A/N: Thanks for all the kind reviews! I really do appreciate it!

Anyways, Inuyasha is STILL Rumiko Takahashi's creation...

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Red and pink hues began to overrun the sky, heralding the eminent rising of the morning sun, as golden light caressed the side of Kaede's hut and the figure dressed in red and white garments as well. It had been days--days since she could remember smiling at the laughter of her adopted kitsune son. It had been days since she had enjoyed the warmth of the hot springs and the conversation Sango had offered to her as well. It had been days since she remembered feeling mirth at miroku's perverted antics that always ended with a stain of red upon his cheek from Sango's hand. It had been days since she could remember feeling anything other than anxiety or overbearing worry.

Kagome nervously fingered the hemline of her haori as she allowed her thoughts to drift aimlessly. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back until it rested comfortably against the sturdy wood that comprised the elder priestesses home. She began to see images of her friends floating before her lidded eyes and she could feel the slight curl of a smile playing upon her lips. She could hear the laughter of Shippo, Miroku and Sango as they frolicked together out in the tall grass at night to catch fireflies floating just out of reach.

She sighed and opened her eyes to watch as the sun began to creep steadily higher into the sky with her one and only hanyou grasping tightly to her thoughts.

How long has it been now, Inuyasha? A week?

Kagome raised a hand in front of her face, surveying it carefully while helping to block some of the rays that were stinging her eyes with their brilliance. Cool shadows danced upon her stoic features as she watched her flesh and she could only picture her hand interlaced with the hanyo who was somewhere out in the wilderness trying to save her soul. How she longed to see his smooth skin and feel his claws as they gently raked against her hand and waist as he held her.

Kagome sighed as she envisioned his golden eyes shining into her gaze as they had that day under the Goshinboku. She had seen his love and compassion radiating from within his being, but he hadn't been able to say it aloud. She knew that was the only way that either of them would be able to defeat this demon. Of course, the young miko hadn't admitted to eavesdropping on a very serious conversation between Kaede and Lord Sesshomaru, no matter how often the elder priestess had bothered to pester her; however, she was almost certain that the Lord of the Western Lands was aware that she had listened and understood.

Its weird, but the morning after he left, I felt better. I'm still weak, but nothing more is being drained from me.

"Did you spill your blood to save me, Inuyasha?" questioned Kagome as she slowly dropped her gaze to the surrounding grass as her hand began to idly play with her hem once again.

The words that Sesshomaru had muttered earlier rested heavily in her memory. She remembered, in great detail, the way the proud inu-youkai had frozen as she shuddered in response to his words, causing her to shake the bushes nearby. She shivered even now as the sunlight warmed her skin with the image of Sesshomaru's gaze piercing through her as she was discovered. He had only smiled a bit at her presence and continued to divulge his knowledge. It was almost has if he had intended for her to witness the exchange and understand the risk Inuyasha faced.

Inuyasha...

Never had a day passed that she hadn't thought about him. She missed his silver hair and warm amber eyes. She missed the way he would stumble over his words with his clumsy efforts to cheer her when she grew sad. She even longed for his constant nagging and abrasive comments that he would often fling haphazardly in her direction to gain his own selfish desires. She missed his childish tantrums that inevitably ended with his face planted firmly in the ground from one of her sit commands.

But he ran away from me. He left me when I asked him not to...

"Does that mean you don't really love me then?" she asked as she felt the familiar sting of salty tears bubbling behind her eyes. The more she thought about the great risk he was taking to save her, the more she worried about his true affections. If he truly cared for her--if he truly loved her--then they would both be spared from this tyrannical beast and live to be with each other. However, if his affections were false...

He'll lose his life instead of mine. But you wouldn't have left if you didn't love me. You wouldn't have tried to save me if you didn't love me.

A few salty tears ran from the corners of her eyes without her approval. She swatted at them, irritated, and tried not to think about the sacrifice Inuyasha was making to protect her this time. She would never forgive herself if he didn't survive this time. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew she couldn't live without him in her life.

Kagome was jostled from her thoughts as a cool breeze suddenly whisked its way towards her mentor's hut. She squinted against the sun and watched as off in the distance a trail of dust and dirt seemed to be approaching rapidly.

If I didn't know any better, I would say that was Kouga.

A firm grip on Kagome's shoulder caused her to jump slightly and she looked up into the face of the taijya that she had known to trust as a sister. Kagome watched as her friends eyes remained trained on the whirlwind of dirt that as it sped towards the village. It was only a few moments later that the young miko gasped as her heart missed a beat and suddenly the presence of two jewel shards was hurtling closer.

The pressure lifted from her shoulder as Sango's voice rang out, "Its Kouga. Kagome maybe you should duck inside for a while."

Sango only watched as her best friend shook her head "no" and struggled to her feet. If there was one thing that the taijya had come to learn about Kagome, it was the arguing with her was about as effective as arguing with Inuyasha. Neither would give in without good reason. The demon slayer only sighed and walked towards Kagome to lend her some support which was graciously accepted.

Kagome huffed in impatience as Kouga slowed to a trot near Inuyasha's favorite tree as he approached. She watched as a toothy grin errupted on the youkai's lips with the recognition of her fragile frame in the morning sun. She watched the way his hair streamed away from his body in a perfect ribbon of tresses until something red caught her attention within his grasp. She struggled to see exactly what it was and squinted her eyes to focus as Kouga ran steadily closer.

Kagome went rigid with realization of what it could possibly be. The red robes. The black hair. The porcelain skin and the heavenly face.

"Inu...Inuyasha."

It was the last word she muttered before she slumped against Sango in a dead faint.

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A/N: One more down, an undetermined amount to go! muahahah!

Seriously though, I know a few of you were asking about Kagome's well being and I hope that this answers your questions! As usual, I really appreciate and look forward to your feedback!

:0D