InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Miscommunications ❯ Going Under Cover ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8: Going Under Cover

 

Kagura sat wrapped in a warm red blanket watching baby videos of her brother. He had been summoned to his father's side. Kagura sighed as she sunk further into the comfortable feather-soft couch. The lights in the living room had been turned off, and she had drawn the curtains, so that she could forget it was Sunday morning. The big screen television provided the only light in the room, so only Kagura and the couch were visible. She liked it this way. It was easier to pretend she was in the great outdoors and not locked up in her house.

 

She turned the volume up. Why did Naraku have to send Akago to daycare? She suspected it was because his partner had sent Inu Yasha. That's where Akago's obsession with her had begun. He had always been able to see into the hearts and minds of the people around him, and when he looked into Inu Yasha's and his mother's hearts, something snapped. Suddenly, the very independent child demanded her to carry him around, to sing him lullabies, to kiss him good night, and to be the only one she cared about. She still remembered the conversation about his feeding they had had. Akago had accused her of being a bad mother for not breast feeding him, and she rudely explained that she wasn't his mother. He should feel grateful she gave him his bottle. Naraku had punished her dearly for that comment.

 

The screen showed images of Akago pulling on Inu Yasha's ears. The older boy screamed and pushed him away. The camera had been put down as the parents and teachers separated the two. Kagura understood the child better than he thought. They were all detachments. They budded off instead of being born. They were denied a mother and the basic human or demon interactions needed to survive in society. Though, it hadn't been too difficult for her. The country was young, and there were plenty of woods to fly over. When the transition towards cities was made, learning to share her air had been the tricky part.

 

 

All three were denied something basic for survival: his lesser detachments weren't smart enough to notice, but Kagura wasn't one of those. She was one of his strongest, and had Naraku played his cards differently, he would have gained a powerful general. But, the hanyou only felt the need for soldiers. Thus, his detachments were created with enough flaws to keep them in line. Kanna had no emotions. She was passive and too willing to please her master. She had been the first to be born, so her connection to the dark hanyou was the strongest. She was actually informed of his detailed plans. Kagura had been denied her freedom, and, as a wind youkai used to be able to move as she pleased, it was twice the torture. She didn't understand how Kanna could be at peace with being Naraku's slave, but her older sister was such a tranquil child. Akago, having being detached an infant, suffered the worst of all consequence. He was denied a mother. Granted, Naraku had assigned that responsibility to Kagura, but she wasn't child friendly. She had gotten better as she submitted to her brother's demands, but it wasn't a natural instinct... at least, not with him. Had Akago never been introduced to daycare, Kagura was convinced he would never had realized he was missing something.

 

The movie changed to Akago taking his first steps. Kagura was holding on to his hands when he let go and took two determined steps before falling. She moved to help him up, but he pushed her away. He got up on his own like a good little detachment. He had mastered walking by the end of the day. Kagura sighed, and buried herself deeper in the blanket. She didn't blame her brother for wanting a mother. At times like this, she also wished for someone to comfort her; someone to hold her; someone to protect her. Funny, she wasn't thinking of a mother. She was thinking of a certain Inu Youkai Lord. She held a white package close to her heart. Everything was going to hell.

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*-*-*-*

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Inu Yasha sat on his bike close to Kagome's apartment. After they had caught up with the girls and changed, they had gone out for ice cream. It was a strange experience. Kagome was laughing the whole time, even at his bad jokes. Everyone seemed relax. Even Sango had allowed Miroku to sit next to her, and the monk had managed to keep his hands to himself. Granted, Kagome had gotten him two ice cream cones, leaving the monk with no hands to grope with.

 

Inu Yasha closed his eyes remembering the look on Kagome's face when she saw his sundae:

 

“What flavor is it?” She had asked, eyeing the three scoops covered with whipped cream, decorative cookies and chocolate shavings lustfully.

 

“Lemon and vanilla with strawberry sauce.”

 

“That sounds delicious.”

 

“Keh, of course…I picked it.” He had omitted the fact that he had only picked it because it was the largest sundae they had.

 

“May I have a taste?” She asked after rolling her eyes. Though Inu Yasha usually had qualms about sharing, he just shrugged and filled a spoon with the calorie filled concoction and gave it to her. Her lips curled into a satisfied smiled as her eyes closed in pleasure. The moan she released afterwards made Inu Yasha think of more private activities. When she opened her eyes and looked into his hot golden stare, she blushed brightly and turned away, never losing her smile. He had been unable to take his eyes off her for the rest of the evening.

 

Eventually, duty called, and he had to go work his bar. He had given Sango a lift as they parted. The youkai exterminator had even given the hentai monk a smile goodnight. After closing, he had stayed to clean the bar and decided that if he went to watch her house now, he wouldn't miss her.

 

“Good morning.” Inu Yasha sat up rigidly as he turned to face a familiar voice. Kagome was dropping a few bags in the dumpster behind him. How had she gotten around him? “Don't you believe in sleep?”

 

“Keh?” He looked at her warily as he examined the situation.

 

“Calm down, Sherlock. There is a back exit to the building. The way the wind is blowing, you would have never smelled me coming.” The answer appeased him. “I'm ready.”

 

“For what?”

 

“I should ask you that question.” She brushed a few stray strands behind her ear as she smiled brightly. “You're the one at my doorstep. Aren't you going to kidnap me or something?”

 

“Keh.”

 

“Inu Yasha…I know you were following me yesterday. There aren't that many Harleys customized with your name on it on it.” She mentioned as she pointed to the Keiji design underneath the flames. “You can't continue to do this. It's not right or fair to me. I'll make you a deal. If I agree to go with you today, spend the entire day doing what you want to do, you have to promise to stop following me.”

 

Inu Yasha thought about his for a second. There was less of a risk during the week while she was working. Weekends were when she was a vulnerable target. “Fine, but you got to spend the weekends with me.”

 

“Won't your girlfriend get jealous?”

 

“I don't got a girlfriend, bitch.” Kagome grabbed his jacket and pulled him forward.

 

“Don't call me bitch unless you mean it!” She warned. He growled lightly at her intrusion, but permitted it. As a single female, she had the right to deny any male the right to call her bitch.

 

“Fine, get on.” He growled.

 

“Every weekend is excessive.” She complained, though the idea of having permission to keep an eye on him was appealing. She just needed to play hard ball, so he wouldn't get suspicious.

 

“Then, I'll just start following you again.”

 

“That's called stalking!” She took a deep breath. “Fine…I'm not arguing with you. Whatever you want!” She raised her voice an octave so that he would believe she was angry. Grabbing the helmet she had brought down she took her place on his bitch seat.

 

“You have your own helmet?”

 

“I have a bike for racing myself…What can I say? I love speed.” He shrugged, understanding her. Though Harleys aren't speed bikes, they make you feel like you are gliding on air. It was the closest thing to running on the tree tops he had experienced in his life.

 

“You're just full of surprises.” He growled as he peeled off.

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*-*-*-*

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It was dark in the cellar-like room Naraku kept for his son. The 20 watt bulbs did loyally hid the dark doings of the room. It was Naraku's safe place. He laid there decomposing, throwing out the weaker demons that were imbedded in him. He would rid himself of all weaknesses before the Shikon appeared. They would fight him for it, but he would win. He would be prepared. He watched his son in the corner as Akago examined the security tapes and other surveillance information from Friday's intrusion. His son would discover something the Kizu girl failed to see. He would redeem himself in front of the board, and that security bitch would pay for her insolence.

 

“Akago,” he turned to his son, “what did Kagura's heart tell you?”

 

“Nothing.” Naraku's disembodied head raised an eyebrow in question. “She loves no one else but me.”

 

“So, she's finally learning.” The hanyou concluded eying his son guardedly.

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*-*-*-*

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“Why did you bring me here?” Kagome demanded as she got off the bike. He soon followed, leading her to the back door of his bar. The back lot was empty, and the neighborhood seemed dead for the exception of a few stores that were opening for business.

 

“This is where I spend my Sundays.” He explained as he opened the door and led her inside.

 

“So you brought me here so you could do your Sunday business while I watch?”

 

“Keh, you wish.” He shot back as he led her up some stairs to the second floor of the building. The light was coming in from the whitewash windows, while plastic hung everywhere. There were construction materials piled on the side blocking the stairway, and everything was covered in dust. She was surprised to see that he was leading her towards one of the second floor apartments. “I'm planning to put an elevator here,” he pointed to the wall between the two apartments, “but the only way we can fit it is if both apartments give up a room.”

 

“How many floors?” Kagome asked as she followed him into the second apartment.

 

“Five without the bar. There are two, three bedroom apartments on each floor. I figure if I turn them into two-bedrooms with an elevator they would rent about the same.” Kagome looked at him surprised.

 

“I didn't know you were into real-estate.”

 

“I'm not. I'm into decent living conditions. My apartment right now is not cheap…well it is as rent goes these days, but it's a whole lot of money, and there's always something wrong. The hot water is cold almost everyday. We don't get heat until mid-March, and then they don't shut it off until September. Something is always going. I hate that.”

 

“So you bought the bar and the building to go along with it?”

 

“No, I bought the building and realized I could make a bar downstairs. The neighbors weren't too happy, but I promised to keep the weeknight noise to a minimum.” He replied half annoyed.

 

“So, why are we here?” He stopped and turned around examining what she was wearing. Black comfortable shoes and low rise jeans with a cute top and her leather jacket. The shirt would have to go. He walked towards what would become the kitchen and grabbed a duffle bag. He picked up a plain white t-shirt and threw it at her.

 

“Put this on.” He ordered.

 

“Why?” She demanded.

 

“Because, you're going to get dirty.” He walked back wearing a pair of dusty blue jeans and a dirty red shirt. His hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. The shirt did nothing to hide his well defined biceps. In fact, it looked a bit small on him, causing it to accentuate his muscular chest. Kagome had to make a conscious effort not to drool. He was delicious.

 

“Doing what?” Though she really meant to ask, `doing who?'

 

“Breaking a few walls.” He explained. She gave him an incredulous look.

 

“I'm not cheap labor.”

 

“Nope, but labor is labor.” He smirked before he went to the hallway to retrieve the hammers. She took the opportunity to change her shirt. It was comfortable and smelled of outdoors. It must have just come back from the wash. He returned holding two rubber top hammers and led her to the desired room. “We're going to tear this wall down.”

 

“Are you sure we can?”

 

“Yeah, there aren't any pipes or wires running through it. It's just plaster and insulation.”

 

“No, I mean, are you sure that we can physically do it. That looks heavy.” She pointed towards the hammers. Inu Yasha rolled his eyes. Women.

 

“Here.” He threw her a dust mask and a set of goggles. Though he wasn't one to care about safety, he had talked Sango into coming and helping him the second she had a chance. Knowing that she would want to take every precaution, he had bought the safety equipment early. He drew an X on the wall and said, “Aim for that.” He handed her the hammer and turned to his side. She put on the mask and goggles as she watched him work. It was amazing. His biceps and triceps would stretch and contract as his arms moved skillfully.

 

She shook herself clear of the image as she returned to the task at hand. That wall had to come down. She rubbed her hands together, grabbed the handle, lifted it up, and got it an inch above the ground before she realize it was too heavy for her to swing. “You're doing it wrong.” He cleverly observed.

 

“It's heavy!” She complained. He came up behind her, grabbing her hands. “Place them like this, so that the weight is evenly distributed.” He instructed as his chest pressed against her back. Why did that feel so comfortable? “Spread your legs and bend your knees a little.” She turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

 

“That did not sound right.” She complained.

 

“Keh, just do what I say.” He grumbled. Why did she have to bring up that point? Especially when she was pressed so closely to him. “You want to get a full swing. The momentum will do all the work…Like this.” He demonstrated by pulling up the hammer and forcefully swinging it. Kagome's arms hung along for the ride. “Got it?”

 

“The problem isn't the technique. The problem is I don't have the upper body strength for it.” She complained again as she remained in his arms.

 

“Then, use your lower body instead.” He rolled his eyes. “Why did you thing I had you bend your knees? So you could use them to help you lift.” He talked to her as if she were a stubborn five-year-old.

 

“Excuse me, oh great one!” Kagome complained. “My lowly brain could not follow.” Sarcasm was dripping in liters from her words.

 

“I'll forgive it this time.” He shrugged as he regretfully let go of her arms. She held in her anger as she picked up the hammer and swung it through the wall. There was something about her grunt; or maybe it was the way her eyebrows frowned in concentration; or the fact that her scent was extra spicy when she was mad that made Inu Yasha hungry at the sight of the wall being attacked by the young woman. Perhaps it was all three put together. What ever the reason, she was going to be the death of him.

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*-*-*-*

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Sango stretched as she got out of bed. It was late Sunday morning. Her two tailed golden cat greeted her the minute she stepped into the kitchen. “Morning, Kirara.” She opened a can of tuna and emptied it into her dish. The cat purred happily as Sango grabbed a protein shake from the fridge. She walked over to her office and woke up her computer. Kagome and Miroku had made her question her abilities, and that could not go unrewarded. Sango had taken more time to figure how to follow the two. One option she still had available was accepting the monk's dinner invitations. Unfortunately, they came with his cursed hand. She would save that for when it was absolutely necessary.

 

She still had the sister. Kagome seemed intent in befriending her, and she was going to allow it. She had accepted the invitation to the gym with a dual purpose. Sango opened a program and saw Kagome's phone activities. There hadn't been much activity in the last twelve hours, which wasn't surprising. There was no way Kagome could accidentally find this bug. After having the reporter call her to confirm she had gotten the cell phone right, Sango had linked their accounts. There wouldn't be a call made Sango wouldn't overhear. It was good to have friends in military intelligence.

 

Sango stretched again before going to work on the brother. She needed to find out his family name. There was no way an ordinary taxi driver had his car registered as a government vehicle. She smiled. She had been wearing a camera when she had broken into the apartment. She had been able to see the picture of his father, which meant, she could now do a search for both individuals. It had taken some time to extract the pictures, and they did need a little editing, since the light in the room was so low, but it had worked. They were ready. She emailed them to her father and brother. The older man was currently working for Japanese military intelligence, and her brother, for the CIA. “Might as well cover all bases.” She shrugged before she went back to work. She looked at the file from Friday's break-in. “Forget this.” She returned to the living room and turned on some mindless television. Kirara crawled on the couch with her and made herself comfortable on Sango's lap. It was going to be a lazy afternoon.

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“If I'd known you were going to turn me into your personal slave, I would have never agreed to this.” Kagome complained as she swept away the remains of the last wall. With Inu Yasha's superhuman strength, they had torn down the five remaining walls. He had her sweep the debris as he moved on. She was a better sweeper than he, so it made up for her slowness at tearing down the walls.

 

“Keh, if I'd known you would be so whiny, I wouldn't have bothered to bring you.”

 

“No, you would just have spent your day following me.” She complained as her stomach rumbled. “But, at least I would have been fed.”

 

“Keh.” He objected as took the broom from her and led her away. They took the stairs back to the second floor, where they went into the other apartment. Kagome was surprised to find that this one was clean and organized. “This one is going to be mine.” He explained. “I'm almost done too. I just need to paint and bring in the furniture.” Kagome was impressed. If this was what they apartments were going to look like when they were done, Inu Yasha may have stumbled into a gold mine. The windows were huge allowing a vast amount of light into the living room. The kitchen was separated by a half wall. The other half was smoked glass, so there was more than enough light in the narrow room. On the other side there was a small dinning room, and she hadn't seen the bedrooms yet.

 

“You have a good eye for space.”

 

“Keh.”

 

“Have you thought what furniture you're going to put in here?”

 

“A bit…the pool table is going in there.” He pointed to the dinning room. “I'm putting a new entertainment center in the living room. The smaller room will be an office, and I like the bedroom set I have now.”

 

Kagome looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “You're going to turn this into a guy palace?”

 

“Of course.” He smirked.

 

“Your future girlfriend will have a field day containing the damage.”

 

“What's wrong with my idea?”

 

“You won't get the full use of this space…what if you want to entertain?”

 

“Playing pool, watching TV…what else is there?”

 

“What if you wanted to have a sit down dinner?” She suggested. His eyes lit up.

 

“You're right. I might want to hold poker nights up here instead of the bar…” Kagome slumped her shoulders. Some guys were incorrigible.

 

“Well, what would you do with the space?” He asked as he started searching his cabinets.

 

“I would put white molding and paint the walls a nice dark color. There is enough light in here so you can do that. A dark red going on burgundy would be nice, and you could bring the color into the dinning room. You had the foresight to put terracotta in your kitchen so the red motif won't be disturbed. Oh, and the window treatments…”

 

“Window treatments?” He asked as he turned around with a case of Ramen.

 

“Curtains.” She explained turning to him.

 

“Why didn't you just say that?”

 

She shrugged and asked, “What are you doing?”

 

“Lunch…do you want beef, shrimp or chicken?”

 

“How about something with real food in it?” she suggested.

 

“This is real food. I know; I eat it all the time.” Kagome looked at him in disbelief. “Besides, there's nothing else here.” Kagome walked to the other apartment changed into her black low cut top, brushed the excess dust from her hair and grabbed her purse.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“Going to buy you real food. When was the last time you had a home cooked meal?”

 

“Ramen is home cooked. I'm even going to do it on the stove for you!” He protested.

 

“I take it you don't remember. It's ok. I'll cook.” Inu Yasha growled in response.

 

“What's wrong with Ramen?”

 

“It's what kept me alive in college.”

 

“And?”

 

“Have you ever had American Ramen?”

“No.”

 

“It's so cheap because they can't give it away.” She explained as she headed down the stairs; Inu Yasha was close on her heals. There was a small supermarket a few blocks away. They walked, mostly in silence as Kagome figured out what to make the grouchy hanyou. “What foods do you like?”

 

“Ramen.”

 

“Anything else?”

 

“Ramen.” He grumbled as he buried his hands in his pockets, eyebrows borrowed.

 

“Inu Yasha, are you mad?” She asked softly as she slipped a hand around his arm. She hated to admit it, but he looked adorable when he pouted, just like a puppy.

 

“Keh.” He felt warm suddenly as she moved closer.

 

“Are you mad at me because I insulted your Ramen?”

 

“Keh.” She smiled softly before answering.

 

“I'll buy you what ever you want for desert to make it up to you.” His eyes lit up as they entered the supermarket.

 

“Ramen!”

 

“I was thinking of something more like Ben and Jerry's.” She suggested.

 

“Ramen flavored Ben and Jerry's? They make that?” Inu Yasha asked happily. Kagome rolled her eyes as she guided him to the fresh produce section after grabbing a cart. She grabbed a plastic bag and picked out a few ripe tomatoes and peppers.

 

“Why don't you pick out some fruit?” She offered. He shrugged and return with a bag of candy covered apples. He gave her an innocent smile as she sent him back. “Is there anything else you like to each instead of noodles?” She asked when he returned with an apple pie. “Inu Yasha, when I said fruit I meant no added sugar!”

 

“But it has apples!” He complained. She shook her head, and he sighed: This grocery shopping thing was difficult.

 

She picked out fresh mushrooms and some baby carrots. “What vegetables do you like?”

 

“None.” He answered plainly. She sighed and replied,

 

“Then, we are going with the ones I like…asparagus!” He stuck his tongue out in disgust. She laughed lightly at his response. “Fine, we'll stick to the basics. They walked by the pasta and she picked up vegetable linguini. He was going to eat green one way or another. “Do you like juice?”

 

“I have soda at the bar.” She grabbed the orange juice but he stopped her. “I have juice for mixing as well.” She nodded and continued walking.

 

“What meat would you like?” She asked once they were by the poultry.

 

“Huh?”

 

“When you make noodles from scratch, you get to put real meat in, not just flavoring.” Inu Yasha's eyes brighten as a giant smile formed on his face. Maybe there was something good to this cooking after all. “How about beef tips?” He could kiss her right now.

 

They stopped by the ice cream, and she allowed him to pick the flavor. It should make up for her taking over his kitchen. Of course, Inu Yasha picked the vanilla by the gallon instead of Kagome's Cherry Garcia. Ben and Jerry's would have to wait. She stopped by the seasonings when she realized, “Inu Yasha, do you have pans?”

 

“Why would I need those?”

 

“How did I know?” Kagome shrugged and picked up a couple of pans. They weren't great, but they would do. Besides, Inu Yasha wouldn't know the difference.

 

“Do you do this often?”

 

“Shop or cook?”

 

“Both.”

 

“Miroku and I take turns, though we grocery shop together. If I left him on his own, he would come back with a cartful of that sugary cereal you have in your hands right now. That is not a meal. That is a fix.” Inu Yasha looked at her warily. She had her back to him. How did she know? Cautiously, he returned the precious cereal to its shelf. He would come back for it later. They headed for the checkout when Kagome remembered something else. “Inu Yasha, you do have plates, right?” The hanyou groan as he went in look for something disposable.

 

“Men.” She grumbled as the cashier rang her up. Kagome didn't miss the dirty look the young brunet was giving her. Had she said something wrong? Inu Yasha returned with a packet of paper plates and was happy that Kagome didn't complain. At least he did something right. Kagome watched silently as the girl looked longingly at Inu Yasha. Did the girl think that…was she assuming that…did they even look like a couple?

 

Kagome paid and grabbed a few bags; Inu Yasha took the majority of them. The minute they were outside, she burst into laughter. “What's wrong with you, wench?”

 

“I thought the cashier was going to jump me?”

 

“And you think that's funny?” Inu Yasha asked turning suspiciously towards the supermarket. Had the girl threatened Kagome? That would not do.

 

“No…what's funny is that she was going to do that because she was jealous.”

 

“Of what?” Inu Yasha demanded as he turned to her.

 

“She thought I had stolen you away.” Inu Yasha froze, unsure of how to take the comment. He had used this supermarket in the past when he needed last minute things for the bar, but he had never taken much time to talk with anyone. Though, that wasn't what was bothering him.

 

“What's so funny about that?” He asked resentfully.

 

“The fact we almost end up killing each other almost every single time we're together.” She answered controlling her laughter. Had she hit a nerve?

 

“Some people would call that sexual tension!” He grumbled. “You just think that a girl like you wouldn't be interested in a guy like me.”

 

“No…I don't think that at all!” She defended indignantly. “In fact, I would say that a guy like you wouldn't be interested in a girl like me.”

 

“That's bull!”

 

“Oh…when was the last time you had a serious relationship?”

 

“What does that have to do with anything?”

 

“I can't remember mine. I work almost all day long. Then, I have to go to the gym, not because I want to but because it's in my contract. When it's all over, I go home to my brother, who is a pervert…yet scares away any guy I bring home. I eat something and knock out, just to start another day. I have to be at the studio by four in the morning. I'm tired all the time. Last time I checked, macho biker guys like you wanted attentive girlfriends that had time for them.”

 

“Like you would really date an uneducated hanyou like me.” He growled lightly.

 

“Inu Yasha,” she spoke softly, “the first guy that sees my life situation and doesn't run for the hills, I'm marrying. I don't care if he's a beggar on the streets or a Prince of a foreign nation. And, I care less if he's a hanyou, ningen or youkai! I can't believe you would think I would do something like that!” She shook her head in disgust before walking away.

 

Inu Yasha sniffed the air. She was feeling hurt and angry, but she wasn't lying. She would date a guy like him, not that he cared. It was nice to know that she was really as down to Earth as she projected herself to be. He walked fast to catch up to her. “You're wrong.”

 

“Huh?” She turned to him confused.

 

“We don't want attentive girlfriends with tons of time…They're nice, but what we look for are loyal ones.” His voice was low as the two made an unspoken truce.

 

“There's a hardware store. Let's see if they have that color I was talking about.” Kagome pointed out.

 

“Why?”

 

“Because…” She answered as they left the bags by the entrance. They walked towards the back as Inu Yasha greeted the owner.

 

“Fixing up your bar?” The old man with a receding hair line and pot belly asked.

 

“No, my apartment. You have red paint?”

 

“What kind of red?”

 

“Almost burgundy.” Kagome answered looking at the paint chips in front of her. “Just more red than brown.”

 

The old man looked at her and smile. “You must be the little lady. Well, yes, I think I have the color you want.” The man turned around as Kagome looked at him in surprise. She turned to Inu Yasha to find his cheeks slightly red though he had an indifferent frown on his face. “How's this?” The old man asked, showing her the color.

 

“That's the color.” Kagome immediately forgot the man's mistake.

 

“Give me the same as last time.” Inu Yasha spoke up.

 

“You like the color?”

 

“Red is my favorite.” He shrugged. Kagome pointed to his shirt and replied,

 

“I've noticed.”

 

“Anything else?” The man asked smiling at Kagome.

 

“A few new brushes…I ruined the last two.” Inu Yasha explained.

 

“You know, your boyfriend is thought highly off in this community.” The old man began. Kagome was about to correct him, but after the little fit Inu Yasha had thrown outside the supermarket she changed her mind.

 

“Oh?”

 

“Very few people want to give back to the community. He's actually fixing up those apartments. It'll be nice not to have a building knocked down or allowed to rot for a change.”

 

“You have to make room for modernization.” Kagome said sarcastically.

 

“Don't get me started.” The old man turned his grey eyes toward her. “Take that park across the street. It was a dirty lot about a year ago. Some neighbors got together and fixed it up. Now, we have a nice place for the kids…well, we just found out that the city is selling the land to some big shot that's going to put up a parking complex there. I tell you; there's no justice left.” Kagome looked at him in surprise. The media must not know about this, or it would be a huge scandal a few months before the elections. “Here, it's on the house.”

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“You've been very quiet.” Inu Yasha observed as Kagome boiled the water she needed to cook the pasta. Kagome shrugged her shoulders as she seasoned the meat.

 

“Oi, onna what's wrong?”

 

“I was just thinking about the park.”

 

“What can you do? It's the big shots with all the power that make all the decisions.”

 

“I'm going to do a special on it.”

 

“Why do you even care? It's not like it's your neighborhood.”

 

“It doesn't matter! Public officials are elected to do what is best for the neighborhood. They shouldn't take away a public park to put up a garage! Besides, by law, they have to relocate the park to another area serving the same people. They need to keep it about the same size…there isn't that much green around here. Removing that park might be illegal to begin with.” Inu Yasha looked at her with interest. She was so passionate when she spoke. Her eyes seemed to glow a brilliant shade of blue. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Like I have three heads.” He shrugged.

 

“Sometimes I think you do.” She rolled her eyes as she stirred the meat in with the vegetables.

 

“Look whose talking.” She complained as she drained the pasta. “This is coming from the `uneducated hanyou' that has been successfully running a business while making good with the community.” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

 

“Keh, you have too much pent up hostility.” Kagome added the pasta to the meat before indignantly asking,

 

“Me?”

 

“The first time we met, you screamed at me for fifteen minutes! The next time, you picked a fight with me…”

 

“And took three bullets for you.” She interrupted as she adjusted the flame.

 

“Then, you point a gun to my head.”

 

“I just wanted your clothes.” He raised an eyebrow.

 

“You kicked me out of your apartment when all I wanted to do was make sure you were alright.”

 

“You provoked me!” She complained.

 

Inu Yasha rolled his eyes. “All I'm saying is that you haven't been very nice to me.”

 

“I saved you're life! That should count for something!” She asked indignantly.

 

“See, there's that anger again.” Kagome paused, took off the white tee shirt she was wearing as an apron, and walked out of the kitchen. “Kagome?” Had he said something wrong?

 

“It's not anger.” She spoke softly from the living room. The area was clear of all obstructions. It would do.

 

“What is it then?” He asked as he followed her. He didn't like the look on her face.

 

“Nervous energy.” She replied before turning to him. “I'm too much of an active person not to exercise daily.” She took a few steps back and motioned him forward. He remembered something about the day before. Miroku trained her using kick boxing and self defense moves.

 

“You want me to hit you?” He asked in disbelief.

 

“You won't land a blow.” A challenge like that would never go unanswered. Deciding he would go easy on the girl, he tried to grab her arm. She moved her wrist out of the way, capturing his arm and turning it. Inu Yasha was forced to turn around so that it wouldn't break. She kicked his knee, and he fell forward. The girl was tough.

 

He broke free and swung his leg around but she jumped out of the way. He used the opportunity to stand up. He threw a few punch combinations to distract her before grabbing her again. This time, he was met with a foot on his stomach. He fell backwards with a bang. It wasn't that she was tougher than Miroku; he just felt strange hitting a girl. She walked over him, folding her arms by her chest. She had one leg by each side of his waist before she agreed, “Maybe it's a bit of anger.” It was her smirk that made him snap.

 

He pulled on her legs until she fell forward. She stretched out her hands to break her fall, as she landed a few inches from his lips. Their eyes met. As his hands moved to her waist, they leaned in.