The bishonen, meanwhile, have (for whatever reason) spilt themselves up too. They still aren't sure exactly where they are nor where they're going or why they are there. Now they're wandering around the camp, looking for signs of life.




***




Isn't it funny how things work? None of us find the guy we're looking for. I run into Inu Yasha right away.




He looks at me warily, a frown on his face, his eyes narrowed.




I can only stare at him. I know now why Juno is so entranced by the half-demon. I have never, in all my eighteen years, seen some one who looks to be part canine. His sensitive ears poke out of his mess of long silvery-white hair. He's dressed in what appears to be a red kimono, a sword sheathed at his side. He's like something I only dreamed I would ever see, something I could hardly believe was standing -living; breathing- right in front of me.




I take a hesitant step towards him. My brain is telling my mouth to say "hello," but, for some reason, I can't. I am in awe at the sight of him and he just stares coldly back at me.




"Who are you and where am I?" He demands.




I make a noise like a little squeak. I can't talk properly and I'm not sure why.




A smile flickers across his face for a moment, then he resumes his staring. "Humans." He mutters sourly. He looks both disheveled and disgruntled standing there in the woods. He must've been bushwhacking (never mind the fact that there's a path) and several twigs are caught in his hair. His arms are folded and one of his fangs is showing.




"Are you trying to insult me, Inu Yasha?" His name slides off my tongue in a pleasing way and I enjoy saying it. I am not easily insulted, nor do I consider myself to be human.




He looks at me through golden eyes, clearly puzzled. What he sees isn't much; a girl with dark hair and eyes, wearing a bright orange t-shirt and jeans (even in the summer, I hate to wear shorts) and carrying a book bag. My hair is wind-blown and tousled and a pair of flip-flops are my choice of footwear.




This is getting nowhere. We just stand and stare at one another. I frown. "Come on."



"Where are we going and why should I go with you?" He makes no move at all, just stands stone still.



"Look, you can't stay here. Every one's waiting for you."



An eyebrow goes up. "Every one?" He questions.


I nod. "Don't you know where you are?"


He shakes his head, causing his silver hair to ripple down his back. "I believe I already asked you that."


I look at him for a moment longer. "Come on...I'll explain on the way..."


His eyebrows knit together, then he shrugs. "Oh well. Let's go."


I lead him back to the porch and who's sitting on the Singing Stairsâ? None other than Laura no Baka, the chode who thinks she's posse material.


Laura no Baka is brushing her hair. She looks up when she hears the gravel crunching under our feet. "What is that thing?" She asks rudely, indicating the half-demon at my side.


Inu Yasha bares his fangs. His golden eyes narrow and he scowls. "What are you that you are such a rude creature?" He growls, "Your 'friend' here is much more respectful."


"That," I inform him quietly, "is Laura. We call her 'Laura no Baka' and she's very self-centered."


The scowl leaves his face and he laughs. "Laura no Baka, eh? Seems appropriate. She is definitely baka if she doesn't know power when she sees it."


"Inu Yasha..." Every time I say his name, I like it more.


Laura glares at me. "What the hell does that mean, PiccoLo? Can't you at least speak English?"


Inu Yasha smiles. "She is a quick one." He remarks.


I laugh.


Laura, however, is not amused. "What the hell?! Tell me what it means! What's so funny?!"


"His name is Inu Yasha." I snicker. He amuses me and I'm beginning to like him.


He wipes one sleeve across his forehead, causing his bangs to stick up funny. "It's hot."


"Want to go swimming?" I ask, "Lake Waletka's still pretty cold right now."


"Okay."


So we tramp back down the path towards the lake, the disgruntled looking baka -not one to be left behind- following us.


Inu Yasha just stripes down to his undergarments, tossing the kimono on the grass. I need to put on my bathing suit, so I tell him to wait on the shore. Laura stares at him as he stands there, all muscles and raw power; his body had been hidden under all that flowing crimson fabric.


I change in the boat house and when I appear in my blue Speedo suit, he's perched in a tree that grows on Waterfront, leaned casually back against the trunk.


"Come on down." I say good naturedly. He climbs back down out of the tree and looks at me. I blush. Bathing suits are not my favorite article of clothing.


We dive into the water and swim around for a while until I hear some one calling my name.


"PiccoLo! PICCOLO!!!!"


"Georgie?" I climb up on the dock. Then I notice who she has with her: Van. "Your Highness..."