The monk had provided them with an eloquent room located in the largest house in the village, though his methods seemed questionable to more than one member of the group. Sango found it suspicious that his exorcism seemed lacking, but Inuyasha seemed content merely to have a hot meal and Kagome with a place to wash up. And even she had to admit that thanks to the monk she would be getting a much better night's sleep than she would if they were once again camping in the forest. The monk eyed the girls' weapons, smiling while asking simple questions to appear that he had not taken notice of them. Sango knew better though; there was a depth to him that he was trying to hide.

While Miroku did seem quite questionable in character, Kagome wasn't about to complain. The room they shared for the night was spacious and comfortable, and for once she felt safe and content. She laid down on her cot, wrapping the blanket around her, reveling in the soft texture.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha knelt beside her, worried that she might be sick.

She sighed deeply, his voice euphony to her ears. Speak to me softly is what she wanted to say, but instead answered, "Yes?"

She lifted her head to peer into his concerned yellow eyes and frowned. Why was he looking at her that way?

He was glad that Sango was too busy with the monk to notice their interaction as he smiled hesitantly. "It is early yet, do you feel okay?"

She smiled widely at him then, genuine and pure, making his heart race. He felt her fingertips brush the top of his hand where it rested beside her cot, and he had to force himself to remain still—not to pull away even though he could think of nothing more that he desired at that moment than the feel of her skin on his.

"I'm okay. All of this travel has just made me tired, I suppose. I'm sorry that it's hard for me to keep up with you."

Her voice was sincere, and just like that he felt like a jerk. Why had he pushed her so hard today? He couldn't bring himself to admit it, so he just grunted and pulled away. "I guess you can't help being weak."

"Mmm," she lay back down, snuggling again under the covers. "Thank you."

The words hit his back and stopped him in his tracks. He paused for only a moment before continuing to the other side of the room, but he knew she appreciated his concern, and for once it was hard not to show his emotions. Sango and Miroku were bantering, which he was finding less and less unusual since they had met, so he settled quietly with his back to the wall, leaning his own head to rest on his chest. When Sango noticed Kagome sleeping she quieted, and Miroku followed her lead, suggesting that perhaps they should continue their conversation outdoors.

He watched her, watching the white petals drift down from the branches above, surprised to see her captivated by their flight across the sun-streaked sky, her eyes far away as she reached one hand to catch them. "Kohaku, why?"

Her words were a barely audible whisper, and he felt unsure if he had even heard them correctly. Suddenly, he didn't want to disturb her. But there was something he needed to do. "Sango," he tried, clearing his throat carefully.

She turned to him, peering into his eyes as if seeing him for the first time. For a sliver of a moment he saw confusion and pain there, and he didn't like it. "I—"

There was a rustle in the bushes and suddenly Sango was falling backwards from the stone bench. She connected with the ground roughly, rolling to one side as she reached for her katana. She had left her main weapon inside, and with that realization came panic.

Miroku had dodged the blow gracefully and was already on his feet some distance away. She barely had time to glimpse the snake youkai before it attacked again. She felt a scream catch in her throat, as she struggled to her feet, Miroku's actions registering somewhere in the back of her mind. He launched some sutra into the air, calling their incantation, and just like that it was over. She watched the ashes fall slowly to the ground and turned her gaze to the monk incredulously. "You knew all along."

He grinned at her then. "My dearest Sango, I am quite hurt by your accusations."

Despite herself, she found a smile had graced her lips. "You did it on purpose to prove to me. I knew your exorcism was fake." She crossed her arms after sheathing her katana. She knew she should be angry and felt puzzled by the emotion's absence.

"Would you have believed me otherwise?"

His question was sincere, and she sat once more on the stone bench looking thoughtful. "Would you sit with me for a while, Houshi-sama?"

This time her use of his title was genuine.

The room was dark when Kagome awoke. She jerked, rubbing her eyes subconsciously as she gained awareness slowly. When her eyes became accustom to the darkness, she sat quietly and surveyed the room. Sango was resting close by, Kirara curled at her side. Across the room, Miroku was sleeping as well, the head of his staff peeking dangerously from the top of his blanket. But her eyes found nothing when she reached Inuyasha's cot.

It took her a moment to locate him, as he was propped in a sitting position near the corner of the room, facing the only entrance door. His arms and legs were crossed with his sheathed sword resting across his shoulder and his head bowed, leaving her with an impression of seriousness even in his sleep. His bangs effectively hid his eyes, and it was then she realized he was awake. She offered a small smile, and he raised his head slowly in acknowledgement.

He watched her closely as she rose and quietly made her way across the room, settling herself lightly against his left side. He shifted his sword to his right shoulder, providing her room next to him, though neither of them spoke. He lowered his head once more, the feel of her weight against his side sparking strong memories of only a few nights before. It was strange to feel possessive of such a delicate thing and yet he wanted to wrap himself around her, claim her as his own. He wanted to protect her, and he felt on some level that he was the only one who could. But he didn't trust his luck to touch her, and so he remained still. Fate was smiling on him, because she snuggled close against him, wrapping her arm through his and sighed as she drifted once more to sleep. She trusted him, and it made him smile.

He felt withered under Sango's penetrating stare the following morning, Kagome still crumpled at his side. From the look he was receiving, Kagome was snuggled up to a rabid dog. It was hurtful, but he couldn't really deny it. He was a monster, and Kagome shouldn't taint herself with him. He wanted to put his arm around the sleeping girl in defiance, but instead blinked back passively into Sango's dark eyes. They were haunted by her past, leaving her feelings clear: he was unworthy to touch her. It bothered him because deep down it was his own fear. He shrugged it away, fairly certain that he was nothing more than a pet Kagome would soon grow tired of anyway. Rising, he slid his sword back into place by his side and brushed past Sango gruffly.

Kagome groaned in his absence, slowly gaining consciousness. "Is it morning already?"

Sango's smile was immediate and genuine. "Get up sleepy-head. It's time for us to go."

Kagome groaned again as she flopped once more to the floor. "If I had a pillow, I would throw it at you."

He didn't have to look to know she was smiling. It amazed him how little it took to keep her happy. He didn't want to ruin that happiness, but sometimes he just couldn't help himself. "Stop wasting time."