InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I'll Be There For You ❯ Roadtrip ( Chapter 17 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 17: Roadtrip
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Kagome sat beneath the ancient God Tree and sighed. Several months had passed since graduation and the incident with Shippo. She had been surprised to hear about his illness, but was glad to know that he was now getting the treatment he required. Even after all that had happened between them, Kagome found herself pitying the young man and forgiving him.
 
The judge in the case assured her that Shippo would not be allowed to leave the treatment center until he was fully stabilized and deemed rehabilitated. Even then, he would not be able to have any contact with Kagome or her family.
 
“Hey Kagome, here's my flashlight. You make sure you bring it back, okay?” Kagome turned to look at her little brother. She smiled as she stood. `Little' would not describe him much longer. He had gone through a growth spurt that had him only an inch or two shorter than herself.
 
“Thanks Sota. I'll be careful with it.”
 
“Why can't I go camping with you guys? It sounds like a lot of fun.” Sota crossed his arms and pouted.
 
Kagome laughed and mussed his hair. “I'm sorry, but this is our last get away before we start school in a few weeks. Besides, I thought mom was taking you to the beach.”
 
“Yeah, but it is with mom. How can I look cool going to the beach with my mother, much less meet girls?”
 
“You'll meet more girls at the beach than you will meet on the mountain.” Inuyasha came up, joining the conversation. “Besides, I bet that your mom would be willing to stay in the background if you explained the situation to her.”
 
Sota brightened considerably. “I think I will go talk to her. Thanks Inuyasha!” Tossing a smile over his shoulder, Sota ran into the house looking for his mother.
 
Inuyasha and Kagome shared a laugh. “Thank-you Inuyasha.”
 
“No problem. I know what it's like trying to look cool for the ladies with an adult hanging around. Are you ready for tomorrow?”
 
“Yes. I just have to pack Sota's flashlight and finish loading the car. The others are going to meet us up there, right?” Inuyasha nodded.
 
“Koga and Ayame will get our spot tonight, while Miroku and Sango will drive up tomorrow afternoon.”
 
Kagome had met Koga and Ayame a few weeks earlier when they came up to check out the university campus and register for classes. They had stopped by the shrine to visit Inuyasha and to be introduced to Kagome. She immediately recognized Ayame to be a kindred spirit, and invited them to join the camping trip that had been planned.
 
“Make sure you get a good night's sleep, Inuyasha. I would like to hit the road early in the morning.”
 
Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome and gave her a kiss. “Whatever you say, mother.” He chuckled as he released her and headed back into the house. “Just make sure you do the same.” Kagome shook her head in exasperation. She figured that she'd never fully understand men.
 
~~The Next Morning~~
 
“I hope that's that last of it. There isn't anymore room.” Kagome sat on the trunk to get it to latch.
 
“If it isn't packed, then we don't need it. I thought that you were going to pack the shower; you seemed to pack everything else.”
 
“I wish I could pack the shower. I am not looking forward to no hot running water for the course of this week.” Inuyasha smiled; he knew how much Kagome loved her hot showers and baths.
 
“Okay, are you ready to go?” Kagome nodded and went into the house to tell her family they were leaving. Coming back carrying a couple of water bottles, she tossed one to Inuyasha and slid into the driver's seat of her convertible. Inuyasha climbed in beside her.
 
“Okay, let's hit the road. Mountains, here we come!”
 
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The first hour or so of the trip was uneventful. Kagome and Inuyasha talked about classes they were starting soon, living arrangements and other such topics. They had just turned off the freeway onto a small two lane highway that had little traffic when Kagome's car blew a tire.
 
She managed to bring the car to a safe stop in a pullout. Hopping out of the car, the two surveyed the damage. “Damn! I have to unpack the trunk to get to the spare tire.” Inuyasha chuckled.
 
“If you get the spare out, I will change it for you.” Kagome just looked at him.
 
“I can change my own tire; you don't have to do it for me.”
 
“Keh! That is why I am here, wench.” Kagome glared at Inuyasha, but decided that it wasn't worth the argument. She opened the trunk and uncovered the spare. Inuyasha then proceeded to change the flat.
 
Kagome sat on the side of the road and watched Inuyasha struggle with the jack and the tire. Finally, after 30 minutes of watching him curse everything around him, she stood. “Inuyasha, go sit down and relax. I will finish this.” Inuyasha stared at her.
 
“What? No way!”
 
“Inuyasha, SIT!”
 
“Keh! Fine. As if you could do better than me.” Inuyasha flopped himself down in a pout.
 
Kagome took a deep breath and turned to the task before her. She quickly had the car jacked up, the tire changed and the flat stored back in the trunk within 5 minutes. As she reloaded the car, she caught Inuyasha's incredulous look and giggled.
 
“How did you do that?”
 
“Silly, did you forget that auto shop class I took my junior year of high school? Plus I have been changing the tires on mom's car for years.” Inuyasha looked as if his jaw would drop to the ground. “Come on, let's get going. The others are probably wondering where we are.”
 
Getting back on the road, Kagome couldn't help laughing at the blush that stained Inuyasha's cheeks. Reaching over and squeezing his hand in reassurance, Kagome gave him a quick glance. “Don't worry; I won't tease you about this; at least not much.” She laughed again as he threw her another glare.
 
`Great, I know I'll never hear the end of this' Inuyasha thought. `But damn, she's good!'
 
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TBC