AN- I would've had the fifth chapter out earlier, but I think fanfic had a bug and had to fix it?

Ilovekouga: yes, Kouga will come…he even has a pretty significant part! giggles at what she has in mind

Chapter 6- Close Encounter

"You're late."

"You're early."

It was true that Seshomaru and Mrs. Higarashi never set an exact time as a result Inuyasha had to wait twenty minutes, which really pissed him off.

"So, where should we start?"

"I could've been home by now."

"I could've been later. Now it seems that those pipes down here got tampered with."

"Stupid cat, I hate cats."

"You would."

"What was that suppose to mean?"

"Nothing, let's hurry. It's cold and I don't like you."

"Well I don't like you."

"I know. Hence the 'let's hurry'."

Inuyasha growled. She didn't have to be THAT upfront.

"There's probably a leak somewhere or maybe Buyo tampered with a switch or something."

Inuyasha groaned. He was being no help.

"That's it! Just go! I don't need you; you're just being a pain in the ass."

"I would, but I don't want my toilet privileges up to the hands of a little girl!"

Did he just say toilet privileges? Where did THAT come from? But Kagome shrugged it off, more disturbed by something else in the sentence.

"I am not little!"

"Just shut up!"

"We have to fix this!"

He knew she was right. It would probably be smart just to suck it up and be rational, but since when did Inuyasha ever do something smart and rational?

"This is all your fault!!"

"You don't have to remind me!"

"Arrgh!"

Kagome was frustrated. He was acting like a baby! She knew that she'd have to use all the patience she had and more to get this done. And she so desperately wanted to be done.

"Sorry ok?" She didn't know what exactly she was apologizing for, but it couldn't hurt. "I'm going to see what there's to fix; you can help me…if you want."

Inuyasha merely grunted. He did want to get back to his shower, but cooperating seemed so out of the question.

Kagome walked down the steps to the mess of damp and moldy pipes behind the well. She felt so helpless and didn't know where to start. Turning away from the pipes she decided to start with the small control panel thing. There was one lever and two buttons. None of them were labeled, if they were, the labeling wore off. Not wanting to make things worse, she didn't want to push any buttons either. Then from the corner of her eye she saw a loose bolt. Well, it couldn't hurt to tighten it, and then she'd deal with the control panel. She picked out a wrench from the toolbox and tried to tighten it.

Inuyasha could hear her struggle with something down there. It couldn't hurt…

"What are you trying to do?"

Kagome was about to retort angrily, but thought better of it. Her patience got him all the way down here didn't it?

"Umm...tightening this, but it won't budge."

"Here" he threw the wrench aside and twisted it easily with is fingers. He looked a little smug. Kagome couldn't help it; she coughed loudly.

Inuyasha was worried; maybe it wasn't good for her to be down here in the damp for so long. Then he heard the word 'show off' distinctly in her cough and gave her a death glare.

"I was just joking. Thanks for the help." Was that a look of concern…pang of guilt…

"Maybe we should push one of these buttons."

"They could mean anything. We could just make it worse."

"Let's push the red one."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You can't go wrong with red."

Well it wasn't as if she had a better idea.

"Go for it."

He pressed it. An ominous groan sounded around them.

"I could've predicted this."

"Nothing bad happened yet!"

"Knock on wood."

"It's getting late."

Kagome looked at her watch, "It's only seven ten."

"I thought you'd be tired from you know the regular, running from doors..."

Kagome really hoped that he wouldn't bring that up. She knew that it was too much to hope for.

"Ha…ha…ha. You got me there Inuyasha."

Inuyasha shrugged.

"Let's take a break," Kagome settled on the bottom steps. Inuyasha wasn't sure what to do; he rigidly sat down next to her…enough space for the Macy's Holiday Parade to go in between them.

"So what are you doing after graduation?"

"None of your business."

"It wasn't as if that was such a personal question."

"College, over graduate, doctorate, get rich, leave everything in this life behind."

"Nice. So is your favorite color still red? And are you still obsessed with Ramen noodles?"

What was with all the questions? But he wasn't too concerned.

"Yes"

"You haven't changed at all."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Nothing"

"Stupid wench."

This pissed Kagome off.

"I'll give you wench." She threw the nearby wrench at his head.

"You Crazy Bitch!" God that hurt like hell

Kagome winced. It looked like it hurt like hell. She went over to him and rubbed his head where the hard metal tool hit.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"If you don't rub it, it'll make a bump…or at least that's what my mom says."

"Do you always do what mommy says?"

Kagome looked at Inuyasha's nearby ears. She licked her two index fingers.

What was she doing up there? He noticed she stopped rubbing his head…of course he was only a little disappointed. But now she was rubbing his ears??

"WET WILLIE!!"

He felt gooey liquid crammed into his ear.

"Oh gross! You're going to pay for that!" He grinned boyishly.

Kagome squealed and tried to run away, but Inuyasha was way to quick. He tackled her.

"Noogie!" He smashed her hair down.

"Ahh!!" She knew the perfect counter attack. She reached for his unprotected armpits.

"No! Please no!" But the world couldn't stop Kagome. Inuyasha didn't wield a chance. He laughed, tears streaming from his eyes. So much for dignity.

Finally Kagome decided he had enough. She turned to meet his golden eyes.

She turned to meet his eyes. He gasped in awe of her dazzling blue eyes. She leaned forward.

"Inuyasha," she whispered.

"Are you guys down there?" Mrs. Higurashi's voice echoed down.

Kagome gasped. They both quickly pulled away and stood up. Both pretty embarrassed. Inuyasha looked away.

"Yeah mom, we're trying to fix the water."

"Well, something happened and all the spouts practically exploded with water. There's a huge mess. Maybe you should try again tomorrow and help me dry everything out."

"Ok."

"See you later baka."

"snort …toilet privileges…somebody has issues."

Mrs. Higurashi looked confused. What was THAT about?

Well, some kind of barrier in their relationship was definitely crossed.

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What had she done? What would've happened if her mother didn't interfere?? She couldn't let this happen! She just couldn't fall for him. He was Inuyasha. Though she had to admit it felt good, like a part of her that was missing for a long time had finally come back. No! She couldn't think like that! It would be way too complicated.

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He felt confused about what happened. It was like a blast from the past. But things could never be so easy. How could he like that girl?!? Definitely not.

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