Hello, everyone! I am so surprised to be here, as I did not expect to get this new chapter up so early in the week! I was unable to work on it over the weekend but I was miraculously able to finish it tonight! By the time most of you read this it will already be a new day but whatever. Still up earlier than I anticipated. I don't have must to say in the way of introductions about Titanic but I am happy to announce that I will resume re-writing for Projectile this week! (Hopefully Wednesday.) After that is updated, Creed is next. Who's excited? You know what? You should leave a review saying how excited you are.

This was my favorite chapter to write thus far so I hope you all enjoy it! Also, I have a couple of reviews I will get around to responding to; I'm trying to get into the habit of responding to your lovely feedback!

By the way, if the formatting is a little wonky, I am so sorry. I got a new computer last week and I'm still adjusting to it. I got a MacBook and I'm having to use Pages instead of Word now . . . and I hate Pages because it fucks EVERYTHING UP. UGH. Anyway, if you noticed anything weird, just ignore and bear with me while I adjust and figure out how I want to upload my shit.

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any rights associated with Titanic. I am simply indulging a fantasy that had been poking around in my head for years.


The night of April 12th, 1914

It was Inuyasha's first time seeing a first-class suite, and while he was grateful for the surprisingly nice accommodations he had as a third-class passenger, he couldn't help but feel a little envious of the space that Kaede's room had. There was more than one bedroom (even though Kaede was the only one occupying the suite) and each bed had finely woven sheets atop them. There was also expensive furniture that costed more than Inuyasha had ever made in his whole life and the light fixtures off the wall made the room have ethereal glow. It was a whole other world.

The half-demon had shed his own clothes and traded them in for a suit the old woman let him borrow. His silver hair was brushed neatly so it appeared even longer. The black pants flowed down his legs and the jacket fit over his shoulders snugly but not uncomfortably. In all honesty, the only thing he could have done without was the bowtie – the goddamn thing made him feel suffocated! It was a big change from Inuyasha's clothes, ones that allowed him to move and run easily, but in the suit he was able to imagine for a moment that he belonged in Kagome's world. He would stick out to some extent because he was a demon – and a half one at that – mingling among humans, but the suit would help him blend more so than his old, ragged clothes.

As he observed himself in the mirror as Kaede flitted around him to make some final adjustments, he made the mental note to be mindful of his claws so as not to tear the fabric.

"I was right! You are my nephew are just about the same size!" Kaede exclaimed gleefully.

"Pretty close," Inuyasha agreed. "You said nephew?"

Kaede hesitated for a moment then nodded. "Yes, my nephew stays with me and my husband. My sister died when he was just a boy, and as we had no other family, he came to live with us. While I was sad to lose my sister, the Kamis brought him to me as I can have no children of my own."

Inuyasha flinched when he saw the sad look reflecting from her eyes in the mirror. He wished he hadn't asked but he couldn't help the curiosity; most high society women had children of their own. It was rare to find one that didn't.

He started to apologize, "I'm sorry I-"

"Don't be, I've come to terms with it," Kaede cut him off, though not unkindly. She must have heard "I'm sorry" her whole life and didn't care to hear it anymore. The Kamis had given her her fate and she learned to accept it long ago.

She gave one last rub over Inuyasha's shoulder to smooth the fabric then whistled lowly. "You shine up like a new penny," Kaede gushed.

Inuyasha blushed but couldn't contain his smirk; he hoped Kagome would like it. A (large) part of him wanted to impress her but then he wondered: Why? She was engaged and an upper-class lady. She was just being nice by letting him come to dinner, a courtesy for saving her life. After tonight, he would probably never see her again. The barriers between them would fall back into place.

Inuyasha tried his damndest to not be disappointed by that notion.

xXx

The impatient demon went ahead to the grand dining hall as Kaede finished up getting ready, following her directions there carefully. He approached the entrance doors and a butler opened the door for him. The man greeted him politely and Inuyasha hoped he didn't have a surprised look on his face when he nodded his thanks.

As his golden eyes roved over the room, he took careful, slow steps, as if he would break the flooring beneath him in any moment. Expensive was written all over; the oak staircase burned fire underneath the lights, and iron and glass created intricate designs in the staircase itself. Inuyasha descended the first set of stairs andcame upon a carved wooden panel containing a clock, causing him to stop and stare for a moment at the beauty of it all.

I am so out of my fucking league here, he groaned internally as he walked down the second set of stairs to lean against a pillar facing the grand staircase, feigning nonchalance as best he could. Waves upon waves of first-class human flitted down the staircase, the ladies dressed in bursting colors and the gentlemen in fine suits. They all ignored him as they walked past but Inuyasha paid close attention to their mannerisms. The women draped an arm over their male companions, while the gentlemen held one arm behind their back. Inuyasha didn't really get the point of it, but seeing as how it looked high-class and pretty much everyone was doing it, Inuyasha tucked his right arm behind his back and stood up straighter.

While he was observing, a familiar voice caught his attention over the murmur of the crowd and an ear flicked in that direction.

"Thousands of pieces of Hojo family steel is on the ship," the man who Inuyasha recognized as Kagome's fiancé boasted as he came down the staircase with an older version of Kagome.

"Which parts?" Mrs. Higurashi inquired, gazing up at Hojo in what seemed to be admiration.

While it was plain to see just where Kagome had gotten her beauty from, Inuyasha could not suppress the shiver than spiraled down his back when he gazed upon her mother. The way she had stared at him burned in his memory, reminding him all over again that he didn't belong in their world. It was clear Kagome and her mother did not share the shame ideologies. Nevertheless, Inuyasha began to walk towards them confidently.

"All the right ones," Hojo replied smugly.

"Then you're accountable is there's a problem. Where's Kagome?" Mrs. Higurashi said, looking around for the girl in question.

"She'll be along," the human man said as they began to pass Inuyasha, not even sparing a glance. "Oh, and there is the Countess . . ."

The half-demon's eyebrow quirked up at being ignore. Well, fuck you, too, then, Hobo. With a roll of his eyes, he turned back towards the staircase and froze at the sight that greeted him.

There was Kagome, standing at the top of the staircase, being lit from above by the skylight. She was dressed in a form-fitting red and black dress, the fringes adorned with silver specks. Her midnight locks were pulled away from her face, giving Inuyasha a clear view of her tantalizing neck and a tease of cleavage. As she strode towards him with a teasing smile, Inuyasha thought, I'm so fucked.

He hadn't realize he had begun walking towards her until he was standing right below her while she stood over him on the stairs. He slowly picked up her hand, and he brought it to his lips, Kagome bit her bottom lip, a light blush tinting her cheeks. Inuyasha couldn't take his eyes off her countenance and he suddenly wanted that damned glove to be off.

"I've always wanted to do that," he said, bringing his lips away reluctantly.

Kagome giggled and looped her arm through his. She was finding it hard to talk; while Inuyasha was attractive in his regular attire, the suit had a way of bringing out his broad shoulders and muscled arms even more. The way his golden eyes had glittered up at her was almost unfair; how could a man be so beautiful? Because he's more than just a man, an inside voice reminded her.

She led Inuyasha over to her mother and Hojo, who were socializing with their acquaintances. She tugged on her fiancé's arm reluctantly.

"Darling."

Hojo turned and his brown eyes flitted between herself and Inuyasha.

"Surely you remember Mr. Taisho," Kagome elaborated for him.

"Mr. Taisho, yes," Hojo said, his eyes widening a fraction at the realization. "It's amazing. You could almost pass for a gentleman."

"Almost," Inuyasha said, repressing a growl.

"This is extraordinary," the human man commented, taking Mrs. Higurashi's arm once more.

The whole time, Kagome stared right back at her mother until Hojo forced Mrs. Higurashi to look away.

They all made their way down to the first-class dining hall, Kagome gripping onto Inuyasha's arm tightly. Hojo and Mrs. Higurashi instantly went back to fraternizing but Inuyasha and Kagome stayed back. The human woman had no desire to mingle yet and Inuyasha was just fine with hanging back with her. Kagome pointed to the lady, one Inuyasha recognized as someone Hojo and Mrs. Higurashi were talking with earlier.

"There's the Countess of Rothes," Kagome said before turning to point to a man entering the room with a young lady on his arm. "That's John Jacob Astor, the richest man on the ship. His little wife, Madeleine, is my age and in a delicate condition. See how she's trying to hide it?"

Looking past Kagome, Inuyasha did see how the woman wore many layers in an effort to hide the ever-growing bump in her belly. He couldn't help but smirk in amusement at the human's antics.

"Benjamin Guggenheim and his mistress, Madame Aubert," Kagome continued on. "Mrs. Guggenheim is at home with the children, of course. And over here we have Sir Cosmo and Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon. She designs naughty lingerie, among her many talents. Very popular with the royals." Kagome raised a hand to wave to the Lady, who was talking to Hojo and her mother.

Inuyasha noticed the man known as Sir Cosmo staring at Kagome with a smirk. He perked his ears up when he saw the man address Kagome's fiancé.

"Congratulations, Hojo, she's splendid," Cosmo said.

"Why, thank you," Hojo chuckled.

Inuyasha's nose wrinkled at the exchange; they talked of Kagome like she was prize-winning horse or an accessory. It made his stomach grow heavy with distaste.

"And you actually have to socialize with these people?" he asked, trying to keep the disgust out of his voice.

"Unfortunately," Kagome said.

He drew Kagome nearer, as he could somehow protect her from the men's gazes, though he knew the effort was in vain.

"Escort a lady to dinner?" a voice broke into his space and Inuyasha looked down o see Kaede smiling up at him.

"Certainly," he laughed and escorted the old woman on his other arm.

Groups of people began to filter into the dining room and they followed suit.

"Ain't nothing to it," Kaede said as they walked. "They love money so pretend like you own a gold mine and you're in the club."

"But it's kind of obvious that I'm not human, Kaede," Inuyasha pointed out blandly.

"You're new money, darling. It's high-time something shook these boring socialites up, eh?" With a smirk, Kaede broke off of Inuyasha's arm and called out, "Hey, Astor!"

Astor, the man Kagome pointed out earlier, turned in their direction as they approached. "Hello, Kaede. Nice to see you," he greeted with a warm smile.

"J.J., Madeleine, I'd like you to meet Inuyasha Taisho," Kagome introduced.

"How do you do," Madeleine said, shaking Inuyasha's hand politely.

Her husband did so as well. "It's nice to meet you. I've never heard the name Taisho before."

"Ah, I wouldn't expect you to. My family isn't that well-known yet," Inuyasha lied smoothly with a liquid smile, keeping it simple yet hinting at something deeper

"Ah, yes . . ." Astor said, clearly unsure of what to make of the half-demon standing before him. It was one thing for Inuyasha to lie that he had money, another if he really did accumulate wealth; it would mean that the tides might once again be shifting. Oh, well, let the humans believe for one night that a demon could stand among them as an equal.

As they made their rounds around the room, Kaede eventually breaking off to do her own socializing, Kagome watched Inuyasha carefully. She figured that he must have been nervous but he never faltered or let it show. She also watched the demeanors of those they spoke to; some of them looked at him in disdain, others with a mild curiosity. They assumed he was an heir to a railroad fortune, maybe. New money, obviously, but it still struck fear in them that a demon had possibly risen up the ranks, even if it was just one. It scared them even more he was a half-demon, a product of human and demon blood mixing. Kagome was just grateful no one was outright rude to him. Inuyasha even seemed to flatter them, especially the women. After all, who wouldn't fall for those golden eyes and confident smirk?

Her mother, of course, could always be counted upon for the reminder of who he really was.

"Tell us about the accommodations in steerage, Mr. Taisho. I hear they're quite good," Mrs. Higurashi said as dinner was being served.

"The best I've seen, ma'am, hardly any rats," Inuyasha replied, causing the rest of the table to laugh.

Kagome, however, stared down at her plate in embarrassment. She loathed how her mother loved to keep the lines of class right where they were, while tearing down anyone who tried to cross them. The young woman wished she could grip Inuyasha's hand under the table in apology, but Mr. Andrews and Kaede were separating them.

"Mr. Taisho is joining us from third-class tonight. He was of help to my fiancé last night," Hojo explained further.

"As it happens, Mr. Taisho is a very well-traveled man. He was kind enough to share some stories with me today. I'm sure he's been to more countries that most of you," Kagome added quickly. She wouldn't stand for them trying to belittle Inuyasha in her presence.

"Kagome and I differ on our opinions of seeing the world. Not to discredit your travels, sir," Hojo said as more food was scooped onto his plate.

Inuyasha waved his hand in dismissal at the comment then looked over at Kagome. Her eyes were flicking between him and a spot over his shoulder, mouthing something wordlessly. He gave her a confused look then followed her vision: a waiter was standing over his shoulder, waiting to serve him food.

This stuff smells like shit, he thought in disdain, but allowed the waiter to scoop food onto his plate anyway. Looking down at his place setting. Inuyasha saw an array of different sized forks and spoons.

"Are all these mine?" he whispered to Kaede. Perhaps he had accidentally gotten an extra set?

"Start from the outside and work your way in," the old woman said, confirming the half-demon's worst fears.

As the food continued to be served, everyone engaged in side chatter. Kagome looked to Mr. Andrews, whose company she enjoyed dearly, especially for an esteemed businessman.

"Your ship is a wonder, Mr. Andrews, truly," she praised truthfully.

"Thank you, Kagome," he said modestly. Now, if it had been Mr. Ismay . . .

Inuyasha listened to Kagome's conversation with the man who she told him had helped design Titanic and he noticed something distinctly different about him: he did not carry an ego and he did not speak to Kagome as if she were lesser because she was a woman. He understood why she liked Mr. Andrews.

"How do you like your caviar, sir?" the waiter asked him.

"No caviar for me, thanks. Never did like it much." He had tried it once in France and no, never again.

"Where exactly do you live, Mr. Taisho?' Mrs. Higurashi spoke up over the chatter, once again turning everyone's attention on the half-demon.

"Well, currently my address is the R.M.S. Titanic and after that, I'm on the Kamis' good humor."

"How do you find the means to travel?"

"I work my way from place to place, tramp steamers and such. I won my ticket on Titanic at a lucky hand of poker – a very lucky hand," Inuyasha said.

"All life is a game of luck," one of the patrons at the head of the table spoke up; a big man with a curling mustache. Inuyasha couldn't remember his name.

"A real man makes his own luck. Right, Taisho?" Hojo said with a honeyed tone.

Inuyasha half-nodded in complacent agreement. It would be unwise for him to argue when he was clearly outnumbered, but he didn't like being challenged by this squeaky human.

"And you find that sort of rootless existence appealing, do you?" Mrs. Higurashi asked flatly.

"Well, yes, ma'am, I do. I've got everything I need right here with me. I've got air in my lungs and a partner to work with. I love waking up not knowing what will happen or who I'm gonna meet," Inuyasha tore into a bite a bread, chewing animalisticly. "One night, I'm sleeping under a bridge and now I'm on the grandest ship having champagne with you fine people."

He held his glass up to server to signal for a refill. Inuyasha didn't particularly like champagne but he figured he may as well give these people as show. If they were going to gawk, he would give them a reason. If they wanted to remind him that he didn't belong with them, then he would act like he didn't care to.

"I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it," Inuyasha continued with an orotund voice. "You take life as it comes at you – make each day count."

"Well said, Inuyasha," Kaede said.

Murmurs of agreement rippled around the table, but Inuyasha cared for none of that until a silvery voice rang out over them, causing his ears to perk up.

"To making it count," Kagome toasted with her glass held in the air. When she took a sip, her blue orbs locked with Inuyasha's golden ones, and when she shot him a secretive smirk, Inuyasha found that it was suddenly hard to breathe – and it wasn't because of the bowtie.

The rest of the dinner went surprisingly smooth. Many glasses of champagne were filled and as each hour passed, the laugh grew louder in volume. The only two who did not seem to enjoy the festivities as much were Mrs. Higurashi and Hojo.

Kaede was currently telling a story of one the money pranks she had pulled on her husband, Totosai.

"But Mr. Yamada didn't know I'd hidden the money in the stove. So he comes home drunk as a pig and he lights a fire!" the old woman cackled, causing more laughs to sound around the table.

Inuyasha couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped him; it was odd, the things that the higher-class found amusing, especially if they were willing to burn their own money.

Suddenly, there was a shift around the table that changed the atmosphere. Knowing Inuyasha could hear here, Kagome whispered to him from across the table.

"Next is brandy in the smoking room," she informed him.

Inuyasha's nose wrinkled in protest; he detested smoking. It smelled like shit and dulled his senses too much.

Just then, the big man with the mustache stood up and boomed drunkenly, "Join me for a brandy, gentleman?"

Kagome laughed breathily and Inuyasha couldn't help but smile back.

"Now, they're going to retreat to congratulate each other on being the masters of the universe," she said with a small roll of her eyes.

The men began to shuffle, bidding goodnight to all of the women with too-happy smiles. Hojo had moved behind Kagome to put his hands on her shoulders while shooting a quick glance at the half-demon across from them.

"May I escort you to the cabin?" he inquired.

"No, I'll stay here," Kagome replied. She had no desire to be alone with her mother at the moment. Though, here lately, did she ever?

Inuyasha began to stand himself when he found himself being addressed.

"Care to join us, Taisho?" the man with the mustache asked. "You don't want to stay with the women, do you?" he giggled.

"No, thanks, I have to be heading back," he politely declined.

"That's best. We'll be discussing business and politics. You wouldn't interested," Hojo said while clapping Inuyasha on the shoulder and walking around him. His demon bodyguard, Koga, appeared out of nowhere to follow him, glaring at the half-demon as he passed.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes then made his way over to Kagome.

"Must you go?" she asked, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes. Inuyasha wondered if Kagome ever knew how attractive she was and if she used that against him on purpose.

"Time for me to row with the other slaves," he said, earning a laugh from her. "Goodnight, Kagome."

Inuyasha's clawed hand reach for hers, and as she reciprocated, Kagome felt a crinkled object being passed into her hand. She almost didn't notice it because, as she had removed her gloves during dinner, the skin-to-skin contact made her shiver for reasons she didn't know. Once the paper was securely in her possession, Inuyasha let go, sparing her one last glance before sauntering off hurriedly.

Looking around in case anyone had noticed the exchange (though of course no one had; no one was even paying attention to them), Kagome quickly unraveled the slip of paper. On it was a message in what was Inuyasha's messy scrawl:

Make it count. Meet me at the clock.

After she read it, Kagome looked up with wide eyes and thought, What is he planning now?

It took her no time at all to decide. A surge of butterflies welled up in her belly from the excitement of the mystery, the secrecy. It would be her and Inuyasha's secret; no one would have to know.

Kagome shared no words with her mother as she got up and left, making her way to the grand staircase. Inuyasha was there, as promised, with her back to her.

He knew I would come.

The nervous woman took a deep breath in before starting up the stairs, her heels clicking against the floor. He must have heard her because his ears flicked in her direction. Inuyasha turned to her with a smirk and mischief glittering in his eyes.

"So, you wanna go to a real party?"

xXx

Kagome had followed Inuyasha down a labyrinth of hallways venturing into a part of the ship she had never been in before. She had gone onto the lower decks, surely, when she sought out Inuyasha to thank him on a day that felt like it happened a thousand years ago. She didn't know how it was possible but she felt like she had known the half-demon man a whole lifetime, instead of just two days. He was so easy to talk to, so honest in everything he did; he was a breath of fresh air in the polluted environment Kagome lived in everyday.

Now, the socialite was in a crowded room full of many different people, humans and demons alike. A band was banging on drums and strumming out a tune on instruments she had never seen before, producing sounds she had never heard. People were drinking, smoking, gambling, and laughing. They were simply enjoying being themselves. Admittedly, Kagome stuck out like a sore thumb in her expensive jewelry and dress, but no one had given her a wary side-eye or judgmental look. They automatically accepted her, so different than the people gossiping several decks up.

Kagome laughed and clapped along as she watched Inuyasha dance with a little human girl, who looked to be around the age of eight or nine. Part of her black, unruly hair was tied into a small pigtail on the side of her head, adorned with a ribbon. Her dress was a simple white gown with a red sash but she was adorable nonetheless. She also saw Shippo from the crowd dancing with a demon female about his age, a beaming smile on his face.

A man who was sitting at the same table as Kagome leaned over and spoke but she couldn't hear him.

"What?" she shouted over the joyous noise.

He raised his voice but then she realized he was speaking in a language that she didn't recognize.

"I can't understand you!" she shouted again, indicating to her ear in case he didn't understand her.

"He asked what your name was," another voice broke in.

Kagome looked over to see a dark-haired, human man joining them at the table. She realized then that she had seem him before with Inuyasha.

"My name's Miroku," he introduced with a smooth smile. "May I ask your name?"

"Kagome," she said. "I recognize you from before."

"Ah, yes, you're the one who had Inuyasha so entranced," Miroku replied before taking her hand in both of his. Kagome couldn't help but notice that his weren't as large as Inuyasha's.

"Miss Kagome, I couldn't help but notice your fair beauty from the first moment I laid eyes on you."

"Oh, um . . . thanks?" The young woman said in confusion. She was taken aback by the sudden flattery.

"If you don't mind me asking," Miroku continued, "would you consider bearing my children?"

"I beg your pardon?" Kagome gasped at the forwardness and improperness of the question. Never had she been propositioned such a thing! And he didn't seem the least but ashamed of himself! In fact, he had the cheekiest grin she had ever seen.

"Scaring innocent women again, Miroku?" A feminine voice broke in.

The forward male instantly dropped Kagome's hand and stiffened up, looking past Kagome's shoulder. Following his line of sight, she saw a young woman about her age standing with crossed arm and a perturbed expression. She was taller than Kagome, she noticed, and she wasn't wearing a dress. In fact, the woman was wearing a button down white shirt and pants! Kagome could not help but stare, for she had never seen a woman not in a dress before.

"S-Sango!" Miroku stammered, his mouth gaping like a fish's. "I was just introducing myself-"

"Save it," the woman named Sango snapped with a roll of her eyes. She approached their table, grabbing a chair and planting herself in-between Kagome and Miroku. Kagome could not say she wasn't relieved.

"You're scaring the poor thing," Sango scolded before turning to Kagome with a welcoming smile. "I'm Sango. I'm sorry this asshole is bothering you. Want me to get rid of him?"

Miroku squeaked from behind Sango, making Kagome giggle.

"No, thank you. I'll recover eventually," Kagome said.

Nodding, Sango turned back to Miroku, scolding him again. Kagome took this opportunity to turn her gaze back to Inuyasha. He was still dancing with the little girl, but when his eye caught Kagome's, he gave the girl one last spin before leaning down.

"I'm gonna dance with her now, 'kay?" he said, gesturing to Kagome.

The little girl nodded with a tight smile before backing away.

Inuyasha turned with a smile and addressed Kagome, "C'mon!"

The surprised woman stopped clapping and frowned. "What?"

"Let's go!" the half-demon prompted, grabbing Kagome's hand and pulling her towards him.

"Inuyasha, no!" she protested, trying to yank away as Inuyasha tugged. "I can't do this," she said sheepishly. This wasn't the kind of dancing she was used to . . .

Inuyasha eyes lit up mischief as he said, "We're gonna have to get a little closer," and he wrapped his arm around her waist, placing his hand on her hip gingerly.

Kagome had never felt a hand there on her body in all of her life. Her eyes refused to look up into Inuyasha's, knowing what they would find there.

"You're still my best girl, Rin," the mischievous man reassured the little girl, whose pout had turned into a smile at his words, and then started to lead Kagome in a frantic dance in time with the music.

"I-I don't know the steps!" Kagome shouted nervously as she tried to move her feet in a reasonable rhythm while keeping up with Inuyasha, but finding it impossible to both simultaneously.

"Neither do I, just go with it! Don't think!" he said when he saw Kagome trying to overthink the steps. He wanted the girl to relax, dammit.

As Inuyasha spun her around the room in a nonsensical fashion, Kagome could not help but notice that he had started to sweat from the overwhelming temperature that filled the room and the dancing. His jacket, vest, and bowtie had come on long ago, leaving him only in his suspenders and button-up shirt. The material was clinging to his skin due to the moisture on his body, outlining the muscles in his arms and chest. Even as they danced and laughed, Kagome could not stop the sense of excitement the sight caused her in the back of her mind.

They danced for a bit longer but both parties began to feel parched, so they stopped to make their way back over to the tables. There, Miroku was arm wrestling with the man Kagome didn't understand earlier. Inuyasha reached between them to grab two beer glasses, handing her one then asking a sip of his own.

Kagome's throat was bone-dry, and while she by no means enjoyed the taste of the beverage, she needed something to quench the thirst. The dark liquid slid down her throat with ease and she relished in the feeling.

The half-demon stared as the upper-class woman downed the beer, taking in gulp after gulp. When he barely managed to hold back a snort, Kagome turned to him with raised eyebrows.

"What? You think a first-class girl can't drink?" she teased and they laughed along to the irony of it all.

They were interrupted, however, by a drunk man stumbling into Inuyasha, causing him to bump into Kagome and spill their drinks all over her. She gasped in surprise at being suddenly drenched and Inuyasha growled menacingly.

"Hey, get out of here!" he snarled, shoving the drunk man away from them quickly. He turned to Kagome once he was safely out of his sight and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" Kagome reassured, laughing all the while.

A uproar rang out over the crowd. Miroku had lost to the other man and he was shouting for a rematch.

"So," Kagome shouted over the noise, setting her now half-empty beer glass down on the table and gaining their attention. "You think you're big, tough men? Let's see you do this."

The men stared at Kagome in confusion while Sango, who was standing behind Miroku, looked down with a smirk. Kagome backed up to stand next to Inuyasha, then bent down to pick up the tail of her dress.

"Hold this, Inuyasha. Hold it up," she ordered and the half-demon took it from her silently, his confused expression matching those of the other males.

Kagome took a deep breath, raised her arms above head, and began to lift herself up on her tiptoes. Onlookers watched as she rose higher and higher, eventually coming to stand on the very points of her big toes, a skill she had learned when taking dance as a child.

Due to impractice, she could not hold it for long. Kagome's toes cracked, causing her to lose balance, cry out, and fall into Inuyasha, who readily caught her.

"Holy damn, woman," he breathed, looking down at her laughing face in awe.

Sango was the first to clap and the men soon followed her suit.

"Very impressive, Kagome," the other woman praised with a proud smirk.

Kagome, after covering, curtsied teasingly. She and Inuyasha decided to take a break, seating themselves at the table as Sango shoved the foreign man out of his chair and sat down, asking Miroku to arm wrestle with her.

Now, my dear Sango, I can't bring harm to a lady!" He protested vehemently.

"Why, you scared?" She challenged with a cocked eyebrow.

Miroku sputtered in indignance and, not wanting to look weak in front of the other men, reluctantly took Sango's awaiting hand.

They watched him lose again and again, laughing and enjoying each other's company, losing track of time all the while, and not noticing a pair of ice-blue eyes watching them from the staircase.

xXx

Later that night (or, really, the early hours of the morning), Inuyasha and the other men were finally settling down to bed. Hachi and Shippo were already passed out - Hachi from drinking excessively and Shippo from pure exhaustion. Miroku was laying down but still wasn't sleep while Inuyasha brushed his teeth vigorously to get the taste of beer out of his mouth.

"She's amazing, isn't she?" he heard Miroku say from his bunk.

"Who?" Inuyasha responded around a mouth full of toothpaste.

"Sango," he said, as if it were obvious.

"Oh. I gueth."

"I think I love her," Miroku admitted quietly, as if saying it would make it more real than it already was.

Inuyasha froze at his friend's admission for a moment, then quickly recovering as he felt toothpaste beginning to dribble down his chin and quickly spit it out. He didn't respond to the human; just continued to get ready for bed as usual. By the time Inuyasha was laying down, Miroku was already fast asleep and snoring loudly.

Under the cover of the pitch-black room and his sheets, Inuyasha's last thought before he drifted off was: I think I do, too.


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