Hello fellow readers and/or authors! This is my latest fan-fiction, and I hope that it makes up for the month or two I haven't been writing. (Oh, the horror!) It's been summer, and, well, I've had band camp. No, not a band geek, just didn't want to end up in Choir. (I love my voice but no one else seems to, so…)

Well, please review and tell me what you think if enough people reply to this, I will go ahead and release the next chapter.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

The Eternal Bond, Trust

Chapter 1- Back Into the Feudal Era

The patch of clear blue skylight above her signaled that once more she had successfully crossed over into the Feudal Era, and Kagome managed a grin. No more hectic city days for her, at least for another week or so. Pushing back her thick bangs as sweat began to form due to the heat of being enclosed in the well, Kagome proceeded to make her slow way up the ladder that had been installed for her convenience.

Actually, it had been more her yelling at Inuyasha that if he thought she was always so tired it was because she had to haul herself through the well every day, and thus the ladder had suddenly appeared the day after.

The memory caused a small smile to come to her lips. Inuyasha may act like he couldn't care less if she was exhausted all the time, but when it really came down to it he did. Besides, it slowed down the whole group when she had to stop to rest, and even though they reassured her it was no inconvenience to them (excluding Inuyasha of course), Kagome still felt as if she was a problem.

The sun shone down brightly on her as she swung over the ledge and onto the soft grass below, stretching out for a brief moment to regain her breath. All around her, nature carried on in its usual routine, bird trill filling the air and the vividly green leaves swaying in the barely existent breeze. The perfect spring day, and I can't enjoy it… Kagome sighed, knowing that once she reached the village they would be off for jewel shards and dreading it. Might as well get started…

A figure loomed above her, casting a shadow over her. Sensing the lack of warmth, Kagome opened her eyes and let out a squeak of surprise, almost jumping out of her skin. "Inuyasha!" she scolded as she recognized the surly hanyou before her, "don't do that!"

His arms crossed across his chest in an indignant manner, Inuyasha snapped back, "Feh. It's just your pathetic human senses that are to blame, wench." His scowl deepened as he assessed her laid back position. "Besides, we haven't got all fucking day to be sitting on our asses."

Kagome glared at him momentarily and then began to rise to her feet. Then, shooting Inuyasha another look, Kagome shouldered her backpack and headed down the trail. She heard a loud 'feh' behind her, but ignored his annoyed outburst. He had the uncanny ability to suddenly appear right at the moment when she was wondering whether or not to go to the hut yet, and of course his timing was impeccable.

Darn Inuyasha, she thought darkly, I was just about to talk myself into taking a nap right there when he showed up. Kagome shifted the weight of her backpack to the other shoulder, feeling the effects of it's heaviness on her.

She didn't care if she passed out; no way was she going to ask Inuyasha to carry it for her. He already thought of her as useless. Sneaking a glance at him, Kagome realized he wasn't paying a bit of attention to her; instead he was staring off at some particular point in the forest.

Kagome swung her gaze back to the front before he noticed and determinedly hefted the large bag higher up on her back.

Her determination faded in record time as, after barely a couple of minutes she found herself weighing the option of throwing all her school books she carried into the nearest river. I could just say I dropped my books in my family's well accidentally if they ask. It would be half true, after all. This excuse triggered a giggle from her, and she covered her mouth to suppress it.

"Oi, what the hell's so funny?" Inuyasha asked, and Kagome was slightly startled at how near his voice was. Turning her head slightly she found that he was indeed very close behind her.

She shook her head, her amusement returning. "Nothing…"

Kagome could feel his questioning eyes on the back of her head before a hand stopped her and suddenly the enormous pressure of her backpack was removed from her shoulders. "Hey!"

He gaze her a sidelong glance and started to walk away. "Keh. I could see you starting to bend over."

Realizing she had no comeback to that because what he just said was true, Kagome stuck out her tongue at his turned back. It didn't help to erase her frustration, but eased it somewhat.

Miroku was standing at the edge of the trees waiting for them, and as soon as he discerned the tension surrounding Kagome he sent a knowing grin to Inuyasha. "Lady Kagome's only been with us for a few minutes now and already you've picked a fight with her, eh Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha merely growled at the monk. "Stop being an idiot, Miroku. We ain't fought yet."

"Yet?" Kagome questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Dropping her backpack on the ground with a plop, Inuyasha replied, "Keh, anytime now you're gonna go do something stupid."

Anger sparked in Kagome and she shot Inuyasha a death glare. "Just like you did right now by saying that! Sit!" Gratified as Inuyasha plummeted to make contact with the ground, Kagome calmly strolled past him, picked up her backpack from the spot he left it in, and walked off saying, "Come on Miroku."

After one last pitying look at the fuming dog demon, Miroku followed Kagome down the trail.

The village was as lively as ever, the mid-day bustle of villagers and, occasionally, some travelers filling the fields and roads. Swooping down under the bamboo flap of Kaede's hut, Kagome entered, warmly greeting the old priestess and Sango.

A blur of red fur crashed into Kagome, knocking her off balance for a moment. Shippo's beaming face stared up at her as he exclaimed, "Kagome! You're back!"

Smiling down at the exuberant young fox kit, Kagome hugged him tightly. "I think I might just have something for you, Shippo…" Releasing Shippo, Kagome reached into her bag, rummaging for a bit until she revealed a package of pocky to the excited demon. "Here you go!"

Sango spoke up from her kneeling position on the floorboards. "Kagome… I thought that Inuyasha had gone to retrieve you. Where is he, anyways?"

A frown flitted across her features. "He ran into some… interference along the way."

The demon slayer gripped the Hiraikotsu that lay in her lap tightly, asking tensely, "A demon?"

"No," Kagome laughed here despite herself, "The ground."

Miroku wagged his eyebrows at Sango, who released a short burst of giggles at her realization. "What did he do now?"

"He didn't do anything." Inuyasha answered hotly, revealing himself from the doorway, his expression dark. At the sight of dirt all over him, Shippo jumped onto Inuyasha's shoulder and questioned innocently, "What happened to you, Inuyasha? You look like you were rolling around in the dirt."

"Aw, shut up!" Inuyasha snapped and hit the poor kit over the head, leaving a large bump.

Kaede, not having said a word since they all arrived, looked from once face to another, shaking her head at the usual argument. Some things never changed.

Surprisingly it was mid-afternoon before the group managed to leave the village, and by that time the intense heat of the day was beginning to show. Beads of perspiration dotted the humans' foreheads and even Shippo began to complain that it was way too hot.

Only Inuyasha appeared to be unaffected by the whole ordeal. He was at the head of the group, keeping the same hard pace as before and it was having drastic effects on Kagome.

If she could take off her clothes and jump into a stream, she would've. However, seeing as there was no way that was going to happen, Kagome had done everything that could've been done. Her sleeves were rolled up, hair tucked in a messy knot on the back of her head, and her shoes and socks dangling from her hand.

Sango and Miroku didn't seem well off either. The two of them, with their layers of clothing, appeared on the verge of collapsing. Shippo was carting a tired kitten-form Kilala on his back.

Deciding that the only hope of surviving the day was to persuade Inuyasha into at least a small break, Kagome caught up with his long strides and peered over at him. Okay, so maybe this weather did have its toll on him, too. He appeared a little uncomfortable, but being true to his stubborn nature, refused to display it openly.

His gaze swiveled to her and he asked tartly, "What?"

"Can we stop for a little while?"

This served to make him halt mid-step and turn to her. "What! What the heck for?"

Kagome pursed her lips. "You idiot, can't you feel how hot it is?" Gesturing towards the panting group watching them, she added on a softer note, "We're all tired and over-heated. Just for a couple of minutes, please?"

He seemed to give a few inches at her tone, and muttered releculantly, "Whatever. Your damn fault if Naraku gets to the shards before we do."

"I don't think even Naraku will come out in this weather," Kagome playfully teased, trying to reach a lighter mood. The corners of Inuyasha's mouth tugged upward, but he turned and sat in the shade of a big oak tree nearby.

Flashing Sango and Miroku thumbs-up, Kagome watched as they both trudged over to a tree with huge branches and sat beneath it together with Shippo and Kilala. They need to spend sometime alone… Kagome agreed to herself and then turned her head to look at Inuyasha. She wanted so badly to have some time together with him too.

Coming to sit next to him, Kagome drew her knees up to her chest and savored the cool breeze that whistled by them, twirling the stray dark strands that had escaped the loose knot. For a long time they just simply sat in a comforting silence, and Kagome savored how nice it felt to be in Inuyasha's company without yelling at each other.

She always loved these short moments when it seemed the whole world carried on around them, in the distance Kagome could hear Sango and Miroku's conversation, and Shippo's laughter. And Inuyasha… every detail about Inuyasha she loved. She cared for him a lot more than she liked to admit to herself.

It seemed to have been ages ago when she started to feel this strange way in his presence. If his skin grazed hers, a tingle would shoot through her. When he smiled, or appeared remotely happy, Kagome would be happy, too. If he was pained, then she would share his pain with him.

Another gust of wind blew by, sending Inuyasha's long silver hair to tickle Kagome's neck. She giggled and moved her head just out of reach.

Inuyasha caught his flying mane and smoothed it down, blushing lightly. "Damn hair," he murmured under his breath.

"Hey," Kagome protested gently, "your hair's nice." She carefully held a couple of strands, marveling at how they shone in the rays of sunlight coming through between the leaves.

He only blushed harder at her comment and snatched the strands away. "Feh. You make me sound like a damned wuss."

Instead of getting mad as he expected her to do, Kagome flashed a quick smile at the surprised half demon. "Maybe. But you're not one."

He frowned at her soft expression.

Kagome immediately dropped the tender look and stood up, eyes downcast at a random spot in the grass. "Y-You only wanted a few minutes, I forgot. We should get going now…" She forced a bright smile onto her features, fully aware that he could see right through it. He opened his mouth to say something-, then thought better of it and leapt to his feet.

She didn't pay attention to his words as he shouted to Miroku and Sango, as her mind was reprimanding her for revealing so much feeling to him. Her expression had shown something, she could perceive that much from the frown that had been on Inuyasha's mouth.

I don't want him to feel obligated, like he has to return my feelings. She didn't think he loved her the way she loved him. He most certainly didn't show it, that's for sure. Kagome's sad gaze refused to make contact with Inuyasha's and she meekly followed behind the group as they started off again, lagging behind most of the way.

This time the heat didn't bother her at all, so wrapped up in her sorrowful thoughts was she. I guess it isn't meant to be, she resolved, trying desperately to ignore the enormous emptiness that revelation brought to her heart.

Inuyasha ignored the scattered remarks that Sango and Miroku made, and tried his best to not pay attention to the suddenly silent Kagome either, failing miserably in the latter. He was attuned to Kagome's every move and sigh, and he surreptitiously watched her from underneath the cover of his bangs.

Apparently she did not notice his scrutiny, or if she did didn't comment on it, because her gaze stayed hooked on the path in front of her. Only minutes after Kagome had stepped out of the shade, sweat rolled down her forehead, and she distractedly wiped it away.

Tearing his eyes away from the sight of her, Inuyasha looked up to the clear sky. No clouds were visible on this hot day, and there appeared to be no hint of cloud cover for the rest of the afternoon.

He thought back to the expression Kagome had bestowed upon him, so caring and gentle, like he meant something to her. And then you had to ruin it by going and doing… doing something, idiot.

He didn't know what he did. Almost as quickly as the soft look had come it had gone, leaving a slightly saddened Kagome behind in the process.

Hating to be the one that had brought on this sudden display of sorrow in her, Inuyasha fixed his gaze on her. He would make it up to her, somehow.

How was that? I'm not going to give you a number of how many reviews I will require for the next chapter, but I will post the next one probably sometime this week or early of next. Be on the lookout for it!

Thanks and see you next time!

-kikyohater92-