Disclaimer – Nope… don't own it.

#12 – Fears

"Ne, Inu Yasha."

"Hn?"

"What is it that scares you?"

He paused mid-bite, fixing the girl beside him a bland look. Silly wench… they'd been perfectly fine just a few moments ago – stopping in their track from the well to enjoy a small picnic lunch she had prepared. He'd been perfectly content – not that he'd admit to that – but then she had to go spring a question like that.

Feh.

"What a stupid question to ask," he grumbled, slurping noisily at his ramen. "I ain't scared of anything."

Well, that wasn't necessarily true. By no means was Inu Yasha a coward, but there were a few things that could put the fear of Kami into him at the drop of a hat.

They were, in no particular order, as follows…

# 1 - Seeing Kagome in danger.

# 2 - Seeing Kagome injured.

# 3 - Wondering whether Kagome will go to her time and decide not to return.

# 4 - Watching Kagome go through the well, wondering whether it will still function.

Inu Yasha paused. Kagome wouldn't do that… she'd promised to stay by his side. Not that it made a difference either way, of course…

"There are a few things that scare me a whole lot," she admitted, cutting through the fog of his thoughts.

There was a moment of silence and Inu Yasha assumed he was supposed to say something to actually prove he was paying attention. "Oh yeah," he drawled, trying to sound disinterested. "And what would that be?"

"Naraku…"

His amber eyes widened in surprise. Kagome, afraid of Naraku? After all the times she had kicked his ass, sending him slithering away in pieces? "What the hell are you afraid of that bastard for?" he exclaimed angrily. "It's not like he's gonna hurt you or anythin' – like I'd even give him a chance of laying an ugly finger on you."

She started in surprise at his vehement response but then frowned indignantly. "That's not exactly what I meant," she replied. "You didn't let me finish!"

"Well then, by all means, continue."

She gave him the 'I'm gonna "Sit" you so bad' look, but then decided against it. "Most of the Shikon no Tama has been collected… it won't be long before we have our final confrontation with Naraku…" He gave her a 'So?' look. She paused, biting her lip in hesitation. "I'm scared… of what'll happen when it's all over."

Inu Yasha blinked. When it's over? By now his ramen lay forgotten at his side. "Whaddya mean?"

She turned to him, flustered. "I mean that we've all been traveling together for two years now…" she explained. "What happens when there's no reason for us all to stay together?"

He frowned. "Keh, after all the shit we've been through, why wouldn't we?" Her face lightened considerably. "Besides, we make a pretty good team."

She nodded in agreement, but after a few moments her face darkened again. "What if…" She swallowed, giving him an uncertain look. "What if the well stops working?"

Ah, Secret Fear # 4… He could do one of two things; he could actually try and discuss this with her civilly or he could laugh it off and say something to make her angry. Daring to be different, he decided to go with the former. "Is that a bad thing… being stuck here?"

"If I was trapped on this side, I'd never see my family again… I have family here, too… but if everyone split up, I'd be alone here."

Without thinking he replied, "I'd be here."

She stared at him as if he had just decided to break out into song. "But what about your going to Hell with Kikyo…?"

He closed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. "I'm not going." And he said nothing more. Kagome didn't dare ask him as to his reasons why.

Silence fell between them for several minutes before Kagome scrounged the courage to speak again. "So…" White ears swiveled towards her. "If I get stuck here, you'll stay with me…?"

"Of course," he replied, trying not to blush and failing. "You promised me the same thing, right?"

A genuine smile broke out across her face. "I'll always stay by your side, Inu Yasha."

Inu Yasha nodded, and rose to his feet so that she couldn't see the grin threatening to break across his face. She said she'd stay by him. It wasn't much, but for now it would be enough.

Kagome gathered her things in her pack and stood to join him. "All set?" She nodded.

As they made their way back towards the village, Inu Yasha discreetly slid his into hers. They exchanged looks briefly before glancing back ahead as if nothing was amiss.

They knew her fears her justified – Naraku was growing stronger by the day and if they weren't careful would achieve his goal of taking over the world.

But for now, none of that mattered.

End