East of the Moon
Chapter Four

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East Room, White House, 12:48 p.m., July 17:

"I knew it!" Inuyasha declared with a large grin as he surveyed his surroundings. "Ha, I knew there was an East Room. And it even has a piano."

"You shouldn't talk to yourself," called a voice behind him and he blushed brightly when he realized that he had, in fact, been talking to himself.

"Shut up, you," Inuyasha grumbled as Kagome came walking up to him.

The girl giggled and stuck out her tongue. "Never." He rolled his eyes and stared at the piano centered on the left side of the room. "Dad holds all the parties in here. That's why it's so big, and why there's a piano in here. He tried to get me to learn, but I have stupid fingers. Can't play at all."

"Lucky for you, I am a master," he said and cracked his knuckles with a grin. She raised an eyebrow. "Okay, so I'm not a master, but I know my share of David Lanz."

Kagome's eyes widened and she clasped her hands together. "You know David Lanz pieces?"

"Yeah..." he said and smiled when Kagome jumped up and down. "Hey, stop it, you spaz."

"Play a song, play a song!" she said and pushed him towards the piano. Inuyasha allowed the girl to pus him towards the black instrument and sat himself down on the matching black stand.

"Alright, I know them, but I'm not perfect," he said off handedly. "Mum made me learn. Japanese and piano lessons, yeesh."

Kagome smiled and watched him, her blue eyes twinkling in fascination.

Inuyasha licked his lips and lightly touched the ivory keys, the smooth surface painfully familiar to him. Letting out a small sigh he scooted closer to the piano and looked up at Kagome. With a smile he patted the space beside him and the president's daughter soon joined him on the black bench.

"Any requests?" he asked with one eyebrow cocked upwards.

"Heart sounds," she said instantly and nodded her head firmly. He smiled coyly at her and began to play the difficult piece.

He fumbled only slightly and he sent her an apologetic look. She smiled reassuringly and seemed to become one with the music he played for her. She leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes, a large smile on his face. He wanted desperately to wrap an around her, but seeing as how he was playing a piano, and a very difficult piece at that, it was seemingly impossible to do so.

When he ended, she opened her eyes and clapped, the sound echoing throughout the empty room. "Inuyasha," she said softly, her eyes shinning, "That was beautiful."

"Thanks," he said, blushing slightly. "It wasn't that good," he added bashfully, his modesty kicking in. It always happened when he was around Kagome. 'Damn her.'

"Are you kidding? That was awesome!" she said her smile bright. "Can you play another one? Do you know Dark Horse?"

"The first one I ever learned to play," he said proudly and began to play the said song gracefully and fluently. Kagome watched fascinated as his fingers stretched and touched the ivory and onyx colored keys.

"You're amazing," she said when he was done.

"You always say that," he said sheepishly.

"Want to go somewhere today?" Kagome asked suddenly, her eyes shining brightly. He blinked at her and watched in dull stupidity as she grabbed his hand and began to drag him from the hall. "We'll be back; one of these days I'm going to make you dance with me in here."

"Oh joy," he said sarcastically and allowed the girl to pull him from the room. "So where are we going?"

"You'll see!" Kagome chirped happily as she pulled him towards the bowels of the White House.

---

Oval Office, White House, 1:10 p.m.:

Kagome banged the door open as she pulled the disgruntled and disoriented hanyou into her father's office. "Daddy," she said happily in greeting. The president looked up from his desk, positioned in front of the large windows. He raised an amused eyebrow as the girl walked towards him, pulling the boy behind her. The boy blushed and bowed his head, staring at the intertwined hands.

"Hello Kagome, dear," he said and stood as the girl stopped in front of him. "Is there something you need?"

"Yup," Kagome chirped cheerfully and tugged Inuyasha to stand next to her. "Daddy, is it ok if Inuyasha and I go somewhere today? Please?" she gave him the puppy eyes.

Jones rolled his eyes and smiled faintly. "Your bodyguards are going to have to come with you. You know that, right?"

"Yes dad..." Kagome said with a large sigh. "Please?" she gave him the puppy eyes again.

"Fine, get out of here," her dad smiled with a wave of his hand. "I have work to do. Be back by seven, alright?"

"Uh huh." Kagome nodded and grabbed the Inuyasha's hand again. She began walking out and the boy glanced behind him to see her father giving him a warning glare.

He gulped and allowed the girl to carry him away.

---

Limo, outside the White House, 1:30 p.m.:

"Hurray, I'm awesome!" Kagome declared as the two found themselves seated in a limo and leaving the sanctuary of the White House.

Inuyasha smirked and laughed slightly. "That you are, Kagome."

She turned her sparkling blue eyes towards him and giggled brightly. "You're just jealous of my mad skills."

"What skills?"

"The puppy dog eyes of course," Kagome said and leaned back against the black leather that adorned the inside of the limo. She glanced behind her to make sure that the third black limo was behind them and then ahead to see the first black limo. 'Matter of protection,' her father had told her. It happened every time she left. One of her body guards was situated in the front seat of the limo and the rest were scattered throughout the other two stretched vehicles.

"Feh. my puppy eyes would own yours," Inuyasha said cockily and sent her his best puppy dog impression. He stuck out his bottom lip and made his eyes watery. Kagome squealed loudly when he made his dog ears droop.

She reached out and gave him a hug. "That is too cute!"

He blushed brightly as Kagome squeezed him tightly. "Feh, told you," he said, satisfied with his skills.

"Fine," she said as her eyes rolled skyward.

He glanced at her and smiled brightly, his golden eyes locking with hers. She smiled warmly and didn't move to remove her arms from around his shoulders. "You're so damn cute, Inuyasha," she said with a giggle.

"So," he said, quickly avoiding the compliment he'd just received, "where are we going?"

"Guess!" she said with a sadistic laugh.

"Oh, you're evil," he said with a scowl. She just grinned. "Fine, uh..."

There was a long pause.

"Nope, I have no idea."

Kagome stared at him before laughing, leaning her head against his broad shoulder. He laughed with her for a long moment. "Anyways," she said after getting control over herself, "Want something to drink?"

"Sure," he said as the girl regretfully left his shoulder and scooted over to the right side of the limo. She opened a small compartment and pulled out several cans of soda. "What's your favorite soda?" she asked as she observed the sodas.

"Is this the beginning of twenty questions?" he asked with a laugh.

"Yes," she said firmly. "So, what's your favorite soda?"

"Dr. Pepper," he said without hesitation. Kagome tossed him a can and grabbed a sprite remix for herself.

"Liquefied skittles," she said with a large smile, sporting her beautifully white teeth.

"Huh," Inuyasha said as he took a large swig of his Dr. Pepper. "So, my turn." He thought for a long moment. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Anything that doesn't have to do with politics," she said and thought for a moment. "I think it would be cool to be a vet or a marine biologist."

"You like animals, I take it?" he asked, his golden eyes glowing.

"Damn straight," she smiled, "And if that doesn't work out I want to be an anime dubber."

He raised an amused eyebrow.

"Yeah, you heard me," she said in mock seriousness. "I love my anime."

"Apparently," he agreed.

"How about you?"

"I've never really thought about it," he admitted. "There's nothing that really interests me, I think. I'd probably bum money off of my wife."

"Oh wow; that's amazing Inuyasha," Kagome said sarcastically.

"I'm joking," he said with a brazen smile. "I think it would be cool to be an architect..."

Kagome reached over and pinched his cheek. "Does our wittle inu play with blocks?"

"Legos, actually," Inuyasha said with a snort. "No double questions."

She snorted and released his cheek, her smile bright.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

Kagome frowned and pouted, "That's not fair."

"Answer the question."

"Fine..." She pouted again. "You're no fun."

"Get over it, I'm a horrible person," he said.

"No you aren't," she said with a giggle. "Anyways, we're going kayaking!"

"We're...what...?"

Kagome just grinned.

---

Kayak rentals, water front, 2:58 p.m.:

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Inuyasha said with a snort as he moved himself into a red single kayak. Kagome smiled brightly at him from his left, sitting down in a blue single kayak.

"I do this all the time. It's really fun. There's a beach just across from here. It's really pretty and barely anyone goes there. I swear you'll have fun," she said, being her usual perky self. Inuyasha melted from her sweet smile and pleading eyes. "Ha, my puppy dog eyes own you!"

He stuck his tongue out at her and gripped his paddle. "Whatever," he said. They paddled out, ignoring the three body guards that followed shortly behind. He wondered why they were still wearing their black suits. He and Kagome had changed into bathing suits once they had arrived. Kagome had grabbed his swim trunks for him, apparently.

Kagome was wearing swim trunks, too, however, a light tank top covering her bikini, much to Inuyasha's disappointment. He was shirtless, and was sure she was getting a kick out of that.

"I'll race you!" Kagome called from beside him, her arms pumping the paddle into the water daintily, conserving her energy. She pointed to the beach up ahead to signal where they would race too.

Inuyasha smirked arrogantly. "You know I'll win."

Kagome gave him a dry look. "Please, Mr. Testosterone, contain yourself."

Slightly pushed off from that comment he mock-growled and flexed his claws. Though he made sure the body guards wouldn't see or else he was sure he'd be shot in the back.

At any rate, the two locked eyes and Kagome began the countdown. "On your mark."

"Get set," Inuyasha said with a smirk as he gripped his paddle.

"Go!" they both shouted and began paddling down the clear blue waterway. Kagome giggled as she pulled ahead and Inuyasha wondered idly if she knew he was letting her win.

The body guards watched the two teenagers paddle away lightning fast and grumbled softly to themselves about getting raises.

Meanwhile, the two teenagers locked eyes as Inuyasha pulled up beside Kagome, "You really don't think you'll beat me, do you?"

"I was winning before," Kagome said in satisfaction.

"And you're about to lose," Inuyasha said confidently as he began to paddle furiously, his red kayak quickly gaining momentum, and distanced himself from the president's daughter. Kagome pouted and paddled as hard as she could without tipping herself over.

Clear blue water splashed out and hit their cheeks and their arms, cooling their sweating skin as they raced towards the beach just yards away.

Kagome frowned when she realized she was going to lose.

"Oh yeah!" Inuyasha said with a victory dance once they both reached the beach and had exited from the banana shaped boats. "Who's the best?" he didn't wait for Kagome to answer. "That's right, I am!"

Kagome crossed her arms and pouted. "But I kayak more than you!"

"Yeah, well I'm a strong, buff man," Inuyasha joked and flexed his muscles. Kagome noted that he did indeed have very nice muscles.

"Whatever," Kagome grumbled, "Estrogen still rocks my socks."

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "Men are stronger and can handle all pain!" He said cockily.

Kagome gave him a dry look. "Uh huh, go try childbirth and then come back and tell me that."

Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest. "Have you given birth?"

"Have you?" Kagome countered with a pout.

"Nope, so we aren't sure if really does hurt as much as everyone says it is." Inuyasha shrugged. "You know how people always exaggerate to sound tough."

"Inuyasha...I really think childbirth hurts," Kagome said with a sigh.

"Yeah I do, too," Inuyasha said and puffed out his chest. "And now I depart!"

"Depart where?" Kagome asked with a bemused expression dancing across her face.

"To the water," Inuyasha said as he made a great show of pointing towards the water. "Hark!"

"Oh lord," Kagome muttered as she watched Inuyasha strut into the water.

"Ah come on in, Kagome; you know you can't resist my sexy body," Inuyasha said as he emerged from the water, his hands on his hips and droplets of water dripping down his tanned chest. He smirked at her. "Come forth! Do not deny me!" he said in a voice deeper than his normal voice.

Kagome blushed furiously. 'Damn cocky bastard...'

Sending him a glare and trying to hide her blush, Kagome took off her tank top and let it drop to the ground, revealing a blue bikini. She kept her swim trunks on, which reached down to her knees, and walked slowly towards him. "You are so conceited."

"I don't hear you denying my sexy body, though," Inuyasha said with another puff of his chest.

"Shut up," Kagome said as she ran into the water and tackled him. They fell into the clear blue water and stayed down there, gripping each other. When they emerged they both started to laugh. Kagome looked up at him, seemingly only now aware of how much taller he was compared to her. She blushed again.

They swam around for a while before Kagome shyly looked at him, a blush permanently stained on her cheeks, it seemed. Inuyasha paused in his wading of the water, staring at the sand below him before looking back up at her. Their eyes locked and he smiled sweetly at her.

'She's so cute,' he thought to himself as he walked towards her, a devious smile on his face.

"What are you plotting?" Kagome asked with a one eyebrow cocked.

"Oh nothing," Inuyasha said and dove under water to pick her up bridal style, causing the girl to shriek in surprise.

He began walking towards the deeper part of the water. "Inuyasha..." There was a warning tone in her voice.

He smirked and dropped her in the water. Kagome emerged and turned angry eyes towards him. He laughed uneasily as she began to chase him around the beach. He laughed as the girl gained on him, though he decided not to tell her that he was going easy on her. Suddenly his thoughts were cut off as the girl tackled him from behind and they landed on the ground, rolling around just a bit before Inuyasha found himself over her, his hands pinning her down by the shoulders.

Her chest was heaving with her pants of air. A small bead of sweat fell down her cheek and he watched its path. They stared at each other for a split second before Inuyasha grinned widely, a blush staining his cheeks.

He dipped down and captured her lips in a delicate kiss. Kagome's eyes opened in shock before she quickly returned the gesture. For a split second, Kagome felt like she was in heaven, and everything melted away. All she could feel was the delicious feel of his lips against hers.

The kiss was perfect, the way they held each other, the way their kiss seemed to fit together completely, the way their hearts beat as one for one sweet second. Inuyasha felt like everything was perfect.

Except for when Kagome's body guards tackled him into the water. That he could have lived without. With a loud yelp of surprise, Inuyasha found himself tumbling down into the water, having been tackled by a bald body guard.

Kagome stared in surprise as the bald man spoke into a microphone at his ear, "Package is secure."

"Roger that," said a man with a pony tail beside Kagome. She looked up at him and blinked before she burst into laughter.

Her laughter luckily drowned out the profanities the wet, disgruntled hanyou was shouting at the bald guy.

---

Author's notes:

-East room is an actual room and is used for parties at the White House.

-David Lanz is an excellent pianist who has beautiful work. 'Heart Sounds' and 'Dark Horse' are only two of the many gorgeous works of music.

-the kayak trip was slightly based on an experience I had in Canada. Minus the part when a hot guy was with me. Since we know it's impossible for me to have a love life. This is just my sad excuse to have some romance in my life (I really DO need a life, good lord).