- CHAPTER FIVE – NEW MOON -


Inu-Yasha opened his eyes, and the rock walls of his room reluctantly sharpened into focus. He heard a low moan lift into the air and realized it was his. His frame ached, as if he had lain in bed for days, and the muscles in his arms and legs, unaccustomed to inactivity, throbbed painfully. Beyond the foot of his mattress, a warm fire burned in the fireplace, and its presence reminded him he had a guest.

"Kagome?" He turned his head to look for her and didn't have to go far.

The girl kneeled on one side, her upper half draped over the bed; long, black hair pooled around her, covering her face in a sea of dirty tresses. Inu-Yasha saw her back rise slowly and sniffed, knowing she was asleep. A thin arm lay outstretched towards him, and her fingers just grazed his shoulder.

Inu-Yasha moved to sit up and winced. Glancing down, he saw hardened leaves and plant paste covering his chest, and touched one with an experimental claw.

"Leave it," Kagome inhaled deeply, coming awake with several snuffling breaths, eyes puffy and lines from the sheets imprinted on her face. She shook herself and stood, palming his forehead, cheek, and neck.

Inu-Yasha's eyes flicked over her weary countenance; it was obvious she'd stayed at his side for some time.

Her touch was gentle as she felt his temperature, and a curious flutter started in his stomach. Remembering himself, he jerked away. "Off me woman!"

Kagome glared down. "I'm checking that your fever's broken," her hand persisted, moving to cup an arm. "Can you feel me touch here?"

"Of course."

Her hair spilled down his side, collecting between his chest and arm. It was a distracting tickle, full of her scent despite the pollution of demon innards. "Look that way," she pointed to the far wall.

"Why?"

"Just do it," she growled.

Inu-Yasha turned, grumbling.

Kagome watched his face and stretched her other arm down to his leg. "Where am I touching now?"

Inu-Yasha frowned. "My leg."

"Which one?"

"My left," he rolled back towards her. "What're you doing?"

She smiled in relief. "I was checking that you could actually feel my hand, not just think you could because you saw me touching it."

Inu-Yasha's mouth snapped closed.

Kagome's smile grew. "But what do I know?" She continued her assessment, shifting attention to his torso. "Before you blacked out, you told me you couldn't feel your legs."

"I blacked out?!"

Kagome nodded as she examined her poultice. "I think you're ready for bandages," she lifted one of the leaves gingerly and peered underneath. The wound's edges had lost their purple, and the yellow was growing faint. She lifted it further, eyes widening. "It's already starting to scab over!"

Inu-Yasha smirked at her disbelief. "I told you. Hanyou heal quickly," his smugness fell as she ripped the leaf off. "Ouch!"

"Oops. Sorry," Kagome tore off a second with more force than necessary, risking another grin as he snarled.

"Quit it!

Swift fingers continued to pull, removing a third, then fourth. "Don't be such a baby."

Inu-Yasha's glare turned baleful. "I'm not—!"

"Stop crying out like one then."

His knuckles curled inward into tight, trembling fists, and he watched her efficiently strip the rest of the poultice, following her gaze as she stared at his chest. Blanching at the puckered folds of new skin, he sat up, only to have the girl push him back down.

"Inu-Yasha," his name came out as a slight scold. "You've been unconscious for two days. I need to see how this is healing without you moving and tearing all the work your body's done."

"Two days?!" He resisted her hand and lifted his head, flicking his ears back and forth. The rock walls, windowless and seamlessly gray, gave no clue to the time of day. Buried deep in the mountain, his room was below layers of catacombs and tunnels; through them, he heard the faint sound of bustle and muted conversation, and smelled warm wind, sweat, and melting snow far away. It was still day, late-afternoon. "Is tonight the new moon?" He asked distractedly.

"I think so," Kagome lifted her concentrated gaze. His wound was healing surprisingly well, considering how bad it had looked; he would only need a light dressing. "But I'm not sure how close we are to nightfall. Ren came in an hour ago with lunch, so it must be far off," she studied him. "Why do you ask?"

Inu-Yasha ignored her and sat up again, brushing her from his shoulder as he would a fly. Inhaling deeply, he tested the pain in his chest, pleased to see it had dulled considerably. In tune with his body, he missed a scowl erupt across the girl's face.

"Hey!"

His head rose at her tone and volume.

"I'm speaking to you!" Her hand returned to his bicep, this time pushing with a strength that would've sent him back into the pillows if he were human. As it were, he actually had to resist to stay upright. "I told you not to move!"

Inu-Yasha felt his own irritation ignite. "Don't boss me around!"

Kagome climbed onto the bed, uncaring that this was not the way to get the leader of the Ouja to listen. She had just come through a long 48 hours, where the first dozen had been more rocky than Inu-Yasha would ever know. Labored breathing and sweat-soaked sheets didn't seem like things hanyou had to face often. Leaning over on her knees, she palmed both of his shoulders. "Boss you?" A rush of exhale, verging on wry laugh, left her. "Never."

Inu-Yasha tightened against her assault, snatching her wrists. "Let go!"

Her patience vanished. "I saved your life!" A knee arced over his hips, planting itself down on his right side. "You need to rest!" She used her straddle for leverage, bearing down.

He gritted his teeth and withstood the pressure. "Knock it off!" The claws at her wrists pulled them from his frame. "If I want to get out of this bed, I will."

Kagome jerked her arms back, trying to free them, but he held them fast.

"You know," Inu-Yasha matched her glower. "For someone who wants me to be still, you're making me move an awful lot."

Her eye twitched. "I'm making you?"

The strength in his grip was iron, but not crushing; he was being more careful than the tunnel.

Kagome swore and stopped struggling. He was right. "Fine. Do what you want."

It wasn't like she cared. Let him reopen his wound.

Vindicated, he dropped her hands, letting her draw them back to the safety of her collar.

"You do need to lie down though," she repeated.

Inu-Yasha rolled his eyes. Always with the last word. "I didn't think it was possible, but playing nursemaid has made you even more uppity."

Kagome's twitch returned. "Playing?" She wrung her liberated hands together over her knees. "I haven't left your side, you ungrateful, stubborn, moron!" One palm closed over the other, squeezing like a vice. "And uppity? Because I won't let you push me around and ignore my advice?" Kagome withdrew her leg, retreating from the bed. "You're right. Very uppity," she stepped to the floor and turned to go.

He had been right about her dedication. The flutter returned, growing to a pound. She could have left, maybe even escaped, and instead she'd stayed. Did that mean something? Was he smart enough to know what it might be? Inu-Yasha's arm shot out, almost of its own volition, and he grabbed her elbow. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Kagome's eyes bulged, and she swiveled slowly around to face him.

Inu-Yasha felt new irritation at her shock and tried swallowing it down. "It's not you."

Her astonishment increased, and she looked to his hand as if it had just sprung from another plane of existence.

The hanyou resisted scowling. Honestly, he did know how to apologize – he wasn't that bad.

"What is it then?" She asked.

Inu-Yasha sighed, pulling her back to the side of the bed and releasing her elbow, making a big show of lying down against the pillows.

His compliance wasn't answer enough; Kagome waited, crossing her arms and putting her weight into an exaggerated lean.

Inu-Yasha palmed his face, grumbling under his breath at the unwilling resolve he was both drawn too and maddened by. Even her posture baited. "You know hanyou are half-human, right?" He finally asked.

Kagome nodded, still gauging him.

"Once a month… we become fully human," he let his words matriculate. "It's a heavily guarded secret among my kind. Each of my men has his own night. Mine happens to fall on the new moon."

He didn't know how she'd react; he had never told a human, not even the priestess she had wheedled out of him earlier. He knew such a secret would be exploited as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

She surprised him. As always.

Kagome straightened from her petulant stance and looked to his chest, worrying her lip as she visually traced the infection's edges. They were becoming healthy, but not fully cleansed. "Damnit," she cursed softly. "Are your regenerative powers present in your human form?"

Inu-Yasha shook his head.

Her concern increased. "This means you really need to lie still. We need to let your body fix as much of this damage as it can," she stretched out and touched his skin hesitantly, feeling for heat and puss. "Remember when I told you this poison would have eaten through you if you were a man?"

He nodded warily.

"If enough hasn't been cast out when you lose your youkai half, it might run rampant until the sun rises."

Inu-Yasha frowned. "I hadn't thought of that."

Kagome stopped herself from rolling her eyes. "You should have just trusted me enough to tell me the truth," her fingers continued their inspection, pausing each time he flinched. She shifted from his face to his torso, watching carefully as she pressed around the wound.

Without intending, hisses escaped him as she pushed on areas still afflicted. Despite the pain, Inu-Yasha recognized her obvious skill; the way she judged his reactions as well as the physical feel of the injury proved she knew far more than he'd wanted to give her credit for.

She reached his navel, and he gasped for breath. "Ow," he moaned.

Kagome stopped, then pressed again.

His whole body shuddered.

"How much does it hurt?" Her voice, clinical and calm, was almost unrecognizable.

"A bit," he ground out.

Kagome climbed back onto the bed. Crawling over twisted sheets to its other side, she crouched down, reaching for a small basket full of restocked herbs and medicinal jars on the floor. She rummaged through it, extracting a handful of tamarack bark. Sniffing cautiously, she stuck the bark in her mouth and began to chew.

Inu-Yasha couldn't seem to stop watching. She masticated the tamarack for only a few seconds, counting how many times to bite down, and when she spit the wet pulp into her hand, he saw practice and expertise in the movement.

Kagome felt his eyes and looked up, broken from her inner recitation of the treatment for septic. "What?" She wiped her mouth absently. "Ren got me the basket. I didn't go raiding your stores or anything."

Inu-Yasha shook his head. "How did Naraku capture you?"

She reared as if he'd moved to strike her, not expecting his thoughts to wander so far from the peril at hand. "What?"

He pointed to the chewed pile in her palm. "You must've been valuable to your city. He couldn't have taken you without protest."

The conversation had rapidly shifted to a place she didn't want it to go. Not with him.

"I didn't live in a city," Kagome smeared the paste across his abdomen. Without hesitation, she pulled the waist of his pants down.

Inu-Yasha began to object, but one withering look silenced him. Kagome's fingers were firm as she applied the tamarack to his lower stomach. "I was born in the village of Hana," she said. "It's far north, in a province you've never heard of."

He watched her hand slide further still. Even though its intent was far from sexual, Inu-Yasha felt fire boil in him. It had been a long time. An unbidden stirring started between his legs. "It's in Mutsu, isn't it? He coughed, trying to steady his voice.

Kagome paused, and he filled with mortification, afraid she'd noticed his need beginning to assert itself.

"How did he take you?" He rushed, hoping to distract. "The outposts up there are known for their staunch militias."

Her head drooped low, shielding her face with a wall of thick bangs. "There was no abduction," she whispered. "My father sold me."

"Why?"

Kagome shook her head, ridding herself of memory and resuming her ministrations.

Inu-Yasha waited. When she spoke next, her voice was detached and slow. "I was unmarried and had devoted myself to the craft of healing. In our world, where people are livestock," her eyes snapped up angrily. "He held all the power. My father was a drunk, prone to taking on debts too large to pay off," her glare burned hotter than her touch. "I was a price he was glad to hand over."

Inu-Yasha swallowed, tasting a glimmer of her bitterness. "I understand why Naraku wanted you… but how did he find you?"

"His caravan passed through Hana," Kagome said simply, creeping her hand up from his waist, returning to the much safer region of his chest. "On his way back from Ezo, they stopped for the night at our only tavern. My father was there, of course, at the bar."

Inu-Yasha studied her face, blue-gray eyes glued to his wound. "Kagome…," compassion filled his voice.

She heard it. Misinterpreting the pitch, she frowned, gazing down at his pants. "Why are you getting hard?"

Inu-Yasha choked on his inhale. "What?!" Bolting upright, he palmed his front, bumping her backwards and sliming her arm with freshly-applied paste. "I'm not!"

Kagome sat back on her knees, making the mattress creak as she raised an eyebrow. "Been a while, huh?"

Pink bloomed in his cheeks. "Obviously, to be excited by you."

"Yeah," her sarcasm was deep and dry. "Because I'm trying so hard."

He cursed, thrusting his chin to her still-wet hand. "Are you done yet?"

Kagome leaned past him, reaching for a clean rag draped over the basket's handle, unwittingly grazing her chest against his side.

Inu-Yasha felt the hint of curved breast through the haori she still wore. Breath hitched in his throat, and he recoiled, burned. Oblivious, Kagome wiped her palms below the bed. Shying farther away, he inhaled through his mouth, not wanting to be distracted by her nearness and scent. Unfortunately, he tasted it anyway.

Kagome heard him swear again. "Oh, calm down," she grabbed up a new roll of bandages. "I'll give you space in a second," when she pulled back and straightened, she saw his full-fledged lack of control loud and clear. "Oh," color flooded her own cheeks as she darted from his waist to a point high above them on the wall. "I-I could just let you bind this yourself," she thrust out the roll.

Inu-Yasha's blush flamed; his palm did little to hide what his loose pants allowed plenty of room for, and he took the bandages quickly. "Thanks," fidgeting with their frayed end, he fumbled for his voice. "You can go. I'll be fine with this."

Kagome swallowed, not letting her gaze fall. "Don't forget to wind it tightly."

"I remember."

"And tie it over the wound."

"Got it."

Kagome ventured a peek at his face; misery and embarrassment crinkled features she was coming to know well. Days ago she would have reveled at such discomfort – now she only wanted it gone. "Don't worry about it," she said generously. "I am pretty irresistible."

Inu-Yasha exhaled in a soft 'keh', meeting her gaze. "This doesn't count. I'm sick. That poison has obviously reached my eyes and brain."

Kagome nodded solemnly. "Of course," she scooted off the bed and crossed the room, reaching for the door handle.

He shook his head, and called after her, "I never should've taken you from Kanaka."

Though he'd meant it lightly, the admittance hung heavy in the air.

Her fingers curled around the metal ring. "No," she glanced over her shoulder, feeling a half-smile lift her mouth. "I'm going to get you into trouble."

Inu-Yasha matched it and started unrolling the bandage. "I know it."

Kagome hesitated. Despite his state, something an awful lot like friendship swam up, and his earlier words filled her ears.

You'll have a better life here with us than you could've ever had in that human city. None of my men will touch you, I swear it.

Did this gruff, tactless outlaw actually mean it? Had he tried protecting her from Naraku hunting her down again? Was he protecting her now, from himself? Kagome realized with a start what she'd almost forgotten in Kanaka; she was around a man with an obvious need, and instead of requiring anything of her, he only asked for space. Not everyone had the nonexistent self-restraint of her former master.

Inu-Yasha broached her inner dialogue. "Kagome, are you alright?" His smile fell, and a fear of reprisal darkened his eyes.

Seeing it made something odd happen in her chest, and she bobbed her head up and down. "Yep, fine," she gave a little wave. "I'll come back soon."

"Where are you going?"

Before, she would have assumed he was just being demanding; now she wondered if he asked because he was looking out for her. Her mouth opened and closed, working to form sounds. "To the main hall," she forced out. "We need more wood for the room."

Inu-Yasha sniffed discreetly, but she caught it, watching as his nose obviously searched for information. He was picking out her moods; that was why he was always smelling her. She could mask her physical reactions, but had no experience with body odor.

"Ok," he said slowly. "But make sure Ren accompanies you."

"I will," Kagome pulled open the door. "The man is my personal shadow," she spoke purposely into the hallway, knowing the koumori would hear.

A grumble sounded from the passage's ceiling; Ren spread his wings and let go of the rock he clutched, diving for the ground as Kagome stepped from the room. After a few days of this greeting, she was no longer surprised by the sudden company, nodding as the bat demon straightened and met her gaze.

"Is Inu-Yasha doing better?" His quiet voice didn't carry past her as paper-thin wings folded in on themselves against his back.

Kagome closed the door behind her. "He is," she dropped her hand from the ring. "But I need to get more firewood."

Ren palmed the air before she could step forward. "You don't need to leave his side. I can get you more."

She shook her head, darting her eyes away. "He wants a little bit of space. I think he's sick of seeing my face."

In the two days he had loomed close, serving as both jailer and messenger, Ren had made little mention of her outside her healing abilities. Now he arched a brow. "I find that hard to believe," his ears twitched, listening for deception in her voice. When he found only embarrassment that felt personal, he acquiesced. He didn't like digging into his leader's affairs. "I'll take you."

Kagome fell into step behind him, her mind swimming with thoughts of Inu-Yasha. She pushed his face away, seeing more splayed there than she wanted to process. Marveling at how she could rise to his brusqueness and baits, and then be disarmed by his moments of decency, she turned her attention to her surroundings, hoping they would distract.

The dark grays and browns of the mountain were warmed by flickering torches spread far apart along the walls. Ren walked quickly through the dim corridor, obviously not requiring the light they shed, but Kagome slowed as she left the familiar roost she'd begun to make for herself. Squinting into the shadows, she tried picking out landmarks to help her navigate on her own, but there was a stymieing uniformity to the drab rock closing in on all sides. The ground was even, and besides the occasional half-stamp of dirt, clean and free of clutter.

Ren's gait, fast as it was, was one of small, irregular strides. He carried himself in a near constant stoop, hunched over and awkward as he hobbled along, and Kagome wondered if he preferred his flight and perch method to that of walking. As they passed under a torch, she saw his ears tremor. They wavered at the sides of his head, almost like a second set of wings about to take off, and he slowed without turning around, knowing the space between them was widening.

Curious, Kagome jogged to his side. "How much do your ears tell you Ren?" She motioned to them as she worked to stay in stride.

The corner of his mouth turned up. "Everything," he twitched them again. "I can hear Kenta and Moric coming up the passage at the end of this hall. They're arguing about who ate more at dinner."

Kagome peered into the murky darkness beyond, seeing nothing but rounded, even walls – empty of others. Her cheeks reddened. "So you must be able to hear Inu-Yasha and I then."

Ren shrugged. "I can choose when and if to listen, and I don't like to pry."

She wanted to believe him; he didn't strike her as someone interested in news for gossip. "How many other koumori hanyou are here in the mountain?" She asked.

"Three," he offered without reservation. His coolness towards her had warmed during her vigil. "But one is just a youngster. He's only six."

"So he's in Shippo's care?"

Ren's profile grew impressed. "Indeed. The kitsune is young, but responsible enough to watch them well."

Kagome thought of Shippo's need for battle, but didn't bring up how he'd left his post. "I imagine you and the other koumori make great lookouts," her mind drifted to the attack when she'd first arrived.

"No amount of hearing can help you pick out full wolf youkai whose powers of tracking and stealth rival our best men's abilities," he spoke like her train of thought had been aloud. "But yes, at least one of us is often on duty."

Kagome stayed quiet, and Ren answered her silent inquiry for more.

"My compatriots are Baku and Shiori. Tunna is the little one."

"Shiori? That sounds like a girl's name."

Ren nodded. "It is."

Kagome slowed and fixed him with an interested stare. "Oh?"

His brows creased together, and he cleared his throat, showing momentary discomfort. "There are only eighteen women here," he fell silent, unwilling to share more.

Kagome knew when to let something lie. She could tell Ren didn't like others prying into him either. They walked without speaking, passing through the hallway as the walls began to widen. After a minute or so, Kagome picked out approaching voices, male and bickering. Kenta and Moric. Without realizing, she drew closer to the man at her side.

Ren paid her no attention, but straightened as two shapes, both tall and broad, materialized from the shadows, engrossed in discussion. As they stepped under a far torch, Kagome made out bear ears and tufts of fur. They were kumas, but not the same ones she had met guarding the clan entrance. Those two had seemed more like men, where this duo looked remarkably like the animals they were named after. Though they walked upright, both had thick limbs built for four-legged travel and burly chests covered in dense fur.

"Ho!" Ren called, lifting a hand to wave.

One man was coated in rich, brown fur, while the other wore tawny red. The brown one looked up first. "Ho brother!" His eyes widened as he caught sight of Kagome, and he jabbed his comrade with an elbow. The red kuma followed his gaze, and both men fell silent as they stopped and stared.

Kagome met their eyes with a boldness she didn't feel, searching their faces for intent. She saw surprise and admiration, but not with the same hunger she'd seen in Kanaka. Ren kept walking forward, and she reluctantly followed.

One of the bear hanyou found his voice. "Who's the girl Ren?"

The koumori made no move to speak for her.

"I'm Kagome," her answer carried through the passage, and she was relieved it didn't waver. "I'm from Kanaka."

Both men flicked glances from her makeshift haori-dress to her face. The one who'd spoken stepped forward and offered out a reserved nod. "My name's Moric. Welcome."

Seeing his brother recover, the red kuma followed suit. "I'm Kenta," the timbre of his voice was rough and came out as more of a growl than true speech. "Are you the girl who treated Eiichi?"

Kagome blanched remembering the foul-mouth and worse temper of the hebi demon who'd lost his arm. "Yes," she let a rueful smile slip across her face. "My healing powers don't extend to personality though. Sorry guys."

The two looked to each other; twin smiles rose, and they walked forward.

"We were just going to ask about that," Moric's tone lost its cautiousness. "Maybe his mouth could be the next thing you sew closed? He raves worse than my brother here."

Kenta gave him a shove. "You're the one carrying on that there were steamed vegetables tonight."

"Who eats vegetables?!" Moric shook his head in disgust. "Women and babies, that's who!" He turned to her. "No offense."

Kagome shrugged, her smile warming. "None taken."

Kenta rolled his eyes, and the pair began to argue. Their voices rose up and echoed down the hall, filling the shadows and dim patches of light with sound and energy.

As Kagome offered another joke, this time about the benefits of carrots, she realized a distinct absence of what she'd known all too well with Naraku. She wasn't scared, and she didn't feel threatened by these men.


Moric and Kenta, brothers of blood as well as bond, decided to turn around and accompany Kagome and Ren back to the main hall. Moric claimed it was to overturn the vat of stewed beets waiting to be served to the next poor bastard, but Kenta made no such excuse, asking Kagome about being a healer, the journey to the mountains, and how she liked their fearless leader so far. Ren stayed close to her side, more to keep from being jostled by the over-sized arms and lumbering gait of his clansmen than out of concern, and they talked all the way through the stairwell she had traveled with Inu-Yasha, appearing in a much different hall than the one she remembered.

The din was tremendous, but the sound was now one of mirth. Bench-lined tables were full of men laughing, shouting, drinking, cursing, and eating. There were nezumi, oni, tanuki, and tatsu hanyou, all mingling as if they had no differences. Wings, tails, bright eyes, and extra fur covered many of the forms enjoying their meal.

"I don't know what you two were complaining about," Kagome shouted to be heard over the noise. "Everyone else seems to like it," she watched one of the raccoon-like tanuki shovel seconds into his mouth as if he hadn't eaten in days, and a scaled half-tatsu, looking more dragon than man, following suit.

Kenta nodded. "It's Moric who's the woman. His frail stomach can't handle too much."

"Oi!" The other man aimed a fist for his jaw, and Kenta caught it, grappling with his brother good-naturedly.

Kagome smiled and looked to Ren. The koumori shook his head and motioned to the large hearth on the far wall, blazing with a tall fire. A huge pile of wood rested beside it, and he left the landing for it. Glancing over at the two kumas, she followed. Moric and Kenta didn't notice their departure, now arguing about how many colors should be on a plate before it was considered 'woman food'.

Although Ren walked ahead of her, his stature did little to shield her from eyes in the vast cavern, and conversations closest to them ceased as they made their way along the ends of tables towards the fire. Whispers and stares chased after her, and Kagome forced her legs steady, walking in calm, even steps, despite the urge to break into a fleeing run.

Through the spreading quiet, sweeping across the hall like a summer rain, a tall man stood up.

"Kagome!" An exuberant wave followed her name.

She lifted her gaze, and Shippo's wide smile greeted her. The kitsune waved again, as if his first could be missed, and extracted himself from his bench, palming the shoulders of men on either side of him. He made no move to contain his excitement, rushing over with strides void of restraint.

Kagome almost smiled, but checked herself as the young man drew near, his broad chest blocking out the farthest stares. Grateful for the reprieve, she looked up into a face losing its boyish softness.

"How have you been?" His words were breathless as he roamed her features.

She nodded. "Good. I've been treating Inu-Yasha," she made sure to keep her voice low, but several sets of ears still twitched or swiveled towards them. Kagome resumed walking, pulling farther away from the tables, and Shippo kept abreast, still drinking in the sight of her.

"How're you healing?" She retrained an eye on Ren, following him towards the woodpile looming close.

The kitsune's grin grew as he slapped his thigh. "My leg feels great."

Kagome offered a small smile. "I'm glad."

Shippo's grin turned impossibly wide, as if she'd just said she was ready to get married.

Thinking of Inu-Yasha's earlier displeasure, Kagome cleared her throat. "I'm still monitoring his recovery. We're here to get some firewood for the room."

Shippo pulled his stare from her for the first time, catching sight of Ren as the koumori stopped beside the large stack. "I'll help you guys bring it up," he nodded to the other hanyou, who returned the gesture.

Ren eyed the kitsune, seeing his apparent affection for the girl. "You seem fully recovered Shippo," he said softly.

"Well enough to be chasing after Tika and Tunna," the young man laughed. "They asked about you again today. When will you be by to see them?"

Ren began loading his arms with stray logs from the floor. The ones on top of the pile were far out of his reach. "Soon," he spoke with his chin against bark as he loaded his chest full. "Once Inu-Yasha is fully healed."

Shippo reached out to help, grabbing the highest logs and tucking them in his elbow.

"Hand me some," Kagome pulled one from his hold, and the kitsune obliged, passing several to her as Kenta and Moric approached with open arms.

"Better have us help too," Moric flexed his claws. "We're practically beasts of burden after all."

Kagome felt a laugh rise up and leave her, tumbling out between the group. Before she could thank them, she heard the creak of several benches being pushed out. Footsteps traveled over to the pile, and they were suddenly surrounded by a cluster of new faces.

One of them was the one-eyed kuma from the north entrance, who nodded quickly before reaching past. Pulling out several pieces, he started handing them to waiting arms. Kagome glanced around as hurried looks and gruff, casual greetings were sent her way, and she bowed her head, whispering almost to herself, "Thanks."

None of them leered. None looked too long.

Was she wrong about the Ouja?


Inu-Yasha lay in bed, hearing Kagome's scolding voice in his head. He would catch hell if she returned and he was up and about. Half of him wanted to test and see how much she could give out, but the half still injured and aching thought better of it. Examining his wound critically, he frowned; it needed another day with his regenerative powers. Inu-Yasha knew evening was beginning to wane from the sound of crickets emerging outside and the loud noise of dinner in the main hall. He wondered who was manning the cooking pots this week – whoever it was, they were receiving a mixed review.

His ears swiveled towards the door, picking out the stamp of over a dozen men heading for his room. Worry filled him; something must be wrong. His mind immediately leapt to wolves, and Inu-Yasha got to his feet, wincing as he bent his chest. Striding across tapestries, he pulled open the door just as the harbingers arrived.

Ren and Kagome were in the lead, followed by Shippo, Moric, Kenta and a troupe of others. All held armloads of wood.

"May we come in sir?" Ren asked.

Inu-Yasha glanced from him to Kagome, who kept her own gaze down, shifting in discomfort. Willing the girl to look up and offer explanation only made her avoid his stare harder, so he grudgingly swung the door out. As they began to enter, his eyes widened at the amount of fuel and manpower traipsing towards the fireplace. "I'll have enough to last me a decade," he grumbled.

"It's for Kagome," Ren answered, almost chiding.

The girl blushed, staring furiously at the pile in her arms. "I didn't ask, they just offered."

Inu-Yasha glared at each man as they came in. "Yeah, they're such a thoughtful bunch."

Only Shippo met his stare, walking brazenly to Kagome's side. As she crouched to begin arranging the logs, he handed new ones to her carefully, blocking the rest of the room with his back and showing everyone he would be helping her alone.

Inu-Yasha's eyes narrowed.

The other hanyou watched their leader watching Shippo and Kagome and hastily handed off their wood, backing out of the room with swift steps. They knew when to make an exit.

"Feel better sir," said Isato, a lizard hanyou with a long, curving tail.

Leaving quickly, the group retreated into the hallway, and soon it was only Ren and Moric left.

Inu-Yasha looked to the two men, arms still full, for news. He didn't have to ask.

Moric spoke first. "Our scouts say the surviving wolf retreated to his cave in the east. They followed, but couldn't find its whereabouts. They think it might be surrounded by water to mask its scent."

Inu-Yasha curled the hands hanging at his sides into fists. "Of course," he turned to Ren. "Have Miroku stop by in the morning. After my night with the new moon, we should counterattack. Better to hit them before they come for us again."

The koumori nodded as he passed his load to Shippo. "As you wish," the small hanyou watched Kagome stack the new logs, dropping his voice so she wouldn't hear. "What would you like us to do with her?"

Inu-Yasha turned his back to her and the fire, inviting Moric and Ren to draw closer. "How was she received?" He whispered.

"Well, I think," Moric answered. "Some surprise, but overall…," he looked to the open door, empty now that the helping men had left. "She didn't seem to cause too much commotion."

"Keh," Inu-Yasha crossed his arms as if he could still fold them into the sleeves of his haori. "Just wait."

"She could stay with Shippo and the children while you're away," Ren offered.

Inu-Yasha cast a glance over his shoulder at the pair working together; Shippo was speaking animatedly, and Kagome was smiling up at him.

"Absolutely not," he motioned for the kuma to give his wood over. Moric obeyed, and they shifted to watch the last of it being stacked.

Kagome may not have had hanyou hearing, but knew when she was being talked about. She ignored them, taking the final piece from Shippo's hands.

"Thank you," she wiped her palms together and straightened. "I'll be all set for awhile now."

Seeing that she was done, Inu-Yasha waved his brothers away. Ren and Moric turned to go, but Shippo stayed rooted to the floor, staring at Kagome as if she were the only one there. "If you ever need more, just ask," he said.

Kagome placed fingers lightly on his wrist, and her touch was a thrill he made no attempt to hide.

Inu-Yasha watched the exchange, waiting for Kagome to remove her hand, or at least guide the young man to the door. She did neither, and he cleared his throat. "Goodnight Shippo."

The kitsune wavered, revealing a moment of insubordination, and cupped the hand at his wrist instead.

His touch was warm and gentle, flattering and disconcerting at the same time; Kagome dropped her arm and ducked her head.

Shippo's eye lifted to Inu-Yasha. "Goodnight sir," the words were terse. "Feel better."

"I will," Inu-Yasha moved towards the door, holding it wider. Get the hell out, he fumed. Now.

Casting a last glance to Kagome, the young man left with his older compatriots, marching down the hall with a stiff tail and jerking steps. Inu-Yasha watched them a moment before closing the door, gathering up his irritation before it showed in his face. He couldn't decide which irked more – the fact that Shippo was trying to stake a claim, or that Kagome seemed pleased by it.

Alone once more, he twisted to the woman who'd dropped back to her knees by the fire, feeding it new fuel and bedding it down so it would burn throughout the night.

Inu-Yasha felt himself staring, but didn't try to stop. The orange light, soft and dancing, coated her arms and face in gentle tones, illuminating her concentration as she avoided the heat and placed new legs where she wanted them. Settling a final piece in the frame she'd crafted, she sensed his gaze and looked up.

"How're you feeling?" She asked.

"Fine," Inu-Yasha stepped towards the bed. "But the new moon is on its way."

Kagome made no mention of Shippo's blatant linger, rising and heading for the basket on the bed's other side. "How about your bandages? Is the poultice tingling at all?"

He palmed his chest. "A little."

She nodded. "Good," bending down, she searched her stores, finding a tied bunch of willow bark and pulling it out.

Inu-Yasha caught sight of it and made a face. "That stuff tastes terrible. And I don't have a fever anymore."

Kagome undid the bundle's knot. "Your human form will," she patted the mattress, seating herself on its edge.

Inu-Yasha found himself obliging, moving to her side and sitting down next to her. She started ripping the bark into thin strips, but he closed his hands over hers, stopping her. He had let her do it before, but now didn't want to be nursed like an invalid. It wasn't that he felt threatened or anything – certainly not. Shippo? Ha. The boy was only a whelp. He just wanted to save her time.

"I'm not human yet," Inu-Yasha pulled the bark from her grasp. "My teeth are sharper and stronger than your normal patients'. You don't have to tear it up for me."

His voice had a strange hint to it – deep and prideful. Kagome conceded a nod and let him take the medicine, watching as he bit down and chewed hard. They sat in silence while the fire cast warmth and light into a room unused to either. Inu-Yasha swallowed, and Kagome motioned for him to do it again.

Before he obeyed, he glanced to the closed door. "So…," he cleared his throat. "What'd you think?"

Instead of following his gaze, Kagome turned to look at the hearth. "About what? Your clan?"

Inu-Yasha took another bite. "Mm-hmm," he mumbled, his mouth full.

She didn't answer, keeping her back to him as she listened for his second swallow.

The hanyou gulped down the bitter medicine, eyeing her frame. "Kagome?"

She sighed. "They were actually… nice," she felt his stare and swiveled around at the wordless request. "At least, they seemed so."

Inu-Yasha nodded, pleased. "Good," he held out the rest of the willow bark. "Am I done?"

Kagome smiled and took the unused portion. "For now," she replaced it in the basket, noticing his gaze didn't waver. "What is it?"

"What about them was nice?"

She shrugged, hearing the strange pride again. "I don't know. They were helpful?"

"Any in particular?"

Kagome knew fishing when she heard it – she just couldn't believe Inu-Yasha was doing it. "Shippo," she said plainly. She wasn't someone who played games.

Inu-Yasha didn't have much practice with them himself. Her unapologetic answer goaded, and he grappled for a minute, trying not to get angry. "Do you like him?" He finally asked.

"As what?" Kagome went dry. "The friendliest of my captors? Sure, he's just great. We'll be best friends by next week."

Inu-Yasha frowned. "You know what I mean."

She shook her head. "Of course I do," frustration bloomed in her stomach. "But it's ridiculous you'd even ask."

"Oh?"

"I don't have room in me to like anyone," she drew away and turned back to the fire. "I have to put the pieces of myself back together again."

Inu-Yasha scooted off the edge into the middle of the bed, leaving any building temper behind. "Sorry," he said softly. "You're just… hard for me."

Kagome scoffed. "Difficult to control you mean?"

"No," he stared at her back, but this time she stayed where she was. "You're hard to understand," he groped for words uneasy to say. "You come off as a hanyou woman – spitting fire and ready to fight – but you're really just this little girl from Hana who had to grow up too fast.

Kagome tensed.

"I have trouble seeing that when I look at you," Inu-Yasha admitted. "And so does Shippo."

She continued to stare at the flames, outwardly unmoved, but inside, jumbled and confused. What are you talking about? Are you jealous or something? Don't be! I like Shippo as little as you!

Kagome shook her head, scattering the questions she didn't want answered.

Inu-Yasha's gaze implored. "Did you hear me?"

Obliging, she turned around. "I did," she ducked her head, still not meeting his eye. "You're hard for me too," the admission left her without permission, and Inu-Yasha reeled.

He waited for her to go on, but after a few moments, it became clear that that was all she was going to give. He reached out and took her chin, gently drawing her face up. "I know the new moon is almost here."

Kagome didn't resist. "How?"

He offered a rare smile free of sarcasm. "Because my human form is much more candid and hopelessly sappy."

She felt her own start. "This is your sap?" The smile grew as she spoke. "Whew. I better be careful. You could sweep me off my feet."

Inu-Yasha laughed. It was a sound as warm as the fire. "Are you kidding? I'm being downright genial, considering the circumstances," he jutted his head towards the door. "I had over a dozen of my men in here just now, and they were so focused on carrying your precious wood, none of them even thought to bring me dinner!"

It was Kagome's turn to laugh. She lifted her chin from Inu-Yasha's grasp and beamed, as much from him going hungry as for making light of it. They sat in good humor, letting it fill their silence until something strange caught Kagome's eye; the tips of Inu-Yasha's hair were starting to change. Her smile fell as she watched them grow black.

The hanyou lifted a lock absently. "It's beginning," he saw fear invade her features. "Don't worry. It happens every month. And the poison's almost out of my system."

Kagome's look turned skeptical. "First off, I'm not worried, I could care less."

"Lie," Inu-Yasha interjected.

"And second," she continued. "Almost is not the same as completely out."

He grinned. "Which doesn't matter because you don't care anyway."

In spite of herself, Kagome felt her smile return; his charm made it almost possible to forget he was in danger. She shifted closer and palmed his shoulder. "Exactly."

Inu-Yasha let himself be pushed back into pillows.

"Now lie still," she said. "So I can not care about your recovery."

"Sounds good," he lifted his arms behind his head, bracing palms at the base of his neck. The black climbed through his hair, and his expressive dog ears began to shrink. "Are you joining me in the lying still?"

Kagome knew she should react, but a warning flag sprung up in her. Something was wrong. "Isn't this a top secret time for you?" Her playfulness left. "You seem pretty relaxed. Are you okay?"

Inu-Yasha shrugged. "My human personality is starting to assert itself. It's not too concerned," the amber of his eyes darkened to brown. "Especially not when there's such an attractive female sitting in my bed."

Human ears and regular fingernails replaced his hanyou features as the last white strands were swallowed in a full head of black.

Kagome stared into his face, familiar and foreign at the same time. "Inu-Yasha?"

He opened his mouth to say something flirtatious, but stopped. His jaw snapped closed as his forehead crinkled in pain.

She watched in growing trepidation as a grimace burst out across his mouth. "Inu-Yasha?" Her voice went high.

"My chest hurts," he managed. His hands left his neck and grabbed up the blanket beneath them, bunching it in white-knuckled fists.

Kagome never thought the Ouja leader would make such an admittance, and alarm widened her gaze. "Hold on. I'll get Ren," she moved to get off the bed.

"No, don't," he spoke through gritted teeth. "He's no healer," dark eyes, clouding in pain, focused on her. "You are."

She shook her head. "He can get one of your clansmen who know spells. They might be better at battling this."

Inu-Yasha clamped a palm down on her forearm, and Kagome felt no restrained strength in the grip; he was just an ordinary man now.

"Stay… please."

She looked once to the door, then back to the bed. Touching his hand, she shifted over to her basket again. "Okay, but I'm getting help if you start weeping."

Inu-Yasha kept his hold, restricting her reach. "That's fair."

She realized she was pinned and cleared her throat. "I'm not going anywhere. Let go."

"Come sit beside me."

Kagome tensed. "Why?"

Through the pain, he scrutinized her. "I just made you scared, didn't I?" He released her immediately. "I only wanted the company."

Kagome didn't believe him; this version was even more of a stranger. "Asking is usually better," she muttered, her heart pounding. "Company is invited, not coerced."

"Coerced?" Inu-Yasha scoffed. "You speak like I'm a different person."

To appease, she cautiously climbed up against the pillows. "You kind of are."

"Well, I'm still not someone who forces women."

"Just one who gets annoyed if they don't stay right at your side," she eyed the basket meaningfully.

Inu-Yasha held up his hands. "I may be going about it differently, but that fact hasn't changed," his look grew pointed. "I've tried keeping you in sight since I first found you."

"Not when I went to the main hall with Ren just now."

"I was a bit preoccupied by a condition you'd afflicted me with at the time."

"I told you," Kagome started. "It's not my fault the forest youkai attacked—."

"I wasn't talking about my injury."

She blushed, catching on. She hadn't meant to bring that up, especially not when he was looking at her with an intensity he didn't bother hiding. "You let me treat the injured hanyou when we first got here," she offered.

Inu-Yasha smiled, revealing two rows of even teeth. "You think I didn't know exactly where you were and what you were doing? Why was it I came over right when you and Shippo started getting friendly?"

Kagome's jaw fell.

"I left Miroku telling me about the wolf attack mid-sentence," he turned curious. "What's with you and the kitsune anyway?" Brown eyes, holding no trace of amber, watched her intently. "Is it that he's younger?"

Her mouth swung lower.

"I'm not that much older," he said. "Were it not for my birthright, I could be in his place right now," he heaved his next exhale. "If you go for the powerless, teenage types."

Kagome struggled to respond. This Inu-Yasha was much harder to deal with. She wished they would start bickering – she knew how to handle arguments. "You say you're not different," she worked not to sputter. "But, trust me. You are."

Inu-Yasha shrugged. "Am I nicer?"

"Weirder."

He laughed. "You're bad at this."

Kagome's flush seared. "Bad at what?"

"Talking to me."

She huffed. "I've talked to you all week."

"No," he corrected. "You've yelled. A simple conversation where you can't fall back on anger eludes you," his confident words were followed with a knowing wink. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe. My youkai half loves trying to out-temper you."

Kagome ground her teeth together. 'Out-temper'?!

"Ah, you see?" Inu-Yasha propped himself up on his elbows. "You're working to get frustrated. Then you won't be so disarmed."

"Disarmed? By you?" Kagome pushed away from him. "As if."

His eyes flicked to the space she had just put between them.

"And you're no expert," she continued. "You argue just as much."

He didn't rise to the bait. "I'm not now."

Kagome dropped her gaze and stretched once more to the basket, forcing herself to focus on the herbs and bandages lying neatly in its tight weave. She needed to end this uncomfortable exchange.

Inu-Yasha lay back against the pillows, his smile falling. The heat in his chest was growing into a fire too painful to ignore.

Kagome heard his exhales become labored and grabbed up more tamarack, bringing it back to the bed. Putting a double dose in her mouth, she chewed quickly.

With a wordless gesture from her, Inu-Yasha sat up and began unwinding the latest bandage around his middle. As Kagome spat the pulverized root into her palm, he pulled the inner layer, yellow and wet, off.

Looking down, he paled. "Guess I don't have to worry about being ogled this time."

Kagome applied the paste over softened scabs and open skin. "You'll never have to worry, Mr. Valiant," she dropped the moniker he'd given himself, examining him with a critical eye and breathing a sigh of relief. "It's not that bad. Most of the poison is gone."

"Then why does it hurt so much?"

Her look turned sympathetic. "Because you're just a human now. We feel a lot of pain from a lot less."

Inu-Yasha thought of his behavior in the tunnel and winced. "Are your shoulders okay?" He asked softly.

Kagome jumped back, startled. Was that remorse, or pity in his voice? "I said we felt more, not that we're made of glass," she snapped. "I'm fine."

Inu-Yasha watched her finish spreading the tamarack, creases suddenly in her brow; she was offended. "I didn't ask because I think you're weak," he started. "I just don't want to be someone else who hurts you."

Kagome wiped her hands together and met his stare. A sarcastic remark about being kidnapped and imprisoned rose up, but something else came out. "Than don't be nice to me."

Confusion filled his face.

"I don't want to be your friend, and I don't want to trust you," she turned and laid down, hair fanning out across the pillow. "Because you'll just betray me in the end. I'd rather know it's coming, then be blinded to it."

Careful of the wet medicine, Inu-Yasha rolled to face her. He stared at the girl for a quiet minute, taking in all that made her addicting and mesmerizing. "What if I don't?" He whispered.

Kagome closed her eyes. "You will," she echoed his volume. "They all do."