Time by Nikolyta

The beginning

"Statement"

'Thought'

~*~ Scene Change ~*~

Author's note: My name is Nikolyta and this is my first fanfic. I would love to hear a response on my work. I accept positive and negative criticism. (I would appreciate negative criticism to be given in a kind way.) Oh and by the way, I intentionally misspell some of Shippo's words, to give him a cuter kid-like sense and the mispronunciation that most kids do.

~ As the sun began to peak over the horizon, its golden rays slowly worked its way to the sleeping figures at the campsite below. Shippo lay curled up alongside Kagome and he slowly began to stir.

"Hey Kagome, Get up!"

Kagome let out a soft sigh and slowly sat up. She looked around and noticed the others haven't gotten up yet.

"Are you hungry Shippo?"

"Yea!" he chirped happily.

"Shh, let the others sleep." "What do you want to eat?"

"Umm... Omeggletes"

"Ok, why don't you go off and play while I get it ready."

"Ok"

As he ran off, Kagome grabbed the eggs from a basket that a farmer had given them for their assistance the night before. As soon as she began cooking a certain hanyou jumped from his tree and walked over to peer into her pot. He took a good whiff and planted himself firmly on the ground.

"Is it ready yet." He coldly stated.

"Almost" Kagome said with soft smile.

~*~

They had gotten into an argument the night before, as usual. They had fought a Tiger Youkai that called himself Tienju who proved to be a real challenge. He was monstrously huge, extremely strong and had poisonous claws. Even though everyone was able to avoid his paws, Kagome had a real close call. She was about to take a hit when Kouga rushed in and threw her on the ground. Then he turned around and threw a kick to the Tigers throat which made him stumble back and proved to be a vulnerable spot.

Just then Inuyasha used the Wind Scar and was able to take him down instantly by severing his head from his body. As his head rolled to a stop - Kagome got up to retrieve the crystal shards. There was a shard embedded deep behind each cheek bone. Kouga assisted her by doing the dirty work to retrieve them. He gave one to Kagome and held onto the other for himself.

Inuyasha let out a loud growl and stepped towards him.

"Hey what do you think you're doing you dirty wolf! That's my shard."

Kouga turned to face him...

"Guess again mutt face I helped you guys take him down. I deserve both of the shards and should walk off with my woman."

Kagome knew what was going to happen, so she decided to just go ahead and end it before it goes too far. She stepped next to Kouga and grabbed his hand. Which not only grabbed his attention but infuriated a near by Inuyasha

"Hey guys! Thank you for helping us Kouga, I really appreciate you saving me there a minute ago. You did do a lot to help us and I do think you do deserve this shard. But we need to be heading off now, so I hope to see you later on. Ok?"

She continued to hold his hand and lead him away.

"Alright Kagome. If you ever change your mind and decide to leave dog face you know where to find me."

Then in a flash – he was gone.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT! That was our shard how could you just give it away! You really gave it to him because you like him, Right Kagome? I saw how you were touching him!"

"I really gave it to him because he did help us and he deserved it. Besides in the end, it will be a lot easier to retrieve the shards from him when we need to piece it together."

She turned away from him and took off walking in the opposite direction. She needed some time alone to think.

Sango gave Inuyasha an angry glare and headed after Kagome. She found her a few minutes later sitting alongside the bank of a stream. As soon as Sango sat down, Kagome let all her bundled emotions pour out.

"I'm tired of getting in these fights with him, especially over something as simple as a talk with Kouga." Sango just sat silently and listened.

"I already realize that I'm in love with him. I have never felt so attached and cared about someone so much. But I'm so confused...there are times when I think he may feel the same way then there are the times where he acts like he would be better off without me."

"I don't know what to do."

As she sputtered out her last few words, Sango could see Kagomes eyes slowly well up with tears. Sango leaned over and wrapped an arm around her waist. "It will be ok."

"What should I do Sango?"

"Well, first you need to find out how he really feels about you. If he does like you then that's great but if he doesn't.... well isn't it better to find out the truth then let your heart follow after him if that doesn't feel the same way. The person that you truly love will never cause tears of pain but tears of happiness."

Kagome lit up with a smile. Sango's words of wisdom inspired her and made her realize how special she is.

Once the girls came back from they're talk. They found that the boys had already set camp and laid down to sleep. Kagome picked up Shippo who was already laying in her sleeping bag and fell fast asleep.

~*~

"Ok it's ready" she stated loudly enough to wake Sango and Kirara who were still asleep.

Sango rolled over and sat up. She looked over at Kagome and smiled. "Smells good."

Everyone took there share of the food, when Kagome noticed Shippo hasn't returned.

"Hmm...he's pretty good about smelling when the food is ready. Hey guys I'm going to look for Shippo."