A/N: Here's the sixth chapter, it's not the most exciting, but I promise it's gonna start picking up really soon. I'm thinking I'll put up the next chapter tomorrow if I get a couple more reviews. And as always, I do not own any of the cast nor the rights to them. I do own Omnimaru and the villagers.

Chapter 6:
Closer

Miroku drew himself out of his thoughts as he turned once again to look at Kagome and Inuyasha and how she calmed him by praising him for his kill. He wondered to himself how Inuyasha could be so stupid as to say he loved the girl when he knew that he would always belong to Kikyou no matter what he said or did. Shaking his head he decided to just watch and see what his best friend did to Kagome and if he had really changed as he said he had.

"Aren't you gonna try it Miroku?"

Startled out of his thoughts he looked at the eager faces of his friends before turning to Kagome once more.

"Is it safe?"

She huffed in irritation before stalking over to him and grabbing his hand, ignoring the growling behind her, and held it in the position he normally used when he called upon the wind tunnel. She looked at him expectantly waiting for him to call for it; sighing he fixed his stance and calmed his erratic breathing.

"WIND TUNNEL!"

He could tell that this time was different than all the others and as he watched he could see the winds began to swirl faster and faster before him. The other thing he noticed was that there was no pain this time around and his amazement grew as he glanced at Kagome from the corner of his eye. He saw her smiling at him with a smug look in her eyes as if she knew that he had doubted her; chuckling to himself he knew that that was probably exactly what she sensed from him. When he looked back he jerked almost closing the wind tunnel before Kagome's hand came and held his where it was; he stared at Sango in wonder as she stood unharmed in the force of the winds.

"I told you that it wouldn't hurt the ones you cared for and loved; I knew you cared for her." Kagome whispered into his ear as she watched a slight blush bloom across his cheeks.

"Oh, I forgot, Naraku's insects shouldn't bother you anymore either."

Closing the wind tunnel he watched as Kagome smiled at him before turning to catch Shippou as he tried to sneak up on her.

"Gotcha!"

He listened to Shippou complain about how that wasn't fair before she turned to inform all of them that the village was having a feast for her and her companions and that she had accepted so they were staying one more night. She giggled at something Shippou said before making her way back to the village unaware of the disbelieving eyes that followed her as she left.

Sango came up to him and squeezed his now uncursed hand before following after her friend leaving behind two stunned males in her wake.

They looked at each other before Inuyasha shrugged and picked up his kill heading to the village to clean it and add it to the feast they were having that night. Miroku was left standing on the hill by himself wondering what could possibly happen next and then smiled thinking that with Kagome and the group he was in, that anything could happen. With that thought in mind he made his way back to the village, his hand covered once more to keep up with appearances.

The feast and festivities were a wonderful break for the group that was always on the go and never seemed to get one. They enjoyed the food that was served as well as the music and dancing; it made Kagome's heart swell with pride as she watched how Miroku now acted around Sango. It gave her a sense of peace that the people that she loved would now have a chance together that they may not have gotten otherwise.

She pointed out Miroku's behavior to Sango, the way he was watching her and ignoring the village girls, causing said girl to blush and scowl all at the same time. Kagome could only laugh as Sango murmured under her breath her face flushed bright red as she gave a death glare to her, trying to ignore the monk at her side.

"Sorry Sango, you've had to have noticed."

"Hmpf," was all that Sango deemed that comment worthy.

Laughing, Kagome cradled Shippou closer to herself before yawning widely letting everyone around know that she was getting tired. Gently she felt arms wrap around her and she smiled at the tenderness and wondered how long it would last. Shaking that thought from her mind she relaxed into the warmth and let her mind wander away.

She saw with half lidded eyes the way Miroku snuck glances at Sango and how he was inching his whole hand towards her left one. She thought it was cute and wondered how long it would be before they actually admitted their feelings for each other. Her bet was that it would be soon now that the wind tunnel wasn't holding Miroku back and she smiled, hoping she was right. She saw Miroku look at her and wink, knowing that he knew what she was thinking at that moment and that he too had thought about it. She smiled at their connection, but told herself that she had to learn to block him out when she needed to and promised herself to learn how soon.

Her mind continued to wander as she worried about the others, the jewel shards, and about Naraku and the battle that would end it all. She knew the search was getting closer to being over and also that Naraku would soon make a move to get the shards that she held.

Slowly her thoughts started to become less frequent as sleep caught ahold of her; before she drifted off she whispered something so low only Inuyasha could hear.

"Tell everyone *yawn* thanks for… the feast."

Standing, Inuyasha shifted the sleeping girl so that she was more comfortable before turning to put her and Shippou to bed.

"Inuyasha?"

"Feh, she fell asleep Sango. She wanted everyone to know that she's grateful and had a good time." With that he walked away towards the hut the village had lent them use of.

Miroku and Sango other in disbelief, though Miroku knew more than he let on, though both wondered what had caused such a drastic change in their hanyou companion.

Inuyasha tucked Kagome into her sleeping bag with Shippou next to her; sighing he reached into his haori and drew out a silvery chain with a fang hanging from it. He slipped it over her head letting it rest against her chest.

"I hope you like it," he whispered before moving to sit near her head and against the wall keeping watch over her and her kit.

Kagome woke in the morning a strange feeling against her neck, reaching for whatever it was she brought it up to her eyes and started to tear up when she saw what it was. When she looked closer at it she saw that Inuyasha had braided his strands of his hair together and attached one of his canines to it. Looking around for him she saw that he wasn't in the hut so she stood quietly and made her way out without waking her companions and let her aura search for his.

Once she found him she headed in that direction fingering the necklace and trying to ponder what he could have meant by giving it to her. Once she spotted him her train of thought stopped as well as her feet, she stared in awe as she watched to sun come up and bathe him in golden light; his hair rippled with color as a breeze blew by and it took her breath away for a moment. Shaking her head she moved next to him quietly trying to sneak up on him not really thinking that it would work and held her surprise in check when it did. Without thinking she threw her arms around him and laid a kiss on his cheek before he could do anything about it.

"Thank you."

"Feh," he mumbled his face bright red.

Kagome just giggled and moved to sit next to him before resting her head on his shoulder. They sat there for a while watching the sun move across the horizon before Kagome stood and stretched.

"I'm going to go make breakfast, 'kay?"

Inuyasha looked back to lock eyes with her and Kagome couldn't look away, there seemed to be a fire burning in his eyes as he stared at her.

"I'll be there in a bit, okay?" he stated breaking eye contact and turning back to the sunrise.

"Kay," Kagome whispered as she turned and headed back to the hut a burning sensation in the pit of her stomach.

They said their goodbyes to the villagers and accepted the many gifts they gave before turning to the road and getting back to jewel hunting. Kagome waved to the children that had become so close to her and hoped to herself that they would pass through this way later on.

The day passed quickly for them and soon enough they were camping for the night, Inuyasha heading off to hunt and Miroku collecting firewood. Sango and Kagome looked at each other and smiled before gathering their bathing supplies and heading to the hot spring that they had seen only moments earlier. Shippou and Kilala stayed at camp on their request wanting to make sure neither of the guys came looking for them while they were bathing.

Sighing they relaxed into the hot water letting their muscles relax and their thoughts go quiet for a while.

"So what exactly is going on between you and Inuyasha," Sango asked finally broaching the subject.

Jerking a little at the break in silence, Kagome gathered her thoughts about her and tried to put them into words.

"He told me that he wanted me only, that he only went to Kikyou to see if I was dead. I told him that I didn't know what to think or do; he said he wanted to prove it to me if I let him. I've tried Sango, I've tried to let him go, but I can't so I said yes I would let him.

"He's trying, I can see it and I am happy, for once I'm not in shadow. He said he wants me and part of me believes him."

Silence fell between the two companions as Sango let the words sink in before asking another question.

"What about the other part, what does that believe?"

"The other part believes he will betray me and destroy the happiness that I have gained." She stated every line on her face telling Sango how serious she was about that statement.

"Kagome," Sango whispered afraid of what would happen to her should her fear prove right.

"I'm okay Sango, I know what may happen and I have accepted it. It may not even happen; I'm just gonna take it one day at a time. Don't worry okay? I'll be fine." Kagome stated vehemently.

Sango opened her mouth to say something but caught the determination in Kagome's eyes and closed her mouth, swallowing the words she was going to say. They finished bathing in silence before heading back to camp to eat and then go to bed; they both knew that they would have an early start on the road in the morning and wanted to get as much sleep as possible.

The weeks passed in relative peace, only getting two shards in all their searching, before making their way back to Kaede's hut to rest. Kagome's and Inuyasha's relationship grew stronger and closer while Miroku tried his best to get Sango's attention by behaving himself around everyone but her. Kagome laughed at his tactic even though she could tell that it was flattering to Sango even though she tried to hide what she felt towards the monk.

Kagome was anxious to get home to tell her mom what had been going on while she had been gone and wondered to herself if she would be mad at how long it had been since she had made a return trip. She let that thought go once she caught sight of the village they all had grown to love and cherish.

"Hey guys, is it alright if I go ahead and head home? I want to see my family, but I also want to get back as soon as possible."

No one seemed to have a problem with it as they said their goodbyes and headed to the village themselves, leaving Kagome and Inuyasha by themselves. She waited for him to say something, anything, but he just offered his back to her and waited until she got on before heading to the well. It didn't take long to get there and he let her off gently all the while staying silent as he watched her walk to the well.

"Well I guess I'll be back in a few days, is that alright?" Turning to him she wondered why he was so quiet before that thought faded into the background. He had gotten closer when she had been looking at the well and now his eyes bored into hers, a heat she had only seen a couple times before burning in them. Her thoughts completely stilled as his lips fell upon hers in a chaste kiss before he pulled away a fanged smirk upon those lips.

"I'll be waiting," was all he whispered before moving away from her.

Dumbstruck, all she could do was smile at him as she swung her legs over the ledge and wave as she let herself drop into the darkness before being welcomed by the times of hand.

"Mama, I'm home!" She yelled as she walked into the silent house. Getting no answer she walked into the kitchen where her mother was normally cooking or cleaning and found no one; walking to the refrigerator she found a note had been held there by a magnet.

'Kagome,

I know that you were probably hoping that we would be here when you got back, but we've been contacted about settling an estate of a distant relative and have left to care of it. I hope you aren't too disappointed dear and know that I have a bag packed with everything you need on the table. Take a day or two to relax before you leave to head back. I'm sorry that we weren't there when you got back, but know that we send out love and hope to see you soon.

Love,

Mom, Souta, and Grandpa'

Sighing, Kagome folded the note and looked to see that there indeed was a bag on the table waiting for her to take back to the feudal era. Ignoring it for now she headed up the stairs to take a shower and then figure out what she was going to do next.

Two days later she stood at the well ready to go but she hesitated, a hand creeping up to touch her lips gently a smile upon her place. She could still feel his lips on hers and it warmed her heart to think that he had initiated it on his own free will; she liked to think that there was still hope for him.

Smiling she swung her legs over the edge and let herself fall into the welcoming light of the time portal anxious to see everyone again even though it had only been a couple of days.

As soon as she made it through she knew that something was wrong, it made her hair stand on edge and she let her aura go as she climbed up, trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Standing next to the well she could feel a jewel shard and cursed as she felt her friends fighting on the other side of the village. Dropping her bag she waited for the demons to come knowing that they would have felt her jewel shards by now and would come to take them. The thought of jumping back into the well occurred to her a moment too late as she saw who materialized out of the trees and it had her frozen in place.

"Kohaku?"

A/N: I want reviews! LOTS AND LOTS OF THEM! I want to thank everyone who has so far reviewed this story and ask that you guys keep letting me know what you think. Thanks.