Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

A/N: Did I do this one right? I'm not so sure...

DAY 2: REFLECTION

It was in the middle of the night, and everyone was sleeping. Inuyasha was sitting on top of the branches, resting his arms behind his head. It had been another productive day, though, he wished the events didn't have to happen. Kagome had gotten hurt because he wasn't strong enough to protect her. He had been so distracted fighting the other demons, that he had failed to notice the one demon that was aiming towards Kagome. Said demon took the ebony-haired girl by surprise, and now, she was left with a broken arm. He sneered to himself. Even with Tessaiga, he was still weak.

"If only I'm a full-demon," he mumbled to himself.

"But you're perfect just the way you are."

Startled, he looked down, only to find Kagome staring at him with a warm smile. He hadn't even notice that she was awake. He must've been so busy with his thoughts, that he didn't catch the sound of her moving towards the tree he was sitting. He'd allowed his thoughts to distract him. Pathetic. His eyes then drifted to her broken arm. Her arm had a cloth used as a sling. The moment he saw her arm, his ears flattened, and he lowered his head. Her broken arm had been a constant reminder of how weak he was.

She must've noticed his reaction, because she said, "Inuyasha, it's not your fault. I was careless."

"No you weren't," Inuyasha snapped, and he leapt off the branch he was sitting. He met her gaze with a piercing glare. "This is my fault. If only I was stronger, if only I was a full-demon, I could've..."

She frowned, and used her good arm to hold his hand. The frown was replaced with another smile. "Don't say that. It wasn't your fault at all. If only I was as good as Kikyo, you wouldn't even have to save me."

Oh, she did not just say that. "Kagome, I had to save Kikyo a few times too."

"But not as often as you save me, right?" she answered sadly, and looked into his eyes. "I promise I'll become better. I'll learn how to use the bow, and–"

"Kagome," Inuyasha interrupted, stopping her from saying anything else. "I don't mind saving you, okay? I don't blame you if you get yourself into trouble. It was my job to protect you, yet I failed. And will you stop comparing yourself with Kikyo? Kikyo is Kikyo because this is her era. You're not from here, and I've seen what your era is like. No demons, no battles. You can't compare yourself with Kikyo, Kagome. Don't try to be someone you're not. I know that I used to compare you with her, but that was when I first met you. I realised soon that you were different."

Maybe he had said a little too much than he had intended, but he couldn't stop it once it started tumbling out of his mouth. It wasn't as if he could take it back either, because Kagome had heard it loud and clear. He could only silently pray that the others were still sleeping and not eavesdropping on their conversation. It would be embarrassing if they found out that he actually complimented Kagome.

"Inuyasha..." she said, and thin trails of tears flowed down both of her cheeks. She smiled widely at him, and wrapped her good arm around him, burying her face into his chest. "Thank you."

A soft smile made its way to his lips, and he returned the hug by wrapping both of his arms around her. She had been feeling down after breaking her arm – he had noticed – so the least he could do was cheer her up.

"I could say the same thing for you, Inuyasha," Kagome said, all of a sudden, as she pulled away from him. To his relief, she wasn't crying anymore.

But he was confused on what she was trying to say. "What do you mean?"

"You shouldn't be someone you're not," she repeated his words, and extended her arm to rub his ear. "You wanted to be a full-demon, but you were born as a half-demon. You should love yourself for who you are."

"It's kinda hard to love yourself when everyone hates you for what you are," he admitted.

"Well, screw them," she said, and grinned. "I love you for who you are. You're strong, fearless, and you have a good heart. Do you think a full-demon could be as merciful as you? Inuyasha, I've seen how those villagers treat you whenever we stop at a village."

He was surprised. He had always been aware that said villagers don't welcome his presence. Especially with his enhanced hearing, he could hear exactly what they say about him. Though, at least they make an effort to hide it from him. So he was surprised that Kagome noticed their animosity towards him.

"I also know you can hear what they say," Kagome continued, and frowned. "I can only imagine how it hurts you whenever we stop to stay at a village. But even if you know that, and had the power to threaten them, you didn't. I've never seen you once raising your claws at them, and that makes me proud for who you are. Had you been a full-demon, you probably would've wiped out the entire village."

He chuckled. "I wish."

She snorted. "Well, I don't. You're perfect for who you are, Inuyasha. So stop trying to be someone you're not."

They stared into each other's faces for a while, before a smile took over both of their faces. Inuyasha couldn't express how grateful he was for Kagome to be saying that to him. For her to be saying that... it meant a lot. It made him happy to know that in the midst of everyone hating him, there was someone that actually care about him – even accepted him for who he is.

"Thanks, Kagome."

Kagome giggled, and got closer to him. "By the way, can I stay with you? It must be lonely sitting up there all by yourself."

His brows furrowed. "I'm pretty sure it's more comfortable to sleep in your sleeping bag."

"I don't mind," Kagome shrugged, and beamed. "Besides, it's more comfortable to sleep with someone I know they can protect me." He opened his mouth to remind her that he had failed to protect her today, but she silenced him by raising her index finger. "Nope, I'm not having any of that. It's not your fault that you couldn't protect me. Not everything could be avoided. Do you understand?"

He nodded, and gave her a small smile. She let out a squeal when he lifted her into his arms, and leapt onto a high branch. He positioned her onto his lap, and she shifted to find a comfortable spot. She then laid her head over his chest, and he could hear her heart beating into a slower rhythm.

She let out a yawn. "Goodnight, Inuyasha."

"'Night, Kagome," he said, as he closed his eyes. He wouldn't be sleeping, though, especially when the one he needed to protect was up here with him. So with his eyes closed, he made sure that his senses would always be alert to every sound, every scent...

But what he didn't know was that there were four pair of eyes watching them. They had been awake the moment they heard talking, and pretended to sleep while the half-demon and priestess had some kind of deep conversation. Of course, that led to completely eavesdropping the whole conversation. They were lucky that Inuyasha didn't pay attention to their breathing, or they would have to deal with an enraged priestess and half-demon.

Sango looked at Miroku, and grinned knowingly. "They really are perfect for each other."

The monk nodded. "I agree."

Shippo chuckled, and rubbed his hands mischievously. "I can't wait to tease them the next morning."

Miroku sent him the same, mischievous look. "Me too."

Sango knocked both of their heads; her eyes narrowed as the two of them turned their heads to face the person who had caused them pain. Right now, the two were rubbing the lumps on their heads. "If I hear any of you bring the topic up, you're going to get it from me, you got that?"

Miroku and Shippo nodded dejectedly, and replied at the same time. "Yes, Sango."

"Good. Now let's go back to sleep."

A/N: Decided to end it with a little Miroku, Sango and Shippo, because, why not?