is just so hard to think with all the stress I'm in.

Oh, thank you so much for the reviews! I loved every single one of them! I love my reviewers, I love reviews, I love you all!

Responses:

Laura-chan: Yeah, thanks for informing me. I read the rayearth summary and damn, they were similar. I didn't know Thief chap3 was up. I'll check it out right now! I'm still very glad that you like my story. And I understand what you said about difficulties in English. You're Italian, right? I'm Asian, so it could be the same for me at times. Thanks again for reviewing!

Silver Dragon: Hey, thanks! I'm glad you like it. Now.. When will you update Angel and Demon? Oh, and pardon me for asking but.. how do I change the bio on my author profile? Thanks for reviewing!

TheGreatCheese: Waah! No be angry! Me no like Ninja bunnies! Ok, breathe in, breathe out. I've updated. Sorry if I took so long. Hehe. By the way, please continue Never Forgotten. I REALLY like that fic! Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it!

So, there you go. And before I leave, I would just like to ask you to excuse me if ever there were any grammatical and typographical errors in this. You see, I am neither American, British, nor Canadian, and though English is basically my first language, I'm so careless, I get typos every now and then.

Ok, enough ramblings.

Bye bye! Please keep on reading and reviewing. I love you guys! Ja matta ne!

ScarletRaven1001