Title: Her Iron Curtain

Official Summary: Playboy, Inuyasha Takahashi, was less than thrilled when his parents forced him to live in a secluded and quiet small town for the summer. He could be partying right now! It also didn't help that he'll be living with such a reserved roommate, Kagome Higurashi - who for some reason needed to be covered at all times. It seems, the more he tried to crack her barrier, the more she hid from him. Why?

Rated: Mature (So please, read at your own discretion)

Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha and the many other characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.

A/N: Wow! It's already chapter 10 guys! Eep! The good parts are coming and I can't wait to write 'em! I didn't expect to develop their relationship for this long, but yeah! Anyway, I'm busy packing again, so this is not really edited well! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter anyway!

I'll be on vacation from tomorrow up to next Saturday so no updates until then.. and I sadly won't finish this story before school starts T_T. Boohoo, but I'll still finish!

Chapter Ten

I watched as numerous children ran around. Some girls played with my hair, while the rest poked and touched me, running off giggling and hiding in corners as they peeked their little heads in. The boys ran up to me and asked me questions on how to accomplish a prank secretively and successfully. Sitting with wide eyes as they took in every word.

When Kagome pulled up in front of the orphanage, I immediately regretted ever forcing her into this second chance. This was clearly her way of getting back at me.

When I first saw the little devils I was honestly terrified, but once you get their respect and attention, they can actually keep still. I obviously took most of the attention today for more than two-thirds of the children stuck to me. The other third was with Kagome as they painted with some canvases.

Okay, maybe I am enjoying my stay here a little too much. Even if I can only talk to Kagome when I needed something, I was actually enjoying our little 'date'!

"Do you have any crush here Onii-chan?" A little girl asked, her face as red as a tomato's as the girls around her gasped and nodded their heads, urging me to answer.

I nodded my head yes, my eyes fixed on my answer.

"Ew!" The boys groaned, scattering all over the place.

"Now, now, it's just a tiny admiration. Nothing more," I chuckled. Men, were these kids a handful.

"What do you admire about her?" Another asked, looking at me like her life depended on my answer.

"Well," I began, taking one of the smallest girls and putting her on my lap, "she's unlike anyone I've met."

"Is she from Mars?" Asked the other boy who was one of the few that stayed.

"She might as well should be," I laughed.

"Is she as pretty as flowers?" Another one asked, shoving a flower to my face, "I heard women smelled like flowers! Does she smell like this?"

I gently brushed the plant away from my face and sneezed, "No, definitely not and I haven't seen her face before, so-"

"Oh, like onee-chan!" One chimed, proud of herself for the accurate comparison.

"Yeah, like her," I said carefully, afraid of how clever these kids are. I racked my brain of a new topic before they start telling Kagome I loved her, "okay you kids, break's over. Let's get back to painting!"

I urged and to be honest, I was also excited as well. I haven't touched a brush in years and it felt good to finally paint freely. I outlined the flower I just drew with a pencil with black paint and told the children to color it pink, because the last time I gave them freedom to choose the color they made a grey sun.

I looked around the outside, looking for Kagome. I noticed that none of her kids or herself have stepped foot on the concrete floor. It was later I found out that her kids were not confident enough and was 'practicing'. If I knew better, those kids won't lay a brush on this mural.

I looked at one girl who kept staring at me but still refuses to come near me or talk to me. And when I try to go to her, she runs away and sticks her tongue out.

I smiled at her warmly, she's like a mini-Kagome. I signalled her to me and she obeyed shyly.

"I need to find your onee-chan, so I'm leaving you in charge," I said and chuckled when I saw how serious her expression was. She was clearly taking this order to heart. "After you guys are done with those flowers. Ummm, make sure that they are solid colors but different okay sweetheart?" I asked and she nodded, her ears almost blowing out steam. I chuckled, "After that, tell the others I put you in charge and tell them to dip their hands on any paint color and place it anywhere inside this green circle, okay Mika?" I asked, rubbing her tiny head. Her cheeks flared and she nodded vigorously as she kept her eyes on the ground. "Thank you, I'll be back."

I made sure the kids had atleast three sisters watching over them before I left so I had nothing to worry about. I moved in the classroom where I found Kagome's kids practising on some canvases.

She was guiding a little girl's hand as they made a crooked circle. I went towards her and leant close to her ear, "That's a beautiful picture."

She dropped the kid's hand, making the little girl drop her brush and make an ugly streak on her art work. "Inuyasha! You scared me!" Kagome said, clutching her chest.

"And yes, it is beautiful, Cali's making a lady bug," she emphasized lady bug because, let's face it, that looks more like a pizza.

"Not anymore!" Cali suddenly yelled, tears rolling down her eyes as she struggled to put words out of her mouth. "You ruined my picture!"

Kagome immediately turned her around and soothed her, telling her that she can always make a new one. The little girl nodded but you could tell she was still upset by her small sobs and hiccups. Guilt ate up at me and I couldn't help but do something about it.

I took her from Kagome's hold and held her in my arms, "Why that lady bug is as cute as a button," she looked up at me, her cries getting quiet, "like it's painter. I bet you a little tweaking can fix it." I urged, touching her on the nose when I said button making her giggle and bury her face in my neck due to embarrassment.

Kagome moved away from the seat to allow me to sit and guide Cali's hand as we fixed the image.

"Now, isn't that better than the original?" I asked, mocking Kagome pathetic circle.

"Yes," she squeaked.

"Now, why don't you run along and help the others outside, I think you're ready!" I encouraged, making her jump up and run where I told her to.

"Wow, even little girls find you irresistable," Kagome said, picking up the brush and going to the sink to rinse it.

"What can I say, I'm just too adorable," I explained, giving her my puppy eyes.

"Uh-huh, charming," she said, fighting a smile from forming on her face, "I've got to say, you really changed my views on you. I had no idea you could be this responsible. I mean, Cali's the most shy in this orphanage. It was even hard for me to get close to her at first. I took 2 weeks and you only took 2 seconds to win her favor."

"I think it's more to do with the activity," I said, shrugging, "it's something I love doing so I know what they should do in order for everything to work."

"Somehow, I don't think that's it," she said. I waited for her to elaborate but she just changed the subject and turned around, "anyway, I'll check up on the kids outside, you stay here and help the kids gain confidence so they'll join the others."

I rubbed my hands together. "Easy as pie."

As she left, I saw a small boy that kind of looked familiar follow her and cling to her feet.

I didn't think much of it and focused the task at hand. By the time I finished looking around the kid's paintings, I was pumped, because they were talented, I mean for kindergardeners to paint inside the lines, that's amazing and I wasn't afraid to praise them about it. I looked around, satisfied with myself, one more kid and I'd have them all out painting in the murals.

"Good job!" I said, almost laughing at my cheesyness, "now go help the others before they finish!"

He gave a lopsided grin and off he went. I moved to clean up inside when a small figure captured my attention, it was the kid that was following Kagome. He looked around, allowing me to study his face and notice that he was the little squirt at the festival. I watched him move to the bags and cocked a brow when I saw him digging inside Kagome's bag.

"Tsk, tsk," I said, going to him, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him up, "you never learn do you?"

"Ah!" He shrieked, surprised by my presence as he waved his arms and legs around. "Let me go! I need to get something!"

"You mean steal, don't you?" I corrected, shaking my head in disapproval.

"No, they told me to get the camera," he said and I gave him a distrusting look. Why would Kagome make a small child take her things? It just doesn't sound right.

"Sure they did. Now what did I tell you about liars?" I asked, facing him.

"That-" he sobbed, trying to wipe a tear quickly with the back of his hand, "their tongues - gets - chopped-"

He didn't finish the sentence because he bawled and cried his little lungs off.

"Now-"

"Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled, taking the sobbing child out of my hands and cuddling him. "What are you doing?"

"He was taking the camera from your bag," I ratted, giving her a disapproving look for comforting a child when he's clearly done something wrong.

She ignored me for a second and calmed the child down. After a few seconds, he was good and was told to go outside.

"What are you doing treating a child like that?" She lectured, struggling to keep her voice down.

"Like I said, he was going to steal the camera out of your bag."

"Now why would you think that?" She asked. "He was taking it because I asked him too. The kids were getting too rowdy because of your freaking brilliant idea and I wanted to capture the moment but at the same time, I had to control the kids so I let him."

"Why would you?" I asked.

"Because we're family and families trust each other," Kagome said, huffing.

"I'm sorry," I said, already knowing I was in the wrong.

"You shouldn't be saying sorry to me," she said, pointing to the door.

"Like I didn't know that already," I murmured walking out the door.

Once I got outside, everyone was lined up in a perfect line as they each took turns in marking the wall with their hands. One sister watched the line, one told them to choose a color, another carried the kids and the last three cleaned their hands.

I've got to say, this painting is going better than I ever imagined in my head.

"Thanks to you, everyone will have a piece of themselves in this project," a sister said, giving me an admirable look.

I smiled back nodding. Seeing as the sister was getting tired or carrying the kids, I took charge and lifted them where they wanted to paint. When it came to Shippo, he cowered behind Kagome, but Kagome urged him to join in, so he did.

"Hey little man," I said, my voice gentle, "sorry about earlier."

"It's Shippo," he said, picking a bright orange as his color.

He chose a spot and I lifted him up.

"I forgive you," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder, "and thanks for not ratting me out from the festival," he whispered.

I smirked, "Did they like the sweets?"

"Yup," he nodded, "we pretended that sister bought it so don't tell them you did or they'll know we lied - I mean -"

I laughed loudly, "Some lies are okay you know and the one you two did was a good lie."

He nodded, smiling brightly, "Thanks mister."

"It's Inuyasha," I said, rubbing his head as I set him off. When I looked forward, I caught Kagome's eyes on me, her lips in a gentle smile. A smile formed on my lips automatically, feeling a little more energized.

"Okay, next!" I said, a smile formed on my lips automatically, feeling more energized.

End of Chapter Ten