Once again, thank you each and everyone of you that are reviewing. I'm glad everyone's enjoying the story so far, and hopefully you'll stick with me until the very ending.

Also, something else has come to my attention. I've had a few people comment on my portrayal of Kikyo. I am not a Kikyo hater, and I will not make her into a soulless monster, ever. So, if you were hoping for that, sorry. I'm glad that everyone is satisfied I'm not making her terrible. Now, on with the chapter.

Chapter four

"It was like an invasion of privacy that I'd never dreamed of. If anyone was gonna protect her, it was gonna be me. But I wasn't expectin' the repercussions of havin' Kagome around. She saw me and she knew me, in her eyes. I didn't have to explain myself to her. Because she already knew."

Inuyasha

After Inuyasha carried me inside, he took me into what I assumed to be a sitting room, or a living room, and he set me down on an expensive, brown, leather couch. "Just stay there." He commanded, before disappearing from the room.

I took the moment to look around. There was a large, flat screen television, no doubt costing thousands of dollars, a few coffee tables here and there made out of the finest wood, tall bookshelves, and an entertainment center filled with videogame systems, videogame cases, etc. It was so boyish, all of it, but it was still modern and expensive and it was still nice.

Inuyasha reentered the room after a few minutes, and he had a first aid kit and what looked to be a wet rag. He set the supplies on the coffee table in front of the couch and pulled my legs into his lap and sat down, before he began to clean at the wound with the wet rag. He worked silently, and I just watched him as he worked. There was a little line between his dark brows, and he was scowling, as usual, but more in concentration than anything else.

"Inuyasha?" I asked softly.

"What?"

"Tell me about Kikyo."

His hand froze, but only for a beat, before he resumed cleaning my wound. "There's nothin' to say. I'm sure Miroku or Sango can tell ya anythin' you want to know."

"But you were in love with her." I said bluntly. "So, that means, you must have known her better than anyone else."

"I already told you there's nothin' to say!" he suddenly snapped, and I recoiled, upset by his outburst. When he saw my expression, his ears lowered and he had the grace to look guilty. "She was kind." he said quietly, finally. "And she put everyone else before herself. Including me. We weren't together as long as I wish we would've been, but it was enough to know her."

"You must miss her so much." I said softly.

"It was two years ago. My freshman year. So I'm not a baby like everyone seems to think." He voice was back to it's usual rough tone, and he was back to cleaning my cut. "I'm fine. She died, and I'm fine."

I wasn't sure what spurred me to do it, but something made me lift my hand and place it over his. Inuyasha tensed for a moment, before he relaxed, and turned his hand over, cradling my little hand in his bigger one. He looked up into my eyes. "Thank you, Kagome." he said.

When he noticed I was just staring at him, he scowled. "What?"

"Nothing, it's just . . . you never said my name before." I said softly.

"Yeah, what of it?" He demanded.

"It's just, I think you like me more now." I replied, a small smile working it's way onto my face.

"Tch. Don't get excited." he retorted, his ears flicking petulantly. "I still think you're pretty useless."

I scowled and opened my mouth to say something smart, but then sighed and decided I should just be happy that he finally could address me by my name. "So where do you plan to put me when you get done with this?" I gestured to my leg, which he was currently bandaging.

"Easy. My room. OW!" he cried as I whacked him over the head with my hand.

"You're such a pig." I said with disgust.

"Not so I can bone ya, you idiot! So I can keep an eye on you!" he snapped.

"I don't need you hovering over me in my sleep like some kind of creepy vulture." I remarked, crossing my arms over my chest. "You're bound to have a guest room somewhere in this mansion. It's huge."

"Master Inuyasha? Can I assist you with anything?" both of us looked to the doorway, where a short, bald man with a thick white beard was standing, wearing an unmistakable butler's uniform.

"We're good, Myoga." Inuyasha replied, looking annoyed for some reason at the intrusion.

"I apologize, Master Inuyasha. I was not aware you had a lady friend in your presence. Shall I prepare a guest room?" he questioned, still persistent.

"That would be wonderful." I said happily, smiling at Myoga gratefully. Perhaps he'd overheard our conversation and was coming to the rescue.

He smiled back. "I'll get right on that. If you'll excuse me." He disappeared.

"Now wait a minute! You're my butler, so you take orders from me!" Inuyasha hollered after him, looking peeved. "Ugh, is everyone ganging up on me today?"

"Don't be a baby." I sighed. "You know as well I as I do that I'm not about to sleep in the same room as you when we barely know each other."

"Tch. It's my house."

"And it's my body." I retorted, and he glared at me for a moment before shutting up.

When Inuyasha finished bandaging my cut, Myoga reappeared in the doorway. "Miss, I've got the room prepared if you're ready to retire for the night?"

"I think I am. I've had enough excitement for one day." I replied, and started to stand, but Inuyasha picked me up like before with a simple, "No you don't. I'll carry you up there."

"It's not as if I'm helpless." I chided, but didn't fight him. "You can't carry me to all my classes Monday."

He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, "Wanna bet?" but I didn't bother to question it as he carried me up a set of stairs in the lobby after Myoga.

My room was the first room at the top of the stairs on the right of the hallway, and I gasped at the inside. The theme of the room was pink and purple, with silk bedsheets and curtains. The bed was massive, enough for ten people, it looked, with a canopy of gauzy purple material hanging over it. The carpets were a light shade of pink, and there were mahogany dressers and a door leading to what looked like a balcony, and another door leading to a bathroom.

"So, do you have a sister or something?" I asked, bewildered by the girlyness of the room.

"Feh. No. My brother was just prepared when he made this mansion. He made it specifically for me, and he just assumed Kikyo would move in eventually if we continued the relationship." Inuyasha explained. "Lucky for Sesshomaru it didn't." he added in a bitter mutter.

He carried me into the room and set me down on the bed. Inuyasha paused and waited until Myoga had left before he asked, "So, do you need help undressing?" his cheeks were a bit red and he was looking at me so earnestly, as if he almost hoped I'd say 'yes'.

"Ugh! Pervert. Get out!" I ordered, and he practically fled when I came at him with my fists.

When the door closed after him, I laid down on the bed with a sigh. It's so strange, that I'm actually in Inuyasha's house, laying here in this bed. It's sort of . . . intimate. My cheeks flushed at the thought. Oh, stop it Kagome! Thinking things like that is going to get you in the same predicament as Kikyo! I sighed, and closed my eyes. Thoughts of Inuyasha consumed me, and before long, I was fast asleep.

Sunlight poured onto my eyelids, rousing me from my deep slumber. I rolled over with my eyes still closed, and ran into a hard, flat surface. Confused, I opened my eyes, seeing a bare, masculine chest in front of me. It took me just a minute from that moment to figure out that I was no longer in the guest room bed, because the bed I was in had a white bedspread with red lining. It took me another minute to figure out that I was laying in only my bra and underwear, and that Inuyasha was laying in this bed with me with no shirt on and his arms around me.

I screamed.

He came awake with a start, and I was flailing and screaming like a mad woman, beating on him and shoving him out of the bed with desperation. "Kagome! What the hell are you doin'! Wait, no, don't-NGH!" Inuyasha hit the floor with a loud THUDand I yanked the covers up around me as I bolted up in the bed.

Inuyasha shot up, fangs bared and claws twitching. "What'd ya do that for, Kagome!"

"You tell me what the heck I'm doing here in your bed with no clothes on!" I practically shrieked.

"You have a bra and thong." he said matter-of-factly, scowling. "You said you'd be fine in your own room, but I wanted to make sure so I brought you in here."

"And you took my clothes?"

"You looked like you'd be more comfortable without 'em!" he said defensively. "And besides, I wanted to make sure that demon from yesterday didn't come and get you!"

"Ugh, you just wanted an excuse to undress me and put me in your bed!" I accused.

"Feh! As if! You're the lastwoman I'd put in my bed!" he snarled. When he saw my expression change to complete indifference, he looked fearful of me.

"Oh really? Well, if that's how you feel, you should have no trouble giving me my clothes back and excusing me as I leave." I said calmly. I stood up from the bed with the white sheet covering me, and I spotted my clothes laying on top of his dresser. I walked over and grabbed them, and started for the door.

"Hey . . . where ya goin'?" he called after me.

"I'm leaving. I have to get back to my dorm and explain myself to Sango and Miroku so they don't freak out." I dropped the sheet with my back to him, and heard Inuyasha gulp at the sight of my backside, since I had a white thong on.

"I . . . uh . . ." I glanced at him over my shoulder as he stuttered like an idiot, seeing his eyes were glued down south, not on my face. His face was flushed, and it was as if he couldn't look away. Since he took off my clothes, it's not as if he hasn't already seen me. Ugh, men are such pigs sometimes. I thought disdainfully, as I pulled on the miniskirt from the night before and then the blue top.

Inuyasha seemed to regained some of his IQ back, for he said, "I already called Miroku and he let Sango know where you were. So you don't . . . have to just take off."

"You've already stated your opinion on my staying here, so I'll leave. I can't say I'm particularly fond of your company either." I said snootily, pulling on my heels and opening his room door.

"Why do ya gotta be so damned stuck up about it?" Inuyasha demanded, and I finally faced him. It was then that I took the chance to really look at him. He wore only a pair of dark red sweatpants, low on his hips, so I could see his hip bones. He had hard muscles on his stomach that were quite defined, but not enough to be overbearing, and he had very nice biceps as well. His arms were strong and lean, and his collarbone was sculpted out of marble, it appeared. It took me a moment to snap out of my lust induced haze and tell myself he was a jerk and I didn't need to be ogling him.

I didn't answer that question. "I'm leaving now, Inuyasha. Good-bye." I left his room and walked a few steps before I ran into Myoga.

"Oh, Lady Kagome, I trust you slept well?" he greeted me.

"Yes, I slept well enough. Though I can't say I was too pleased to wake up half naked in someone else's bed." I added rather loudly, knowing Inuyasha could hear me.

Myoga chuckled. "I apologize for my master's behavior, Miss. However, do not be so harsh to him. He seems rather fond of you."

I felt my angry disposition begin to melt. "You really think so?"

"Certainly." Myoga nodded. "Why else would he insist on you staying in his room?"

I can think of a few reasons. I thought dryly, but decided to give Myoga the benefit of the doubt. "Well, fond or not, I still disagree with those methods. But I was just leaving. So, thank you for everything Myoga."

"Anytime, Lady Kagome. You're welcome to visit the mansion anytime. Have a good day." Myoga sidestepped around me and I descended the stairs.

It was only after I emerged from the mansion that I realized I didn't really have a way home. I sighed under my breath. Now what? I can't walk home from here. I'm going to have to go back inside and ask Inuyasha for a ride. How humiliating, especially after an exit like that. Ugh. I thought glumly. I turned right back around and reentered the mansion, surprised to see Inuyasha already heading my way. He was wearing a red t-shirt and jeans now.

"Kagome? I thought you were leaving." He sneered.

I bit back a sharp retort, and swallowed my pride. "I can't just walk home. I need a ride." I finally said, dejectedly.

"Hmph! Apologize to me and I might considerit." He turned away from me and crossed his arms over his well defined chest, glaring at the wall.

Ugh. My little brother is more mature. I thought. "I'm . . . sorry."

His golden eyes flickered back to me, as if trying to determine if I was sincere or not. "Well, let's go then." He snatched my hand up and pulled me out of the mansion and to his car. I blushed at his hand wrapped around mine, though I didn't pull away. I wasn't surprised that I didn't really want to pull away, either.

"So what were you plannin' on doin' when you got back to your dorm anyway?" Inuyasha questioned as we started down the road. He had released my hand by now, much to my unwanted displeasure.

"Probably chores. Washing dishes, clothes, all that. And some homework too." I replied absentmindedly as I looked out the window, resting my chin on the swell of my hand.

"Feh. Women's work." Inuyasha muttered.

"What about you then?"

"Uh, nothin' really . . . Thought about practicing with my sword with Totosai."

"Sword?" Totosai?" I asked, my head swimming with questions.

"There's an ancient sword that's been passed down in my family for generations. My father was the last one to have it before he died, and he specifically left it to me. It's named the Tetsusaiga, because it was supposedly made of the fang of a great dog youkai about five hundred or so years ago. Possibly more." Inuyasha explained. "Totosai is my sensei, of sorts, and he trains me how to sword fight over the weekends. He gave me this weekend off, but I thought about goin' down there anyway."

"I'd like to see you practice." I surprised myself by saying.

I was surprised further when Inuyasha flushed a little. "Really? Kikyo never really had interest in it."

"Sure, I'd love to see." I replied, smiling at him. He just flushed further, and I again had that feeling when he was looking at me he was trying to differentiate between me and Kikyo, but was seeing her more than anything else.

"Well, don't ya wanna go home?" he asked gruffly, looking away.

"Well, I would like to shower and all that, if you don't mind. I smell like alcohol and God knows I feel like I'm stewing in my own stench here." I replied.

"Then I'll just take you home, and then you can come with me to my lesson." Inuyasha almost seemed pleased when he said this, and though there was no smile on his face, there was a sort of sparkle to his eyes, and I smiled at him once more.

Luckily, my showering at home passed with no perverted incidents, and Inuyasha was patient for the most part (he only gave me a few comments about how I needed to "stop prissin' and c'mon!") and then we could head out to his lesson.

Inuyasha drove us to a dojo on the complete other side of town, and I found myself anxious to see his performance. I hadn't ever really had a chance to witness how strong Inuyasha really was, and I wanted this chance. Of course, he'd saved me from Leonard, but he hadn't really had to use much force to do so. So this would be a better chance.

"Just promise me that if I really let go you ain't gonna go cryin because it's too much." Inuyasha commented, as he parked in front of the dojo.

"As if." I assured him. "I'm a lot tougher than your average girl. So let's see how tough you are."

"Hmph!" Inuyasha offered me a have grin, displaying his fangs, and I grinned back. We headed into the dojo together, and once inside, I stood by the door, not wanting to disturb anything. There was no one in the dojo except an old man with long white hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a striped black and green kimono. He looked surprised to see Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha? I told you to take the weekend off." the man was busy sweeping the plain wooden floors of the dojo, and he paused in his sweeping to examine us.

"I know. But I wanted to come by and practice some, jiji." Inuyasha grunted when I elbowed him for the rude term, and shot me a glare before returning his attention to the old man. "So, whaddya say?"

The old man sighed. "Well, these old bones can't take much more abuse from you, Inuyasha, but I suppose I should be happy that you're so dedicated. Let me just grab my sword, and you can head out back. Tetsusaiga is stored in the back room where you left it. I polished it up for you."

"Thanks Totosai." Inuyasha grinned as he turned to the right and headed through a door, while Totosai paused and looked at me.

"Are you Kagome?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah. How did you know?" I asked in return, surprised.

"Inuyasha mentioned you the other day when he came to help me clean the dojo. You were all he was talking about." Totosai replied. I felt a blush come over me. He was talking about me? We only just met a few days ago. And he was already talking about me? Maybe Inuyasha sees more than just Kikyo when he looks at me . . . I thought.

"Young lady, please be careful with Inuyasha's feelings." Totosai said suddenly. "I give him a hard time, but after what he went through with Kikyo . . . it would be terrible if he were to experience more tragedy and pain."

"Yes, sensei." I bowed to him, because it just seemed appropriate.

"Hmm . . . well, I think you'll be fine, just fine." Totosai muttered mysteriously as he tottered into the room after Inuyasha. "Kagome, you can head through the door straight across from you into the back!" he called.

I followed his instructions, sliding open the large door, and seeing it revealed a large backyard with gray boulders outlining most of it. It was just a wide open space, and there was a small pond, no undoubtedly to freshen up after long battles.

Totosai joined me after a few minutes, and he was carrying a thin, but strong blade in his hands. He went to stand in the middle of the yard, and stuck the point of his blade in the dirt, leaning on it as support. "Miss Kagome, I advise you stay on those steps during the match. Inuyasha tends to get enthusiastic when he spars."

"Why am I not surprised?" I muttered sarcastically.

The sliding door behind me suddenly slammed open, and Inuyasha came rushing out, and in one great leap, he bounded over my head and landed in front of Totosai, wielding a huge, magnificent blade in his hands. The blade was nearly longer than Inuyasha itself, and it was wide. It had to weigh a ton, and there was a large tuft of white fur about the hilt.

"All right old man, are you ready to be taken down?" Inuyasha asked cockily, his fangs exposed as he was grinning like a mad man in the anticipation of a fight. He had no shirt on, and wore red pants that tied at his waist. He was barefoot as well. It also didn't escape my notice that he looked rather sexy as he was at the moment, arrogant and ready to fight.

Totosai merely shook his head. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Inuyasha. Prepare yourself."

"Hah!" Inuyasha bent his knees and I could see his body tense.

Totosai was the first to strike. He brought his blade up and over his head in a wide arc, and brought it down toward Inuyasha. Inuyasha was quick to counter, mirroring Totosai's movement, so their swords met with a giant clang. Inuyasha grunted and shoved back against Totosai, and sent the old man skidding back merely a step before Totosai lunged in again, and went for Inuyasha's rib cage with his blade. Inuyasha quickly dodged the attack and sidestepped around to Totosai's backside, and made a slash at Totosai's neck. I gasped, because I was sure Totosai was about to lose his head, but was shocked when Totosai ducked and the blade missed him by inches.

"If you're actually trying to kill me that's the way to do it!" Totosai cried.

"Don't be a baby!" Inuyasha snarled as their swords clashed again.

"Respect your sensei, hanyou!" Totosai smacked the flat of his blade against Tetsusaiga, and I watched in amazement as Tetsusaiga was smacked right from Inuyasha's hands, and it skidded across the ground. Totosai's fist slammed into Inuyasha's jaw, and Inuyasha hit the ground hard after his blade.

"Hey, that's dirty!" Inuyasha complained angrily as he ran and snatched up his blade before facing Totosai once more.

"That will teach you to be cocky!" Totosai retorted as he blocked a stab from Inuyasha.

Inuyasha growled in anger, and raised his sword high above his head. He brought it swinging down, and I thought, What's he doing? He's too far away to even hit Totosai, until I heard him begin to yell, "WIND SCA-"

My eyes widened when Totosai puffed up his cheeks and suddenly a whirlwind of flames issued from his mouth and billowed toward Inuyasha. Inuyasha stopped midswing and barely managed to somersault out of the way. "What's the big idea?" Inuyasha demanded, as the flames that had caught fire on the grass flickered about.

Totosai began to stomp out the various small patches of flames. "You know better than to use the wind scar in the presence of a human, Inuyasha. Also, that attack is far too dangerous to be used here. You'd ruin my trees."

"Ugh." Inuyasha hoisted his sword up on his shoulder. "You're just mad 'cause you know you can't defeat the wind scar."

"I wouldn't say that." Totosai replied, and it appeared the two were done, for neither were fighting anymore.

"What's the wind scar?" I asked, and both turned their attention to me.

"It's a devastating attack that can be issued by the Tetsusaiga, rumored to be able to kill a hundred demons at once." Totosai explained. "Inuyasha has barely even managed to tap into the power of the wind scar, and he's only used it successfully once. I took him out to a huge field and let him practice it until he got it. But I won't let him use it here, though he tries nearly every sparring match." Wow . . . I thought, trying to imagine such devastating power.

"And you're a youkai?" I asked, as an afterthought, remembering the flames.

"Yes. Not a terribly powerful one, but yes, I am." Totosai replied. I paused a moment to really examine him. He just looked like an ordinary old man, except that his eyes were on the large side. Otherwise, he looked just like any other human. But appearances are deceiving in this world. I thought.

"Well, I woulda done the wind scar just fine if you hadn't stopped me." Inuyasha bragged as he walked to join me on the steps.

Totosai sighed. "Perhaps. Either way, I'm done sparring with you for the day."

"I just barely got started!" Inuyasha complained.

"Well, I didn't give you this day off just for you. I wanted to relax too, you know." Totosai chided, as he led us both back inside the dojo. "It would be good for you to take a break from sparring, Inuyasha. It's all you've done lately."

Inuyasha glared at Totosai. "Yeah yeah, whatever. Next week, I wanna go back out to that field. I want to master the wind scar. And if the Tetsusaiga can perform something that powerful, it's gotta have other stuff I can learn too."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Go put your sword up and change, and take this young lady out of here. I'm sure she's got better things to do than watch you swing around a sword." Totosai replied simply, and he picked up his broom from where he'd left it and resumed sweeping.

"So, the sword is magical?" I asked Totosai as Inuyasha retired back to the store room.

"Well, having been made from the fang of a great dog demon, it's not exactly surprising." Totosai replied. "Inuyasha is a direct descendant from that demon on his father's side. He is extremely powerful, even if he's only half demon."

"Directly?" I asked softly. "So . . . I know his father is dead, but . . . what about his mother?"
"Izayoi." Totosai replied, just as softly. "She was a human. Beautiful, and gentle. Inuyasha doesn't speak of her much, so there's not much I can tell you. Myoga, Inuyasha's butler, could tell you more."

"She died a long time ago."

I turned at the voice, startled, seeing Inuyasha standing in the doorway, scowling and dressed once more, staring at us. "Inuyasha . . ." I started.

"I don't want to talk about it." he said flatly. "Let's go, Kagome, so this old man can get back to his cleaning."
"Ok. Thank you for letting me watch your match, sensei. Bye, Totosai." I said, as Inuyasha and I headed for the door.

"Good-bye, Kagome. Inuyasha, you behave."

"Feh!" was Inuyasha's only reply as we left the dojo.

"So where to next Kagome?" Inuyasha asked me as we climbed into his red car.

"Well, it's around lunchtime." I replied, checking my watch.

"Then we'll just go out. Where do you want to eat?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I don't have any money to spend, Inuyasha." I chided. "Just take me back to my dorm."

"You don't have to pay for it, stupid. Don't yoube ridiculous, Kagome. I've got plenty of money." he argued.

"No, that feels too much like a date." I ignored his flushed face as he started sputtering in protest, and tapped my chin thoughtfully. "I could cook for you, if you like. I'm studying to be a chef." I offered, feeling a trickle of excitement at making Inuyasha smile with my cooking.

"I don't know if I trust your cookin'." He muttered. "You might try to poison me."

"Oh, you're so ridiculous." I sighed. "I can cook well." I insisted. "Let me cook for you."

"Fine. But if I get sick, you're gonna pay."

True to my word, when we arrived back at my dorm, I entered the kitchen and began bustling about with pots and pans. I decided I'd stick with something simple, like chop suey. I didn't want to go too extravagant and scare Inuyasha away from my cooking. Besides, I didn't know if he was picky or not.

Inuyasha was busy scrutinizing every inch of my dorm home. "Everything here is cheap . . ." He muttered. "Kagome, you're really poor, aren't you?"

I felt my heart drop a little at the statement, but forced myself not to be affected by it. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't insult my things."

"I wasn't! I just . . ." Inuyasha actually sounded guilty. "Havin' so much money all the time . . . I dunno. I guess I don't really appreciate it. And seeing how you manage . . . it makes me feel bad." He admitted.

I was shocked. I turned from the stove to face Inuyasha, who was standing in the kitchen doorway, watching me. "Don't worry about it. I've worked for what I have, and I'm happy with it. I don't need a lot of money to be happy."
Instead of reassuring him like I thought it would, it just seemed to make him feel worse. Inuyasha's ears lowered a little, and I felt bad for him then. "It's still not good. If you were my woman, I'd make sure you had everything you wanted."

I blushed at his statement. "Is that what you did for Kikyo? Did you spoil her?"

Inuyasha snorted. "As if. She wouldn't let me." He crossed his arms and leaned against the archway. "No, I tried. She was just too proud to accept it. She was like you in that, actually. She liked to work for what she had."

I smiled at the thought. "Kikyo sounded wonderful. Say, Inuyasha?"

"What is it?"

"Where is she buried? I'd like to pay my respects to her." I answered, turning back to the stove, but not before I saw his expression of shock.

"Kagome, you don't gotta do that-"

"But I want to. She was important to you. And I really would have liked to know her. And she . . . passed on prematurely. So, I feel like I need to do that." I explained.

"She's buried behind the university. There's a small cemetery behind the unversity named Shikon no Tama Cemetery. You'll find her grave there." Inuyasha answered quietly.

"Thanks Inuyasha." I gave him a gentle smile over my shoulder. I glanced back down at the contents frying on the stove. I clapped my hands together and announced happily, "It's ready! Want some?"

"Smells good." Inuyasha praised as he came over. I grabbed a plate and placed a hearty portion on it, and laid chopsticks on top.

"Here you go!" I sang, and danced over to the table, setting his plate down. "Do you want water to drink or tea?"

"Uh, tea's fine. Listen, Kagome-" he started as I twirled to the fridge. Cooking always put me in a good mood.

"There!" I set a glass of tea down in front of him, and waited eagerly for him to try my chop suey. "Go on, try it!"

"All right." Inuyasha glanced down apprehensively, before he took a bite. He chewed, and I watched his expression change to one of amazement. "Wow, this is great! You're a really good cook, Kagome."

I beamed and flushed with pleasure. "Thanks." I fixed my own plate and sat down across from him, and dug in.

"So, I've had fun today." I commented shyly, after we ate in silence for a few minutes.

"Really? 'Cause you seemed pretty mad this morning." Inuyasha reminded me skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, what girl wouldn't be, waking up in a situation like that?" I countered. "No, I'll forgive you for that. It could have been worse. I could have woken up beside Leonard."

At the mention of Leonard, Inuyasha's ears twitched and he growled. "Don't talk like that Kagome."

"Jealous?" I teased.

He flushed. "Don't make me laugh."

I rolled my eyes and continued eating. "Yeah yeah. So how long have you been training with Totosai? You looked good out there." I said honestly, and it was true. Inuyasha had looked strong, sexy, and confident. I had no doubt he could have won against Totosai given a few more minutes to duel.

"Couple years now."

"Do you ever enter into tournaments?" I asked curiously.

"Uh, kinda. I win most of 'em. But Totosai doesn't approve of tournaments. He says tournaments don't make you a master. But I say why not? Beating your opponent, isn't that the point?" Inuyasha replied, waving his chop sticks to emphasize his point.

I smiled at him. Something about him just drew me to him without a doubt. I wasn't sure if it was the slight rough, sexy tone of his voice, or the way his eyes shone when he talked to me, but it was something about him that was irresistible.

"What are you all smiling about?" Inuyasha asked suspiciously. "Are you even listenin' Kagome?"

"So why are you even hanging out with me today, anyway?" I asked suddenly. "I thought you didn't like me."

"Feh. I don't like anyone. I hardly like Miroku. I just keep him around . . ." Inuyasha poked at his food absently.

I watched him poke his food around. "Well, I think he's quite fond of you. He says you're his best friend."

Inuyasha's ears twitched a little at that. "He said that?"

"Yep." I confirmed, smiling when Inuyasha actually looked a little pleased at that.

I opened my mouth to say something else, but I was interrupted by my cellphone ringing from my bedroom. "I'll be right back." I promised Inuyasha, as I stood up and headed for my room.

I picked up my phone from where it rested on my nightstand beside my bed and answered it. "Hello?"

"Why hello, Kagome. I was just calling to see how your first week of college is going."

"Oh, hi mama." I was genuinely pleased to hear her voice. "It's going well enough."

"Made any new friends?"

"A few. Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha." I replied, sitting down on my bed and curling my legs underneath me.

"Well, tell me about them!"

"Well, Miroku is a bit of a pervert, but he's a really great guy and he doesn't mean any harm by it. And Sango is pretty much already my best friend. She's beautiful and smart and fun. I wouldn't have survived the first week without them." I laughed. "And Inuyasha, well . . . me and him didn't get off to the best start, but we're doing better now. We're actually hanging out."

"Oh . . . do you like this boy Kagome?"

"Mama!" I felt myself flush. I wasn't entirely sure of my feelings about Inuyasha yet myself. I was attracted to him, sure. But did I like him? That I wasn't so sure of. "We only met a few days ago. It's too early for that."

"It's never too early to like someone." My mother corrected me.

I glanced up as Inuyasha peeked into my room. I waved him inside, and he came to sit beside me on the bed. "Well, I think it is. We're still getting to know each other." I commented.

Inuyasha cocked his head curiously to the side, and with the dog ears and earnest look, he looked adorable. "Are you talking about me?" He asked, and then his expression turned suspicious.

My mother giggled. "Was that this Inuyasha? You should let me talk to him, Kagome."

Inuyasha obviously had super-human hearing, for he said, "She wants to talk to me?"

"No, you're not talking to him, because you'll try to embarrass me." I told her.

"C'mon, Kagome, lemme talk to her!" Inuyasha insisted, and reached for the phone. I tried to duck away from him, but his claws snatched the phone from my grasp.

"Yes, this is him." Inuyasha paused and listened for a moment. Then his face suddenly turned red. "What! I-I dunno! What kinda question is that, anyway?"

"What did she ask you?" I asked desperately. Inuyasha ignored me.

"Yeah, she can cook." Inuyasha said. "Nope. Chop suey. Uh-huh. Mmm . . . I'll keep that in mind. I know, I know. Ok, sure. Here." He handed the phone back to me.

"Mama! What did you ask him?" I demanded.

"Oh nothing. Just some stuff." My mother sang, obviously pleased with herself. I fumed silently, and refused to look at Inuyasha.

"Well, as I do have a guest, we'll have to pick up this conversation later. I'll call you later." I said.

"All right! Well, you have fun with Inuyasha there. And behave, Kagome! I love you."

"Love you too." I mumbled.

"Bye bye."

"Bye." I hung up, and turned my glare to Inuyasha. "What did she ask you?" I demanded.

"Nothin' important." he sidestepped easily. "But, I got some stuff I gotta take care of today, so I'm gonna have to hit the road. Thanks for cookin' Kagome."

"Oh no you don't! You're going to tell me what she asked you!" I ordered as he stood up and started for my front door.

"If it was meant for you to hear you woulda heard it!" Inuyasha replied stubbornly, and opened my front door. "I'll see ya later, Kagome."

"Argh!" I stamped my foot in frustration as the door closed after him. I heard the rumble of his car engine a few moments later, and I stormed back to my room, aggravated beyond belief.

I carried a small bouquet of white lilies in my hands as I walked slowly through the cemetery. It was peaceful and still, and later in the evening after Inuyasha had left my dorm. I had decided I'd go ahead and find Kikyo's grave.

I had checked gravestones for a while before I finally located Kikyo's grave. I sat down in front of it, and curled my legs up underneath me. I laid the white lilies down, and took a deep breath.

I laid my hand on the gravestone, feeling the coldness of it against my palm, and sighed. "Kikyo . . ." I whispered softly.

"Did you come to pay your respects?"

I jumped, and looked over my shoulder. A girl stood there, around my age, perhaps a little older, and I noticed right away she looked a lot like me. Her hair was black and long, but it was straight, and her eyes were brown. She was very beautiful. She wore a white, lacy long sleeved shirt, and and a red skirt with a red sash around her waist. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail at the base of her neck.

"Yeah, I guess I did." I replied, glancing back down at the gravestone. "How about you?"

"I guess you could say that." her voice was gentle and soft, and she came to sit down beside me.

"So did you know Kikyo?" I asked the girl, after a moment. The wind gently blew our hair.

"I guess you could say that as well." she replied, after a moment. Her pale hands were folded delicately in her lap.

"I didn't know her." I admitted. "I've heard a lot about her, though . . . I wish I could have known her."

"And despite not knowing her, you come to pay your respects?" the girl sounded surprised.

"All the things I've heard about her are good. And I think it was unfair, that she lost her life. She loved Inuyasha, and because she was human, she had her life taken from her . . ." I looked down, and the sadness built up inside me. "No one deserves that. She fell in love and was punished for it. That's never fair."

"I suppose not . . ." the girl whispered, and when I looked at her, she looked so very, very sad. It pulled at my heart, and I didn't know why. "You . . . you know Inuyasha personally?"

"I only just met him a few days ago." I admitted. "And I've learned some about Kikyo from him."

"Does he . . . talk about her?"

"Yes, but, not so much out loud. But he's constantly thinking of her. It's written all over everything he does." I said honestly. "I can tell he misses her so much . . . I wonder, wherever Kikyo is now, if she misses him too . . ."
"I'm sure she does . . . I'm sure she loves him with all her heart." the girl whispered, and her hand was clasped to her chest.

I smiled gently at her. "So, how do you know Kikyo?"

It was her turn to smile at me, but it was sad. "Let's just say I know a lot about her."

"What was it like, being close to her?" I asked softly.
"I can't really say. You'd have to judge it for yourself." she replied.

"To be honest, everyone tells me I look exactly like Kikyo . . . and that's the only reason Inuyasha pays any attention to me. And I'm sure that it's true." I admitted, after a moment. I didn't know why I was being so honest with this girl, but I felt as if I could be, for some reason. "I wonder when it will be he'll be able to tell the difference between us. It's not that there's anything wrong with Kikyo; I can't judge that because I didn't know her. But I'm different from her."

"Yes, you are." the girl agreed after a moment. "You seem . . . stronger."

"Stronger?" I looked at her curiously.
"Kikyo could have been so much stronger than she was. Perhaps then she might have been able to prevent her death." she explained, and her voice was once more filled with helpless melancholy.

I felt my brow furrow. "What do you mean?"

"It's just my wishful thinking, I suppose." She seemed to be talking more to herself than me, as she turned her head away. "I shouldn't deceive you any longer."

"Deceive me?" My mind was completely puzzled, and the girl finally looked back at me.

"I am Kikyo." she said softly.

A whole other chapter full of Inuyasha and Kagome fluff! Sort of . . . well, either way, let me know what you think. If their relationship is developing nicely, badly, etc. Also, I really hope I'm staying true to the characters. I'm aware, as well, that Tetsusaiga in modern times is a little out of place, but I just had to include it.

What do you think of Kikyo's appearance?

Let me know what you think in a review please! :D