Obligatory Disclaimer: The "Inu Yasha" series and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise, Shounen Sunday, Viz, and other corporate types. I am none of those entities. I'm just a silly fan writing silly stories because it's fun. Suing me would only be a waste of time and funds, so please don't.

I CHOOSE NOT TO WARN!

This story contains material that might be disturbing or outright triggering to some. Reader discretion advised.

Seed of Memory
By Misarae

Chapter Three
Altered Reality

"Inu Yasha's been acting really weird since yesterday, hasn't he?" Kagome said with a sigh.

"Even for him," Sango agreed solemnly, before laughing when Kagome splashed her.

Both girls were enjoying a bit of rest and relaxation. Months ago, they'd found a hot spring that was too far from Kaede's village for the locals to easily get to and return within a day, but with a little help from Kirara, it provided a perfect spot for them to bathe. Much better than the icy cold river.

Kagome finally felt human again, having scrubbed the sweat and sickness off her. Nowadays, she always brought spare soap, shampoo, and conditioner for Sango, who had tried Kagome's products once and fell in love with them. It made Kagome smile every time tough, kickass Sango showed her more girly side.

"We have to find out what effect those umeboshi had on him, though," Sango said, growing more serious. "Although Kaede couldn't find anything wrong with him after he woke up, anything powerful enough to knock him flat like that had to have some kind of kickback."

"I agree," Kagome said. "At first I thought someone had played a prank and put some kind of love potion on them, but that doesn't seem to be the case."

"I don't know, Kagome-chan. You might be on the right track, the way he's been acting around you."

Kagome blushed all the way up to the roots of her hair. She'd woken up that morning to a futon occupied by two, and she didn't mean Shippou had joined her. Kaede's amusement hadn't helped, the old miko chuckling as she made breakfast. The more Kagome had struggled against Inu Yasha's hold on her, the tighter he squeezed, his eyes closed, but his mouth turned up in a cocky grin. She had to admit, if that was how it felt to have someone against your back, no wonder he enjoyed carrying her so much.

After breakfast, he'd seemed to have disappeared. It wasn't until midday that she realized he was keeping to the trees and rooftops, keeping an eye on her, but not saying anything. She didn't know whether to be flattered or unnerved by his actions.

"Maybe you're right, Sango," Kagome said. "I mean, he's practically stalking me, but you would think a love potion would produce more.. direct effects."

Sango shook her head slowly. "I'm afraid my knowledge of herbs is limited. Have you brought your theory to Kaede?"

"She's the one who agreed that it didn't seem to be a love potion."

"It's really a puzzle, then." Sango started to rise, but Kagome stopped her with a touch on the wrist.

"Wait a sec," Kagome said, then waited a bit before stating in an overly-calm tone, "Osuwari."

"GAH!" A smack and a burst of pink light shone from the riverbank.

Sango blushed and gasped, lowering herself even farther into the water. "Inu Yasha?"

"Inu Yasha, how could you, spying on my lovely fiancée like that?" Miroku's head appeared from the bushes on the other side of the spring.

"Me? What about you?! You've been starin' at my Kagome, bouzu!"

"His..?" Kagome felt a little faint.

"If I did, it was only because she was in the line of sight of Sango," Miroku objected.

"Same here."

Kagome could feel the tension building between the banks of the onsen. She sighed, putting a hand on Sango's shoulder. "Stay here. I'm going to put an end to this."

"What're you.. Kagome-chan, what're you doing?!"

Slowly and calmly, with a grace she summoned from deep within her, Kagome rose out of the water, exposing herself in all her glory.

It most certainly stopped the argument as Miroku's eyes went wide and Inu Yasha's jaw dropped.

Kagome made her way over to her bag, which was on Inu Yasha's side of the onsen. She took her time, purposely bending over to retrieve her towel before beginning to dry off.

Sango stared, unable to believe her eyes. She knew Kagome had been growing bolder lately, but this was beyond her. For once, she didn't blame Miroku for his lecherous examination, considering she, too, was staring at Kagome's backside.

"Oi, what're you two staring at?" Inu Yasha demanded.

Miroku put a hand up. "If the young lady is willing to share her virtues with a humble servant like myself, who am I to argue?"

Inu Yasha all but snarled before going over to Kagome, who had just wrapped a towel around herself. She reached out, intending to snag her panties and put them on underneath the towel, but she suddenly found herself being picked up.

"Kagome and I have to talk. I'll make sure she gets back safe," Inu Yasha said, bounding away with his prize.

Miroku turned to Sango. "Shall we 'talk' as well?"

"Not on your life, Miroku, and Kagome's not like that."

Miroku sighed dejectedly. "Ah, well, I had to try." He actually lowered his gaze to the ground and kept it there, so he was shocked when the sound of splashing came closer to him. He looked over, his eyebrows rising in surprise as a towel-clad Sango stopped only a foot or so away from him. "Sango?"

Sango blushed brightly. "It's not that I don't want you," she said. "I just know how strongly I feel about you, but unless you've changed your mind, this isn't the time for me to start bearing your children."

Miroku's eyes widened. "Sango..."

Sango cupped his cheek. "Your touch sets my body on fire," she admitted. "It's easier to ignore when I'm in my taijiya uniform because it dampens the effect, but if you touched my bare skin, I don't think I could hold back."

Miroku swallowed and nodded. "I understand. No, I haven't changed my mind." He forced himself to look away. "Now go get dressed before I do." He was stunned at the feel of warm, soft lips brushing his forehead.

"Thank you, Houshi-sama," Sango said before leaving him to wade over to her clothing and get changed behind a tree.

Miroku stayed where he was, fighting to get himself back under control. At least now he knew why Sango kept laying into him when he touched her or made lecherous comments around her. He grit his teeth, feeling the growing power of the kazaana in his palm. They had to defeat Naraku soon, so he could make good on his promise.

"Put me down, Inu Yasha!" Kagome demanded.

Inu Yasha ignored her in favor of keeping his balance with Kagome in his arms and her massive backpack on his back. He'd snagged it while she was distracted, knowing that since her precious bath time was now over with, they had to talk. He took her to a very familiar clearing, setting her down on the forest side of the Goshinboku.

Kagome dashed her slightly damp hair out of her eyes and glared at him. "What was that for?"

"You're acting really weird, Kagome."

"Me? You're the one who's been acting strange."

"How d'ya figure?"

Kagome crossed her arms over her chest. "Waking up this morning with you in my futon, the way you've been stalking me all over the village, what's up with you?"

One of Inu Yasha's ears twitched. "Look, I'm sorry about this morning. You'd just been sick, and I wanted to make sure that you were recovering."

Kagome stared at him incredulously.

"What?" he asked defensively.

"You apologized!"

"Keh."

"You never apologize!"

Inu Yasha shoved his face close to hers, and Kagome backed away as much as she could, given the tree at her back.

"What?" she demanded.

"You smell okay, but you're sure not acting okay."

"I'm acting like I do every day!"

Any further protests were cut off as Inu Yasha leaned his forehead against hers.

"Nope, no fever," he declared.

Kagome couldn't help the shiver that flowed through her at such a simple touch. She'd always thought he wasn't the touchy-feely type. In fact, it was incredibly rare that he initiated such contact. But there he was, in her space as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"What's gotten into you?" Kagome whispered.

Inu Yasha tsked at her, giving her enough room to breathe, but the sound was so unusual, it threw her for a loop yet again. "Is that any way to talk to your fiancé?"

"What? Wait, no, hold the phone!" Kagome cried, her heart coming to a sudden stop in her chest as she forgot to breathe. "You can't just say things like that out of the blue!"

Inu Yasha blinked. "Huh?"

Kagome blushed. "You never asked me. Don't just decide these things on your own."

"I never asked you what?"

Kagome took a deep breath. "To marry you."

To Kagome's utter shock, Inu Yasha burst out laughing. His mirth was bright and unfettered, and Kagome swore she'd never seen him like that. It was truly breathtaking how much younger and less careworn he looked when he laughed.

"Good one, Kagome! You really had me going there!" The laughter slowly died as he realized she was staring at him in shock. "What?"

"I'm serious, Inu Yasha. You never asked me."

Inu Yasha frowned, looking hurt. "So all those conversations about us spending our lives together meant nothing to you?"

Kagome couldn't help the tears that came to her eyes. "We've never had that type of conversation," she told him.

"Yes we have!"

"No, we haven't! Not while you're still chasing after Kikyou all the time!"

Inu Yasha looked at her in utter confusion. "Chasing after who?"

Kagome snapped. "Kikyou! You know, former girlfriend, killed by Naraku, I'm only her reincarnation so I suck too badly to ever be worth even half of what she was. You know. Kikyou."

"Kagome," Inu Yasha said gently, as if talking to a very small child, "I have no idea who this Kikyou person is. If she's hurt you, let me know, and I'll gut her."

Author's Note: I want to sincerely apologize for the Viz dub-ism that crept into this chapter. It just.. worked. We also got a little Miroku/Sango in there, but I didn't think it was enough to warrant a label. I'm still learning about this whole labeling thing, so please forgive any messups. I also know that in both the anime and the manga, Miroku's attempts to feel Sango up come to a complete stop after he proposes, but I enjoy that part of their relationship so I'm going against canon. Hey, I'm already letting Inu Yasha and Kagome kiss later on, so why not let Miroku and Sango have a little fun, too?