A/N: Hi people, long time no update, I know. Um, nope, I'm still here though, still writing fiction… It HAS been ages since I've posted anything, and I'm really sorry about that. Why…? Well, guess it's got a lot to do with my impending A-Levels. I never expected them to be this tough and time consuming; it was a bit of a slap on the face for me. But there you go, that's life I suppose. I didn't have any inspiration for a while because of it - for any of my fics actually; too focused on making it through the school term! Things are getting better though, more manageable. I made it through a WHOLE term! Yay me! And I mean that.

This story was an idea that I had and just really couldn't ignore anymore. Besides, I've missed writing so much! Sad, but very true… It's InuXKag, as always, not necessarily the best thing I've ever had the decency to write, but then it is 10:30pm. I'm spent, but not ready to nod off just yet. I hope fellow lovers of this pairing will get some piece of enjoyment from it. I got the idea after watching another episode of Ouran High School Host Club – Haven't seen it? I STRONGLY urge you to do so, guarantee it will put a smile on your face – and it's also something I've wanted to play on for this couple since I first began shipping them. Ack, time flies.

One more thing then – 'A Hanyou's Heart,' that's my main priority on this site now. The others will have to wait a little bit longer, I'm afraid. Oh, and Happy New Year! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. Both the series and its wonderful myriad of characters are property of Takahashi-sama.

Storm Clouds

The air was unusually cold this morning, Shippou concluded.

"Hey, Kagome?" The little kit asked from his spot on her shoulder as they rode on the back of Kirara with Sango.

"Yes, Shippou-chan?"

Shippou tilted his head curiously as he looked at her. "How come you're not riding with InuYasha today?"

He saw Kagome sigh, watched as her shoulders slumped and her entire posture began to radiate a poorly masked misery.

"I just don't think it's such a great idea for me to ride with him right now, Shippou-chan," Kagome said finally, a too happy smile on her face. When she had turned away, Shippou looked down below at the members of their group running across the ground, shooting one member in particular an annoyed glare.

Stupid InuYasha. Why does he have to be thinking about her all the time?

-o-o-o-

InuYasha ignored the pang in his heart when Kagome refused to look or even reply to him.

"Oi, wench! I asked you a question! What's up with the gloomy face?"

This time, she did look at him, but he really rather wished she hadn't. He winced, inching back a little in fear at the sheer coldness of her gaze. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes betrayed her real feelings…

…and she was blatantly angry with him. Hurt too, judging by the way her deep brown eyes shimmered ever so slightly. He felt immediately guilty, and panicked. Was she going to cry? His ears drooped at the thought.

Then she spoke in a calm, carefully cool voice.

"I'm not gloomy, InuYasha. I just don't want to talk to you right now, that's all." He could feel the shivers going up his spine at her crisp tone. She really could be… kinda frightening when she was angry. Keh.

But why was she angry with him? What had he done this time?

Nothing. Not a damn thing, that's what, InuYasha decided, his temper beginning to flare. She has no right to be so damn pissed with me!

Sure about that? Another voice asked in his head.

He scoffed. Crystal. So why was that feeling of guilt starting to brew again in heart? He didn't HAVE anything to feel guilty about!

A raindrop splattering on his left ear caused it to twitch, effectively distracting him from his thoughts. He looked up, studied the blackening sky. Rain. Of course, he'd smelt it coming a while back. Angry clouds were forming, no doubt bringing with them a promise of thunder or lightning. Maybe hail too, it was cold enough.

Kagome stood suddenly and rather briskly just then, inclining her head to the sky as well.

"Maybe we should get going, get to the nearest village for some shelter," she suggested to no one in particular, and InuYasha didn't miss the change in her voice, either. The crisp, icy tone was long gone, replaced with something else… something a bit… smaller?

"I agree, Lady Kagome, let us make haste and find sufficient shelter before this dreadful storm engulfs us. Until then, would you and Sango care to join me under my cloak? I'm sure we could keep each other dry, but then if we do get wet…"

WHACK.

"Argh…"

"Knock it off, you hentai," Sango said curtly, swinging her fist in front of his face, intent clear.

"If you two are finished flirtin' then…" InuYasha droned, roling his eyes at the familiar sight. "Let's just go. Kagome, ready?" he knelt down on the grass, motioning for her to climb on with a jerk of his head.

She hesitated. He frowned. Oh, right. She's still mad at me. Huh…

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh for Gods sake, Kagome, just hop on, will ya? We ain't got all day."

She narrowed her eyes back at him again. "Maybe I'll just ride with Sango."

His eyebrow twitched in annoyance. For the love of…

He reached back with a clawed hand, grasping her wrist and pulling her forward until she was pressed flat against his back. He hooked his arms under her legs before she could utter a word, stood straight and ten started off at a run, not bothering to look back and see if the others were following or not. Kagome protested all the way, but he didn't care. They needed to have a little talk. Privately.

From the trees to the side of them, a pair of shinidamachu glided through the air, unnoticed by the grudging pair.