The familiarity of dread hung over Inuyasha's shoulders the moment he and the others witnessed their dear friend stumble into camp, her face red and wet with tears. It was in that instant Inuyasha felt something push against his chest, forcing a choice word from his lips. "Shit!" Of course, it wasn't surprising that something like this happened, but the fact that it did only brought one whose name was responsible to mind. Sango.

Surprised by her sudden tears, the sight of her countenance was enough to urge them to their feet and surround her. Back and forth they asked what had happened and why she was crying, but no matter how much they attempted to comfort the sobbing priestess, she did not reply back. Instead, she sought comfort in Link's arms, burying her face into his chest.

The moment she threw herself upon his person, Link lost his footing and fell back with a thud with his arrows and quiver lying beside him. For a short while, she clutched his green tunic tightly and her shoulders trembled as she sobbed. Baffled by her obvious display of distress, Link did the only thing he could think of in that moment; he rubbed small circles into her shoulders and caressed her back softly.

"Kagome?" He called softly, but she refused to meet his gaze.

Shippo stood beside his mother worryingly as he tugged on her white blouse. In truth, he was frightened by this unusual situation, watching her helplessly as she cried into Link's arms. Something dreadful must have happened to her while she was on her walk with Sango, he figured. Looking back to the forest, Shippo saw that the slayer was still absent. 'Did something happen between them or?'

Placing his utmost attention onto Kagome, Shippo tugged on her shirt, in hopes of gaining his attention. "Kagome? What happened? Why are you crying?" The child asked, but she didn't reply. In his mind, he knew something was wrong.

Despite Kagome's constant and obnoxious bawling since her return, Inuyasha had marched himself beside her and Link, his legs spread apart and his eyes ablaze in obvious rage. "Where is Sango?!" He demanded. "Tell us what happened!"

Because the situation was baffling, Link felt it was time for Kagome to break out of her distress and open up to them. At first when he tried to pull her off his chest, she refused, clutching the material of his shirt roughly, much to his surprise, but with a little more force than was necessary, he managed to bring her eyelevel with himself, but when he did, his eyes caught sight of a bright red mark across her cheek.

With narrowed eyes, he firmly grasped her shoulders, searching her chocolate eyes for an answer. "Did Sango hit you?"

Refusing to answer him at first, Kagome wiped at her tears, but Link was adamant on an answer from her and she responded with a slight nod, much to his surprise. "I need you to tell us what happened."

After hearing the question regarding the slayer, Miroku found it oddly strange for something like that to occur. Never once during their journey had he ever seen Sango raise a hand at anyone. "Is this true?"

There was a rustling in the bushes behind them and instinctively, Miroku and Inuyasha drew their weapons defensively. To their surprise, it was only Sango and they lowered their weapons. From her countenance she appeared alright and somewhat confused by the situation that was until she realized Kagome was sobbing against Link.

Immediately tensing up, the slayer quickly approached her female friend, dropping her Hiraikotsu in hopes of comforting Kagome, but before she could further approach, Inuyasha stood in her way. The look he sent her was chilling and she couldn't help but meet his glare. "Inuyasha? Why is Kagome—"

The half demon didn't give her a moment to finish her sentence before a startling growl grew in his throat. "I don't know Sango. Why don't you ask us?! Why did you hit her?!" He accused his voice unusually threateningly that she couldn't help but step back in surprise.

Her face reddened shamefully. It was all a misunderstanding, however, judging by the situation, it seemed she had overstepped her boundaries. "I-I didn't mean to. I don't know what happened," She stuttered in her explanation. As she attempted to step past Inuyasha, he once again stood in her path. "Let me through, Inuyasha." When her words failed to reach his stern glare, she called out to Kagome over his shoulder. "Kagome? Kagome I'm so—"

Before the slayer could say another word, Kagome silently pushed against Link and stood up, much to her companions' surprise. Turning slightly, Kagome glared at the slayer with red and puffy eyes and a new onslaught of tears flooding her eyes. "Don't come near me!"

A guilty pang rose up inside Sango as reached out to apologize, despite Inuyasha's warning to back off, the priestess ran past Link and into the woods. Tears welled up in her eyes suddenly and she wondered if she had destroyed a great friendship by attempting to put a wedge between her and Link.

Feeling the tension between the girls, Link pulled himself off the ground and gathered his weapons. Before he chased after Kagome, he sent a confused stare in Sango's direction. With a sigh, Link shook his head disappointedly and ran after Kagome, hoping to catch up to her before anything else happened.

"You better start talking!" Inuyasha's demanded gruffly. If it wasn't one thing then hell it was another! "This better not be what I think it is!"

Although it was unlikely Sango would ever hurt Kagome intentionally, Shippo approached her. He saw the tears cascade down her cheeks and even if he didn't understand what was happening, it must have been terrible. "Did you really hit her?" There had to be a reason, otherwise it wouldn't make sense to him. Shippo knew the girls treated each other as family and there had never been such an instance between either.

Falling to her knees, the slayer wept and covered her face. She tried to urge herself to stop before it became worse, but she couldn't. "I didn't mean to hit her." Honestly, she hadn't meant to. Something had overcome her at that moment and the next thing she remembered was raising her hand against Kagome.

Like hell Inuyasha believed that. "What do you mean you didn't mean to? You better have a goddamned good explanation for this, Sango!"

The hand she hit Kagome with was still throbbing. What made her hit the girl? Had she been so overcome by Miroku's mentioning of Link's surprising secret and Kagome naivety to the situation that she just hit her? Had her anger built up to such a degree that she would actually harm her dearest friend? Kagome had only tried to speak her opinion against her and that she wanted to stay with Link no matter what.

This was becoming aggravating. Why was she just kneeling there crying and not explaining the situation? Then again, did she really have to explain to him, when he already knew the answer? "I warned you last night not to say anything. You told her, didn't you?" He seethed.

Miroku looked on clearly bemused. Whatever happened between the girls was a mystery and he was sure that with time, it would be revealed and likely resolved. The way in which Sango was knelt upon the ground spilling tears from her eyes brought Miroku away from his musings and he sauntered to her side before comforting her with a shoulder squeeze. He didn't understand Inuyasha's words, but it seemed while he was not around those two had conversed of something rather troubling.

"Obviously something has happened between them, Inuyasha. Let's let them talk it out later," Was the monk's only reply, and he hoped it would diffuse the half demon's hostility.

Inuyasha flashed him an amber eyed glare. "And I bet you know exactly what happened!"

Miroku blinked confusedly at his reply. What was he referring to? "Pardon? I am afraid I do not know what you mean."

His eyes narrowed threateningly. Inuyasha could feel his claws digging into his palms drawing blood. "Don't act like you aren't aware! You've been itching to reveal Link's secret to Kagome ever since the other day, Miroku!" He pointedly exclaimed, his mouth firmly fixed into a menacing scowl. "It doesn't surprise me that things have turned out like this!"

At Inuyasha's words, Miroku scratched his head curiously. "Sorry, I don't know what you're referring to. Link's secret?"

A short silence fell upon them suddenly as Inuyasha stared between the two skeptically. Why was Miroku acting like none of this had happened before? Something wasn't right here.

Wiping away her tears, thankful for Miroku's comforting hand, Sango apologized. "I don't know why I acted like that to her. I didn't mean to hit her. I'm sorry."

While Inuyasha was trying to make heads or tails of the situation, Shippo only stared back in the direction Link and Kagome had run off into. Knowing Link, he would bring her back, hopefully in a cheerful mood.

OOO

Despite Link's voice calling for her to stop, Kagome kept running; she wasn't about to slow down and let the others catch up. She didn't want to confront Sango right now, not after what happened.

Flash Back

Kagome turned on the slayer irritably, her arms crossed defiantly. "I thought you were on our side, Sango. You brought the topic up asking if Link would be interested in coming to our world after saving Termina. It was you who asked, mainly for my sake but also because you guys are friends with Link. But now, you're taking all that away and for what reason? Because of doubt?"

For an unfathomable reason, Sango felt strangely frustrated, more so than usual. It was as if she was watching it all happen outside her own body, yelling at her friend, and watching the hurt fall upon Kagome. "You won't listen to me! I'm telling you this for your own good because I care about you. Don't be selfish!"

"Excuse me?" Kagome glared before stepping towards the slayer. "Me, selfish? How is wishing to stay with Link selfish? Why can't we be together? Why can't the two of us be happy, Sango?"

Sango stepped back from her slow approach. That wasn't what she meant at all. The words she really wanted to tell the priestess wouldn't form properly at all, and it was only making her more frustrated. "Why won't you listen to me? I'm telling you this for your own good! You're just acting—"

"Selfish. I'm sooo selfish I'm on cloud nine, Sango! For the first time in all my fifteen years, I finally found someone who loves me for me. Is it so selfish of me to want to accept this newfound happiness? Even if we're from different worlds, why must it be unacceptable, Sango? Can't I at least have my happy ending?" Kagome asked almost tearfully.

"Kagome!"

"If that's how you truly feel, Sango, then why don't you guys just go back to the Feudal Era? I'll stay behind with Lin—"

A harsh slap resonated in the middle of Kagome's speech, and it struck the priestess's cheek so hard that she suddenly lost balance and fell upon the ground dumbstruck. It had hit Kagome so hard, that just witnessing this side of Sango was enough to urge an onset of tears and a sense of betrayal.

End Flashback

It hurt her badly, deep in her chest. Why had Sango suddenly acted that way? All Sango ever was, was supportive of her and her wish to bring Link along with them after their journey in Termina. Now she was suddenly against it.

Panting slightly from exhaustion, Kagome unexpectedly tripped over her own feet and unceremoniously fell upon her hands and knees, her hair falling over her face wet with tears. Blood trickled from her knees, but they were only minor cuts and she didn't let the slight pain bother her.

Finally managing to catch up to his fallen friend, Link took a moment to catch his breath before kneeling down in front of her. While he accessed her small injuries, he realized they were not of any consequence and he reached out and moved a lock of hair out of her face. Just the sight of her downtrodden expression bought him unease. Although he didn't understand what happened, he realized it was rather serious.

Helplessly, she turned her head to meet Link's blue eyes and she saw that he was watching her and supporting her like always. 'Link. You want to come with us, back to the Feudal Era, right?' Kagome half hoped he would answer her thoughts aloud, but she knew that would be too good to be true. While her shoulders were still slumped and she was still holding herself up by her hands, Kagome only smiled slightly. "I'm sorry Link. I'm … a mess right now."

Noticing her embarrassment, Link only watched her. "Don't be sorry. I may not understand what happened, but there is a reason for it, I'm sure," He explained softly. If she didn't want to talk about it, he would understand and leave her to her own thoughts, but if she wanted to open up, then he would sit here with her for as long as she needed him.

Another tear slipped down her cheek and she sniffled dismally before wiping it away. Her tears wouldn't stop and she felt like a complete wreck. For a moment, she sat there on her knees, looking at Link with curious intensity in her stare. "I really want to be with you, Link."

"You are with me," He smiled, and it was enough to make her heart flutter.

No. that's not what she meant. Kagome wanted nothing more than for the two of them to be together, always. After saving this cursed world, she hoped the two of them would travel back to the Feudal Era together with the others, hand in hand, if that was truly possible. After what happened between her and Sango, Kagome was beginning to think she was only deluding herself to a truth she did not yet realize. "Not just here. I want us to be together in the Feudal Era," She embarrassedly admitted.

Realization dawned on him, but his smile remained. "Kagome…"

A small laugh escaped her and her eyes slowly lowered to stare at the ground. "I'm acting selfish, aren't I?" She asked. A few seconds passed between them, and Kagome felt her heart pounding loudly in her ears. Why wasn't he saying anything? Why was Link not confirming what she hoped to believe? Link was coming back with them in the end, right? Sango was wrong, right?

Although sensing her tension, Link reached out and pulled her against his chest, much to her surprise. Doing so seemed to calm her thoughts, and she melted against him in a warm embrace. For a long while, he simply held her, resting his chin above her head lovingly. 'I think I understand what might have happened between her and Sango.' Miroku must have said something to Sango and in the end, it reached Kagome's ears. 'Either she already knows the truth and simply doesn't want to believe it, or she honestly doesn't know yet.'

Link wasn't sure, but judging by the circumstances, if Kagome knew already, he was sure she would have wanted answers from him on the spot. Despite her emotional distress, Link decided not to say anything. The rational side of him wanted to tell her, but the other part wanted to keep her close and hope for a miracle in the end.

"I love you,"

From the sound of her voice, Link pulled away and stared into her eyes staring back at him rather intensely. Smiling softly, he pressed his lips against her forehead and pulled her into his embrace. "I love you, too, Kagome."

Delighted to hear those words, Kagome hugged him close. If there was ever a moment she wanted to stay with him, then this was it. "Let's stay out here longer, just the two of us." She softly replied, her face flushing at her own words.

Surprised by this, Link searched the darkening sky overhead and his thoughts returned to the others back at camp. They were no doubt caught within an awkward predicament since their absence, and Link was sure their delay back would bring about worry and anxiousness. While he understood she didn't want to confront Sango, he knew it was in their best interest to return. "It is already dusk. If we wait any longer—" His words unexpectedly died in his throat when she suddenly turned his face to meet hers and the sudden close proximity caused him to fall back nervously. Although he was speechless by her sudden approach, crawling over him to straddle his lap, he did not push her away.

"Uh, Kagome?" He voiced, but she was already on top of him, her hands on either side of his face as she brushed her lips against his more fervently than the last.

After a few moments and somewhat breathless from her forwardness, she pulled away, but remained on top of him, gazing down into his surprised eyes. A little embarrassed by her actions, she found herself pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Was … that too much?" She asked, a little nervous of his response.

"N-no," He replied, his voice soft. It felt like his heart was pounding right in his ears and there was a strange nervousness that overcame him. The woman he loved had straddled him to the ground and they were a good distance away from camp, well out of earshot from the others. They were alone, hidden by the trees and the approaching night. So many thoughts surfaced, and he certainly couldn't hide his blush.

Swallowing back her shyness, Kagome remained planted on his lap, staring down at him. "Link … I want to stay with you. I want this more than anything. Do you truly feel the same? I need to know. I need to know if this is real, Link..."

There was a strange sadness that came from her words, and Link would be wrong if he didn't notice the beginnings of a tear slip from her eye. The emotions she was displaying before him urged him to sit up and caress her cheek softly. "Kagome … my affections for you are real."

"Really?" She asked, searching his blue eyes for validation. "Do you truly love me, Link?" Unable to contain her emotions, a tear slipped from her eye, but Link wiped it away, his forehead resting against her own.

"Truly," He softly replied, smiling. "Now let's return back to the others before they begin worrying?" When she refused to budge from her spot, Link watched as her fingers reached for his tunic, and he blushed at her affectionate touch.

Return to camp? The priestess didn't want that, not now. Instead, Kagome found that she would rather spend her time here with Link, just the two of them. As much as her actions brought her embarrassment, Kagome felt that she wanted this. No, she needed this, more than anything at this moment. Once more, she wanted to feel his lips upon hers, and so she leaned into him, breathing in his scent before her lips brushed against his.

To her surprise, Kagome felt his hand upon the back of her neck, drawing her closer as he deepened the kiss. It was innocent and it was sweet, the kiss they shared.

Pulling away slightly, he wiped away the rest of her tears, before gazing once more into her eyes. Honestly, he didn't want to return to camp either; he would rather stay out here longer with Kagome, just the two of them under the starry night sky. He realized their predicament was more serious than their previous bantering, and this time he didn't want to let her go, not yet at least.

Still slightly breathless from their kisses, Kagome found herself entirely flushed and her behavior became more timid than usual. He was watching her closely, smiling at her in a way that made her heart skip a beat, and although she was excited, she was also very nervous.

Link brought his hand up to caress her cheeks and feeling bold, he pressed his lips against her jawline before trailing soft kisses to her collarbone. The sensation caused her to shiver and a cute moan escaped her much to Link's surprise.

The sound that came from her mouth startled her, but she didn't push him away. There was a strange warmth building within her abdomen, and from each kiss Link gave her, she felt this strange inclination to wrap her legs around him, but she refused the thought.

Although a little hesitant, Link reached for the ribbon centered above her chest and as he held it firmly between two fingers, he searched her eyes for approval. Her shy smile was all he needed before tugging the ribbon off her uniform, before allowing the striped green and white collar to fall away.

Somewhat nervously, he ran his fingers along the front of her white blouse before mustering up the courage to fondle her breasts. They were slightly smaller than his hands and seemed to fit rather nicely within his palms. From his ministrations to her body, Link suddenly felt the pertness of her nipples push through the fabric of her blouse, and as he touched it, he heard Kagome gasp in his lap before a series of soft moans escaped her. He watched her while squeezing her breasts affectionately, watching her squirm and pant. It seemed his touches were beginning to take an effect on her, he realized he had become stiff below his belt.

This was the first time in his entire life he had ever touched a woman so intimately before; it was foreign to him and yet he didn't dislike it at all, in fact, he found it rather relaxing and exciting. Link wasn't about to stop, in fact, he was curious to know what lied just beneath her blouse.

Almost squirming from his touches and kisses, Kagome's hips moved on their own, rubbing her most intimate area against his bulging erection. It was as if she had fallen under the same trance as before when Miroku and Sango had almost caught them in a suggestive situation earlier. She was hot and bothered, and her panties felt oddly wet all of a sudden, but she couldn't stop.

"Link," She moaned, her hands firmly resting upon his broad shoulders.

While one hand fondled her breast, the other slid under her blouse and explored her body. His touch caused her to shiver slightly as he ran his hand up her back. Yet as he did this, he felt cloth beneath his fingers and he realized it was covering her breasts. Although he was not familiar with her futuristic clothing, he managed to unclasp her bra easily before tossing it to the side.

When she noticed he had become rather nervous and still from his advancements, Kagome reached for the end of her blouse and pulled it over her head. Since they were this far along, she didn't want to stop; she wanted this and she knew Link wanted this also.

Without anything to cover her chest, Link realized she was a very voluptuous girl, very petite with fairly ample breasts. He reached out to touch her exposed skin, and as he grasped her breasts once more without her bra in the way, he realized just how soft she felt.

Almost teasingly, Kagome couldn't help but reach for his ears and she rubbed them, smiling when Link made a noise of surprise. She honestly did love him. With Link, everything felt natural; he was always there for her, protecting her, conversing with her as a close friend, and he wasn't a stranger either. Kagome knew she could rely upon him for anything.

Releasing his ears reluctantly, Kagome grasped his tunic and pressed her lips against his for another kiss, and while it wasn't as long as she would have hoped, she was surprised when Link caught her wrists suddenly.

In an instant, she found herself upon the ground with Link towering over her, his hands on either side of her head, and he looked at her with a longing stare. If she was nervous before she was sure she was showing it now. This was it, wasn't it? Tonight she would lose her virginity to the man she loved, a man who lived in another world.

As much as he didn't want to tell her the truth, Link wanted nothing more than for them to be together. He didn't want to let her go. No. He wouldn't let her slip through his hands later on. Like Inuyasha said before, there had to be a way to bring his life back. Link would find a way.

"Kagome…"

She looked at him just as longingly. "Link…"

A/N

And they made passionate love!