Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all the glory and wonderfulness that go along with it does not, unfortunately, belong to me. Inuyasha belongs to the all powerful Rumiko Takahashi, who ought to be worshipped.

Chapter One: Inuyasha's Decision and Hojou's Blunder

*Inuyasha's time*

Miroku and Inuyasha were walking along the path from Kaede's hut to Kagome's well. Kagome had been gone for five days to take her tests and the whole gang was anxious for her arrival. Usually everyone went along to go pick up Kagome but today, for some reason, only Miroku and Inuyasha were going. Inuyasha had a feeling that Miroku had asked everyone else to stay behind and he was eager to find out why.

"So Miroku, what's the deal?" Inuyasha asked.

"What do you mean Inuyasha?"

"Why is it that only you and I are going and not everyone else? Normally Shippou would be running ahead of us and even Sango and Kirara would be excited but today they seemed almost indifferent. I think it has something to do with you, monk so spill it."

"Well, truth be told, there is something I wanted to talk to you about in private before Kagome came."

"So you told everyone to stay behind, huh?"

"Yes. What I want to talk about though is, well." Miroku paused. How could he just bring it up? Inuyasha was pretty sensitive to things like this, any talk of Kagome besides her being used as a shard detector usually brought on an argument.

"What is it?" Inuyasha asked a bit angrily. He didn't like that something was up, and he had a feeling it was related to Kagome. He usually avoided talking about her. He tried not to think about her sometimes too, it was just too weird. He didn't like thinking about Kagome the way he thought about Kikyou.

Miroku stopped walking and turned to Inuyasha. "Well, I think that, maybe you should declare your feelings to Kagome. I think."

Inuyasha looked at the monk spitefully. Declare his feelings?

"What feelings?"

"Well, your feelings of.love." Miroku answered slowly. Inuyasha knew exactly what feelings. Miroku wanted to have a frank discussion, not beat around the bush like this. "Look Inuyasha," the monk started again as Inuyasha stared at him in disbelief. "Everyone knows there is something between you two. We can all see it, even Shippou."

"Wait a minute, Shippou said something? And why would you all be talking about something that's my business? Deal with your own things, keep outta mine!" Inuyasha began to walk away. Why would they talk about his business? In love with Kagome, no way! They were just friends, just traveling companions. It didn't matter that he wanted to protect her, that he felt better when she was around. It didn't matter that her scent made him feel better instantly. No! Inuyasha thought to himself. Thoughts like that just aren't true! I am NOT in love with Kagome!

"Come on, Inuyasha. It's obvious! You fight better when she's around, almost like you don't realize your full strength unless she's here. If something happens to her, even a scratch during a battle, you go crazy."

"I only fight better because she tells me where the shards are in a demon and I can take 'em down." He explained gruffly.

"What about the battles you've had with Sesshomaru? Or what about when you were fighting that wolf demon back when you pushed Kagome down the well? We thought you were in serious danger until you could smell her. All of a sudden your skills were enhanced and soon that demon was gone."

"What's your point? That doesn't make me in love with her."

"No, that's just a sign of love. You two also have a strange relationship. The way you two act around each other sometimes must signify something. She loves you too, you know."

"She does?" Inuyasha asked his voice a little higher than normal.

"Most definitely. She worries about you whenever your in battle though she knows your skills can take care of many demons. She almost always wants to be with you, even if you're not doing anything. She'd rather ride with you than with Sango and Kirara and she really cares about every aspect of you- even your history with Kikyou."

Inuyasha didn't respond this time. Even Kikyou? Why would she care about that?

"She really loves you Inuyasha. As far as Kikyou is concerned," the monk said gently, "If you care about Kikyou then Kagome could do no harm to her. When Kikyou stole the shards from Kagome in the fog, she said though she would have tried to take them back, she wouldn't have tried to harm her. Because of you. She wouldn't have hurt Kikyou so you could settle yourself out about her."

"How would you know?" Inuyasha asked quietly. Kagome wouldn't do that, even for the shards?

"She confessed it to Sango about a month ago. Sango told me last night."

"Why can't you mind your own business?" Inuyasha asked half heartedly. His mind was racing. 'Kagome loves me? She really does? What does this mean? Do I.?'

Miroku interrupted his thoughts. "Why don't I go and check up on Kaede and Sango? Tell Kagome I just didn't want to leave them by themselves too long. Association to you seems to bring trouble and they may need protection."

"Uh, sure." Inuyasha answered. He knew that this was all planned out earlier but he didn't really mind. It was harder to think with Miroku talking anyway. So Kagome loved him. And did he love her back? Miroku did bring up some good points. It was true that he fought better when Kagome was around, and he thought about her constantly, or at least he would if he let himself. There was something about her. Her smile, her laugh, the way she smelled. Maybe I do love her, and maybe Miroku is right. I guess I will say something to her. He began to pick up his pace, just in case Kagome came early.

*Kagome's time*

Kagome was frantically searching the house for more ramen. Inuyasha loved that stuff, and she never seemed to have enough.

"Mom, did you buy any more ramen?" She called out as she looked through all the cabinets.

"Honestly, Kagome, I can't buy groceries for our family AND that boy."

"Oh mom, it's only ramen, its only ramen, its not like its expensive or anything."

Kagome took what ramen was there and went back to her room to finish packing her "magic bag". Inside was the first aid kit (though everyone seemed to prefer using herbs rather than anti bacterial wipes), the ramen, a hairbrush, some extra clothes and a few other essentials. She looked at her clock, it was almost noon. Uh oh. I promised to be right at noon and I still can't find my flash light. She began to look through her closet when she heard the doorbell.

Her mother could be heard murmuring something to who ever was at the door.

"Kagome, you have a visitor!"

Who could it be? She thought as she walked to the front room. Oh no.

"Hi Kagome!" Hojou said, maybe a bit too enthusiastically. "I wanted to see if maybe you could see a movie this afternoon?"

"Uh, well I would love to but I, um."

"We're going out today to see her grandmother. It's a big family outing and very important." Kagome's mother interjected. Kagome shot her a quick, grateful glance.

"I'm sorry Hojou, but it really is important. Maybe next time." Kagome said, trying not to sound relieved.

"Oh, no I understand. I'll see you at school, unless you get sick again. Stay well, bye." Hojou turned and walked down the steps. It seemed almost like Kagome didn't want to see him, but no, that couldn't be. Why would Kagome want to ignore him? It's not like she had a boyfriend or anything. Nah, there must be another explanation.

Kagome thanked her mom as she walked back to her room. Now it was noon and she would have to go with out her flash light. Inuyasha was always angry if she was running even a few minutes late.

"Listen here wench," He would say. "You should be here when you promise. I can't waste my precious time waiting for you when I could be out kicking Naraku's ass or getting more shards." No matter what he would say though, he seemed to be just as happy as everyone else to see her. Sometimes maybe even happier, but it could just be her imagination. That Inuyasha. She thought as she picked up bag. He always causes trouble but there's something about him. No matter what he says he really does have a good heart. She smiled as she walked out of the house and toward the well.

"Oh no! I forgot to give Kagome the math notes." Hojou said as began to run back up to the house. He was near the door when he heard Kagome yell "Ouch!"

"Oh, Buyo." Kagome said quietly. "You need to stay out from under my feet, I hate tripping over you."

"Meow meow." The cat responded.

Hojou ran towards the voice. What happened? That sounded like Kagome, could something be wrong? He thought to himself.

Kagome approached the hut holding the well. She opened the door and climbed down the stairs and took the cover off the top of the well. As she jumped in, she felt something grab her hand.

"Kagome!" Hojou yelled. "I got you, don't worry!"

"No Hojou!" Kagome yelled. But it was too late, both Kagome and Hojou were traveling to Inuyasha's time.