[A.N.] YAY!!! EXAMS ARE OVER!!!! I just read about kids in Japan... dayum!  They got it hard! O_o I have a whole new level of respect for Kagome, especially if she actually passes to Highschool while dealing with Inu Yasha  o_O  I'm having second thoughts of living in Japan now, hehe.. Oh, and I think this Chapter might be longer then usual(I hope)... Lots of fluff too =^-^= And did anyone see episode 38 of Inu Yasha (I have dial up, so yeah and not much space in my comp) XD Omg... I thought it was so hilarious... he acts so much more like a cat then a dog... Inu Yasha : ::high pitched voice:: 'baka'  'baka'  XD I can't stop laughing at that!!!


[Disclaimer]



Loss Of Authority

A Perfectly Bad Mood





[A.A.N.] Don't you just hate it when someone/something can ruin your perfectly bad mood? ^-^ My GREAT friends do it all the time




Kagome, Shippou, Miroku, and Sango all laid low by their respective bush as they watched the hanyou carefully.  He had been sitting in the middle of the field for hours, ever since the encounter with Kouga.  They didn't have to worry about Kouga blabbing the 'problem' with the beads, since they doubted he even knew that he could subdue Inu Yasha.  But that fact didn't seem to help Inu Yasha.

He had gone off on his own far ahead of the others and they took nearly half an hour to catch him, sitting where he was now, glaring off ahead, sitting with his legs and arms crossed, Tetsusaiga gripped tightly to his shoulder.  They could feel the anger in his aura radiating off him in waves of heat and knew better then to bother him.  So they left him to his thoughts.

It was starting to get darker and decided to check up on him.  Still glaring ahead with his anger in full force. 

"I guess we're camping here for the night."  Sango sighed as she placed a hand under her chin.  Kagome continued to stare at Inu Yasha's still form with Shippou atop her head.

"Or maybe he'll wait till it gets too dark to see and force us to go on so we end up as miserable as he feels."  Shippou spoke, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes closed.

"I think Sango's assumption is closer.  Let us make camp."  Shippou pouted at having his suspicions shot down and hitched a ride on Miroku's sleeve as the monk stood up and headed back to where they had been resting to give Inu Yasha some time alone.  Sango watched Miroku leave with Shippou holding onto his arm and started to follow.  She looked back to see Kagome still in place, staring out at Inu Yasha. 

"Kagome?" Kagome blinked and looked to Sango and gave her a smile.  She then turned her attention back to the still hanyou, an obvious sign that said she was going to stay where she was a while longer.  Sango sighed.

"I'll meet you back at camp."  If Kagome had heard her, she made no bodily response, but Sango already knew that Kagome was planning to spend her time with Inu Yasha.  It often made her wonder if Inu Yasha realized how lucky he was?  It gave her a heavy heart to think of how committed Kagome was to Inu Yasha, and still he played with her heart.  He didn't exactly mean to play with her heart, but as long as he stayed indecisive between the deceased miko, and the living one, he'd keep on doing it. 

Sango glanced back once more with a sadder gaze as she found Kagome up on her feet and making her way towards Inu Yasha.  He really didn't know how lucky he was...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Inu Yasha's ears twitched back as he heard someone approached.  Keh... They had been watching him for how long and now decided to send someone to check up on him eh?  Taking a deep breath, he caught the intruders scent. Kagome.

His expression darkened as he went back over the events earlier that day and felt his anger rising.  They just had to meet up with that damned wolf.  The beads just had to get fucked up and make his life (more) of a living hell.  Maybe if Kagome hadn't lost her voice and got that fucking cold this wouldn't have happened. Of all the luck...

Kagome's legs came into view.  Her pajama pants with little crescent moons and suns and stars that caused him to let his eyes flicker up her body until he met her warm gaze and cheerful smile.  He sharply turned from her and went to glare off in another direction.  Kagome sighed at his immaturity and walked back in front of him, taking a seat with her legs beneath her. 

He stared straight ahead, and being a taller, if he focused on a point ahead he wouldn't be able to see Kagome's face.  Then if he ignored her, she'd leave him in peace and let him sulk as always on his own.  Too bad Kagome was just as stubborn as he was.

Maybe something to eat... ? Kagome thought and quickly scrambled up on her feet, heading in the direction, leaving Inu Yasha behind in the same foul mood he had been all morning.

It seemed to only be a few minutes before Kagome came back, combined with another scent that caused Inu Yasha's ears to perk up with interests.  Kagome appeared before him, sitting down and holding a steaming bowl of ramen to him, smiling birghtly.  Inu Yasha gave her a flat look and focused his attention else where.  Frowning, she placed the ramen bowl down and sat in front of him, waiting for him, patiently, to see if he would get irritated and yell at her... or something!

The seconds ticked on... The minutes stretching by... It seemed like an eternity and it was all she could take to not grab his forelocks and yank him down to her.  So much for patiently...

Kagome rose up on her knees so she'd be at eye level with him.  His eyes were set on a point ahead and he was clearly trying to ignore her.  Kagome waved her hands in front of his face.  He didn't respond at all.

Not giving up, Kagome grabbed his forelocks and yanked them a little to try and startle him out of his trance.  It still didn't work.  His head had jerked a little but he continued to glare ahead, ignoring her presence.  Kagome huffed with slight annoyance and tried for his ears.  She pulled on one, none too gently.  Inu Yasha's brows twitched, a reaction!  She tried again.

He was getting annoyed by her pulling on his ears.  It didn't hurt, but it was getting his attention effectively.  What the hell was her problem?  Why couldn't she just leave him alone?

Kagome had stopped pulling at his ears when she noticed that his eyebrows were no longer twitching and he didn't seem like he'd be responding in any other way.  There were still others way to get him to talk, even if it would be a one sided conversation on his part.

She started making faces.  Inu Yasha felt his brow twitch again as Kagome started to treat him as a mother or big sister would to their younger sibling that was crying, by making funny faces.  Instead of yelling at her, something his mind was telling him to do, he ignored her. 

Lucky, or unluckily enough, Kagome didn't keep up her attempts for long as her cold caught up with her.  She slumped down tiredly and let her arms fall to her side, yawning.  She sat by his side, taking a deep breath and then sighing it out in temporary defeat.  She humped and hit his right side with her back, leaning into him and trying to make him topple over.  But of course, being a half demon and up against tiny little all human Kagome, he didn't budge.  She narrowed her eyes and gave him an askew glance.  He looked back at her, mirroring her gaze.

You're so moody, Kagome thought grumpily, and as if to prove her annoyance, she kicked the ramen bowl that had was already cold and watched it roll a little away.  Pushing back against Inu Yasha even more, finding his side warm and soft.  A little nap wouldn't hurt and Inu Yasha was right there... unless he decided to ditch her once she was asleep.  Kagome took her chances as her eyelids grew heavier and she finally let them slip close, her body going slack. 

Inu Yasha watched her, pressing into his side and turned to peer more closely at her face once she had stopped moving.  Her body was limp, and her breathing coming out slow and even.  He let out his breath in a long sigh and glared at her.  Bah, the girl really was more trouble then she was worth. 

A few moments passed and Inu Yasha's glare softened into an unreadable look.  He turned his gaze to stare straight out ahead and watched the sky darken rapidly.  The sun setting, lowering until there was only a sliver of sunlight left, painting the clouds and sky orange, with a hint of pink and red. 

It would have a rather calming affect on anyone.  The quiet of the forest, the gentle breeze, the scent of natural air, untainted by the gas and smoke and other chemicals that cloud the air in the present day.  With the warm body of another that you... care about deeply, next to you.  Inu Yasha let out a breath and almost smiled.

Kagome slept on, not realizing that she had actually been victorious.  She had snapped Inu Yasha out of his perfectly bad mood.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Ah... Sango, what do you think?"  Miroku whispered quietly as he watched the exchange between the two.  Sango sighed and stood up quietly and headed back to camp. 

"They're fine... We should leave them alone houshi-sama."  Shippou held on to Sango's shoulder with Kirara following behind her mistress.  Miroku stood up as well, taking a quick glance at Inu Yasha and Kagome once more, the corner's of his mouth twitching slightly as he turned to follow Sango.

"I meant the rosary spell... Sango, do you believe that Kagome will remove them once and for all?"  Sango sat down near the fire, staring at the flames crackling merrily.  

"I don't know hoshi-sama... I don't doubt the trust between those two along with their... relationship.  But, the rosary can come in handy..." Sango added quietly as she pulled her knees to her chest and looked up at the sky idly.  Miroku sat next to her, sighing in dismay as she unconsciously moved away from him as a reflex.  "You're right..."

"But... Maybe it is best if it were off then... It could help push them in the right direction and give them more confidence in themselves... and each other."

"Maybe... houshi-sama."  She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, bringing her knees down to let Kirara hop into her lap, stroking the small demon's fur gently.  Then she added in sadly, "But even if they are pushed into the right direction... Inu Yasha always seems to hurt Kagome.  It seems he'll always pull Kagome-chan along, before he crushes her heart when he finally chooses to be with Kikyou-sama. To stay with her."

They stayed quiet in the tense silence that followed.  There was a look of great annoyance, with a hint of despair in her face he caught when Miroku looked over at Sango with a  gentle look, "It's true, Sango... He is hurting her by being indecisive, but I'm sure his feelings for Kagome are much stronger then what you may think, how could he discard her like nothing after all that we've been through?"

"Ah... ?"  Sango looked over at him surprised and felt her face heat up slightly at the look of sincerity on his face started to cause a slight tug at her heart and quickly averted her eyes.  "T-then he should tell her instead of playing around like this!"

"It's not that easy... A lot of things can hold him back,"  Sango looked over at him again questioningly, "Fear of being rejected, pride, embarrassment..."

Sango felt her face heat up again, this time out of anger, turning away in a huff.  Miroku started and stared at her back puzzled.  What had he said now?

"So...  he's not telling Kagome his feelings because he's embarrassed, houshi-sama?"  Her voice chipped with ice.  Miroku, now realizing his mistake, waved his an arm quickly, as if to make the statement disappear.

"N-no Sango!  That's not what I meant!"  Miroku tried to explain, relaxing a little as Sango turned to look at him with a softer glare.  "I meant embarrassed... of waiting so long to tell her how he feels.  Even after feeling for her for such a long time in this way... and only to tell her now, makes them realize how much time they wasted."

"Houshi-sama..."  Sango began, a little touched by this, turning around fully to face him.  Miroku smiled at her and put a hand over hers, moving closer.  Sango felt it become a lot hotter then before. "Sango."

Shippou watched on curiously.  It didn't seem like they were talking about Kagome and Inu Yasha anymore.

"Ah... M-Miro-Uh?!" Her soft look and blush seemed to change into an expression full of shock and her blush darkening to anger as she clenched a fist and let it sail. Miroku paid dearly for giving into his urges, and gave Sango's breast a 'friendly' squeeze as he clasped her hand to her chest.

Miroku was sent a few feet at the exterminators punch and chills were sent down his spine as Sango fixated on him with a dark look.  He gave a soft laugh, regaining his composer.  Sango didn't miss how he scooted over quite a bit once she too hold of her Hiraikotsu and felt a twinge of satisfaction enter her look as she continued to keep a safe distance away from the perverted monk.

Shippou sighed.  Their group was just full of confusing relationships.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile, Inu Yasha had noticed Kagome shivering (He actually felt it first,) and started to remove his coat, shifting a little that caused Kagome to slip from resting against his side to laying across his lap. Inu Yasha shrugged out of his haori and placed it over Kagome who soon stopped shivering and snuggled into a more comfortable position.

A faint blush made it's way over his face, which he quickly shook off. He did his best to unfold his legs beneath her and scoot away, reaching under to support her back as he maneuvered out from under her. A pair of arms shot out and wrapped around his neck, startling the hanyou to pull back, dragging her with him and nearly toppled over.

"Damn it..."

He regained his balance and glared at Kagome, faltering a little as he realized how closer their faces were, his breath mingling with her own. He felt another blush rising, hotter then before and tried to pry her off. But Kagome made a sound of protest and proceeded to hold on tighter, burying her face into the crook of his neck, stilling Inu Yasha at once.

He sighed and decided to let her be, glancing around, ears twitching to catch the sounds of anyone watching. It was surprising (and a great relief) to find no one, mainly Miroku, Shippou and Sango, weren't around to witness them and relaxed a little more at that.

He sat there still, but loose, with Kagome in his lap. Her hold slipped a little and her head slide to his shoulder, hand fisting in his white kimono. Inu Yasha glanced down at her and realized how vulnerable and childlike she looked in his arms.

He sighed, "Kagome..."

Her eyes slowly slid open. Inu Yasha jumped, startled she had heard him and panic flew into him. What if she took it wrong? Would she sit him- Wait... She can't sit me... for now. He relaxed again and focused back on her face. Her eyes were glassy and it took her a while to find his gaze with her own. Slightly worried, he put a hand to her forehead, but it seemed all right, just a little warm.

Kagome reached up to touch his face lightly. Her fingers brushing his cheek in gentle caresses. He stared down at her in confusion. Was she delirious?

"Kagome?"

She shifted this way and that, until she was sitting up and at eye level with Inu Yasha, he continued to stare at her perplexed. Her eyes still glassy, moving down from his face to the rosary at his neck. Her hands followed the same path as her gaze and tugged at the rosary.

"Kagome, what are you-" Inu Yasha began, but stopped short as she tugged him forward with the beaded necklace. He watched with bated breath as the rosary rose in her hands up to his chin, his nose, at eye level...

... And out of sight, over his head.

He stared off into stunned silence and barely noticed Kagome pulling the rosary around from his back and pressed it into his hand that had been hovering over her forehead. His hand fisted over it, shaking.

That seemed to satisfy Kagome and she pressed back into his shoulder to finish her nap. He pushed Kagome away who reached out for him again, but using one hand he grabbed both her hands by the wrist and kept them together between them. His eyes narrowed at the glassy eyed look she still had as she looked up at him mildly puzzled by his actions. He didn't look happy. Didn't he want the rosary off...?

"What the hell are you doing Kagome? Are you even awake? Do you know what the hell you're doing or is that fever makin-" Kagome's mind felt hazy and she was really tired. Inu Yasha was keeping her up with his babble. He needed to be quiet.

"-ell Kago-" Inu Yasha stopped abruptly as Kagome leaned forward, her eyes closing as she moved closer until her lips touched his softly.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


[AN] ^____________^