Thoughts Don't Lie

Kagome was washed over with relief when Sango and Kirara brought back Sesshomaru's young ward and retainer to reunite with their lord. Their makeshift camp bustled with life again with the children's laughter and Jaken's squawks and never-ending complaints.

"Oi, Kagome! Why are they camping with us again?" Inuyasha scowled, growling and throwing heated glances towards the reticent daiyoukai on the other side of the clearing.

She huffed irritably. All the hanyou did the entire afternoon was grumble about his half-brother's presence and his intentions of stealing the Tetsusaiga. Sesshomaru wouldn't, would he? She gazed at the feudal lord over the crackling fire, his watchful eyes following every movement of his young ward, Rin.

Kagome had to giggle when a thought crossed her mind. Here was Sesshomaru, the killing perfection, Lord of the Western Lands, being a protective father to his adopted human child. It was almost adorable.

"Whatcha grinning about?" Inuyasha scowled again. From his perch on one of the branches, he leapt down and grudgingly sat beside Kagome. "We should be hunting down Naraku, not wasting time like this."

"We're resting, Inuyasha. This is not wasting time."

He muttered something unintelligible but didn't press the matter further. Sighing, she heaved herself off the ground but her left foot got caught inside the sleeping bag. She shrieked as she felt herself lose balance, but not before strong arms broke her fall.

A streak of silver hair flashed before her.

"Keh! Weak humans."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome's thoughts spun, disorienting her.

"You're still clumsy after all this time," he scoffed but his tone grew soft.

"Thanks for catching me," she murmured, blushing when she realized his arm was still around her waist. For a second there, I thought it was Sesshomaru who caught me.

Wait… what?