Kagome slept very little that night, but it was not because she was suffering through a bout of insomnia. Nor was it that she had too much on her mind. Simply, it was because Inuyasha had chosen to sleep in the same room with Kagome throughout the whole of the night.

He rested across from her, having been tired off from his ordeal. Despite this, Kagome was somewhat grateful for it. In fact, she was grateful for a number of things, including his curse of the New Moon. Surely, his encumbrance allowed for him to become more docile, unlike his voracious demon counterpart.

The fire lent golden hues across his pale skin, while the sky remained covered in deep gray shadows. He appeared to sleep peacefully, nearly without a sound. His breath came out soft and quiet as the wings of an owl.

She wondered what he dreamt of. If he conjured a past he remembered, or the present he was new to. Were his dreams about love or adventure? Did they involve unimaginable pictures and places he alone could create?

Did they involve her?

A soft breeze fell in through the window and Kagome shivered slightly. She stood up and walked to her drawer where she picked up a pair of soft white pants. When she closed it, after dressing herself, she saw the picture of her family and a wistful smile laced her lips.

Kagome took the picture and laid it next to her. She then turned on her back and looked toward her ceiling. Though she could see the wooden planks, how they clapped with each drop of rain, she chose not to look at them. Instead, she allowed herself to day dream of her own wishes and desires. To see her family once more; how that event would unfold. Surely, something could allow such an occurrence to spring up. She lived in a world of magic and wonder, after all.

What would her mother do when her eyes would first meet Kagome's? Would she cry? Would she laugh? Would she run to her and hold her close?

And what about Sota? Would he be happy to have his sister back, if only for a moment?

And grandfather. Sweet, eccentric grandfather. What would he say? What gifts would he supply?

She imagined each encounter, allowing herself to live, for a moment, in her dreams.

When Inuyasha let out a rather sharp breath, her visions faded away, focusing on him. But he remained asleep, having only made a noise because of whatever marvel he concocted.

She found that she could not return to her musings when she looked at him. He was all she could see. She smiled while thinking that he would tell her she was creeping him out while ogling him the way she was, scrutinizing his very form.

The fire was soon to die away, and with it came blue shadows which blanketed Inuyasha's face. It was an image that seemed too much like a metaphor and she caught herself falling into woe.

But just as easily as it came, she brushed the sadness away.

Her hand touched her midriff.

There was a baby in there and it was growing each and every day. Though she had no lump, soon enough it would expand and the life inside of her would become more apparent. Inuyasha would notice immediately and how would he respond to that?

"Don't think of these things," she whispered to herself in the stillness that came with the night.

She concentrated on her baby, dreaming of what it would look like. It could have her hair, black as the abyss with eyes like its father, gold and piercing. Or it could have hair as winter's first snow, cascading down its back; an avalanche of white and sheen. She wanted the child to have Inuyasha's eyes. Brown eyes plagued nearly every member of Japan, but eyes like its father was sure to excite the world. How could they not?

A little boy would be so much fun to have and a little girl would take up all of her time. Surely, she would take a break from the priesthood to focus on whatever gender her child was born as.

Though, in truth, and in the deep crevices of her thoughts, she wanted a boy. She would not be disappointed for a girl, but she simply wanted a smaller version of Inuyasha to coddle and dote on. The boy would make his father go insane, for he would definitely have his temper and strength, and that idea made Kagome feel warm inside.

With these thoughts in mind, a singular sense of peace engulfed her and she was able to sleep.

Inuyasha was glad to be himself again when he woke that next day. He sat up from his cot, the fire dead, with a thin trail of smoke reaching high. Kagome was on the other side of that pit, continuing her slumber. He watched her for a moment, taking in every detail of her face. She looked serene; the way her chest would rise and fall with equal breaths and willowy exhales. Her hair was covering her eyes and the yearning that encompassed him shook him. He wanted so much to move the soft tendrils away from her eyes so that he could see her face; the beauty that it exuded.

He continued to stare until he felt unreasonably awkward for doing so.

In his half demon form he was nimble and swift, and managed to leave the room without Kagome's notice. The rain had stopped and the air was musky, but he was glad to see the sun as it began to rise from the horizon. He knew Kagome would soon wake because she was an early riser, but he wanted to take some time to be with himself. He desperately felt that he needed this, if only for a short amount of time.

Despite wanting to leave, he found that he could not exactly part himself from Kagome's company for too long, missing her soon after each departure. The idea of this body of his and its desires were a foreign concept, and he wanted to get to know it. It was imperative that he do so.

So he ran to a nearby lake and found a boardwalk to sit on. He managed to catch sight of his reflection and he could see the sky within the pools of blue. The clouds were large, nearly engulfing the heavens. Yet they moved as if living. Surely if the sky were to look down, it would recognize its reflection. Inuyasha wished he could feel the same. The half demon staring at him seemed all too confused and somewhat distraught.

Kagome was growing on him. He could feel it happening to him from somewhere deep inside. And as he let these thoughts ruminate themselves, he could feel them branching away from that hollow place, reaching toward his heart and mind. What would happen if he gave himself fully to the woman? In fact, what would happen if he decided to let her into his life completely? He was not the same half demon she married. He was different; changed. Would she even accept that?

He shook his head with a heavy sigh. Even if the body was the same, the minds were different. If Kagome loved Inuyasha, she loved another version and how could she get over that man? He sometimes found it hard enough to forget Kikyou and he hadn't even loved her. What would it take for Kagome to love him, and did he even want that?

He didn't know.

Still, he continued to look at his reflection. The half demon remained bewildered.

"We're in way over our heads, aren't we?" he muttered.

A wave came up with a swell. It arched and fell, but no words were uttered except his.

He recalled the kiss Kagome bestowed upon him and he unconsciously touched his cheek where her lips once sat. Twice. She had kissed him there twice. The idea of her lips near him, close to him, set his body aflame, and he looked down toward his crotch, noticing the curve which lifted higher and higher with each second until it resembled a tent.

He didn't remember ever feeling this way for a woman. Of course, his mind hadn't really thought to have sex with a woman because the idea seemed so far-fetched. Who would want to do anything with the likes of him?

She was the only one. The only one who seemed to want him, even when he wasn't himself.

He peered into his eyes; eyes which had never changed. "Where are you?" he said to the voice of his past. "When are you coming back?"

With no response from neither the water nor the wind, Inuyasha stood up and made a move to head back home. But when he turned, he caught the monk Miroku watching him, his head cocked to one side.

"Hello, Inuyasha," Miroku said.

"Er... Sup." Inuyasha's cheeks enflamed for he must have been caught speaking to himself. This was confirmed when the monk spoke next.

"I see you enjoy talking to yourself." How embarrassing. "Have you any reason to do so?"

Inuyasha choked, but he didn't know whether it was because he was flustered or found humor in the man's banter.

"Suck it," Inuyasha grouched. "I ain't gotta tell you nothin'."

Miroku nodded. "This is true. I am only concerned for your well being. I thought the damage to your head had done more than cause you to lose your memory. You can be honest with me if you think you hear voices in your head."

Inuyasha nearly took the monk's words seriously, but there was a twinkle of mirth within his eyes and Inuyasha found his lips twitching. He had yet to see this side of the man before, and he found that he kind of liked it.

He continued walking toward his home, but the monk followed.

"So what brings you out so early in the morning?"

Looked like the man wanted to talk.

"Trouble at home?" Inuyasha quipped.

The monk gasped, clearly looking affronted. "Never! Sango is in bed, at this very moment, after a very arduous night of love making. I assure you, she is very well. Very. Well."

Inuyasha grimaced, and his disgust for the man's reply was apparent to anyone who chose to look. "Ah, man. Can you not gross me out?"

Miroku chuckled. "Ah, Inuyasha. Surely you're no innocent."

"I ain't comfortable talking about this shit."

"Don't call it that!" Miroku cried. "It is pleasure and bliss."

"Whatever term you call it, I ain't comfortable. Kagome must have told you I don't remember anything from our relationship."

Miroku blinked. "And this means what to me?"

Inuyasha grew flustered and his tongue felt tied. "I, well..."

The monk nodded. "I see. Well." He rubbed the nape of his neck and Inuyasha saw that the man felt awkward and stumped. But then he said, "So you've never had a woman before Kagome?"

Inuyasha growled. "Quit it!"

He raised his hands. "Sorry. Sorry. I won't talk about it again, though it dulls our conversations somewhat. We used to have such wonderous talks about our women."

Inuyasha reeled back in horror. "I spoke to you about what I did in bed?" he shrieked.

Miroku looked around mortified as he had not expected the man to shout as loud as he did. Luckily, few villagers were out during this time of day, and the ones who were around, were too far to have heard him.

"Simmer down, Inuyasha. I only jest."

Inuyasha managed to quell his embarrassment as well as anger quickly enough, but the man's words still rankled at his nerves. He could never imagine being so open about such a thing. Never. If he were to give in to someone, their relationship would be private. He could not fathom an alterior situation in the slightest. His life had always been private, after all.

The men continued to walk, until they passed the village temple. There, Miroku stopped to submit an expedient prayer. Inuyasha watched him light up an incense and mutter some words. When the monk finished, he turned back to Inuyasha and said, "Surprised you waited for me."

He narrowed his eyes. "Wasn't waiting."

"So you were watching me?"

"You know, you're pretty irritating. You're sure we were friends?"

Miroku grinned and the expression was genuine. Inuyasha could not deny it. They must have been close.

"The best of friends," he said. "The bestest of the best. People tell stories of our friendship and-"

"Okay. Okay. I get the point." Though he tried to look exasperated and annoyed, the monk humored him.

He stood beside him and they walked along a rocky path together.

"So, Inuyasha, how far does your memory go?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "Kaede had to have been ten, at least."

"I see. Can you recall any of your last memories?"

Intrusive much? "Not really. Everything's a blur. I do kind of remember seeing Kikyou a few week's past. Or at least I thought I saw her a week before I woke up. But it's been ages apparently."

Miroku sighed, then stopped to turn and meet Inuyasha's gaze. He stuck out his hand and Inuyasha looked at it, confused. "I do miss my friend," Miroku began, "but if he does not return, I hope that we can become friends, just the same. What do you think?"

Inuyasha hesitated. He could not help himself, considering that very few people in his lifetime had ever asked to become his friend. The gesture was as foreign as a creature from the heavens, and just as odd. Yet, the man continued to keep his hand out, finding no discomfort with Inuyasha's pause.

A few seconds later, Inuyasha decided to simply give in. What was the worst that could happen? He would lose a friend? A few weeks ago, he had none. Now he would have...two. He reached out and shook the monk's hand. The man then did something rather unexpected, and he wrapped his arm around Inuyasha's shoulders. Inuyasha grew tense, anticipating an attack but when none came, he gave Miroku a shaky laugh and said, "Uh. What are you doing?"

"Providing you with a man-hug, young man."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Because we're friends. And that's what friends do."

Inuyasha shrugged the man's arms off of him, but he could still feel the heat of his touch. It should have felt odd; in fact, it did, but it also felt quite...nice, for lack of a better term. This friendship felt...nice.

Good God, I'm becoming as soft as a bitch.

Next thing he knew, a cat-demon would ask him to be friends as well, and what would he say to that? "Meow?"

"Whatever," he grunted.

His house could be seen only a few meters away and Inuyasha could not help but feel excited at returning home. It was the only place, he realized suddenly, which felt almost completely normal.

When they were at arm's length, Inuyasha sought to say farewell to Miroku and be done with him, at least for the day. But the man spoke first and said, "Kagome says you enjoy hunting. How about Shippo, you and I go out today to fetch a meal?"

Inuyasha stuttered, nonplussed. "I think Kagome already has food for us, so..."

"Why don't you ask her?"

Inuyasha looked into his hall; the darkness of it stood before him, indicating that Kagome had not yet awoken. He did not wish to wake her, wanting instead for her to rest as best she could for their next hunt.

"Inuyasha?"

The monk's brown eyes were expectant, but they were also kind and patient. Inuyasha's breath caught briefly, not knowing how to respond to him. Just as Kagome, the man wanted to spend some time with him.

Truly, he had awoken to the strangest of world's.

"I don't know, Miroku. I'll be honest, it's still a bit weird hanging around with so many people."

"You'll get over it. Besides, what's the worst that could happen- I obtain the biggest prize of meat?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Like hell."

Miroku arched a brow. "You doubt me?"

"You and I both know you can't defeat me."

"I don't know, Inuyasha. I'm very fast."

"Not as fast as me."

"I don't think that's true."

Inuyasha glared at the man. He knew what game he was playing but it still pricked his pride. "Fine," he grumbled. "Tonight we go hunting. Be prepared to receive a proper ass-whooping cause you're gonna get it."

Miroku laughed. "I shudder at the thought."

Kagome awoke to find that Inuyasha had left the room. She sat up with a yawn, searching for him, but he was not inside. All that was left was the sun as a single ray fell down into her room, planting itself squarely where he once lay.

She smiled at such an occurrence, and remembered last night; how well rested he felt while being with her. Surely this was a good omen.

But most importantly, she remembered the touch of his skin; the feel of it against her lips. She touched hers, caressing it softly. He had let her kiss him twice last night. With a sense of excitement, she wondered if he would let her do it again today. Perhaps he would even let her kiss him in other places.

She flushed profusely, waving such an idea away. Inuyasha still needed to get to know her some more before he could even think to have her kiss him. Although... he had been the one to first attempt a kiss just the day prior. Could it mean he was opening up to her romantically?

Oh, how she hoped!

She walked to her desk and lit a candle holder. She took the object down the hall, lighting each candle along the way. Before she knew it, the walls were set aglow with an orange sheen. She hummed along the way, then stopped when she felt her stomach groan. She peered down and frowned.

"You okay there, my love?"

An iota of pain nudged her and she rushed outside to her chamber. When she lowered her pants, she went about her business. Once finished, she made a move to lift her pants, but found a tinge of a strange substance, just a few spots, along the crutch of it.

It was blood.