A/N: A thank you to Inu'sgirl4ever, impulse960, metalcherry, LogicalGoth, IchigoandInuyashaFan,and The 214th Rabid Fangirl for their reviews. Also my thanks to all of you who've added the story or its author to one of your lists. There were also a couple of reviews that weren't from members and I thank "darkhearted angel" and the other person for them. I hope everyone enjoyed the last chapter and for all of you who are impatient for our beloved half demon to confess, I promise, the time is coming. I just have to make sure I don't create any more plot holes.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.

Her Knight

Ch. 16

Kagome and Inuyasha returned to the shrine after having breakfast with their friends. Mama was waiting for them, ready to leave for the hospital once the half demon had changed. At the hospital, Inuyasha stood against one wall like a sentinel while Kagome was prepped by the nurse for the removal of her sutures. He kept a close eye on the doctor as he used sharp scissors to cut the black threads. The still red line denoting where the surgery had been disturbed him on an instinctual level. At least he understood why now. Deep down he had always known that Kagome meant more to him than anyone else save his mother. He loved them equally, just in different ways.

"Inuyasha, we can go now."

"That's it? You're not going to re-bandage it?"

"There's no need. I'll use that ointment Lady Kaede made to help reduce the redness and minimize scarring." Both knew it worked, as the miko had had to use it in the past. Kagome hopped down from the exam table and straightened her shirt. Her rib gave twinge but the pain from it had lessened considerably. "Now, I need to have an x-ray done of my rib and wrist. You're going to have to stay outside the room with Mama, okay?"

"Keh, why should I?" Color bloomed on her cheeks and she tugged on his sleeve until he lowered his head for her to whisper into his ear. His face came to match hers, and the two teens followed the doctor and Mama out into the corridor. Kagome gave a soft smile as he positioned himself in front of the only exit, leaving the bottle of jewel shards with her mother. She'd forgotten to put them back on her desk when they'd returned from the Feudal Era.

As the technician had her arrange herself properly, the young miko was given plenty of time to think about Inuyasha's feelings for her. That he would protect her with his life had never been in question. He had almost died too many times for her to doubt his willingness to do so. She knew that he cared for her deeply and she was even beginning to believe that his feelings went beyond friendship. On the flip side, there was no wondering about her feelings for him. The young priestess loved her half demon knight. She'd confessed how she felt to her mother ages ago when she'd exiled herself to the present upon seeing Kikyo embrace Inuyasha. Kagome knew that she was going to have to tell him soon. He deserved to know, especially now that he was spending all of his time and much loved freedom protecting her. He was even going to school with her, a place he thought unnecessary and a pain. Still, she hesitated, not wanting to say anything until at least the rest of the gang members were caught. If his close attention and apparent affection was due to the at-large group of bandits, she didn't want that to influence his response. Otherwise, there really was no excuse for withholding her feelings any longer. There hadn't been a demon yet who didn't think he and she were a couple, including Naraku and Sesshoumaru. It didn't make any sense to deny that there was some kind of relationship.

Walking out of the x-ray room, Kagome met golden eyes and nodded to herself. She would tell them when this trial was over. Right after she talked things over with Sango.


At home, she requested, and received permission from her mother to go spend the night on the other side of the well. Having promised Shippou that the next time she came they'd go to the hot springs, Kagome made sure to pack everything she'd need for a long soak in the soothing waters. It was times like this she wished she could bring Sango to her era where they could enjoy a "girls' night" in and leave the boys to Kaede's care. Since she had to settle for outdoors and no electricity, Kagome was going to make the most of things and bring several snacks and other things that she didn't ordinarily bring with her to the Feudal Era.

Inuyasha trailed behind her not liking her sudden need to be alone with Sango but she had been adamant about her desire and apparently since she was taking Kirara with them and the hot springs wasn't so far from the village that he couldn't hear her if she screamed, he was content enough to play "keep the monk away" so they could talk in peace. Kagome gave him a wide smile as she and the others went to the springs. It didn't remove the glare from his face but somehow he managed to soften the look in his eyes without losing the glare's effectiveness. Satisfied, the young miko turned back and concentrated on her upcoming discussion.

She was half way to being a prune before she could bring herself to speak to Sango about her problem. Sango had been happy to enjoy the pervert-less bath and unusual snacks while waiting for her friend to come to the point. "Sango, I need your advice."

"Of course, Kagome. What's the matter?"

"You've studied demons your whole life, right?"

"Yes…" The demon slayer dragged out the word, suddenly alert. "Is this about you and Inuyasha?"

"How'd you guess?" the priestess asked wryly.

"Kagome, if you want relationship advice, you should ask your mother. You know I'm no good at that sort of thing. Just look at who I promised to marry."

"Well, I did, a few months ago. Now Mama's envisioning grandchildren with puppy ears." Kagome turned to check on her cub who'd fallen asleep on a nearby rock. Shippou was still sound asleep and in no danger from falling into the hot water. Kirara laid next to him, interested in the conversation but absolutely refusing to go near the water. She might go in when chasing a demon or after a fish but under no other circumstances was she getting wet if she could help it.

"Oh, I guess that isn't much help at the moment, is it?" Fighting a smile, a similar picture formed in Sango's head and she couldn't prevent the giggle that escaped.

"Sango!"

"Sorry," the demon slayer said around a smile.

"Besides, it's not really relationship advice. It's more like demon relationship advice. Inuyasha's been acting different since I got attacked. I've been attacked before and he'll hover for a few days then sort of back off. Now, I'm lucky I get to go to the bathroom without him."

"Hmm. Has he said anything odd lately?"

"Just that we're all a pack. I took that to mean a family. And that I didn't have to compete for his attention with other girls. Not even Kikyo."

Sango sat up quickly, water spraying up in a wide arc. Kirara was the unfortunate one in the path of the water and ended up getting her ears wet. "Sorry, Kirara," she murmured absently, studying her friend closely. "He said that, are you sure?"

"Positive. The first part he said the night before we grounded Shippou. The second was the night we kissed." Kagome halted her explanations abruptly when she realized what she'd admitted.

"You kissed?" Dumbfounded, the taijiya didn't know whether to jump up and down in excitement or rush to the miko's side for details. Deciding she could do both, Sango made her way across the spring and sank down next to Kagome so they could whisper. "It's about time, you know. Everyone's been wondering when you two were finally going to get it together."

"Everyone? Come on, Sango, everyone couldn't possibly have been waiting. Kouga certainly hasn't and I don't think Naraku or Sesshoumaru particularly cares what happens."

"Okay, granted Naraku probably wouldn't except if to wonder if that would make you stronger as a fighting pair. Maybe. And Sesshoumaru already thinks you two are closer than you really are. You're right about Kouga though… that's not the point. I meant everyone that counts. Shippou, Miroku, Kaede, and me. Kirara too.

"So… tell me what it was like."

"Sango!" Kagome blushed scarlet and turned her face away only to meet two probing ruby cat eyes. "Kirara!" Facing her human girlfriend again, the miko slumped. "I asked you first about what his actions meant. You tell me, I'll tell you."

"Fair enough." With a smile, the older girl relaxed against the rock at her back. "If what we've learned about dog demons is true, it means he's decided to make you his mate." Sango opened one eye to study her friend and watched in open amusement as Kagome gulped loudly.

"Mate?" she asked faintly. "Is that like a wife?"

"Yes."

"Why hasn't he said anything yet? He hasn't even told me he loves me. If he does."

"This is Inuyasha we're talking about," Sango pointed out. She wondered if Miroku always had this much fun teasing Inuyasha.

"But when?" Kagome demanded. Unable to hide her laughter, Sango just chuckled. "Grrr…" the miko growled.

"Very impressive, Kagome. Did Inuyasha teach you that?"

"This isn't funny!" Sango merely laughed harder while Kagome thought briefly about killing her sister-in-heart.