InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bad Influences ❯ Bad Influence # Twenty: Blabbing ( Chapter 20 )

THE ENDING HAS BEEN LENGTHENED!!!

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha nor will I take the credit for Romiko Takahashi's genius.

 

I'm sure most of you don't want to listen to me right now. So let's just skip the commentary and get to the juicy bits!

 

 

 

Bad Influence # Twenty: Blabbing

 

 

 

Kagome stared wide-eyed at his face for what felt like an eternity. When she opened her mouth to speak, her throat was dry. “Well?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“What ever gave you that idea?” She stuttered. Inuyasha blinked at her before sighing and looking away. “Forget it.” He spat. “It's not important.”

 

“Not important!” Kagome stood. “You're saying,” she hissed through clenched teeth, “that my feelings for you are not important.” Two seconds after her burst, Kagome covered her mouth and nose with her hands. Now she was sure her face was on fire. Inuyasha blinked at her.

 

“I should go.” She turned to leave when he stood and grabbed her wrist.

 

“Oh no you don't! You're going to finish what you started!” Kagome jerked her hand away but Inuyasha pulled back.

 

“Let go!” She barked.

 

“No way!” Unfortunately he felt something pop and suddenly Kagome yelped and held her shoulder. “THAT HURT!”

 

()()()()()()()

 

“I can't believe you, Miroku.” Sango huffed, her back to him and her arms crossed.

 

“You're not going to forgive me are you?” He sighed from behind her. “No. How could you say something so stupid?” She growled.

 

“Is anyone going to tell me just WHAT he said?” Maki asked.

 

“It's better for you not to know.” Satoshi laughed. “It would keep things interesting.”

 

“But I want to know!” Maki huffed, pocking him insistently.

 

Satoshi shrugged off her attack. “It would be better not to tell you.” He said. Maki growled and then crossed her arms, defeated. “Figures. It's just like you to keep me in the dark about things that involve me.” She said under her breath.

 

“You mean you didn't notice?” Sango sounded shocked. Maki caught the wide, unbelieving look she directed at Miroku.

 

“Well, I supposed they were just friends. Inuyasha practically kicks me every time I mention it.” He shrugged. Sango sighed, slapping her hand on her forehead.

 

“I thought it was obvious.” Satoshi looked at his friend as though he had lost his mind.

 

“What was obvious?” Maki asked, her voice rising to get some attention. Just as Satoshi was about to explain the subjects of their conversation appeared in the distance, their voices carrying a rather loud argument.

 

“You're such a jerk, Inuyasha!”

 

“This is my fault how?” Sango was about to stand when she heard the next sentence and flumped back down in the sand with her eyes wide.

 

“You shouldn't have pushed so hard! It hurt enough when it came out!” Satoshi's jaw dropped.

 

“If you held still I could have put it back in without hurting you so much!”

 

“This never would have happened if you just let go of me in the first place!”

 

“There's no way in hell I was going to let you go anywhere until you finished what you started!”

 

When Kagome and Inuyasha did arrive back to the others, still in their heated argument, it took them a moment to see the astonished look on their friends' faces. Maki and Sango looked thunderstruck while Miroku had this unnerving smirk on his face. Satoshi was trying his hardest not to laugh, his face turning red with the effort.

 

“What's with you four?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Um, Inuyasha, did you…” Maki trailed off, hiding her red face behind Satoshi's back.

 

“Wow, you two are really moving fast aren't you?” Miroku grinned.

 

“What the hell are you talking about?” Inuyasha wrinkled his nose.

 

“What were you two doing back there?” As if right on cue, Kagome's face turned red and Miroku and Satoshi got to their feet.

 

“Holy. Shit. You're more of a sexual deviant then I thought.” Satoshi said with wide eyes.

 

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Inuyasha stomped his foot in the sand.

 

“Kagome, you didn't…he didn't, um.” Sango stuttered.

 

Understanding crossed Inuyasha's face. “Oh my g-you sick assholes!” While Inuyasha threatened to beat his two friends to next year, Maki turned her red face to Kagome who was still trying to make sense of the situation. “What's going on?” Kagome asked.

 

“Why were you guys arguing? We could hear you from all the way over here.” Sango told her as she sat down.

 

“You heard us?” Kagome bit her lower lip. Maki and Sango exchanged looks.

 

“I'm going to kill him.” Maki scowled.

 

“What for?” Kagome had no idea why Sango's face turned into a cherry.

 

“You have no problem talking about this?” Sango asked in awe.

 

Kagome shrugged, utterly confused now. “Uh, should I?”

 

“Well, if you're okay with it, then there's nothing to worry about.” Maki concluded.

 

Kagome looked from one girl to the other, then to the three boys arguing a little ways off. “What's the big deal?” She asked. “Why is everyone making a big fuss of my shoulder popping?”

 

Maki let out a deep sigh. Sango gave Kagome an openmouthed stare before speaking. “THAT'S what happened? You shoulder popped?”

 

“Yeah. My shoulder popped and Inuyasha put it back in its socket.” She paused. “What did you think happened?”

 

“You don't want to know.” Maki giggled.

 

By the time, Inuyasha had stopped ranting his frustration that his two friends were “royal perverted pains in the ass,” the six of them had decided it was time to head home. With the sun already set, all that was left was to eat dinner and go back. It would have been more enjoyable if Kagome hadn't remained quiet for the rest of the meal and if Inuyasha would stop muttering indignantly under his breath.

 

When Satoshi had revealed what they really thought had caused Kagome and Inuyasha's argument, Kagome had turned stark white. Miroku, who was enjoying the exchange, lost his smile when Sango sent him a glare. “You know, you're lucky you have such a pretty face, because you're an idiot.” Sango rolled her eyes at her boyfriend after they had packed their things and walked away from the beach.

 

“And a pervert.” Satoshi laughed.

 

Maki punched his shoulder. “You were thinking the same thing.” She scolded.

 

“So were you two.” He reminded her.

 

“Well with a word exchange like that, what was I supposed to think?” Maki retorted, crossing her arms.

 

“At least we waited to hear Kagome's story before jumping to conclusions.” Sango said in their defense.

 

Kagome, who had been lagging behind to avoid her face burning when the conversation had started, shook her head. She lifted her backpack higher on her shoulder, wishing time would speed up and she would be in her bed. The day had taken quite a turn, and Kagome felt physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. If only she didn't have to walk all the way back home.

 

“Kagome?” She looked up to see that they had arrived to the parking lot and Maki was looking at her with a worried expression.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

She flashed a smile at Maki, trying her best to ensure that she was well. “I'm fine. Oh by the way,” Kagome looked to see that Inuyasha was loading Maki's surfboard onto his car and out of hearing distance. “I'd like to see your scrapbook.” Maki smirked. She leaned into Kagome, whispering the time and place to meet. Grinning mischievously, Kagome nodded in understanding.

 

“That should do it.” Inuyasha said as he secured the surfboard on the top of his car. “Anyone need a ride?” He asked. “Will all six of us fit?” He thought aloud.

 

“Why such a generous offer?” Miroku asked.

 

Inuyasha shrugged. “Let's just say, I want to waist time.”

 

“Still avoiding going home?” Satoshi asked.

 

“Keh! Anything to avoid that dingy old house.” Inuyasha clicked his teeth.

 

Hearing what he said triggered something in Kagome's memory. If he went back to live with his family, was he still going to go to their school? Kagome wasn't sure if she should ask him. In fact, she wasn't sure how she should talk to him so she held her tongue. Instead, she leaned toward Maki. “Why does he hate living with his family?” She asked.

 

Maki frowned but didn't answer. “Can you drop me off at my grandparents?” She asked Inuyasha, ignoring Kagome's question.

 

“Sure.” Inuyasha opened the driver side door.

 

“Think I'd like a ride as well. I'm too lazy to take the train.” Satoshi yawned. Miroku seconded his option and invited Sango along. Kagome was inevitably was also pulled in by an overprotective Maki who told her she shouldn't walk home alone. It was a tight fit in Inuyasha's Lexus, but after Satoshi, Miroku, Maki and Sango were dropped off, it was a long and quiet ride back to Kagome's house.

 

“Thanks for the ride.” Kagome said from the open window. Inuyasha nodded and drove off without a word.

 

With an extra wave of exhaustion rolling in, Kagome forcefully pulled herself through the front door. She didn't reply when Mama asked about her day, and declined dinner. When Kagome got to her room and slumped down onto her bed, she was asleep within minutes.

 

()()()()()()()

 

“What's so urgent?” Sango asked when she appeared in Kagome's bedroom door the next morning.

 

Kagome sat cross-legged on her bed, biting her lower lip. It figured that she couldn't handle this on her own; she really needed another girl's advice. “Can you keep a secret?” She asked Sango.

 

Nodding, her friend closed the door, reached for a chair, and sat down. “What happened?” She asked. Kagome stole a glance at her clock. She was supposed to meet Maki in a few hours, but she doubted that Maki would be alone. If she were here for two weeks, she would want to spend as much time with her friends as possible. Breathing in, she turned back to Sango. “When did you know that you liked Miroku?”

 

Sango cocked her head to the side; her brows came together in a frown, suspicion passing across her face. “Well, it took me a while. He followed me around like a puppy for a few weeks. Two weeks after I finally gave him a chance, I started liking him…when he wasn't watching a girl cross the street though.” Sango paused. “What does this have to do with your problem?”

 

Unable to keep it secret, Kagome blurted out what Inuyasha had asked her at the beach yesterday. At first, Sango didn't say anything, but then giggled. “You've had many suitors in the past and you turned all of those guys down without a second thought.”

 

“That's because I didn't feel that way toward any of them.”

 

Sango leaned on her knees. “Well, how do you feel about Inuyasha?” She asked.

 

Kagome looked down at her hands, rubbing her pinky finger. “I don't know.” She mumbled. “I don't even know if I can stand being more then just his friend. He makes me so mad! He's lazy, he doesn't take anything seriously, he eats like a starving horse, he loves to make fun of me, and he curses like those are the only words in his vocabulary. That jerk! He asked me if I liked him out of nowhere and now every time I think about it, I can't help blushing.”

 

Sango sighed. “You're a dummy…and so is he. If he asked you something like that it must mean he feels for you.”

 

Kagome blinked as though her rant had never happened. “You think so?”

 

Sango slapped her hand against her forehead. “I've been watching you two argue for the last three months!”

 

“Well that's very helpful.” Kagome rolled her eyes and then looked up in thought. “Maybe we are better off as friends. We fight too much to be a couple.” She huffed.

 

Sango grinned. “ ` To be a couple?' So you are considering-”

 

“No, I'm not! I'm just not sure how I feel about him. It was such an out of the blue question.”

 

“So are you going to answer him or not?” Sango pressed.

 

Kagome fell back against her bed out of frustration. “I don't know that either. I looked like such an idiot back at the beach. I don't even know if I can talk to him again. I feel so stupid.”

 

Sango let out a puff. “Honestly, I am getting tired of you two. There is something there.” She just wished that both of them could see it as clearly as she could.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Maki leaned back in her chair, looking at Inuyasha from across the table. “Are you okay?”

 

He retreated from his dazed expression and focused on her. “I'm fine. Why?”

 

“You've been tapping your spoon against you front teeth for the last ten minutes.” Maki pointed toward his melting ice cream.

 

“I always tap my spoon against my teeth like this.” He tried brushing the action off, but Maki wasn't fooled.

 

“You haven't even touched your ice-cream and we all know hell will freeze over when you start ignoring food. What's on your mind?” Maki looked over her shoulder and into her grandparents' living room before returning her attention to Inuyasha.

 

Inuyasha ran and hand through his bangs as he leaned on his elbows against the table. “It's nothing Maki. I just have a lot on my mind.”

 

“Is this about moving back in with your dad?” Maki asked.

 

“Not really. Well, half of my problems revolve around him and my secretly gay brother.”

 

“Enough jokes. What's really bothering you.” Maki ordered.

 

Sighing, Inuyasha put his forehead against the table. “You really can see through all of us, can't you?”

 

“Most of the time. Satoshi is the hardest to read, but enough about that. Continue.” Maki reached for a pen and paper.

 

“What are you, my therapist?” Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow.

 

“It is my job to keep you, the pervert, and the gambler sane.” Maki laughed.

 

“The pervert and the gambler. What am I?”

 

“The idiot badass.”

 

“Why am I an idiot?”

 

“Because you're not telling me what's really bothering you.”

 

“If I tell you, will you promise to keep it between us?”

 

Maki crossed her arms. “When have I ever blabbed?”

 

“I did something stupid.” Inuyasha began. Maki listened intently to his woes without interrupting, nodding. When his tale was finished, she sat back down and crossed her fingers together. “I don't get what the big deal is. Just go for it.” She said. “What's holding you back?”

 

Inuyasha was silent. Then he said, “Akiko.”

 

“That was ages ago!” Maki huffed. “I keep telling you and Satoshi to forget and move on.”

 

Inuyasha gave her a concerned glance. “Aren't you being a little hypocritical? You're afraid to get close to Satoshi because of what happened five years ago.”

 

Maki's serious face didn't waver. “That's different Inuyasha.”

 

“How is it different?” He pressed, getting up from his seat.

 

“Because Satoshi doesn't care about me the way I care about him.” Maki admitted with a sad smile.

 

“How do you know? He could-”

 

“Can we not talk about this?” Maki cut across him, raising her voice. She quickly shot a glance back into the hall. Quieter, she said, “I really don't think this is the time.”

 

“I can agree with that.” Inuyasha said as he looked at his watch. “I should get going.”

 

“I'll be heading out into town soon. Want to come with me?” Maki picked up their ice cream plates. “What a minute!” Inuyasha snatched his plate from her and made the ice cream disappear within seconds. “Glad to see your appetite is back.” Maki clicked her teeth when he handed her the empty dish.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Kagome watched a little boy run across the park after chasing his puppy. It was so hot. At least the beach had a strong wind to keep them cool yesterday. The beach. Kagome felt her face warm slightly. She leaned forward on her knees, the wood of the bench she was sitting on crinkled, and put her face in her hands.

 

Lightly slapping her hands on her cheeks to rub away the flush, Kagome sat back straight and scanned the park for anyone familiar. A few kids followed each other in the playground while others played soccer not to far off. Maki isn't here yet, Kagome thought. She stole a glance at her watch. It was still fifteen minutes till Maki was supposed to arrive.

 

Sighing, Kagome returned to her rather distressful reflection. Why had she asked to meet Maki? Since when had she been so impulsive? However, Kagome had to admit, she was curious to see what kinds of things Maki's scrapbook would reveal. Grinning, Kagome briefly considered bribing Inuyasha to come to school with whatever secrets Maki might let slip, but then she remembered that Inuyasha might not come to school anymore. Kagome didn't know whether to be relieved that she wouldn't suffer the mortification of seeing him in the hall, or sad that he wouldn't be there.

 

Her mind skipped to her conversation with Sango that morning. Kagome wrinkled her nose. If anything, speaking with Sango had made her more worried about the situation. She still didn't have a definite approach.

 

“My what a sad face.”

 

Looking up, Kagome saw Maki standing over her, a heavy looking book tucked under her arm. Scooting over, Kagome watched Maki take a seat next to her. “It's so hot today!” Maki huffed. “I'm glad you picked a shady spot.” She flashed an approving smile.

 

“So, did you enjoy our venture to the beach yesterday?” Maki asked.

 

Kagome nodded. “Who taught you to surf?” She asked.

“The local lifeguard. But enough about me, you wanted to see this?” Maki pulled the book over and laid it out on her knees, flipping it open.

 

For a moment, Kagome was distracted by the colorful designs and small passages Maki had written around the pictures. She had made her scrapbook well. Trying not to concentrate on the intricate decorations, though she did spare Maki a complement, Kagome focused on the pictures.

 

Her eyes first caught a picture of Maki, years younger. “Your hair was longer back then.” She said.

 

“I prefer short now. It's easier to manage.” Maki explained.

 

Scanning the pages, Kagome caught herself staring at a picture of a young boy. His hair reached his shoulders. He leaned in against his desk in a light classroom with his chin in his hand, staring out the window. Kagome squinted at him. He felt so familiar. “Is that…Inuyasha?” Kagome felt her heart bounce in revelation. “He looks so…distant.”

 

“I had secretly taken that picture when we had started middle school. He rarely talked to anyone back then.” Maki paused. “He used to get into a lot of fights because the boys couldn't stand his loner attitude. He'd always rudely brush someone off.”

 

“Why?” Kagome asked.

 

Maki smiled. “He was really crude. He had a tough time trusting people.” Kagome looked at another picture. Another boy was attempting to speak with the younger Inuyasha. She chuckled immediately recognizing him. “Miroku went to the same school too?” She asked.

 

Maki made a face. “He couldn't help being intrigued by the quiet boy. He used to pester Inuyasha all the time, trying to get him to open up and um…pay `special' attention to the ladies.”

 

“A pervert even then, huh?”

 

Maki laughed with her. “Indeed.”

 

A few pictures of people Kagome didn't recognize and then her hand brushed a picture with young Inuyasha in a soccer uniform glaring angrily at another teammate, who Kagome figured out was a young Satoshi. “He played soccer?”

 

“Yeah and Satoshi was his worst rival. They used to hate each other, always competing to see who was the better soccer player.”

 

“How did they become friends?” Kagome couldn't believe the resentment clear in the picture.

 

“Well, after I finally got the guts to talk to Inuyasha, I had been watching on of their games. Both of them were too stubborn to pass the ball to each other. They got into a fight during a time out and were sent to the teacher's office. The teacher sentenced them to train together or be kicked off the team. So they did and after they won several matches with their newfound teamwork, they were inseparable. After that things came together: Inuyasha finally acknowledge me as a friend and Miroku invited himself to our ragtag group.” Maki sighed, looking across the park with a nostalgic face.

 

Kagome briefly recalled how she watched Inuyasha and Satoshi work together on the soccer field the day she had ditched school. She turned another page and smiled. Maki had somehow gotten a picture of Miroku being slapped by a blushing schoolmate.

 

“How did you get this?”

 

“I was lucky I had my camera that day.” Maki pointed to the girl. “She's an older classmate. I was looking around through my lens when I caught him trying to touch her.”

 

Kagome skimmed through a few more pictures. She couldn't help but ask Maki what happened when she caught a picture of an older Inuyasha and Satoshi, black and blue and bruised, making poses and looking quite pleased with themselves.

 

“Oh that. A few jerks were harassing some of the members of the soccer team for being wimps. They had lost their very first game and the fans of the opposing team were a little too happy. So Satoshi and Inuyasha got into a fight. They were outnumbered three to one.”

 

“Ouch.” Kagome bit her lip.

 

“I know, but Inuyasha and Satoshi came back from the principal's office with satisfied looks on their faces.”

 

Kagome flipped another page. It contained a picture with a younger Maki, Inuyasha, Satoshi and Miroku together, smiling at the camera, but there was one person there she didn't know. “Who's he?” She asked, pointing to a boy with shaved hair.

 

Maki frowned when she looked at him. “That's Kazuma, Satoshi's younger twin brother.” She explained.

 

“Fraternal twins?” Kagome asked.

 

“Yeah.” Maki replied in a quieter voice, her eyes distant.

 

Kagome flipped through more pages and thanked Maki when she reached the end of the book. Feeling enlightened, Kagome smiled and stretched. There was so much about Inuyasha that she didn't know. She'd never really had the nerve to ask him for fear of being nosy, but was glad that she had the chance to see Maki's book.

 

“You take a lot of candid photos.” Kagome thought aloud.

 

Maki nodded. “You'd be surprised.” She stood. “Afternoon already?” She said looking at the sky. The sun was beyond the center of the sky and heading west. “I'd better head back. I'm sure those three will kill each other if I don't give them my attention.” She joked.

 

“How do you stand being around three guys all the time?” Kagome asked, rising to her feet as well.

 

“It's easy when you know their weaknesses.” Maki began counting off her fingers. “Satoshi loves a good gamble or competition. Inuyasha loves food, and Miroku has a sweet tooth for women, which is why I like your friend Sango.” She winked at Kagome. “She knows how to beat up a man for his wandering eye.” Kagome laughed.

 

“Are you going to stay here?” Maki asked.

 

“For a little while. Thank you for showing me your book.” Maki gave Kagome a smile and walked off, waving to her before crossing the street.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Inuyasha looked up from the newspaper he'd been reading for the last half hour. Across the table, Maki slumped down in the seat. “Finished with your private business?” He asked her. She'd told him to wait at a coffee shop before walking off, saying she had some `matters' to take care of.

 

Maki nodded. “Finished with your newspaper?” She asked.

 

“Nothing new.” Inuyasha said, closing the articles. “Same old shit.” He pulled out a box from his pocket, lighting a cigarette.

 

Maki suddenly growled. “You REALLY should stop doing that! Put that out!”

 

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and dropped the newly lit bud into the ground, stepping on it. “Don't you say a word.” He snapped.

 

Rolling her eyes, Maki reached into her purse. “I shouldn't give this to you as punishment for your smoking, but I just can't resist.”

 

Intrigued, Inuyasha said, “What is it?” Maki pulled out a photograph and handed it to him across the table. Taking it from her, he couldn't help but shake his head when he looked at it.

 

“When did you take this?” He asked.

 

“That's a secret.” Maki teased. “But I thought you'd like it.”

 

“What makes you think I would like it?” He raised a brow.

 

“You don't want it?” Maki reached to retrieve her gift, but Inuyasha stuffed it into his pocket. “I thought so.” Maki smiled.

 

“You're insufferable.” Inuyasha clicked his teeth.

 

“But you love me anyway.” Maki pocked his shoulder.

 

Folding the newspaper, Inuyasha stood. “Think I'll go for a walk. Do you want me to take you home?” He asked.

 

“I'm a big girl. I can find my own way.” Maki winked.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yup. Oh, there's a nifty park nearby. Nice place to take a nap?” She offered.

 

Laughing, Inuyasha gave her a soft hug before bidding her farewell. As he walked, he pulled the photo from his pocket, his eyes staring at it. Why would Maki give it to him? Or more importantly, what did Maki imply by giving it to him? He sometimes never knew what was going through her mind. It was like she knew something she didn't.

 

“Inuyasha?” He looked up to find himself already in the park that Maki had mentioned, and, to his surprise, found Kagome looking at him from across the playground.

 

“Hey.” He waved to her and made his way across. Kagome became paler and paler as he got closer. Slightly anxious, he asked her if she was okay when he.

 

“I'm f-fine.” Kagome frowned.

 

“You look sick again.” He replied.

 

“I said I'm fine!” Kagome snapped.

 

“Whatever.” Inuyasha looked back down at the piece of paper in his hand and back up at Kagome as though inspecting something.

 

Curious, Kagome stepped to the side and glimpsed at the picture, only to stare at her own face. Her jaw dropping, she suddenly cursed aloud. “Where did you get that!” She demanded Inuyasha.

 

Shrugging, he nonchalantly answered, “Maki gave it to me a moment ago.”

 

“Give me that!” She tried grabbing the picture. Inuyasha yanked his hand away before she could. “I have a strange feeling of déjà vu.” Inuyasha smirked. “Only this time, I'm keeping this.”

 

“NO! Give it!” Once again, Kagome was throwing her hands at him, trying to get a hold of her picture, but Inuyasha, laughing, pulled his hand away from her whenever she tried.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome scowled, giving up. “Oh, you jerk! It's like you live to embarrass me!”

 

Smirking, Inuyasha put the photo into back into his pocket. “That's my job.” He said. Kagome sighed and crossed her arms, a petulant look on her face. Catching her peevish face, Inuyasha felt his mood fall also.

 

“I'm sorry.” He said it so suddenly that Kagome gawked at him as though he had burst into flames.

 

“Where did that come from?” She wondered.

 

“I mean,” He looked beyond her, “I never apologized for pulling your shoulder out of its socket yesterday.”

 

Kagome put her hand on said shoulder. “Don't worry about it. It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't tried to get away.” She felt heat rise in her face just as she finished her sentence.

 

The scrutinizing stare that Inuyasha was giving her made shivers run up and down her spine. It didn't help that the sun was beginning to set which only added to her sudden coldness. “I'm curios; why did you run away?”

 

Why did he have to ask that! Kagome wanted to pull her hair in frustration, or better yet, run across the street without looking back. “Running is what I do.” She answered stupidly.

 

“Do you run away from everything?” Came his harsh reply.

 

Kagome stomped her foot. “It's your fault!”

 

“How is it my fault!” Inuyasha demanded.

 

“You had to go and ask me something embarrassing, didn't you!”

 

“What's so embarrassing about that? I just asked your simple yes or no question!”

 

Kagome felt her ears burn. “A simple yes or no question wouldn't make me feel uncomfortable all day!”

 

“And why the hell would it make you feel that?” He demanded, livid.

 

“I don't know, maybe because it was a very intimate question!”

 

“Yes or no, that's all you had to say!” Inuyasha growled out of impatience.

 

“What if I didn't have an answer you jerk!”

 

“That's stupid. How could you not have an answer?” He rolled his eyes.

 

“ Well do you?” Kagome challenged.

 

“Yes I do!”

 

“Then what is it!” The nerve of calling her confusion stupid! Kagome had the sudden urge to rip off his head.

 

“I'm not telling!” Inuyasha said stubbornly.

 

“Then how can you say I'm stupid for not having one when you won't even tell me yours!”

 

“Maybe I want to hear your answer first!”

 

“Maybe I don't want to say just yet!”

 

They scowled at each other for a few moments, catching their breath. The sun had gone down. It was at this time the day before that he'd asked her the query that led to this argument.

 

“You're a jerk.” Kagome said in a lower voice.

 

Inuyasha clicked his teeth. “Well, you're impossible.”

 

“Then why did you bother asking this `impossible' girl that question.” Kagome pressed, poking him the chest.

 

“Maybe because I find that impossible girl interesting.” He brushed her hand away. “And she can't even give me a stupid answer to a stupid question!”

 

“You want an answer, fine: Yes!”

 

“Yes what?” He scowled.

 

“Yes, I'm into you!” It took two seconds to understand his shocked face, and to realize what she just said. This was beyond blushing. Kagome could feel her legs shaking when she covered her face with her palms. She really wanted to disappear, run straight home, but her weak knees wouldn't budge.

 

Kagome felt Inuyasha pull her hands away from her face. She felt her stomach fall into her legs and her heart skip a beat when she noticed Inuyasha was leaning toward her. “Did you mean that?” He asked.

 

“Would I f-freak out like this if I d-d-didn't?” Kagome stuttered.

 

Everything stopped the second Inuyasha broke the space between them. Kagome could hear her heart pound in her ears, but that soon too became a distant sound. The feeling of having him hold her close pushed away all other senses. Before she could comprehend her actions, Kagome fisted his shirt with both hands, closing her eyes and kissing him back.

 

His response was mind-boggling. He placed one arm around her lower back and the other tangled itself in her hair. Kagome let go of his shirt and wrapped her arms around his neck. She tightened her arms, pressing them closer. She felt like she couldn't breath and didn't want to, addicted to tasting him.

 

“Ow!” Kagome resisted the urge to whimper when Inuyasha suddenly pulled back, though he didn't let her go. He rubbed the back of his head.

 

“Stupid brat!” He barked at a boy that had thrown the rock at him. The kids laughed at him and shouted.

 

“EW! Get a room you two!”

 

Kagome and Inuyasha laughed. A walk together sounded really nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have three things to say. First, I dropped a lot of clues in this chapter about a certain mystery some of you might be wondering about.

 

Second, god I am blushing. The corniness is almost unbearable!

 

Third, I hope you enjoyed that! I was considering leaving it off when Kagome said, “Would I freak out like this if I didn't.” But hey, I'm a sucker for romance. I also considered ending the story here, but there are still things I haven't explained yet…aw well…