Many thanks once again to (I bet you can guess) misslovable, for putting up with my silly mistakes, for staying up late waiting for me to finish my chapter and for giving me ideas and tips. If this were an actual book I'd give you 20 percent profit (Hehe, if I even make any.)

Disclaimer: You know it, I know it, Inuyasha doesn't belong to me.

Chapter Twelve

Falling Hard

"This is bliss!" Ayame sighed, laying down on the grass and gazing up at the sakuras. "We couldn't have chosen a better day to have a hanami."

"Uhuh," agreed Sango, she relaxed beside Ayame, her arms folded behind her head.

"You know, it'd be helpful if you two lazy inhabitants could help set up." Kagome admonished, standing in front of the girls with a stern face and crossed arms in a very Inuyasha like way.

"Don't worry, lovely Sango!" Miroku called gallantly, from a few metres away, "I will set it all up for you. You relax and look beautiful like you always do!"

Upon hearing this, Sango stood up and determinedly started unfolding the picnic blanket in the shade of a tree, ignoring the crestfallen expression on Miroku's face.

Ayame took the hint in Kagome's glare and stood up hurriedly. She rushed over to Kouga and helped him to unpack the basket, courtesy of the resort. It was filled to the brim with rice balls, sushi and fruits that were in season, such as strawberries, pears, mangos and cherries.

It was May 1st; the third day of Golden Week and the group had decided to have a picnic under the sakura trees - suggested by the girls, the guys had just about no say in the matter.

Not that Kouga really minded, it was the ideal place to spend time with Ayame. Miroku was eager to see if he could spot any wandering females around the resort and Sango felt it was her duty to keep him from going too far. And of course, it was the perfect atmosphere to do some match-making for everyone's favourite soon-to-be pair.

Kagome looked on in satisfaction, then (deciding to be a hypocrite), she sat down beneath a tree, propping her elbows on her knees and her palms under her chin, and she continued watching. No one seemed to notice; at least she thought so until she heard a snicker from above and craned her neck to spot Inuyasha sitting on the branch above.

"You practically order them to help and then skip out? I never knew you had it in you." He commented, smirking as if in approval.

"Look who's talking." She shot back. That was kinda lame.

"I am." He replied cockily, not looking at her. She smiled, relieved that his comeback was just as immature as hers.

Kagome decided to veer the topic away from a budding fight, "You still owe me a ride."

"I was too tired after eating, particularly since we skipped lunch," he faced her and added, "Again."

"So you weren't in the mood?" she found it hard to believe that Inuyasha ever got tired, especially after nine bowls of ramen.

He nodded seriously. "Digesting takes energy."

"Fair enough, how about tonight then?"

"Weren't we supposed to do stargazing tonight?" he pointed out.

"Tomorrow then?"

"The monk brought some fireworks and was hoping to use them tomorrow, I don't think he can handle them on his own."

They both glanced at Miroku, as he tripped over the basket and sprawled on top of Sango who had been bending over the picnic blanket to straighten it out. Needless to say, she wasn't pleased. A resounding smack filled the air. Kagome giggled, despite the evident pain showing on Miroku's face, Inuyasha's smirk grew.

"How about the night after then?" she inquired, getting back to the topic.

Inuyasha took a fleeting look at the sky before answering with a, "We'll see." more to himself than her.

Kagome shrugged, it didn't seem like she was about to pin him down anytime soon.

Another whack was heard as Miroku stumbled again and miraculously landed in a spot similar to the first, Kagome sighed and stood up. "Come on Inuyasha, looks like they need our help." She reached up and grasped his hand, her sisterly instincts coming forth once again, and all but pulled him from the tree. Kagome walked towards the group with an oddly obedient Inuyasha in tow, she lowered her head so that her hair covered her reddening cheeks.

With the help of Kagome's 'organization', they managed to set up lunch without much more hassle. After saying the usual Itadakimasu, the group dug in as if they hadn't eaten for days. The fresh air combined with the stress of the preparation, (caused mainly by Miroku) made them ravenous.

They managed to utter some polite conversation while eating but the real talking was to happen later.

"Are we going to be sitting under the trees after eating?" Inuyasha asked, getting bored.

"I guess so, since we were supposed to be relaxing yesterday, but unfortunately," Ayame glanced at Inuyasha pointedly, "There was an unfortunate incident and we didn't get the chance."

The discreet signals consisting of nudges, pinching and kicks took place and Kouga quickly made up an excuse to leave.

"Uh… Ayame! There's something by the mountains I really wanted to show you before!" This was actually the truth, but the enthusiasm in his voice made Kagome suspicious, Inuyasha however, was as oblivious as ever.

"Are you alright Kouga?" she asked concerned.

"Yeah! Why wouldn't I be?" He replied as Ayame grasped his elbow and yanked him up.

"Let's go! I'm sure whatever you wanted to show me won't wait!"

Kagome was still wary, "Why don't we all go?"

"NO!" the wolf couple said at once, they looked at each other in alarm. Kagome was taken aback.

"Ano…What I mean is that…it's kind of a thing I wanted to do with my girlfriend thing…" Kouga stuttered, dodging eye contact.

"Oh I see!" Miroku exclaimed, wiggling his eyebrows for added affect. Sango hit him upside the head.

"Stop thinking about stuff like that!" Sango scolded. This caused both Kagome's and Inuyasha's attention to draw to them, letting Ayame and Kouga sneak away.

"Your right," Miroku sighed; Sango's eyes widened a fraction until she heard his next statement. "I think I should go for a walk to clear my head! Maybe there are some hot springs around here with bathing beauties!"

"Hentai!" Sango yelled, hitting him repetitively with random picnic utensils (the basket included) as he dashed away with her in hot pursuit.

Inuyasha and Kagome watched dumbfounded, both amazed at Miroku's apparent will to die in Sango's hands. Little did they know that the little scene was more or less scripted. In Ayame's words – 'All part of the plan…'

"They seem to be leaving us alone a lot lately, and here I was at the beginning of the trip, expecting to spend next to no time with you." Kagome said, starting to pack up.

"Same here, I just came for the ramen." Kagome smiled at that, "I guess they wanted to leave all the clearing up to us." He muttered, none too happily.

"You're not so bad after all." They both froze, shocked that they had said the same thing at the same moment. There was silence and before she knew it Kagome spoke of something that had been bugging her for a while. Though why it had to come out then she had no idea.

"Not that it's any of my business but, I've always wondered why you went out with Kikyo, she's so serious and indifferent, you…you're wild and you care, you hide it well, but I can tell you care…Why did you both seem to click?"

She expected Inuyasha to clam up, storm away, snap at her, and for a second, that was what it seemed like he was about to do. It shocked her when he replied.

"I kind of thought about that myself when we were going out." They had finished clearing up so they both made a silent agreement to take up the positions they were in before. Inuyasha sat on the tree, while Kagome sat under it. Inuyasha continued, "I think the love I had for Kikyo…" Inuyasha paused as they both took in the severity of that single word.

Love.

Kagome flinched slightly at the word. It ran that deep.

"It began as a chase, you know? Remember all those girls I used to go out with?" he glanced down and saw her nod mutely, "Well, she wasn't one of them. She was ice, I was fire. A chaser. Or so I thought. Once I caught her though, I couldn't let go so easily. I don't know…

"Over time I think it was more out of respect for her, she hadn't had the easiest of lives, you wouldn't believe some of the responsibility she had, and it was as if she saw the world from a different viewpoint. Something about that, for some reason…" he stopped and looked at Kagome who hadn't moved.

Why am I even telling her about about this?

Kagome bit her lip and stared at a floating cherry blossom, Does anyone in this world have an easy life? Inuyasha… if only you knew the responsibility, the burdens that I carry. If only you knew, would you feel the same way about me? She ducked her head, forcing her eyes shut.

I've fallen for him…hard.

I had to do this on a deadline (because of my grouchy – but wonderful - editor) so it's a little rushed. There'll be more about Inuyasha and Kikyo's relationship in the next chapter and yes, I'm sure I made some of you happy that Kagome finally admitted it, even if it was only to herself. A little bit of OOC when it comes to Inuysha, but he's kinda been more open throughout my whole story anyway. I just got back from camp (surfing + rock-climbing is tiring) so I might sleep now. Night everyone!

Read & Review!

Glossary:

Hanami – Cherry blossom viewing parties (picnics in this case) under the cherry blossom trees

Ja ne!

Cat