My Heart Will Go On

Chapter 17 Calm Before The Storm

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Miroku and Sango came back a few hours later, shocked to see Kagome with ears and a tail. When Souta returned, his reaction was more shocked, though he admired Inuyasha even more because he saved his older sister from a sure death. He was still getting used to the fact that his sister was part dog, though. It wasn't something one could easily get used to. The first thing he had asked was that how being a hanyou would affect her miko powers to Kaede. She said that if anything, they would become stronger and not tainted, which shocked both Inuyasha and Kagome, because that had been one of the reasons Inuyasha had been afraid to change her. What if her powers became tained, and she had no way of defending herself in this era against demons?

They all could sense the final battle was approaching fast. Naraku hadn't made a move in months, so it was only a matter of time. They hadn't seen any of his incarnations, or even Kohaku lately either. This made Sango worry, had Naraku done something to her little brother?

Miroku then got worried for Sango. He always did when she got like this, always thinking of her brother. She needed to move on, he thought. It was the best way for her to become happy again. Even she must knew that once they destroyed Naraku, they would have to remove the shard from Kohaku's back, in the end causing the boy to lose his life once more. He tried everything he could to get Sango to smile again, but to no avail. Everyone else helped too, surprisingly even Inuyasha. He thought she was one of the strongest fighters in the group, though he'd never admit that aloud, of course.

They were all resting at Kaede's village, getting some much needed rest as well as training done before the final battle came. They weren't even sure where the castle was, as Inuyasha couldn't even get a whiff of Naraku's scent, and Kagome couldn't sense any jewel shards except for Kouga when he came near.

It was a rather nice, peaceful day outside and so the gang were all outside out of the hut. Kagome and Souta were training, Sango and Miroku were watching once more, and Inuyasha was off somewhere doing who knows what, but probably staying close so he could keep a close watch on Kagome. It flattered her to know that he loved her that much, to never truly leave her side.

After a few hours, when the rain suddenly began to pour down, everyone called it a day and headed back into the hut. Kagome had been so tired from training that Inuyasha had to carry her back into the hut, not that he minded that. He'd get any excuse just to hold her, though again, he'd never admit that.

She was almost fully asleep as Inuyasha put down her body gently on a futon, but she didn't seem to want to go at all, and clung to his chest even in her sleepened state. He had to allow a smile on his face at this. He guessed he wouldn't be sleeping in a tree tonight.

He sat down on the floor of Kaede's hut, cradling Kagome in his arms, rocking her back and forth. Everyone else was fast asleep, or so he thought. Everyone had an eye cracked open just a bit as they spied on the couple.

"Love you.... Inuyasha..." Kagome mumbled, her head going to rest on his chest. His face couldn't help but flush slightly, and the others tried to hold back a chuckle as they saw it, mentally pouting when they realized they couldn't tease him about this later. Oh well.

The next day, they were surprised to find out it was still raining. Kagome and Inuyasha were surprisingly, still asleep. He had felt so comfortable holding Kagome, that he decided to just fall back asleep for a little while longer, not really wanting to move. Kagome was safe and sound in his arms, and for now, he was happy.

About an hour after he had fallen asleep again, Kagome started to stir. She slowly opened her eyes, and blinked in surprise when she saw Inuyasha was still asleep. It was almost noon, wasn't it? She thought as she looked at her watch, then at Inuyasha. She smiled anyway, and didn't leave his arms, letting him have his rest. He probably needed it, she thought. He works so much harder than the rest of us, and hardly ever sleeps...

"Kagome?"

She looked up, and noticed Sango standing in the door way with a smile on her face. "Good morning, Sango."

"Good morning," She smiled back. "It looks to me like you had a very good sleep, didn't you?"

Kagome's face immediately flushed and Sango couldn't help but chuckle. But Kagome nodded anyway with a smile. "Yes, a very good sleep. I'm surprised he's still sleeping, actually."

"Yeah, so were the rest of us," Sango commented. "Kaede says he hardly ever sleeps, and when he does it's up in a tree and only for a few hours." Kagome nodded as if to agree or confirm that. "I wish he'd sleep more, but. . . you can't get everything you want."

Sango nodded and faintly smiled. "Would you like some breakfast? It's oatmeal."

Kagome looked over at the sleeping hanyou who's arms were still wrapped around her waist, and shook her head. "Maybe later, Sango. I'd like to stay here for a while."

Sango gave a knowing smile, nodding. "Alright, we're all outside if you need us," she told her before walking back out and putting the curtain back in place.

After a few minutes, she felt Inuyasha move and heard him groan behind her. She smiled and looked up towards him, watching as his beautiful golden eyes opened to look at her.

If there was one thing he liked, he liked it when Kagome's face was the first thing he saw when he woke up. She was smiling at him, her eyes warm and kind. "Did you sleep well?" she asked him. He should have ... considering he slept for a while...

Inuyasha nodded, his grip loosening on her slightly. "I did," He told her, leaning down to kiss her gently. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

The kiss lasted shorter than Kagome would've liked, but she was still in his arms, so she wasn't complaining. She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Are you hungry? Sango said their making oatmeal." Kagome said, looking up at him.

While he was hungry, he didn't want to move still. So, he lied. "Nope, not right now." he told her, and she just nodded, happy to have an excuse not to leave his arms.

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TBC

A/N: I know I said I'd update OTP, but I already started on this so... :P Review!