InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Girl and the Band ❯ Challenge Four: Time to Play ( Chapter 14 )

A/N: Okay, back to the challenges. Oh and by the way…thanks to all who told me the CORRECT way to spell Sesshoumaru. Never been much of a speller anyway.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, I have posters and pictures and episodes and occasionally I quote his lines, but I don't own him. Damn.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Challenge Four: Time to Play

"So Kagome, how are you feeling?" asked Inuyasha with the innocence of an asp.

'Like knocking you over the head with a heavy object and feeding you to the vultures.'

"Like worshipping your betters, you say? Like fawning over me and catering to my every need? Kagome, that's too kind." Inuyasha laughed hysterically, enjoying his position of power.

Listening to that for fifteen minutes straight would anger you as well. Kagome glared daggers at Inuyasha, sitting crossed legged on the floor, her body language screaming her irritation. 'Laugh it up you stinking piece of…'

Make that rage.

"So Kagome, tell me what is on your mind. You say you're in love with me and can't stop thinking about me? Oh, and that I'm too gorgeous for anyone to resist? Yes, I am all that - aren't I? Oh, now you're saying that I am better at arguing, and everything else for that matter, than you will ever be. I don't know what to say."

Miroku smacked his hand to his head. Inuyasha was digging himself into quite a large hole. And by the looks of Kagome, she wasn't about to let him get away with that remark.

Kagome's demeanor had indeed darkened steadily during Inuyasha's little speech. 'Ooo, what I would say if I could talk. But there is no way I'm letting that idiot cost me this dare. I need to find a way to get Sango to say my name. But how?'

"What are you thinking about now, Kagome?" Inuyasha started again, after recovering from his previous bout of laughter.

'Wouldn't you like to know,' Kagome thought as her fists clenched into tight little balls.

Sango smiled as she watched the proceedings with relish. She was thoroughly enjoying herself, at everyone else's expense. Kagome would be mad at Inuyasha, so the fact that this truly was her fault would go unnoticed. She chuckled under her breath; Kagome eyes were very dark, and she looked ready to explode. This was going to be very entertaining.

"Let's list the things that I am good at and that you are not, shall we?" continued Inuyasha as he plopped himself down in front of her, oblivious to the danger of the situation. "Let's see: video games, ice skating, roller skating, singing, playing musical instruments, dressing…" Kagome's eyes tightened to tiny slits. " Oh, and of course, I am stronger, smarter, and less directionally challenged."

Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She remembered someone once telling her to count to ten when trying to relive anger. 'One…two…three…kill…five…six…murderR 30;seven…eight…that's it, I can't stand it.' Kagome rose of the ground and stood, glaring at Inuyasha, giving him her 'I'm not finished with you yet' look. Then she made a direct path for Sango.

There was just enough time to see the spark of confusion in Sango's eyes before Kagome attacked, tickling her mercilessly. Sango laughed and wheezed, unable to speak or breathe in between the uncontrollable laughter. She tried to roll away, but Kagome had pinned her down, preventing all means of escape from Kagome's attack.

'Yes Sango, now you see. Having to learn how to effectively torture a younger brother has finally paid off.

Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged glances, both not sure why Kagome was tickling the older girl. Especially when she looked ready to kill.

Sango gasped for air, trying to speak out to her assailant. "Wait, stop. I can't breathe. Stop, Kagome."

The ticking ceased instantly at the precise moment that the name 'Kagome' was uttered.

Dead silence ensued.

'Uh-oh,' thought Sango as she watched Kagome's gaze snap to Inuyasha.

'Oh shit' Inuyasha's thoughts were similar to Sango's.

A sly and very evil smile began to form on Kagome's face. "Oh, Inuyasha, I have a great need to further discuss what you were ranting about before." She turned on Inuyasha slowly.

"Aside from being a complete jerk who can barley keep his own unfinished thought? Add somethin' to it so that it makes sense in an argument with a girl, you are the worst liar ever to grace this earth. Have you any idea how wrong you were to even think that you are smarter than me." She descended upon him slowly, punctuating certain words with her footsteps. "You are impossibly aggravating, you took advantage of my inability to defend myself…" She reached his location and bent down so her face was mere inches from him. "And you said some of the stupidest things."

Inuyasha gulped, then shook his head. 'There is no way I'm afraid of this little girl.' He looked her in the eyes with his challenge. "Anything else you would like to add?"

"Yes." she closed her eyes and took a deep breath of air, then reopened her eyelids to reveal smoldering black pupils. "Prepare to die."

Kagome lunged for Inuyasha, but he easily avoided her and began running around the room, laughing, provoking her with gestures, and telling her she was slow. She ran after him in a rage, undaunted by his criticism. They jumped over furniture and ran rampant through the entire house, destroying most of what they came in contact with.

Miroku turned to Sango and decided to point out the obvious. "This is all your fault."

Sango's temper was like a short fuse connected to a bomb: Kagome had managed to get her to say her name. She needed somewhat to take out her anger, and she quickly decided that Miroku would do. "Well, I see no reason not to join the crowd."

"A fabulous idea. I hear most of the crowd generally makes out at this stage in the relationship. I have heard of something called 'NCMO.' It stands for: Non-Committal Make Out. Sounds interesting… hmm…who wants to try?"

"Why, you stupid letch." Sango lunged for the grinning Miroku, who followed Inuyasha's suit and pranced around the house, avoiding the assault.

Shippo sat in the middle of the room, stunned. "Wow, pure chaos has erupted in the mansion. I am so surprised." He sighed slightly; wondering if most kids his age developed imaginary friends due to lack of attention and the mental instability of those around them.

"Soooo, Bob. How 'bout you and me go play video games? Who, them? No, they'll be at that for awhile. Don't worry, they all like each other. I know, it sounds impossible, but some people are just crazy like that. Of course not, Bob; I will never be like that. Well, neither will you, Bob. Yeah, you're right. Promise me, if I ever fall in love, slap me as hard as you can. Huh? Well, then just slap me mentally, how's that? Good, let's go." Shippo trotted off to his favorite spot and started his game.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I am exhausted. How long have we been running?" asked Kagome while lying on the ground. Her anger had abated her long ago.

"One hour and twenty minutes. And you still haven't caught me, might I point out?"

Kagome glanced at Inuyasha from her prone position on the ground. He was slumped against a wall and was drenched in sweat. She looked away and smiled. "Maybe, but I tired you out."

Inuyasha scoffed with folded arms. "In your dreams, wench, I can run a marathon."

"Inuyasha, we have been over this. You're a terrible liar."

Inuyasha straightened up slightly in agitation. "Oh, you don't think I could do it?"

Kagome looked up at him, her brow creased. "Uh, no," she stated in an obvious tone.

Inuyasha slumped back down. "Well, you're lucky there are no marathons today or I would show you."

Kagome stared at Inuyasha before busting out with laughter. "Right, I'm sure you would show me you little piece of cra…ugg…" Kagome moaned slightly and her eyes closed in pain.

Inuyasha was instantly by her side to assist her. "Kagome, what's wrong; what hurts."

"Uhh, my stomach; I have a really bad cramp and laughing...makes…it…" She stopped, her train of thought lost as something else occurred to her. 'What the heck? Inuyasha was so tired he could barley move. What is he doing over here? How can he look so rested?'

Inuyasha frowned when her sentence drifted off. Now she looked as if she was staring into the distance. He sighed, mad at himself for pushing her so far. He should have pretended to be tired earlier. But she had given him a run for his money; she was damned persistent.

He shook his head and lifted her into his arms. "You shouldn't push yourself like that. If you get too exhausted, you'll pass out. You need to keep someone around who can take care of you."

She huffed against his shoulder. "What, are you applying for that position or something?" She looked up to his face and was startled by the seriousness in his eyes. His sincere look took her breath away.

"Just do what I say." He walked her into the living room where Shippo was playing video games, Sango was tuning a guitar and Miroku was settled over a pile of books, working and watching television at the same time. "I'm taking Kagome to bed, she is really tired," he told them all, shifting Kagome higher against his chest unconsciously so she was more comfortable.

Sango looked up at Inuyasha. A single eyebrow rose at the intimate and protective way he carried the exhausted girl, but nothing was said about it. "I'll come, spending to much time with Miroku gives me a headache."

They walked up the stairs and into the room joined with Inuyasha's. Inuyasha looked down at the bed he and Kagome had spent the previous night together in. 'God, was that this morning that we woke up with one another?'

Sango pulled the covers back and then walked to the dresser for some clothes. Inuyasha set the girl down on the bed and smiled. Then he quietly departed. Kagome turned to Sango as she came to the bed with pajamas. She shook her head and glanced at the door were Inuyasha had departed. "He is so strange."

"How so?" Sango questioned as she helped Kagome change.

"Well, he was exhausted one minute, and fine the next. And he seemed to be able to predict my every move, not to mention his lighting speed. Also, when he picks me up, it's like he is lifting a feather."

"You're not heavy," Sango inserted, looking nervous.

"But I'm not a feather either."

"Good point." Sango twitched anxiously, her eyes darting around the room and to Kagome, looking as if she was searching for an excuse.

"Look, Inuyasha had training back when he was young, and if you haven't yet noticed, the boy is ripped. He doesn't look overly muscular, but he is very lean, so don't under estimate his strength."

"Oh, I wouldn't. I like it."

This time, both eyebrows rose. "Really…"

Kagome blushed and turned away. "No, I mean it makes me feel protected to know someone that strong and capable is watching over me."

Sango shared Kagome's girly fantasy for a moment, both of them sighing simultaneously. Then she shook her head out of the daydream and looked back down. "Well, anyway, you get some sleep. We'll do something fun tomorrow."

"Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know, we'll let the guys decide."

Kagome smiled and put her head down, only to jolt it back up when something occurred to her. "Hey, we never finished our game…and I won my dare, so that means it is my turn." She pouted softly, looking like a child that had been denied candy.

Sango sighed. "Yeah, yeah, we will finished the game later. Besides, there will be a whole world of possibility with the guys playing." Sango grinned evilly, just thinking of the pain she inflict on Miroku.

Kagome giggled at the thought of embarrassing Inuyasha, then put her head down, exhausted. "Night, Sango, see you tomorrow."

Sango yawned and waved her hand in front of her face as a way of saying goodnight. "Yeah, have a good night's rest."

She left the room and closed the door. Kagome waited silently for a few seconds, then jumped out of bed and ran to lock the door. She turned to the door connecting her and Inuyasha's rooms, but hesitated. She gave her idea one quick thought before turning the knob and plunging into the darkness that was Inuyasha's room.

She waited until her eyes adjusted to the lack of light. The room was extremely spacious and very masculine. The floor was littered with clothing; the walls had various pictures mounted upon them, including a few of Inuyasha himself, Kagome noted. The room had a large desk and dresser, which held every article of clothing or material object Inuyasha owned, except for what was strewn on the ground. In the center of the wall opposite her sat a large, cozy bed. It was twice the size of hers at home, and looked tremendously luxurious. There was a small balcony outside two glass doors, which included a reclining chair and table.

The carpet under her bare feet was soft and deep, allowing her to sink slightly into the warmth of it. She smiled; the room was perfect. It looked and smelled like Inuyasha. His entire essence lingered in the large area. She padded softly out of the bedroom and back to hers, closing and locking the door behind her.

She sighed lightly and walked over to her bed. Inuyasha had looked so serious and concerned over her well-being. And he had insinuated that he was willing to watch over her. The thought made her feel things she couldn't quite put to words.

She snuggled down into the covers and let her eyes drift close, her mind sailing away into a wonderful dream.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"WHY, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW IS THIS FUCKING DOOR LOCKED? THERE AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE LOCKS ON THESE DOORS. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?"

Kagome groaned as she was unfortunately pulled from her perfect dream by some God-awful sound. She listened carefully as the screaming continued. 'Oh, it's just Inuyasha's irritated voice, well, that's okay then…wait, is he screaming about…'

Kagome sat up and looked over to the large door connecting her and Inuyasha's bedrooms; the large and very locked door. She grinned widely and began to laugh. Her laughter turned into an uproar as she became more pleased with her little surprise.

Inuyasha's voice could be heard from the other side of the door. "Kagome? Is that you? Hey…are you laughing? Did you do this? Did you put a fucking lock on this door…are you listening to me?"

Kagome jumped up and ran over to the door. She pressed her ear to it and then pulled back, giggling. She pretended to inspect the door.

"No Inuyasha, I didn't do it. I wonder what's wrong with it."

"You lying wench, you know exactly what's wrong with it."

"And what's that?" she asked with a smile.

"IT'S FUCKING LOCKED."

"Oh, that." Kagome laughed some more, unable to contain it. She could practically see Inuyasha seething in anger. "I don't know how this could have happened. Who would put a lock on this door?"

"Gee, I don't know," Inuyasha replied sarcastically, "But maybe you could, oh I don't know, UNLOCK the door."

"Unlock?"

"Yes, unlock. You know, allow it to swing, allow others to get through. Allow the fucking thing to open."

"Temper, temper," she replied, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"KAGOME."

"Right, unlock…I don't know how…maybe it's jammed?"

Inuyasha could be heard taking a deep breath, trying to summon patience. "No, because if it were jammed, the door wouldn't budge, but it's the doorknob that is…locked."

"Well maybe the doorknob is jammed." Kagome listened for Inuyasha's reply, but it never came. She turned away, content with her work before she heard a loud crash from behind her. A crash that sounded suspiciously like someone ramming themselves into her door.

'Oh crap'

She spun around in time to see it happen again, the door giving a little under the pure force hitting it. Then, when it happened a third time, she heard a terrible crack and the door split into many pieces as Inuyasha came flying through it.

Kagome stood stunned in her pajamas, her jaw hanging open, all humor in the situation forgotten.

Inuyasha stood up and brushed himself off, nonchalant as if breaking through doors was an everyday hobby for him.

Kagome gulped as she regained her thoughts, "Did…did you just…br-break through my door?"

Inuyasha looked up at her, then across the room to the shattered door. "Looks that way, doesn't it."

Kagome eyes went from his face, to the door, and then back to his face. "Oh my God," her senses had fully kicked in by now, as had the reality of the horrifying situation "You just broke through my door. There is no door now. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "No more lock?"

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her fists. "Are you daft? You can't just haul off and break something when it doesn't suit your needs!"

Inuyasha smiled, enjoying her discomfort. "Why not?"

"BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT PEOPLE DO. And besides, has it occurred to you that now every private thing I must do in this room is open to your room…your eyes."

"Yep." Inuyasha's grin looked akin to Miroku's.

Kagome put her hands on her hips, already frustrated with the jerk's lack of cooperation. "And what in the hell do you propose I do, hmm?"

Inuyasha put his hands deep into his pockets. "Get used to it."

With that, he strode over to the door, unlocked it, and quit the bedroom,

Kagome stood staring at the door. "He can't just leave," she said to herself aloud.

She stomped over to her dresser and pulled it open violently, taking out her clothes for the day. "Why does that jerk always get the last word?" She looked up at the ceiling to scream her irritation to those above who obviously hated her. "JUST ONCE I'D LIKE TO GET THE LAST BLOODY WORD. AND WHAT THE HELL DOES HE MEAN BY 'GET USED TO IT'?"

She dropped her head and sighed, resigning herself to this new way of life. She stood, ready to undress, but stopped, her head shooting up with an idea. She ran to her door and locked it, then into Inuyasha's room and to his door to the hall.

She smiled, her hope restored. 'I knew I saw a lock on this door last night when I came in here.' She locked it and sauntered back to her room and finished dressing, glad that she had made some sort of comeback.

She was just putting the finishing touches on her makeup when she heard the doorknob in the other room turn slowly, and then quickly over and over again. She smiled as the distinct sounds of footsteps were heard crossing the hall to her room. Kagome popped her head outside the bathroom door when she heard the soft knock on her door. She ran over to it quietly and leaned in.

"Yes?" she asked innocently.

"Kagome?"

A sly smile slid to her lips, "…Yes?" she said slowly.

"I couldn't help but notice that my bedroom door is locked. You wouldn't have anything to do with this, now would you?"

Kagome pulled back from the door and crossed her arms over her chest. She sighed before answering, "Why Inuyasha, of course I did. I had to close, and lock, some door to dress. What if Miroku had walked in? And since some freak of nature has already destroyed my other door, your door was the only choice."

Inuyasha rubbed a hand over his face. The only way to solve this was patience and kindness. If he yelled, she wouldn't comply, but with some calm words, she would be putty in his hands. He took a deep breath.

"I completely understand, so…will you please open my door now?" Inuyasha smiled. 'Perfect.'

"…Nope." With that Kagome walked back to the bathroom and turned on her radio full blast to finish her makeup.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Inuyasha grumbled as he walked down the stairs. He entered the kitchen where Miroku was having tea while reading the morning paper.

"Hey, look, we are on the front page for that concert; seems many people are coming just because of …us…is any thing wrong?" Miroku had looked up from his paper to see the aggravated look on Inuyasha's face.

"You looked very cheery this morning when you walked in." He looked down to his watch. "It's been like what, five minutes, and you come back down looking like you're at the end of your patience."

Inuyasha glared holes into Miroku, expressing the fact that he was indeed just that. Miroku made a long nod of understanding a picked up his tea, talking a sip. "Oh, I see, girl problems."

Inuyasha flooded his arms over his chest. "Keh, yeah right. It ain't my fault that she is so annoying. She has to have everything her way. And she thinks she is always right."

"Mmm, now who does that sound like?"

"Shut up letch."

"Well, maybe she comes across that way to you, but to others, Kagome's a very sweet and charming person. She also has much fire in her personality, not a bad trait." Miroku took another sip. "You're just irritated because she is the first girl not willing to bend over backwards to please you."

Inuyasha's teeth ground together as he massaged his temples. Talking to Miroku was not calming his nerves. He exited the room and wandered into the living room. Sango was watching her show with Shippo, who looked to be explaining the whole scenario to an invisible something. Nonetheless, Sango looked slightly annoyed.

However, that changed when she saw Inuyasha. She smiled as she looked up at him with knowing eyes. "So, you tried to walk into Kagome's room this morning." She answered his questioning glance: "I could hear it."

Inuyasha glared at her, "Then maybe you also heard that the door was locked."

"Locked?" Her smile gave her away. She had also known about the little 'surprise'.

"Yeah locked. And when I found it that way, I naturally assumed someone was hurting Kagome in the other room, so I knock it down."

It was Inuyasha's turn to feel pleased. Sango's face had turned a pasty white, her smile gone. "Knocked…it…down?"

Ah, finally. He was starting to feel better. "Yep, shattered the fragile thing…no more door."

Sango eyes drifted upward towards Kagome's room. "Well she is not going to like this."

"No, I didn't." Sango and Inuyasha turned as Kagome descended the stairs in a contented huff. "He busted my only protection from his room. So I remedied that by locking his door while I was getting ready."

Sango's eyes drifted back to Inuyasha. "She locked you out of your own room?"

Inuyasha looked away and muttered a fowl 'keh' answering the question. The good feeling was departing quickly.

Sango, however, spared the jest a moment's thought before leaning back her head and laughing her heart out. Kagome smiled as well, and walked across the room to sit next to her partner in crime. Inuyasha's ears could also pick up Miroku's soft laughter from the kitchen. 'They are all against me. I've got to get out of here.'

He turned on his heel and left the room, opting to go down the stairs to the basement where he proceeded to pick up a guitar and tune it. He felt like breaking something, or maybe smashing a few more doors. He needed some action, or an argument, or some type of sport to clear his mind. That's when it hit him…He knew exactly what to do.

He got up, put the guitar down, and headed back upstairs. When he reached the top, all three of his 'friends' were sitting around the TV. He cleared his throat as he stepped in front of the screen, egger to get attention fast.

When they were all listening, he smiled slightly and spoke. "We are leaving this house on another challenge. Get ready and I'll meet you all in the limo in ten minutes. Shippo you can come too."

With that, he left the room and the house, and headed for the car.

"What is this about?" asked Sango, her eyes on Miroku.

He shrugged to imply that he was not sure, but that they should probably obey. They all sighed and got off the couch to go get ready. Shippo was jumping with pure joy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They all sat in the limo quietly while Shippo jumped around, too excited to contain himself. Inuyasha had too little patience as it was to handle Shippo, so he reached over and grabbed the boy by the collar, dragging him to the seat next to himself.

Inuyasha sat in the middle of one side with Miroku and Shippo on either side of him. The girls sat opposite of them.

"Hey," Shippo whined as he squirmed around in the seat, trying to free himself of Inuyasha's grasp. "What's the big idea?"

Inuyasha growled. "Look squirt, your jumping is giving me a headache."

Shippo continued to fidget. "Fine, I'll sit. But I wanna sit next to Kagome."

Inuyasha gave a little 'keh' and pushed the boy over to the other side. Kagome helped the now ecstatic Shippo to sit next to her. She would have yelled at Inuyasha, but she was still too happy with her victory to care much at the moment. And the curiosity of where they were headed was eating away at her.

She looked to Inuyasha. "Where are we going exactly?"

Shippo pulled on her sleeve to get her attention. "Didn't you know?" he asked very seriously. She shook her head, very interested. "He is having a mental breakdown," Shippo stated, sighing in pity. "He is going to be put away in a loony bin and we are coming to bid him farewell."

"Why you little-" Inuyasha yelled as he lunged to the other side, intent on maiming the younger kid.

"Kagome, help me," Shippo screamed as he hid next to her for protection. She picked him up as Inuyasha reached for the kid and handed him to Sango. Shippo jumped off her and ran the short distance over to Miroku. Meanwhile, Kagome had grabbed onto Inuyasha around the waist and was restraining him from going after Shippo again.

Shippo smiled from his protected position and made a face at Inuyasha, who growled and got up. Kagome pulled back again. "Will you please just sit d-"

Her sentence was cut short as Inuyasha fell backwards onto her lap. Both Kagome and Inuyasha were momentarily stunned, but the arrangement must have looked amusing, because everyone else was laughing.

Kagome struggled to get out from under Inuyasha while making sure he didn't try to hurt Shippo which was not an easy task. Finally, she freed herself, and to make sure he wouldn't move any further, she sat down on his lap. Inuyasha's arms came up automatically to rest around her hips, holding her in place.

How this position could have looked any funnier than the latter was a mystery to her, but the other three in the limo were laughing again, much harder than before.

Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other, and then shrugged. They didn't understand it now, and probably wouldn't later, so it didn't matter.

Kagome sighed as the background laughter continued. "Where are we going?"

Inuyasha, still glaring at Shippo, glanced to her and smiled, his arms tightening slightly. "You'll see."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Why is the arcade closed?"

"Not sure."

"Didn't you guys hear? The 'Shikon No Tama's' rented the space out for today."

"Did you say the 'Shikon No Tama's'?"

"Yeah."

"Wow, I wish I had the money to rent out arcades whenever I wanted."

Yuka overheard the conversation as she sat at a park bench eating lunch. The Shikon No Tama's? That meant that Inuyasha would be here, today, and that hot drummer as well. Oh, and it also meant Kagome would be here. She was beginning to really miss her. At first, she was mad that Kagome was able to spend so much time with the famous band. But one can't stay mad at their best friend over something that for long, even if it was one of the most famous bands and one of the hottest guys on the planet. Yuka sighed, maybe they could see each other? It was a possibility.

She stood and dropped her remaining lunch into the nearby garbage and headed for Rei's house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The limo came to a stop outside a very large building. Kagome couldn't quite tell where they were due to the tinted windows, but she knew that they were finally at their destination.

"Inuyasha, we're here!" she said, swiveling around in his lap to face the limo door.

"Very good," Inuyasha replied sarcastically, softening the remark with a grin. His mood had lightened dramatically during the long ride. There was just something about Kagome that calmed him.

Kagome punched him lightly and got up so she could follow Miroku, Sango, and Shippo out of the limo. What she was greeted with when she did manage to stumble out the door was not what she had expected: there were large men everywhere, blocking what looked like throngs of people surrounding the entrance to a huge and elaborate building. The word 'Arcade' was blinking in neon colors high above the entrance to the building. But all this didn't immediately register in Kagome's mind as her eyes flew about.

What was going on? Why were all these people here? She stood still, too shocked to move. Ahead of her, the other three were walking towards the entrance, nonchalant, as if they didn't notice the plethora of screaming people surrounding them.

She stood there for an eternity before Inuyasha came out of the limo. At that moment, the sound of the screaming increased in volume a hundred fold. Inuyasha looked around, also looking unsurprised.

"Hmm, the media must have got wind of our visit."

That's when it hit her. These were fans. She had completely forgotten that Inuyasha was the lead singer of one of the most popular bands of her time. How could she have forgotten? She had spent everyday in a mansion six times the size of her house!

Inuyasha looked over to Kagome, ready to ask why she was just standing there when he saw her expression. She was shocked and frightened. He sighed and shook his head. 'Of course she is frightened, you idiot. She has never had to deal with this.' He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her to himself, trying to coax her out of her trance.

"Come on Kagome, if we get in, it will all be over."

She looked up to him, her mouth hanging open. She closed it and shook her head, willing herself to move. They made their way towards the arcade, following the same path as the other three had earlier.

"So it's true, Inuyasha, lead of the Shikon No Tama's, has a girlfriend."

"What's her name?"

"Kagome Higurashi."

As they reached the end of the path, many flashing lights assailed them at once, taking Kagome off guard as she shrank even farther against Inuyasha.

"Miss Higurashi, how do you feel being an item with a star?"

"Kagome, how long to you plan to be a couple?"

"How did it start?"

"How long have you known each other?"

"Do you have anything to say to all those ambitious girls out there who'd want to be in your shoes?"

"Miss Higurashi, how-"

The door closed behind them, blocking out the sound of the raging public. Inuyasha turned Kagome in his arms. "You okay?"

Kagome blinked and shook her head up and down. "Yeah, fine," her voice broke slightly. "I just need to rest a second."

Inuyasha took her to a bench and sat her down, kneeling on the floor in front of her. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that the information about our attending this place would leak out so quickly."

"It's okay…I'm fine."

'Again with the 'I'm fine' bit. This is going to take a different approach.' Inuyasha pulled back and scoffed, sticking his nose in the air.

"Well you better be alright. I've never seen anyone freeze like that. Sometimes you're such a wimp." He peeked open one eye to gauge her reaction and was barley able to contain a grin. 'Ha, it worked.'

Kagome had gone from shock to rage in a short period of time. She folded her arms and mimicked his pose. "I don't understand what gives you the right to be a gentleman one minute and a jerk the next."

Inuyasha bent forward, placing his hand on either side of her. "I am always a gentleman."

"My ass, you are."

They leaned very close to one another, their eyes locked in a staring contest. Suddenly Inuyasha captured her lips in a quick kiss, causing her to close her eyes. He pulled back and laughed. "I win."

Kagome blinked, realizing what had happened. "You did not; you cheated."

Inuyasha stood and pulled her up with him. "That's not cheating," he said as he put his finger to her chest, "You shouldn't have closed your eyes."

"Keh," replied Kagome before she could catch herself. Inuyasha's laughter could be heard echoing through the room. Kagome punch him in the chest. "I hate you."

Inuyasha put his arm over her shoulders and guided her towards the arcade area. "Right; I've heard this before."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When they made it into the core of the building, Kagome felt like she was in a child's fantasy. The large room was filled with all sorts of games for players of all ages. It was extraordinary. But Inuyasha pulled her to where Sango and Miroku were discussing the finer points of the room.

"The hoops are the best," screamed Sango.

"No, the air hockey is. Really, where have you been?" said Miroku in a less loud, but just as irritated, voice as Sango.

"Right here, trying to tell you that the games with basketballs and hoops in general are the best."

"Hey, both of you," Inuyasha yelled to get their attention, "Where is Shippo?"

"Right here," called a small voice. Shippo was riding a fake snowboard down a mountain, as displayed by the screen.

Inuyasha spoke to him. "Good, the arcade is yours today. All the staff is here, so talk them if you have any questions. And Shippo, the drinks and food is free." Shippo was definitely in heaven judging by his expression.

"Where are we going?" asked Sango, curiously, since it sounded as if they were leaving the area.

"We're going to the next challenge."

"And that is…?" asked Miroku in an aggravated voice, obviously annoyed that he had been left out of selecting his own challenge. Inuyasha sighed and dragged Miroku over to Shippo, and then whispered the challenge to both of them; Shippo, so he would know where the others were going to be, and Miroku, so he would shut up.

After their little huddle, Inuyasha and Miroku, who had a goofy look on his face, rejoined the girls. Sango leaned towards Kagome, her eyes never leaving Miroku. "Should we be scared that they are both so happy?"

Kagome leaned in toward Sango as well, her eyes never leaving Inuyasha. "Yes." Sango shook her head in understanding.

"Come on," Inuyasha instructed, pushing his hands into his pockets in his usual fashion, "We have to walk to the other side of the arcade."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Laser tag!" announced Miroku happily.

They had walked clear around to the other side of the room. About halfway there, the walls had turned from the light green of before to stark black. Kagome hadn't quite noticed, but now that they stood at the entrance to the laser tag maze, she listened closely to Inuyasha with stunned surprise.

"This laser tag maze is one of the largest around. All the walls are black, for obvious reasons."

"So…that means that forever ago when the walls turn black…that was the end of the maze?" Apparently Sango was thinking along the same lines as Kagome.

Inuyasha shook his head. He loved this game, and playing laser tag, guys against girls, was going to be awesome. "Yep, the maze is huge; about the size of this room."

Kagome and Sango's eyes widened Inuyasha clapped his hands together, eager to get started. "Okay, let's go."

They all walked through the big black door and into a small, brightly lit room. Four personal walked out of a side door, holding their gear: a big black vest, a black helmet, and a laser gun.

Each person put the gear on the four players, and then left the room. After a few moments of straightening vests and inspecting guns, they were joined again, this time by one personal. He had a clipboard, a black press suit, and black hair slicked to his head.

He had a large, fake smile on his face, which showed off large buckteeth. "Good afternoon. Welcome to laser tag. If I understood this young man, you are to be pitted girls against guys, correct?" Inuyasha nodded his head, his brow creasing at the freaky man in front of him.

"Good then. You're all set. Just step into the next room and you can start. Just let me go over some rudimentary rules for you, mmkay." Kagome watched bead of sweat make it's way down the man's brow. 'Gross, this guy is weird.'

"Right, so, we go by five hits. That means, when you get five hits, you're out, mmkay? The team to get both opposing team members out wins, mmkay. Good. You have as long as it takes and you can go anywhere in the maze. However, some parts are trickier than others, trust me I know," he started laughing, a mix between choking and snorting. Inuyasha had to put his hand to his mouth to keep from laughing as well. When the guy was done, he wiped a tear from his eye and continued, "Yeah, so just pull the little trigger on your laser gun, and if it's aimed at your opponent, then you will get a hit, mmkay. And you can't shoot your own members, mmkay. Your helmet has a little score on it. It tells how many hits each player has suffered. Also, the helmets have radios in them, so team members can talk to one another, mmkay. But don't worry, the girls can only talk to each other, they can't listen in on the boys, mmkay." He was laughing again. This time, all of them had to stop themselves.

"Okay then, you're all set. Go on in, and remember, have fun." The door opened and they walked through. It closed, blocking out the sound of the man's laughter. When it was shut, all of them began to laugh.

"Man, that guy was weird, " said Sango as both her and Kagome got up off the ground where they had slumped in mist of the laughing.

Inuyasha coughed, clearing his throat. "I bet he gets paid to act that way."

"I wouldn't be surprised," shrugged Sango.

The creepy voice came over the intercom, "Mmmkay, you all have five minutes to scatter, then we turn on your guns. Have fun, mmkay."

"Mmmkay," they all chorused, laughing as they split up and began to weave their separate ways through the maze.

Five minutes later, the intercom came on again. "Alright, five minutes. Your radios and guns have been turned on; get going."

Kagome laughed. This was so exciting. She looked around, trying to decide which way to go. The whole place was dark except for the light let by the floor lights, which gave off a dark green glow to the area. It wasn't really a maze. More like, many different shaped walls of different heights scattered at random in an endless area. She ducked under a circular wall and walked through, looking around for any signs of movement.

'Hm, I wonder if the radio works?'

"Kagome, can you hear me?" Kagome's radio buzzed as she heard Sango's voice.

'Well that answers my question,' Kagome shook her head. "Yeah I can, where're you?"

"How the heck should I know? Maybe we should have run in the same direction."

Kagome turned in a circle to make sure she wasn't being followed. "I don't know, wouldn't that have just made us an easier target?"

"Well, yes, but then we would have to walk around lost in the dark by ourselves."

Kagome smiled. Sango always had a way of making a good point.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Inuyasha could see well in the dark. As a child, he had always considered the dark as his friend because it was good for hiding…for not being found if you didn't want to be. So the environment to him was like home. This was going to be awesome.

"Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha jumped and turned around. 'No one there.'

"Inuyasha, can you hear me?"

Inuyasha turned again. Where the hell was that coming from? 'I can hear you but I can't see you."

He could hear distinct laughing. "Of course not, I'm talking to you over your radio."

'Oh, Miroku.' Inuyasha had forgotten he had a partner. Good thing Kagome wasn't around to hear that, or he would never hear the end of it.

"So Inuyasha, I think we should have code names."

Inuyasha ducked down and scanned the nearby ground for feet. He stood again, "What for?"

"Oh you know, just in case we get taken over by aliens who have been picking up on our radio signals, they don't know who we really are." Either Miroku was getting way to into this, or he was going crazy. Inuyasha shrugged, it was always a good idea to support the ravings of crazy people.

"Okay Miroku, you come up with code names and we will use them."

"Rodger that."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. He spent a few more minutes scouting the area. So far, none of them were in a twenty-foot radius of his original point, so he decided to pick a direction and follow it.

He was busy maneuvering around a very large wall that seemed to not end when Miroku came over the radio again.

"This is Sexy Beast calling Shaggy Mutt. Shaggy Mutt, do you read?"

Inuyasha sighed and pulled his free hand down his face. This was going to be a long game.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: Conclusion to game up next. Conclusion to story…? Sorry, we still have a ways to go before that.