More chapters!

Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha!

A twig snapped.

"Whose there!" The demon exterminator spun wildly around, Hirakotsu ready in the air.

"Calm, now Sango. It is just an animal. No need to get wound up." Miroku turned to face her, but didn't stop walking. Sango was alert. Very alert. And confused. She had no clue what spell she was under when she offered the idea to come and get food with Miroku. So of course she had to be alert. Anything could happen with that lecher. Sango slowly turned back to the path and followed Miroku, a good distance behind him.

"Sango?" Miroku called.

"Yes?"

"Why so far back? Come, walk at my side." Miroku walked staring straight ahead. Sango gulped.

Well, I have my weapons with me, so if he tries anything, I guess it's only a little more luggage to carry back to camp. Sango hurried next to Miroku.

"Hey, Miroku?"

"Hmm?"

"What do you think about this villain after Kagome? Who do you think he is?" Sango decided to change the topic from embarassing blushing, to moral concern for her best friend.

"Hmm, I don't know. All we need to find out is who he is, then, like Inuyasha stated, we will destroy him." Sango was surprised. That didn't sound like something Miroku would say. Destroying? Not knowing something? Agreeing with Inuyasha? No one would do that.

I guess he just really cares about his friends

"We also should find out what Kikyo did to him. It must have been pretty bad for him to come back over 50 years later and try to get revenge." Sango said.

"Yes, I agree."Miroku's face held confusion. Sango was touched. For once, he wasn't thinking about women or groping, but actually the well being of one of his friends. She smiled.

"For right now, how about we get some food? I'm getting awfully hungry." Sango continued to smile, causing a grin on Miroku's face when he looked at her.

"Alright, my dear Sango, what do you suggest we get?"

"Hmm..." Sango began to walk ahead, looking at the tops of the trees, and smiling while in deep thought. Finally it clicked.

"Fish! There is a stream up ahead, and a nice roasted fish sounds wonderful!"

"Alright." Miroku and Sango started up ahead. It only took a few minutes to get there, and when they did, there didn't seem to be any fish in it.

"Where are all of them?" Sango stated, getting worried.

"Shh." Miroku hushed her. He swiftly but quietly stepped in the river, and motioned for Sango to do the same. Once both in the water, Miroku began to speak in a whisper only heard by her.

"You musn't move. Scaring them away won't get you anything. You have to be very quiet...and quick." Miroku extended his hand in such a fast motion that Sango could barely catch it. Instanly, he brought a fish above the water.

"Such great reflexes..." Sango whispered to herself. Miroku smiled, catching her comment.

"You try now." Sango rolled up her sleeves, her face covered with determination. She waited until she saw a slight movement in the water, then snatched at it. She brought up nothing and frowned. Miroku smiled.

She looks so cute when she doesn't get her way!

Sango noticed his smile and began to blush. It wasn't everyday that a cute guy smiled at you when you screwed up.

"Once more Sango, I know you can do it." That motivated her. She gazed deeply into the water and concentrated on the fish...and Miroku's kind words.

Silence

SPLASH!

Gasp!

"I did it!" Sango held up a wiggling fish, very proud of herself.

"Wonderful! Now three more!" Sango started to laugh, as did Miroku. Sango began to think.

I guess there can be times when he doesn't think about women or groping or all that stuff. He can be so much fun. And kind. And sweet. And romantic. And-

"Sango?" She snapped out of her daze.

"Oh, yes, three more." Sango and Miroku once again began their catch for tonights dinner.

Inuyasha stared across the fire. Kagome was sitting on her knees, softly stroking Shippo's hair as he started to drift off into sleep. Neither had spoken a word to each other since Sango and Miroku left. Inuyasha's features softened. That thing wants Kagome. Or, really, Kikyo. She must have done something awful to him to make him want to come back and get revenge.

Kikyo.

Inuyasha stared at the night sky.

Kikyo, what did you do?

Inuyasha was beginning to be more confused than ever these days. So many things were happening that he couldn't explain. His dreams were some of them. When he would actually fall asleep, he would have a dream about Kikyo, and what their life would be like if she didn't kill him. But then it would transfer to Kagome, and her smile, and her clumsiness. And Kikyo wouldn't be in that part of the dream, nor would Kagome in Kikyo's part. It's like he has the exact same feelings for both of them.

But Kikyo. We went through so much. And I still owe her my life. She still wants to kill me, once and for all. And I deserve it.

Inuyasha stared into the depths of the fire pit he had created.

Kagome. I'm sorry. I've caused you so much hurt...just like Kikyo. And I don't know how to repay you...except...except by choosing you.

Then a thought occured to him.

Kagome. You said that you'd stay by my side, no matter what. Even if I did choose Kikyo, you would still fight by me. So if I chose Kikyo, you would still be here! I could have both!

Inuyasha's lips curved slightly upward, then downward again.

That wouldn't be fair. That's...what's that word again...ta-...tow-...tee-...dammit, Kagome uses it all the time...hmm...two-timing! That's it! It would be two-timing both Kagome and Kikyo. I can't do that to them. Whether Kagome promised to stay by me or not, theres always the same question: what will she do when the jewel is complete? She has to stay here. But, she doesn't have a reason. She stays for the jewel shards, and the runt of course, but she'll still leave. Dammit! I hate women!

Inuyasha started to growl without notice. Kagome looked over at him.

"Inuyasha?" No response.

"Inuyasha, are you okay?" Kagome gently put the kitsune on the ground, and walked over to Inuyasha. He was so deep in thought, he hadn't realized his surroundings, and actions.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome pushed his shoulder.

"Ack! What do you want, wench?" Inuyasha splurted.

"Oh. I just wanted to see if you were okay. You were growling."

"I was?" Inuyasha's anger was replaced with confusion and embarassment.

"Yeah." Kagome looked at him like he sprouted a clone. She returned to her spot across the fire and began to stare into the sky. Inuyasha watched her all the way.

Kikyo wants to kill me. Kagome wants to help me. But...I love Kikyo. Right? Inuyasha got to the point where he was questioning himself.

Keh. How crazy can I get.

Inuyasha's ears perked up. He heard a noise. And it was coming from Kagome's direction. He watched closely. Kagome noticed his unnerved gaze and began to get flustered.

"Inuyash-"

"Shh." He kept staring at her. She was starting to get really flustered. Then he heard it. He stood up and jumped at the bushes behind Kagome.

"AHH!" Kagome screamed.

"Eh...what?" Inuyasha looked in the bushes and found...nothing.

"Nothing?"

"Inuyasha! What is going on?" Kagome stood up, trying to yell, but whispering so she wouldn't wake the sleeping kitsune.

"You mean...you didn't hear it?"

"Hear WHAT?" Kagome was annoyed.

"That growling sound! It came from over h-"

GROWL

Inuyasha and Kagome looked at each other, wide eyed.

"Kagome?"

"Yeah?" Kagome's face turned red.

"Kagome...are you growling?"

"NO!" Kagome yelled-whispered.

"Yeah, you just growled. Why are you growling?"

"I"m not growling, stupid! That's my stomach! I'm hungry!"

Inuyasha almost burst out laughing. Here he was trying to protect Kagome from her own growling stomach.

"Miroku and Sango should be coming back with food right about now." Kagome looked into the woods at the direction they left.

As if almost on cue, Miroku and Sango emerged from the woods, five fish in hand, laughing, smiling, and soaked from the knees down.

Inuyasha and Kagome stared in awe.

"Hey guys, sorry that took so long. These things are hard to catch." Sango held up two fish.

"Now, on to the roasting!" Miroku bellowed out, awakening a little kitsune.

"Ahh...sniff I SMELL FISH!" Shippo immediatly bounced up and down, waiting for his dinner.

Damn, that kid has too much energy Inuyasha thought as they all sat down to enjoy their meal.