"You seem happy."

The village well is crowded first thing in the morning, but Kagome is glad for the noise and the wait that gives them a chance to talk. "I am happy."

Inuyasha nods, his eyes focused somewhere up ahead as he processes things.

"But I'm scared."

The admission pulls him back, and he stares, concern etched in his features. "Scared?"

Throat drying, she swallows. "Naraku—"

"Isn't gonna touch you." He sets the water vessel down, his look darkening. "Or him."

Her voice shakes. "Inuyasha…"

"Kagome"—mouth pressing into a grim line, he pulls her close—"he won't."