Whoo, long time no update on any of my fics. I had a bit of a writer's block one week, and then someone reported me to ff.net for apparently breaking the Terms of Service. O.o (Which I hadn't, by any definition of them. Apparently I'd posted a 'list or announcement.' That shows that ff.net doesn't investigate their reports at all. Ah well.) Anyway, I was banned for about a week and half, but now I'm back. Bleh. The next update after this will be for "The Beginning of Tomorrow." I'll probably post it on Wednesday.

Okay so a few things to address.

First off- Once again the deal with InuYasha's age. I'm not really targeting any particular reviewers here so don't be offended, but in any case- whether you have a source or think I have it wrong or not- I have an official source that sets him at the age he's placed at in this fic. It's lying right next to me on my computer desk, with a half empty can of Mt. Dew by it. So while I have no problem with anyone else placing him at different ages in their own fics, this is how I choose to do mine based on the particular source I own. He's 15 in the series, three years older in this fic. ^^;;

Second- Chapters 3-6 have gone through some very slight revisions. There were a couple characterization aspects that I felt needed adjusting. With that in mind, you do not need to reread them if you don't wish to. None of the changes I made have any effect on the plot.

Third- Yah this chapter is really sentimental once again. I'm not trying to drown you in fluff, but this conversation is necessary for later events. There'll be a lot more humor and romance in upcoming chapters.

Fourth- Read, review, and enjoy!

Japanese Guide

Onigiri- Riceball

Bouzu- Worldly monk

Hakuma- Traditional style of pants- InuYasha wears gathered at the ankle ones, but as for the more often seen non-gathered ones- think Himura Kenshin. ^^

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"A Fortuitous Blunder"

Chapter Seven

A Step in the Right Direction

By Kelly O'Connor

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There was silence among the pair as InuYasha and Kagome walked into the village after returning from their visit to Shuurei's village. It was a content quiet though. The Hanyou and the Miko were happy, but both of them were so lost in their thoughts that they had nothing to say to each other. Every once in a while, Kagome would shoot a gentle smile at InuYasha and he'd return it with his own. When Kaede's village was in sight, they made no effort to speed up, they just enjoyed each other's presence- their only disappointment being the fact that the curse disallowed them from touching each other of course.

"Kagome…" InuYasha ventured, finally speaking when they were walking through the village.

"Hmm InuYasha?"

"I was thinking, that stupid Miko had no idea when the other Miko was going to be back… does she know exactly where she is?" The teenage boy inquired. Kagome looked to him in slight confusion.

"I would assume she does… why?" She paused mid-step.

"Keh- We should go to her then, who knows how long it will be before she gets back." InuYasha grumbled and crossed his arms. The schoolgirl tapped her chin.

"You know… you're right," Kagome replied. InuYasha nodded.

"And it will get us away from this stupid village where everyone will annoy us about the damn thing…"

"InuYasha that's not very fair," The teenage girl gave him a stern look.

"KEH! Not fair? You think about all the shit Miroku is going to pull and tell me it's not fair?" InuYasha retorted. The Miko rubbed her fingers between her eyes.

"I guess you're right…" She resigned. Besides… it will give us more time alone. "We'll be going back to Shuurei-sama's tomorrow then… again?" The Hanyou placed his hands behind his head.

"Sounds good to me," He confirmed, then grumbled when he saw the figures of Miroku and Sango approaching them.

"Miroku-sama, Sango-chan!" Kagome waved enthusiastically. Rin was pulling Kohaku by his hand and Shippou followed a little behind the couple. The schoolgirl let out an "oomph" when she felt Shippou leap up into her arms excitedly. "And Shippou-chan." Miroku glanced from Kagome to InuYasha, noting the Hanyou's lack of negative reaction to the attention's she was showering Shippou with.

"Kagome-chan, did you get the spell removed?" Sango asked hopefully walking closer to her friend. Kagome shook her head in the negative.

"Sadly no…" She sighed in irritation, "But InuYasha and I are going to go look for the Miko Shuurei-sama is an apprentice to in hopes she can remove it." Shippou glanced up to Kagome, his eyes filled with hope.

"Can we go with you Kagome?" He begged. The dark haired girl looked down to him pitifully.

"Sorry Shippou-chan, but it's just InuYasha and I going this time…" She apologized. The Houshi raised his eyebrows at InuYasha's lack of comment to even that, and wondered why the Hanyou seemed to be so lost in his thoughts. I'll see if I can get his attention. This is just strange.

"Kagome-sama is right Shippou," Miroku smirked. "Clearly the two of them should go alone. With what's developed I'm sure what will occur between them is something not fit for children." He finished suggestively. Kagome flushed crimson and scolded him, and Sango smacked him on the back of the head and did the same. InuYasha however… although he inevitably blushed only looked away and let out a half-hearted "Keh." Miroku's eyes widened. Yes, there is definitely something up with him regarding Kagome-sama… I'll just have to find out what it is.

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InuYasha scuffed his feet one in front of the other as he made his way to the nearby river their group used for bathing when they were in the village. His mind had been filled with thoughts ever since his conversation with Kagome on their return trip, and subconsciously knew that it was something he wished to discuss with someone. Kaede would work, but he realized that it could very easily end up being Miroku. Sighing, he glanced up at the sky- thousands of stars lighting up the mid summer night. The Hanyou was whipped out of his reverie when the figure of aforementioned Houshi ran up next to him. Hmph, I didn't even notice him coming.

"Ah InuYasha, I thought you were going to wait for me," Miroku said as he flanked InuYasha's side.

"Keh, you were busy and I wanted to go now," The Hanyou replied and crossed his arms. Miroku shrugged.

"I was just spending some time with Sango," He stated, a gentle smile flashing across his features as he thought of his wife. "I don't mind InuYasha, except I have a feeling there are some things you were wanting to talk about… possibly regarding Kagome-sama?" InuYasha's eyes widened, and he blushed.

"Keh! What the hell makes you think I want to talk about anything?" The white haired boy narrowed his eyes in irritation and looked away in attempt to hide his blush. Miroku shook his head.

"Maybe the fact that ever since you got back to the village with Kagome-sama you've seemed like you were completely lost in your thoughts?"

"What are you talking about?" InuYasha blinked.

"Oh come on InuYasha, when Shippou stole the last onigiri at dinner you didn't even get angry… among other things," Miroku pointed out. InuYasha stopped walking, as they had reached the stream.

"Well uhh… Keh, I was tired Bouzu!" He retorted lamely as he quickly slipped off his clothes and stepped into the cool river water. Miroku chuckled lightly and followed suit.

"Seriously InuYasha," the Houshi began once they were both comfortably in the water. "I know you want to talk about your relationship with Kagome-sama… don't you?" InuYasha submerged himself momentarily in irritation and to wet his hair.

"Hmph! No! ...Why would I want to do that?" The Hanyou grumbled once he'd surfaced. Miroku ran a wet hand through his hair.

"You and Kagome-sama are so close… Rin was right, when are you going to take the final steps with her?"

"Final… steps?" He asked, his naiveté showing through, as he gave the Houshi a sincerely confused look.

"You two are grown adults InuYasha, you're both… eighteen right?" The teenage boy nodded in the positive. "Ah, I thought so. That's not even young at all then."

"What are you saying Monk?" InuYasha's confusion turned to irritated suspicion. "If it has anything to do with what you thought me and Kagome… were doing yesterday… then…"

"It has nothing to do with that," Miroku raised up his hands. "I mean when Rin asked why Kagome-sama and you weren't married." InuYasha's eyes widened. "Why aren't you?"

"Keh, why the hell would we be?" The Hanyou replied, aggravation showing through clearly in his tone. The older man didn't back down.

"Don't you want to spend your life with her?" The Houshi asked bluntly. InuYasha abruptly snapped his head up. "If you love Kagome-sama, then you two should commit yourselves to each other." The younger man looked away, a distant expression clouding his eyes.

"Kagome doesn't need me to do to that for her to know… how I feel," He managed to reply in a low tone, a deep blush staining his cheeks. Miroku smiled.

"While that may be true InuYasha, and marriage won't change that, I think that taking that final step will do good things for you two." The dark haired man scrubbed at his shoulders. InuYasha sighed.

"Kagome's time is different anyway." He paused. "People don't usually do that kind of stuff until they're older, and besides-- she's not done with her school thing."

"Ah, I am not aware of the customs in Kagome-sama's world to much extent." The Houshi shrugged, "However, I thought she was done with her school after this year?"

"Keh- after she finishes 'high school' she has to go to this thing called 'college.' Kagome says that it takes a long time to get through it," A somewhat disappointed look crossed his features. "We're still really young for people in Kagome's time anyway… it would be strange." Miroku raised his eyebrows.

"Kagome-sama is in school right now, and that doesn't stop you from being together… why would this college thing be any different?" InuYasha didn't answer. Miroku sighed. "Why are you so opposed to it?"

"Keh- what's it matter?" He snapped. The Houshi cleared his throat and gave his best friend a sincere smile.

"You love her don't you InuYasha?" Miroku continued, "Trust her, adore her more than you ever have or ever will anyone else… right?" The teenage boy's mouth went dry and his throat clogged up at being so directly confronted with his feelings. He tried to formulate a sensible reply, or any reply at all. The older man noticed his friend's problem. "If you can't even admit it in front of me InuYasha… how will you tell her?" Silence permeated among the pair before InuYasha finally looked down and sighed.

"She knows," He managed a simple reply, his voice hoarse and quiet.

"Mhmm, of course she knows, but nonetheless InuYasha… can you say it to her, or at all?"

"Why? She already knows," The Hanyou gave the Houshi a confused look.

"Why not? I love Sango. See there, it's easy to say." Miroku grinned. InuYasha grumbled.

"Keh, just shut up!" The younger man retorted in frustration and splashed a bit of water on his friend. The dark haired man went quiet for a moment before opening his mouth to speak.

"You… haven't really ever thought about this have you InuYasha?" He began. "I mean… your future." The white haired boy gave him a somewhat perplexed look. "What did you and Kagome-sama discuss on your trip that made you act so odd tonight?"

"I don't have to tell you." InuYasha growled.

"Fine, then don't," Miroku countered. The Hanyou blinked in surprised and sighed.

"Before… now I'd never really thought about the future," He paused and bit his lip. "Because when we were fighting Naraku, and before that… I just kind of lived day to day." InuYasha's golden eyes held a distant look. "I was just trying to survive when I was on my own, and when we were battling Naraku there was always the possibility that there wouldn't be a future… and…" He cut himself off.

"And Kikyou?" Miroku inquired. InuYasha made a muffled sound in the back of his throat and turned away. "Before you were sealed InuYasha… you made a promise to Kikyou that you'd spend your life with her. Why will you not do the same with Kagome?" The teenage boy cast his eyes down and lowered his voice, looking back towards Miroku.

"I was afraid…. Of losing what I'd gained… with Kikyou so I promised her, and…" He cut off his statement and shook his head. "But I trust Kagome, I know… I know that she'd never leave me, so I don't feel like I have to… hurry." InuYasha finished and immediately turned so Miroku couldn't see his expression.

"Then you should show her how grateful you are," Miroku replied. "Don't take advantage of her kindness InuYasha."

"Keh! I'm not!" The Hanyou snapped, genuinely angry at that accusation. Miroku held up his arms in surrender.

"I don't mean it like that InuYasha," The Houshi clarified. "You want to be with her, so ask her to spend her life with you. Kagome-sama's world may be different, but somehow I doubt… you asking her to marry you would be anything but wonderful in her eyes." InuYasha felt a blush creep across his cheeks, and simply didn't respond with anything but a "Keh." Miroku smiled lightly. "It's just something for you to think about." The older man stood up and walked to the side of the creek, drying himself off with one of the 'towels' Kagome brought from her world. InuYasha sunk lower into the water, hiding his thoughtful expression from his friend.

"Keh, maybe I will… maybe I won't," The silver haired boy grumbled. Miroku chuckled.

"Your actions speak well InuYasha, they have for a very long time-- but let her know in words. It should be easy to tell her." InuYasha blinked.

"What…?!" The Hanyou growled. Miroku dried off his hair a bit and pulled his robe on.

"Your stubbornness must be horribly infuriating at times," He smirked, "It's a good thing Kagome-sama is such a patient person." Miroku looked back to InuYasha and gave him a serious glare. "You can hope for the future now InuYasha- plan for it, dream of it. I couldn't do that either three years ago, but now we all can. You want your future to be Kagome, so tell her." The teenage boy just stood up out of the water and began drying himself off. "Can you say it? At least that would be a start." InuYasha grumbled as he tied his Hakuma and tied Tetsusaiga in its place at his waist.

"Keh, I love Kagome… happy now?" The Hanyou replied somewhat unthinkingly. Miroku grinned, and InuYasha's eyes widened once he realized what he'd said- a deep blush spreading over his cheeks. "I mean… uh... dammit."

"Good," Miroku turned around and began walking back to the village, InuYasha following after momentarily, his cheeks still crimson. "Now you just need to tell her."

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Next Chapter- InuYasha and Kagome just can't seem to escape the startling thoughts this situation has brought upon them… or the nagging and questions of their friends regarding them… That's okay though, once they're on their own traveling again… there won't be any problems… right?

…Wrong… ^^