Miroku yawned while staring into the flames of the campfire.  “Favorite food?”

“Tofu,” Shippou replied without much thought.

“Anything my mom makes,” Kagome added.

“Ramen,” Inu Yasha yawned.

“Blood of dog demon,” Myouga sighed.

They all looked to the flea demon on Inu Yasha’s shoulder.  Inu Yasha made a face and flicked his servant away.  “Not tonight,” he grumbled.

“I like everything… Worst enemy ever faced?” Miroku started the next round of the game, undaunted.

“The Thunder Brothers,” Shippou shivered.

“The centipede woman,” Kagome responded.

“Why the centipede?  That’s stupid,” Inu Yasha grunted.

“It was my first battle.  I got used to it after that.”

“It’s still stupid.”

“How about a surprise math test?”

“Better,” Inu Yasha agreed.  “My answer is Naraku, of course.”

“All of them,” Myouga mumbled.

“Naraku… What was your first real kiss like?” Miroku asked with a wink.  The players all face faulted.

“I’m not playing anymore,” Inu Yasha announced.  “It’s a stupid game.”

“It’s keeping us awake, isn’t it?  Answer the question.”

“I change my answer from the previous round.  The worst enemy is the one we’re tracking now, because we can’t go to sleep.  How’d a dumb, old dream eater get a shard, anyway?”

“I don’t know, but I can’t face those nightmares,” Kagome shivered.

Inu Yasha stared at her with annoyed resignation.  “Alright, let’s get this round over with.  I want to be question asker.”

“Kagome kissed my forehead,” Shippou beamed.

“I haven’t been kissed yet.”  Kagome blushed and looked away from the group.

“Cold,” Inu Yasha responded shortly and looked to Myouga.

“I think of my bites as kisses… so… delicious.”

“Um… Lovely young girl… can’t remember her name,” Miroku admitted.

“Alright, I’m question asker,” Inu Yasha proclaimed.  “Can we stop this game and do something else?”

“No,” Shippou and Miroku replied at the same time, confusing their order and forgetting Myouga.

“What do you want to do?” Kagome asked.

Myouga cleared his throat.  “I believe I was skipped.  My answer is… what was the question?”

Everyone face faulted.

“Pay attention!” Inu Yasha growled.  “So… can we?”

“What do you want to do?” Kagome asked again.

“Fight the enemy and get that shard.”

“How?  It’s hiding in our dreams,” Kagome responded.

“We can go in after it.”

“No way, count me out,” Shippou cried.  “I hate nightmares.”

“Miroku and I can watch over you two,” Myouga offered.  “Someone should stay awake in case there’s trouble.  He can wake you up.”

Inu Yasha looked to Kagome.  She sighed and nodded. 

“You might want to hold each other as you fall asleep,” Miroku advised.

“Why?” Shippou demanded, oblivious to Inu Yasha’s terror stricken face.

“Physical contact can bring spiritual contact in the dream world.  Do you want to fight together or alone?” Miroku asked.

“Together,” Kagome smiled.

Inu Yasha shut his mouth and nodded.

“Here,” Miroku said, piling up blankets.  “Inu Yasha, you lay down first… on your side.  Kagome, lay against him so he’s behind you.”  Miroku gave a self-satisfied smile, watching them spoon.  “Nighty night,” he said with a wink, pulling the wakeful demons away with him.

Kagome yawned and snuggled back against Inu Yasha’s warm chest.  His arms were wrapped limply around her waist and his breath was hot against her ear.  She rolled her head back.

“Stop squirming,” he growled.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.  A few moments later her shoulder was beginning to hurt, so she leaned back.

He snorted and reached up to brush her hair out of his face.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Next time I get to pick the position we sleep in,” he announced.

“What position would that be?” she asked quietly.  She was disappointed to feel her back cool as he rolled away. 

“Roll over,” he commanded.  “Towards me.”  She obeyed and found herself lying against his chest.  “This is much better,” he gave a faint smile.  “I won’t choke on your hair this way.” 

She dropped a hand heavily on his stomach. 

He winced.  “Thanks a lot, wench,” he grumbled and shut his eyes.  She rested her head on his shoulder and watched his face.  His lips held the tiniest of smiles.  She rolled her face onto his shoulder and kissed him.  Her eyes glanced up to look at his mouth, longingly.  The smile had gotten bigger.  She smiled against his shoulder and kissed again.  His hand touched her lower back and she looked up to see him looking down at her.  “It’s OK… You may kiss me if you want.  I won’t stop you.”

She blushed and rested her cheek on his shoulder, hot with her breath.  He closed his eyes.  “You don’t mind?”

He snorted and smiled.

“Inu Yasha, do you…?”

“Shh!” he interrupted.  “No talking.  Either kiss me or go to sleep.”

She silently watched him.  His breathing started to shallow out.  In one swift movement she sat up on her elbow and leaned forward.  She brushed his lips with hers.  His mouth opened against hers and she felt something warm and wet roll across her lips, seeking entrance.  She opened for him and he eagerly tasted her.  She tapped her tongue against his and he gave a soft moan.  She pushed against him and entered his mouth.  His moan deepened and his arms wrapped around her.  She touched a fang.  He reasserted himself and pushed against her.  She pulled away and gave him a delicate, shallower kiss.  She settled back against his shoulder, aware that she had his full attention.

“How was that for a first kiss?” he asked quietly.

“I hope it’s not my last.”

“Me too,” he responded with a sigh.  He closed his eyes and she did the same.  The dream eater with the shard awaited them.

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