Disclaimer: If I had a penny for everytime I've thought of Inuyasha as mine, I'd be a millionaire ten times over... And of course, then I'd have enough money to REALLY own Inuyasha!

A/N: Ha, I'm back! Bet you weren't expecting that, were you? (rolls eyes in disgust at one's self) Okay, I'm definitely too hyper right now... But I have a thank you! This is for Chibi Jen-chan, who told me the correct spellings of the two swords. Thank You! ; ) Anywayz, here's your next chappie, which I'll try to make longer, cause I know you hate short chapters...

Life of a Teenager

Chapter 16: A Kiss... Or Not?

Kagome stirred slightly. Inhaling, she caught the faint scent of pine trees and fresh air, with an underlying smell. It was a warm smell, with a touch of sandalwood and freshness. As she shifted her weight, two bands tightened around her, one around the middle of her back and the other across her thighs. Wait a minute... I've been in this position before... Someone's held me like this...So warm and gentle... Opening her eyes a crack, she confirmed her suspicions when she saw the mane of silver hair. She knew she was in Inuyasha's arms; who else would smell like the outdoors and hold her so gently? A smile curved across her face. Snuggling into his embrace, she promptly fell back asleep, unaware that another set of eyes were opening at the exact same time.

Golden eyes peered down into Kagome's contented face. She was still asleep, Inuyasha noticed faintly. Her eyelashes were a dark fan lying softly against her cheeks, which were flushed with a pink glow of health. A smile curved his lips as he stared at her. She looks like an angel, fallen from heaven. So what's she doing in my arms? He frowned to himself at that. He wasn't a nice guy; far from it. So why was she in his arms, still asleep like a baby, trusting him... Trusting him? Of course, how else could she sleep with such abandon? Almost unwillingly, his eyes were drawn to her lips. Full and pink, almost like ripe berries. Tentatively, he brushed a finger across them. They were soft as a rose petal. Inuyasha dipped his head closer to Kagome's. Did he dare...? When his lips were a bare inch from hers, he stole a quick glance up at her. He almost dropped her in surprise when he found her blue eyes open and staring at him sleepily. Before he could jerk up his head and pretend like nothing had happened, she reached up and cupped one of his ears, rubbing it soothingly. His eyes drooped until they were half open, golden staring into sapphire. Tugging a little, she pulled his head down until he was back to his original position, leaning over her. Eyes still staring into one another's, their lips almost touching........

Until someone sneezed. Jerking around, the couple's faces flamed at the sight of the entire group, including Kaede, staring at the two in avid fascination. Glaring, everyone turned to Kouga, who was holding a hand across his face. Wearing a chastised expression that didn't convince anyone in the least, he stood up and walked out of the hut. Hastily, Inuyasha stood up and set Kagome down on the floor gently, but none the less quickly. Sporting a blush hot enough to start a fire, he glared at all of the people silently giggling as he stalked out of the hut. Confused, Kagome was staring around her at the hut, trying her best to ignore the looks she was getting from the rest of the group and her own red-as-fire cheeks. Unfortunately, she wasn't succeeding very well. Finally, disgusted at everyone, she too stormed out of the hut. Outside, she stopped, frozen with shock. Just where the hell was she? Looking down, she noticed her clothes for the first time. She was dressed in some Old World something-or-other, and it was itchy as hell! Deciding that wherever she was, it was okay to take a walk, so she started towards the forest, not knowing that villagers had stopped to stare at the vision of Midoriko as she walked across a field. What further shocked them, though, was the half-demon that leapt out of a tree to walk besides her, talking to her as though an equal! Shaking their heads in amazement, they shrugged and continued with their work. What the Lady Midoriko did in her own time was none of their business!

Kagome had just started across the field, admiring the view, when Inuyasha leapt out of no where and walked beside her, a slightly nervous expression on his face. Kagome blushed slightly when she thought about a few minutes ago, but decided to not talk about it for the time being, since Inuyasha looked so uncomfortable. "So, where are we exactly? And what happened to the Demon Gang?" she questioned softly. Inuyasha was relieved that she didn't want to talk about what had almost occurred between them. Happily, he answered. "You knocked up back into the Feudal Era when yours and Kikyo's arrows combined. We've only been here about a day. As for the Demon Gang, they seemed to have disappeared." He said the last part quietly, as if disturbed by this. Kagome silently agreed. The Demon Gang on the loose in the past was not a good combination. Who knows what kind of mayhem they could cause in the future? Lost in their thoughts, neither noticed where they were headed until they stepped into the shadow of a giant tree. Startled, Kagome looked up. The tree was a giant oak, over two stories tall. With delight, Kagome noticed it was a Goshinboku, an Old God Tree. Walking to the base, she sat down in the shade and closed her eyes, enjoying the quiet of the forest. Opening them a few minutes later, she was a little panicked when she saw that Inuyasha seemed to have disappeared. An idea came to her, and she looked up. There, lying on the lowest branch of the tree, was Inuyasha, eyes closed but ears twitching as he kept on alert for any possible threats. Kagome noticed that he seemed at ease in his new clothes, despite the face that they were a tad unusual. Standing up, she decided to join him. She was halfway up the tree when she felt strong arms going around her, picking her up and carrying her to Inuyasha's branch with ease. Blushing, she was carefully sat down while Inuyasha made himself comfortable again. "Next time, just tell me when you want up," he growled faintly. Still blushing, Kagome nodded, then looked around at her new vantage point. What she saw made her gasp in delight. The sun was high in the air, casting a shadow through the leaves of the trees onto the forest floor below. Not too far away, a stream ran through the forest, making a barely discernible tinkling sound. The wind whipped through the trees, blowing the leaves to and fro, and carrying with it the scent of cherry blossoms and summer. Kagome sighed in delight at the relaxing picture and leaned back against Inuyasha's chest. Instinctively, his arms circled around her and they sat there, enjoying the view and the silence.

Back at Kaede's hut, everyone was a little worried that Inuyasha and Kagome hadn't returned yet. Kouga had long since returned, and was still receiving a glare from the occasional group member. They weren't stupid; they knew that he's developed a crush on Kagome and was jealous of all the attention she was giving Inuyasha. What Kouga didn't know was that Ayame had a crush on him as well, and she wasn't about to let him get away. So the group sat around the fire as they waited for their leader to return, anxious to discuss the new turn of events and what was going to happen next.

Somewhere in the woods, not too far from where Kaede's hut stood, a group of figures were watching. "So that pathetic excuse for a demon and that bitch of a Miko haven't returned yet?" a voice whispered in the night. One figure, barely seen in the fading light, shook its head. "Nope, they're still in the forest. They disappeared about noon and haven't been back since, even though it's almost nightfall," was the reply. "Good," the first voice whispered. "Then they won't be prepared if we attack. Bankotsu, Yura, and Musou, you'll attack the hut. Kagura, Kanna, and Jakotsu, you'll be in charge of keeping an eye on Inuyasha and Kagome. If the two decide to go back early, distract them. We need them as divided as possible." Silently, three figures departed for the hut. The next three hurried off in the opposite direction. The last figure stepped out of the shadows. It was Kikyo, yet not Kikyo. Her hair was silver and fell waist length, unbound except for a clip shaped like a shell on her forehead. Her eyes glowed red in the darkness. A faint laugh came from her, but it was undershadowed by another voice. "Finally, I will have my revenge, Inuyasha. You will pay for shunning me and replacing me with that bitch!" she hissed. As she spoke, the second voice grew stronger, finally drowning out Kikyo's. "I'm no longer just Kikyo. I am Tsubaki, the Dark Priestess. And we shall see who is more powerful, good or evil!"

A/N: MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO BAD!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist that cliffie and the part where Inuyasha and Kagome ALMOST kiss. I know you're going to eat me alive for it, but as long as it's a review, I'll be happy! Next chapter should be up tomorrow, I'm gonna try to go back to my normal routine. And I'll update Hidden Fires ASAP, so don't worry about that one either. Well, I'll see ya guys in my next chapter. Can't wait to read what you think about this one...