Theme 41: Teamwork

Kagome was silent as they travelled, seated on the back of Kirara of her own choice for once. Rin was nestled in her lap while Kagome did everything she could not to spare even a glance at Inuyasha. For the most he didn't seem to have noticed her blatant avoidance of him, and for that she was grateful. Kagome had never been very good had hiding when she was feeling deep down. She was distressed and confused and she really didn't want him to ask any questions for which she had no answers to.

Kagome glanced up though her eyelashes at Inuyasha, walking silently beside Kirara as he usually did when Rin was on board. He really was taking his new ward-ship of Rin seriously, but then again, while the new Inuyasha didn't have the same gruff kindness as before, he was much more…mellow and definitely more responsible. Even when Shippo pissed him off he never hit the kit like he used to, only gave him a sharp glare, a very youkai thing to do.

His long sliver hair was much more maintained, falling in a straight wave instead of the messy fluff of before. His face was calm, refined, and showed nothing of his thoughts, like a mirror plane or still waters. His eyes constantly surveying the journey ahead though he travelled near the back, he looked like a leader.

Suddenly his golden eyes flicked towards her and Kagome looked away, her heart pounding.

'No, this isn't right. I love Inuyasha, not him' she thought desperately. But this technically was Inuyasha, she thought on the side. Inuyasha, but then again…not Inuyasha.

She felt her traitorous heart skip a beat. No, she didn't want this, hadn't she prepared herself? She needed to control her heart or she'd never be able to do what she had decided to do all those years ago.

But…

Kagome sighed heavily.

"Kagome, What is it?" he asked without glancing in her direction.

Kagome also didn't look up, but mainly to hide her blush "Nothing" she said softly.

The two returned to ignoring each other, not noticed the two pairs of small eyes watching the two with interest.

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As they made camp for the night Shippo sat beside Rin and watched as Kagome worked around Inuyasha who after hunting and securing their dinner, was surveying the area and keeping watch while sitting beneath a tree, his arm resting on his propped up knee. Neither of them were talking or sparing so much as a glance at each other, although it seemed to be bothering Inuyasha somewhat from the slight frown on his brow, though he did not ask or inquire about it. Kagome on the other hand always made sure to be on the side of the campsite opposite Inuyasha.

"They're still not talking" Shippo remarked, more to himself than to the little human girl who had upset his place of being the only child in their group. When Shippo first met Rin, he'd been both delighted at having a playmate his own age and, nervous. Since his father died, Kagome had been sort of 'raising him', she looked out for him, and a tiny childish part of Shippo had wondered if the arrival of another child would take his place.

But he soon realised his fears were unnecessary. Kagome took to Rin, but in a weird girl way Shippo didn't even want to understand. So with the knowledge that his place in the pack wasn't jeopardised, he and Rin were settling into a sort-off friendship. For some reason, other than Inuyasha and Kagome, she didn't really talk much to anyone.

She was quiet for a while then she sighed softly, tiny ghost of a breath he almost hadn't heard if not for his youkai ears. "No, ever since Kagome nee-chan returned from her homeland, she's been acting really strange."

"I've never seen them this bad before. Usually when Kagome's avoiding Inuyasha, It's because he's made her mad and he won't apologise, or if he's gone to see Kikyo. But I don't think he's done either of those things recently. Actually, they've been getting along great for a while now, this Inuyasha doesn't really say much, so he doesn't piss Kagome off as much by being stupid like he used to."

"This Inuyasha?" Rin inquired.

"Oh yeah, I forgot you just got here. Well believe it or not, Inuyasha used to be this brash, impulsive, two-timing idiot before. He was pretty awesome sometimes, but he was completely different from this guy now. Inuyasha said he smelt something weird and disappeared but I think he was just going to see Kikyo. Kaede says he was put under some really powerful memory erasing spell. Kagome was really bummed about it for ages, because she loved Inuyasha, and now he's this completely different person. And you know, back then he was this really cruel jerk and Kagome and he fought all the time. But I think he's mellowed out a bit now, and Kagome's getting use to him."

Rin was quiet as he explained, but when he finished all she had to ask was "Who is Kikyo?"

"Inuyasha's ex-girlfriend" Shippo replied nonchalantly "She died a long time ago, but some witch brought her back to life and Inuyasha's been flitting back and forth between them since. Actually...it's kinda weird; he hasn't gone to see her once since he changed."

Rin smiled "Inuyasha-sama loves Kagome-nee"

"Well duh! Or else he wouldn't keep coming back" Sippo rolled his eyes

"No, I mean this Inuyasha-sama loves Kagome, and just Kagome" Rin explained with a smile "And Kagome chan probably feels confused."

Shippo frowned "How do you know?"

"I just do. My old mama and papa really loved each other, but they were killed by bandits. Inuyasha-sama loves Kagome-chan and Kagome-chan loves Inuyasha-sama. I just know it, they're just…not acting right."

Shippo thought about it for a while. Rin was just a human girl, and a child for that, he shouldn't take the things she said so seriously. But, he'd noticed how perceptive the little girl could be, and he should know better than anyone that age didn't make you any wiser. Look at Inuyasha for example. So there was a possibility she could be right.

Suddenly a slow impish smile began to stretch out on the young Kitsune's face, beaming with mischievous intent. "Hey Rin-chan, you think we oughta…lend tthem a hand?"

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