Okay, this one is really long cause I know how everyone wanted fluff and Hojo to be hospitalized, but it takes a lot to build up to all of that, so this chapter is longer then my other ones. Good thing about breaks from school is that I write a lot. Okay, one thing before we get to the story. Several people are confused about why Hojo was never scared of Inuyasha or anything. I tried to make this clear when I wrote the chapter, but I'll explain it.


You see, Inuyasha picked up Hojo from the back of his shirt, so Hojo's back was to Inuyasha the entire time, he only ever heard his voice. Then Kagome "sit"ed Inuyasha and rushed hojo of the shrine, so in the event Hojo saw anything of Inuyasha, it would have just been a mess of red and white. So it wasn't really because Hojo's was dense, though Hojo really is an idiot, and I'm about to make him a total jerk! I don't like quiet, nice guys, they are always hiding something.


Oh, and this symbol ~#~ or variations of it I use sometimes, it basically means, seeing everything for another characters point of view.


Now, ladies, gentlemen and otaku alike, here it is: Inuyasha and Kagome: Kagome's Trials Part 1 (yep, Kagome has her problems too)

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Last Time:


Sota chuckled at not only Inuyasha's confusion, but also the fact that Inuyasha was as red as a beet. "What's so funny kid?" At Inuyasha's voice Sota stopped laughing, though it was hard, "Oh nothing, I am just going to go to my room now, but I think that you might want to know that Kagome's visitor is Hojo". Inuyasha let out a loud growl and barred his teeth at the name. 'No way is that pathetic excuse for a human going to get my Kagome'. Inuyasha Jumped off the bed, but before he could take off down the stairs, Sota stopped him, "Inuyasha, before you go running of to pound the living daylights out of Hojo, you should probably put on these." Sota handed him a pair of sun glasses and a bandana, "They're to hide your ears and your eyes, Hojo doesn't know that you're a hanyou, and I don't think Kagome wants him to know". Inuyasha nodded and put on the disguise, so to speak, then took off down the stairs.


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"Ho...Hojo?" Kagome had stopped dead in her tracks as she was going down the stairs because there, in her living room, was the last person she wanted to see right now. "Hey Kagome, you feeling alright?" "Ya, I'm fine...umm..why are you here?" Kagome said as she walked over to Hojo. "Well I called to see about getting together to practice lines and all, and your brother answered the phone. He said that you had hit your head and blacked out, so I came right over to check on you. Oh, and I brought this." He handed Kagome a small package containing some aroma therapy candles. "Uh...thanks Hojo. That's really sweet, but I'm okay, really". Hojo took Kagome's hand in his, "Listen Kagome, I know you have had a lot of problems lately" 'You have no idea' though Kagome, " but I was wondering...if you might want to be my girlfriend?"


Kagome was speechless, she didn't want to say yes, after all, she loved Inuyasha. But she didn't want to hurt Hojo's feelings. 'Now would be a great time for one of Inuyasha's sudden appearances' "No, she doesn't" Hojo looked up and Kagome turned around snatching her hand out of Hojo's to see a very handsome hanyou standing at the bottom of the stairs.


Kagome looked at Inuyasha amazed. She ran out of her room so quick she never noticed that Inuyasha was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans that fit rather nicely, and a white, short sleeve shirt that clung to his body and showed every last one of his muscles. (*drooling*) Kagome had never noticed how buff Inuyasha was before, his haori always covered him up, but he looked great in modern clothing and the bandana and sunglasses were a nice touch. Kagome was snapped out of her thoughts, unfortunately, by a very annoyed Hojo, "And just who are you?" Inuyasha snarled, and Kagome cut in before he could rip Hojo to pieces, "Hojo this is my friend Inuyasha, you...uh...met him the other day". "Oh, right", said Hojo, obviously not pleased, "Well, Inuyasha, the last time I checked, Kagome could make decisions for herself, isn't that right Kagome?!" "Uh..well.." was Kagome's only response before Inuyasha broke in, "Well maybe she's just to nice to tell you off, you little pansy!" Inuyasha stormed right up to Hojo and picked him up by his collar and snarled under his breath, "And I'm warning you, if you ever touch my Kagome again, you'll be sorry". Hojo glared down at Inuyasha, and if it wasn't for the shades, Hojo would be able to see Inuyasha glaring back.


Kagome walked up to Inuyasha and held on to his free arm in a pleading way, "Inuyasha" she spoke softly, "Please put him down". "I don't see why I shouldn't pound him right now, thinking he's good enough for you." Kagome knew Inuyasha was just being protective and consider Hojo to be a threat like Kouga, hence why she wasn't getting angry with him. Sure she could just "sit" Inuyasha, but that would only get him angry at her, and she really didn't want that.


Once again, Kagome got lost in her thoughts and was brought back out of it by a snide remark coming from the person she least expected it too, "Oh, and you think your good enough for her. Kagome deserves more then just some punk." Inuyasha grip tightened on the boy's collar, Kagome was sure Inuyasha was going to through him into the wall. She sent Inuyasha another pleading look, and Inuyasha caught it and sighed "Your lucky you little wimp of a boy", he said as he dropped Hojo, "If it wasn't for Kagome you'd be good friends with the wall right about now." Hojo just merely stood up and glared.


"Hojo, I think you should go now." Kagome said. Hojo was surprised, he pulled her away and off of Inuyasha's arm, which didn't make Inuyasha to happy. Hojo spoke to Kagome, just barely above a whisper, thinking Inuyasha couldn't hear, "Kagome, you can't be serious, this guy is dangerous, I can't just leave you with him". "Hojo, I'll be fine really", she stepped away from Hojo and backed into Inuyasha who put his hand on her shoulder, "Hojo, Inuyasha has been there for me more times then I can count, you're a nice boy and all, but I don't want to see you get hurt. So go please." Hojo stood up straight, trying to salvage what little pride and dignity he had left, "I'm not going to give up on you Kagome, I wont".


Kagome didn't say anything and just put her hand on Inuyasha as Hojo stormed out. She was just glad it was over and nobody was hurt, yet. But she had to be careful, Hojo had shown her today a side of him she had never seen. He acted as if he was right for her and better then Inuyasha, but nobody was better for her then her hanyou and she new that. Inuyasha on the other hand...


~#~


Inuyasha could only watch as the little brat took Kagome off of his arm. If he tried anything he was sure to her the "s" word. Though he heard and understood what the boy was saying, his ming was elsewhere. Inuyasha knew that Hojo wasn't good enough for Kagome, but that didn't mean he was either. She never seemed to mind that he was a hanyou, but she had never spoke of it as a problem either.


After all, once he realized his feelings for Kagome, everything seemed to be against him. Kikyo, Naraku, and Kouga had teamed up against him. And now this, true, he could take Hojo out easily and eliminate him as an obstacle, but that would only create more problems for Kagome. He had learned that in this time, it wasn't right to go around killing your obstacles. According to Kagome, people did it, but it wasn't considered normal. But Inuyasha couldn't help but being affected by the human's words. 'God, why is it every time I get the courage to tell Kagome, something happens'.


Inuyasha unconsciously put a hand on Kagome's shoulder as she back away from Hojo and into him. He was once again being driven wild by her. One of the things Kagome always seemed to do to him whenever she merely looked at him was spark something inside of himself. And when she was close, he practically went mad. God how he loved her.


He felt Kagome's had touch his as Hojo left. A surge of electricity went through his body. He had a hard time suppressing his urge to just grab her and show her just how much he loved her. God, he had to tell her, even if she rejected him, he couldn't keep it to himself any longer.


He put his head on Kagome's shoulder and took in her every scent. It drove him wild while calming him at the same time. "Kagome," he whispered softy. "Yes, Inuyasha" she replied. Inuyasha leaned on her a bit, "I-" "Oh! I almost forgot to cook dinner, its already 5 o'clock." Kagome walked away absent mindedly mumbling something about chicken. Inuyasha had to fight to keep from falling since he was leaning on Kagome. Once he regained his balance, he went over and walked behind Kagome, "But..uh...Kagome-" "Don't worry Inuyasha I'll make you your ramen, I know how much you like it." "That's not the only I like," Inu mumbled under his breath.


(Sorry folks, it's not going to happen that easy)


~#~


Kagome looked over her shoulder at the pouting hanyou. He had been acting weirder then usual all night. She can still feel the spot on her shoulder where he had set his head. She was having a hard time to no just jump for joy giggling. Sh looked him over, he had a pouting face on and even his ears were drooping. Kagome looked into his eyes, she was always able to tell what he was really feeling by looking into his eyes no matter how much he tried o hide it other wise, he was looking away, obviously thinking. She saw saddness in his eyes, and a longing for something 'What is he so sad about?' YOU! You moron! He was trying to tell you something and you just walked away ( these are Kagome's other thoughts, yes I love the "talking to yourself" bit, it's so funny) 'Inuyasha was just going to say he was hungry'


Kagome walked away from Inuyasha and into the kitchen to start preparing dinner while battling with herself. Come on, you know he was going to say something else 'So what if he was? How does it affect me' He could have been trying to tell you how he feels 'Maybe...but he could have been trying to say something else' Oh, ya, like what? 'We will talk about this later, I have a dinner to make' fine, thought I don't understand why you just wont listen to me 'I said later!'. And with that Kagome pushed back the voice in her head and concentrated on dinner.


~*~


Kagome set the table and put out the food, including Inuyasha ramen. She walked into the living room to find Inuyasha beating Sota at some racing game. 'He really has been getting the hang of living in my time'. She stood there for a moment watching the boys play, before remembering about dinner, "Boys! dinner's ready!" She was expecting not be heard since Inuyasha and Sota were so into the game, but she was sadly mistaken. She was nearly trampled by the boys' eagerness to eat.


Kagome laughed as the boys dug into their food. Sota had been taking lesson from Inuyasha again. She sat down and started to eat herself. Come on, ask him already 'Dammit, I thought I told you to go away' You can get rid of me, I'm you 'and I'm must be insane, what's your point?' My point is, I want to know what he was going to say 'Well I don't!' why not? What's the worst he could say Kagome paused in her thoughts, she knew exactly what she was afraid he'd say, that she was only a shard detector and he really loved Kikyo. Well she wasn't going to let him! She was going to do everything possible to keep him from saying anything of the sort. She really didn't want her bubble to burst, she was just fine with not knowing how he felt.


~#~


He could only watch her as she ate. She had sorrow in her eyes and all he could do was sit there. It pained him to see her this way. He wanted to know what was wrong; he wanted to help her. But, one again, he could only watch. She silently rose from the table, picked up the dishes and told Sota to go get ready for bed then went into the kitchen. After Sota had reluctantly gone up stairs, he went and stood in the doorway of the kitchen and watched Kagome. "Hey Kagome".


~#~


Kagome was too busy doing the dishes to take notice of the fact she was being watched. In fact, she thought Inuyasha and gone outside to think like he normally does. And do you know what he thinks about? 'Ya, Kikyo, and don't try to argue with me, you know he loves her too' You mean loved her. Come on Kagome, he has had plenty of chances so far to be with Kikyo, and he hasn't gone 'So what? That doesn't mean anything' yes it does 'oh really? What?' Your about to find out 'Wait, what does that mean?!'


"Hey Kagome" Kagome jumped at the voice, and turned around to see Inuyasha in the doorway, "Inuyasha, you scared me." "Uhh...I did?" "Ya, I didn't know you were behind me". "Oh s..sorry, Kagome. Umm, Kagome...I need to talk to you about something." Inuyasha was looking away from her and blushing as he spoke. "You...you do?" Kagome spoke with a hint of fear in her voice, "Well..Inuyasha, I would love to talk with you right now, but I have to finish cleaning up and then do my homework...umm...why don't we talk later?" "Oh...okay". Inuyasha walked out of the kitchen.


Very good, you just ruined our shot at finding out what was going on 'I told you I don't want to know' Well, you can't avoid him forever 'And why not?' Because Rita, Aya, and Yuki (I believe that is one name) are coming over tomorrow, and what if the ask he something and he answers incorrectly 'Like what?' oh, I don't know, they could ask something like 'Have you and Kagome slept together?' Which to us it means something different then to him. 'Your right! Why the hell am I doing dishes?! I have to prep Inuyasha for tomorrow and go over all the different meanings!' told you so, oh and if you can, try to find out what he wanted to tell us.


And once again the voice had disappeared as Kagome ran into the living room where she, ironically, ran into Inuyasha. "Oh, Inuyasha, I was expecting you to be outside, but I'm glad you're here right now." "Y...you are?" "Ya, I almost forgot, but friends want to meet you tomorrow after school, and I need to talk to you about some things I've told them, references I've used, and the differences in words from your time to mine". "uh...o..okay"


Kagome spent the next few hours explaining everything to Inuyasha he might need to know for him meeting her friends. And for once, Inuyasha was actually paying attention to her rambling. She knew this cause she tested him several times. "Okay, I think that's everything, any questions?" "Ya, why do I have to know all this stuff?" "Because, if my friends don't approve of you, they will only tell me more to stay away from you, and might go to serious measures to do so, anyways I have to go finish my homework, and I'll probably go to bed after that, so I'll see you in the morning."


Kagome got up and started to walk up the stairs, "But Kagome", Inuyasha said. 'Oh no, I thought he would have forgotten by now' Kagome looked over her shoulder at Inuyasha, "Yes?" "I never did get a chance to talk to you earlier, remember?" "Oh...right...well I'm sure it can wait till later." Kagome turned to head back up the stairs, feeling really guilty about blowing off Inuyasha, but she was sure if she kept it up he would drop it eventually.


Unfortunately she did have the chance seeing as how then second she tried to take a step, a hand grabbed onto her wrist. "Why are you avoiding me?", Inuyasha's voice had turned harsh and cold, he obviously wasn't pleased. Kagome didn't know what to say. She didn't want to hurt Inuyasha, but she was afraid of what he had to say. "Inuyasha, let me go." "No, Kagome, I want. no. I need to talk to you" "Inuyasha. Come on. I don't have time for this, I have to do my work." Kagome was scared, Inuyasha tone didn't comfort her. She had only heard him speak in such ways twice, one when she first met him, and again when he turned full yokai.


If you don't want anything to happen, then I suggest you give him some time 'Okay, but if this breaks our heart I'm blaming you' fine, whatever Kagome sighed and relaxed as Inuyasha led her down the stairs. "Okay Inuyasha, what is it you want to tell me" Kagome spoke with fear in her voice, but not because of Inuyasha tone or expression, but because of what Inuyasha was about to say.


"Kagome, listen, I wanted to get here as soon as I could yesterday to tell you, but I had run into problems, three to be exact. But nothing could stop me from getting too you, and now your avoiding me. But I don't care, cause I'm going to tell you anyways no matter what your response is." Inuyasha looked into Kagome's eyes, hers holding curiosity and his confidence. Inuyasha started to speak up again, but Kagome interrupted him, "Inuyasha, if this has anything to do with Kikyo, I don't want to hear it." She folded her arms and looked away.


~#~


Inuyasha couldn't believe it, Kagome thought that he was going to say something about Kikyo. But why, I mean, he told of Kikyo for her. well she doesn't know that you idiot (ah, yes, Inuyasha's other voice, I'm sorry, but I am having fun with this so bear with me) 'oh, right, so what do I do?' Aren't you going to question who I am? 'Later, right now answer my question' well if you can't tell her, show her 'show her?' yep 'oh, okay...how?' I don't know, hug her, kiss her, just do something! Cause tears are coming to her eyes, and you know how we hate it when she cries


Inuyasha snapped out of his thought to find the little voice was speaking the truth, tears were coming to Kagome eye's. "Uh..Kagome, come on don't cry" "Don't cry! Don't cry huh? How many times have I heard you say that now? Do you even really care? Or does it just make you feel guilty?!"


~#~

Kagome was staring at Inuyasha, infuriated. dammit, your anger always ruins everything I mean- Even her thoughts were interrupted cause within second after yelling at Inuyasha, Kagome was up against. What's going on? 'I think, he's hugging us' no, no. this is more of an embrace 'you can go ahead and go, I'll take it from here" you sure, this is going good, I don't want you to mess it up 'Don't worry, now go' okay.


Kagome remembered what was going on. Inuyasha was holding her with one arm and had his head resting on her shoulder. She felt her face getting hot as a blush crept along her face. She suddenly forgot ever bring upset. "Ummm...Inuyasha?" "Kagome", he whispered, "Its not Kikyo I love anymore Kagome", He pulled away from her and looked into her eyes, " it's you, Kagome. I love you"


Kagome's heart was pounding harder and faster then she could ever imagine. She looked up at Inuyasha and locked eyes with him. Before she knew it, her arms were wrapping around his neck and his around her waist. Kagome let all her love and passion for Inuyasha let loose in this one kiss. And she could feel the same from Inuyasha. Her heart was beating of the charts, she had even stopped breathing for a moment. Want lasted only a few seconds felt like an enternity. She was getting dizzy, but the last she wanted to do was faint.


She pulled away from Inuyasha slightly gasping for breath. She looked up at him, but saw he already knew, "I love you too Inuyasha".


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Okay, that's all I got in me for this chapter. I know it said Kagome's trials, and it was intended to be so, but I had to through in some point of view from Inuyasha. I worked on this for the last three days, so I hope you like it. And you people got your fluff, and don't worry, now that we got past this milestone, there will be more to come. Now, some questions to ponder about: How will Inuyasha fair against Kagome's friends? What about Hojo? And What the hell happened to Sota in all of this? Will be answered next time on Inuyasha and Kagome: Kagome's Trials Part 2