I suggest reading from the verrry beginning.

Reiko and Kenji paired together to dress the couple’s wounds. After a screaming fit as Reiko applied poultices to Mei’s wounds, Mei finally calmed down. Keiji wasn’t much of a verbal fighter, but it took a strong brew of tea to finally have him rest.

Keiji wore more of an emotional wound than a physical one. When he thought nobody was watching, Reiko would steal a glance. He would lay there, looking up at the roof with a distant stare about him. Almost like he was waiting for the roof to tell him something that plagued his mind for days. When she would reach out to him, he declined, diverting the attention back to Mei. Confused, yet respectful, she retracted her assistive hand. Although after being hoisted in the pair by a massive tentacle and squeezed to near-death… she would assume the least one person would appreciate is tea.

“Are you sure you don't want to rest for the night? We have plenty of room here and we wouldn't mind.”

Once the two lovers were safe, secure and asleep, Kagome and Inuyasha thought it appropriate to make their way back to their party. Kagome hadn’t realized that they were nearing the 3rd day of being away from Sango, Shippo and Miroku. They were probably so worried about them! She didn’t want to leave them, but she knew she couldn’t stay. Not only did she feel like they were overstaying their welcome, but the situation at hand was growing into a new layer that she knew she had to bow out of while she still had a chance.

The look in Naraku’s eyes. She still couldn’t shake it. She blocked Inuyasha from a prime opportunity to thwart the main reason they were on this conquest mission she admitted, but it was something in her that made her do it. Was it that she saw that same look in Inuyasha when he talked about Kikyo? Or was it.. Something else.

Inuyasha shook his head in declination. “No can do. Old lady Kaede would nag me to death if we stayed a day longer.”

Kagome gasped. She waved her hands back in forth apologetically. “H-he means that we have others, waiting for us so we can continue our journey for the shards. We didn't expect all of this to happen so we’d be best to go on ahead…” Reiko looked visibly disappointed.

She rose to her feet with a sigh. “Well I guess it can't be helped. But I just want you to know Kenji and I are eternally grateful. If all ends up well then we might be relocating as well.” Reiko looked over at Kenji with a warm grin. He returned her grin with a soft head nod.

“We would love for you to visit soon.” She added.

Kagome beamed. “If we’re in the area we would love to! Isn't that right, Inuyasha?”

Inuyasha, with arms folded, grunted in response.. Kagome sighed deeply in her head.

“Oh, and kagome?” Reiko spoke up. Kagome turned her head back to Reiko with attentive eyes.

“Yes, Lady Reiko?”

“A minute outside, if you will.” Kenji extended his hand, helping Reiko slide her feet into her slippers. She shuffled out the door without waiting on Kagome. Kenji retreated back into the living room to observe Mei and Keiji, leaving the two alone in the hallway.

There was an awkward silence between the two. Inuyasha kept his focus on the fire in front of him. Kagome was the first to speak.

She cleared her throat sharply. “Ah I-I’ll be back.”

A pause. “Yeah, do what you want.”

“What's your problem, Inuyasha? This isn't the time to act this way-“

“Just don't do that again.” His response was quick. The words spilled out of his mouth as his heart fluttered in his ears.

Kagome blinked. “What do you-“

He groaned, speaking louder this time. “Don't put your life on the line for anyone else like that ever again… you.. You had me scared.”

Scared? Kagome couldn't wrap her mind around the words coming out of his mouth. But by the blush across his face she had a small kindling of what he meant.

He.. He cared for her.

Her initial annoyance fizzled out. And without a rebuttal, she stood to her feet to exit the home.