Yea... yea... I know. It took me a while to get this posted. And it's short too... -grins- Ah well.

'Inuyasha's been gone for an awful long time. Do you think something's happened to him?' Shippou rested his head on a fist.

'He'll be back soon,' Sango comforted. I hope.

'And he'll have Kagome too,' Miroku added.

'Well, it's just I figured he'd come back here for the new moon. He doesn't have anyone with him... to help him. I know he doesn't like being helped, but I think he knows when he needs it. I think he depends on us more than he knows.'

Sango glanced at Miroku. Both wore an expression of abrupt comprehension. I forgot. Tonight is the night of the new moon, Miroku recalled. The three were drawn out of their worries by a cry from one of the village guards.

'DEMON! DEEEMON!' Miroku, Sango, and Shippou stepped out into the dim light of nightfall. The watchman stumbled up to the Miroku, panting . 'He spoke the name of your woman, monk. He wishes her dead, and it would be best,' he turned to Sango, 'm'lady, if you ran.'

When the villager had moved on, Sango turned to Miroku, a cold glare in her eye. 'I don't know what you've been telling people, but I AM NOT YOUR WOMAN!'

Miroku just barely escaped her soaring hand. Blushing, he said, 'Can't we sort this out later? We've... well. Demon.'

'I'll deal with this one. It's no doubt some unfinished business left over from when my village...' she trailed off.

Inuyasha twisted around, trying desperately to find the well camouflaged horse demon. He backed up against a tree, brandishing his sword at anything that moved. Even a rusty piece of metal would be of better use than nothing.

'I knew there was something I liked about you,' came a voice from amongst the boulders. 'Your weakness.' Kouga made him self visible to the human Inuyasha.

'I could still beat you!' Inuyasha hollered, feeling a bit irritated.

'Aren't you going to thank me?'

'For what! Your obnoxious attitude!'

'If that's how you feel, mutt-face, then you can deal with things on your own.' Kouga spun on the spot and stomped off. 'Just so you know,' he called over his shoulder. 'We're even!'

'I should have let the dim-witted wolf die.' Inuyasha took a deep breath, and cautiously peered around the giant rocks. There he found Kouji, bleeding from the back of the head. Heh. Kouga hit him with one of his own attacks. He left him.

The night was not kind to humans. Inuyasha squinted in the darkness, tripping over twigs and rabbit holes. He cursed when the ground rose to meet him and cursed again when he found the taste of dirt in his mouth. 'I think I was better off with the stupid horse,' he said to himself. 'At least if it were the full moon I could see.' Inuyasha stood up with some effort. The night's events were taking a toll on his human self.

Inuyasha heaved a sigh and was struck with the scent of camp fire. Carefully, so as not to fall again, he followed the smell of cooked fish. What with my luck, I'm probably walking right into their camp. As he neared the crackling fire, he discovered with relief that he had not wandered into the horse-demon's cove. Instead, he had ended up walking right into the very person he had gone through so much trouble to locate.

'Inuyasha?' Kagome asked, seemingly hopeful. Sleep had not come for her for, though she might not like to admit it, she worried about Inuyasha. 'It is you.' All in the next moment her anger hurried back and consumed her. 'I thought I told you to GO AWAY!'

Inuyasha stared, stunned. 'I- but- I... Kouga and the horse demons... the new moon... I- I give up.' He wore an expression of hurt; his heart pounded. Overwhelmed with his abnormal human emotions, Inuyasha turned away. He staggered out of the clearing and collapsed at the nearest tree to sleep.

Kagome stared after him, still surprised at his returning and even more at the tone of her voice. That's not like him... to give up. Something's wrong. He's not well. Using this as a plausible excuse, she trudged on after him. 'I'm sorry,' she whispered as she approached the dark figure resting beside a tall tree with wide branches. When Inuyasha didn't respond she lay down next to him, her head resting on his chest. The school girl finally drifted off with the sound of the hanyou's heart beating against her.

The next morning, Kagome awoke feeling only somewhat rested. Inuyasha had risen with the sun and now sat beside her, waiting for her to wake. Maybe if I pretend to sleep for a really long time, he'll go away. Then, I won't have to explain myself, I won't have to apologise, I won't have to think about not going home... Her racing thoughts were interrupted by the hanyou's calm voice. 'I know you're awake, so unless you want me to carry you, get up. We're leaving.'

Kagome sat bolt upright. 'Where are Sesshoumaru and Rin?' she asked.

'He,' he said, referring to the older youkai, 'seemed to like the idea of getting you off his back, even if that little brat put up a good fight.' Inuyasha got slowly to his feet and looked down, waiting intolerantly for Kagome to join him.

'Her name is Rin.'

'I don't care what her name is. Are you coming?'

Kagome crossed her arms, seemingly set on staying right where she was. Inuyasha thought otherwise. He stooped and tossed the school girl over his shoulder in a potato sack fashion.

Sesshoumaru watched Rin with curiosity. She was clearly upset with him, but should he chose to fight over the miko, Inuyasha's perception of him might change. No... Inuyasha didn't matter. Tetsusaiga is what was important. He could never have it, though, until he found a way to truly care.

Rin continued to pout throughout the day, but as night advanced, she found she could no longer remain distraught about Kagome. The youkai, too, found that a school girl was nothing to fidget over.

There is nothing here whatsoever that indicates Sesshoumaru/Kagome romance. -laughs- Just in case anyone gets any wrong ideas.