InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Shadow ❯ One Step Forward ( Chapter 4 )

A/N: Thanks to those who read and review my story…

 

Disclaimer: Yes, I own a dog and a pair of guinea pigs. As for Inuyasha, I'm still working on it. For now, nope is my answer.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4

One Step Forward

 

 

 

 

 

Another boring class. Kagome tried very hard to listen to the teacher lecturing at the front but her mind seemed fully occupied by Inuyasha. She didn't dare look behind her because she knew that he would just smirk at her and she would probably hit him when he did that. `I hate this arrangement! Of all the people in Solferis, why does it have to be this arrogant jerk?!' She thought with utmost irritation, her pen busy drawing lines on her notebook.

“Kagome, are you all right?” Sango whispered to her seatmate.

“Sure I am.” She answered without lifting her head from her drawing.

“So what are you doing?” asked Sango curiously, looking at Kagome's hand that was covering her whole drawing.

“Just drawing.” She muttered, still busy finishing her drawing.

“Drawing what?”

Kagome smiled at her work. “A wish.” She answered Sango, removing her hand to let her friend see.

“Wish?” Sango repeated then looked at the drawing. There was a schoolgirl wearing the same green and white uniform as them stepping on a boy with long hair and dog ears. Around his neck was a dog leash, which was held by the girl. “Is that…um, Inuyasha?” She asked uncertainly.

Kagome smiled. “No… That's Inuyasha and me.” She corrected, finally looking at Inuyasha. As Kagome had expected, he smirked at her—and instead of getting ticked off, she smirked back. She loved the way Inuyasha's eyes suddenly burst into flames. It meant only one thing—Kagome Higurashi had annoyed the great Inuyasha Tsuzuki. The smirk on her lips didn't vanish as she faced the front again and thought, `We're never going to get along—not with his superior arrogance and ego. Never.'

Inuyasha fought really hard to refrain himself from shouting at Kagome and demanding to her what was her problem. `Yes, definitely. That miko and I are never going to get along. If she thinks she's so clever—well, she's deadly mistaken.' thought Inuyasha, glaring at the girl sitting in front of him. He quickly tore a piece of paper from his notebook and wrote a message for Kagome. He didn't bother to fold it and tapped Kagome's shoulder harder than necessary.

Kagome grabbed the note quickly without even looking at him, somehow she had an idea of what was written on the paper.

What the fucking hell is your freaking problem, WENCH?!

Just as she thought. She wrote down four words in return.

What is YOUR problem?

Inuyasha's eyes flared furiously after reading Kagome's reply. He scratched his pen along the words to erase them and wrote down  another sentence.

Answer my damn question PROPERLY!

Kagome glowered at the paper for a long time before scribbling her answer. She turned around and faced Inuyasha, making sure she met his eyes before placing the paper on Inuyasha's desk. “Don't pass me any more notes or else…” She threatened, her whole face seething.

Inuyasha pretended not to hear her threat and read her answer.

Fine. I don't have any problem. YOU are the one who started this, remember?

Inuyasha was not going to have this treatment from her. `I started it? The hell!' Inuyasha scribbled something on the paper and passed it again to Kagome.

But she didn't take it.

`Bitch, I said take it!' He tapped on Kagome's shoulder harder to make her know that he wasn't going to be ignored.

Kagome closed her eyes, trying to ignore the persistent tapping on her shoulder. `That's it!' She seized the paper in Inuyasha's hand and read it.

STOP GIVING ME THAT SHIT AND ANSWER ME, DAMN IT!

`Why does he have to swear even in written communication?' The young miko thought, crumpling the paper and placing it in her bag. She really hoped her conversation with Inuyasha was over.

Of course, Inuyasha was far from over. He ripped another piece of paper from his notebook and jotted down another message.

I said answer me!

Still, Kagome ignored him.

That was the reason why Inuyasha made another message.

If you don't answer this one, I swear you'll pay dearly!

And again, another…

What the hell is your problem? Just fucking answer me!

Kagome was having a large pile of crumpled paper in her bag but she didn't care even a bit. Even if Inuyasha spent his whole notebook writing notes to her, she would never answer him.

Inuyasha was getting more and more frustrated. Growling inwardly, he started to write on another piece of paper.

I'm getting tired of writing. This will be the last message and if you still won't answer this one, you're so dead after classes!

He was surprised to see the piece of paper being returned to him shortly. `Finally!' He thought, grasping the paper to see a single word written below his own writing.

Good.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and crushed the paper in his hand. `She's so dead.' He promised to himself, waiting for the class bell to ring intolerantly.

Rrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggg gggggggggg!

Kagome sighed mentally, thanking that their tormenting day at school was finally over. She returned her notebook in her bag and stood up, ready to leave. She turned her head to look at Inuyasha and found that he was staring at her, like his eyes said, `Now, you'll die.'

Scary. She quickly looked away but still she felt his eyes glaring steadfastly at her. She now considered jumping off the window to escape Inuyasha. Dying seemed like a better idea than talking to the pissed off hanyou at her back.

“Hey, Kagome! After we finish buying some school things, can we go to McDonald's and grab something to eat? I really want to have some fries!” said Sango, slinging her backpack on her shoulder.

All of a sudden, Kagome's face looked horror-stricken. `Oh no! I forgot to tell Inuyasha! We are supposed to buy some school stuff this afternoon!' Now, she was sure that Inuyasha would never allow her to go. After ticking him off like that…

“So, shall we go?” Ayumi asked, looking at Kagome worriedly. “You look troubled, Kagome.”

“Um… Give me a few minutes.” She told her friends and went to Inuyasha, who had finally quitted glowering at her and was now talking to Miroku in a low voice at the corner near the door.

Inuyasha immediately noticed Kagome standing beside him so he turned his head to look at her. “What do you want?” He looked like he was trying really hard not to bite her head off.

“Well…” started Kagome, looking discouraged by the way Inuyasha greeted her. Maybe she should just forget it? But she needed to buy a new sketchpad for tomorrow's activity and also a new notebook for Mathematics. She needed to organize her notes in every Mathematics lesson they had or she'd surely fail the upcoming test that week. In order to save herself from another failure in the said subject, she gathered all of her courage and spoke to Inuyasha. “Can I please go to the store to buy some stuff I really really need for tomorrow?” She used her most polite tone, hoping that it would make Inuyasha agree.

By the way Inuyasha's eyes stared at Kagome, it apparently showed a negative response. “Sango and the others are going with me.” She pointed to her friends, who were looking curiously at them. “And we promise we won't be long.” She added, crossing her fingers mentally as she waited for Inuyasha's answer.

Inuyasha looked sideways at Miroku but Miroku only shrugged at him. “You're forgetting something, wench.” He reminded her, still feeling annoyed that he didn't get the answer he wanted from her during their note passing.

“Okay!” Kagome gave up. This was the last option she had to get Inuyasha's assent. “You can come with us. So you'll let me go now, right?”

His answer was quick and clear. “No.”

“What?!” Kagome burst out. “Why?!”

“Because I don't want to.” The hanyou readjusted his bag on his shoulder and added, “I have to go somewhere.”   

“Well then, go ahead with your plan and go to that place—wherever that is.” She said and turned on her heel, a wide smile on her lips as she went to her desk to retrieve her bag. “And I'll go to the bookstore without you.”

Wow… Without you. She loved the sound of those two words.

Inuyasha closed his eyes, trying to control his rising temper. This girl definitely didn't know when to stop. He raised a hand at Miroku, telling him to wait there, and went to follow Kagome.

“Bitch, you are not going anywhere.” He emphasized the word `not', growling dangerously at her.

“Of course I am!” Kagome replied with certainty. She signaled for her friends to wait a bit more. She was going to get out of this soon.

“Don't try me.” He warned her, amber eyes fixed on her with irritation. 

“Too bad.” Kagome said, feigning a frown. “I can't help it. Now, why don't you go ahead and—Hey! What do you think are you doing?!” She quickly snatched her bag before Inuyasha grabbed her wrist tightly and began dragging her towards the door.

Of course, Kagome still didn't give up. “Inuyasha! I really need to go and buy those things! If I don't get a sketchpad and a new graphing notebook for Mathematics today, I'm going to be dead tomorrow!” She kept on trying to pry Inuyasha's sturdy grip from her wrist but she remained unsuccessful. “And stop pulling me!”

Inuyasha continued walking, hauling Kagome behind him. “Just buy those things next time. Today, you have no choice but to go with me.” He stated without even looking at her.

“But I need them tomorrow!” Kagome reasoned out. “Why don't we just go wherever you want to take me tomorrow?”

“I don't give a damn! We're going today.” Inuyasha insisted, handing Miroku some money as he passed him. “You know what to do. Call me when you're done.” He instructed Miroku.

“Sure.” Miroku pocketed the money, a small smile played on his lips as he looked at Inuyasha.

“Stop staring at me, it's annoying me.” Inuyasha griped, looking away from him.

“I wonder why.” Miroku replied, looking amused.

“Keh!”

“Okay…” Kagome suddenly said, looking like she had just listened to a Martian and a dog talk. “Enough of the weird conversation and will you help me out Miroku?” She looked at Miroku hopefully.

“Sorry but I can't help you, Kagome.” Miroku said, looking apologetic. “Just go with Inuyasha for your own good, okay?”

“For my own good?” Kagome repeated. “This guy is going to get me into trouble tomorrow.” She said, pointing an accusing finger at Inuyasha.

“And this guy is going to bite that finger off if you don't shut up.” Inuyasha retaliated, pushing Kagome's finger aside roughly. “Now let's go.” He began tugging on Kagome again, disregarding Kagome's screams of protest echoing through the corridor as they walked.

“Kagome, where are you going?” Sango asked, looking worriedly at her friend being pulled by Inuyasha.

“Sorry, Sango! I forgot I have to go somewhere else today!” Kagome answered back.

“Is it a date with Inuyasha?!” Eri asked, looking thrilled all of a sudden.

“NO!” Kagome replied, looking terrified with the idea.

“Good luck on your date, Kagome!” Ayumi cheered, waving her hand in the air happily.

“I said I'm not going on a date, okay?” Kagome couldn't believe her friends thought she was going on a date when Inuyasha was actually pulling her like a dog.

“Okay! We'll call you later to ask how the date went!” Yuka called out before Inuyasha and Kagome disappeared around the corner.

Kagome sighed in surrender. `It's useless. They never listen to me.' She thought in despair. `How exactly did Yuka mistake `I'm not going on a date, okay?' for `Call me later to ask how the date went, okay?' She seriously has some ear defect.'

 

“Are you sure those three are okay?” Miroku asked Sango, pointing to Yuka, Eri and Ayumi, who were currently talking about Inuyasha and Kagome's nonexistent date.

“They just love to see Inuyasha and Kagome together.” Sango explained. “I think they're even planning to build a fans club for the two of them.”

“Yeah, I think they would love to do that.” Miroku commented, smiling at Sango. “So, shall we go to the store together? I'll treat you some snack afterwards.”

“Sure.” Sango smiled back.

“You mean it?” Miroku couldn't believe his luck.

“As long as you mean the treating part.” Sango replied with a smile.

“Of course!”

“Okay, you can go with us.” Sango agreed and started walking. 

“Wait—us?” Miroku said, realizing something. “You mean—”

“Hey! Come on let's go!” Sango said, going to her friends. “Miroku's going to go with us and he's treating all of us to McDonald's! Isn't that great?”

And that was the time Miroku stopped thinking that Sango had just agreed to go out with him.

 

“Inuyasha, since I'm willing to go with you now, can you stop dragging me?” Kagome said, as they went past the school gate. “If you still haven't noticed, my wrist is about to break thanks to you.”

Inuyasha unceremoniously dropped Kagome's hand after saying, “Keh!”   

“Thank you.” She muttered, massaging her wrist slowly, glad that her wrist wasn't broken. “So will you tell me where we're going?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don't feel like telling you.”

“See? I don't get any good in this.” Kagome complained while she walked beside Inuyasha. “I don't get to buy the things I need for tomorrow, I don't get to know where we're going and I get stuck with an annoying insensitive jerk! Why is life so unfair?”

“Will you shut up?!” Inuyasha snapped, feeling irritated by Kagome's constant ranting.

“Great! Now, I'm not even allowed to talk?!” Kagome was feeling the same as Inuyasha. She didn't like Inuyasha's company at all. “Why are we walking anyway? Can't we ride the bus or something?”

Inuyasha smacked his palm on his forehead lightly, cursing under his breath. “You really can't shut up, can you?” He looked at her bitterly.

“Sorry but no,” answered Kagome. “It's your choice to bring me with you. Deal with the consequences.” She grinned at him.

“Let's make things clear.” He stated. “It is not my decision to bring you with me. Again, this is part of my job that I have to be around you all the time in case that Hell's Gate tries to kidnap you. That is also the reason why we're walking. It's harder to escape if we're riding a bus and a lot of innocent people might get hurt.”

“In that case, I won't complain anymore.” Kagome said, looking at her shoes as she walked.

Silence followed and Inuyasha was more than grateful that Kagome had finally stopped talking.

“Inuyasha,”

Inuyasha sighed mentally. His precious silence was once again disrupted.

“Where are we going?”

“Would it kill you if you didn't know?!” Inuyasha grumbled, throwing an irritated look at Kagome.

“Would it kill you if you told me?!” Kagome argued back, matching Inuyasha's exasperated look.

“Yes!”

“So you wouldn't tell me?” asked Kagome, looking disappointed.

“I'm too young to die.” Inuyasha reasoned, smirking at the girl walking next to him.

“But you wouldn't die.”  

“Oh yes I will!” 

“If you won't tell me, I won't shut up!” She threatened him, knowing that Inuyasha hated that. 

“Fine!” Inuyasha finally gave in, wanting to end their conversation urgently. “We're going to my apartment! There! And for the nth time, can you finally shut up?” He snarled at her.

“Why are we—”

“If you don't fucking shut up, I'll kill you!” He told her warningly. Couldn't she just leave him alone? Even for just five minutes? He mentally added that on his list of reasons why he should quit this mission. He thought that if he got a hundred reasons to present before Kikyou, she might consider letting him quit.

Unfortunately, Kagome seemed threat-proof and threatening her only triggered her to talk even more. “You can't kill me,” said Kagome logically. “It's your duty to protect me, right?”

“Then I'll leave you here!” Inuyasha could feel insanity's clutches taking him. `This is all Kikyou's fault!'

“You can't do that either.” She returned, still looking unbothered by his empty threats. “We're supposed to stick with each other. That's also included in your job.” She couldn't help but enjoy infuriating Inuyasha. `He deserves it because he always makes me miserable!'

Inuyasha suddenly pulled Kagome and swiftly turned right, pushing Kagome to a wall. `If she thinks she can play with me, she's dead mistaken.' A smirk lightened his features, looking straight at the miko's face.

“What?” Kagome said, glaring at him.

“If another word passes that mouth of yours, I'm going to shut you up myself.” Inuyasha said, his eyes glinting with a promise. “By kissing you.” Inuyasha felt triumphant as he saw the horror on Kagome's face. `Hah! Take that!'

Kagome quickly got over her shock and intensified her glare. “You can't do—”

“It's not included in my job description that I can't kiss you.” He said coolly, looking smug with that smirk plastered on his face.

“I'll shout if you try!” Kagome warned him, inching away from him.

“Scared?” Inuyasha rested his hand on the wall to block Kagome's way of escape, studying her face closely.

“You wish.” Kagome said, smirking back at him. “I know an empty threat when I hear one, Inuyasha.”

“So you do want me to kiss you…” Inuyasha interpreted, inching forward that made his silvery white mane tickle Kagome's face.

“Oh look!” Kagome suddenly pointed at her right, trying to avert Inuyasha's attention from her.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her and said, “Don't you think that was a bit too cliché?”   

Kagome sighed. “Yeah, I know. It was lame.” She said, looking downcast. “Why don't we try this one?” She stepped on Inuyasha's foot—very hard.

“Ouch!” Inuyasha's hands flew to his foot and he began jumping on one foot. “Bitch, what the hell was that for?!”

“That was for being such a jerk!” She shouted, her face red in anger. `He really tried to kiss me! That jerk!' She thought, watching Inuyasha jumping around in circles. “Try doing it again and I will report you for harassment!”

Inuyasha quitted hopping and looked at her incredulously. “Hey! I should be the one reporting you!” He countered. “You attacked me!”

“That was self-defense, you idiot!” She said, defending herself.

“Keh! I don't want to talk to you anymore!” Inuyasha said dismissively, walking away from her.

“Fine! It's not like I love talking to you!” She replied, following him silently.

And that was how Inuyasha finally got his peace. 

 

After half an hour's walk, Inuyasha and Kagome finally reached their destination.

Kagome looked up, counting the floors of the grayish building with her eyes. “Wow… this is sure high.” She commented, stopping her count when she reached twenty and she wasn't done yet.

Inuyasha didn't give any comment but instead, he went inside the building.

“So what floor are you in?” She asked casually, looking for the elevator. She found it on the right side.

With an `Out of Order' sign.

Then came Inuyasha's composed answer. “Top floor.” He walked towards the stairs but stopped at the bottom of the staircase. “Two options. One, climb the stairs. Two, I carry you.” He stated and waited for her decision.

Kagome stared at the staircase and followed it as it went higher and higher. “Is the elevator always out of order?” She asked Inuyasha.

“I don't know.” He shrugged. “I rarely use them. It's faster if I jump using the fire exit.” He pointed at the door beside the stairs with the red letters that said, `FIRE EXIT'.

“And how many floors exactly does this building have?” She questioned as if that would be the basis of her choice.

“Twenty-three?” Inuyasha guessed uncaringly. “No, I think it's twenty-five. I never counted.”

“Let's take the stairs.” Kagome finally decided, not getting any useful information from Inuyasha's answers.

“Okay.”

 

“Ninth floor.” Kagome gasped, holding onto the bar of the stairs as she tried to catch her breath.

“Come on,” said Inuyasha, looking as energetic as before. “Or do you want me to carry you already?”

“No, thank you.” Kagome refused, starting to go up the steps again.

“Proud bitch.” Inuyasha muttered under his breath before following her.

When they reached the twelfth floor, Kagome sat on a step and sighed. `My legs are aching.' She thought, giving her legs a massage.

“I told you, I'll just carry you.” Inuyasha said, looking down at her. “I know you're tired so just let me help you out.”

“Just why did you have to choose the top floor anyway?” Kagome said, standing up again.

“It has a nice view at night,” answered Inuyasha, offering his back to her. “You should have just let me carry you from the start, you know.”

“Try anything on me and I promise I'll sue you.” She warned him before slowly climbing on his back.

“Keh! As if I really like to try anything on you.” He answered back, looking at her with a smirk as he supported her legs so she wouldn't fall off.

“I'm just clearing things.” Kagome told him, looking away from him but holding onto his shoulders tightly.

“Whatever.”

Inuyasha walked to the fire exit and looked down. “Wow, imagine if I accidentally drop you.” He whistled then looked at Kagome with a playful smile on his lips.

“I'll die, splash blood on the street and make you happy.” Kagome recited like it was written on a book.

“Right!” Inuyasha said happily and leaped high.

Kagome didn't scream as they ascended. She just closed her eyes and remained silent, hoping that it would end soon.

After five great jumps, Inuyasha managed to reach the topmost floor and opened the fire exit door. “We're here.” He announced, putting Kagome gently to her feet after reaching the farthest door on the highest level. “Now that wasn't so bad, right?” He rummaged his bag for his keys. 

“Do you live here alone?” Kagome asked all of a sudden, looking at the white door Inuyasha was opening with interest.

“Yeah, Miroku lives on the seventh floor.” Inuyasha turned the knob and pushed the door open. He went inside and headed for his room automatically. “Just sit down and watch TV. I'll just look for something.” He told her before disappearing behind the door.

Kagome looked around and was shocked to see Inuyasha's apartment so organized. “Are you sure you live here?” She asked, looking at the clean kitchen and the well-furnished living room. “You even have a complete home entertainment system!” She gasped, sitting on the black leather couch and turning on the television to watch something.

“What?! Do you expect me to be broke?” Inuyasha asked, still not remembering where he placed his mobile phone. “I won't persist on this kind of job if the pay isn't great.” Okay, so he lied when he told Kikyou that he was being underpaid. Actually, Kikyou was paying him more than enough. “Imagine, I have to live every day of my life stuck with a bossy, proud and very talkative wench like you.”

“Figures,” said Kagome in return, switching the TV off when she found nothing interesting to watch. “Then I should be getting salary too.”

“You won't be getting as much as I do though,” replied Inuyasha, going out of his room. “I can't find my cell phone! Where is it?!” He headed to the kitchen, opening the fridge to look for the missing article there. He swore he remembered putting it in one of the compartments there.

“Want me to help you?” Kagome asked, standing up and going to the kitchen counter. “Why are you looking inside the fridge?”

“I think I placed it here somewhere.” Inuyasha muttered, continuing to open all of the compartments. “Just stay put, I can handle it.”

After rummaging through his fridge, he still remained unsuccessful. “Damn! This is taking so long!” Inuyasha went back to his room, thinking of having a second look in there.

“How about we call your phone?” Kagome suggested, following Inuyasha in his room since she had nothing else to do.

“It's useless, my phone is turned off.” Inuyasha told her, pulling the cover of his bed once again to search there.

“Wow, even your room is arranged pretty well.” Kagome complimented, looking around the nicely done room.

A huge dressing cabinet was on the right corner, not far from it was a door that led to the bathroom, a large bed was on the left corner and a sliding glass door that led to the terrace was in front of her. Kagome looked at the bedside table and saw a picture of a woman on a picture frame. She made a gesture to reach for it when—

“Don't touch it!” Inuyasha snapped, grabbing the picture before Kagome got it. He quickly opened a drawer and placed the picture frame carefully inside it.

Even though Kagome wasn't able to touch the picture, she would never forget the face of the woman. Her face was so beautiful. Her hair was flowing like the midnight starless sky. Her eyes were warm and showed nothing but kindness, her whole face lighting up with her peaceful contented smile. “Was that your… mother?”

Inuyasha avoided Kagome's eyes before nodding.

`So that's why Inuyasha's a hanyou… his mother was a human…' She thought, feeling enlightened.  “Where is she now?”

 “She died when I was six.” Inuyasha answered softly, replacing the blanket over his bed.

“I also lost my father when I was eight.” Kagome said in return, not knowing what to say in this kind of situation.

“Is this the part where we sympathize each other and hug each other?” Inuyasha said, looking expectantly at Kagome.

“No,” said Kagome with a frown. “This is the time where I glare at you and say that you're such a jerk!” She turned away from Inuyasha and walked towards the sliding door to watch the sun that was starting to set. 

Inuyasha was going to smirk at her if only he hadn't sensed a foreboding aura around them. He quickly pulled Kagome and said, “Don't go there!”

Inuyasha yanked Kagome so hard that she lost her balance and stumbled on the bed. It happened so fast that she was shocked a bit when she found herself staring at the ceiling.

Inuyasha looked outside the glass door, his eyes widening in alarm. “Oh shit!” He instantly went to Kagome and hugged her, making sure that her body was covered with his body.

“Inuyasha, what—”

Kagome wasn't able to finish her sentence anymore. The sounds of shattering glass and dropping stones on the floor alerted her. “Inu—”

“Ssshh!” Inuyasha silenced her, untangling his hands from her. “Don't move.” He instructed her, lifting his head to look behind him. The sliding door was gone and Inuyasha could sense the evil aura of at least five youkais inside his apartment. He carefully stood up, looking around him and preparing for any attack that might come. “Can you stand up?” He glanced at Kagome, who was still lying on the bed.

“Yeah, I think so.” She slowly went to her feet, staying close to Inuyasha. “What happened?” She asked worriedly, looking at the broken glasses all over the room. She noticed something red on the floor next to her and looked up. “Inuyasha! You're bleeding!” She exclaimed, examining the wound on Inuyasha's back. Blood from Inuyasha's wound was making Inuyasha's black uniform even darker.

“No time for that!” He snatched her hand away from his back and pushed her towards the dresser. “Hide there while I finish them off and try not to breathe much. You see those small capsules?” He pointed to the stone-like things lying on the floor besides the broken glass. “They contain sleeping gas and soon they're going to dissipate. If you inhale too much, your body will be paralyzed and you'll fall unconscious. So don't go outside and stay in there.”    

Kagome looked hesitant to leave Inuyasha all alone to face the enemies. “But how about you?”

“I'm a hanyou. My system's different from yours.” He took out a gun that was hidden in a secret compartment of his cabinet and checked the ammunition. `Good.'

“But are you sure that—”

“You'll just get in the way.” Inuyasha said and closed the door immediately to stop Kagome from answering back.

`I'll just get in the way?!' Kagome would have retaliated if they were in a different situation but she decided not to disobey Inuyasha's order this time. She pushed the door a little so she could still see Inuyasha standing near the dresser. Somehow, she was worried about Inuyasha's condition. `He's wounded… can he handle this on his own?' She thought, praying silently for Inuyasha's safety.

“Come on, you thugs!” Inuyasha called out, looking around the room for any sign of movement. He needed to finish them off soon and get Kagome out of there fast. If he wouldn't do that, he might fall unconscious too and they would get Kagome. His gun held on a ready position, he turned around to get a full view of the room.

Three human-looking youkais emerged from his balcony, each of them holding a gun in his hand.

Inuyasha rapidly shot the two down but the third had already fired before Inuyasha managed to shoot him. It was a good thing that the youkai didn't aim well.  

The door suddenly burst open and two more armed youkais entered.

“Drop your gun, hanyou!” The bigger one barked, his gun aimed at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha quickly turned his gun's aim at the dresser—

The one where Kagome was hiding.

“No,” said Inuyasha calmly. “You shoot me, I shoot the miko.”

`What is happening?' Kagome thought, her mind racing when she found Inuyasha's gun pointed straight at her. `Inuyasha… will he really…'

“Drop the gun, I said!” repeated the youkai.

Inuyasha could smell the chemical already. It was going through his nose—unstoppable. But he ignored it and tried to remain relaxed. “You know that hanyous and youkais' reflexes are different from humans, right?” Inuyasha said, eyes looking straight at the two youkais whose guns were aimed at him. He slowly placed his other hand at his back and felt for his other gun that he had hidden there. “Even if you shoot me, I can still shoot her. I'm sure your boss will not be glad to know you killed the miko.”

The two looked doubtful to shoot Inuyasha after hearing his words. Inuyasha swiftly pulled his other gun and shot the two, while turning around fast like a top to avoid any bullets from them. Inuyasha discarded the empty gun which he had pointed at the dressing cabinet. “Fools.” He muttered under his breath. He still had the other gun raised and pointed at the door, waiting for more enemies to enter his room. It was very silent.

“Inuyasha, look out!” Kagome shouted, going out of her hiding place. A surge of pink light suddenly went towards the balcony, dissolving the arm of a youkai and making him drop his weapon.

Inuyasha quickly shot the youkai to be sure and looked at the source of the miko energy. “I told you not to come out!” He scolded her, going to her side.

“You should be thanking me not scolding me!” Kagome shot back. “I just saved your life!”

“And I'm trying to save yours so don't be a pain and follow orders!” He glared at her angrily before grabbing her hand. “At any rate, we better leave this room. The sleeping gas might get to you soon.” He walked hurriedly towards the door, peeking for any sign of a youkai.

Nothing seemed to be moving.

Inuyasha closed the door behind them to prevent the gas from scattering farther, still looking alert. He had Kagome right behind him, his hand holding hers tightly. He kept on turning left and right, his gun held high in case an enemy turned up to attack. He went to check every part of his apartment and even the whole floor but there was no one anymore. They were all gone…

He and Kagome returned to his apartment and took one last look around the room. He went to the living room and dropped on the couch, pulling Kagome with him. “Good.” He gave out a sigh of relief, releasing Kagome's hand to wipe his forehead.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha's face with worry. “Are you all right?” She asked him. He looked really tired and he was even hurt.

“I'm fine.” Inuyasha replied faintly. All of a sudden, his strength began to leave him. “You're safe now…” His eyelids grew heavy and he wanted to sleep. “…Kagome.”

“Inuyasha!” Kagome cried out when Inuyasha unexpectedly collapsed on her lap. “Inuyasha! Wake up!” She called out to him, worry growing more intense.

Knock! Knock!

Kagome suddenly fell silent when she heard someone knocking on the door. `Please don't let it be them! Please!' She prayed repeatedly in her mind.

The door slowly opened and revealed…

“Miroku!” Kagome exclaimed gratefully upon seeing the older agent arrive. “Please help Inuyasha! We've been attacked and I think he's not breathing anymore— Oh no! Is he going to die?!”

Miroku immediately rushed to Kagome, seeing how panicked she was with the situation. “Kagome! Calm down!” He told her. “Inuyasha's still breathing! He's just unconscious. His heartbeat is normal.” He said, trying to reassure the miko.

“Oh, I thought he wasn't breathing.” Kagome said simply. “So, how did you know we were still here?” She asked.

“Inuyasha's mobile phone is still out of reach so I thought he still didn't manage to find it,” said Miroku, pulling out a paper bag from his backpack. “So I went here to help out. And it's a good thing I did. By the way, Inuyasha asked me to buy these things for you.” He handed the paper bag to Kagome with a smile.     

Kagome took the bag and opened it, not knowing what was inside.

Inside were a sketchpad and a graphing notebook.     

 

 

 

 

  

 

A/N: To Inusbabe, I'm not really doing a rewrite… It's just that I want to post my fics here in mediaminer…

Please leave me a couple of lines before leaving. A couple of paragraphs would be much appreciated! Hint hint hint! In short, REVIEW PLEASE!