Wow... Chapter 10 already? xD This story is getting really fun to write. It's like my pastime now. I hope I'm updating fast enough for you! Another note to another 'anonymous' person: Episode 167 is the last one, then the fourth movie, Crimson Horai Island (the Japanese title). As for if Kagome and InuYasha stay together, I'm not going to say because that would be spoiling it. ;D

Chapter 10

"NOW, wench!"

"But why?

"Because I said so, that's why!", said InuYasha thrusting the object being argued about into Kagome's hands.

"Ugh. Fine, I'll make you the stupid ramen," Kagome sighed, "And InuYasha?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"SIT BOY!"

"AUGHH!"

InuYasha was slammed into the ground facefirst thanks to the rosary around his neck.

"What the hell'd you do THAT for?" he yelled at Kagome.

"Because, you're being a jerk."

"I am NOT being a jerk! Now make me that ramen, woman!"

Kagome sighed again and rubbed her temples. She figured she might as well, since they'd only argue about it more if she didn't. She began to boil the water.

---

InuYasha slurped his ramen noisily, as usual. Kagome stared at him, wondering how he could fit so many noodles into his mouth at once.

"Ahhhhhh," InuYasha said as he finished.

Kagome rested her head on her palm and sighed a third time.

"How is it that you say my cooking is terrible, but you like when I make ramen?"

" 'Cause all you do's cook it, not make it."

"Whatever." Kagome closed her eyes.

'Why? Why did I fall in love with HIM of all people?' she asked herself. 'He's rude, he's arrogant, he's too proud for his own good, he's noisy, and jealous, and he goes to see Kikyo behind my back, and I love him anyway. But why?' she questioned herself again. 'I guess it's because he's so protective of me... And beneath that tough guy facade, he can be really sweet sometimes. I mean, he says he thinks of me as nothing more than a jewel dectector, but sometimes... Sometimes I think otherwise. I wish he was like that all the time.'

---

"Damn it! I hate it when I'm like this!" yelled the newly black-haired InuYasha, clawing at the air with his short fingernails.

"Deal with it InuYasha, me, Sango, and Miroku are like this every day, you're only human on the night of the new moon," Kagome said to him.

"Yeah, well you humans are pathetic."

"You know, you really have no right to say that, considering that you are one at the moment."

InuYasha looked at himself. He had already forgotten he was in human form. He hated when he was mortal, his sense of smell was pathetic, the hearing of his human ears was terrible, he was a much slower runner, and he had no claws nor would Tetsusaiga transform for him. He always felt so weak. He sat down beside Kagome.

"How the heck do you deal with being like this every day?" he asked her.

"Well, I've been this way forever, so I guess I'm used to it," Kagome replied.

"Feh. How do you humans hear anything with these?" InuYasha asked, gesturing at his human ears.

"Like I just said, we're used to it. Just because we don't have your superhuman hanyou hearing, smell, and speed doesn't make us any less as people. Plus, your sight is the same as ours. Speaking of which... There's something that's been tugging at the back of my mind for almost forever. Do-- Do you see in black and white?" Kagome asked, pointing to his eyes.

"I see in color, thank you," InuYasha said, swatting her hand away, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's just that, well, dogs see in black and white, and considering that you're half dog demon, you know, I just..."

"Whatever, wench," he said, looking away.

They were silent for a while, until Kagome said, "The stars are really pretty tonight. With no moon, they're so bright."

She leaned up against InuYasha.

"Huh?" he said softly to himself, and, unmoving, he fixated his stare on Kagome, and blushed, "Yeah... Sure. They're bright all right."

InuYasha automatically put an arm around Kagome, causing her to blush. She smiled a little, shifted, and leaned into him more. He rested his chin on her head, making her blush harder and smile larger. She absentmindedly reached up to the top of his head, but pulled her hand back in surprise, remembering his hanyou ears were gone.

---

"They look so good together," Shippo observed.

"Yeah, they really do," Sango added.

"Indeed," Miroku agreed.

The three had left InuYasha alone, knowing he was always touchy on his human nights. Then Kagome had gone over to him from camp, and they talked. Miroku, Shippo, and Sango had seen the whole thing. Sure they didn't have InuYasha's hearing, but they could pretty much see what was going on.

"I wonder if Kagome-chan will ever tell him?" Sango wondered.

"That, my dear Sango, is a question only she can answer," Miroku answered, continuing to watch Kagome and InuYasha and stroking Sango's backside.

Sango blushed, then narrowed her eyes.

A loud slapping sound resonated through the forest.

Shippo yawned.

"Shippo, it's late. Why don't you go to bed?" Sango suggested.

"O-kay," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

He walked back to camp and settled down in Kagome's sleeping bag. Sango and Miroku continued their spying.

---

The next day, InuYasha was back to his normal half demon state. Kagome was glad. His ears were back. She showed her happiness by rubbing them and tweaking them over and over again, much to the annoyance of InuYasha. But he scowled and bore it, if it made Kagome happy.

The group was walking along a pathway when suddenly InuYasha stopped. He sniffed the air.

"What's wrong, InuYasha?" Shippo asked him.

"That... That scent. It's... Kikyo."

Kagome instantly tensed up at the mention of the name.

---

A/N: Okay, a little cliffie for your pleasure and great annoyance. Chapter 11 will be up in a soon, just give me a while, I've got Hurricane Rita troubles. Don't worry too much, I'll be all right, just try not to kill me when I get back for not updating, okay : ) I hope this chapter is long enough to last you for a while. Until then, sayounnara!