AN: Yeah, I'll go ahead and warn you – this chapter will suck. Really short, overt fluffiness, and basic all around suckyness. However, it's one of those sets-the-stage chapters, so I can't overlook it. Sorry beforehand.

Like You

She wasn't asleep. He knew this the instant he returned to the camp. She was lying on her back, staring up at the stars, Rin snuggled against her side. A small smile curled his lips. The child was out cold, but Kagome . . .

"What is wrong?" He sat beside her, turning to study the stars as she did. He sensed her shrug, but she wouldn't say a word. Sesshoumaru simply waited. He knew her well enough by now to know that something was bothering her, had been for the past three days, and she didn't want to tell him. If he waited long enough she would, at the very least, hint at the problem.

She took a deep, shuddering breath. "I need to go back." she said softly.

Now that he hadn't been expecting. "Why?" he said sharply, his mask of indifference starting to slip. "Do you wish to leave?" He stopped himself before he could add more. Do you wish to leave me? What have I done? He couldn't stop his line of thoughts, no matter how hard he told himself not to be concerned. She probably didn't mean what he thought she meant, but she was his first friend! How could he be sure?

She shifted her gaze to him, fear and warmth shining in her eyes. Slowly she shook her head. "Iie, I don't want to leave you." she murmured. Shifting a little, she sighed, the sound speaking volumes of her exhaustion. "I need to go. Just for a while. You were the only one who could help me heal. I need to help him."

"He has Kikyou."

"But I'm the only one who can help him make the first step." she protested. "Something's wrong with him, and only I can stop it."

"What makes you think that?" he demanded, keeping his voice low so as not to wake Rin. However, any pretense of disinterest was gone, and Kagome almost flinched at the harshness of his tone. "He has hurt you far too often. Leave him be."

"I can't. I'm not like you." she whispered. "I – I wish I was."

For a very long moment, neither said a word. Then, suddenly, Sesshoumaru let out a short, sharp laugh. "No you don't." he said blandly. "You could never not care. It would destroy you. It's not your nature." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I can't stop you, can I?"

She laughed a little at that. "No one can." she teased.

He smiled, but it quickly faded. "If you go back, he will hurt you again."

"I know."

"He may kill you."

She shook her head. "He won't. There's still too much of him left to do that." She reached with her free hand and grasped his sleeve, gently twisting the fabric between her fingers. "Besides," she continued sleepily, "you'll be there with me, won't you?"

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. "Hai." he said softly. "I will be there."

She smiled and closed her eyes, and Sesshoumaru watched her as she fell asleep. He could have left her then, slept by the tree in his usual sentry spot, but he was reluctant to move. He wanted to be close in case something happened.

This protectiveness – is this what it's like to have a friend?

He shook the thought away. Kagome was something much more than a friend by now. He would not be reacting this strongly if she wasn't.

It was a good thing that she was letting him come with her, help her in this battle. Sesshoumaru would not have let her go alone in either case. He would have followed her without her knowledge if she had asked him to stay behind. He had no doubt she could defend herself, but he doubted she would do it against the hanyou. Sesshoumaru would not allow Inuyasha to take this newfound addition to his pack away.

Which led him to his second doubt – would Kagome leave him once Inuyasha was on the mend?

He doubted it. She had said herself she did not wish to leave him. He smirked at the thought and wrapped his hand protectively around her wrist, wondering what would happen next. Soon she would have to face her demons – and so would he.

Soon I will face you, Inuyasha. he thought grimly. You may not like my decision, but I defy you to take my imoto from me!

/---/

AN: Like I said, horrible chapter, but I couldn't get it to sound right. Oh, and I'll tell you next chapter what imoto means. Thank you again Artemisgirl for the translations! Next chapter is a songfic chappie, so that will take a day or two to get out.