Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time and Again ❯ Lullaby ( Chapter 10 )

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

DV- @_@

Kagome- Is she okay?

Raven: i dunno

Ganko- doesn't mind her, folks. Its just well deserved stress...

Koto: why is she so stressed...Raven is the one going to band camp till July 15th

Chiisai- She hasn't slept the past three nights trying to get this story done, and leaves for a twelve hour road trip to Kentucky in an hour or so.

Furyou: this one time in band camp...

Raven: 'smacks Furyou' ouch nice ride

Yusuke: so who's saying the disclaimer?

Hiei- Hn.

Furyou: oh Hiei...

Hiei- 'suspicious'

Koto: why don't you do it?

Hiei- the baka onnas and their muses own no one.

Raven: thank you Hiei...

DV- 'muttering under her breath,' the penguins want sugar with their popcorn...

Everyone else: 0.o

We're Go-ing to-o Disneyworld! We're Go-ing to-o Disneyworld!

Okay, who gave her sugar?!?!?!

Who do you think?

WhAt? I finD hEr FuNnY lIkE tHiS…

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…

You need help. BOTH of you…

Lullaby

“Evil Brat…” Yusuke grumbled as he set up his `bed.'

The only thing he and Kagome had agreed on upon seeing the bed was that Hell would freeze over, melt, and sprout pink bunnies and flowers before they shared.

Unfortunately for Yusuke, Kagome was quite talented at Paper Rock Scissors…

Yusuke frowned. How was she so talented at the game, anyways? Did she have a strong sixth sense, like Kuwabara? Yusuke wanted to kick himself when he realized that she probably did, coming from a long line of Shinto priests. Even if the real magic in their blood was dead, they still tended to have stronger powers than normal humans.

Speaking of normal humans…

Sango, Ayumi, Yuka and Eri had all unpacked in record time and went down to the pool for some fun. Kagome had hesitated before promising to join them (slightly reluctant to relinquish what may be one of the few moments she had to relax so quickly.) And Shippo and Souta had forgone unpacking, instead eager to see what was on American TV.

“I'm off!!!” Kagome said happily. Yusuke scowled and shot her a dark glare before his jaw dropped.

“What the HELL are you WEARING?!?!?!?!”

Kagome frowned at him, puzzled.

“A bathing suit, you baka. Why, is something wrong? I told Ayumi it'd look weird on me…”

Kagome stood there in a sexy red bikini that had black ties going around her neck and back on her upper piece, and ties on opposite sides on her lower piece. Embroidered onto the top and bottom were black flowers and butterflies that seemed to have silvery glitter on them.

Kagome had also put on black sandals that were thicker than flip-flops, and carried a towel and small bag.

There was no way Yusuke would tell her how hot she looked in that outfit.

“Weird doesn't begin to describe it!!!” Yusuke scoffed, “There's no way in Hell you're gonna wear that thing in public!!!!” Kagome's frown darkened.

“What's it any of your business if I do?!?!?!?!” She said haughtily. “Oooh… I'll see you at dinner!!!” And, without another word, Kagome left, slamming the door behind her.

“Real smooth…” Souta snickered. “She's gonna be mad at you the rest of the night, you know.”

“Shut up,” Yusuke said, sitting on the couch.

“What was wrong with Mama's outfit, anyways, Yusuke? I thought she looked really pretty in it,” Shippo said with a wide-eyed innocent stare at Yusuke, who turned ten different shades of red.

“Something tells me there's a lot of guys at the pool who're gonna agree with you…” Souta said, flipping through the channels and missing the way Yusuke's eyes darkened. “Sango said sis got three date offers just from trying it on at the mall!!!” Now Yusuke was gritting his teeth in frustration. Shippo saw this, and decided to add a little more fuel to the fire.

“Yeah, Eri thinks Ayumi wants Kagome to get an American boyfriend. She says that's the only reason anybody going to America would buy so many revealing outfits.”

That was the last straw for the detective, who stormed out of the rooms, slamming the door with far greater force than the smaller girl had used. Enough to strain the woodwork, causing it to crack. Souta stared after him, startled and a little confused.

“What was THAT about?!?!” He asked the young kitsune.

The only response Shippo gave him was a knowing smirk.

/////////With Kagome///////////

Kagome sighed in relief as she closed her eyes, lounging in one of the chair stationed around the pool. Her three schoolgirl friends were swimming (Well, Yuka and Eri were swimming. Ayumi was chatting it up with the hunky lifeguard, who found her thick Japanese accent cute.) and Sango had left to check on the cats shortly after Kagome arrived, so she FINALLY had a chance to relax…

It was right then that someone decided to stand in Kagome's sun, much to her irritation.

“Having fun, sweetheart?” Kagome's insides froze at the all too familiar voice. Eyes snapping open, Kagome paled at the sight of Kansen Kurikaeshi smirking down at her.

“Kurikaeshi-san?!?!” Kagome said, alarmed, “W-what are you doing here?!?!?!”

“I'm on vacation. You?” Kagome faked a smile, groaning mentally.

“Same, I'm afraid.” She answered, “What a strange coincidence…”

It wasn't, really. Kansen had overheard Sango telling his grandfather about why they needed the time off and where they were going, and immediately got some `acquaintances' of his to find out all the details so he could accompany her on this trip.

After all, he couldn't get in any quality `alone time' with Kagome if she had Urameshi hovering in the background like a rabid guard dog…

“Must be fate,” Kansen responded. Neither heard the irritated snort from another nearby passenger, nor did they see him get a subtle elbow to the ribs from the woman cuddling with him.

“I'm sure,” Kagome responded. Kansen's eyes traveled the length of her body, his mouth curling into a smirk at the sight of so much exposed skin.

“Nice bathing suit…” Suddenly, Kagome regretted her hasty decision not to listen to Yusuke.

“Thank you,” Kagome replied without feeling, vigorously hoping for something to distract Kansen long enough for her to get back to her room. ANY distraction…!

“What the Hell?!?!?!”

…Any distraction but THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yusuke scowled darkly at Kansen who returned it the best he could. This guy was really starting to piss him off…

“Oi!!!! What the Hell do you think YOU'RE doing?!?!?!” Yusuke snapped at Kansen, “Get lost!!!!!”

Kansen hesitated momentarily before turning and leaving, not willing to fight the infamous punk for Kagome just yet.

“Thanks,” Kagome muttered, not looking at Yusuke. She was a little embarrassed that he'd saved her from the dark boy's attentions twice.

“Whatever,” Yusuke muttered back, feeling suddenly awkward. “Look… What I said… I didn't exactly mean it the way it sounded.” Kagome's jaw dropped. Was Yusuke Urameshi actually apologizing to her?!?!?! He didn't say those words, true, but it was still clearly an apology.

“It really wasn't that big of a deal,” Kagome said, helping the proud fighter salvage his pride through her experience with Inuyasha. “Wanna sit down? I'm not exactly in the mood to swim, and Sango's still not back from checking on the cats, so I could use a little company.”

Shrugging, Yusuke sat, knowing the best way to keep jerks like Kansen away was to be there to intimidate them. Neither saw the man from before smirking at them from over his little black book.

“Told you…” Hew muttered to his girlfriend. She rolled her eyes.

“One lucky break, so what? And what's in there, anyways?” The book was snapped shut before the curious girl got a chance to look.

“Sorry, koi, you know I'm the only one allowed to read.”

“Hmph!” He grinned as the girl pouted.

“Tell you what, I'll make it up to you later, okay?” his girlfriend brightened considerably at the promise in his voice.

“God, can't you two put a lid on it every one in a while?!?!” A short, irritable girl interrupted. “And we have a problem. Three-eyes is in the lower decks with the slayer.”

“So?” the man said mildly, opening his book again and flipping though the pages.

“So, I wanna know if we're going to have to abandon ship because of an unexplained puncture in the side of this floating tub!!!!” The girl snapped.

“That's more your department then mine, Chaos.” Fate answered. The shorter girl rolled her eyes.

“The hell it is!!! You've staked claim on everyone in this group!!! My powers go kaput around them now!!!!!!!” Fate's eyebrow kicked up.

“…Kaput?”

“You know what I mean!!!!!!!!!!!!” Fate chuckled.

“”Alright, Alright… And no, don't run for the lifeboats just yet, Ladybug, Hiei's Taking leave in Three… Two… One…”

…

“KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!”

There were panicked screams from some of the more jumpy passengers as Sango's infuriated yell rang across the boat, bewildering the three girls in the water, Making Yusuke (who sensed Hiei during his escape) laugh his ass off and putting Kagome in a mindset between Concerned and Mortified.

“…Gone.”

/////////////With Sango///////////////////

`He's here… I know that pointy haired arrogant youkai jerk is HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Sango thought, grinding her teeth as her eyes scanned the empty Cargo hold fruitlessly. Kirara and Buyou watched on in curiosity.

“Looking for someone?” Sango almost growled at the cocky taunt from her rival. (Ganko- `Rival?!?!' Since when?!?! Sango- Since I decided, now shut up!!!!!!!!!!!)

“Why in the seven Hells are you here?!?!?!?!?!” Sango half snapped half hissed.

Good question. Too bad Hiei didn't know the answer himself. He just… came. No particular rhyme or reason behind it.

“Hn. I had a question for my colleague.” Sango stilled.

“…Your… Colleague?” She said a little faintly.

`There's another one on board?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!'

“Hn,” Hiei said, smirking. “That's right. He's close by, too…” Sango scowled, her katana hand clenching.

`This might not end well…'

“You should have worried about that before challenging me so openly,” Hiei sneered, well enjoying the girl's discomfort. Sango blinked.

`I didn't say that outlo- shit!!!!!!!!!'

“You're a telepath,” Sango said, narrowing her eyes and cursing herself for forgetting the charm that kept her mind from being read. Just her luck... Hiei's smirk widened.

“Your internal commentary is quite amusing, You know,” Hiei said, opening his Jagan so Sango could see the glow from behind the headband. “You're far more honest with yourself than most of your pathetic race, too.” Sango gritted her teeth.

“A Jagan…” Sango murmured, recognizing the aura as it flared, “Well, you're certainly a risk-taker, aren't you?”

“You can never truly get stronger if you don't allow yourself pain,” Hiei responded. “Fools who take short-cuts will only die at the hands of someone who earned their powers rightfully.” Hiei had seen it happen enough, helped stop enough evil schemes, to know it was true. Sango blinked at him, stunned.

“You said something I can respect,” She said, a little startled. There were very few demons she respected, and less men. As a matter of fact, the only full grown male demons she could honestly admit to respecting were Jinenji and Sesshomaru. She wasn't even completely sure if Jinenji counted, since he was a hanyou…

Inuyasha she couldn't exactly say she respected. He was too brash, too reckless, and even if Kagome had forgiven him for rejecting her love, Sango hadn't. She'd never forget having to counsel the distraught miko in the hot springs after Inuyasha had broken her heart. Kagome may have forgiven him, but Sango was still a little angry with him for not seeing how great Kagome was.

And Naraku…

Sango's expression hardened. Nothing could make her respect that coward!!! As far as Sango was concerned, the bastard was a monster who deserved nothing more than a painful death and the hottest pits of Hell.

Hiei said nothing through her musings, knowing that to any true warrior, respect was sacred. After all, his respect for Yusuke kept him from killing the Higurashi family outright to avoid confrontation.

`Like you could've' A voice scoffed in the back of Hiei's subconscious. `You're too curious about this girl to kill her so quickly. You want to know more…'

Hiei shoved the voice back violently.

“I did not come here for your respect, onna. I want to know where you received knowledge of the Makai,” Sango's eyes narrowed. Planting her hands on her hips, Sango leaned over slightly to get eye level with him, obviously forgetting she was in a bikini. She unwittingly gave Hiei a very good show, and the Koorime actually blush. (Slightly, anyways…)

“Well I'm not sorry to say that I'm forbidden from giving you that information.” Sango replied. It was just an excuse, really. Kagome supplied the barriers with so much power, Koenma was practically groveling at her feet, there was no way either girls would take Koenma's restrictions too seriously.

It was just that they were smart enough not to defy him just for the sake of defying him. If anyone found out about the jewel, they could be looking at mass chaos and havoc for the next few centuries, if they were lucky.

“Is that so?” Hiei drawled, a lazy smirk playing at his lips.

“Yes, Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to the pool,” And, pretending she didn't see Hiei as a threat, Sango turned around and started away, missing the way Hiei's eyes narrowed on the back of her head. Then, the small demon smirked.

Perhaps all that time he was forced to spend in the human world could actually come in handy right now. He'd long ago figured out one of the major weaknesses of any human female.

“Don't turn your back to a thief, Onna,” Hiei growled, his sensitive ears catching Sango's answering snort.

`Hey… when did it get so drafty…?' Sango frowned, wondering where the sudden chill had come from. Blinking, she looked down…

…And paled considerably.

On the other side of the ship, Hiei smirked as he held the strings of Sango's bikini top between his fingers. Maybe now the onna would get the message…

////////////Later that night///////////////

“This is gonna be SO much fun!!!!!!!” Yuka giggled as she twirled around in her new skirt.

“Food, Dancing, Karaoke, More dancing and lots and lots of hot guys!!!!” Ayumi grinned, “THAT'S my idea of a good time!!!”

“Give us a break you two,” Eri smiled, “Neither of you could carry a tune if your lives depended on it!!!”

“HEY!!!!!!!” Everyone laughed as the two insulted girls huffed in indignation.

“What about you, Kagome?” Yuka asked.

“What about me?” Kagome asked absently, sorting out some of Shippo's things.

“Aren't you gonna sing?” Eri asked.

“Yeah, Kagome, it's been years since we heard you sing!!!!!!” Ayumi said excitedly. Kagome blushed slightly as Yusuke looked at her curiously. Come to think of it, she hadn't even sang along with the car radio in the time he'd been there… And he remembered she used to sing a lot when they were little.

“Oh, that,” Kagome said unenthusiastically. “I don't really sing much anymore…” All three schoolgirls' faces fell in disappointment.

“Come on, Kagome!!! What happened to all those vocal classes you were going to?!?!?!” Kagome shrugged as Sango and Shippo grew curious, too. Souta shifted sadly in the corner.

He was the only one who knew Kagome had given up on the thought of performing for Inuyasha and the Jewel. She used to do it all, Singing, dancing, acting, and loved every minute of it, but she'd decided the jewel was more important, and dropped everything else. Her hopes, her dreams…

“Something else came up. Besides, I wasn't that good, anyways. I bet I saved a lot of money getting out when I did!!!” Kagome's cheerful smile and fake laughed fooled no one in the room.

“Kagome…” Ayumi started, sadly. Kagome stood abruptly.

“I'd better change now. Feel free to go ahead without me,” And, before a protest could be raised, Kagome picked up her outfit for the night and rushed into the bathroom. Everyone else frowned after her hesitantly.

“You guys go,” Yusuke said. “I'll walk Kagome down,” Yuka and Shippo smiled knowingly as they ushered everyone else out of the room.

“Are you sure we should just leave them?” Ayumi asked hesitantly. It wasn't that she didn't trust Yusuke, it was just… Kagome might need them…

“Trust me, Ayumi, if anyone's gonna get Kagome on stage tonight, it's Yusuke,” Yuka promised the group. Eri's eyebrow kicked up.

“Yeah, right… I'd bet a million dollars she never even comes down to the party,” Eri scoffed. Yuka grinned.

“I'll take that bet, bookworm,” If there was one thing Yuka had a nose for, it was romance, and the one between Yusuke and Kagome was just BEGGING to happen. She wasn't book smart like Eri, or street smart like Ayumi, but she was people smart. Something about the way Kagome described her first boyfriend had always seemed off to the girl, but Yusuke was just right for her!!!!

Now all she had to do was wait for the fireworks…

////////With Kagome//////////

The young miko bit back a sigh as she smoothed the skirt of her dress out for the fifth time in as many minutes. Talk of singing and being on stage brought back a lot of good memories, but Kagome wasn't going to fool herself. She had responsibilities now, to the human race, to Inuyasha and to the Shikon no Tama. Silly childhood fantasies couldn't compare with that.

There was no way Kagome could escape her responsibilities, either. After the jewel was complete, the only thing waiting for her would be a life of seclusion in the Reikai. Koenma didn't want to take any chances, and anyways thought it would be best for everyone if Kagome spent eternity as nothing more than a battery for the Barriers.

No more excitement… no more stages and singing… no more adrenaline rush that came from knowing everyone was watching you, no more knowing that, even for a minute, everything was okay, just so long as you were there to play the part you were assigned…

Kagome gave a twisted smile at the thought of the irony that all her acting career had brought her was a mask to wear in public and a way to keep others from worrying about her.

Shaking her thoughts away, Kagome gave herself one last once-over in the mirror. She was wearing a Pale blue top with a neckline a little lower than she was comfortable with (Ayumi picked it out for her again. But what right did Kagome have to complain, the rich girl of their group did, after all, pay for it.) and a pleated short black skirt with a studded belt that had a buckle shaped like a Crescent moon.

She also wore black biker gloves and black boots. Highly visible around her neck thanks to the low-cut of the shirt were the Shikon shards, their aura suppressed with Miko ki. Though they were out at sea, she wasn't taking any chances.

Sighing, Kagome decided to leave the bathroom before the others got suspicious. She'd just go down there, eat and hurry back to her room with some excuse. That way she wasn't left mourning an innocent past and the future that was never meant to be.

“'Bout time.” Kagome screamed at the unexpected voice, one hand going to her heart. She glared at Yusuke, blushing slightly.

“How about a little more warning you jerk!!!!!!!” Kagome yelled. She frowned slightly when Yusuke's face began to redden, his eyes wide, “You okay?”

The spirit detective gritted his teeth and forcibly tore his eyes away from Kagome's cleavage.

`When did she get so sexy, anyways?!?!' Yusuke grumbled irritably in his head.

“Fine,” Yusuke answered. “Come on, the others are all waiting,”

“I could've gone by myself,” Kagome said, a little irked as they went down to where the others would be waiting. Yusuke snorted.

“Dressed like that? With him…” Yusuke accented this word with a jerking nod of his head. “…Lurking around?”

Kagome looked to where he nodded, frowning when she caught Kansen's eyes, his gaze firmly resting on her chest.

“…I could've handled myself,” Kagome muttered.

“Riiiight…”

“I could've!!!!” Kagome said angrily. “I'll have you know I've learned from the best!!!!!” True, Sango hadn't taught her much, but if she could ward off demons with what she knew, she could definitely kick a horny human's ass.

Still, part of her was flattered Yusuke was worried about her. A very little part.

“I'm sure,” Yusuke muttered dryly, “How many classes did you take before you quit?” Kagome's eyes narrowed.

“Excuse me?!?!”

“You quit dancing, you quit acting, you quit singing… What reason do I have to believe you haven't quit fighting?”

“I'd never quit fighting!!!!!” Kagome snapped, knowing there was a double meaning behind her words. “And like I said before, I had to quit everything else.” Yusuke watched as Kagome's face saddened.

“Well, if it really means so much to you, do it,” Yusuke said bluntly. Kagome sighed.

“It's not as simple as that…”

“You're just scared you've lost it.” Yusuke smirked. Kagome's eyes narrowed as her cheeks took on a pink tone. That was a little part of it, too, but that last thing she wanted was for Yusuke to know that.

“I most certainly have not!!!!!!” Kagome snapped as they entered the room.

“Prove it,” Yusuke said, pointing to the sign up sheet for Karaoke. “Ya gotta sing three songs up there before the night's over.” Kagome hesitated momentarily, before walking over and signed her name down three time, along with three songs she wanted to sing.

//////////////Later/////////////////

“Why did I agree to do this?” Kagome moaned as a German tourist did a horrible rendition of `I'm a Believer,'

“Come on, Kagome,” Sango said, amused for the first time since the run in with Hiei. “I'm sure you won't be that bad…” Kagome glared at her.

“Thanks,” Kagome said dryly. “Now I don't feel so bad about pulling you into the duet I signed up to do first.”

“…N-Nani?!?!?!?!” Sango exclaimed. The only singing she ever did was a festivals and such. While Kagome and a few others had complimented her, she didn't think her abilities that good. And she NEVER sang in front of such a crowd.

“Next up, Sango and Kagome Higurashi, singing `Scars!'” The DJ called. Before Sango knew what had happened, Kagome had them both on stage.

Sango glared at Kagome before sighing, deciding that she might as well go along with it now that she was here. At least it was a song she knew and liked.

“Just sing every other line, Sango, We'll do the chorus together,” Kagome whispered as the DJ set up. Both sisters were too nervous to even pay attention to the whistles and catcalls that would normally have them glaring.

The first cord struck, and Kagome began singing, her voice nervous at first, but gaining momentum as she went.

“I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut. My weakness is that I care too much,”

“And my scars remind me that the past is real,” Sango continued, also gaining a little more courage now since no one appeared to dislike her singing. “I tear my heart open just to feel,”

“Drunk and I'm feeling down, And I just wanna be alone,” Kagome sang, starting to get more into it. Sango grinned as she sang the next line.

“I'm pissed cause you came around, Why don't you just go home?” Loud cheers greeted this line, and the DJ was laughing slightly and shaking his head.

“Cause you channel all your pain, And I can't help you fix yourself,” Kagome said, starting to walk around a little. Sango, taking her hint, walked the other way.

“You're making me insane, All I can say is” Both girls twirled to face each other as they sang the next part together.

“I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut. My weakness is that I care too much. And our scars remind us that the past is real. I tear my heart open just to feel”

Both girls began to walk back to the center of stage now, grinning slightly as men hooted and cheered as they swayed their hips to the beat.

“I tried to help you once, Against my own advice,” Sango sang out, getting a little louder. She shot Kagome a challenging look, which her sister answered with a smirk.

She stepped forward for her line, moving her body in temp with the beat and running her free hand down her side, to wild cheers, as she Followed Sango's example and took it a little louder.

“I saw you going down But you never realized,”

“That you're drowning in the water So I offered you my hand” Sango said, twirling and getting next to her sister, offering her hand to the girl, with Kagome took.

“Compassions in my nature, Tonight is our last stand,” As Kagome finished, she thrust her and Sango's joint hands into the air, both sisters taking a few steps back in beat with the music.

“I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut. My weakness is that I care too much. And our scars remind us that the past is real. I tear my heart open just to feel” Sango and Kagome released hands, and Sango took center stage, once again taking the song even louder.

“I'm drunk and I'm feeling down And I just wanna be alone,” Kagome was impressed Sango could yell like that without ruining the way the song sounded as she did the same, pumping her fist in the air for the last three words.

“You shouldn't ever come around Why don't you just go home?”

“Cause you're drowning in the water And I tried to grab your hand,” Sango sang, flipping her ponytail back over her shoulder. Giggling mentally, Kagome threw one arm over Sango's shoulder.

“And I left my heart open But you didn't understand,” Kagome held the last note as Sango sang.

“But you didn't understand” Also holding the last note, though not as long as Kagome did. And, through a silent understanding, as soon as she finished both girls screamed out;

“Go fix yourself!!!” Sango and Kagome separated and switched sides, walking slowly as Sango began to sing again,

“I can't help you fix yourself, But at least I can say I tried. I'm sorry but I gotta move on with my own life.” Both stopped, hips mid-sway, as Kagome crooned out her last solo line.

“I can't help you fix yourself, But at least I can say I tried. I'm sorry but I gotta move on with my own life!!!!”

“I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut. My weakness is that I care too much. And our scars remind us that the past is real. I tear my heart open just to feel. I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut. My weakness is that I care too much. And our scars remind us that the past is real. I tear my heart open just to feel” Loud, wild cheers greeted them as they finished, the loudest and wildest coming for Yuka, Eri and Ayumi.

“That was amazing!!!!!!!!” Ayumi screeched as the girls came back to the table, obviously charged by their performance. “Wow!!! You two were great!!!!!”

“Totally!!!!!!!!!!” Yuka said vigorously. Sango and Kagome smiled proudly as they took their seats. Kagome's smile turned smug when she saw Yusuke leaning back in a chair.

“Told you I haven't lost it,” She said as the cheering died away, a new person getting on stage.

“Keh,” Yusuke scoffed, “That was one song, and a duet. Lets see you sing solo and then we'll talk.” Kagome glared at him.

The table's mood was much lighter after the initial songs success. The one who noticed this best wasn't at the table at all, but rather above it.

Hiei watched curiously as Sango laughed at something Yuka said. What an unusual human…

He was especially curious about their dance on stage. As far as he could tell, they'd used body language to keep the other on in the loop, but Hiei couldn't understand how two people could get so close unless they we mates. And the girls weren't even truly related (Even if he hadn't over heard her telling Yusuke that she was adopted into the Higurashi family after her father died, their scents alone belied that they were from different families.) so Hiei didn't see where the faith and connection came from if they hadn't been in life or death situations together.

Hiei's eyes narrowed at that thought, and he studied the younger sister a little more suspiciously.

“Well, folks, it's time to welcome Kagome Higurashi back to the stage!!!! This time, though, she's flyin' solo with `Welcome to my Life!!!'” Kagome flushed at the cheering she received as she made her way to the stage. Kagome's skirt swayed slightly as she stepped back, taking a deep breath and beginning to sing.

“Do you ever feel like breaking down? Do you ever feel out of place? Like somehow you just don't belong, And no one understands you?” Kagome sang, the words really hitting home for the miko.

With two homes to choose from, she didn't know where she belonged anymore. Especially since she didn't fit in with either of the two worlds any more. She was no longer an innocent schoolgirl, but she wasn't an all-out demon-hunting warrior-babe either.

“Do you ever wanna run away? Do you lock yourself in your room? With the radio on turned up so loud, That no one hears you screaming?” Kagome never wanted to trust anyone with her pain.

True Sango saw most of it, but there were even things she hid from her beloved sister, for fear of hurting her or earning her disgust. She was ashamed of herself for it, but what other options did she have? She couldn't let others get hurt for her.

“No you don't know what it's like, When nothing feels all right. You don't know what it's like to be like me,”

Back at the table, Yusuke frowned, also reflecting. On his past and future. On who he'd become and what was left for him to do, and on his relationship with Keiko…

“To be hurt To feel lost To be left out in the dark To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around To be on the edge of breaking down And no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's like Welcome to my life,”

With Keiko, he'd tried so hard to keep her safe, to keep her close, but in the end she walked out like all the others. In a damn cold way, too. `Oh, this is my new boyfriend, by the way we're through?' Who did that to a guy?!?!?!

But while he gave so much to Keiko, she'd always hesitated to give anything to him. Always claiming he was untrustworthy, and unreliable. Or she'd try to stop him from fighting, his one release from his Hellhole life.

“Do you wanna be somebody else? Are you sick of feeling so left out? Are you desperate to find something more Before your life is over? Are you stuck inside a world you hate? Are you sick of everyone around? With their big fake smiles and stupid lies While deep inside you're bleeding,”

Kagome felt a little guilty admitting it, even just to herself, but sometimes she almost resented the way her school friends were so oblivious to everything she was doing. It was unfair that she saved the world and all she got for it were lectures on how school was important and she needed to attend more.

None of them ever had to see fellow human beings die in front of their eyes, none of them were ever forced to kill or be killed. One thing Kagome had learned in her travels was that humans enjoyed thinking they knew all there was to know, that no dangers could threaten them. Few knew how weak the human race in general actually was.

“No you don't know what it's like when nothing feels all right. You don't know what it's like to be like me,”

Sometimes… she just felt that no one but Sango could actually relate to her, and even then, there were things about her life Sango would never understand.

“To be hurt To feel lost To be left out in the dark To be kicked when you're down

To feel like you've been pushed around To be on the edge of breaking down And no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's like. Welcome to my life”

One thing Yusuke found strange, though, was that even after everything he'd done to her… all the pranks and cracks… Kagome would trust him to protect her.

Whenever Kansen came around, she'd always tense up. But as soon as he scared the ass off, Kagome would give him that smile and he could see it… even if she didn't intend for it to be there…

…He saw a warmth, a faith in his strength no one ever had before. An understanding, almost.

“No one ever lied straight to your face And no one ever stabbed you in the back You might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okay Everybody always gave you what you wanted You never had to work it was always there You don't know what it's like, what it's like…”

No one did know what his life was like, Yusuke realized with a wry smile. No one knew the pain, the frustration… not one goddamn person here knew what it was like to look into an adult's eyes, a person you haven't said a word to, and see not only distrust, but in some cases downright hatred.

“To be hurt To feel lost To be left out in the dark To be kicked when you're down To feel like you've been pushed around To be on the edge of breaking down And no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's like…”

Constant time travel… trying to keep up with her schoolwork… being pulled this way and that by Koenma… Inuyasha's comparisons to Kikyou… Kagome wasn't sure how much more she could take before she snapped.

And now she had to keep up with a job AND still find time for a catnap and a bite to eat here and there. (Yusuke had firmly stated that next time she passed out, he was throwing her body in a dumpster and letting her rot, so she wasn't taking any chances.)

“To be hurt To feel lost To be left out in the dark To be kicked when you're down To feel like you've been pushed around To be on the edge of breaking down And no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's like… Welcome to my life… Welcome to my life…”

`I know it's not likely… I know it's damn near impossible…' Kagome thought sadly, `but… sometimes all I really want…'

“…Welcome to my life…”

`…is someone who understand what kind of hell I've been put through,' Yusuke scowled slightly at the table, jerking out of his thought at loud applause as Kagome made her way back to the table.

“Awesome, Kagome!!!!” Yuka said vigorously.

“Yeah. You really put your feelings into that one, didn't you?” Ayumi said, trying to keep her voice light. She knew Kagome was hiding something, you'd have to be blind and deaf not to, but the way she sang the song made it especially obvious.

“Kagome…” Sango said softly, her eyes searching her sister's face. Kagome just smiled at her, a warm, reassuring smile. It went over the heads of the others, but Sango got the message.

`I'm okay… I know I don't fit in, and I've come to accept it, but I'll be okay…' Sango relaxed and smiled back.

“So, Kagome, what's your last song?” Eri asked curiously. Kagome smiled knowingly.

“You'll see…” she answered playfully. The girls begged, bribed and blackmailed, but Kagome refused to reveal her finale.

Yusuke smirked as he watched them. They really didn't know how to get her to do what they wanted, did they? Well, maybe he should demonstrate…

“It's probably some stupid baby song, Knowing her,” He scoffed. Kagome's eyes darkened.

“Are you questioning my taste in music, Yusuke?” Yusuke smirked, and opened his mouth to respond.

“And for the last time tonight, give a round of applause for our little Siren, Kagome Higurashi!!!!!!!!!” Kagome blushed as she hurried back on stage. Yusuke scowled.

`Just when it was getting fun…'

The music started again, this time slower, sadder than the other songs she'd sang. Still, this only seemed to make it even more beautiful, especially when Kagome began to sing…

“Please, please forgive me, But I won't be home again. Maybe someday you'll look up, And, barely conscious, you'll say to no one: "Isn't something missing?"”

Yusuke blinked. He would've never expected a Happy go-lucky spitfire like Kagome to like something so angsty…

Then again, Kagome was harder to understand then most people thought. Yusuke knew this, especially now that she had that far away look in her eyes. This was no longer standing up for her courage. Kagome was singing this song to someone else, someone who wasn't here.

“You won't cry for my absence, I know- You forgot me long ago. Am I that unimportant...? Am I so insignificant...? Isn't something missing? Isn't someone missing me?”

`Too accurate…' Kagome thought dryly. She'd connected with this song after her and Inuyasha's official `break-up.' It almost became an anthem of her feelings, her frustration, and most of all, her fears…

“Even though I'm the sacrifice, You won't try for me, not now. Though I'd die to know you love me, I'm all alone. Isn't someone missing me?”

`I wonder who put that look in her eyes…?' Yusuke though frowning. Keiko's new boy-toy, Homo? No, she said she didn't have feelings for him… Inuyasha? Yusuke scowled slightly at that thought.

Somehow, he wouldn't doubt it.

“Please, please forgive me, But I won't be home again. I know what you do to yourself, I breathe deep and cry out, "Isn't something missing? Isn't someone missing me?"”

She was so sure no one cared about her, that she wasn't worthy of love after Inuyasha's rejection. Even his reason didn't help soothe the pain.

“Kagome… I do love you… but not like that. After Kikyou, I could never love like that again…”

Kagome would never tell anyone how much it had hurt her to hear that, yet again, she couldn't compete with pretty, smart, controlled Kikyou.

“Even though I'm the sacrifice, You won't try for me, not now. Though I'd die to know you love me, I'm all alone. Isn't someone missing me?”

Sango frowned thoughtfully at her sister as she sang. She knew what this song was about, who it was for. Normally, this would only increase her anger at Inuyasha, but there was one element that kept her from that, one thing in Kagome's voice, her movements, her eyes, that told her more than Kagome knew.

This wasn't a plea, a way to beg him for an answer for his rejection. Instead…

“And if I bleed, I'll bleed, Knowing you don't care. And if I sleep just to dream of you I'll wake without you there, Isn't something missing? Isn't something...”

…This was her final goodbye to her feelings for Inuyasha. Her declaration to the world she was moving on.

“Give it up for the young lady, people, wasn't she fabulous?!?!” The DJ asked. Once again, cheers greeted Kagome as she left stage, and some people even patted her on the back, or shook her hand, much to her embarrassment.

“I don't get it…” Yuka said softly, “Why'd she give it up?” Sango frowned.

“…That's very personal for Kagome, Yuka. Please don't ask her,” Sango requested softly as Kagome came into earshot.

“Well, well, well… You actually made it without fainting,” Yusuke said mockingly. Kagome glared at him.

“Shut up, Baka.”

“Okay, Karaoke's all done today, folks!!! Come back same time tomorrow for more!!! Now it's time to hit the dance floor!!!!!!!!” Yuka got a scheming look on her face at that.

“Oh, Kagome, weren't you into dancing a lot, too? I remember I went to a few of your recitals… ballet, salsa, tango, some street dancing…” Kagome frowned.

“Yes, but it's kind of hard to dance without a partner,” Kagome pointed out.

“True…” Yuka sighed. Shippo, catching on, said in a rather innocent voice, “And there's no way Yusuke knows how to dance!!!!!” the spirit detectives eyes narrowed as he glared at the kit.

“What's that supposed to- The hell I can't!!!!!!”

“So, you can dance?” Yuka asked, sounding surprised.

“Keh!!!! Course I can!!!! I've danced loads of times!!!!!!!!”

“Well… prove it,” Yuka said simply. Yusuke blinked.

“W-what?” Shippo and Yuka smiled.

“Since you made Kagome-chan sing three songs, you've gotta dance for four.” Yusuke scowled at Yuka. “Unless you really can't dance…”

“I said I can!!!!!” Yusuke snapped.

“Saying isn't enough. Now as far as partners go, the only logical choice is Kagome.” Said miko, who was taking a swig of water, coughed and sputtered as she gaped at Yuka.

“W-what?!?!?!?!”

“Well, I can't dance, and neither can Ayumi and Eri. Not the same way you can, anyways.” She spared an apologetic smile to Ayumi.

Ayumi, whose father was a business tycoon and millionaire, had always tried to make Ayumi do more `proper' things, like dancing and playing instruments. That was how Ayumi was introduced to the group, actually. She and Kagome met through a dance class when they were 10.

Ayumi was the one the teacher scoffed as hopeless because of her clumsy nature, while Kagome was her little prodigy. Ayumi resented her for it at first, but when Kagome started tutoring her, the two became close.

Not long after, Ayumi convinced her father to let her go to the slightly lesser private school, so she could stay close to Kagome. Eri, who had known Kagome since third grade, was already there, and Yuka would transfer there from Okinawa in a year or so.

“I can't do any of that stuff, either,” Sango said, frowning out at the dance floor. Well, maybe she could with practice, but not now.

“So, unless you want to admit defeat, Kagome's your partner,” Yuka said cheerfully. Yusuke growled and grabbed Kagome's hand, pulling her out on the dance floor.

“Wha?!?!” Kagome said, startled, “What do you think-?!?!”

“Quiet!!!!”

“Jerk!!!! You could just ASK some other girl, you know!!!!!” She reminded him, about to sit back down.

“I can't dance,” Kagome frowned at Yusuke's sheepish confession.

`Why does that not surprise me?' She thought dryly. Sighing, she led Yusuke to a part of the dance floor a little away from the crowd as the next song started.

`Tango… That should be a combination of Salsa and, of course, a tango…' she analyzed. She put one of Yusuke's hands on her hip, (Biting back a giggle at his slight blush) and took the other one in hers, wrapping her free arm around his neck.

And, as the music began, they began to dance.

It's not her fault that she's so irresistible
But all the damage she's caused isn't fixable
Every twenty seconds you repeat her name
But when it comes to me you don't care
If I'm alive or dead.

Kagome flinched as Yusuke's foot came down on her own. Hard.

“Sorry,” He murmured. Kagome sighed, before an idea hit her.

“Yusuke, Dancing is like fighting, you watch everything your partner does, and figure the best move to go with it,” Kagome explained in a way she knew he'd get. That was, after all, how she herself learned to fight when Sango began teaching her.

So objection, I don't wanna be the exception
To get a bit of your attention
I love you for free and I'm not your mother
But you don't even bother

“…Fighting, huh?” Yusuke smirked as he twirled her.

“Yes, and just like sparring, the more you dance with a person, the more familiar their movements and body language become to you,” Kagome told him as she twirled back into their earlier position.

Objection I'm tired of this triangle
Got dizzy dancing tango
I'm falling apart in your hands again
No way I've got to get away

“Well, we've fought enough that dancing should be cake for us,” Yusuke joked as Kagome moved her hips in temp with the music.

Next to her cheap silicone I look minimal
That's why in front of your eyes I'm invisible
But you gotta know small things also count
You better put your feet on the ground
And see what it's about

“Mmm… And whose fault is that?” Kagome asked with a pointed look.

“You started it,” Yusuke said defensively.

“An accident? When we were kids, Yusuke?” he blushed slightly at her pointed look.

Objection I don't wanna be the exception
To get a bit of your attention
I love you for free and I'm not your mother
But you don't even bother

“What can I say? Forgive and forget is hard for me. Not everyone's perfect, brat.” Kagome frowned.

“I'm not perfect,” Yusuke snorted.

“Pretty, smart, athletic, popular and nice… sounds perfect to me,” Yusuke scoffed.

`As perfect as Keiko was supposed to be…' A nasty voice reminded him. `And she turned out to be right about you, too. It hasn't even been a full day since she left, and your dancing with another girl. And enjoying it,'

Objection the angles of this triangle
Got dizzy dancing tango
I'm falling apart in your hands again
No way

“I'm not perfect, Yusuke,” Kagome said softly. “Unless you're perfect too…” Yusuke was taken out of his musings by that.

“Me?!?!?!” Yusuke let out a harsh bark of laugher. “I'm as far from perfect as you get!!!!!!” Kagome didn't laugh.

“You really think so, Yusuke?”

I wish there was a chance for you and me
I wish you couldn't find a place to be
Away from here

“Whenever there is something that really matters in my life, I always try to work 100% with it. You do the same thing, Yusuke. You've been working at your job for years now, and you still drop everything to help out there when you're needed, whether it's in school or during your free time.”

“I have to,” Yusuke said. “It's my job,” Kagome shrugged.

“I'm sure there are ways you can get out of it. besides, I see that look in your eyes every time you leave. You enjoy working there, don't you,” Yusuke flushed again, knowing he didn't have anything to say to that.

This is pathetic and sardonic
It's sadistic and psychotic
Tango is not for three
Was never meant to be

“The only real difference between us,” Kagome said, “Is that you're stronger, Yusuke. You're not afraid to tell people how you feel upfront. Me? I've always worried about how others would react to my words.” Yusuke scowled.

“I ain't stronger,” He said, “And I really can't tell people everything upfront. Yeah, if I don't like someone they know it, but I can't get a compliment out to save my life,”

But you can try it
Rehearse it
Or train like a horse
But don't you count on me
Oh don't you count on me boy!

“Well then, maybe we can hope a little of us rubs off on each other,” Kagome said with a bright smile. Yusuke grinned back.

“Hey, Kagome?”

“Hm?”

Objection, I don't wanna be the exception
To get a bit of your attention
I love you for free and I'm not your mother
But you don't even bother

“How come you're helping me, anyways? After everything I've done to you?” Kagome frowned at him.

“Because you needed help. There shouldn't be any other reason than that.” Yusuke stared at her.

“Just like that?”

“…Well, I admit I wanted to say no, just a little,” Kagome smiled sheepishly at his glare, “But you looked so vulnerable. Only a monster would refuse to help. Besides, I still need to repay you for both times you saved me from Kansen, saving Shippo and helping me when I passed out,” Yusuke blinked, then grinned.

Objection I'm tired of this triangle
Got dizzy dancing tango
I'm falling apart in your hands again
No way I've got to get away

“Tell you what, we're even after all the dances, okay?”

“Deal!!!” Kagome laughed. “That's one, so there are only four left.”

“Good!!!” Yusuke said with a smirk, “What's next?” Kagome frowned slightly when the next song came on.

“Sounds like Shake your Tailfeather…” Yusuke gave her a dirty smirk at that.

“Really…?” Kagome glared, a blush staining her cheeks.

“You're so lucky I owe you…” She grumbled before swaying seductively with the music.

We do it for fun
We just do it for fun
Dirty E.N.T
We do it for fun
Bad Boy (Nelly, Diddy, Murphy Lee)
We do it for fun (This is history baby)
Bend them trucks
We do it for fun (haha)
Stack them bucks
We do it for fun (Come on now)
And the band played on (yea)
Just like (I believe you cool to this)
We do it for fun
If you see me ma
We do it for fun

Yusuke was a little surprised Kagome wasn't even blushing at how close they were dancing. Then again, if she'd been doing this sort of thing for as long as her friends hinted, it really shouldn't have been so shocking.

For some reason, Yusuke felt a pang of jealousy at the thought of someone dancing like this with Kagome. No doubt another horny asshole that didn't know his place…

All those thoughts flew out the window when Kagome's arms wrapped around his neck.

Bad Boys 2, the soundtrack
Let's Go

Yusuke couldn't contain his surprise at the provocative movements of Kagome's body, far less than innocent than one would expect from a shrine maiden. Kagome caught this and giggled.

“It was a little hard for me at first.” She admitted to his unasked question, “But I refused for there to be a dance out there I hadn't mastered,” the corner of Yusuke's mouth kicked up.

“No complaints here,”

Come here girl
What yo name is?
Where you from?
Turn around who you came with?
Is that your ass or your momma have reindeer?
I can't explain it but damn sure glad you came here
I'm still a sucker for corn rows, you know I never changed that (nah uh)
Your body is banging mamma, but where your brains at? (Come on)
I'm still the same cat when I was young I was running with bad boys
But now I'm older hope they saw I'm running with bad boys (that's right)
Here come another man
Unlike no other man
Candy coated whoa!
Switching in every lane
Ya'll help me
Why don't cha
Please help me
Eighth girl this week and it's only Tuesday
I like the cocky bow legged ones
Like white and Dominicans
Hispanics and Asians
Shake it for Nelly son
Manolos Ma-no-no's I can't tell
Everybody and their hootchies
When you do it do it well

Leaning against the guardrail, Kansen scowled as he watched Kagome dance with Yusuke, envy flooding through his veins. Damn her!!! That was supposed to be him watching her as she moved for him!!!

Apparently, the rumors about the Mighty Urameshi's girlfriend were wrong, or he had no qualms about dating two girls at once. While Kansen had no problems with that (He'd done so many times himself) He wanted Kagome for himself, and nothing got in Kansen's way when he wanted something.

Let me see you take it off

Girl go and take it off
We can even do it slow

We can even do it slow
Take it where you want to go
Take it where you want to go
Just take that ass to the floor
Pop something move something
Shake ya tailfeather, girl go and take it low
We can even do it slow
We can even do it slow
Take it where you want to go
Take it where you want to go
Just take that ass to the floor
Pop something move something
Shake ya tailfeather

“Hey… About you and that Inu-trasha guy…”

“Inuyasha,” Kagome corrected with a light glare as she turned so Yusuke was spooning her, trying to ignore how nice it felt to have his hands on her hips.

“Yeah, him. What's the deal with you two anyways?” Kagome frowned as she continued their dance.

“He's my friend. A good friend, too. One of my best friends, as a matter of fact,” She answered simply.

“You two are really just friends?” Yusuke asked doubtfully.

“I had an unrequited crush on him for a while, but yeah, we're just friends,”

Now real girls get down on the floor (on the floor)
Get that money honey act like you know (like you know)
Mama I like how you dance
The way you fit in them pants (Uh)
Enter the floor (Uh) take it low (Uh) girl do it again (Uh)
You know I love that (I love that)
Now where them girls at? (Where the girls at?)
It's Diddy, Murphy Lee, and Nelly how you love that? (Shit uh ohhhhhh)
Come on, we got another one player
From New York to the Dirty how they loving it player?
Baby you impressive let's get
To know each other
You the best of the best and
You got to love it in the dresses, the sexiest
I had to tell her she's a young Janet Jackson live in living color
Look here momma you're dead wrong for having them pants on
Capri's cut low so when you shake it I see you're thong
My pocket's full of dough shake your feathers till the morning
It's Bad Boy and Nelly man somebody better warn them

“Wait, you like that annoying girly asshole?!?!” Yusuke asked incredulously.

“Inuyasha isn't girly!!!!” Kagome said in a weak defense for her friend. She couldn't in all honesty say he wasn't annoying after all… “And no, I used to like him like that. Now we're just friends,”

“And that actually works for you?” Yusuke said, an eyebrow kicking up. “And he is too. No one can have hair that long and not be called girly.”

Let me see you take it off

Girl go and take it off
We can even do it slow

“Shuichi-kun has long hair,” Kagome reminded him. “And he's quite the gentlemen,”

(AN; DV- I'd like to warn everyone right here that any and all questions of Kurama's sexuality will be given to DD-chan by Raven-chan and myself, which she will be allowed to deal with as she sees fit,)

“Maybe, but it ain't as long as your friend's hair is.” Yusuke pointed out. Kagome rolled her eyes.

“I'll have you know that a lot of women find longer hair an attractive quality on men,” Kagome said. (DV- `raises hand' Guilty. I go gaga over men with long hair, real or anime ^____^)

“Does `a lot of women' include you?” Yusuke asked with a smirk. Kagome blushed.

“No, not really…” `It's the ears that really did it in for me,' “But I know Yuka-chan is practically in love with a rock star simply because he has long hair. And piercings. Piercings are a major turn on for Yuka for some reason…” Yusuke bit back a snort of laugher.

Oh no I heard them bad boys coming
Can't stop now
Got to continue my running (yea)
Because we gon' party till them lights come on
And then my song stop fuck it, 'cause my mic still on

“Jeeze… never pictured her as the kinky type,” He snickered, finally breaking Kagome's cool and causing her to blush.

“Can't you keep your mind out of the gutter for two minutes?” Kagome asked irritably.

“You want the honest answer or the one your looking for?”

“Yusuke!!!”

Yo, I'm the big booty type
I like them thick with their mind right (Awe)
Banging personality conversate when the time right (Naw)
I'm not hard I've got women to handle that
They be like he the man when I'm really a Thundercat
Come on you know the tics connect like Voltron
Collect so much grass popo thinking we mow lawns
My gohans don't match that
But it matches her headwrap and the seats that I got in the lap
I'm just a Juvenile (Wha)
Because I be about G's
Keep your women wizzy man they say they have my babies
I'm young like Tucker like the cash and the money (I'm going to eat my money)
Man, I'm that damn hungry
See I'm starving like Marvin girl
I've got sixteen bars of fire is what I'm starting
Plus my rats come in packs like Sammy and Dean Martin
And I got so many keys you'd think I was valet parking

“Hey, Kagome?”

“Hm?” Kagome responded suspiciously, still a little irritated at that last comment.

“Did doggy-man have anything to do with you dropping all those classes?” Yusuke asked seriously. Kagome blinked, confused by the sporadic questioning.

“Inuyasha?” She clarified, searching for a way to answer without lying. “I quit my classes on my own accord, Inuyasha didn't even know I ever took them,”

“Then why'd you quit? You ain't a quitter, Kagome. Believe me, if I've learned anything about you, it's that…” Yusuke was a little surprised when she slowed down and stopped dancing, giving him a pleading look.

“Please don't ask me that. I can't answer you honestly, and I really don't want to lie to you. Not when you're actually being nice.” She said in a soft, serious tone. A small part of Yusuke wanted to argue, to get to the bottom of things, but he backed off. He had his own secrets after all, he knew all about what could and could not be told.

“Keh,” Yusuke responded. Kagome smiled and began dancing again.

Let me see you take it off

Girl go and take it off
We can even do it slow

“Aarg!!! The fat guy got in the way again!!!!”

“Shippo!!!! That's rude!!!! You don't call someone fat,” Eri chided as everyone else at the table leaned this way and that, trying to see the dancing couple.

“But he is!!!!” Shipp protested. No one could argue with that. The tourist blocking their sight was indeed a large man.

“That doesn't mean you have to say it out loud,” Ayumi said, praying the man couldn't hear him. He was a distance away, and the music was loud, but the last thing she wanted was to offend anyone.

“Yusuke honestly thinks we can't tell he can't dance, doesn't he?” Sango said conversationally.

“He's a boy, Sango, we can't be too hard on him,” Yuka said, the corners of her mouth twitching.

“Too true…” Eri said mildly. “Do you think this is mean of us, though?”

“Maybe a little…” Yuka admitted, eyeing the money on the table, “but they won't find out, so no one gets hurt,”

All four girls were betting on a kiss before the night was over. Yuka's bet was on the fourth song, Eri's the second, Ayumi's the third and Sango on it never happening. (“Honestly, Sango-chan when it comes to romance you're such a boy!!!” Yuka had complained.)

Oh no I heard them bad boys coming
Can't stop now
Got to continue my running (yea)
Because we go party till them lights come on
And then my song stop, fuck it, 'cause my mic still on (man)

“Looks like you lost, Eri,” Yuka said sympathetically as the last verse ended. Eri shrugged.

“Ah, well. I wasn't expecting to win, at any rate,”

“If they don't kiss third song, I swear I'll kill the both of them,” Ayumi muttered as said song started up. Yuka got up and started to sneak away.

“Where are you going?” Sango asked suspiciously.

“Oh! Erm… B-bathroom!!!!” Yuka said with a nervous laugh as she took off. As soon as she was out of sight, she snuck over to the DJ table.

`Hey, we didn't establish any rules now, did we…?' Yuka thought slyly as she slipped over.

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?,
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season"
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites. You're all here for the very same reason

“Se la vi,” Kagome muttered with a dry chuckled. Yusuke smirked wryly.

“Too Goddamn true…” he agreed.

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,

“Yusuke?” Kagome said, a little hesitantly, “That girl at the airport… Keiko? Wasn't she your friend since before we met last?” Yusuke eyes darkened slightly at the mention of his ex.

“Yeah. We're known each other since we were real little kids. We dated a bit,” Kagome frowned, not sure how to handle this news.

“But the relationship turned sour?” She guessed, remembering a little of what the girl had said.

In May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist,
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.

“…People change,” Yusuke said after a long silence. “Keiko changed… I changed… In the end, we were going in two different directions, and everything fell apart,”

“People change,” Kagome agreed, “But that doesn't necessarily mean all changes are bad,”

“True,” Yusuke said, smiling slightly. “Heh… Who knows? Maybe we'll even try that friends thing again. If it worked with you and doggy, it might work for us, too,” Kagome smiled back.

“Just make sure to handle Hojo in small doses. Over exposure to such high levels of Denseness may cause serious problems… Believe me, I know,” Yusuke laughed as Kagome wrinkled her nose.

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,

“Homo's not much fun, huh?” Yusuke grinned, “In that case, it's really Keiko's loss. I may be unreliable, but at least I make things interesting,”

“That's one way to put it…” Kagome said dryly. Then she frowned, “What do you mean `unreliable?'” Yusuke snorted.

“You can't tell me you don't find me unreliable. I was shirking all my chores until you passed out!!!!” Kagome shrugged.

“Not really… Sango and I knew you got called away a lot. You have a job, Yusuke. I know what that's like, and I respect that.”

“You gotta job, too,” Yusuke reminded her, “Doesn't stop you from doing your share of the chores and more,” Kagome frowned. Was Yusuke feeling guilty about her accident?

There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

“Yusuke, I don't blame you for what happened. It's my fault for being such a baka and not taking care of myself better.” Kagome reassure him.

“Never said you did,” Yusuke muttered as he relaxed slightly, a little guilt gone from his conscious, “And that still doesn't change the fact that you gotta job too,”

“Maybe, but my job doesn't leave me a bloody mess every night,” Kagome stated, a meaningful look in her eyes. Yusuke stiffened.

“Who said it was every night?!?! For all you know, I coulda picked a fight with some loser on the way home every once in a while,” Kagome let out an exasperated sigh.

“Yusuke, who do you think does laundry in our house?” She asked in the tone one would use with a slow child.

“You,”

“And that means your laundry have to go where before it comes back to you cleaned and sewn…?”

“…Oh,”

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

“If it wasn't for the fact that I could tell that almost al of it was other people's blood, I'd be a little more worried.” Yusuke rolled his eyes.

“So your okay with me coming home with a shirt stained in other people's bloods? I could be a psycho killer for all you know!!!”

“Maybe,” Kagome said airily, “But I doubt it,”

“And why's that?” Yusuke asked.

“I just do,” Kagome answered with a shrug, “I have faith in you, Yusuke, despite how you act, you're not a bad guy. I know that whatever you really are doing is your own business, so I leave it be,”

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
and breathe, just breathe
whoa breathe, just breathe,
oh breathe, just breathe

“Your really willing to take that kind of a dive just because you `have faith in me?'” Yusuke asked in a soft tone.

“Yep,”

“That kind of blind trust can get you killed, you know,” Yusuke said conversationally.

“Maybe… but it's who I am. Judging a person before you know them is wrong. I think people would be a lot less stressed if they could trust others a little more. No one should be excluded because they're different,”

Yusuke didn't know how to respond to that, so his held her silently as another song came on. It was another slow one, but Yusuke didn't mind.

Yuka sat back at the table smugly as the song started. As soon as the lyrics played, she bit back a giggle. The DJ was right, this WAS the perfect song for the couple!!!!!!!!

Sango, on the other hand, was frowning. While the other girls were distracted, she got up and slipped away, finding a secluded spot to think.

She liked Yusuke, she really did, but part of her resented the fact that he was taking Kagome away now that they were officially sisters. She recognized the look Kagome gave him now. It was almost the same one she'd given Inuyasha when she loved him…

`If he hurts her, I'll kill him,' Sango vowed. She never wanted another sibling of hers to get hurt…

That took her thoughts to Kohaku. A pang went through her as her missing brother's smiling face swam into view of her consciousness. Sango bite her lip.

Her littler brother had gone missing with Naraku, and there were still no signs of either of them. If not for Kagome's stubborn optimism, she probably would've committed suicide long ago out of shame for her failure.

Above her, Hiei watched silently, memorizing the face of the young boy and finding the similarities it had with Sango's own features. He noticed how cheerful the boy looked, how innocent. In a way, it reminded him of Yukina.

That thought made Hiei's eyes narrow, and he studied the girl below him a moment longer before disappearing from his perch.

“Wha-?!” Sango blinked, startled as Hiei appeared in front of her. “Y-You!!! What are you doing here?!?!” Sango's eyes were narrowed now in suspicion.

`Hn,” Hiei responded, Tossing her something. Sango caught it, and her lips thinned when she saw what it was.

Her bikini top.

“Thanks,” Sango said sarcastically.

“…Dance with me,”

“W-Wh-What?!?!?!?!?!” Sango sputtered.

“Unless you can't…?” Hiei said mockingly, “Too clumsy, onna?” Sango scowled at his outstretched hand before accepting it with just a moment's hesitation.

`What the hell? It's not like this vacation can get any crazier…'

He drowns in his dreams
An exquisite extreme I know
He's as damned as he seems
And more heaven than a heart could hold

Kagome smiled slightly as she rested her head on Yusuke's shoulder. That was a perfect definition of Yusuke; an evil jerk and an angel all at once.

He frustrated her to no ends, yet she could never bring herself to hate him for it. Not only because it was against her nature to hate someone, but also because Souta and Shippo loved him too much for Kagome to hate him.

Kagome's friends and family meant everything to her. Especially now that She'd gotten a break from time traveling long enough to get reacquainted with them. She and Souta especially had gotten closer.

`Who are you kidding' Kagome's `evil voice' (AN; We all have one… at least, I hope we all do. I'd hate to find out I was all alone there…) scoffed, `You're just using your brother and son as an excuse, a shield. Face it, you're getting too close to this guy for your own good, not to mention his.'

Kagome's arms tightened. Maybe… maybe she was getting too attached to Yusuke. If she was this comfortable around him, it couldn't be a good sign. She didn't need to drag him into the mess with the Shikon, he was just an innocent person. A punk, yes, but he still didn't need the stress caused by constant exposure to youkai.

Wryly, Kagome wondered what Yusuke would say if she told him `Doggy,' was, in fact, a temperamental Inu hanyou with a bad childhood…

And if I try to save him
My whole world could cave in
It just ain't right
Lord, it just ain't right

Yusuke sighed as his arms tightened around Kagome waist. For the first time since they started dancing, the two of them were quiet. It wasn't a strained or uncomfortable silence, though, so Yusuke didn't try to force conversation this time.

A little part of him couldn't believe how much fun he'd had just dancing and talking to Kagome tonight. He'd learned so much about her, too…

Actually, he couldn't believe how well they'd gotten along. Not only did they treat each other civilly, but they also actually spoke like friends…

`Like friends… or maybe more?' Yusuke blushed faintly at that thought, but somehow didn't find it as unappealing as he once may have thought.

`What has she done to me?' Yusuke wondered, Looking down at her as she rested on his shoulder, her eyes closed in serenity. She was unlike any girl he'd ever met. He couldn't name another person who was anything like her.

Keiko had been unique, too, but Yusuke knew now that they weren't meant to be anything more than friends. Their break up alone was proof of that. They'd both been so casual about throwing away their struggling relationship.

Actually, it was almost a relief to have broken up with Keiko. Now, he didn't have any more missed dates to feel guilty about. No more trying to live up to her impossible standards, no more changing himself to suit her mood while she disapproved of everything that made him happy…

Kagome was right, too. Everything considered, they could probably pick up right where they'd left off as friends. It was probably silly for them to think they could be any more than that at heart.

Oh and I don't know
I don't know what he's after
But he's so beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster
And if I could hold on
Through the tears and the laughter
Lord, would it be beautiful?
Or just a beautiful disaster

`A beautiful disaster, huh?' Kagome thought in amusement. Yes, that was Yusuke, alright…

Kagome's eyes shot open. Did she just think that?!?!?!?!?!

She did. Kagome blushed slightly. She couldn't believe she'd called Yusuke beautiful, if only in her head. Sure he was really cute, but…

`AACK!!!! We are NOT going there!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Kagome yelled at herself.

`Just friends, huh?' `Evil voice' sneered. Went a deeper shade of red, and glared slightly at a distant point on the wall. She and Yusuke were just friends!!!!!

…Weren't they?

She had gotten pretty jealous when that stupid cabby came around… and Yusuke was pretty protective of her, everything considered…

`Face it, girl, you've fallen for him,' Kagome was very, very sorry `evil voice' wasn't a physical aspect she could strangle, maim or otherwise injure by now…

Wait, what? Fallen for Yusuke? She couldn't have!!!

…could she?

Sure, he was a nice guy, and yeah, he was really hot (Especially when his hair wasn't slicked. And he looked so cute when he first woke up and hadn't fully registered her was awake…) and he was strong, and fun to be around, and even a fairly good sport of things…

`…Oh my god…' Kagome's eyes widened, `I do, I like Yusuke…'

He's magic and myth
As strong as what I believe
A tragedy with
More damage than a soul should see

`She smells nice…' Yusuke noted, a little pleased with that fact.

One thing that annoyed him when his demonic senses kicked in was the fact that a lot of people had permanent B.O. Or they put stuff in or on them that soaked their scent in a sickening way.

His mother, for example, might have a pleasant scent if she didn't drink enough to give an entire ship full of sailors killer hangovers for a week in a single day. It was much better now that Kinami had her go clean.

It was still there faintly after all those years of heavy drinking, but it was indeed fading as time progressed. Another moth or so, and she'd be clean of the scent all together.

Keiko had a nice smell, too. She smelled of Apples and parchment paper, for some odd reason. It was a strange combination, but nonetheless it was far better than some of the other smells he'd encountered.

Shippo, Sango and Souta smelled good as well. Souta smelled like cinnamon, Sango smelled like Vanilla and cookies (Though for some odd reason, her scent always had a tinge of blood and sweat to it, like a fighter's would have,) And Shippo smelled like pine, and some odd little thing that Kurama had on his scent, too. Yusuke couldn't place it, though.

Kagome, though, she smelled like a meadow of flowers in a forest in the dark. Wild, beautiful, calm and welcoming all at once, just like Kagome herself…

`What the hell is she doing to me?' Yusuke thought with a frown as he glanced down at the smaller girl in his arms. `Wait… do I like her?!?!?!'

And do I try to change him
So hard not to blame him
Hold on tight
Baby, hold on tight

`Snap out of it, Kagome. Yusuke hates you!!!!' Kagome thought. But it was no use.

Love was funny that way. It never seemed to care if the person liked you back, or even if you weren't supposed to fall in love for reasons beyond your control. Humans, demons, Kamis… No one could make it so they couldn't fall in love.

But everyone had a choice in how they handled the wild, stubborn emotion.

`I can't tell him,' Kagome decided. `He doesn't like me like that, anyways. I'm not even sure he considers me a friend!!! But… It would be selfish of me. To make him a part of this mess I call a life.'

Kagome knew that if she had a boyfriend, he'd have to put up with Inuyasha and Koenma, along with her overprotective family and the demons after the Shikon, Some of which she knew weren't afraid to sink so low as to get an innocent human pulled into the middle of the chaos the jewel created.

`He may have the family part down… and He isn't afraid of Inuyasha, hanyou or no… He'd probably just split a lung laughing if he ever saw Koenma… but the demons…'

Kagome shook herself mentally. Why was she even CONSIDERING this?!?! When Kagome had told Koenma about Yusuke coming to live on her shrine (during a quick trip to his office, to drop off some Bracelets so that his spirit detective could hunt down some youkai without being detected), he'd specifically forbidden her from telling him anything. He was damn serious, too.

Kagome knew that, despite bumbling up some times, Koenma had a job to do, a job which required that he know what could and could not get out. And Kagome refused to be in a relationship with a boy if she had to lie to him.

Oh cuz I don't know
I don't know what he's after
But he's so beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster
And if I could hold on
Through the tears and the laughter
Would it be beautiful?
Or just a beautiful disaster

Yusuke scowled slightly. Somewhere up there, a god was laughing as he spited him again and again. Yusuke didn't know what he'd done to piss this god off (Maybe he was one of Koenma's friends… Did Koenma have friends?) but whoever it was had better avoid him next time he was in the Reikai.

It would be just his luck… Once again he'd fallen for someone out of his league. Considering how things with Keiko turned out, he wasn't sure if he should even try with Kagome.

And she didn't even know anything about the Makai, of demons, or even a lot about him. Kagome wasn't a person you could just hide those sort of things from. Hell, he was shocked she didn't know everything right now. But…

…Keiko was always in danger because of him, always a target of the Makai, Urameshi's weakness, even before they started dating… He couldn't stand having Kagome in that position, too. In danger without him there to protect her…

`Besides, She probably hates me by now, after all I've done to her,' Yusuke told himself. `I'm lucky she's even dancing with me right now.'

Yusuke's attention shifted when Kagome sighed softly. He looked down at her, studying her face in her calm, gentle state. As if sensing his gaze, Kagome looked up, her eyes drawing his own in. The began to slow, their soft looks never wavering, when Yusuke broke the eye contact, his attention traveling down slightly to Kagome's mouth.

I'm longing for love and the logical
But he's only happy hysterical
I'm waiting for some kind of miracle
Waited so long
So long

“Ooooooooh!!!!” All three schoolgirls squealed as one as Yusuke and Kagome slowed down.

“What?” Souta asked, puzzled.

“They're gonna kiss!!!!!!” Yuka said happily. Souta and Shippo exchanged confused looks before Shippo asked,

“How can you tell?” Yuka gave him a chiding frown.

“Come on, you can totally tell!!! It's all in the mood!!!!” Shippo sighed, sweat dropping.

`So that where mama got it from…' He thought meekly. His attention shifted when Souta stood.

“Where are you going?” Ayumi asked.

“To the decks. If there's really gonna be mushy stuff going on in here, I don't wanna be here to see it.” All three girls smiled knowingly as he left.

“See if he still feels like that in five years…” Eri said knowingly. The other two girls laughed.

Out on deck, Souta sighed as he watched the water. It looked like all of his hopes of having Inuyasha for an older brother were gone now. He didn't feel so bad about it, though. Yusuke was cool, and Kagome could do a lot worst…

Souta jumped when a hand shot out of nowhere and covered his mouth as another grasped his shoulder in a bear-like grip…

He's soft to the touch
But frayed at the end he breaks
He's never enough
And still he's more than I can take

`It's all for the best, anyways. I'm sure Yusuke would just turn me down if I told him how I feel…' Kagome sighed. Nothing she was saying was helping ease the ache in her chest.

She felt Yusuke shift slight at her sigh, the only sound either of them had made this entire dance. Looking up, Kagome caught Yusuke gaze and held it.

The look Yusuke was giving her… that wasn't a look you gave someone you hated. Kagome was captivated, held prisoner by his intense eyes. No matter how much she told herself she needed to get away, she couldn't move.

All her excuses, all her planning, all her careful reasoning all went straight out the window as love once again took free reign. Nothing could get her away now. Nothing could make her break contact with Yusuke's eyes.

Yusuke was the one who ended up looking away. His gaze traveled down slightly, to her lips, which were parted slightly to allow her easy breathing.

Kagome's heart skipped a few beats as Yusuke's eyes remained there.

`Is he… would he…?' Was her last (slightly) coherent thought before Yusuke began to lean forward, closing the distance between them.

Oh cuz I don't know
I don't know what he's after
But he's so beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster
And if I could hold on
Through the tears and the laughter
Would it be beautiful?
Or just a beautiful disaster

Kagome had faced death, been kidnapped on twelve separate occasions, by twelve different people, battled demons, come face to face with one of the most dangerous Taiyoukai of the Feudal Era's attacks on many occasions, literally nearly been to Hell and had almost been killed by a psychopathic hanyou bent on complete power.

Yet she could honestly say that when Yusuke came in for that kiss, she'd never been more terrified in her entire life.

What should she do? How should she act?! Was he really gonna kiss her?!?! Why?!?!?! Questions became louder and more frantic in Kagome's head, and she found herself reacting on instinct more than anything else.

And instinct had her leaning forward to meet Yusuke's lips, her eyelid's slinking the closer she got and her lips parting just a little more…

Kagome could hear her heart pounding in her ears as her and Yusuke's lips just barely began to brush, and no doubt Yusuke felt it, considering how closely he held her.

He's beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster

`SPLASH!!!!!!!!!'

Startled, Yusuke and Kagome broke apart at the loud sound of something hitting water. Eyes widened as a startled woman called out in a shrill voice,

“There's a boy in the water!!!!!!!!!!!!' loud, alarmed screams drew attention to Yuka, Ayumi and Eri as all three paled. Kagome went white as death when she noticed her siblings were both absent.

“SOUTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Yuka yelled, confirming Kagome's fears. Pulling away from Yusuke, Kagome raced to the deck, where a large crown was already forming.

“SOUTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Kagome screamed out as soon as she saw he little brother struggling to remain above water in the powerful water. She raced forward, fully prepared to jump in and save him, when a crewmen caught hold of her.

“Look, Lady, you can't go in there!!!!!” He said, trying to restrain her.

“Let me go!!!! He can't swim!!!!!!!” Kagome yelled on the verge of hysterics, fighting him with all her might, “SOUTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

`SPLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Kagome stopped fighting when she heard a second splash, eyes widening when she saw Yusuke swimming out to save her brother. The crewman holding her cursed.

“Get two lifelines over here!!!” He called to another crewman.

“Cam down, Okay? I got you now, It'll be okay…” Shivering slightly, Souta relaxed as Yusuke helped keep him afloat.

“I-I c-c-can't Sw-swim…” he stammered, chilled by the cold water.

“Remind me to fix that later,” Yusuke muttered, “Just keep your arms around my neck, okay? I'll swim us back to the boat…”

“K-kay…” Souta said, taking a death grip on the spirit detective. Yusuke began to bring them back to the ship with strong, confident strides.

“Souta!!!!!!!” Kagome and Sango exclaimed as one as soon as he was pulled over the side. Both hugged him tightly, and smothered him in kisses.

“You're crazy, man…” One sailor said to Yusuke handing him a towel, “These waves get pretty brutal. You coulda been killed!!!”

“Like he had a better chance?” Yusuke pointed out as he began to dry himself off.

“You're a brave Brat, ain't'cha?” The sailor smirked. Before Yusuke could respond, Kagome had thrown her arms around his neck, not caring that she was getting her clothes wet.

“Thank you,” Kagome whispered, hugging him close. Yusuke's eyes softened as he wrapped an arm around her, returning the hug the best he could.

“Next time, don't play so close to the edge, kid!!!” The crewman who had restrained Kagome chided Souta, a harsh frown on his face as he scanned the boy for injuries.

“But I was pushed!!!!” Souta objected, gaining rapt attention from everyone.

“What?” Sango said sharply.

“Someone came up from behind and pushed me in the water. I didn't fall at all!!!!”

“I did see someone running away…” The woman from before said, “but I didn't get a good look at him. It was too dark, all I saw was a profile.”

Eyes darkened at the new revelation, and Sango's arms tightened around Souta.

Oh, there was gonna be HELL to pay…

////////Later////////

“We're checking everything, but I'm afraid that finding the culprit is unlikely, Miss.” The captain said apologetically. Kagome sighed.

“It's alright,” She said, “Thank you for doing what you can.” The captain tipped his hat to Kagome and left, Kagome shut the door silently behind him.

“They really can't find anything?” Kagome turned her attention to Yusuke, who'd apparently exited the bathroom in time to catch her talking to the captain.

“No…” Kagome sighed, “The only thing they can really say is that they Think it's a guy,” Yusuke scowled. “Thank you. For saving Souta, I mean.” Kagome gave him a dry smile, “Looks like my debt isn't cleared after all…”

“Keh,” Yusuke responded lightly. Kagome shook her head and closed the boy's bedroom door, smiling when she saw both of them sleeping peacefully.

“We'd better get to bed,” Kagome said. Part of her wanted to talk to Yusuke about the near kiss, but a larger part was afraid to.

“Yeah…” Yusuke said, heading for his makeshift bed. Kagome hesitated.

“Yusuke…?”

“Yeah?”

“…If you'd like… We can share the bed…” Kagome blushed slightly at her wording, more so when Yusuke blinked at her in surprise. She quickly amended herself, “Like I said, I owe you for saving Souta, and I'm not one to just sit on a debt,” Yusuke smirked slightly as she babbled.

“Alright. Let's share the bed,” He said, loving the way her cheeks grew redder and redder.

She calmed down when the two of them settled for the night, though, even giving Yusuke a small smile.

“Goodnight, Yusuke…” She whispered softly.

“Night…”

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!?!?!?!?!

Yeah!!!! Kagome's gonna kill you for nearly killing her little brother!!!

That wasn't me!!!! And I didn't have it in the book at all… Damn I hate this case…

So SoMeOnE fUcKeD uP bIg AgAiN, hUh?

Lousy pacifier-sucker…

You know, even if Kagome doesn't kill you, Sango probably will.

Hehe… Guess it's a good thing I run fast.

…

CHiCkEn.

Hey!!!

Raven: 44 pages should be enough

DV- I worked hard on this chapter. VERY hard. And I even had to redo the last ten pages in less than two hours. Anyone with complaints WILL be dealt wit accordingly. 'Flames of Hell rising around her'

Raven: and this is it till mid-late August due to practice and vacation

DV- Soo tired....

Ganko- ^_^

Koto: you did work really hard

Chiisai- Smirking,' Oh Gan-ko... Someone's here to see you!!!!

Ganko- 'glares suspiciously.'

Koto: tenses and glares

Tee-Hee- GankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGankoGanko GankoGankoGanko!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

'Latches onto Ganko's arm'

Koto: 'glares and growls protectively' GET OFF OF HIM

Tee-Hee- 'looks Koto up and Down. 'SoYOU'REherhuh?!?!?!You'renotverypretty. GankocoulddoWAYbetter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone-backing away slowly

Ganko- 'Trying to de-latch Tee-hee' Little Help...

Koto: ' the flames of hell rise all around her and eyes glaze pure red' what WAs THAT!

Tee-Hee- You'rekindafattoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Furyou: 'ducks in cover'

Chiisai- 'enjoying a bowl of popcorn' Ooh, THAT was low...

Koto: that's it you are SO DEAD!!!!! 'Leaps at the little rat'

Raven: whose side are you on Chiisai?

Tee-Hee- JusttryitUgly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone- O.O

Koto: THATS IT 'slaps the little vermin so hard her head pops'

Tee-hee- UglyUglyUgly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kagome- Maybe... we should end this...

Furyou: DV do something

DV- 'blinking' did you know you see green, red and yellow dots from lack of sleep? 'Dazed voice'

Raven: no help there. And read and review...'as convincing as possible' any flames and we will let Koto tear you apart

DV- any flames after what I pared into this chapter, and I'LL deal with them.' 'Thunder clapping and dark, evil glare,'

Raven: you should take that promise seriously

Ganko- 'Still being dragged around by Tee-hee' H-help!!!!!!

Koto: LET MY BOYFRIEND GO

Tee-Hee- He'sMINEnow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone- ^_^;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Koto: 'lunges at Tee-hee and starts shredding her while leaving Ganko unharmed'

Chiisai- Riiight... Well, see ya next chapter!!!!!!!!