Chapter 3 Hide And Seek

Disclaimer: I own eleven Inuyasha mangas, one Inuyasha animanga, two Inuyasha DVD's, and I know four of the theme songs by heart. I've even made miniature models of Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, and Miroku out of embroidery floss and very small beads(the likenesses are amazing!). However, for some strange reason, I don't own Inuyasha! AAAHHH! Author's note: Sometimes, when I'm pressed for time and I want to read a good fanfiction, I print it out. Sure, I come across little author's notes that say things like, "Review!" and, "Push that little blue button... you know you want to," but on the bright side, at least I don't have to pay attention to Mr. Derosa in 7th period!

"I meant no offense, Inuyasha," Miroku said, but Inuyasha wouldn't hear it. "I only suggested that perhaps you were fighting sleep yourself when you proposed that we go our separate ways. I thought it would be more convenient to have Shippo lead us to where you two were sleeping."
"Whatever!" said Inuyasha. "Just forget it!" They walked along in silence, save Kagome and Sango.
"Kagome-chan," said Sango. Kagome looked up.
"Sango?" she asked.
"May I have a word?" asked Sango. Kagome smiled, and the two women slowed their paces until they were far behind the others.
"So Sango," said Kagome cheerfully. "What did you want to talk to me about?" She looked up at the taijiya, now serious.
"I... have something I'd like to confide," Sango replied. She looked pointedly at Miroku, who was striding alongside Inuyasha. Kagome followed her gaze, and found its target.
"Miroku?" she asked. Sango blushed, but nodded solemnly. Kagome smirked. "I thought you liked him." Sango flushed a darker red.
"I suppose," she replied.
"Well, what are you gonna do about it?" asked Kagome.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, when are you gonna tell Miroku?"
"Tell him! I don't think-"
"That's exactly the problem, Sango," said Kagome. "You think too much. I mean, it's a good strategy for fighting, but why not listen to your heart for a change?" Sango thought about it, and sighed.
"I don't know, Kagome-chan."
"What's to know?" asked Kagome. "It's not like he's in love with another girl or something." Sango squinted her eyes in confusion.
"Kagome-chan, why-" She stopped, and smiled. "You're in love with Inuyasha, aren't you?" Kagome froze, lost her voice, then found it.
"Wh-what makes you say that?" Sango chuckled at the young girl, who was as stiff and red as a bottle of ketchup.
"Kagome," she said smiling. "Don't deny it, it's perfectly obvious." Kagome relaxed a little and started to walk again.
"Oh, all right," she said. "Maybe I do sort of like him." She gave a small smile, and they said nothing else, that is, until Inuyasha noticed they were lagging behind.
"Hey you two!" he yelled. "Wouldja quit walking so slow and catch up?"
"Coming!" called Sango. When they caught up, Inuyasha sent Shippo ahead to see if there was a village they could stop and rest at. Shippo grudgingly transformed into a pink orb and floated away.
"Inuyasha," said Sango slowly. "Perhaps Houshi-sama and I should go as well, to look after Shippo." Sango winked at Kagome, Miroku swallowed a lump in his throat, and Inuyasha smirked.
"Sure," he said. "Go ahead." Miroku walked nervously alongside Sango, following the pink dot that was Shippo. Inuyasha snickered.
"What's so funny?" asked Kagome. Inuyasha looked at the girl behind him.
"Do you honestly think Sango wanted to look after Shippo?" he asked.
"Oh, that," said Kagome, suppressing a giggle. Inuyasha flashed her a smile. She suddenly got an idea. She slowly approached the hanyou from behind, and before he could turn around, she grabbed his ears.
"What the- AARRGGHH!" she finished pulling on his ears, and ran away as fast as she could. "Get back here, Kagome!" he yelled. He ran after her, sniffing the air for her scent. He smelled her and slowed his pace, as not to set her running again. He silently jumped into the tree she was hiding behind and waited for his cue.
'What's gotten into me?' thought Kagome as she panted heavily. She peeked around the tree to see if Inuyasha had found her yet, then stepped out, sure the coast was clear. Inuyasha jumped out of the tree in front of her, scaring her half to death.
"Inuyasha!" she gasped, backing into the tree, "Why'd you-"Inuyasha slammed his onto the tree on either side of Kagome, holding her there. He was wearing an evil smirk. "Inuyasha?"
"I'm not sure I liked you yanking on my ears, Kagome," he said. He was looking her straight in the eye, and she couldn't look away. Was it her, or was Inuyasha's face getting closer? He was about to steal a kiss, when he caught the smell of blood. He drew his hands away and stood up straight.
"What is it?" she asked, looking scared.
"Blood," answered Inuyasha. "A lot of it. Come on, Kagome!" She jumped on his back, and he ran toward the smell of the blood.
~*~
When Inuyasha and Kagome arrived, the village was in a state of a pandemonium. People were desperately trying to evade the jaws of the snake demon that was terrorizing their village.
"Yesss," hissed the snake demon. "Run ssscreaming, pathetic foolsss! I shall eat you all!" She laughed darkly and waved her tail, which seemed to be curled around the small form of...
"Shippo!" cried Kagome. She ran forward, drew her bow and an arrow, and took aim for the demon, but it noticed, and knocked her aside with its tail.
"Kagome!" yelled Inuyasha. He lunged at the snake, dodging her swishing tail. "You monster! I'll rip out your fangs and pin you to the ground with them!" He drew his tetsusaiga, which immediately transformed into a fang, and jumped into the air. The snake was ready for him, though. Just before Inuyasha could get a chance to slice her head in two, she opened her mouth and plunged a fang into his shoulder. "Aarrgghh!" He feel to the ground.
"Inuyasha!" screamed Kagome, as a flying boomerang sliced through the snake's flesh. The snake hissed in agony and tried to bite Sango, but she ran and jumped out of the way. Miroku was running around, trying to get a good angle from which to suck the beast into his kazaan without being knocked out by her swishing tail. Kagome drew another arrow and released it, and it went flying toward the snake's tail. It hit! The snake cried out in pain, and released Shippo. Miroku, luckily, caught the unconscious kit.
"I will sssqueeze every bit of air from you, you wretched wench!" hissed the angry snake yƓkai.