Here we are! A long awaited chapter!

Thanks to: teensa23, inuchick01, hotmiko1, MartinaM89 and Sessho's Gal for the reviews.

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The group watched the cloud get closer and closer until it was right in front of them. Soon the dust cloud cleared. Who stood in front of them, but Koga the wolf demon. He had a shikon shard in each of his legs and an arm. This particular demon was quite taken with Kagome, and had declared that she was 'his woman.'

"Well, look what we have here. Mutt-face, humans and my lovely Kagome."

"What do you want?" Inuyasha said sourly.

"What's wrong mutt? I came to see my woman."

Inuyasha growled, and had his hand on his sword, but Koga appeared in front of Kagome. Holding her hand, he said charmingly, "Now, how is my lady?"

Kagome smiled a half smile and laughed slightly, "I'm alright…"

"Wonderful!" Koga replied in a deep masculine voice.

"Hey wolf! Unless you've come to give us those jewel shards, get lost!" Inuyasha called irritably.

Koga responded, "I ain't giving you anything dog face!" And with a blink of an eye, he pulled a small pouch from inside his armor, handed it to Kagome, said goodbye, and was racing off with his companions trailing behind.

"Good riddance," Inuyasha grumbled.

Rather than open the gift in front of Inuyasha, she pocketed it and lightly replied, "We should keep going." What was actually on her mind was the fact that she couldn't sense Koga's shards right away. Why didn't I know he was coming? What was the scent earlier? Why has my shoulder been hurting lately? Why can I not remember what happened earlier today? She pondered these questions as the group walked.

Not only was Kagome in deep thought, Inuyasha was just as quiet pondering his own questions. I can't believe that bastard got away…And he took the jewel shard with him…And he hurt Kagome…He will pay for that…But why does her shoulder hurt? She is still in some pain, even though she doesn't show it…And why didn't she sense that wolf's jewel shards? And, it was like she could smell his scent…That's impossible…And the nerve of him, calling Kagome his woman. Yeah right, that's my Kagome… Inuyasha mentally slapped himself. What does that mean, my Kagome? That wolf must be rubbing off on me…

"You two are awfully quiet," commented Miroku.

"What?" Inuyasha and Kagome said at the same time.

Miroku rolled his eyes, "I said you two are very quiet, you're usually bickering about something by now."

"Feh," was Inuyasha's reply.

"I was just thinking, that's all…" Kagome said.

The group continued to walk until the sun started to sink into the horizon. They set camp at the edge of a large forest, where they had a view of the setting sun, over sparkling sea water. They gathered wood and made a camp fire, where Sango and Kagome began to make supper.

Once everyone had settled down, dinner was given to Shippou and Kirara, Sango had brought Miroku his dinner and sat next to him, Kagome wandered to find Inuyasha. She found him in a large tree looking the opposite direction. She had his ramen, and she called up to him, "Inuyasha, come down and get something to eat!" There was no response. "Inuyasha!" she called out more forcefully.

Inuyasha had been thinking when he heard his name. He looked at the ground to see Kagome standing at the base of the tree. He smiled to himself. The moonlight outlined her figure, and reflected off her silky, raven black hair, which made her look very elegant. But he rudely responded, "Yeah, what do you want?"

She was used to this attitude, but it still annoyed her, "I have some ramen for you, but if you're too busy…" She had spoken the magic word, for Inuyasha immediately jumped down, and gulped down the ramen handed to him, in a flash.

Kagome smiled. He's cute when he eats… She shook her head. Stop thinking stupid things.

Inuyasha noticed, "What's up with you?"

"Nothing," she replied quickly. "Um…Are you going back up in the tree?" He nodded. "Mind if I come?"

"Whatever," he mumbled. And he happily (without showing it) slipped his arm around her tiny waist, and leaped into the tree. Inuyasha easily balanced himself on the branch, but Kagome leaned against the tree trunk for support.

For a while they both sat side by side silently thinking. But soon the temperature had dropped and the tree trunk was becoming very uncomfortable. She sat up and looked at Inuyasha. He was looking the other way and seemed to be in deep thought. Her eyelids felt very heavy, she needed sleep. She wrapped her arms around her, gently rested her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes. He was a little surprised by this action. He looked at her leaning on him, and realized she had fallen into slumber. He smiled. She looked so sweet and innocent when she slept. He took off the coat part of his haori and wrapped it around her, and then slipped his right arm around her waist. He rested his cheek on her soft hair, and soon fell into a well desired sleep.

Inuyasha was awoken early by the rising sun. He blinked and rubbed his eyes. He moved to jump down to the ground, but felt something on him, or rather someone, for Kagome was asleep on his shoulder. This made him smile once again. Even though he appeared to be moody most of the time, he was always happy whenever she was with him. It was a few months since the encounter of Princess Kaguya, but he could still feel Kagome's soft lips against his. This was one of his fondest memories. Mentally hitting himself for thinking that, he rested his chin on Kagome's head. He sighed. Sitting in the tree for a while would be very comfortable, but he knew they had to soon join the others to continue searching for the jewel shards.

Kagome woke to the sounds of early morning. Her pretty amber eyes fluttered open. She felt something around her waist, and she looked to see a long red sleeve. She looked up to see two large golden orbs staring back at her. "Um…Good morning Inuyasha…"

His cheeks became slightly flushed, and he forcefully said, "We should get going." He jumped to the ground and set her down, only letting go when she was steady. They walked back to the campsite, where they were both relieved that the others were still asleep.

Soon everyone had been wakened and they were on their way. They took their time since it was still very early. They walked through the forest in hopes of finding the shards which they sought. And even though it was still early, it was turning out to be a hot day. Fortunately the trees provided shade for the group which kept them cool.

The group becoming disgruntled with the heat, discovered good fortune when they came upon a stream. Kagome and Sango gladly splashed some water on their faces while Miroku and Shippou stuck their feet in the water. Inuyasha grumbled that they were wasting time.

"Well we're here, we may as well get some lunch," Kagome said, and the others readily agreed. As usual Inuyasha wandered away to find a tree which would be suitable to sit in and keep an eye on the group.

Soon the three humans and two small demons had finished lunch and were relaxing. Kagome who was growing bored went for a short walk in the woods. Once she was away from the rest, she stretched, "Hmm…It's such a nice day…It's almost a shame to have to search for the shards..." She continued to roam in the trees. Coming upon a small patch of herbs, she stooped down to pick a few to bring back.

Inuyasha had seen Kagome venture farther into the forest, but he paid no attention and guessed she'd be back soon. But little did either of them know, someone had been watching.

The young miko had started to hum a soft tune to herself, and was soon singing the sweet melody. But for some reason, she had the eerie feeling someone was watching her. She pushed it out of her mind and continued to pick the herbs. Crack. What was that? She whirled around to see…nothing. Just trees. No one was there. It was probably just her imagination. She turned around to become face to face with a spear. She would have screamed if the blade wasn't so close to her face. The someone holding the spear lowered it slightly to rest just below her chin, and pressured it a little to indicate she should stand. Oh my god…What's going on? Who is this person? Inuyasha help!