Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything, so there.

Before you read… well there's nothing to say really, but, enjoy it!

+ Chapter 7 +

"You graduated med school at 23!" Miroku nearly choked on his drumstick.

Kagome nodded sheepishly.

"So how many times did you skip?" he asked, intrigued.

Her head tilted to the side, "Skip? I never skipped class."

What gave him the impression she did?

He smiled, "I meant how many times did you skip grades/levels?"

She brought her biscuit to her lips and nibbled lightly at it.

"Umm… a couple of times." She mumbled.

"Ah, something tells me you're being modest dear, Kagome"

"No, really" she said, "I only skipped twice… in college… and twice in grade school."

"Whoa, you must be really smart, Kagome." Sango praised.

"A genius" Miroku seconded.

Kagome shrugged, embarrassed by all the attention.

She was almost grateful when Inuyasha insulted her with a, "Keh. She don't look that smart to me." as he stuffed a whole biscuit in his mouth.

Kagome scrunched her face up as crumbs flew from his mouth, "And you don't eat like you're a day over five." She teased.

Well that was kind of a lie… Inuyasha was eating like a fully grown male wilder beast as he had already eaten a full bowl of fried chicken, four biscuits, and two plates of mashed potatoes with gravy, all courtesy of their personal chef, Miroku.

They all snickered at her joke, with the exception of the amusingly offended hanyou, who glared at her.

An amplified boom of thunder resounded within the yacht, and Kagome flinched, gasping sharply. Though it was only raining lightly, the thunder had already begun. Luckily, no one seemed to notice her moment of cowardice, but Inuyasha, who raised an amused eyebrow at her. Fortunately, he didn't comment.

The tides had already shifted because of the approaching storm, and the small yacht was tipping and swaying a little too heavily for her tastes.

The light drizzle had started about two hours ago, waking Miroku and Sango from their nap on the sky deck. Miroku had immediately started preparing their meal after that. By unspoken agreement, the engaged couple wouldn't be informed of the little conversation she and Inuyasha had.

There was no need to get them involved with a situation that shouldn't have been happening in the first place. The fewer who knew, the quicker it would be forgotten, they figured.

And so, they'd been keeping their distance, as agreed upon, but joking with each other as pleasantly as they were with the others.

"So, Kagome, where'd you say you worked?" Sango asked, taking a sip of her Coke.

Kagome shook her head, "No, nowhere, I hadn't found a job yet since graduating."

"Oh."

"Yeah…. Can I ask you guys something?" She asked, seemingly out of the blue.

The three of them looked at each other for a spare second before Sango nodded, smiling at her. "Sure, what is it?"

"I was just wondering, what your plans were, I mean, are you headed somewhere, or..." they were all silent, though she could tell that they were somehow relieved by her question, as they relaxed and resumed eating.

She felt stupid, because no one looked ready to answer her. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business, I was just curious."

"Oh, no, Kagome, it's fine!" Sango rushed to reassure her.

"Yes, there is no need to apologize." Miroku said.

"Feh" scoffed, Inuyasha, as he continued with his meal.

"Ignore him" Sango said with a wave of her hand, "We don't have a plan, exactly, but we do head to the states every few months."

Kagome nodded, "Oh, Can I ask, why the states?"

They looked apprehensive again…

Inuyasha dropped his fork loudly on his plate, "To stock up on shit, why else, wench, now are you done questioning shit that's none of your concern!?"

Kagome's eyes widened, her eyebrows hidden under her bangs. Well she didn't expect that outburst, and she definitely didn't feel like she deserved it either, but she just nodded, and continued eating.

It was obvious he was lying to her; they could—as he put it—"stock up on shit" anywhere. Why did they need to go, specifically, to the states to do it?

If any of it were remotely her business, she would have argued back with him, but it wasn't, even though the purpose of her questioning was because a little part of her, somehow wished it were…

*****

Sad? Why the fuck was she sad!?

After his harmless (well he thought it was harmless) little comment about things not being any of her concern, she'd been shocked, and he expected that. But then…afterwards he'd smelt her sadness, he hadn't expected that.

They'd already argued plenty of times since she'd been here, this time wasn't that different ….at least he didn't think so. He had to be missing something major, something that he just couldn't figure out for the life of him.

She'd been subdued the rest of the night, making him feel super guilty. He just didn't understand the wench, period. Now she had him pacing like a madman in front of the door less threshold to their living room.

She was lazing on the couch, dressed and ready for bed, and he figured that for the sake of their newfound "friendship" he should probably figure out what was really bugging her… and if it were his fault then he'd… apologize.

He didn't want her to be upset…especially at or because of him.

He heard her sigh again making it about the fifth time since his three minute pace, and it motivated him to get in there and get those sighs out of her system.

Right when he stepped through the threshold, at the exact moment his foot hit the wood of the living room, thunder, louder than any of the previous ones had been, ripped through the skies, and with it came a thick sheet of heavy rain that crashed onto the roof of the yacht.

Kagome sat up abruptly, with a small shriek. The boat's sway shifted dramatically, making the experience of riding on a yacht during a storm seem rather intimidating to a less experienced passenger… which Kagome definitely was.

She didn't even notice him watch her, with barely contained laughter as she dove under her sheets, turning herself invisible to the world, and the world invisible to her.

He took advantage of her blindness and crept silently to the light switch and flipped it off.

He almost lost it when he heard her whisper to herself, "Oh no, the lights went out!"

She stayed hidden beneath the sheets that offered pitiful protection form anything.

Before he reached her, lightning illuminated the dark room for a split second, before the boom of thunder was heard again.

She moaned, fearfully "Oh god, oh god, oh go-" she stopped and so did Inuyasha in his advancement.

He could swear he didn't make a sound.

"Inuyasha?" she asked as she slowly brought her beautiful raven-topped head out from under the covers.

He quickly relaxed his body in a way he hoped would convince her he wasn't trying to sneak up on her. How the hell did she know he was coming?

"Yeah" he said.

She blinked at him, "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged dumbly, "Nothing."

Her bewilderment quickly and apparently turned to irritation as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Well if you don't mind, I'd rather cower alone and where no one can see me." And she rather roughly, threw the sheet back over her head, her cute rump sticking out like a mound in the sheets.

He smiled, "What are you so snippy about, bitch?"

"It's nothing" she said abruptly.

"Really?" he asked skeptically.

"Really." She said.

"You sure?" he asked, for the fun of it.

She huffed, "Will you stop asking questions about shit that doesn't concern you!?" she snapped.

He was taken aback by the curse for all of a second, before he sighed, "Well since you went and fucking quoted me, I guess it does concern me."

She didn't answer, but her butt did wiggle a little when more thunder came. He really wanted to reach out at that moment, and pet it. He didn't exactly want to do it for the sexual satisfaction; he just wanted the liberty to touch her like that, even if it were just to soothe her.

"You're such a baka, you know that." She said, her voice muffled from the sheet.

He huffed, "So I've been told, once or twice."

He heard a snort, and smiled genuinely, feeling safe to do so since she couldn't see.

"You laughing?" he asked, as he came around the couch and sat on the arm rest.

"No." she lied.

He rolled his eyes.

"Look if you're that upset about what I said, then, fine I take it back!"

She was quiet for a second before she asked in a little voice, "you do?"

"Well…yeah, why're you so upset about it though? I say shit like that all the time."

She sighed a little guiltily, "I know, I just…I thought…never mind it's stupid"

"Keh, liar"

She didn't take his bait, and he had to admit he was a little disappointed.

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha"

He blanched, his face flushing a little, "What for?"

"For…making you feel bad. Honestly, what you said wasn't what upset me, really."

"Oh yeah?" he asked.

"Yeah" she said softly.

Then he did something that he usually wouldn't have done. Instead of goading, guilting, or baiting he just asked…

"Then what upset you?"

She didn't answer him right away. She was rustling under her blanket, about to come out...

"I--eek" more thunder and swaying.

She dove back under there so fast; he had barely seen the black of her hair before she was back, wrapped in her comfort zone.

"Why does thunder have to make the boat move so roughly?!" she demanded.

His lips quirked in amusement, but he didn't want to outright laugh at her; she probably wouldn't appreciate that very much.

"It's really not as bad as it feels." He told her.

"I severely doubt that, Inuyasha."

"It's actually less scary, outside…well as long as you don't get electrocuted."

She gasped.

"I'm joking" …kinda.

"Sure." She said, sarcastically.

They were silent… "You wanna… see?"

"See?" she asked disbelievingly.

He stood up.

"Yes, as in outside"

"Outside…during the storm?"

"Yup."

"Inuyasha, are you out of your mind?" She asked with complete seriousness.

"I'm just trying to show you that it isn't worth being afraid of."

"Okay, and can you explain to me how on earth going into the heart of that monster outside, will help me?"

He shrugged, "Trust me."

She slowly flipped the sheet off her head.

"Trust you?" she asked, with a sort of endearing look in her eye that made his cheeks warm.

He nodded once.

More thunder, and she jumped, but to his amazement, she didn't dive back under.

"I-I don't know." She said.

He groaned.

He couldn't believe what he was about to say, but he thought it was worth it… the wench probably wouldn't get any sleep otherwise.

He stretched his hand out to her. "Here, climb on my back."

Her eyes widened to a comical size.

"What?"

"Just do it... if it'll make you less afraid to go out there, that is."

"It would, but…are you sure it's a good idea?"

He breathed heavily, "Nope, but you won't want to be here when Miroku and Sango start goin' at it."

She giggled, "Well, what about the whole no-touching thing?"

"It's been three hours; I think I can handle your scent."

She bit her bottom lip, and then nodded, "Okay, then."

She looked at his still outstretched hand, and slowly retrieved hers from under the sheet.

As soon as he saw it, he didn't waste any time; he grabbed it and hauled her over his back in one quick move.

"Whoa." She breathed her disorientation.

He smirked cockily.

"Besides, if you see me get all wild and start humping things, you'll know to run." He half joked.

She giggled lightly as she righted herself on his back. "Thanks for the heads up." She whispered in his fuzzy ear.

It wiggled under her breath, sending sparks of sensation, bursting down his spine. He hoped against hope, that she hadn't felt him tremble.

"Keh, hold on as tight as you can" was his last warning.

She hadn't been able to ask why, before he was racing to the nearest exit.

His fierce speed had her clinging to him like a baby monkey.

The feel of her soft body pressed so tight to him is what made him realize that this might not have been one of his brightest ideas. He could feel every curve and crevice lodged snugly on his back.

He realized, with no small amount of horror, that she wasn't even wearing a bra. The bumps of her nipples were flattened against his rippling muscles, as he ran down the narrow hallways, easily avoiding any obstacles.

They ran past a hallway mirror, showing him a flash of white that was Kagome, and he wanted to dump her and forget the whole idea. Kagome in a white nightgown with no bra… plus rain…. equals an erection the size of a baseball bat.

He slowed down as they neared the exit, still running, but not as fast.

Because there was just no way he was going out with her like that. His mind worked with what he could tell her. Could he really just say, 'Hey I know you aint got no bra on, cuz I could feel your hard nipples on my back, so you put something on, if you know what's good for you'?

Thank the gods; she tugged on the material at his shoulder.

"Wait, Inuyasha." She said.

He didn't need to be told twice. He halted completely, and removed his arms from underneath her knees, making her land with a thud on her feet.

"I should put on a jacket, or something, first."

He didn't answer her, he just walked a few steps down the hallway, to a wooden double-door closet where he took out a purple hoodie that belonged to Sango.

"This should be good enough, it's still warm outside." He said handing it to her.

She slipped it on with a grateful smile. After zipping it up and pulling the hood over her head, she held her arms out to him, like a child waiting to be picked up. He managed to suppress a smile as he turned his back to her and crouched a little, allowing her to climb.

She tightened her hold on him when another round of thunder boomed. The sound was even louder this time since they stood right before the exit.

He walked to the door, and with each step he took, her hold on him tightened. He was eternally grateful to the thick barrier the sweater created.

"It's less scary outside, right?" she asked, her voice ranking high on the panic scale.

He smirked. "Yeah"

"Okay…" she said nervously.

"We don't have to do this, you know."

"I know… but if I don't piss myself, I think I might actually enjoy it."

He nodded, "Alright, here we go." He warned, and he unlocked the door, easily controlling it against the harsh wind that fought to push it wide open.

Tiny droplets of rain flew in their face, like a mist.

"Hold on, okay." He said "Here's the fun part."

"Okay." She said.

He braced himself to spring, "By the way, how big a fan are you of roller coasters?"

She lifted her head from his shoulder, looking at him quizzically. "I love them, Inuyasha. Why?"

"Good, then you'll really enjoy this."

She held on tighter at his words, and all the muscles he'd tensed, just burst in a show of power as he sprang out the door.

*****

He was so graceful.

Inuyasha shot like a dart as he ran beneath her, radiating confidence in his movements, and she couldn't help but trust him completely.

At first, she couldn't even bring herself to open her eyes. But then… curiosity sparked as the rain sprayed on her face in tiny wet kisses, and the wind swept her hair up in a jumbled mess. So much for the hood…

She'd taken a daring peek, and was amazed at how everything blurred past them in night-darkened shadows. She felt brave enough to bring her head from his shoulder, all together, and watched disbelievingly at where he was running them.

They were leaping on the furniture!

He took them atop the tables, chairs, and lounge sofas, miraculously, not breaking, or even disturbing them. She barely felt them land, before they were up again, flying to the nearest thing stable.

They moved with both speed and grace, and it felt as if she hadn't known the meaning of the words until then. Her stomach dropped, as they plummeted and she gripped him tighter, but not with fear this time… with exhilaration and excitement.

A wide smile bloomed across her face, as she looked ahead of them. They were running on an empty bar's countertop, and the next stable thing to land on was a tiny table that was a good distance away.

Even with his incredible speed and strength, the chances that he would land on it looked pretty slim…but still… she couldn't wait till he tried. She held on tight to him, anticipating the leap he would make any second now.

Her smile widened, her guts twisting with enthusiasm. She reached her hand around his head, and smoothed his wet bangs back so he could see better and the water wouldn't drip into his eyes.

He grunted in appreciation, lengthening his strides, before he sprang… no, he flew.

In mid air, Kagome had never felt such pure delight in her entire life. As if she were really on a roller coaster that was about to take a daring plunge, she unwrapped her arms from around his neck, and threw them in the air.

"Whooooo!" she couldn't help but enthuse, followed by her joyous laughter.

It was like slow motion, waiting to see if they would make it to the other side.

Inuyasha kicked his legs out, one at a time and he did it with a smug grunt. They served their purpose in helping prolong their suspension. Then, they landed hard on the table in a crouch with Inuyasha breathing heavily, and Kagome trying to stifle her giggles.

When they were absolutely still, it was like the rain had just begun pouring because it was then that they really started to feel and hear it.

He still held her by the legs when she brought her arms back around his neck.

"Wow." She breathed. "…I barely noticed the thunder."

He chuckled once…and then again, making her giggle along with him.

He stood up, and stepped off the table, landing on his tip toes, making her realize for the first time that he was as barefoot as she was. How he'd managed to perform those miraculous stunts without slipping, she'd never know.

He carried her beneath the awning over the door, making sloppy noises as he stepped in puddles. Once they were protected from the rain, he released her knees and she reluctantly slid off his warm body.

Next to them, were the white towel stack from before and she took one for each of them.

He took it with a ghost of a smile of gratitude on his lips, and they dried themselves in silence.

"Thanks for that, Inuyasha, I feel much better now" She said sweetly.

"Keh, I told you so, and you doubted me." He reached out to grasp the doorknob, and pulled it open for her to step through first.

She went through with a smile, "Actually, it's because I trusted you that I came."

"Keh" she heard him say behind her. She turned around and waited as he locked the door behind him.

He looked a little surprised to find her standing there, looking so patient, just to have him walk beside her.

She only continued, once they were shoulder-to-shoulder.

"So it wasn't so bad, huh?" He asked conversationally.

She shook her head, unzipping the hoodie as they approached the closet Inuyasha had gotten it from. Before removing it completely, though, she checked to make sure her nightgown wasn't soaked through, as she had feared would happen.

Luckily, it was only damp, and didn't hug her skin at all.

"It was better than 'not so bad', Inuyasha" she said, hanging it back up. "It was probably… the most exhilarating experience of my life."

He smiled. "Keh, you need to get out more."

They began their leisurely paced walking again. "Like you're one to talk, Mr. Live-On-Yacht man" She joked.

"I'm not here by choice, bitch." He didn't say it angrily or anything, but the comment gave her pause, fortunately it wasn't a noticeable one.

"Then..." she said, inquiringly, "Why are you here?"

She really hoped he wouldn't call her out, or be offended by the question because that was the last thing she wanted to do after the fun they'd just had.

"Because…" he began, and she was glad when his voice didn't sound harsh. "Because, the outside world is too much for us to deal with"

She stared up at him, considering his words, and for some reason, the night at the docks came to her mind. The night Kouga, her "bounty hunter" ex-boyfriend, had tried to kill him… could he be living on the yacht because he was in some kind of danger that he couldn't deal with?

Could Kouga still be after him, and he isn't able to live on land because it would be too risky?

She tried real hard not to let the distress of her thoughts show on her face, so she cleared her throat before she asked…

"But…don't you ever miss it?"

"I used to, but we've been living this way for three years now, so I'm used to it. Besides, what is there to miss?"

She looked at him sadly, "Didn't you have anyone special to you, or a family?"

A dark look crossed his features, but was gone as quickly as it had come. "Keh, no"

She wished he would've divulged more into the topic, but he didn't, either because he didn't want to, or because they had already reached the living room entrance.

"Well, this is you." He said, facing her.

Despite the mood, she smiled, "It feels like you're dropping me home after a date."

"You consider that a date? You really do need to get out more."

She giggled, and shoved his shoulder lightly.

"Sadly, it was better than any date I've ever been on." She said.

He looked at her charmingly for a moment, before looking away and disappointing her to no end.

"So, you gunna be able to sleep now, or are you still too afraid?"

She lifted an eyebrow, alluringly, "Would you stay if I told you I was?"

"I'd run before I couldn't say no."

"Don't worry," she said, "I think I could handle it…though I usually prefer going to bed with the TV on, but I can't because the power's out."

He looked contrite, "About that…" he reached an arm around the corner of the threshold and flipped the switch, illuminating the large room.

Her jaw dropped, in confusion.

"I turned it off because I wanted to scare you." He confessed.

She looked like she wanted to yell at him, but then she just breathed deeply, as if she were too tired to deal with it.

"Baka" Was all she said.

He smirked, toothily.

Then, she couldn't help it, even though it was taking a giant leap from the zone of friendship they'd created…

"Forgive me" was her last warning before she reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him close.

What the hell did he wear that made him smell so good, and what, did it really last twenty-four hours?

She didn't want to let him go, and she barely heard him say "uh…" awkwardly before one arm went across the small of her back.

Just before the hug got awkwardly long, she let go, with a reluctant sigh.

"Goodnight, Inuyasha." She said, and without waiting for a response, she walked into her room as quickly as possible.

Despite the ruckus of thunder, and the frightening sway of the yacht, she went to sleep soundly that night.

A/N- As always….

"Thank you so so very much" she said to all of her amazing reviewers, and to all who haven't, "Please do review!" She begged sweetly. =]