[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

So Much For Pretending
Disclaimer: Sadly, I am not the owner of Inuyasha, or any of it's wonderful characters. I'm
simply using them to satisfy my dreams...muahahahaha..... please review!!! Flames welcome...I
guess ...*sniff*....*sniff*....anyway....ENJOY!!!
Prologue
The figure flew through the trees, a silent red blur set among the green foliage. Landing briefly
on the ground, he ran for a few seconds before leaping back into the air. His silver hair played in
the wind he was creating, the teasing tendrils tickling the girl clinging on his back. Her eyes
opened briefly when he landed, then squeezed shut again with a startled yelp as her vehicle
became airborne.
Inuyasha smiled to himself, glad that Kagome couldn't see his face. Something was so satisfying
about teasing her. Sure, he was running for speed, but he made sure it was a bumpy ride just for
her. He winced however, when her arms tightened around his middle in a death-grip. He could
feel her heart beating wildly against his back, and felt her chest heave at her sharp intake of
breath...
Shaking his head, he concentrated on flying, ignoring the thoughts in his head. There was no way
he could think about Kagome that way. At least, he couldn't show that he did. He knew how she
felt about him, and that only made it harder. Kikyo had followed him into death, choosing not to
live without him. How could he ignore that fact and abandon any inhibitions with Kagome? He
cared for the silly girl, a lot, but it wouldn't be right. `I can't let her know how I feel, not yet.'
Falling gracefully back to earth again, Kagome heaved a heartfelt sigh. Automatically she wished
she hadn't, when she felt Inuyasha stiffen. `Is he worrying about me?' she wondered. She
brushed that unlikely thought away. How many times had she thought about this? Too many
times. `Nothing can happen, not with Kikyo here.' she thought grimly, a small growl escaping her
throat at the thought. She bit her lip, startled. Did she just growl? Kagome sighed. She'd been
around him too long. She adjusted her arms around his waist and let her head lie softly on his
shoulder.
Inuyasha heard the growl, and his mask of anger that he always wore shattered for an instant.
What the hell? Where did THAT come from? Shaking his head with a rueful smile, he flew
higher up, to land on top of a tall tree. Before he let Kagome go, he made sure his mask was in
place. Without it, anyone would be able to see the pain and ache that he carried with him every
single day. And he sure as hell didn't want Kagome to see it.
Dropping off his back, Kagome straightened her skirt and smiled at Inuyasha when he turned
around. He grunted in reply and jerked his head in the direction they'd been going.
"Can you sense the shard Kagome?" He looked at her, with her hair flying in the breeze. When

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she smiled at him, his heart did a little flop. It almost hurt, but it was reassuring and calming in a
strange way. A way he knew too well by now. She nodded.
"Hai, it's coming closer, but it's not fast."
"Feh, at least it's not Kouga." Kagome's giggle made him turn to face her once more.
"What is it wench?" He could see seriousness and laughter struggling for mastery over her face.
Laughter won out, and she was subjected to more giggles. Inuyasha crossed his arms over his
chest and huffed his displeasure. Once she was done, he raised a brow in question. She smirked
in reply.
"I'm still curious as to why you hate him so much." She spared a quick glance at him before
continuing. "I mean, what does it matter to you if the guy likes me?" Inuyasha looked sideways at
her as he growled further displeasure. Thinking quickly, he made a comeback that was sure to
hurt.
"Simple. He takes you and we can't find the Shikon no Tama. That's a no-brainer." He looked
her straight in the eye. What he saw almost made him melt, but he knew he had to do this in
order to keep them safe. If he didn't act gruffly, who knows what they could do...
"Fine, you've made your point, can we continue?" she asked coldly. He bit the inside of his
cheek to stop him from wincing. Her voice was like steel. He nodded silently, but added a little
glare for good measure. When she turned her back, he let his shoulders droop and he frowned
sadly. This sucked incredibly. Just once he wished he could tell her how he felt. But noooo... he
had to hurt her. For now. `Soon,' he promised to her in his mind. `Soon I'll be free of Kikyo. I
don't know when, or how, but I will.' And with one lingering glance at her slim figure he sighed,
tapped her shoulder, and turned for her to get on once more.
Well....that's it for the prologue....depressing no? Well...I'm not gonna say that I won't update
unless I get reviews... because that's evil and heartless... I gotta give the people what they want :)
But please review so I know what you like and stuff okay? Thankies.....

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