A/N: I've forgotten how fun it is to reply to reviews! Teehee. Anyway, I've been toying with the idea of starting another Inuyasha fanfic. It's going to be AU also, but have more of a tie-in with the Shikon no Tama than Road Trip, which has none at all. So I'm still outlining and planning. Just thought I'd say it to see what you guys think._
Road Trip
Thanks: To everyone who reviewed and left nice, constructive criticism or encouragement. I actually had this long 'thanks' written out with replies to ALL of you, but then my laptop decided to DELETE it. *argh* Sorry! But it's too late to fix it. ;__; Next chapter, I'll reply, so leave any questions in the review, okay? ^__^ I love you guys.
Dedication: To Xuan Huong, hoping we'll get to that little village in France someday.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Kagome. Miroku belongs to Sango. All of them belong to the most wonderful anime artist ever: Rumiko Takahashi. Well, one of the most wonderful. *wink*
Chapter Six: The Email
"Damn it!" Miroku slammed on the brakes. Sango, who had been asleep against his shoulder, was jarred awake. "What's wrong?" she murmured sleepily. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Nothing, baby. Go back to sleep."
With a soft sigh of agreement, Sango complied. Miroku leaned back and scowled at the heavy traffic ahead of him. They'd just turned a corner when they were met with a sudden jam. It would take hours to get out of this mess. Inuyasha, for lack of anything better to do, was dozing on the mattress. Kagome finished the short novel she was reading and tossed it aside. "Inuyasha, move over." He growled at her, but scooted a foot to the side.
"Thanks." Kagome slid in beside him and closed her eyes. "Wake me when we get there."
"Hm."
Tim gaped as the large truck flipped over and began oozing a white substance onto the highway. "What'd you do that for, Tam?"
"You see," Tam explained. "if Inuyasha and his little friends are behind us, which they probably are, since we haven't stopped much today, they'll get stopped up by the traffic jam this will create. That means we can have a good night's sleep without worrying they'll get ahead of us."
"How do you know they're behind us?"
"Well, we passed The Stand. It's supposedly Kazaana's favorite nightclub. If they passed it he's sure to stop there. He also has powerful friends there, so it would have been no use busting in there. I think this glue truck is our best bet."
Tim shook his head at the three car pile-up behind the glue track and the ambulance shrieking towards the scene. "How'd you do it, Tam?"
"I got brains, idiot."
Kagome rolled over and landed on something hard. "Ooph."
"Can you get offa me?"
She opened her eyes to see Inuyasha, eyes still heavy with sleep and his speech slurred slightly.
"Oh sorry." she rolled back the way she came, then froze with surprise when his arms came around her. "You smell good." he murmured. Kagome told herself that he was half asleep and didn't know what he was saying, so her heart really had no excuse to be beating that hard.
"Um, thanks." she managed to squeak before he continued. "Will you stay with me, Kikyou?"
Kagome sprang up. "What?"
Inuyasha, fully awake, leapt in the opposite direction. "What?"
Heart racing faster than before, Kagome stared at Inuyasha from the beanbag. "N-nothing." she stammered.
"What happened?" he demanded, shaking his head clear of sleep. When the memory finally caught up with him, his eyes widened almost comically. "Oh shit. I'm sorry, Kagome."
"Uhm. It's okay." Kagome replied, her heart sinking. So he really hadn't known what he was doing.. Kagome knew it all along, but she supposed she harbored a little hope that he was talking to her. Inuyasha leaned against the side of the van, looking exhausted and slightly ashamed. "Sorry." he said again.
"It's okay."
They sat in silence for a minute, during which Kagome prayed Miroku wouldn't choose the time to come up with a witty comment. "So, who's Kikyou?" Kagome finally asked. Inuyasha didn't say anything, staring off into space. Just when Kagome thought he wouldn't answer, Inuyasha said, "An old girlfriend."
Her interest immediately sparked, Kagome leaned forward subtly. "So.. you want to talk about it?"
"Not really." Seeing Kagome's disappointed look, Inuyasha grinned. "If you wanna know the gory details, all you have to do is ask."
"Okay. So what about the gory details?"
"Usually I wouldn't answer, but seeing how I just groped you a couple minutes ago, I'll make an exception."
Kagome blushed. "You didn't grope me."
"Too bad. I could've blamed it on dreaming." Inuyasha sighed. Kagome narrowed her eyes. "You better distract me by telling me all about Kikyou before I decide to focus on that sentence."
"Okay. We dated. We broke up. Sometimes I think you look kinda like her."
"Uh huh. Right. So where are the details?"
"I just gave 'em to you."
"You call those details?!"
"Yeah."
Kagome sighed. "I guess I'll have to do some digging here. Let's see.. how did you two meet?"
"We've known each other ever since we were kids. Our parents were friends. My mom died in a car accident with both Kikyou's parents."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It was a long time ago. I was only six, and she was eight, an only child. She was adopted by an aunt."
"So she's older than you?"
"Yeah."
"When'd you start dating?"
"'Round the beginning of high school, I guess."
"So you were together a long time?"
"Three years. She graduated last year, while I was a junior."
"Ah." Kagome remarked with a grin. "The older woman."
A dreamy smile softened Inuyasha's features. "Oh yeah. She was older and very beautiful. More experienced."
"Okay!" Kagome said quickly. "I don't need _that_ many details, Inuyasha."
"But I didn't say anything!" Inuyasha protested.
"I know that look!" Kagome said. "And I don't want to know what you meant by 'she's more experienced'."
Inuyasha grinned. "Too bad. That was the best part of the story. The climax, you would call it."
"Not funny!" Kagome covered her ears as Miroku burst out laughing in the front. When the guys had stopped hooting and laughing, Kagome asked in as dignified a tone as she could muster, "So why'd you break up?"
"It's complicated." Inuyasha grumbled. "And if I told you it'd be revealing a whole lot more than I'd be comfortable with."
"You should open up to people more." Kagome said in her best therapist's voice.
The grin was back on Inuyasha's face. "The information is about the gang, Kagome. Revealing it could change things that I rather didn't change."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"Well, did you dump her or did she dump you?"
"What do you think? Of course I dumped her!"
"What's that supposed to mean? I bet she's perfectly capable of dumping you. It's not like only guys can-"
"What Inuyasha means," Miroku interrupted Kagome's tirade. "is that Kikyou in completely in love with him. Anyone who knows the two can't imagine Kikyou frowning at Inuyasha, much less dumping him."
"Wow." Kagome stared at the ceiling and wondered if she could convince Miroku to glue on some glow in the dark stars. "Well, she must be quite a girl, to be able to love Inuyasha so much."
"And what's _that_ supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." Kagome said innocently. "After all, you're the most lovable person in the world, right after Miroku." Both guys smirked before the sarcasm registered and they turned in tandem to scowl at her.
"This is all your fault." Tim said as they headed down the hall of the motel. "You just had to sabotage the truck where the only place to stay the night is a dingy 'pay by the hour' place."
"You're the one with the map." Tam shot back. "Why didn't you tell me that the highway only turned off into a little town? Now everyone's gonna be crowding in at this motel and we'll never find them."
"The motel is pretty big." Tim said doubtfully. "I don't think it'll run out of rooms before they come, do you?"
Tam groaned as he nudged the rusty door open with a foot. "Great. Something else to worry about."
"Finally!" Miroku turned on his turn signal as the turnoff ramp came in sight. Sango rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Why are we stopping here, Miroku? I thought you said the hotel was in the city."
Miroku grimaced. "Sorry, Sango-chan. We're gonna have to find another place tonight. The radio has been broadcasting for a while that just ahead is an accident. Apparently a large truck filled with glue on it's way to the factory just spilled. Bad luck for us."
"We won't have to sleep in the truck tonight, will we?"
"I hope not." Miroku glanced back to see Inuyasha spread out on the mattress, headphones on. Kagome was relaxing in the armchair with a magazine. Both looked bored out of their minds. "We're almost there." he called back, hoping to shake them out of their stupor. Neither seemed affected by his announcement. "That's what you said an hour ago." Inuyasha replied.
"Aren't you listening to something on those headphones?"
"No."
"Why would you have them on then?"
"I found out that when you put on headphones, people automatically don't bother you." he grinned. Kagome stuck her tongue out in his direction without taking her eyes off the article about a beautiful little village in the south of France. Miroku carefully eased the van away from the line of cars and headed down the ramp. "We'll stop at the first place we find." he promised.
"Good. I'm hungry."
"Me too."
"Didn't we have this conversation before?"
Sango hopped out of the passenger door and stretched her legs. "Wow." she sighed happily. Miroku watched her. "Yeah." he agreed. "That was definitely a 'wow'."
"Idiot." Sango grabbed his hand. "Get me something to eat."
"What about all those Teddy Grahams you had?"
"They've been digested."
"Yuck. Sango, darling, that is not a pretty picture."
"Maybe it'll stop you from touching me during dinner then?"
"Not a chance."
"This is where we're staying tonight?" Kagome hoped that no one could detect the hysterical edge to her voice.
"Sorry." Miroku said sheepishly. "But apparently this small town only has one motel, and it's a pay by the hour one."
Sango groaned and Kagome looked confused. "Huh?"
"Don't worry about it." Inuyasha said, only snickering a little. "It's nothing important."
"I'll go get us rooms. Two, right?" Miroku headed toward the little, brightly lit office. Kagome looked grimly at the two level building. "Maybe it'll look better after dinner." she said hopefully.
Sango patted her friend's shoulder, stifling her own sigh. "It's all part of the adventure, Kagome-chan."
At this simple statement, Kagome's spirits lifted visibly. "Yeah," she said cheerfully. "it'll be fun. I can tell everybody I went to a pay by the hour motel."
Inuyasha looked mildly alarmed. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Miroku came jogging back, a frown on his face. Sango, instantly concerned, stepped forward. "What's wrong, Miroku-kun?"
Miroku smiled weakly and held up a set of keys. "They only have one room left."
The world, Kagome decided, definitely looked better after meatloaf and an ice cream sundae. "At least you got two beds, right Miroku?"
"Yeah." Miroku rolled his eyes. "The manager was very surprised at a request for two beds. They're sending up a small one."
"How will we all fit though?" Sango asked thoughtfully, swallowing a piece of pie. "If the bed is only full size, it can fit two people. And the fold-up bed, that can only fit one, right? So someone will have to sleep on the floor."
Miroku gave a sharp intake of breath. "I wouldn't suggest doing that in an establishment such as this one."
"So what _would_ you suggest?" Inuyasha, practically buried behind a pile of empty plates, asked.
"Well," Miroku said thoughtfully. "I think we should push the two beds together. That way it'll be easier to fit all of us."
"I'm not sleeping next to Miroku." Inuyasha said, shoveling ramen into his mouth.
"Why not?"
"It's a rule. Guys don't sleep together in a small bed. It's just not done, girls."
"Well, that's a problem. How are we going to sleep? There's only four of us. It shouldn't be too complicated."
"Don't worry about it, Sango-chan. We'll figure it out back at the motel."
"We haven't even seen the inside yet." Kagome said. "Maybe it'll be nicer than the outside."
Inuyasha snorted. "Go on believing that."
After dinner, which Miroku paid for, the four took a relaxing walk across the street to where the motel was. Or maybe not so relaxing.
"That car almost ran over me!" Kagome imagined, vividly, crushing the oily head of the driver. "Right." Inuyasha said drily, steering her off the middle of the street. "As soon as Miroku and I catch up with them, we'll be sure to beat them up for you."
Kagome scowled. "It's not funny."
"The driver probably didn't see you." Sango said helpfully. "It's getting dark out."
"I'm wearing white." But she was already eyeing the lights of the motel, not thinking about the deaths of reckless drivers.
"Shit! Tim, you almost ran over that girl. Did you ever get your license back after it was revoked?"
"I didn't see her! It's getting dark out."
"She was with an entire group!" Tam froze. "Hold on.. an entire group.."
Tim followed his line of thought. "D'ya think it could've been them, Tam?"
"Turn the car around!"
After a frantic screeching of wheels and some rude gestures from nearby cars, Tim and Tam were on their way back to the motel. "I was looking forward to dinner." Tim griped. "It probably wasn't even them."
They drove into the parking lot and cut the engine. "Did you see which room they went in?"
"Yeah. It's on the second floor. The last door to the left. "
"So.. can we have dinner now?"
"Yeah. Sesshoumaru told us his brother's a late sleeper. So we don't have to worry about them leaving before us."
"You mean we can sleep in?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Yes!"
Kouga let himself into the house. He didn't have a spare set of keys, but that never stopped him. He walked quietly through the small split level home, careful not to make any sounds.
"Who's there?"
Kouga flipped on the light. "It's just me."
Kara, Kouga's 14 year old sister, leaned back with a sigh of relief. "You scared me."
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed? It's a school night." Kouga frowned at her.
"Summer, brother dear. No school. And what are you doing sneaking into the house so late at night?"
"It's barely ten!"
"Well, you're still sneaking."
"Whatever. You guys all okay?"
"Yeah. The twins are having a little fight and refuse to speak to each other, and the baby is getting over a cold. Mom's in her room."
"She okay?" Kouga glanced worriedly toward the back of the room. Kara was quiet for a moment. "I guess. It's still the same."
Kouga sighed in frustration. "I got a new job. It'll be able to pay for another year of outpatient care."
"That's great!" Kara's face cheered up immediately. "I'm sorry we can't help you more." she added. "I would get a after-school job, but-"
"Don't even think about it." Kouga interrupted. "You finish school and go be a doctor, like you want."
Kara hugged Kouga. As the second oldest sibling, she knew just what it was like to have such crushing responsibility. It was even worse that she was too young to really make much of a difference.
"Don't work too hard, Kouga."
He patted her back. "I won't."
They both knew he didn't have a choice.
"Why is it mustard yellow?"
"It isn't, really. It's only yellow where the paint isn't peeling. That's like, half."
"But why is is dark green where the paint is peeling?"
"I have no idea. I guess they painted over it."
"Why would they choose these two colors?"
"Maybe they were on sale at the paint store."
"Hm. That makes sense."
"Excuse me girls." Miroku dumped their luggage on the single bed. It squeaked in protest. "Can you analyze the decorating abilities of the motel manager some other time? Right now we have to figure out the sleeping arrangements. And also who gets the shower first."
Inuyasha was sitting on the only chair the motel boasted. "I have the perfect arrangement. I get the small bed, and the first shower."
"That's only perfect for you!"
"Your point?"
"Come on. We have to resolve this. I feel like I have dirt plastered to me."
"Okay, now _that_ is disgusting."
"What are we doing again?"
"We're playing paper-scissors-rocks. The winner gets the shower first and the small bed."
"I called it." Inuyasha sulked.
"Tough. Okay, Sango and Kagome against each other, and the winner plays the winner, okay?"
"This is pretty corny."
"You're telling me."
"Okay, Sango-chan. You ready?"
"Yep."
"Okay. On three. One, two, three!"
"Yay!"
Kagome sighed. "Fine. I guess I'll try and settle for third place."
A few feet over, Inuyasha was smirking. "Come on, Sango." he called. "The sooner I win the sooner I can get into the shower."
"I'm starting to think you're having too much fun with this game, Inuyasha."
"You're all just jealous because I won." His head stuck deep into his suitcase, Inuyasha missed the rude gesture Miroku made at his back. "So you guys figure out who's going after me?"
"Yeah. It's you, Sango, Kagome, then me."
"We gonna sleep in that order too?"
"Like I'm gonna let my girlfriend sleep next to you."
"But I'm so innocent."
"Like hell."
"Actually, I was thinking more like a newborn lamb or something."
"Just go take your fucking shower."
"Sore loser." his triumphant smirk still annoying the occupants of the room, Inuyasha grabbed a handful of clothes and slid into the small bathroom. "See you after I'm all cleaned up."
"Asshole."
Life, Inuyasha decided, looked better after a long, hot shower and clean clothes. And it helped that he was the first to have any of that. He donned his black boxers, (silk, he couldn't stand any of that cotton stuff) and a white t-shirt and left the steaming bathroom behind. Kagome and Sango were spread across the large bed, watching an old black and white horror movie on the old TV. Inuyasha couldn't tell if the TV was in black and white, or if the movie was. He didn't much care either way. "I'm done." he announced. "So whoever's next can go knock themselves out."
Sango looked up. "Please tell me there are no cockroaches in the shower."
"None. But you might want to prepare yourself, the tile is brown. And I'm pretty sure it didn't start out that way."
Sango wrinkled her nose and made her way gingerly across the room, avoiding the discolored spots on the carpet.
Miroku was sitting on the chair at the table, typing away at his laptop. "It says here there's a message from Kikyou, Inuyasha. It's on our joint account."
"It's the only address I gave her." Grabbing a soda from the cooler they'd carried in, Inuyasha flopped back on the bed, causing Kagome to bounce slightly. "So open it. What's she say?"
"Let's see. Dear Inuyasha," Miroku read aloud. "I hope you're having fun. You deserve to have a bit of relaxation. But do keep an eye out for any anonymous hired thugs heading your way. Naraku has decided you're the number one priority. And who are those two girls you're traveling with? Take care. Kikyou."
"Hired thugs." Inuyasha scoffed. "Right. Naraku is getting pretty careless if he thinks a couple of hired muscle can stop us."
"We should be careful of the girls though." Miroku reminded. "They make an easier target." He glanced cautiously over at Kagome, but she was still absorbed in her show. "Don't go in there!" she yelled suddenly. "Aww.. you're stupid enough to deserve to die."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and took a gulp of his soda. "So Naraku's sent someone after us.." he mused. "Miroku, maybe you ought to take the girls home."
"What? And make us miss out on the fun?" The horror movie had chosen that moment to go on a commercial break.
"It's not fun." Inuyasha snarled savagely. "You have no idea what can happen if you cross the wrong people. You need to be home where you're not involved in this shit. Understand?"
Kagome, a little taken aback by his harsh tone, looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was that serious.."
Inuyasha passed a hand over his eyes. "You have no idea. Miroku will take you back tomorrow morning. If you still want your road trip, you're going have to take one without me."
Kagome tried to hide her disappointment. "Okay. But.. will you be okay?"
Inuyasha snickered. "Don't worry about me. I work better alone."
"Is that why you quit the gang?"
Inuyasha was surprised that she'd grasped what his supposed friends, who'd known him years longer than Kagome had, hadn't.
"Yeah." he said quietly. "That's it."
"Well, Inuyasha." Kagome's eyes were back on the screen, but her mind wasn't. "I'm gonna miss you." She just managed to hide her blush.
Inuyasha looked over at Miroku, who was looking at the computer as if the most fascinating thing in the world was happening within its confines. He sighed quietly. He thought he might miss her too.
Sango burst out of the bathroom. "Well, I'm glad that's over with. I kept thinking that the shower head was going to come off. It keeps wriggling."
"Maybe something live is in it." Kagome whispered.
Sango laughed. "I think you've just been watching too much of that bad horror film."
Ending Notes: Hey, don't doubt the glue truck incident! I actually heard that on a radio report one day on my way to school. So it does happen. Anyway, don't worry, I promise a fluffy InuyashaxKagome moment in the next chapter, okay? And no, the story isn't going to end soon. *sweatdrop* Yeah. So you'll find more about Kouga and Kikyou and Inuyasha's interesting pasts. I'm sort of having a brain freeze fright now so excuse me if I sound stilted. I can barely type an entire sentence without pausing to uhm.. yeah. ^_^ You get the point. I love "Whose line is it anyway?" It is so funny and helps me forget that school is starting the day after tomorrow. Review, please. It'll get me out of this block, I promise.
9.2.2oo2.
Road Trip
Thanks: To everyone who reviewed and left nice, constructive criticism or encouragement. I actually had this long 'thanks' written out with replies to ALL of you, but then my laptop decided to DELETE it. *argh* Sorry! But it's too late to fix it. ;__; Next chapter, I'll reply, so leave any questions in the review, okay? ^__^ I love you guys.
Dedication: To Xuan Huong, hoping we'll get to that little village in France someday.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Kagome. Miroku belongs to Sango. All of them belong to the most wonderful anime artist ever: Rumiko Takahashi. Well, one of the most wonderful. *wink*
Chapter Six: The Email
"Damn it!" Miroku slammed on the brakes. Sango, who had been asleep against his shoulder, was jarred awake. "What's wrong?" she murmured sleepily. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Nothing, baby. Go back to sleep."
With a soft sigh of agreement, Sango complied. Miroku leaned back and scowled at the heavy traffic ahead of him. They'd just turned a corner when they were met with a sudden jam. It would take hours to get out of this mess. Inuyasha, for lack of anything better to do, was dozing on the mattress. Kagome finished the short novel she was reading and tossed it aside. "Inuyasha, move over." He growled at her, but scooted a foot to the side.
"Thanks." Kagome slid in beside him and closed her eyes. "Wake me when we get there."
"Hm."
Tim gaped as the large truck flipped over and began oozing a white substance onto the highway. "What'd you do that for, Tam?"
"You see," Tam explained. "if Inuyasha and his little friends are behind us, which they probably are, since we haven't stopped much today, they'll get stopped up by the traffic jam this will create. That means we can have a good night's sleep without worrying they'll get ahead of us."
"How do you know they're behind us?"
"Well, we passed The Stand. It's supposedly Kazaana's favorite nightclub. If they passed it he's sure to stop there. He also has powerful friends there, so it would have been no use busting in there. I think this glue truck is our best bet."
Tim shook his head at the three car pile-up behind the glue track and the ambulance shrieking towards the scene. "How'd you do it, Tam?"
"I got brains, idiot."
Kagome rolled over and landed on something hard. "Ooph."
"Can you get offa me?"
She opened her eyes to see Inuyasha, eyes still heavy with sleep and his speech slurred slightly.
"Oh sorry." she rolled back the way she came, then froze with surprise when his arms came around her. "You smell good." he murmured. Kagome told herself that he was half asleep and didn't know what he was saying, so her heart really had no excuse to be beating that hard.
"Um, thanks." she managed to squeak before he continued. "Will you stay with me, Kikyou?"
Kagome sprang up. "What?"
Inuyasha, fully awake, leapt in the opposite direction. "What?"
Heart racing faster than before, Kagome stared at Inuyasha from the beanbag. "N-nothing." she stammered.
"What happened?" he demanded, shaking his head clear of sleep. When the memory finally caught up with him, his eyes widened almost comically. "Oh shit. I'm sorry, Kagome."
"Uhm. It's okay." Kagome replied, her heart sinking. So he really hadn't known what he was doing.. Kagome knew it all along, but she supposed she harbored a little hope that he was talking to her. Inuyasha leaned against the side of the van, looking exhausted and slightly ashamed. "Sorry." he said again.
"It's okay."
They sat in silence for a minute, during which Kagome prayed Miroku wouldn't choose the time to come up with a witty comment. "So, who's Kikyou?" Kagome finally asked. Inuyasha didn't say anything, staring off into space. Just when Kagome thought he wouldn't answer, Inuyasha said, "An old girlfriend."
Her interest immediately sparked, Kagome leaned forward subtly. "So.. you want to talk about it?"
"Not really." Seeing Kagome's disappointed look, Inuyasha grinned. "If you wanna know the gory details, all you have to do is ask."
"Okay. So what about the gory details?"
"Usually I wouldn't answer, but seeing how I just groped you a couple minutes ago, I'll make an exception."
Kagome blushed. "You didn't grope me."
"Too bad. I could've blamed it on dreaming." Inuyasha sighed. Kagome narrowed her eyes. "You better distract me by telling me all about Kikyou before I decide to focus on that sentence."
"Okay. We dated. We broke up. Sometimes I think you look kinda like her."
"Uh huh. Right. So where are the details?"
"I just gave 'em to you."
"You call those details?!"
"Yeah."
Kagome sighed. "I guess I'll have to do some digging here. Let's see.. how did you two meet?"
"We've known each other ever since we were kids. Our parents were friends. My mom died in a car accident with both Kikyou's parents."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It was a long time ago. I was only six, and she was eight, an only child. She was adopted by an aunt."
"So she's older than you?"
"Yeah."
"When'd you start dating?"
"'Round the beginning of high school, I guess."
"So you were together a long time?"
"Three years. She graduated last year, while I was a junior."
"Ah." Kagome remarked with a grin. "The older woman."
A dreamy smile softened Inuyasha's features. "Oh yeah. She was older and very beautiful. More experienced."
"Okay!" Kagome said quickly. "I don't need _that_ many details, Inuyasha."
"But I didn't say anything!" Inuyasha protested.
"I know that look!" Kagome said. "And I don't want to know what you meant by 'she's more experienced'."
Inuyasha grinned. "Too bad. That was the best part of the story. The climax, you would call it."
"Not funny!" Kagome covered her ears as Miroku burst out laughing in the front. When the guys had stopped hooting and laughing, Kagome asked in as dignified a tone as she could muster, "So why'd you break up?"
"It's complicated." Inuyasha grumbled. "And if I told you it'd be revealing a whole lot more than I'd be comfortable with."
"You should open up to people more." Kagome said in her best therapist's voice.
The grin was back on Inuyasha's face. "The information is about the gang, Kagome. Revealing it could change things that I rather didn't change."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"Well, did you dump her or did she dump you?"
"What do you think? Of course I dumped her!"
"What's that supposed to mean? I bet she's perfectly capable of dumping you. It's not like only guys can-"
"What Inuyasha means," Miroku interrupted Kagome's tirade. "is that Kikyou in completely in love with him. Anyone who knows the two can't imagine Kikyou frowning at Inuyasha, much less dumping him."
"Wow." Kagome stared at the ceiling and wondered if she could convince Miroku to glue on some glow in the dark stars. "Well, she must be quite a girl, to be able to love Inuyasha so much."
"And what's _that_ supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." Kagome said innocently. "After all, you're the most lovable person in the world, right after Miroku." Both guys smirked before the sarcasm registered and they turned in tandem to scowl at her.
"This is all your fault." Tim said as they headed down the hall of the motel. "You just had to sabotage the truck where the only place to stay the night is a dingy 'pay by the hour' place."
"You're the one with the map." Tam shot back. "Why didn't you tell me that the highway only turned off into a little town? Now everyone's gonna be crowding in at this motel and we'll never find them."
"The motel is pretty big." Tim said doubtfully. "I don't think it'll run out of rooms before they come, do you?"
Tam groaned as he nudged the rusty door open with a foot. "Great. Something else to worry about."
"Finally!" Miroku turned on his turn signal as the turnoff ramp came in sight. Sango rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Why are we stopping here, Miroku? I thought you said the hotel was in the city."
Miroku grimaced. "Sorry, Sango-chan. We're gonna have to find another place tonight. The radio has been broadcasting for a while that just ahead is an accident. Apparently a large truck filled with glue on it's way to the factory just spilled. Bad luck for us."
"We won't have to sleep in the truck tonight, will we?"
"I hope not." Miroku glanced back to see Inuyasha spread out on the mattress, headphones on. Kagome was relaxing in the armchair with a magazine. Both looked bored out of their minds. "We're almost there." he called back, hoping to shake them out of their stupor. Neither seemed affected by his announcement. "That's what you said an hour ago." Inuyasha replied.
"Aren't you listening to something on those headphones?"
"No."
"Why would you have them on then?"
"I found out that when you put on headphones, people automatically don't bother you." he grinned. Kagome stuck her tongue out in his direction without taking her eyes off the article about a beautiful little village in the south of France. Miroku carefully eased the van away from the line of cars and headed down the ramp. "We'll stop at the first place we find." he promised.
"Good. I'm hungry."
"Me too."
"Didn't we have this conversation before?"
Sango hopped out of the passenger door and stretched her legs. "Wow." she sighed happily. Miroku watched her. "Yeah." he agreed. "That was definitely a 'wow'."
"Idiot." Sango grabbed his hand. "Get me something to eat."
"What about all those Teddy Grahams you had?"
"They've been digested."
"Yuck. Sango, darling, that is not a pretty picture."
"Maybe it'll stop you from touching me during dinner then?"
"Not a chance."
"This is where we're staying tonight?" Kagome hoped that no one could detect the hysterical edge to her voice.
"Sorry." Miroku said sheepishly. "But apparently this small town only has one motel, and it's a pay by the hour one."
Sango groaned and Kagome looked confused. "Huh?"
"Don't worry about it." Inuyasha said, only snickering a little. "It's nothing important."
"I'll go get us rooms. Two, right?" Miroku headed toward the little, brightly lit office. Kagome looked grimly at the two level building. "Maybe it'll look better after dinner." she said hopefully.
Sango patted her friend's shoulder, stifling her own sigh. "It's all part of the adventure, Kagome-chan."
At this simple statement, Kagome's spirits lifted visibly. "Yeah," she said cheerfully. "it'll be fun. I can tell everybody I went to a pay by the hour motel."
Inuyasha looked mildly alarmed. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Miroku came jogging back, a frown on his face. Sango, instantly concerned, stepped forward. "What's wrong, Miroku-kun?"
Miroku smiled weakly and held up a set of keys. "They only have one room left."
The world, Kagome decided, definitely looked better after meatloaf and an ice cream sundae. "At least you got two beds, right Miroku?"
"Yeah." Miroku rolled his eyes. "The manager was very surprised at a request for two beds. They're sending up a small one."
"How will we all fit though?" Sango asked thoughtfully, swallowing a piece of pie. "If the bed is only full size, it can fit two people. And the fold-up bed, that can only fit one, right? So someone will have to sleep on the floor."
Miroku gave a sharp intake of breath. "I wouldn't suggest doing that in an establishment such as this one."
"So what _would_ you suggest?" Inuyasha, practically buried behind a pile of empty plates, asked.
"Well," Miroku said thoughtfully. "I think we should push the two beds together. That way it'll be easier to fit all of us."
"I'm not sleeping next to Miroku." Inuyasha said, shoveling ramen into his mouth.
"Why not?"
"It's a rule. Guys don't sleep together in a small bed. It's just not done, girls."
"Well, that's a problem. How are we going to sleep? There's only four of us. It shouldn't be too complicated."
"Don't worry about it, Sango-chan. We'll figure it out back at the motel."
"We haven't even seen the inside yet." Kagome said. "Maybe it'll be nicer than the outside."
Inuyasha snorted. "Go on believing that."
After dinner, which Miroku paid for, the four took a relaxing walk across the street to where the motel was. Or maybe not so relaxing.
"That car almost ran over me!" Kagome imagined, vividly, crushing the oily head of the driver. "Right." Inuyasha said drily, steering her off the middle of the street. "As soon as Miroku and I catch up with them, we'll be sure to beat them up for you."
Kagome scowled. "It's not funny."
"The driver probably didn't see you." Sango said helpfully. "It's getting dark out."
"I'm wearing white." But she was already eyeing the lights of the motel, not thinking about the deaths of reckless drivers.
"Shit! Tim, you almost ran over that girl. Did you ever get your license back after it was revoked?"
"I didn't see her! It's getting dark out."
"She was with an entire group!" Tam froze. "Hold on.. an entire group.."
Tim followed his line of thought. "D'ya think it could've been them, Tam?"
"Turn the car around!"
After a frantic screeching of wheels and some rude gestures from nearby cars, Tim and Tam were on their way back to the motel. "I was looking forward to dinner." Tim griped. "It probably wasn't even them."
They drove into the parking lot and cut the engine. "Did you see which room they went in?"
"Yeah. It's on the second floor. The last door to the left. "
"So.. can we have dinner now?"
"Yeah. Sesshoumaru told us his brother's a late sleeper. So we don't have to worry about them leaving before us."
"You mean we can sleep in?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Yes!"
Kouga let himself into the house. He didn't have a spare set of keys, but that never stopped him. He walked quietly through the small split level home, careful not to make any sounds.
"Who's there?"
Kouga flipped on the light. "It's just me."
Kara, Kouga's 14 year old sister, leaned back with a sigh of relief. "You scared me."
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed? It's a school night." Kouga frowned at her.
"Summer, brother dear. No school. And what are you doing sneaking into the house so late at night?"
"It's barely ten!"
"Well, you're still sneaking."
"Whatever. You guys all okay?"
"Yeah. The twins are having a little fight and refuse to speak to each other, and the baby is getting over a cold. Mom's in her room."
"She okay?" Kouga glanced worriedly toward the back of the room. Kara was quiet for a moment. "I guess. It's still the same."
Kouga sighed in frustration. "I got a new job. It'll be able to pay for another year of outpatient care."
"That's great!" Kara's face cheered up immediately. "I'm sorry we can't help you more." she added. "I would get a after-school job, but-"
"Don't even think about it." Kouga interrupted. "You finish school and go be a doctor, like you want."
Kara hugged Kouga. As the second oldest sibling, she knew just what it was like to have such crushing responsibility. It was even worse that she was too young to really make much of a difference.
"Don't work too hard, Kouga."
He patted her back. "I won't."
They both knew he didn't have a choice.
"Why is it mustard yellow?"
"It isn't, really. It's only yellow where the paint isn't peeling. That's like, half."
"But why is is dark green where the paint is peeling?"
"I have no idea. I guess they painted over it."
"Why would they choose these two colors?"
"Maybe they were on sale at the paint store."
"Hm. That makes sense."
"Excuse me girls." Miroku dumped their luggage on the single bed. It squeaked in protest. "Can you analyze the decorating abilities of the motel manager some other time? Right now we have to figure out the sleeping arrangements. And also who gets the shower first."
Inuyasha was sitting on the only chair the motel boasted. "I have the perfect arrangement. I get the small bed, and the first shower."
"That's only perfect for you!"
"Your point?"
"Come on. We have to resolve this. I feel like I have dirt plastered to me."
"Okay, now _that_ is disgusting."
"What are we doing again?"
"We're playing paper-scissors-rocks. The winner gets the shower first and the small bed."
"I called it." Inuyasha sulked.
"Tough. Okay, Sango and Kagome against each other, and the winner plays the winner, okay?"
"This is pretty corny."
"You're telling me."
"Okay, Sango-chan. You ready?"
"Yep."
"Okay. On three. One, two, three!"
"Yay!"
Kagome sighed. "Fine. I guess I'll try and settle for third place."
A few feet over, Inuyasha was smirking. "Come on, Sango." he called. "The sooner I win the sooner I can get into the shower."
"I'm starting to think you're having too much fun with this game, Inuyasha."
"You're all just jealous because I won." His head stuck deep into his suitcase, Inuyasha missed the rude gesture Miroku made at his back. "So you guys figure out who's going after me?"
"Yeah. It's you, Sango, Kagome, then me."
"We gonna sleep in that order too?"
"Like I'm gonna let my girlfriend sleep next to you."
"But I'm so innocent."
"Like hell."
"Actually, I was thinking more like a newborn lamb or something."
"Just go take your fucking shower."
"Sore loser." his triumphant smirk still annoying the occupants of the room, Inuyasha grabbed a handful of clothes and slid into the small bathroom. "See you after I'm all cleaned up."
"Asshole."
Life, Inuyasha decided, looked better after a long, hot shower and clean clothes. And it helped that he was the first to have any of that. He donned his black boxers, (silk, he couldn't stand any of that cotton stuff) and a white t-shirt and left the steaming bathroom behind. Kagome and Sango were spread across the large bed, watching an old black and white horror movie on the old TV. Inuyasha couldn't tell if the TV was in black and white, or if the movie was. He didn't much care either way. "I'm done." he announced. "So whoever's next can go knock themselves out."
Sango looked up. "Please tell me there are no cockroaches in the shower."
"None. But you might want to prepare yourself, the tile is brown. And I'm pretty sure it didn't start out that way."
Sango wrinkled her nose and made her way gingerly across the room, avoiding the discolored spots on the carpet.
Miroku was sitting on the chair at the table, typing away at his laptop. "It says here there's a message from Kikyou, Inuyasha. It's on our joint account."
"It's the only address I gave her." Grabbing a soda from the cooler they'd carried in, Inuyasha flopped back on the bed, causing Kagome to bounce slightly. "So open it. What's she say?"
"Let's see. Dear Inuyasha," Miroku read aloud. "I hope you're having fun. You deserve to have a bit of relaxation. But do keep an eye out for any anonymous hired thugs heading your way. Naraku has decided you're the number one priority. And who are those two girls you're traveling with? Take care. Kikyou."
"Hired thugs." Inuyasha scoffed. "Right. Naraku is getting pretty careless if he thinks a couple of hired muscle can stop us."
"We should be careful of the girls though." Miroku reminded. "They make an easier target." He glanced cautiously over at Kagome, but she was still absorbed in her show. "Don't go in there!" she yelled suddenly. "Aww.. you're stupid enough to deserve to die."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and took a gulp of his soda. "So Naraku's sent someone after us.." he mused. "Miroku, maybe you ought to take the girls home."
"What? And make us miss out on the fun?" The horror movie had chosen that moment to go on a commercial break.
"It's not fun." Inuyasha snarled savagely. "You have no idea what can happen if you cross the wrong people. You need to be home where you're not involved in this shit. Understand?"
Kagome, a little taken aback by his harsh tone, looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was that serious.."
Inuyasha passed a hand over his eyes. "You have no idea. Miroku will take you back tomorrow morning. If you still want your road trip, you're going have to take one without me."
Kagome tried to hide her disappointment. "Okay. But.. will you be okay?"
Inuyasha snickered. "Don't worry about me. I work better alone."
"Is that why you quit the gang?"
Inuyasha was surprised that she'd grasped what his supposed friends, who'd known him years longer than Kagome had, hadn't.
"Yeah." he said quietly. "That's it."
"Well, Inuyasha." Kagome's eyes were back on the screen, but her mind wasn't. "I'm gonna miss you." She just managed to hide her blush.
Inuyasha looked over at Miroku, who was looking at the computer as if the most fascinating thing in the world was happening within its confines. He sighed quietly. He thought he might miss her too.
Sango burst out of the bathroom. "Well, I'm glad that's over with. I kept thinking that the shower head was going to come off. It keeps wriggling."
"Maybe something live is in it." Kagome whispered.
Sango laughed. "I think you've just been watching too much of that bad horror film."
Ending Notes: Hey, don't doubt the glue truck incident! I actually heard that on a radio report one day on my way to school. So it does happen. Anyway, don't worry, I promise a fluffy InuyashaxKagome moment in the next chapter, okay? And no, the story isn't going to end soon. *sweatdrop* Yeah. So you'll find more about Kouga and Kikyou and Inuyasha's interesting pasts. I'm sort of having a brain freeze fright now so excuse me if I sound stilted. I can barely type an entire sentence without pausing to uhm.. yeah. ^_^ You get the point. I love "Whose line is it anyway?" It is so funny and helps me forget that school is starting the day after tomorrow. Review, please. It'll get me out of this block, I promise.
9.2.2oo2.