Hey guys! I know that its been a looooong time but I have an excuse! I really do! glares at the three ton pile of work on her desk and mutters stupid teachers! Oh well, nothing that doesn't take longer than all night! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!i've got chapter 7 ready but I don't know what should happen after that so for now just think about what should happen next and get back to me after reading chapter 7, ok? Thanks!

Goth Gurl aka Gwriter4anime

Disclaimer (sung to the tune of Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone):

Oh why, oh why can't this manga be mine?

Oh why, oh why can't it be?

But I guess I'll have to be satisfied,

With driving the characters crazy!

Chapter 6: Comforting Embraces:

He followed her scent through the forest. It was filled with pain and it truly hurt him that she suffered. Wha…? Why am I thinking all this?

You love her The thought came by itself, unbidden.

Love her? Impossible!

Well if you're so smart, then why don't you give a more plausible reason!

Well…I…I…

Hah! So you admit it!

No I don't! Leave me alone!

Suddenly he picked up her scent, mixed with water and salt. Fuck! She's crying! He ran, tracking her scent until he reached a clearing. There, on her knees, her arms wrapped around her, sat Kagome, crying her heart out. Quiet sobs emerged from her as her shoulders shook with pain and anguish. Not knowing what else to do, her strode up to her and knelt down beside her.

"Hey," he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice full of caring, "it's all right. It's okay…" She just sobbed harder.

"Oh god! Please stop crying! I hate it when you cry!"

He put his arms around her and hugged her to him. Surprisingly, she didn't push him away. All she did was grab his haori and sob into his chest. Stroking her curls, he whispered soothing words into her hair. Is this happening? Is this for real?

"It's okay, it'll be fine, nothing's going to happen to you." She seemingly calmed down, her sobs reducing by the second. Now only a few stray tears leaked down her face. She still clung to his haori, but the worse of the pain seemed to have ebbed. He continued to stroke her hair, calming her and protecting her. I'm so confused. I usually don't do this sort of thing. What's wrong with me? Her breathing slowed and deepened. Her eyes were now half open, fatigue upon her.

He rocked her to sleep, soothing her all the while. Can't believe that I'm doing this! He held her in his arms, brushing a stray lock from her forehead, gazing at her all the while. She's so beautiful. Wait a second! Why was I thinking that! Irritably, he brushed that thought away, but it continued to lurk in his mind. Hmph! I'd better get her back to the cave. Silently, he picked up her limp form and carried her back once more.

Back at the cave, he put her down next to the fire and tucked his haori around her. Then he went to his corner of the cave and went to sleep.