InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ Closer to You ( Chapter 21 )

{Disclaimer: Did I forget to put one? Damn it! Here it is…[::holds up a sign that says 'Broke. Me no own so you no sue' in red paint] There you go.}

Chapter Twenty-One: Closer to You

No…

Not today….

Can't I just have one night without this stupid dream?

Why do I keep having it?

Does it mean anything?

>sigh<

Does it make a difference if it does or not?

I should just lay here until morning, but it's useless. Whether I like it or not, this will continue without me.

I stand up, looking at the meadow before me. Same meadow, same trees, same pond, and same stars. Nothing's changed.

I walk toward the pond, my steps weary and slow as I stop by the edge. I look at my reflection in the water and it's the same too. Me, dressed in ancient miko robes, staring back at myself. My face is already stained with tears. No different.

SSDD, right Duddits?

Never were truer words spoken.

I turn, hearing rustling from one of the trees behind me. A flash of white in the branches, but otherwise nothing.

If only it would be nothing.

I turn back around and like always he's standing there, on a boulder in the middle of the pond. His back is to me, his hair flying in the wind.

How can a guy stand to have so much hair? If mine were to my calves, I'd cut it myself!

And it's prettier than mine too. It's not fair.

He turns to me, as if he can hear my thoughts. Yup, it's him alright. The same dark blue crescent in the middle of his forehead, the same golden eyes, and the same magenta stripes on his cheeks.

Hey, isn't there a dog on Blue's Clues named Magenta?

He smiles.

Why does he have to be so godforsaken gorgeous? This has to be the way my ancestors felt when they first met him.

>sigh<

I'm sure they're thrilled at my progress with him.

I can see at least a few of them spinning in their graves.

He's gone a second later. Why won't he split for good?

An arm pulls me backward and like always I'm caught unaware. I've tried anticipating his moves, but he just won't be predictable.

Perhaps he hasn't been told that this is my dream, not his….

His hand tilts my head backward to rest on his shoulder, his other arm wraps around my waist.

"Good day Lady Miko. How are you?"

Did I mention he's polite?

He chuckles, a deep velvety sound that always takes my breath away. "It is impolite to stare."

And a jackass too?

"No matter. I like humans to be seen and not heard."

I could punch him square in the face. I can see it now, the mikos he melted eons ago cheering as I blacked his eye. That would be so great…

If I could bring myself to move, which I can't. He knows it too. "I don't like a lot of fight in them either. You're perfect." He nuzzles my neck, something that sends a warm fuzzy fog to my brain. I stare ahead weakly.

I can't escape this.

But does he have to be so damned sexy about it?

He turns me around to face him, his arms around me again as he kisses me. Nothing earth shattering or deep, just enough to get my attention.

"You will help me, little miko," he whispers against my lips. The shockwaves to my brain afterward are enough to sink California. He kisses me again, and my entire world wraps around him.

Why does he have to be such a good kisser? And what did I do to deserve this?

Maybe I kicked a dog in a past life. That would explain a couple of things…

He pulls away from me, his eyes sparkling golden disks of amusement. Did I tell you that he likes to laugh at me? Well, he does, and by the looks of things something is really funny.

"Are you training?" he asks as he picks me up like a child and carries me toward a grassy spot away from the water. I nod shyly.

"Is it difficult?" He stretches me out as I nod again, knowing exactly what's coming next.

"Have you reached you're Limit Break?" He kneels beside me, one clawed finger tracing my face. I shake my head.

It's the truth! I'm not about to lie to a dream man! How sick is that?!

"You disappoint me miko." If I'm so damned disappointing, why is he kissing me?

Perhaps Sango is right…I do need to get laid.

What was I talking about again?

Oh yeah…

He sits up, his hips pressed to mine as he stares me down. "I love you," I tell him. He smiles knowingly, his fangs flashing in the moonlight.

"That's the plan."

He's jerked away from me then, reaching out for me before disappearing into the heavens. I stagger to my feet, quickly checking for any sign of him.

Then I hear it…

The rustling, but I know it's not him.

I run through the woods, my shoes long forgotten as I try to outrun the creatures chasing me from the darkness around me. I can't see them, but I know they're there.

Oh God…

One nearly catches me, it's teeth mere inches from my leg. Somehow I escape it, only to keep running.

Oh God…

I can hear them, their teeth grinding together like rusted metal. They're claws tear into the wood around me, clouds of splinters shooting up into the air and into my lungs. I cough, but I can't stop. I'm crying now, and I can hear him on the breeze.

"You are too weak to help me..."

"No! Wait! Please don't leave me!" Tears are blurring my vision, but his voice leads me forward.

"You're not training hard enough…"

"What am I supposed to do? Tell me!" I know I'm begging now, but I can't think straight. The creatures are closer, breathing down my neck as I keep running.

Keep running Kagome. Keep running….

I crash head-long into a force field, it circling around me as I fall to my knees. I look up to find him, sealed inside a green glass cylinder. Tubes stem from every limb, and a breathing mask is over his mouth. He looks at me, blinking as he withers away before my eyes.

"Get stronger…"

I nod, weeping fully now as the creatures bang on my shelter. "I will. Just don't leave me."

He looks down at me sadly. Deep wrinkles make canyons across his skin, his once bright eyes dimmed with age.

"Don't fail me. If you do…"

The glass shatters as a spear stabs through his chest, piercing his heart. I scream as he falls, his eyes locked onto mine as the creatures grab him and shred him to pieces.

Then they look at me…

And the shield protecting me falls…

Is it no wonder I wake up screaming?

Today is no different…with one exception.

In my hands, from where I tried to grab him, is a gold and blue sash…

A familiar gold and blue sash…

My God, what's happening to me?

*Saturday, 6:05 pm, the Attic*

Sesshoumaru sighed, sitting back and surveying a new drawing. "Perfect," he purred in satisfaction. "Just perfect. She will love this."

He stood up, covered the easel, and walked down the stairs to the second floor. He washed his hands in his bathroom, watching the black charcoal swirl down the drain before drying his hands. "What to do now?" he wondered as he left the room. 'The cook is off, so I guess I'd better fix something up. I wonder if Kagome is hungry…'

Sesshoumaru sniffed the hallway for her trail, remembering that he hadn't seen her all day. 'Where is she? ' He followed the scent to her room, the smell of her heat floating among her normal scents. Sesshoumaru inhaled deeply, following the trail down the steps to the kitchen, where it was joined by Ah and Un. He stopped at the door, watching the occupants curiously.

Ah and Un were huddled over something, hugging it and whispering something even he couldn't hear. Sesshoumaru cleared his throat as he stepped into the room, smiling as Ah and Un sprang apart…

Only to frown as the salty scent of tears assaulted his nose.

What the two were huddled over was Kagome, who sat at the breakfast bar with her head in her arms. Sesshoumaru couldn't see her face, but knew she was crying from the way her shoulders shook. She looked broken, fragile, and wounded; and she held onto a scrap of cloth for dear life.

Sesshoumaru sat down beside her as Ah and Un left the room, reaching over to tap Kagome's arm. "Kagome? Are you alright?"

Kagome looked up, then sat up as she dried her face. "I've got you too huh?"

"Excuse me?"

"Ah and Un caught me in here, and now you."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "This is my house."

Kagome gave a ghost of a laugh, shaking her head as she clutched the cloth tighter. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry. Now what's wrong?"

Kagome opened her mouth to speak, then closed it as her bottom lip began to tremble. Sesshoumaru watched as she struggled, then pulled her into his lap when she began to cry.

'Damn her heat! Something is wrong!'

"Shhhh…" he whispered, rocking her back and forth gently. "It's ok. Go ahead and cry." Sesshoumaru soon learned something as she wept on his shoulder; he couldn't stand to see her cry. 'Not like this. Even when Kenji attacked her, she still held some spirit, some fire. It's like something's draining the life out of her.'

Sesshoumaru waited until she quieted, her sobs becoming hiccups against his chest. "I'm so sorry Mr. Takamada."

"I believe I can forgive, if you can do two things?"

Kagome sniffed, her nose slightly red as she whispered "Anything."

"First, don't be so formal around me. I'm your friend, right?"

Kagome nodded. "I don't remember you're first name. That's why I call you by your last."

Sesshoumaru chuckled. 'I should have guessed that would be the reason.' Sesshoumaru reached for her hand and shook it. "I'm Sesshoumaru."

Kagome smiled weakly, shaking it back even as a chill crept up her spine. "Kagome."

"My pleasure. Now why are you cryi-"

"You're going to think I'm nuts, so don't ask," she told him. Sesshoumaru blinked, not used to being interrupted.

"But Kagome, I'm only concerned. It's not everyday I find someone crying in my kitchen. Plus it's you, which makes it that much more urgent. Now please." He reached inside his pocket for a handkerchief, softly tweaking her nose as he gave it to her. "You know I don't say please often, but I'd like to know what you dream about. Anything that reduces you to tears must be hell indeed-" Her stomach growled, interrupting him yet again.

Sesshoumaru smiled at Kagome's blush, brushing her hair away from her face. "But first, I think that monster needs to be fed."

Kagome giggled, nodding in agreement as Sesshoumaru returned her to her chair. "I'm cooking today, so I hope you don't have a preference."

"You can cook?" she asked doubtfully. Sesshoumaru playfully glared at her from over his shoulder. "Of course. Is there anything I can't do?"

"I'm starting to wonder," Kagome replied as Sesshoumaru reached inside the refrigerator and pulled out three metal bowls. "What's that?"

"It's the starter for my stir-fry." He set the bowls on a tray, reaching inside the refrigerator again for another bowl and a cabinet for three small wooden ones. "You carry the tray." Sesshoumaru said as he reached inside a lower cabinet.

Kagome stood up and did as he said, scowling as she did so. "What are you going to carry? It's not gentleman like to let the lady carry everything."

"One," Sesshoumaru said, his entire head in a cabinet. "I never said I was a gentleman. Two," he appeared moments later, carrying a wok that resembled a giant sombrero. "I'm carrying the heavy stuff." He grabbed a portable burner from a drawer and lead the way to the patio outside.

Kagome watched the sun set as Sesshoumaru set the wok up. She turned around as Sesshoumaru grabbed a pair of tongs and stood around it.

"You pass me the bowls and tell me what's on your mind. Can you do that at the same time?"

Kagome smiled, shaking her head at his obvious plot to cheer her up by getting on her nerves. "Yeah, I can. Can you?"

Sesshoumaru grinned back, giving her a sly wink. "I can do many things at one time." He was glad to see the blush that stained her cheeks and the spark in her eye as she thought of a way to answer him. "You are getting off the subject Kagome. Start talking. Oh, and pass the bowl with the chicken."

"Has anyone told you that you were a jackass, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome quirked as she passed him the bowl.

"Only Inuyasha. You test my patience."

Kagome sighed. "Fine. It's about time I told somebody anyway." She recounted all, from six months ago when the dreams began to last night. She whimpered slightly when she finished, expecting for anything from Sesshoumaru.

"You say it is a he," Sesshoumaru said as he tossed a bowl of vegetables into the wok. "But you do not know his name."

Kagome shook her head. "No. I know it sounds funny, but all I can remember are the marks on his face."

"Marks?"

Kagome nodded, looking at her hands as Sesshoumaru looked at her. "Yeah. That and that he's an inu taiyoukai."

Sesshoumaru stopped mid flip, the wok and dinner forgotten. 'An…inu taiyoukai? Could she mean…' "What kind of marks? And what of his face do you remember?"

"He has this crescent moon on his forehead, and stripes on his cheeks. It's the taiyoukai I told you about. The one Sango and I were so afraid of." She began to cry again, her hands over her face as she sobbed. "I don't know what's wrong with me! Why am I dreaming about him?"

Sesshoumaru paused, his mind digesting the fact that he was the one she dreamed of, the reason for the broken-hearted tears. 'I can't tell her that though. If she finds out that I'm a youkai period she might purify me, plus it will hinder my plans.' He set the wok on the cold stone and walked over to her. He stood her up, holding her as he attempted to soothe her. "It's just a dream," he whispered. "Nothing more. You yourself said he can't be real."

Kagome hiccupped before handing him the cloth. "If it's a dream, then what am I doing with this?"

Sesshoumaru took it, instantly recognizing it for the old sash that went with his gi. 'What in the world?' "Kagome, where did you get this?"

"I woke up this morning with it in my hands!"

Sesshoumaru sighed and sat down, pulling Kagome in his lap as he dried her tears. "Look, I don't have the answers for this. I'm new to the whole magic idea, but perhaps you brought this over."

Kagome sniffed, her head resting on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his waist. "I don't understand."

"You're a miko right? But you haven't used your powers in a good many years. What if your powers are running ahead of your training and bringing stuff out of your dreams? You told me that you used to be able to pull anything out of thin air. Perhaps this is one of those cases."

"Do you think so Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. He couldn't figure out why it hurt him physically to hear her like this, to see her so upset and so scared. He felt helpless to stop it. "I think so. Now that you've talked about it, I bet it won't be as scary anymore."

Kagome looked up at him, hope and innocence shining in her eyes. "Really?"

Sesshoumaru tapped her nose, then smiled. "Really."

"OK then!" she chirped as she hugged him, instantly in a better mood. "Oh, and" she glanced down at her lap, her hands wringing slightly. "Thanks."

"Thank you for telling me. Now, get off me so I can finish."

Kagome did as he asked, scowling as she did. "No one told you to make me sit on your lap."

Sesshoumaru glanced at her as he shook the wok, a knowing smile on his face. "And no one told you to stay there."

"You're a jackass Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru smiled secretly, liking how his name sounded from her lips. "This you have said. Now come here."

Kagome came to his side hesitantly, watching him as he grabbed a wooden spoon and scooped some food from the wok. "Eat this." He frowned at Kagome's hesitation, thinking it was from the food itself until she glanced at the spoon. 'Oh yes, humans have a thing about hot food,' Sesshoumaru reminded himself. He gently blew over the spoon, cooling the contents before presenting it to Kagome again. This time she took a bite, smiling when she finished.

"Not bad," she said as she swallowed. "Not bad at all. Perhaps you can cook."

*Tuesday, 8:45 pm, the Indoor Pool*

Sesshoumaru sat at the edge of the pool, watching Kagome as she swam her laps. 'She always reminds me of the water nymphs,' he mused as he secretly sketched her. 'Or perhaps the mermaids sailors claimed to see in the early 12th century. Especially in that lime green bathing suit. I like her corduroy one better, but it was a necessary sacrifice.' He studied how she moved, her arms to her sides with her closed legs gracefully propelling her forward like a dolphin.

Sesshoumaru stood up and went back to his chair, tucking the sketchpad under his seat and picking up the book he was supposed to be reading. 'She's a lot calmer since Saturday,' he realized. 'The dreams aren't as persistent, nor are they as disturbing.' Sesshoumaru smirked. 'And we seem to be getting closer. This won't take long at all.'

The top of Kagome's head surfaced unseen, she watching him as Sesshoumaru seemed to read. 'I wonder what he's thinking about.' She smiled when he did, then plunged under and continued her swimming. 'He's so different than what we were told. It's like, to the outside world he's cold and calculating, but with me he's so warm.' Kagome nearly snorted at this, but rolled her eyes instead. 'Of course he's nice to me. I'm the only person keeping him alive now. But still…what would it be like to be closer to him….'

She shook her head then, touching the pool bottom and turning toward the surface. 'That's impossible. He and I are nothing alike…well, we do seem to share the same twisted sense of humor…and he is attractive…but that's it. Nothing else.' She surfaced again, taking a deep breath before swimming to the side of the pool.

'What would be bad about being his friend though? I've already told him that I am.' She nodded to herself as she hoisted herself up. 'Yup. That's what we'll be. That and nothing more.'

Sesshoumaru came out of his musings when Kagome sat on the edge of the pool. She turned and smiled, waving at him.

"How's the book Sesshoumaru?" she asked as she grabbed a towel from the chair beside him.

"It's fine Kagome."

She nodded, drying herself and leaning over to check on her laptop connection. 'Sango should call any minute now,' she reminded herself. She turned to Sesshoumaru, her eyes sparkling suddenly. "Are you sure?"

Sesshoumaru looked at her curiously, then nodded. "Yes, why?"

Kagome took the book out of his hands, turning it before handing it back to him. "Because it's upside down."

Sesshoumaru quirked a brow as Kagome giggled. "So it is."

"If you're so interested in the pool," Kagome started as she sat on the edge of his chair. "Why not swim with me?"

"I don't think so."

"Awwww…." Kagome pouted. "Why not?" She took the book away from him, then tossed his shoe over his head.

"What are you doing?"

"Influencing you," Kagome replied as his other shoe sailed away. "Please? Come swimming with me. You never do."

"I don't swim."

"But you can swim."

Sesshoumaru sighed. Kagome seemed determined to have her way today, but Sesshoumaru wasn't in the mood to relent. "I can, but I don't unless I have to. I'm not swimming Kagome."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?" she tried again as she stood up.

"No."

"Please?" She moved to his side, the book still in her hands as she looked down at him.

"No."

"Alright then. But you asked for this." In an instant Sesshoumaru's jacket was off his shoulders and in her hands. Sesshoumaru stood as she backed away, a smile widening on her face.

"Give that back."

"No. Don't you ever wear anything other than suits?"

"No, now give that back."

Kagome looked down at the chocolate brown piece in her hands, then shook her head. "I don't think I can help you Sesshoumaru."

"Kagome…" he warned, walking closer to her. He nearly smirked when she stopped, but his eyes narrowed when she waved the jacket in front of her like a cape.

"Toro, Toro!" she said teasingly. "Come on Sesshoumaru, come get your licks! Toro!"

Sesshoumaru smirked this time, crouching down and glaring at her as he played along. He pawed the floor, snorting slightly as he reached out for her.

"Sesshoumaru…what are you-Oh shit!" In a dash she was off, with Sesshoumaru in hot pursuit.

*Jacksonville, Fla*

Sango set her laptop on the coffee table, connecting her glasses to it as she called Miroku. "Come on! You're going to be late!"

"What are you guys doing?" Inuyasha asked as he came into the room.

"It's time for our staff meeting," Sango told him as Miroku sat down on the couch beside her. Inuyasha sat down on the other side. "Hey, can I stay too?"

"Sure. Why not? I'm sure Kagome won't mind." Sango tapped the connection, waiting patiently with the others as a picture materialized on screen. It was a pool of some sorts, inside, with plants on the poolside.

"Where is this?" Miroku asked. Inuyasha peered closer to the screen. "It's Sesshoumaru's indoor pool."

"Then Kagome must be there," Sango concluded as she and the others looked around. "But were is she?"

A growl came from off screen, freezing everyone in place. "Do you think she's ok?" Miroku asked as the others paled. Giggling came moments later, then a flash of green streaked past the screen.

"What on earth…"

A dark streak passed moments later, growling as the giggling continued. Miroku scratched his head in confusion. "I'm not getting something. Giggling is good, but growling is bad right? Then why are the two together?"

"Shhhh!" Inuyasha hissed as he pointed to the screen. "Look!"

The green stopped on the far side of the pool, finally revealing itself to be Kagome. She waved a brown jacket in her hands as the dark streak, now known as Sesshoumaru, stopped a few feet in front of her.

"Toro Sesshoumaru! Come get me if you dare!"

Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha blinked in astonishment when Kagome took off again, finally registering the giggling as Kagome's laughter and the growling as Sesshoumaru.

"What on earth is going on?" Sango muttered as a smile cracked on Miroku's face. Kagome ran past the camera moments later, with Sesshoumaru closing in on her.

"Come on old man!" Kagome taunted as she ran across the other side. "You're getting slow!"

"He's not going to like that," Inuyasha muttered, still in a state of shock.

Kagome ran past them again, but Sesshoumaru stopped and turned back the way he came. Kagome appeared on the other side, looking behind her as she continued to run. "Where is-ow!"

She and Sesshoumaru slammed into each other, falling to the tile below with a thud. Miroku covered his mouth to keep from laughing as Sango gasped. "Do you think they're alright?" she asked as she stared at the jacket-covered lump on the floor. Miroku shrugged as Inuyasha struggled to keep under control.

Kagome's head appeared from the lump, followed by Sesshoumaru as she tossed the jacket aside. "Did you have to do that?" she asked as she glared down at him. Sesshoumaru quirked a brow. "It seems to have worked."

"You cheated."

"I did not. It's not my fault I'm smarter than you."

"Ooooo!" Kagome playfully punched him in the chest, nudging him in the side with her knee as Sesshoumaru tried to roll over. "Stop that! I'm going to fall if you keep it up."

"Oh, then I should stop," Sesshoumaru replied as he grasped her waist. "I like you where you are."

"I bet yo-"

Thunderous laughter suddenly erupted around them. They both turned to look at the laptop, where Miroku was trying to pry Sango off Inuyasha, who suddenly couldn't stand it any longer.

"Toro! Toro!" he gasped between laughs as Sango whapped him upside the head repeatedly. "Oh God! Did you guys record that? I want a copy!"

"You jerk!" Sango hissed as she hit him again. "How could you?"

Kagome's face appeared in the laptop moments later, a dark blush staining her cheeks. "Hi guys…"

"Hi yourself Kagome," Miroku said more to her cleavage than her. "How are you?"

"How much of that did you see?"

"Enough." Sango said as she whapped Inuyasha one last time before kicking him and leaving him on the floor. "So that's what you've been doing?"

"Tor-haha! Toro!"

Kagome groaned as Sango kicked Inuyasha again, an oomph coming from him before the laughter continued ten fold. "Oh God…I'm going to get picked on forever."

"Is that Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru asked as he appeared in the screen. He smirked when Miroku hit him this time, then smiled back at Sesshoumaru. "It's time for our report Mr. Takamada. How is everything?"

"Eventless," Sesshoumaru said dryly as he wrapped an arm around Kagome's waist. He pulled her closer to him, then rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I see," Sango said as Kagome swatted at him. "Any news?"

"None so far-stop that!" Kagome chastised when Sesshoumaru brushed her hair aside and nuzzled her neck. "Would you quit? I'm trying to do something!"

"And I'm trying to do something."

"Fucking pervert," Kagome grumbled as Sango's mouth dropped open. "Don't even start that," Kagome scowled. "He's not trying to do anything but aggravate me, right Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru stopped, finally looking at Sango. "Do you want to hear the truth?"

"Yeah…"

"Kagome and I are madly in love, and have done nothing but perverted things to each other since your last meeting."

"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome nearly shouted as she tried to shove him away. Inuyasha's laughing fit came back, joined by both Miroku and Sango as Kagome blushed furiously. "I really hate you, you know that!"

Sesshoumaru placed a hand on her hip, fully expecting her to toss it aside. "Now Kagome," he purred as he hugged her. "Don't be embarrassed. I'm sure they understand."

"Yeah, we understand," Miroku gasped. Kagome scowled, again trying to get Sesshoumaru off her. "Miroku…"

"No, we do," he said as Sango finally sat back on the couch. "We know Mr. Takamada's only playing."

"Good." Kagome crossed her arms and frowned, then gasped as Miroku's nose started to bleed. "Miroku, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Miroku told her, still staring straight ahead. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you're nose is bleeding. Why?"

Miroku cleared his throat, casting a nervous glance to Sango. "Well, Kagome. Mr. Takamada seems to have a tight grip on you…"

"Yeah."

"Making certain assets more noticeable."

"Say what?" Inuyasha chirped, shoving Sango off the couch. "I want to see!"

Kagome glanced down, realized they were staring at her cleavage, then groaned and turned toward Sesshoumaru, glaring over her shoulder at them. "You guys are a bunch of perverts!"

"But Kagome, it was right-"

>Thunk!<

"I'm telling Katrina," Sango said to Inuyasha as she clicked his and Miroku's heads together. She shoved them both off the couch, then turned to Kagome. "Because this meeting is a total bust, we'll try again later…without the men."

"I totally agree. Kagome out!"

"Sango out!" Sango disconnected, then turned to the groaning men under her feet. "Shame on the both of you! They might have kissed if you-" pointing to Inuyasha "Hadn't started laughing."

"I couldn't help it!" 'Plus, Fluffy was only playing with her,' Inuyasha mused as he sat up and rubbed the knot on the side of his head. 'He likes her, she likes him but the both of them are too stupid to realize it. Now who could I get to help me with this? It has to be someone that knows Fluff and Stuff better than I do.'

He smiled, a pretty young woman with brown hair coming to mind. 'Perfect,' he thought with an evil grin. 'Just perfect…'

*Monday, 2:30 am. Boston, Mass.*

>Ring!<

"What the…" Rin grumbled, struggling to figure out what that sound was.

>Ring!<

She groaned, fumbling for the lamp by her bedside as she reached for the phone. "If this isn't Keanu Reeves, you're so hung up on."

She sat up suddenly, a happy smile on her face. "Uncle Yasha! Hi! How are you?" Rin swung her legs over the side of the bed, grimacing as her feet hit the cold floor. "Yeah, I'm good. What can I do for you?"

She nodded, kneeling down by the side of the bed and peering under it. "Yeah, I know her." She reached into the darkness, fumbling for a bunny slipper as she nodded again. "Really? He does? They do? Well what does that have to do with me?"

She grimaced again, holding the phone away from her ear as shouting came from the other end. "Alright, alright," Rin grumbled as she stumbled into the rest of the apartment. "No, I agree with you. Yes, I already have a plan. But what are you willing to do to get it?"

She smiled as she flicked the kitchen light on. "Oh, I can think of something," she replied as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of milk. "When's the next time you're going to Egypt?" Rin frowned, shoving her hair behind her ear as she poured a glass.

"That far away huh? Well, I want this little jade figurine of Anut." She gasped, thumping the carton on the counter as she glared at the phone. "You don't know who Anut is? It's the youngest daughter of Ra! I'm surprised Uncle Yasha!"

An evil grin flashed across her face then. "You know, for a youkai, you're pretty dumb."

More yelling from the other end, this time with a couple of "You don't think Sesshoumaru tells me that"s and a few "I'm going to hurt you"s thrown in for good measure. Rin shook her head. "I'm just playing. You know I love you Uncle Yasha."

She put the carton back into the refrigerator, then headed back to her room. "Yes, for you I'll do it. I think it's time he got a mate too. No Uncle Yasha, I won't tell him you put me up to it. Of course. I've got ta go."

Rin sat down on the bed, reaching inside the nightstand for her appointment book. "Don't forget about my statuette. Bye!"

Rin hung up, then flipped through the pages to the right day. 'Yup, this is perfect,' Rin mused as she pointed to a date and time. 'Uncle Yasha will be so proud.'

----

SF: {::still dancing around in her Halloween costume from her bio page::} I totally love the fluff, don't you guys?

Inu-chan: Hell no. {::coughs up a fluff ball::} I hate this stuff. Gets into everything.

SF: Um, Inu-chan, I don't think dogs cough up fluff balls.

Sesshou: He might be part cat. That might explain a few things…

Kagome: Hey! I like cats!

Inu-chan: And if I'm part cat, then you are too stupid!

Sesshou: {::to Inu-chan::} I'm talking about your mother's side, dolt. {::to Kagome, grasping her around her waist::} Allow me to change your mind about that.

Kagome: {::putting her hand between their lips::} Not unless…

Sesshou: {::quirked brow here::} Unless…

Kagome: You promise not to say that line again. You know, the one from SF's bio page.

SF: {::stepping between them and scowling::} And who says romance is dead? The responses and the preview are below. Oh, and Sesshou's stir-fry is available too!

Chapter Twenty-Two: Rin's Plans of Negotiation…

"I knew right then that I was going to die." … "Jesus Christ Sesshoumaru! Look out!" … "I don't know fellas. You see I have a real hard head." … 'I'm going to die, and Sesshoumaru will never know how I fe-'

… Sesshoumaru started when he and the bike began to glow pink, then hit the brakes as his front door appeared before him.

SF: Oh, and the creatures in Kagome's dream resemble the creatures in 'The Time Machine'.

Responses:

Amreld: Ack! Bad high school memory! I had to do that report too! Drove Moms crazy because I stayed up all night trying to finish it. You holler at me when you post the fic. I like Andromeda myself, though I have little time to watch it. There's just something about Kevin Sorbo….{::wistful sigh here::}

Tsukitani: Since you asked so nicely, the next few chapters are going to have some fluff in them.

VampirePrincessMiyu: Another converted! Muhahahahahahaha!

Thanks to all the reviewer. Sorry I didn't get to everyone. These are the ones I had time to do before work.