AN: Chapter 6 already! I'm on a roll it seems. Let's see how long this inspiration burst lasts. This one is more light-hearted until the end I suppose…but you'll have to read and find out!

Disclaimer: That would be a negatory a.k.a I don't own Inuyasha.

The Experiment

Chapter Six: Spotted

"No."

"But why?!"

"Because. It means you have to get close to that mangy wolf. So no."

"Inuyasha!"

"I don't care what you say anymore! Case closed."

Kagome felt a major headache coming along. She pinched herself at the bridge of her nose, willing the pain to go away. Sometimes Inuyasha could be such a child!

"Listen, this is the only chance we've got I think. It's your chance at getting them back!" Kagome persisted, not one to be shot down so easily. "You may not like it for now, and I realize that, but in the long run, you'll get what you want – your life." She stood frozen in anticipation as Inuyasha's ear flicked unsurely. He was thinking…pondering…opening his lips to speak…

"No."

"Inuyasha! I'm at my wit's end! Stop being a kid and just go with it!"

"You seem pretty eager to get close to that wolf, don't you?!" He accused.

Kagome's jaw snapped open before she clenched her fists tightly at her side. "Don't tell me you're jealous. Besides, you can't just accuse of me stupid things!"

"Jealous?" Inuyasha scoffed. "God, you couldn't pay me to even pretend to be jealous!"

Kagome was about to retaliate when she instead took a deep breath. Their fighting would get them nowhere. She had to coax him, get him to see it wasn't such a bad idea. She couldn't help but be a little flattered that he didn't want her getting close to Kouga, but then again it may have been because he didn't want Kouga that near him…but still!

The more and more Kagome thought about it, the more sensible the plan seemed. The goal was to get Kouga to keep on dogging after her, even if he was just being false – because really, what she hoped would happen would be for him to get pulled to their side. With a little convincing, she could turn Kouga from an enemy to an ally. And after that, he could easily play between enemy lines and retrieve all evidence needed.

But until then, time was all they had.

Inuyasha had been completely silent through Kagome's musings, staring at the T.V. though not really paying much attention.

"Inuyasha?"

"What?"

Kagome scuttled over to sit by him on the sofa.

"I told you I'd promise to get you out of this mess…and I'd be willing to do anything."

"Right…" he said slowly, not sure of where this was going.

"Then I really do think it's best that we pull Kouga over to our side. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him…"

Inuyasha snapped his head to look at her. "What makes you think he'd be so eager to help us, hm? We aren't giving him any compensation for it! Besides, he's a demon. He has way too much pride to be at the beck and call of a hanyou and a human." He gave a mirthless laugh. "Yeah…that'll be the day I see Kouga frolicking with those beneath him." His eyes softened slightly before bringing a finger to tap the side of Kagome's head. "I'd like to live in their someday. So clueless."

Kagome blushed with embarrassment before swatting his hand away. "It's not just a silly idea! Take this seriously." Kagome suddenly rose to her feet. "Wait a minute…why do I have to have confirmation from you? I can do this by myself!"

"What?!"

"You heard me. I don't need your approval to do this. I'm going to do whatever it takes."

"Fine! I'll go along with your stupid plan! For now at least. But the minute you fuck up it's over."

"Good, and I won't mess up – have a little faith!" She smiled.

Inuyasha found that he couldn't return as enthusiastically.

He was rather unsure of this…it was a very risky idea, getting Kouga so involved. Imagine if Kouga backstabbed them and got him captured all over again? And Kagome would be killed as well…

Inuyasha sighed and leaned back in his seat, willing away these confusing thoughts. He just wanted this to be over. His eyes soon began to close as he immersed himself into his own thoughts, private images that only he could access and understand. The image of his mother came back to him, her smiling face and sincere eyes. What would she make out of this? She had received some negative attention too…marrying a demon and creating offspring.

And then she had been killed for it. Who had killed her, he didn't know. Could've been humans, could've been demons.

It didn't matter though. Dead was dead.

So was he supposed to sit back and accept it as well? His mother had been killed, so why wouldn't he? He was just as bad as a human compared to full demons and just as bad as a demon compared to humans. Someone was going to kill him in the end, so what was preventing him from letting fate run its course?

Kagome, most likely.

She was offering him a lot of hope, the will to live and get his life back. It was almost scary how it seemed to mirror Kikyou's wishes…or at least her false wishes. He could've easily been playing into a trap that Kagome had created, but something about her didn't seem like she could possess malevolent thoughts and desires.

But for now, he'd do as she said and have a little faith.

--

Kagome burst through the door along with Sango and Miroku. In her hands were two bags, each filled with a decent amount of clothes.

"Inuyasha, look! We got you some new clothes and other stuff to help with hiding your identity while outside."

Inuyasha spared her a bored glance before looking out the window as he had been previously doing. He longed to be outside like a normal person…walking around with no care in the world except for what he'd have for dinner that evening or what television show should he watch.

Getting a disguise wouldn't help. It would only make him feel more trapped. But he couldn't refuse, especially when it was pivotal that he find some way to maneuver in the outside world to get closer to his goal – the normal life he so desired.

"That's good, I guess…" he mumbled.

Kagome pursed her lips before walking over to the couches and depositing the bags there.

"I told Sango and Miroku the plan…they're willing to help you out too…"

"Feh."

Kagome felt herself growing annoyed. Couldn't he at least pretend to be excited about it? He should be grateful for all the support that was flowing in for him! But no. Instead he chose to sulk about like a child who didn't get the toy he wanted. True, he had led a difficult life and she sympathized with him, but sometimes enough was enough!

"At least pretend to be happy about it!" she snapped.

"Kagome, it's okay," Miroku tried to assure her, though she seemed far too agitated to care. "Just let him deal with it in his own way. We understand he's alright with it."

"Fine…" she grumbled. "Try these on," she added to Inuyasha, tossing him a bag filled with shirts and pants.

"I will!" He snatched it with a hand before stalking off into his room.

"I was thinking," Sango began in a hushed voice so as to evade Inuyasha's ears. "is this a good plan to go along with? What if Kouga turns on you or what if you can't do it…what if something happens that you reveal too much before he suddenly exposes you? I don't want to sound negative but I'm worried."

"I've thought about it too, but I think that this is the only shot we've got. There are a lot of bad scenarios that I can think of, but I figure we can't let them hold us back." Kagome reasoned, though she didn't sound exactly positive. Rather, she sounded resigned to the fact that there was absolutely no other way out.

"I could offer to help with your, uh…how should I put this…feminine wiles?" Miroku grinned, his violet eyes twinkling rather brightly…

Sango glared at him dangerously while Kagome edged away slightly. She was probably better off without the guidance of Miroku. Miroku's smile faltered upon seeing how irritated Sango was getting.

"Sango if you're jealous, I completely understand –"

"Oh come off it! We all know you just want an excuse to crop a feel. Not that you even need one anyways, considering you do it whenever you please."

"You have wounded me!"

"Stop talking so dramatic," Sango bit out, folding her arms across her chest. He wasn't one to miss the important parts…

Inuyasha suddenly stepped out as Miroku's hand pushed forward to wrap around Sango's butt. A disgusted look crossed his features and he let out a loud "Ew." Kagome nodded her head, unable to contain her agreement. Miroku could be so messed up at times…

"Have a little decency!" Sango shrieked, slapping him on the back of the head, causing Miroku to reel back.

"I don't think I want him helping us," Inuyasha voiced, not liking the way the guy seemed to have bounced right back to get closer to Sango again. "What's he even good for anyways?"

Miroku suddenly snapped out of his perverted thoughts to send an indignant glare at Inuyasha. "I'm plenty helpful! I'm the one who got you to Kagome's apartment that night you were found, you know. Besides, I'm willing to do whatever is necessary." He added, taking on a serious tone.

Inuyasha scrunched his nose, but said nothing further on the subject. Kagome quickly brought up Inuyasha's attired. "It looks good! So the clothes issue is solved, and now it's time for covering up your more prominent features, like the ears and white hair."

"How do you plan on doing that?" Inuyasha questioned cautiously. How exactly were they managing that feat?

Miroku grinned and pulled up the second bag on the couch that had been left behind. "Temporary hair dye!"

Inuyasha's eyes widened before scooting away from Miroku as if he were holding deadly poisons, which in a sense were for his hair…

"No! No way!"

Kagome reached in for one of the hair dye bottles from the bag and brought it up to Inuyasha's face. "We got you black. It'll match your eyebrows, plus it's way more different than white hair. They wouldn't suspect you if they saw you in the street at first glance. And it washes out! Like Miroku said, it's temporary." Kagome peered into the bag. "We got a lot of bottles too. You have a ton of hair, Inuyasha…"

Inuyasha snorted, tossing the bottle back to Kagome who fumbled with it in her hands.

"So?" She asked eagerly.

"Fine."

…

"Are you sure it washes out?"

"Positive," Kagome chirped.

"Let's go try it out!" Sango urged, taking the bag from Miroku while heading over to the bathroom. "Come on, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha grudgingly followed her, Kagome and Miroku trailing not too far behind. Soon all four of them were huddled in the bathroom around Inuyasha who was starting to panic. Everyone was so damn close!

Sango gestured to the toilet, basically telling him to plant his rear down there or else. She then pulled the cap off one of the bottles, setting it down on the counter.

"You have no need to worry. My mom was a hairdresser just to let you know. And all I have to do is spray this, so it's not like it requires much skill! Just cover the white, like coloring a picture inside the lines."

Inuyasha wasn't exactly sure that was a proper analogy…

Sango worked silently for twenty minutes, having used up five bottles already. Kagome and Miroku watched the transformation in awe, already seeing how drastically different he looked with just a change of hair color. Inuyasha mistook Kagome's widening eyes as a look of horror, which he could only mirror.

"What's wrong with it?!" He whimpered, sounding much like a child.

"Nothing!" Kagome and Miroku chorused quickly. Not too convincing on their part…

"All finished!" Sango announced, throwing the last of the bottles away. She hoisted Inuyasha up and shoved him in front of the mirror. His ears immediately flattened against his skull as his jaw dropped in disbelief. He was so…so…different!

Kagome's reflection beamed at Inuyasha's. This was great! He looked very different which meant he'd be pretty convincing once they added the finishing touches.

"We got you a baseball cap and some shades too!" Kagome tugged on his wrist, leading him out of the bathroom. "See?" She clapped the cap atop his head earning an "easy there!" from Inuyasha who mourned for his poor ears. "Perfect."

"'Course you'd say that…" he muttered. His ears twitched. They desperately tried to break free from the cap but Kagome must've had more strength than he thought, for the cap was not budging. Damn.

Sango handed him the shades which he quickly put on. His vision felt distorted. All the vibrant colors were smothered by the tint and it aggravated his senses. Maybe he was just too picky.

"My, my Inuyasha. What a nice transformation." Miroku praised.

"Think so, perv?" Inuyasha mused.

Sango snickered at Miroku's frown.

"We have to test out this theory!" Kagome exclaimed, shrugging on her jacket.

"Theory almost seems too light a word," Inuyasha murmured.

"In any case," Kagome chided. "I'm sure no one will recognize you."

"Let's just pray for that…" Sango mumbled under her breath.

--

Kagome and Sango giggled and gossiped in front of the two men, eating small spoonfuls of their ice cream. Inuyasha glared at the two darkly, wondering how casual and carefree they could be while Miroku had zoomed in on Sango's butt. Those jeans definitely suited her.

"Oi!" Inuyasha suddenly hollered.

Kagome and Sango quickly whipped around, both a crease in their brow – it had been a very important discussion! (if a sweater Kagome had seen went better with jeans or a skirt, if anyone cared to know)

"What?" Kagome responded.

"How is it that you two are so casual about this?! I'm freaking out!" He hissed.

"And that's acting normal how…?" Kagome inquired before quickly shaking her head. "What I mean is, if you act weird, you'll look suspicious. Just stay calm," she gave an encouraging smile before returning to the conversation at hand.

"Women…" Inuyasha grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Beautiful creatures they are," Miroku remarked. Inuyasha raised a brow at this. Miroku smiled. "They are graceful, calm, breath-taking and loving. Nothing satisfies me more than a woman's touch," Miroku sighed. "You should really be grateful for them!"

"…You're pretty odd, perv. I'm keeping an eye on you."

"I speak highly of them! How is that bad?!" He sputtered, quickening his pace to catch up with the hanyou.

"It's creepy," Inuyasha simply responded.

"It's called chivalry." Miroku muttered under his breath. "And for you, it's apparently dead."

Inuyasha snorted. "Never had a use for it."

"I think you should revive it. Especially concerning Kagome. She's doing a lot for you, you know…and she is a beautiful woman, and very kind." Inuyasha felt his eye twitch in annoyance. "…very nice eyes…good hair too…"

"Shut up!" Inuyasha suddenly yelped.

Kagome and Sango suddenly whirled around, shock evident on their faces.

Inuyasha realized his mistake a second too late.

"Sh-Shut up…i-isn't that a…song?" he finished weakly.

"Yeah…" Kagome and Sango drawled before exchanging odd looks and turning around to continue on.

Meanwhile, Miroku couldn't contain his smirk.

"Jealous!" Miroku exclaimed softly in a sing-song voice, a tiny smirk on his face.

Inuyasha had to suppress every urge he had to shut up the stupid pervert. He really knew how to push someone's buttons. He wondered how that Sango girl put up with his… 'more than necessary' actions. It must've been a pain. Besides, he didn't care for Kagome in that way. And he was sick of people telling him he should be 'grateful'. He was! He truly was. But he just didn't know how to express it and just hoped that others could tell…he had a feeling Kagome could…

Ack! Don't think about her! Inuyasha scolded himself.

Suddenly, something pelted his nose before several tiny things hit his face. Looking up, he saw the culprit.

Rain.

He scrunched up his nose in distaste before suddenly remembering something…

His hair! The dye would run out! And it this rate the rain seemed to become harder and faster, more furious as it reigned over the city. People began to run and duck for cover to escape its merciless wrath. As if on cue, Kagome and Sango turned to look at Inuyasha's hair in horror. The black was starting to leak out and small patches of white could be seen.

Miroku quickly snatched Inuyasha's arm as he stood there in a stupor. The four ducked around a corner, praying that no one saw. However, Sango was the last to turn around the corner, hesitantly stopping to turn to glance across the street.

A woman who looked very classy with her designer bag and expensive-looking jacket had her sunglasses hanging limply in her hands, a few inches from her face as if she had suddenly whipped them off. She was staring right at her, her brown eyes holding shock and confusion.

Sango felt like she had seen her before…the glossy, straight black hair…stone brown eyes…smooth features.

And then it hit her.

The lady from the broadcast.

Kikyou.

She had seen them – she knew. Sango felt herself growing pale with fear. She prayed that Kikyou had been too late to actually be sure it was Inuyasha. But if she saw…

On the other side of the street, Kikyou watched a woman staring at her. She had a terrified expression before scrambling around the corner.

Inuyasha…?

AN: Another cliff-hanger! Sort of. What will happen next?! Nobody knows. Except me. And even that's a little sketchy. . .