A/N - Ok.. I hope you've enjoyed the story so far! I'm still working on this storyline, but I decided, with the plot I have planned, it was easier for the reader to break it up into smaller chapters. I hope Inu-Yasha's crying in the last chapter didn't bother anyone. I tried getting him to 'shake it off' rather quickly, and considering the pain he should be feeling for killing Kikyo (again), I think a few tears are warranted. At some point in the story, I'll try a little lemon, but this chapter is still pretty tame. (Inu-Yasha does start to notice some things, however)

Chapter 3 Choices Made

Inu-yasha bounded out of the well, his mood lightened by Sango's words. Maybe he was wrong, maybe Kagome would not leave him, maybe… His ears pricked as he heard the sounds of crying; it was coming from Kagome's room. He jumped up and sat on her windowsill, gazing at Kagome's form on the bed. He could smell her from the window and her scent almost knocked him back. Her scent always made him so nervous. Was she crying because of him, he wondered?

"Why are you crying?" He whispered, timidly.

"Oh!" gasped Kagome, "Inu-yasha, what are you doing here!" she cried, pulling her sheet over her nightdress.

"Umm… nothing" muttered Inu-yasha, looking suddenly uncomfortable 'damn her and her scent' he thought, "I … um…" he mumbled, turning his back to Kagome, searching for an answer.

"No! I mean, you don't have to leave" said Kagome quickly, wiping the tears from her eyes, "I'd really like you to stay." She looked up at him hopefully.

Inu-yasha turned around to look at her

"hmph" he nodded briskly as he climbed into Kagome's bedroom and sat upon his hind legs on the floor, his back resting on her dresser. He sat there staring at Kagome for a few minutes, not knowing what to say. They stared at each other like this, grateful to be in each other's company, but the silence was growing uncomfortable and they were nervous of what the other was thinking.

"Inu-yasha…Why were you so angry at me earlier? Was it something I did?"

Inu-yasha ignored her question, choosing instead to stare at her blankly. He came into Kagome's room sure of what he needed to say, but sitting there, looking at her, he was uncertain of which words to choose. Kagome looked at him, puzzled by his silence.

"Umm… do you plan on staring at me the whole night, or do you want to talk about something?" she asked him, sliding off her bed and sitting across from Inu-yasha, her back up against her bed. Despite of himself and the silent gravity of the situation, Inu-yasha had to smile, if only for a second. The idea of staring at Kagome all night pleased and excited him.

"I'm glad you've stopped crying." was all he could manage to say.

Kagome sighed, "Yes. I'm glad you're here" She looked at him intently and suddenly realized how strained Inu-yasha's face looked.

"Inu-yasha, you look so tired!" She looked around pensively. "I could get you some blankets and you can sleep here tonight. Maybe you'll be more interested in talking in the morning."

She got up, not waiting for Inu-yasha's response in case he declined her offer, abandoning the bed sheet that was pulled up over her. She set about determinedly gathering blankets and pillows to assure that Inu-yasha would be comfortable. But he could not imagine being anymore comfortable than he did at that very moment. Somehow, the girl made everything better; it was even easier for him to breathe; he never felt more like himself.

His eyes flitted over her figure, clothed in her thin cotton pajama as Kagome fluffed a pillow and tossed it onto the floor beside her bed. Inu-yasha's eyes slid slowly up her body, noticing how strong her legs had become, unconsciously grinding his teeth at the thought of Miroku's hand grazing her round bottom. As Kagome shook a blanket out onto the floor, Inu-yasha looked away, embarrassed at the response his body was having at seeing her breasts brush against the thin fabric. He jumped up and stood at her window, hoping the fresh breeze would turn his mind away from the pretty girl who held so much control over him.

When he finally recovered control over his body, he turned to find that Kagome was back in her bed under her own covers. A blanket and a pillow were placed alongside her bed, emulating a soft mattress. He noticed that she had given him the fluffiest pillow she had. While he would normally be comfortable draped in the tree outside of Kagome's bedroom, he found himself smiling at her.

"What!" she shot out, alarmed at his smile

"Thank You, Kagome." he said smiling, as he lay down on the floor next to her.

Kagome reached over and turned out the lights, startled at the rare offer of thanks. She lay, without sleeping, for several minutes. Her mind was reeling with thoughts that were not letting her rest. She could hear Inu-yasha's breathing become slow and regulated. She crept, quietly, to the edge of her mattress and peeked out over the sleeping demon, lying on his side with his back to her.

Kagome sighed, looking over his form. It was no secret how much she cared for him. 'Well, except to him', she thought. Inu-yasha went to such lengths to look out for her and she tried to return the favor whenever she could. She knew that something happened with Kikyo that afternoon and she wished that he would open up to her.

She took an arm out from under the covers and made a motion towards the sleeping boy. She hesitated just above his ear; she wanted to touch him, to stroke his hair. She wanted to make everything better with her touch.

"Kagome", Inu-yasha turned around so suddenly, that Kagome froze from fright, her arm hanging ridiculously over his face. He looked up curiously at her arm.

"Oh, sorry" giggled a nervous Kagome, thrusting her arm quickly under the covers and offering no further explanation. "yes?" she said quickly

Inu-yasha looked at her, questioning, "no…. it's okay.. Never mind, I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Ok" said Kagome, in a small voice, grateful that Inu-yasha had turned back around and couldn't see the blush that flared up on her face.

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut and tried not to think about how embarrassed she was, having gotten caught about to touch Inu-yasha. She felt the tension gradually release from her body as she was coaxed to sleep by the rhythm of Inu-yasha's breaths.

And then…. Do they continue sleeping? What's going on here? Is Inu-Yasha starting to understand why he feels so much attraction for Kagome?

Please Read and Review and I'll write even faster!