Kagome felt the heat warm her face as the fire crackled loudly. She idly took in the scene before her. Sango was patiently cooking some fish while Inuyasha lounged in a tree some distance away. She leaned back and propped herself up on her elbows and as she peered up in to the endless black night above her. The star-filled sky was obscured by the thick foliage, leaving only consuming darkness. All in all, it was turning out to be a rather unproductive night. Sango and Inuyasha didn't trust each other so naturally they were avoiding unnecessary contact. Kagome wondered how long it would take them to defeat Naraku and return to their normal way of life. Normal. The word struck her as odd, and she lost herself in thoughts concerning her childhood, present way of life and Inuyasha. What would he do after Naraku was dead?
"Kagome-chan, dinner is ready." Sango smiled at her, offering her a stick with two small fish.
The fish were slightly burnt, but she was grateful for the food. She returned the smile before turning to address the tree which she thought Inuyasha had ascended. "Don't you want some?"
He opened his golden eyes to slits and peered down at her. Until now, he had been ignoring the savory smell of the cooking fish, his temptation growing with each passing minute. He hadn't eaten in days—not since his capture, and yet this was the second time she had offered him food. "Keh."
"We don't have enough for three, anyway," Sango answered.
Kagome walked over to the base of the tree and carefully placed her palm against the rough bark of the trunk. She craned her neck in order to glimpse the image of his shimmering eyes which seemed to reflect the intensity of the darkness. "I have two fish; you can have one of mine."
She blinked and he was suddenly and soundlessly before her. The weight of his dark presence forced her eyes to lock with his, leaving her breathless as she gazed into their depths. She felt his calloused hand grip her shoulder firmly and was keenly aware of the presence of his claws as they pressed lightly against her skin. Before a sound could escape her lips, he had taken one fish and disappeared back into the branches. The only indication of their encounter was the rustling of leaves as he settled once again in the branches. She felt a thrill permeate her body and flushed slightly, thankful that he wouldn't be able to see it in the darkness. It didn't take her long to make it back to the safety of the fire and her long-time friend.
Sango eyed her wearily. "Be careful."
Kagome nodded, not trusting herself to meet her friend's gaze. She willed her heartbeat to slow as she focused her attention on consuming her remaining dinner. Now that he was unrestricted it would not due to forget his capacity for violence. It was not long before she lost herself to her thoughts.
A while later Sango curled up against Kirara and bid Kagome goodnight. Kagome, too, soon drifted off to sleep, lulled the warmth of the dwindling fire.
Inuyasha watched the rhythm of her breathing as her chest rose and fell steadily. They had neglected the fire, and now she was beginning become fitful and shiver in her sleep. He dropped down lightly and padded closer to the sleeping girl. He thought about draping his hoari over her slender shoulders—the thought of her scent encompassing his clothing stirred motions deep within him, but he quickly decided against it. He didn't want the other girl to suspect his feelings if he could help it. And he still wasn't sure what these feelings were exactly. They felt natural and yet he knew them to be foreign. He quietly added a couple more logs to the fire and glanced back to the tree, pausing before returning. Would he be too far away to reach Kagome in time if something happened while they were sleeping? Picked a closer, less desirable tree and settled uncomfortably against the base where it met one of the more sturdy branches. His eyes felt heavy, and he allowed them to close.