Hello everyone! Another chapter finished! I am sooo happy! But now I have to think up something for the next one and it actually might take longer than this one did –sorry! I am sooo so sorry it took so long, but I got a little sidetracked and then midterms came along and then I got sick. (I still am, but I'm getting over it. ) Yay! My parents are showing up tomorrow morning to visit me –I'm at college 10 hours away from home so I haven't seen them in a while. I just finished cleaning b/c they're staying in my room. Whew! Be glad I'm writing now! Well, without further ado, I will now address my fans! (Inuyasha: This broad's delusional!)

PureKatPrincess: Thank you so much! Glad to know I could instill fear into your heart. LOL. And yes, you were my first reviewer! Yay! Gold star! I'm glad you like the second chapter as well. Thanks for understanding. I'll try to get the next one out fast!

Trekker4life: Yes, as you by now probably know, it was a dream. And as I stated previously…Inuyasha has mysteriously gone missing…although I keep hearing his voice……..hm…oh well. I want a stuffed Kilala and Inuyasha and all the gang too! I'll have to get one:P

Clouds of the Sky: I'm glad that you liked it. I will try to update as soon as possible. Like I said…as soon as I find Inuyasha, I'm going to tie him up and you can all go at his ears!

Adamemt: I am very happy that you liked it…and YES…ALL THE HOT BUDS! Oh yeah, sweetie? The whole point of a penname is so no one knows who you are! LOL. I'll let you get away with it this once! Keep reading!

Silver inu: Thanks! I'm glad to know you think it was well written. As for the update soon b/c you know where I live….well….they have a word for that. Man, what was it…I dunno…oh yeah…STALKER! LOL. Just Kidding! (But the same goes for you!)

And now ladies and gentlemen: (fake drum role…….) ON WITH THE STORY! 

Once again, I am forced to admit upon pain of torture and death from those really mean people….LAWYERS coughcough: I do not own Inuyasha or any of his friends. However…..YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY MY ABILITY TO DREAM! WAH!

Chapter 3- Recurrent Dream

Inuyasha stretched out on the tree limb he was laying on and patted his now ramen full stomach. It had definitely been a long day and he was enjoying the freedom to lounge around. He was just drifting off to sleep when a loud SMACK resounded on the night air. Inuyasha only spared one eye to see Miroku, sleeping peacefully. (Looks can be deceiving.) Sango dragged him near the fire and threw a blanket over him. After all, he wouldn't regain consciousness until morning and she didn't want him to catch a cold. Poor lecher, Inuyasha thought. He doesn't stand a chance against that demon slayer. He smirked when he realized he hadn't been "SAT" all day. Maybe Kagome was starting to appreciate him more. He watched as the girls got ready for bed and tucked themselves in for the night. Shippo and Kilala were sleeping with Sango for a change. His gaze traveled over camp and landed on Miroku. He smirked. Sweet dreams, Buddy. Yawning, Inuyasha closed his eyes and let sleep wash over him, carrying him off to a land where a certain black haired girl had flowers in her hair and made his heart stop with her smile.

Inuyasha awoke to the sound of labored breathing and the smell of …fear? He was instantly awake and on his feet, scanning the ground for danger. His eyes fell on Kagome, who tossed fitfully in her sleep. She was the source of the labored breathing. His initial relief that there was no immediate danger was replaced with worry.

What's wrong with Kagome? Is she sick? he wondered. He jumped down from his perch, landing lightly on his feet.

"No!" Kagome cried in her sleep. Inuyasha smelled her tears a moment before one squeezed out of the corner of her tightly shut eye. He quickly closed the distance between them.

"Kagome," he called her name softly. She didn't wake up. He reached out a clawed finger and gently brushed away the tear that made its way down her cheek. He wondered what she could possibly be dreaming about. She had never been one to talk in her sleep. Her panting grew heavier and Inuyasha glanced around camp to see if anyone else had woken up. No one had. Kagome began to whimper, her fear overwhelming his senses. He couldn't let this go on. He had to wake her up.

"Kagome," he said again a little louder than before. He got no response. "Kagome!" he was about to touch her when she spoke again.

"Inuyasha…."

He froze. Did she know he was there?

"Why…"

He leaned closer to hear what she would say.

"Ahh!" her scream pierced the silent night, making him feel as if his eardrum had been shattered.

"Kagome!" he yelled, reaching out and grabbing her by the shoulders to shake her awake.

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Kagome yawned as the sun warmed her body, making her drowsy. She stretched her taught muscles and rolled over in the sweet smelling grass.

"Inuyasha, you should take a nap. The sun feels so nice…" When she didn't hear him answer her, she sat up and looked around.

"Inuyasha?" She stood up to go for a walk. Maybe I'll run into him while I'm enjoying the fresh mountain air. She began exploring, feeling invigorated with each step. It was a perfect day. The grass was a lush green, the sky the bluest she had ever seen it. A little bird even sang a happy song as it flew through the air. She smiled as she watched it. She loved animals of all kinds. She giggled as she thought of Inuyasha, Shippo and Kilala. Her grin widened when she thought of how Inuyasha would react if he knew she was comparing him to an animal.

She could almost hear his protest, "I'm not some pet you're gonna train!"

Another bird joined the first and they sang a sweet duet that made her heart soar. She felt a strong sense of déjà vu but brushed it aside. After all, they'd never been here before. She tried to remember exactly where here was. And what was Inuyasha up to? She focused her attention back on the birds, letting their joyous song wash away her concerns.

Kagome started to feel a sense of uneasiness as the second bird stopped singing. The first bird seemed oblivious to this and charged ahead, singing it's heart out. Kagome watched in horror as, unbeknownst to the first bird, the second began to darken and grow in size. Gone was the small, cute bird. In its place was a large, black raven with a long, sharp beak and dark eyes. It looked at the smaller bird maliciously and began to circle it. Kagome tried to call out a warning to the happy lark, but was too late. The raven charged the smaller bird and rammed it's beak deep within its stomach. The tiny bird let out a shrill cry, it's eyes filled with betrayal. Kagome's breathing turned ragged from fear as she watched the nightmare unfold before her. The bird tried to fly away, but the larger one cut off it's escape and attacked repeatedly. It battered it's little friend until it was no longer recognizable.

"No!" Kagome cried as she watched the bird fall from the sky, landing near her. She ran to it, falling on her knees beside it. Gasping for breath, it looked at her, eyes wide and pleading. A single tear ran down Kagome's cheek. The bird's body drained of all life, it's eyes still connected with hers. A prickling sense of uneasiness on the back of her neck made her rise and turn around. She gasped as she saw a cloud, more dark and massive than any she had ever seen before. It seemed to move with an elegance she could not define. It rolled towards her at a phenomenal speed. Her heart pounding and her breathing labored, she turned and ran away from it only to find herself headed straight for the side of the cliff. She put on the brakes and stopped on the very edge of the cliff. She teetered dangerously on the edge of the precipice, fighting against the unseen force of gravity, struggling to win. She regained her balance and turned only to have the dark cloud smack her full in the face. The breath was knocked out of her as she was pushed over the side of the mountain. She felt herself free fall until she smacked into a ledge that jutted out on the side of the cliff. Her body tumbled toward the edge, rolling twice before she managed to skid to a halt. She was hanging onto the rocky ledge only by her bruised, bloody fingers. She struggled not to let go; her grip was slipping. She felt her body slowly slide toward the open air beneath her. Where's Inuyasha? she thought desperately. He was always there for her. She tried to think optimistically. He'd probably show up any minute now and grab her by the back of her t-shirt, throw her over his shoulder and scale the mountain to safety. Her fingers slipped again, moving her more toward the edge. Fear gripped her heart as she realized she didn't have a minute. Inuyasha wouldn't make it in time. She began to whimper, trying desperately to pull herself farther back onto the rocky ledge. It was no use. Her fingers slipped so that only the tips kept her from plummeting to her death. There would be no rescue for her now. Her beloved hanyou would not save her this time.

"Inuyasha…." she felt her fingers begin to weaken. "Why…"

Her grip failed.

"Ahh!" she felt the wind blow her hair back from her face as she fell. She felt death closing in one her. It's talons grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her as it seemed to call out her name.

"Kagome!"

Her tears flowed freely now. She felt them slide down her cheeks and under her chin. Felt them soak into the soft fabric that muffled her sobs. Felt the fabric's arms encompass her in a warmth so inviting she wanted to stay there forever. She hiccupped softly as the clawed hand wiped her tears away.

Clawed hand!

Kagome's eyes flew open. She lay in Inuyasha's arms, sobbing into his chest. His hand was touching her face gently where her tears had been a moment before. His eyes were filled with worry and kindness. Her mind began to clear and her cheeks warmed as she realized exactly where she was. I'm practically laying in his lap! She tried to push herself off of him, but his arms tightened around her with a gentleness that she couldn't resist. Encouraged by the hand that gently coaxed her head back to his chest, she relaxed against him and took comfort in his warmth. Inuyasha hadn't abandoned her. He'd come for her. He'd rescued her from that horrible nightmare.

"Inuyasha," she began to thank him, but was cut off by the finger he put to her lips.

"Shh…" he cooed as if to a small child. "Just rest. We'll talk about it in the morning." He wrapped his arms more securely around her and began to rock gently back and forth.

Kagome's eyes were heavy with fatigue. What would it hurt to let it go for now? It could wait until morning. She sighed contentedly as sleep took her, her dreams peaceful as she slept in the hanyou's arms.

So there you have it! Like I said before, I'm sorry it took so long to get out. Now if you like it please let me know so that I can keep writing more chapters!  As for Inuyasha's ear rub…I have a sneaking suspicion that he's not very far off. In fact, I'm quite confident in my plan to draw him out. It includes something very dear to him…...yep, you guessed it…….RAMEN!

PLEASE REVIEW!  