The next day is still sunny, but her demeanor is not.

Kagome can feel them watching—feel her friends' concern. But no matter how hard she tries, she can't bring herself to pluck up and force a smile this time, and it doesn't help that she doesn't quite understand why.

"Hey."

Looking up from the herbs she's sorting through, she gives Inuyasha a wan smile. "Hey."

He drops beside her and stills her hands. "Why don't ya go take a break. Read or something."

Her face clouds over. "I can't read right now."

Inuyasha frowns but squeezes her hand. "Okay."