The orbs of lights flew past us at dizzying speeds, fast enough to lift long tendrils of gleaming black hair away from her face to vanish against the night sky. Automobiles are easier to understand if you pretend they aren't real, but after the 3rd time I was hit by a car and ended up braining the humans responsible, Kagome threw a fit.

The lights were pretty magical, once you got past the fact that the only thing they reminded you of was freaky demons racing straight at you. Okay, so maybe I didn't get "accidentally" hit by the cars, but something that puts up that much of a fight is just too much to resist. Just don't tell Kagome… She'll bite my freaking head off.

Speaking of that insufferable, annoying little human, at this very moment she's tugging me all around town like her own personal pack mule! I swear to god, if she stops at one more store and makes me lug around one more freaking bag-

"Inuyasha, are you even listening to me? You need to pay more attention!" A whiny voice chastised me like an owner scolding a puppy. That's gonna get on my last nerve very soon.

"No, I wasn't. Why do you talk so much?" I asked honestly, the angry undertone an automatic response.

She flushed a bright red and I inspected her closer, ears twitching in agitation. It's so easy to confuse anger for passion.

"SIT!" She shrieked right before I was faced with a mouth full of pavement.

A man can never win, can he?

---

"Carry those crates to the shed, would you?" A weak, high voice warbled. Kagome's grandfather was accommodating as long as I helped him with the heavy lifting he could no longer do. Hell, I enjoy it. I get to hang around and help people who aren't afraid of me. Kagome's little brother Sota even thinks I'm some kind of superhero. Kagome, on the other hand, won't stop bitching at me. Damn, I have no clue what I should do to shut her up. Time to observe, I think.

Carrying two heavy crates, I took the longer way about, stealthily poking my head through

"Thanks, boy, ye helped me greatly." Grandpa smiled up at me, all crinkled eyes. I gave him a half smile and took a flying leap onto the roof. I got to see Grandpa look around himself in disorientation before I flew through Kagome's window with no warning.

"Ayeeeeee! Inuyasha! Get. OUT." Kagome through a pillow and it hit my face, lingering a second before falling to the floor.

I stared, shocked, then flushed. "Kagome! Why the hell you gotta be throwing stuff at me all the time? It's not like your- oh." I flushed even deeper, almost matching Kagome as she clutched a towel to her chin.

"SIT!" She shrieked right before I got a microscopes view of the carpets fibers.

Damn, I hope the floorboards hold.

---

"Have you calmed down yet?" I sat slumped against her door, sword awkwardly stabbing my side as I tried to hear what was going on inside. When she opened the door, yes, I'll admit it, I fell flat on my face.

"Are you done barging in like you own the place?" She scowled down at me while I got a very good look upwards.

I quickly sat up, blush stinging my cheeks as I hoped she didn't see. "You're the one that's avoiding me." I growled, looking away.

She sighed and tugged on my ear. "Let's go back now. I bet the gang must be missing us."

I scowled. "No, let's go for a walk."

She blinked in surprise. "Um, sure. Where to?"

"I'll lead the way." I stood, brushing myself off in a dignified way as I scrambled for any clue as to why I said that or where I would take her. When I looked back to see if she would follow, her eyes were unfocused, cheeks pink.

I took her hand and we walked out into the starlit night.

---

Her footsteps were soft on the dewy leaves carpeting the stones and I had to glance back often to be sure she was still there. Sometimes I would grab her hand, but the walk was all in all silent except for the breeze softly stirring the leaves and the music of a nearby stream.

I stopped near a very familiar tree, an odd sensation blocking my throat. I turned to Kagome and gripped her arms violently.

"God, you can piss me off so much, I just get so mad, but there's something, there's more to it... Kagome..." I broke off with a startled sound as Kagome kissed my cheek, a smirk on her lips.

"Oh, Inuyasha… You think telling me how much I "piss you off" is gonna win me over? Sit, boy."

A guy never learns, huh.