Chapter 18: Excuse me?
Kagome's arm was yanked backwards. Her other hand shot out towards the source and struck Inuyasha. "Bitch, stop that!"
Almost absentmindedly, Kagome replied, "Sit." Both went down.
"Ouch! Let go!" She wrested her arm away from Inuyasha's grasp and sat cross-legged far away from him.
"Serves you right!" Inuyasha struggled against the spell. "We need to go now!"
"I need my stuff!"
He went up onto his elbows and glared at her. "No, you don't."
She looked down at her faded jeans and green sweatshirt. "Fine. I'll walk around in these clothes until they're so nasty you'll beg me to go home."
He went up onto his knees. "I don't care about what you do. I just need to take you back."
She got up slowly and backed away further. "Inuyasha…"
"And I'll do it any way I can!" He sprung up at her, grabbed her by the waist, and threw her over his shoulder. He threw a wave at Kagome's family, who had come outside to watch. Her mom smiled and waved, her brother grinned and cheered, and her grandpa scowled.
Kagome sighed. "Okay, fine. Souta, please take my homework to school tomorrow! It's on my desk!" Souta waved and nodded.
Inuyasha strutted over to the well house, went inside, and dropped down the well with Kagome still on his shoulder.
*****
Kagome grabbed a fistful of white hair and tugged hard. "Will you please tell me what's the matter?" Kagome waited. Inuyasha ignored her question for the third time. "Okay, that's it. Either tell me, or I'll say it."
He glanced at her, smirking. "Remember what happened the last time you did?"
"Right now, I don't care. Either you tell me, or we'll both go down." She blushed as she realized what she'd said. "I—I mean—"
Inuyasha's laughter rumbled in his chest. "Oh, forget it. By the way, I brought your bag over earlier today. We're back!"
Inuyasha put Kagome down as three small figures rushed out of Kaede's. The figures rushed over and knocked her off her feet. All three were crying.
"Wait—what—Huh?" Kagome looked back at Inuyasha, who had a huge grin on his face. He shrugged and jumped up to his favorite sleeping tree. Seconds later, his modern clothes dropped down at the base of the tree in a heap. She sighed. Baka…
She held up her hand. "Calm down, guys." Three heads nodded, sniffling. She smiled and dropped to her knees. She watched each child. "Thank you. Hello, kids. Did you have a good day?" Three heads shook. Her smile faltered. "O-kay… Want to tell me about it? One at a time?" More head shaking. She stifled a sigh. "Fine. Let's go to Kaede's—"
"NO!" She lost her balance and fell backwards. Six fearful eyes looked back towards the wooden hut, then back to her.
"Um, Inuyasha? Could you please watch the kids? I'll be right back."
"No." She looked upwards and caught a glimpse of his silver hair as it vanished deep into the woods.
"Why you little—!" She took a deep breath. She hugged her knees and dropped her head onto them. "Where's Miroku?" Silence. She looked up.
Their wide eyes had narrowed and their faces had turned mutinous. Kagome scrunched up her face in confusion. "Where's Sango-chan?" Three faces turned away, but not before Kagome saw the anger in them. Kagome had had enough. She stood and marched to Kaede's. She pulled open the door and went inside.
*****
"—that it's impossible." Everyone turned towards the door as Kagome came inside. She strode forward, stared everyone down, and planted her hands on her hips. Her eyes were not their usual color, but rather a deep emerald green. Her miko powers were just recognizable, but it was apparent she was keeping a tight reign on her temper. Everyone exchanged worried glances.
"Lady Kagome…" Emerald eyes turned towards the voice. "Please remember that I had my home fixed…" Kagome nodded.
"Why are there three crying/angry children outside?" Her unnaturally calm voice made everyone turn towards the demon lord, who shifted uncomfortably.
"I have nothing to do with her change." Sesshoumaru frowned at the group. "Why would I, Lord Sessh—"
"Then, if someone would be so kind—" Kagome continued on as if he hadn't spoken, "—to tell me what the hell is going on?"
"Lady Kagome, language!" The monk's shock was evident in his voice.
"Fuck you. Now answer me."
"Yes?" She turned towards the voice with narrowed eyes. Miroku shrunk back. She smiled at him, yet it didn't reach her eyes. "Lady Kaede? You don't happen to have another necklace, right? Maybe something along the lines of 'celibate'? Or 'chaste' perhaps?" Miroku paled and shut his mouth. Sango snorted into her hand.
"Since it seems like no one wants to answer, I'll try something different. Why was Inuyasha in my time?"
"We were worried when you did not come back early, Kagome."
"Why are there three kids crying one minute, and murderous the next?"
Sesshoumaru stood. "I accept the blame. I told Rin she was going home today. There are extenuating circumstances, and she cannot remain here."
Her power flared down and her eyes returned to normal. "You mean to tell me this is all because Rin's leaving?" She smacked her palm on her forehead. "Silly me, I thought it was life or death. Never mind, I apologize. I'll go wring some necks now." She grinned and bounced back out the door.
Sango turned to the group. "Who's going to follow and tell her she's going too?"
*****
Kagome went towards the tree and found three small figures huddled together, sleeping soundly. She sat next to the nearest tree, leaned back, and closed her eyes. "Trouble at home, trouble here… When will it end?"
"So, are you going?"
She shook her head at Inuyasha's voice and grinned. "Not yet. I'll sneak off when you're not looking."
He dropped next to her. "You'd leave without saying goodbye?"
She turned to him. "What are you talking about?"
His eyes had lost their spark. "Are. You. Leaving."
"Well, I'll need to go back for my clothes and supplies every few days, like usual…" She trailed off when he dropped his head. "Inuyasha? What's the matter?"
"Why aren't you answering? I want to know. I need to know." He leaned forward so his hair would cover half his face. "I—I don't want you to go, but it's not up to me anymore. But if you go, it's okay. I—we'll manage somehow." He bounded upwards and into the forest.
*****
© 10/16/03, M.A.R.
Aphiopsyduck: Hello faithful readers! I have some good news. Chapter 24 will the the longest one in the story. I was thinking about removing a scene from it, but somehow it took a life of its own and wrote itself into the story. And I don't know where to split it, so it's staying long. Which means there won't be a lenghty author's note at the bottom.
Now for the bad news. Chapter 20 refuses to cooperate. It's the shortest one yet. Which means that the next update will be for 2 chappies instead of one.
Now for the horrible news. I'm still stuck. Story has no end yet. But I'm working on it. :o)
Someone new R&R my one shot! I'm happy! *does happy dance*
(More or less) Permanent A/N: *sweatdrops…* Ehehe… First fanfic… If nothing else, it's a test run, since this will be my first real fanfic posted anywhere. I don' really know where it's going though, so please bear with me. Reviews are welcome, and flames will be used on undead mikos who refuse to leave our heroes alone. :o)