Chapter 4

After twenty minutes 'InuYasha said it would take exactly this time to get here, hmmm….he must have been here before.' InuYasha stops "Look Kagome the town is just past these bushes up ahead." She jumps off his back and starts walking towards the bushes he pointed at and looks for him at her side, when she realizes he's not there. "Hey InuYasha where did you go, what's the matter? Come on." She goes back to where he stands and pulls on his sleeve.

"Hey incase you forgot already, I can't exactly go into a town with people everywhere." He points towards his ears.

"Oh, well if that's the case here." She takes off her bandana and hands it to him "Put this on and people will never now."

He just looks unconvinced and just stares at the square cloth "Um…I don't think this will work. Looks my eyes are different than yours and I have claws."

Kagome looks angry "Of course it will work, here just use it to hide your ears, and if people ask we'll just tell them you've got contacts and don't worry about the claws." She ties the bandana on top of his head and pulls it over his eyes laughing at him.

Giggles- "Come on InuYasha trust me no one will know."

"Yeah right," he pulls it back so it's on right and hiding his ears but not crushing them, "if anyone finds out that I'm a demon then it's your fault! And I'm not going to stick around either."

"Just chill out, and stick with me –wink-, it'll be ok."

"Oi what if someone says something about my hair, humans that look my age don't have white hair ya know!"

"We'll just tell them you stripped the color and dyed it, now quit stalling, come on already!" Kagome grabs his hand and starts walking towards the little town. "You know what, you don't have any shoes on, I just realized your suppost to have them on to go in a store. I got an idea; can you hold your foot up to mine?" "What the hell for?" "Because just do it for a sec, I need to measure your foot so I can get the right size shoe for you, I'll go get you some shoes stay out here for a second." She runs off to the small grocery store and finds some nice velcro sandals that look very comfortable to walk around in. 'This maybe a small store but they have good quality stuff, no cheap five dollar sandals for him, he's needs something to last for a long time, I really hope he likes these.' She pays forty dollars for them, but decides that they're worth the money. She comes out of the store "Here you go, try them on." He reluctantly puts them on, never having to wear shoes before. "Hey they actually aren't too bad, they feel pretty comfy." putting emphasis he stands on his toes jumping up and down. "Hey you didn't have to do this you know, but thanks I think I kinda like them."

She blushes "Well I know you've never been in a store before and I wanted you to go in, but your welcome, anyways come on lets get going." After walking around a while they find a small ma and pa shop with a one hour photo.

"Well InuYasha since we have an hour do you wanna come with me to the grocery store to get some more supplies? You can carry a little bit more with me on your back right?"

"Geez you act like I'm a weakling or something! Of course I can carry more, just don't buy too much because you still gotta hold it till we get back!"

"Oh, come on I know that, I figured we could just have a really nice dinner tonight since we're not going anywhere else for the night! What do ya think?"

"Sure, get something good, I've never really eaten all lot of your kind of food so I don't now what to tell you to get."

"Don't worry I'll get some nice steaks, with some seasoning and we'll wrap corn and potatoes in tin foil and cook them in bonfire, it'll be great." 'Gosh InuYasha is starting to me warm up to me, and I'm starting to like it.' "Anyways thank you InuYasha for bringing me all the way out here to this town."

He looks embarrassed, "It's not a problem don't worry about it, just cook me some good food, ok?" 'Geez why does she gotta act so sweet and look at me like that, how am I gonna stand being with her for the next few weeks? And how am I gonna act when she has to leave, and I never get to see her again?'

Kagome looks at InuYasha with interest 'He looks kinda sad, what's he thinking about?'

"Alright InuYasha I'll cook you a good dinner! Come on let's go get some dinner then."

Inside of the grocery store InuYasha looks around in aww, "This place is cool, look at all of this food!" He drags Kagome around asking what everything is, when she pay for everything Kagome buys him some sweet starts, and bubble gum. 'That should keep him happy for a while' She smiles to herself.

She and InuYasha finish paying for the food they've bought and Kagome stashes it in her little backpack. They walk over to the little store, Kagome still clutching onto InuYasha's hand. (awww they're so cute! Sorry I had to put that in.)

"Oh, look InuYasha here's the picture of me and you! Here I got doubles so you can have your own picture."

He looks at it 'God we look good together. I haven't even known her two days and I'm already becoming attached to her!' He puts the picture inside of his jacket.

"Come on Kagome we better be going, you got everything right?"

"Yeah, I'm all set let's go."

They walk off into the woods out of people's view; InuYasha takes off the bandana and gives it back to Kagome, who puts in on. She climbs on his back and he once again leaps off the ground into the tree's.

They're half way back to the camp when InuYasha finally breaks the friendly silence between them.

"So Kagome you're moving out of your moms house when you go back home right?"

"Yeah, mostly everyone who goes off to college moves out on their own."

InuYasha looks behind him to Kagome, "Why? I mean why are you moving without some else to live with?"

"Well, both Sango and Miroku live on campus (I mean where the school is) but not together, separate rooms. But anyways I didn't want to live on campus because there's always a party and lots of drinking going on, even though it's suppost to be against the rules of the college, people break them anyways. Sango said living on campus is not all it's cracked up to be, and she knows since she lives there."

InuYasha puts a curious child-like face on, "What's it suppost to be like then?"

"Well I don't really know, but I don't like drinking, and parties are ok to meet people at and go dancing, but I don't like them going on every night. I like it quiet sometimes, usually when I study and I really don't like the idea of moving in with someone you don't know. That's what both Sango and Miroku had to do and neither of them really likes their roommates." InuYasha finally lands where they were early in front of the mountains but doesn't see anyone, "Hey where the hell did everyone go?"

Kagome looks around on the ground, "Oh, look they left an arrow out of these sticks, it's pointing this way, come on that's probably where they set up camp I bet." InuYasha huffs, "Well I'll just sniff them out then, it's better than relying on some sticks." He follows his friend's scents and takes off in the same direction of the arrow. They land in a camp and look around trying to find their friends, but don't see any sign of them only their packs and two tents already set up. 'Looks like Sango set up our tent, same with Miroku. Kagome doesn't look worried "They're probably out just walking around or getting some firewood, but anyways we were talking about college." They both sit down on a fallen log pulled up to an old fire pit.

"Yeah, I guess I can understand about not wanting to live with someone you don't know. But what about you being alone and especially with the jewel? Aren't you afraid of someone breaking in while you're alone and stealing the jewel from you?"

"Well I wasn't at all before, I thought it would be nice to live alone, but the jewel does kinda cause a problem now. But, I don't want whoever that moves in with me to also be in danger. Maybe I should stay at home for a while till I find someone to move out with."

"That wouldn't be a bad idea."

Currently Shippou was in a tree above them listening in on their conversation finally butts in, "No, Kagome you can't leave me and InuYasha I wanna go back with you to where you live! You could let me and InuYasha live with you and you could still move out like you want." He jumps down from the tree and into Kagomes lap.

InuYasha takes this moment to glare daggers at Shippou "Shippou you little runt you better shut the hell up right now!"

Kagome looks at InuYasha curiously "What am I that terrible, you wouldn't want to come back with me and see what a little city is like? Aren't you curious?"

"No, I mean maybe but we can't leave our home out here. This is our home and we can't just leave and go somewhere new that we don't now anything about!"

Kagome looks interested, "Well you could come and visit me to see where I live after I get done hiking out here. I think it would be kinda cool to have you guys come home with me for a while. Please InuYasha think about it! I could show you both around and it will be a lot of fun."

"Well SHIPPOU (InuYasha's still glaring at Shippou) I'll think about it, so don't bug me about it anymore, ok?"

Sango and Miroku walk back from filling up their water bottles. Sango looks to InuYasha "Sorry, we couldn't help but overhear, and we both agreed that it would be a great idea for you both to come and visit us." Miroku looks at Kagome "Yeah, especially now that Kagome needs an extra eye on her it's a good excuse to come home with us. And I'm sure you won't mind doing that would you InuYasha?"

Sango rolls her eyes, "Yeah, ok that's enough from you Miroku, anyways please consider InuYasha I think you'll enjoy yourself if you come back with us, even if it's just for a while at least."

Kagome looks InuYasha in the eye "Hey InuYasha if you do come with me back to my home then you can come with me to see that old priestess my grandpa knows, and we'll find out if I really have special powers (she says sarcastically). Then you'll know if I can protect myself and the jewel, and you can help protect it to until I learn how and everything!"

"Well that doesn't sound so boring, ok me and Shippou will come back with you."

Shippou jumps up into Kagome's arms and hugs her "Oh, I can't wait to come back with you! This is so awesome!"

"Ok, ok Shippou calm down, well alright that's settled then, now I'm going to make dinner. Boy are you guys going to love me for what I'm making, I bought something special for us to eat tonight. Sango you're not doing anything right, you wanna help me with dinner?"

"Of course I will Kagome, so what are we having anyways, I'm starving?" They both walk away towards their tent getting the utensils ready to cook with. Leaving the boys alone to do what ever they want till dinner's ready.

………………………………

InuYasha thinks about all that he just agreed to. 'I can't believe I just said I would go home with her, what am I thinking?' Miroku looks at InuYasha sensing his turmoil.

"So InuYasha it seems you'll be coming back home with us, you sly dog you!"

"Shut up ya perve."

"Oh, come on now InuYasha it'll be great and it seems that Kagome can still move out as planned, cause now she's got a new roommate (well two actually)."

InuYasha seems confused at first, then it dawns on him 'Shit that's right, now I'm going to be living with her and Shippou in her own home.'

"Miroku it's just for a little bit until she learns to protect herself and the jewel, besides it'll be a pain for her to have us there living off of her."

"Well, you could get a job and maybe see how you like it, I don't even think you would need one of those concealing spells like other demons use." Shippou jumps onto InuYasha's shoulder. "Yeah dog-boy you're good at working, you can find something to do."

"Keh, don't worry about it till were there."

Miroku takes out his map, deciding it's time to change the subject. "Let's figure out where were going tomorrow." He looks on the map for landmarks, "Let's see…the black hills are pretty far, we could drive their if we wanted to and then hike through them till we get to Mt. Rushmore, stay there for a day. Probably spend the next two days hiking till we get to the Cathedral Spires and then spend the whole day their rock climbing or whatever, what do ya think? You ever been to any of these places?"

InuYasha looks at the map, "Well I think I've seen that rock with the faces once, but from far away and no I've never been to the …Spires…" (He thinks to himself) 'What in the hell are the Spires?'

Miroku nods in response "Ok then we're going to both, me and Sango have been to both of them before, but Kagome never has. Anyways I want to see them both again, and I'm sure Sango wouldn't mind either!"

Shippou looks excited "Yea I love going to new places, this is going to be so fun!"

Miroku starts pulling out his flannel pants out of his bag to change, when he gets an idea. "Hey let's take a dip in the hot spring real quick before dinner! The girls did it yesterday let us go tonight."

InuYasha looks curiously at Miroku "Ok I think there's one around here, but if you touch me I'll kill ya and put your body where no one will ever find it!"

Miroku looks all groused out "InuYasha that's just wrong, my wondrous hands only touch women, you of all people should now!"

"I'm not taking any chances ya perve!"

Shippou hops down from InuYasha's shoulder "Shippou I want you to find us a hot spring before dinner, ok? Better be quick to or our dinner will be cold when we get back!" Miroku and InuYasha follow quickly behind the little kitsun cub towards a spring.

……………………………….

Mean while Sango and Kagome are waiting for the potatoes and corn to finish in the fire pit. By now the steaks are almost done.

"Kagome I'll watch over the food, why don't you go find the boys, I heard Miroku say they were taking a dip in the hot spring. They went south here take this whistle and if you get lost just call, I'll here you."

"Well ok, I'll be back really soon." She walks around for five minutes before she finally hears talking. She yells to the boys just in case their naked, 'It wouldn't surprise me in the least.' "Hey you guys dinner's ready, hurry up and get outta there!" Miroku answer's "Ok, Kagome we're coming, oh but can you go tell InuYasha? He walked over to the little spring to your left to get some water."

She smiles at herself "Sure just hurry up you two!" She walks over to the left, sure enough to find InuYasha without a shirt on, and dunking his head under a cold spring.

'Oh god does he ever look good, his long silvery hair dripping down his face, and a very muscular chest also dripping wet to boot. I've never seen anyone like him, he's so handsome.'

He's ears perk up as he lifts his head and turns around to see Kagome who has a cute pink tint to her cheeks, smiling nervously.

"Oh, InuYasha there you are dinner's ready come on." She hurries away not trying to look at him.

"Kagome wait, I uh…we figured out where were going for the next three days."

Kagome turns towards him slowly "Oh, really where are we going?" 'Please hurry I don't want to start drooling.'

InuYasha thinks 'Why am I trying to keep her here? Geez she's blushing a lot.' "Um we're going to Mt. Rushmore, and the Cathedral Spires, that's what Miroku said anyways."

"Wow I always wanted to go see both Yah, I can hardly wait! This is going to be the best trip ever! Sango doesn't know yet huh?"

"Oh, no me and Miroku just talked about it before we came out here. Well I'm glad you seem to be excited about it."

Oh, yeah I am, but let's hurry back dinners ready."

"Well, I'm done just let me shake off."

She turns to him "What does that mean?" He gets down on all fours and shakes a lot (like a dog would) till he's completely dry.

"InuYasha you baka! Now I'm all wet!" In retreat he runs to the other side of the pond to get away from Kagome.

She unexpectedly jumps in the freezing water and dives underneath. He has no idea what she's thinking until she pops out right in front of him, surprising him she grabs his torso pulling him in along with her.

He pops up and whines, "Hey it's not my fault you got all wet! Now look I'm soaking wet, you winch!"

He grabs her from behind and starts tickling her sides

She tries stopping him "Ha….he….st..op….pleaz! Oh…g..od….I'm…tick…lish, ha…ha!" He grins devilishly "Only if you say you're sorry, I'll stop Kagome. I could do this for a while too." He puts more effort into tickling her.

"Ok….ay,….sor..ry! Pleaz….ha…ha…sto…p!"

He stops reluctantly, liking their close proximity. She turns around and tries glaring at him and then realizes their close situation and her early thoughts rush back to her. 'Oh my god he's so handsome, I must be as red as his outfit.'

For a moment a lump is caught in his throat, 'She's only five inches from my face, totally soaked with clothes looking like a second skin and showing off her wonderful curves. They both turn around at the same time to get out of the pond trying to get the moment they held not seconds ago out of their minds.

Seconds later he breaks the silence "Ok, come on now women my dinner's waiting and all that tickling wore me out."

She looks at him "Wore you out, you baka! I'm the one that was struggling here, and now my clothes are soaked."

He hands her his outer kimono jacket, "Here wear this before you get a cold."

He's wearing his pants only, so his shirt and jacket are nice and dry. Kagome goes behind a tree to put on only the jacket, while InuYasha once again shakes like a dog.

Kagome comes out showing off her legs a great deal, and InuYasha can't seem to keep a smirk off of his face.

"Ok, Inu let's go."

"Hey what's with the name?"

"Well if you're going to shake around like some dog I'm going to call you a dog." She runs off towards camp before he has a chance to catch up with her.

"Hey bitch where do you think your going? Come back here!" They run back towards camp.

……………………………..

Little did they know someone was watching them the whole time. "So these are the one's that defeated the bear demon, huh? Well that girl Kagome won't have her jewel for much longer. And that stupid hanyou even if he is traveling with that miko and her friends he's still only an obstacle in my way!" The man thinks to himself, 'Ever since she came out here that's when I noticed the presence of the jewel. She's only one defenseless miko who doesn't even know how to use her powers; in fact she doesn't even know she has powers. I've only heard rumors about a jewel that can grant any wish you desire from my grandfather Naraku, when he died he told me he looked for the jewel his whole life and never found it, well as his grandson I vow that I Lokye will get this jewel and make his wish a reality, I will claim that jewel as mine.'

The man walks away from his hiding spot, high up on a cliff overlooking where the inu hanyou and miko were. "I've been looking for this jewel for twenty years and I've finally found it. When I get the jewel I will rule over the human and youkai world. Just as my grandfather told me he always wanted to do, he always thought youkai's should have been exposed to humans. Then the youkai's would have token over the humans and no longer need to hide themselves. After all grandpa Naraku always said it was shameful for a dominant race to hide themselves, and a dominant race always needs a strong leader. Who would be better for the job once I get ultimate power from the jewel, no one could stop me." He walks back to his cave that he's setup as his home, 'Now to plot how to get around the hanyou and the others to get the jewel.'

……………………………..

Kagome and InuYasha stumble back to camp soaked and Kagome only wearing InuYasha's jacket.

Kagome looks at her best friend Sango "Um….I'll explain later after I get changed." She runs towards her tent.

InuYasha just sits down and everyone stares at him, "Well, where the fuck is my food? I'm starving!"

Shippou looks like he's not amused "Oh shut up its right here, come and get it!"

"Be quite pip squeak!" He grabs two foil covered items from Shippou and sits back down unwrapping his food. Sango gives him a plate with his steak on it, "Here InuYasha use this."

He picks up his steak and bits it with his hands. "Keh, ya thanks, hey this is really good!" He sets the steak down on the plate. Kagome comes out of the tent fully dressed in p.j.'s "Sorry guys we both kinda fell into the lake, well sort of." She grabs her plate "Alright quit starring at me and dig in!"

Everyone else grabs their food, well except for Miroku who grabs something else, "MIROKU you pervert!" -slap- Miroku grabs his check, "I'm sorry Sango but I had to compliment the chief and that seemed like the best way how." "Grrrr……..just be quite and keep your damn hands to yourself, before I break them!"

"Yes my beautiful Amazon woman, anything for you my dear."

"Miroku you jerk don't call me that, I'm not an Amazon just because I can hit hard! Anyways Kagome tell me how exactly did you fall in the lake anyway?"

…………………………….

Ok so this fic might be picking up the pace a bit more than usual which is really good for you guys! Anyways now some action will be coming into play, and if you all were wondering how long it's been since they met InuYasha, when they get up the next day it will be five days already, I can't wait to get them back home! I got great stuff planned! Ok talk to you all later! Review Please, it just takes a minute, I do it all the time, thank you!

Ja-ne

Fran