Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns the Inuyasha universe. I own nothing; I just create the stories, creative licensure and all.

I realize Shippo and Kagome's interactions when he got upset at her scolding were pretty inaccurate, so I hope you can forgive me for that. I'm really not used to writing a story with his character lol either way I hope you can push past that and keep reading! Thank you for the support.

Our Last Moments

Chapter Three: Troubling Contemplation

Chieko Hakone welcomed the group as they sauntered back up to the castle. They were each clothed in plain night-wear, much to Inuyasha's dismay for he preferred his fire-rat haori, and they seemed to almost glow, refreshed from the cleansing minerals of the hot springs. She beckoned them in through the foyer and to a large, well-lit dining area. On the table in the middle of the room were a plate and bowl for each of them. On the plates were cooked fish, white rice and dumplings and in the bowl was a simmering stew that gave off a savory smell which made their mouths water as they entered inside. Inuyasha clapped his hands together and rubbed them in anticipation, a gleeful expression adorning his otherwise serious demeanor.

"Wow," the rest of them sighed in unison.

"Did you prepare this all yourself, Lady Chieko?" Miroku asked the half-Shinigami girl. She nodded affirmably.

"I sent away my staff after my mother passed away. There was truly no need for their work after that, and I found that any task left behind wasn't difficult enough to warrant any help." Chieko told them with a faraway look in her eyes. "I learned to cook for myself and take care of the castle. It really was no trouble,"

They thanked her graciously and when she went to leave Shippo protested and asked that she stay and eat with them. She told the young fox that she had already eaten while they were bathing in the springs, but she would return to them in a little while to show them all their rooms; The girls and small demons in one room and the men in another. Shippo contemplated this notion as she left the dining room. Sure, he loved being able to sleep with Kagome, Sango, and Kirara. He definitely liked that idea better than sharing a room with the guys, but he felt very drawn to the Shinigami. Her aura was pure and warm yet her eyes held so much sadness. He wondered if she would let him stay with her in her own bedroom. He wanted to cuddle up to her and make her feel less alone in this big castle.

"Mm, this rabbit stew is soo good," Inuyasha grumbled between mouthfuls of the soup. He brought the bowl to his face and drank in the rest of the broth. Letting out a satisfied sigh he dropped the bowl to the table and began to devour the piece of roasted fish on his plate. "Almost as good as your instant noodles, Kagome," Miroku stared at his friend, slightly disappointed that he didn't show any signs of being phased by their previous conversation. He gave him some credit for his ability to hide his anxiety, but he knew that what he said had gotten to the dog-demon, and Inuyasha was mulling over his words.

Kagome rolled her eyes at her hanyo's comment. Leave it to Inuyasha to favor instant Ramen to a home-cooked meal. How very typical. "I am enjoying this much more than the instant meals I bring you, Inuyasha," she huffed and she took another bite of her dumpling.

"You can tell she really puts a lot of time and care into her cooking," Shippo chimed as he took a nibble of his fish.

Sango kept quiet as she pushed around her rice, willing herself to keep her eyes off the monk. She had noticed walking back to the castle that Miroku was not sporting his usual look, and had left his jet-black hair down to dry. She almost couldn't keep her eyes off of him as they hiked up the path. It was rare she saw him this way, and something about how it framed his face and skimmed his shoulders re-ignited the fire embedded in her belly. Damn, he was handsome. It made her want to hate him. Stealing a glance, her eyes wandered over to Miroku as they ate. He didn't seem to notice her as he sipped from his soup-bowl. She felt her face grow hot again as she saw how some of his still wet hair clung to his muscled neck above his plain robes. His head lolled backwards as he drank the rest of the contents of the stew and with it his hair fell behind him. She felt utterly entranced and quickly averted her gaze before he could catch her.

Miroku could tell Sango was checking him out without even looking. He had left his hair down on purpose, feeling that the surprise of it might get Sango to think about him in the ways he wanted her to, and he had been right. He could feel her heated eyes on him as they trekked up the moonlit path together and while they ate he noted how quiet she had been, and was avoiding looking at him. Both Kagome and Sango had a pensive energy around them that gave Miroku the conclusion that the girls had their own conversation while bathing. He wondered if they had spoken of similar thoughts like he had shared with Inuyasha.

The minutes went by as they continued eating, and they all remained quiet, awkwardly glancing around at each other, words unspoken resting at the tips of their tongues; too afraid to say a word. They were all contemplating the same things. After a while, Chieko returned to the dining room and was dressed in her night robes. "It's gotten rather late," the girl began. "I can show you to your rooms, if you don't mind. I'm ready to go to sleep." They all nodded and got up from the table but peered down at the empty dishes. "Don't worry, I will clean this up in the morning." She assured them.

They followed her through the hall, and Shippo hopped up and perched on top of Chieko's shoulder like before as they walked. She smiled up him warmly. "Lady Chieko, may I ask you something?" he started shyly and a blush began to creep on his child-like cheeks.

"Of course you can," she said. Shippo gulped nervously, but felt courage and determination burn within his chest. 'The worst thing she could say is no,' he thought.

"Well, I was wondering," he began. "It just seems like you've spent a lot of time all alone up here in this empty castle," he deeply inhaled then exhaled. "Would you like some company while you sleep? I promise I won't bother you or anything," he waited for her answer with baited breath. She seemed to ponder his question for a moment before smiling back up at him again.

"Actually, that sounds rather nice," she responded. "When I was a child, I used to have a cat that cuddled with me in my bed. It made it much easier to fall asleep and I felt very safe." She petted the top of his furry head and looked over at Kirara. "I wouldn't mind if you and the two-tail slept in my room." Shippo almost couldn't contain his excitement, but held himself together as they reached a set of sliding doors. "This will be the ladies' room," she said and motioned towards the doors. Directly across the hall was another set of doors. "And that room will be both of yours," she pointed to it as she looked at the men.

"Thank you!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Yes, thank you, Lady Chieko" said Sango.

"Your generosity and nurturing hospitality is very much appreciated," Miroku told her with a slight bow. The three of them peered over to the dog demon, waiting for him to thank her too. He grunted at their nagging eyes.

"Thanks," he said finally, although he truly was grateful. The Shinigami girl bowed her head in acknowledgment and began her decent down the hallway towards her living-quarters with Shippo and Kirara at her heels. Inuyasha let out an exasperated sigh and slid the door to him and Miroku's room open. He wasn't sure what to say in that moment, and he was still thinking about the conversation he and Miroku had down at the springs. He didn't have the courage to look at them as he leaned against the door. "C'mon, monk," he said brusquely before entering the room. Without a word, Miroku gave one last look at Sango and begrudgingly headed in after him.

Kagome and Sango glanced at each other with worried eyes and then they went into their own room. Inside were two full-sized futons with fresh blankets and pillows. Screeching with excitement they fell onto the beds and relished in the delightful feeling of the plush bedding. The room was very similar to Chieko's, so it had tapestries hanging on the walls, decorative trinkets and artifacts on the shelves and dressers as well as musky incense smoking throughout the room. They stretched out and Sango gave a light yawn. "This was so nice," she said. "I'm so glad we happened to find this place."

"Yeah," Kagome breathed. "It really couldn't have been more perfect," Sitting up slowly, she wondered if the guys were enjoying their room as much as they were. Miroku seemed rather distant as they had eaten dinner, and Inuyasha seemed to be acting relatively normal, but Kagome could see right through him. She had noticed while they walked down the hallway that there was a glint behind his eyes, one that told her he had a deep concern on his mind. She wondered if Miroku had said something to him earlier that was bothering him.

In the other room, the men sat quietly and cross-legged, Inuyasha on his futon and Miroku against the wall. It seemed like hours passed, but it had been only minutes. Inuyasha was fidgeting and tapping his claws against his arm, frustration getting the better of him. He popped one eye open and glared at the monk. How could Miroku be so calm and serene with such turmoil bubbling inside them, threatening to boil over? He couldn't stand it anymore.

"Well?" he ruffed out, and waved his hand in annoyance, obviously fed up. Miroku was unperturbed by this, but looked at his friend and sighed in reverence.

"You're right, Inuyasha," he began.

"What?"

"We are simply just wasting time at this point," and he un-crossed his legs and stood up.

"Wait, I never said that." Inuyasha exclaimed, embarrassment again gracing his features.

"You didn't have to." He responded and went to the door.

"But Miroku, I-" the dog demon started but Miroku gave him a look with lethal eyes that could shoot daggers.

"What did I say about getting in my way?" he told him firmly. His prayer beads were itching at his forearm and he reached up and adjusted the cloth that covered him. Of course, he would never actually use his wind tunnel on his pal, but he didn't mind scaring him with the notion. Inuyasha inwardly gulped and looked away, staring out into the night through the doors to the outside porch.

"Just go." He said feeling defeated and without another word Miroku opened the door, exited, and closed the door behind him. "Feh, stupid monk," he mumbled under his breath. He couldn't believe he threatened him with his wind tunnel. Granted, he knew Miroku most likely wouldn't have used it but still, the idea was anxiety inducing, and despite the fact he could have easily pummeled the monk into submission, Inuyasha decided it was better just to let him go. Deep down he knew he was right about what they discussed at the springs, and he didn't want to prevent Miroku from gaining some sort of closure.

The door slid open with a sudden crack, and Kagome and Sango gasped and sat up, ready for a fight, until they realized it was just Miroku standing there at the door. "Mi-Miroku what-" Sango stuttered but he cut her off.

"Sango," he breathed. "There are things that must be addressed before it's too late." They stared up at him. Sango nodded, for she knew that this was coming.

"Okay," she said.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to speak with her privately." He said evenly, looking over at Kagome. The priestess understood and stood up from the futon. "Kagome," Miroku began. She peered over at him as she made her way to the door where he was standing. "If I were you I would wisely utilize this time to go speak to Inuyasha." She nodded her head in agreement and closed the door, leaving the two inside. Her heartbeat thumped loudly in her chest and butterflies fluttered inside her ribcage as she stared across at the other room, mentally preparing herself for what was about to transpire. She realized there was no way to truly prepare for such an instance as she continued to take deep breaths. With this kind of thing, you just had to dive in head first, having faith that it would eventually work out, as long as you kept your cool.

Without wasting another moment, she headed over and hesitantly slid the door open. She looked around and her gaze widened as she saw the half-demon leaning against the wall on the other side of the room, peering out into the dark night with only the bright moon to illuminate his ethereal features. He must have sensed she was coming, for he didn't even look back at her. Rallying the bravery inside her, she began the trek across the room to join him.

A/N: I just wanted to let you guys know that the lemons will be in the next chapter! I'm sorry for keeping you waiting with these short filler chapters but they were completely necessary. I will update as soon as possible. Thank you for reading!