Darkness cloaked the land of Termina, and during those hours of peaceful silence, everyone retired to their separate rooms. Cremia had taken the liberty of preparing the extra room for her guests, though it wasn't as spacious as she would have liked, it was still manageable. Blankets and a few pillows were offered to the guys, who were determined to sleep on the floors, allowing the two beds to belong to the children and women of their group. Tucked in and fast asleep with their imaginations running in different directions, sleep consumed the children, and while the two slumbered, only two found it difficult to empty their minds.

Comfortable against the wall nearest the door while the girls were fast asleep in bed, a certain half demon sat with eyes closed, but when he heard soft shuffling and moving fabric beside him, he glanced to his right. There he caught sight of Miroku, sitting awfully and uncomfortably close to him. Of all the places he could have chosen in this somewhat spacious room, it had to be right beside him.

For the next few minutes, he had tried to close his eyes and ignore the monk, but after a moment of awkward elbow nudges and constant yawning, Inuyasha was fed up and struck the monk with an irritable glare. "Move your ass over."

Brought out of his silent musings and attempts at retiring against the hard wall, Miroku couldn't help but questionably stare at his friend. "Pardon?"

"You're invading my space," He grumbled, his ear twitching.

From the looks of it, and from what he could perceive, there was plenty of space separating him and Inuyasha. There was plenty of elbow room for them both, and it wasn't as if he was smothering the half demon. "I don't see why this should upset you, after all, you've never complained before."

Inuyasha's eye twitched. "I don't want you sleeping next to me," He said, hoping it would dawn on the annoying monk. Didn't he get it? Just being next the monk, after all the weird things that had transpired between them both left him feeling oddly uncomfortable just being near him. No offence though. For now, he just wanted a little space.

Miroku blinked. "Could you…still be bothered by last night?" He asked, recalling their trip to the bar in town. If that was the case, then it would make perfect sense, judging by his friend's odd behavior. "If so, then you may relax. I have already forgotten about it," He chuckled, patting the half demon on the shoulder, to which Inuyasha moved away.

Hesitantly, Inuyasha looked from the beds where his female friends were sleeping and then back to Miroku, who was staring at him. "That's got nothing to do with it…" He replied in a softer whisper, hoping no one was still awake and eavesdropping on the conversation. "You're the one bringing it up."

Denial. Why couldn't his friend just admit that he was right? "Listen, I have no 'intentions' toward you. So let's put this behind us, alright?" Inuyasha knew that Miroku was attracted to females, and he was most certain he'd seen his perverse actions on many occasions for the opposite sex. Never had he ever intended to purposefully reveal any romantic feelings for his same gender, and he never would. Last night was simply an accident. Nothing more.

"Put what behind you?" Came Serena's chipper voice from across the room, to which Inuyasha immediately glared. For a while she had laid awake beside Kirara, but after hearing such an interesting conversation between the guys, she couldn't help but interrupt. Fluttering across the room, she hovered in front of the two males, staring at her as if somewhat unsure of how to reply. "Are you guys having a discussion of sleeping positions?" She teased as she softly tittered away. "Or is it a lover's quarrel?"

Miroku and Inuyasha couldn't help but blush at this comment.

"I-it's," Inuyasha was careful of not raising his voice. "not like that!"

Whether it was true or not, she still saw it, but since Link had warned her against teasing and embarrassing the guys, she decided to drop the whole subject. "Surree…I believe you…anyways, have you seen Link?"

"I presume he's still outside," Miroku replied, though he couldn't fathom why. He guessed there were days when even he wanted to have time alone to think.

Still? She guessed her companion was in one of those silent ponderings again. Was it really healthy to think to yourself on a daily basis? Not on a normal sense but on a deeper level she meant.

Sometime during the night, as soon as the boys drifted to sleep, a certain priestess tossed and turned under the thick covers of the small and somewhat hard mattress, finding it difficult to get comfortable. She settled for staring at the dark ceiling after a few restless attempts to get settled.

Beside her, a patch of auburn hair was nestled beside her, covered up to his neck with his head rested on the same pillow as hers. Kagome couldn't help but moved a lock from Shippo's face and kiss his forehead, expressing her motherly affections.

"…Mommy…"

The almost inaudible words brought a smile to her lips, and very slowly, she removed the covers off her and quietly slipped out of the room, careful of waking any of her sleeping friends.

After passing through the creaky hall and descending the long staircase, she was surprised to see a familiar red head sitting at the table, with her hand against her face and her elbows propped onto the wooden table. A small candle sat in front of her, its small flame flickering in the darkened room. From the looks of it, Romani hadn't noticed the priestess's presence, as her gaze was shifted to the fireplace, her thoughts elsewhere.

Why was she still up?

An undeniable thirst brought Kagome out of her thoughts and she approached the table, in which case stirred Romani from her daydreams. "Sorry," She apologized, but the little girl said nothing, settling only to stare at her with a curious expression.

"You're still up?" Romani asked, eyeing the priestess from head to toe.

Kagome smiled. "I should be asking you that. Actually I'm just thirsty."

Without batting an eyelash, she nodded her head, still resting on her hand, toward the icebox across the room. "Have some milk if you like. I haven't had a chance to draw the water from the well yet…" She replied passively.

As expected, Kagome merely smiled. "Thank you."

Long before everyone had gone to bed, she hadn't been able to get a wink of sleep, and so she settled herself in the kitchen, her thoughts quite bothered since Link and his friends' unexpected visit. Romani wasn't sure how to handle the situation, and she certainly wasn't sure how to accept Link's mysterious relationship with Kagome, a girl of curious mention.

Observing the priestess, who was bent over examining the bottles of refreshments in the icebox, Romani couldn't help but find her attire quite peculiar. This time the dark haired girl was wearing a long sleeved pink button up shirt and matching pants of thin material. (Pajamas) Whatever it was, it didn't interest her in the least. "The one with the gold labeling is what you want," Romani explained.

Thankful for that, since there were so many bottles to choose from, all with different labeling, she removed the said bottle from the icebox and closed the lid, smiling at the nonchalant girl at the table. "Thanks. Why are there so many?"

"There's the kind of milk that my sister and I drink and the kind we only sell in town. You see, the bottles with the blue labels are our famous Chateau Romani that a few of our special cows produce. Those kinds are sold in town, and it helps us make extra money," She replied, watching as she absorbed this information. "It's a bit different than normal milk."

"Really?" Kagome asked, opening the bottle and taking a refreshing sip of the cool liquid. Her taste buds were practically in heaven when the sweet liquid danced across her tongue and she found herself feeling refreshed. "It's sweet!"

Romani nodded. "Yep. That's why our milk is most preferred." Faking a yawn, she stood up and stretched her limbs before turning away from the standing priestess. "Well I better get to bed; I have to get up early. Good night … Kagome."

As she ascended the stairs to her room, Kagome didn't notice the smirk pull at the little girl's lips, as she was too engrossed with her drink.

Satisfied she'd gotten some refreshment; Kagome took a seat at the table and drank to her hearts content. This certainly was sweet tasting milk, very different than what she was used to, but still good, and she couldn't help but feel somewhat more awake than usual, but she didn't give the thought too much acknowledgement.

OOO

Caught up in his musings regarding the events that transpired in Ikana, Link stared off toward the wooden area some distance away, barricading the ranch from the native wooden dwellers. Unfortunately, their mission to retrieve the pendant, requested by the Great Fairy had ended in failure. Someone stole the pendant, which he was certain Sakon or whoever was responsible for causing turmoil in the land. Likely, it was Sakon, due to his unexpected visit near the Music Box house the night before, which he was probably also planning on kidnapping his female friend again, for whatever purpose he was unsure.

With two pendants secured in their grasp, and one stolen, only one remained, it's location near Woodfall Swamp. Tomorrow, he hoped things would go accordingly, but he couldn't be certain that it would. It seemed Snowhead faced a dilemma, Great Bay faced a terrible threat, and Ikana was practically still the same if not plagued by a strange spell, and all that was left was their last destination before heading back to Clock Town where he was sure they'd have to relay the bad news to the great enchantress about the missing pendant, unless of course they managed to find it, which seemed entirely doubtful.

Unable to sleep, he rested his head comfortably in his palm as he sat upon the roof of the house. For the remainder of the night, he remained there, his thoughts unable to form anything, and a silence surrounded him. The crickets were silent and the wind was faintly cool.

About ten or so minutes later, while his thoughts had been void of anything in particular, a noise from beneath the roof caught his attention, and questionably, his ears perked to the sound of a door opening and feminine laughter shortly after. Blinking and recognizing the abrupt laughter, Link removed himself from his previous seated position and poked his head over the side of the roof in order to glimpse the sudden occurrence so late in the night.

A raven haired girl, adorned in her pink pajamas, was standing just outside the door, which was still wide open, holding an empty bottle in her hand and looking in no apparent direction. From side to side she swayed, and at one point she found herself against the door, trying to steady herself while laughing which thoroughly baffled Link.

Was she feeling alright?

Before he could come up with an explanation as to her sudden unusual behavior, she leaned away from the door and sauntered out into the pasture. Link watched her, and deciding against sitting there, he descended the ladder to the side of the house and as soon as his boots touched the bottom, he followed after.

Link wasn't sure how far she planned on walking, but in one way or other it didn't seem to bother her. Already a few short distances behind the stumbling priestess, who was humming to herself slightly, her body swaying from time to time, Link felt the need to call for her to stop. She couldn't be sleep walking, could she?

Quickening his steps, he reached out for her hand, grasping it, and surprisingly, she stumbled back into him, and he caught her with ease. "Kagome, are you alright?"

"Me? Oh I-I's…-I'm fine…you? Why're you…" Kagome leaned away from him and somewhat disoriented squinted her gaze at the boy. "you out here?"

Link blinked. She was definitely not acting like herself. From what he could discern from her appearance was disheveled hair and half lidded eyes, not to mention her parted lips which were on the verge of coming up with something to say. There was a drowsy look in her eyes and her cheeks were flushed. The first thought that occurred to him was that she suddenly came down with a fever.

Suddenly, before he could tell her to go back to bed, she erupted into a fit of giggles, and taken aback, Link watched her fall back on her butt, holding her stomach in some form of amusement.

"Uh…Kagome?" He didn't know what to say to this, and found her behavior quite unlike her. "What in the name of the three goddesses has gotten into you?"

As she attempted to pick herself up, she flashed Link a sweet smile before waving her hand at him dismissively. "I…I'm…okay!" Unfortunately her legs were too weak and she fell onto her knees somewhat ungracefully before pouting in a child-like manner.

Link didn't waste a second before kneeling in front of her, eye level before placing a hand to her forehead. Judging by her already fevered expression, she was a little warm, confirming that perhaps she really was sick. Lowering his eyes to meet her gaze, he saw that they were glazed over, and Link came to a conclusion that Kagome was probably unaware of her state. She certainly wasn't sleep walking, that was certain, but she was feverish. Sometimes people did strange things when they were on the verge of catching sickness, but this was quite peculiar all in all.

Grasping her hands, he guided the young girl to her feet, steadying her a few times when she couldn't find the strength to stand. "Let's go back."

"Back…where?" She slurred as the boy led her toward the house.

"To bed," Link replied. A tug caused him to stop and turn toward the priestess, who refused budge.

"No! I don't want to…" She replied pulling her hand free from Link's grasp before turning away with crossed arms.

Once again Link blinked and scratched his neck uncomfortably. At least part of her personality was showing tonight, but he didn't understand why she didn't want to head back. It was well past sleeping hours, not that he was one to talk. Why was she fussing about this? "Ka—"

As if not hearing him, Kagome's eyes suddenly lit up and a bright smile flashed across her face. "Look!" She pointedly exclaimed, her dark eyes brightening when she saw small golden lights floating about them. Her attention shifted away from the beautiful lights, noticing a stray firefly distance itself from the group. Still wobbly on her feet of course, she followed after it, ignoring Link's protests to stop, and when she was in reach of the small bug near a small incline of the hill, the strength in her legs left her, and her balance suddenly swerved.

Quick to react, Link reached out and sought her arm; however he failed to pull her to safety when he too found himself falling, and quick to think, he wrapped one arm around her middle and rested his other hand protectively behind her head before impact. The two tumbled down the hill, their bodies merged against the other, and all that could be heard was a faint shriek in the night and after a few moments, heavy breathing and escalating heart beats.

Lying upon the grassy field, Link pulled himself up, and he could clearly hear his own heart heavily in his ears. The fall could have been damaging if he hadn't of stepped in and shielded her from the impact, and if it weren't for the suddenness of it all, Link would have blushed at their current predicament, but he couldn't; instead he was dumbstruck. Link half expected her to be apologetic, but instead, she was lying there beneath him, laughing while holding her stomach, completely throwing him for a loop. He didn't get it.

"Y-y-your face!" She laughed, rolling over slightly in definite amusement. "Oh…let's do it again!"

Much sterner, he took hold of her arm and looked her dead in the eyes. "No. We're going back." Despite her childish protest, he attempted to ease her up, but she fought against him, quite unlike her. "What has gotten into you?"

"Whaddya talkin bout? I fee…feels j-just fine!"

Something was definitely up. Her flushed face, odd childish behavior, inability to keep her balance, not to mention her slurred speech, brought Link on a deeper level of thought. Could a sick person have all these strange … could he call them symptoms? Link wasn't sure.

He sighed. Though their positions were awfully suggestive, he couldn't help but smell a strange scent emanating off her person, and bemused, he lowered his face closer to her own, which in turn caused her to stare wide eyed. It was subtle, but it was definitely there. That smell…There was no denying it, Kagome was drunk. Link pulled away instantly, but he remained above her nonetheless, stupefied and speechless. Alcohol. Somehow or other, she had more than likely gotten her hands on the ranch's famous Chateau Romani Milk, considering it was the most profitable produce on the ranch.

"You're drunk!" He pointedly accused, but the shock of it all surprised him.

"No I'm not!" She was quick to retort. "I—I's never toufed liquor a d-day in my life!" As soon as those words left her lips, her attention shifted away from his face, her eyes apparently fixated on to something quite interesting and before Link could figure out what it was, her fingers suddenly found their way into his hair. "I really…like your hair," She said, embarrassing Link slightly.

Because he realized he was still above her, he moved away and took each of her arms, once again, helping her up. Feverish was one thing but drunk? What had coerced Kagome into drinking? Really, he never thought of her as the type, and the thought alone surprised him. Since this was her first time at the ranch, he supposed she wasn't really at fault, and Link suspected she had no idea that some milk contained such. Back in Hyrule, there was no such thing as Chateau Romani, so he understood. Perhaps alcohol was never combined with milk in her time.

Sluggishly, the unmotivated priestess slid her arms around Link's neck, and it was so abrupt that Link couldn't fathom her movements. One second he had been helping her to her feet and the next, he was once again on the ground, with Kagome in his lap nuzzling her face against his neck and her body pushed up against his.

"K-kagome!? What are you—"

Ever so fervently, she pressed her lips against his neck, while softly allowing her fingers to trail toward his chest, playing absentmindedly with the strings on his tunic. "Don't be so tense…y-you need to relax once in a while…"

Relax? How could he simply relax when she was under the influence and to top that, was blatantly kissing and touching him in such a close proximity? He could practically feel the heat rising in his face, and the fact that she probably had no idea what she was doing in her current state bothered and somewhat frightened him. Therefore, he couldn't just allow this to continue.

Much firmer this time, he pushed her shoulders away from him, causing Kagome to pull away and stare at him, her eyes expressing hurt and confusion. "Kagome…" What could he say to make her understand without hurting her? In the past, he was well aware of others reactions to the slightest things when drunk or just a little tipsy, and sometimes they had that habit of getting aggressive, upset; all in all quite moody. Would Kagome react the same way? Would she remember all that happened this night?

"What's…wrong?" She asked, canting her head to the side. Though she had been previously playing with the strings on his tunic, she stopped. "Don't…you like me? I t-thought w-we's were friends…" She slurred somewhat breathlessly, her face nearing his own slightly which in turn caused him to still instantly, his hands still holding her shoulders.

"Uh…of course we're friends…but—" He leaned back some when she refused to hinder her approach. "this is…" This was wrong. Very wrong, but why were his feelings knotted up inside? Why didn't he want to push her completely away?

Finally she stopped, mere inches away from his face, her brown eyes staring deeply into his own, and it was for those few seconds that Link found himself mesmerized in her captivating stare. Somewhat breathless, she couldn't help but wrap her arms around his neck before closing her eyes slowly, allowing Link the free invitation.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he found himself torn between his feelings for Kagome and the rational part of his brain that told him to do the right thing and that was to take her home despite her protests. Even so, Link couldn't help but notice her small pink lips, which were parted invitingly and then to her eyes which remained closed and waiting.

Kiss her…

Don't kiss her…

What could he do? Simply sit there and stare? The girl was in his lap, holding onto him, expressing such forward affections, but Link knew it wasn't genuine, because he knew the effects of alcohol, being that he once had his first in Clock Town, a time that he didn't wish to remember.

'I don't know what to do…' Feeling helpless, as if cornered into a wall, he never expected to be put into such a position, but there he was, and she waited patiently.

Kiss her.

'I can't…I'd be taking advantage of her!' Link found himself arguing with his inner voice, and this didn't happen regularly. His hold on her shoulders tightened somewhat, and he clenched his jaw tightly. How could he do that to her? Kiss her? Link wasn't even sure if she felt the same…

What if this chance never happens again?

'It's wrong…'

Do you want to lose this chance and lose her to Inuyasha?

Link's eyes widened, and he frowned slightly. No…he didn't want to lose her, but if she loved him, Inuyasha, then he wouldn't intervene. If that's what the priestess wanted…It was obvious the guy cared for her, but were her feelings mutual? From what he had perceived during the time spent together, all they did was bicker, and sometimes hardly spoke to one another, but he still looked at her with those eyes, always watching her, and even if Inuyasha himself never realized it, there were moments when the half demon even smiled, and Link hadn't been oblivious.

Kiss her. How long will you make her wait? Give to her what he couldn't give.

Maybe that voice in his head was on to something. Link never once saw his companion show any true sign of affection for his female friend, but taking advantage of the situation was not in his character. Link didn't want to hurt her, cause her to think differently of him.

'I can't…'

Coward. If you don't do it, you'll regret it.

Maybe he was a coward, and Link knew that if he didn't pursue this chance, then he would most likely regret it, possibly mulling over 'the what if's.' There was no way he could possibly obliterate this entire scene from his mind now.

Her hand suddenly gripped his tunic, the shirt wrinkling in her grasp as her expression suddenly faltered in what appeared to be disappointment. Kagome refused to open her eyes, and she seemed a little less eased, as if she sensed his refusal, his rejection.

Did she really want him to? Right now? While she was intoxicated?

Yes.

No…

How long will you make her wait?

Almost growling in frustration, Link made up his mind, and it was not a decision he was entirely pleased with, in fact, it frightened him to the point of slight hesitation when he suddenly leaned into her. The scent of alcohol grew stronger, yet he ignored it as his nose brushed across hers. This was wrong, very wrong but he wanted to kiss her, the girl whom he first fell for these past weeks. Just a small peck couldn't hurt…Hopefully she wouldn't remember and get angry with him…

Swallowing, he closed his eyes and sought to claim her lips with his own.

"KAGOME!"