The night was growing darker and darker, and she knew it had been hours, by then, since she'd eaten last, but still, she didn't feel up to eating. Sure, she'd been starved earlier, but all at once, her appetite had gone away. It was when Kikyo showed her face.

Each time Kagome saw her, she was amazed at the deceased priestess. She moved so gracefully, spoke so softly, yet with such intense emotion, it was hard not to want to listen. She figured that was what Inu-Yasha was thinking about, also, when she approached him. She was so beautiful and strong… the kind of woman any guy would want to be with, she thought- and even Inu-Yasha had thought so at one time.

And even still…

All Kagome could think about was how Kikyo looked at Inu-Yasha and held him… him, the half-demon she had fallen in love with. Hanging her head, Kagome scoffed. How silly she was to have actually fallen for the idiot… A half-demon with a two-tracked mind… He cared about fighting for the sacred jewel, and about Kikyo… There simply was no room for her in his life.

Really, though, she hated to worry the others… Sango was genuinely concerned about her, and she was trying her best to comfort her, but Kagome was insistent on keeping a distance from all of them. And she didn't want to admit it, but it was all because of…

"Kagome?"

The present-day schoolgirl was suddenly broken out of her thoughts by a gentle, soft voice. She knew who the owner of it was, but surely, it couldn't have been spoken in such a kind way. Even though she was upset and weak, she still rose her head up to stare into the face of one, Inu-Yasha. He stood tall and strong in front of her, holding his barely touched food tray. For the longest time, the two simply stared at each other, not sure what to say. But then again, Inu-Yasha wasn't really a social person, and so this situation was hardest on him. He didn't know what he could say or how to act.

"Um…. Hi!"

Kagome frowned, and looked down to her lap once more. That was all Inu-Yasha needed to know he'd not said the right thing. But then, what was wrong with it? All he said was hello! Er… maybe it was the way he said it. No, he'd been kind… certainly kinder than he'd been when the two first met! So then…

Sighing, Inu-Yasha calmly took a seat on the ground, next to the girl.

"Kagome…? Wont you say something? Please?"

Well, …Kagome thought, he was being polite. Maybe she was just being bitter and selfish. So, she let out a breath and slightly turned towards him.

"Sorry, hi."

That wasn't exactly the response Inu-Yasha was wanting from her, but it was better than nothing at all. Once again, there was silence, and the dog demon went back to thinking- this time, about what was bothering the girl he'd come to adore. Was she tired? That was a possibility… She also could have been scared- the demon that had attacked them was really big and gross-looking. But… that usually didn't bother Kagome, anymore. Just then, she fidgeted in her place, and Inu-Yasha's gaze immediately went down to the girl's hurt arm. Ah! That must have been it! Very gently, Inu-Yasha reached out and touched the girl's arm. This action made Kagome jump.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

"I'm checking your wound… I was scared out of my mind when you fell into the river, you know! Though, it is my fault… I should have been paying more attention to that bridge." But Kagome was on a dark road.

"It wasn't you. I was just being stupid…"

"That's not true! Kagome, none of us knew that was going to happen!"

"Mm."

She was cradling her arm again, and Inu-Yasha knew it had to be hurting. When he felt it moments before, he was sure he felt a fracture, but considering that, she was very quiet. Kagome also looked very fragile and pale… Inu-Yasha looked down at the tray of food he'd brought with him and quietly held out some food for her. To his dismay, she shook her head at the offer.

"Kagome… wont you please eat something?"

"I'm not hungry."

"I don't believe you. You haven't eaten anything since this morning! Now come on, I'm being nice about this!" He offered again. It was then that Kagome snapped. She couldn't stand what she thought was a pity party, and she knocked the food right out of his hand.

"Leave me alone, already!" And she turned away from him to lie on the ground. He saw her shoulders shaking a bit. Was she crying? He wanted to reach out for her, to apologize again, and to make her feel better, but she said to leave again, much quieter and strained… but he got the message.

Still, he did not want to be far from her, but he grabbed up the rest of his food and went back to the others for a bit. They were obviously waiting for his return, but his full plate was not encouraging. He walked over with it and placed it in front of Shippo.

"Here, take it."

"Mm?" The fox demon didn't know why he was doing that, but Sango and Miroku saw the brokenhearted look on his face.

"Inu-Yasha? Is Kagome-"

"She's tired." He lied and walked past them. Somewhat sluggishly, he climbed a nearby tree, one that gave him a good view of where Kagome was still lying, and he curled up on a branch to feign sleep, himself. The two humans by the campfire exchanged glances again, and hung their heads. They could only hope that the new day would bring something better.