Kagome woke up to the sounds of birds chirping away the morning tune; she had practically slept through the whole night only waking up once through the night to void her bladder. Inuyasha had fallen asleep along the wall next to the pit of embers that contained last nights fire. Kagome didn't want to wake him. He looked so peaceful when he slept, it was adorable. With the image of her sleepy hanyou in her mind, she had gone back to sleep last night. Kagome rose from the bed and wandered into the sitting room where Inuyasha and Shippo were eating breakfast.

"Morning sleepy head" Inuyasha teased.

"Morning Kagome! Do you feel better today? Inuyasha said you were exhausted yesterday." Shippo said, setting his food down on the table.

"Morning you two, and yes, I feel much better today. I think I caught up on three years of missed sleep all at once." Kagome smiled, taking the offered food in front of her.

Inuyasha slightly frowned at her words. Had she really not been sleeping properly the whole time she was gone? That couldn't have been good for her, right? 'I'll have to ask her about it later' he thought.

"I have to go for a perimeter check this morning, you going to be ok here by your self? Shippo is leaving to go back up the mountain when he is done breakfast." Inuyasha asked putting his bowl on the table.

"I'm going to do my best to rank up this time!" Shippo said with determined eyes.

"I'll be fine. Sango will be coming over soon as well so I won't be alone for long." Kagome said smiling at her worried hanyou.

"Kay... If you say so. I shouldn't be long but there have been some bears around, and I'd like to get them out of the area. The headman wanted me to hunt a couple for the village; he said he would give me a pelt and some meat for the stockpile. I said I didn't mind, especially if I'm not doing to work in preparing it." Inuyasha grinned, leaning over and wrapping his arm around Kagome's frame and placing a soft, sweet kiss on her temple. Kagome's eyes widened, and she blushed with a mouth full of food, a sight he would never get used to.

"Alright then, I'll be back later," Inuyasha said as he headed out the door and started his morning routine.

Kagome was still blushing when she looked over to Shippo; he was staring at her with a cheeky grin. Going back to his food he softly spoke,

"He really did change you know?" Looking up at Kagome to see her smile so softly at his words, "It's almost like he grew up." Placing his bowl on the table again, he started to fidget with his hands in his lap. "I really missed you Kagome... Will you still be here when I get back from the mountain?" You could see his poor little heartbreak while he asked the question.

Kagome held out her arms for the little kit, scooping him up and holding him close to her face in a tight embrace. She kissed the tip of his nose and smiled lovingly, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere anymore." Shippo gave her the biggest hug his little arms could manage before jumping down, wiping his eyes on his sleeve and lightly slapping a cheek with each hand.

"Ok then, I'm going to rank up and show you how much I have grown up too!" He smiled and waved goodbye to Kagome with determination in his eyes. Kagome giggled and waved him off. She looked around the empty room and took a deep breath before telling herself,

"Right, get it together," copying Shippo's cheek slapping determination, she gathered the bowls from breakfast and decided she would clean the dishes and rinse off with a cloth at the river while she was there. Looking down at her clothes she sighed, 'wish I had something else to wear, I should speak to him about that when he gets back, or see if Sango has anything I could borrow until I get some clothes for myself.' Kagome shook off the thought while she started to walk toward the river a few minutes from her house.

Inuyasha had been chasing off bears all morning, pesky animals there were. But didn't take much to scare off, a good snarl or two usually did the trick though he did manage to snag two good sized bears and drop them off at the headman's house before continuing on his route. Inuyasha reached the Goshinboku and jumped up into the high branches to see if he could spot or smell anything else around. Landing gracefully on a limb of the tree he looked around; he could see the clearing for the well. He gave a small growl in the well's direction, before he looked in the opposite direction, looking over the river. He smiled when he saw the familiar form of his soon to be mate who appeared to be washing bowls. He decided to take a rest and sit on the branch and enjoy his view from the concealment of the branches. His moment of peace ended abruptly when he felt the familiar itch in the back of his neck. Giving the itchy spot a good slap, he watched Myoga float down to land in Inuyasha's palm. "Lord Inuyasha! Nice to see you again."

"What do you want Myoga," Inuyasha growled

"I come on behalf of Totosai. You did send for him correct?" Myoga questioned.

"But you ain't him," Inuyasha said upping his tone.

"Ah, no, I am not. But I was sent to see what you needed before Totosai made the trip."

Inuyasha huffed, "Keh, whatever. Tell the old geezer I need a seal for Kagome."

"Lady Kagome has returned?! That's wonderful news, my lord! But why would you need a sea- ... you don't intend to- Oh Lord Inuyasha! This is most wonderful news! I'm sure you are aware of the risks?"

"Keh, of course, I remember the risks, but this is what we both want," Inuyasha said quietly, as he stared in Kagome direction.

"I'm sure the bond between you and the lady Kagome is quite strong! I'm sure it will all work out, yes." Myoga said matter of factly.

"I know that!" Inuyasha barked at the tiny flea in his palm.

"My lord, you must know that to make a seal Totosai needs a fang."

Inuyasha pulled a fang his had ripped out last night that he had tucked in his sleeve, "Here, take that to the old geezer, Kagome, and I are leaving the village tomorrow morning. We will return in a week. Have it back by the time we get back would ya?"

Myoga half bowed before replying, "Of course my lord. I will do my best with this critical task." As the flea took a couple of hops away from Inuyasha, he added, "Happy mating my lord!" before disappearing on a crow's back that had been flying by.

Inuyasha blushed at the old fleas statement, "Keh, I don't need you to tell me that!"