A/N: If there are any Yusuke/Keiko fans out there I hope you read my one-shot, April First. It's long but I thought I did a good job. Also if you read it I'm thinking of adding another chapter, making it a two part one-shot (if that makes any sense).

Thanks to all my readers and reviewers! Now on with the story…

Running

Running

Passing scenery

Running

"Um Inuyasha do you think we could stop?"

Inuyasha grumbled but complied. Stopping in the middle of a field he gently put Kagome down. Once Kagome was on her own two feet she dropped all the things she was carrying and collapsed onto her back in the grass.

Inuyasha plopped down next to her in his normal style. He sat Indian way with his legs crossed, folding his arms over his chest, and looking agitated. He occasionally looked over to Kagome with an annoyed and angry glare.

Upon seeing him glare at her for the third time Kagome spoke up. "Stop staring at me like that! You're making me nervous!"

"What were you doing hanging around him?"

"Who Koga?"

"Yes Koga! Who the hell else would I be talking about!" Inuyasha yelled.

From her spot on the ground Kagome glared up at him. "Don't you use that tone of voice with me! Besides you're acting as if I wanted to be with him. Which I didn't."

Inuyasha relaxed slightly, seeing she was telling the truth, though he was still agitated. Sensing that Inuyasha was going to be in a bad mood for a while Kagome sighed and sat up. Pulling out the storybook she bought for Shipp she started reading.

Inuyasha's ears twitched as Kagome pulled out the book and started reading. He stole a glance at her before turning away. He pretended to look uninterested but soon his curiosity got the better of him. Standing up he walked over until he was standing right next to Kagome. Plopping down he took his previous position only now he was staring at the book with curiosity and fascination.

Kagome was so absorbed in her book she didn't even notice Inuyasha moving. It wasn't until she felt someone reading over her shoulder did she look up.

"Eep!"

Seeing Inuyasha so close so fast caused Kagome to squeak in surprise and jump a little. "A warning would be nice."

Inuyasha ignored the remark. Picking up the book she dropped he opened it up to the page she was reading. He held it open with his right hand so she could see the pages. Lifting his left hand he pointed to the picture on the page. "What's going on?"

Kagome's eyes focused on the picture. It was of a beautifully crafted bird made of gold. Set in it's feathers' where sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. The eyes were diamonds and at the base there was what appeared to be a key. If you turned it the bird would sing. Behind the bird was and old man that appeared bed ridden. Next to him was a window. Outside it was a plum tree branch with a bird on it.

"That's 'The Nightingale.' It's about an old emperor and a bird called a nightingale. The bird flew in to sing to him until one day he received a mechanical version that sang just as well. The old nightingale flew away and the emperor listened to the new one.

Then one day the new one broke and could not be fixed. Soon afterwards he fell ill. The doctors said that he wouldn't make it. On what was to be his last night alive the old nightingale came to sing for him. Loa and behold the emperor woke up the next day feeling better than ever!" Kagome explained.

Inuyasha listened intently when Kagome was explaining it to him. Turning the book so he could look he stared at the picture. As he stared at the picture he traced the golden nightingale with the pad of his fingers, being careful of his claws.

Seeing his look of amazement and awe Kagome smiled. Reaching out she placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and stared at her. "Would you like me to read it to you?"

Inuyasha nodded and gave her the book. Sitting so that Inuyasha could follow along if he wished and look at the wonderful illustrations, she started reading. "There once lived an emperor…"

Inuyasha and Kagome spent the rest of the day in that field. Along with 'The Nightingale' Kagome also read 'Rumpelstilskin', 'The Emperor's New Clothes', and 'The Little Match Girl' just to name a few. Inuyasha listened with rapt attention the entire time. By the time they left Kagome had read most of the book.

The run back was spent in a comfortable silence. Kagome fell asleep on Inuyasha's back. Leaving Inuyasha to carry both Kagome and her purchases. He made sure he was extra careful with Kagome and the storybook.