Okay, and Cherry is still eating old candy. RUN AWAY!

JDR: You're a fan of mine?! I have fans?!?!?!?!

AHHHHHHHHH! (KR starts jumping up and down for joy, with stars for eyes) I HAVE FANS, I HAVE FANS! I HAVE FANS! I HAVE . . .

(KR is slapped by AlarisianSun, who is sitting next to her in the library and reading over her shoulder)

Right. I needed that.

Here it comes now! The moment you have been waiting for!

BTW, this is a total fan service chapter. Get your drool napkins ready.

Kagome blinked with shock. Had Inuyasha really just asked her to Homecoming and had she really just accepted?

He was staring at her with a look of shock as well. "Damn you, wench, you tricked me," he growled, angry at himself immediately after. Why did he care so much about a stupid dance, anyway?

Oh crap, now Kagome was giving him the hurt look. He knew what was next: tears and running away.

"Wait! Kagome, I. . ." She looked up at him, misty eyed, when he grabbed her arm. "Uh. . . sorry." He blushed.

"I must be seeing things; because that's one of the last things I'd expect Inuyasha to do!" Miroku smiled, trying to word that so Inuyasha wouldn't pound him into the ground.

There was a long and awkward pause.

"Please don't be mad, please don't be mad, I'm gonna kill Miroku, please don't be mad, Kagome," is what Inuyasha was thinking.

Kagome was thinking "He really likes me? I'm going to Homecoming with him? This is. . . odd. . ."

Ayako was thinking "Way too long of a silence. Maybe I should break it?"

Seito was thinking "Ew! Mushy stuff!"
Shippo was thinking "Candy candy candy candy candy! I want candy! Sugar! Whee!"

And Miroku was thinking. . . do you really think I'm going to tell you what he's thinking? C'mon, not every one who visits this website is over the age of 17. Young, impressionable minds might be scarred for life.

Well, if you really want to know, he was singing "Candy Star" in his head. "Doo doo dooo, doodoo doo doo doooooo. . . aggh! I hate this song! Hmm, Sailor Moon. Yes. . ." Somehow he'd gotten a hold of the unedited Japanese versions and was planning on dreams of glow-y nakedness later that night.

Ayako broke the silence. "Who wants to go swimming?"

"ME! MEE!" screamed Shippo, nearly falling off the couch. Seito started screaming "me!" as well.

Kagome looked up from where she and Inuyasha had been awkwardly semi- hugging each other and smiled. "I'll go!"

"Feh, I don't know why a swim is such a big deal."

"Oh, come on, Inuyasha! It'll be fun!" Ayako grinned.

"Are the bathing rooms co-ed?" Miroku asked hopefully, unaware that swimsuits were now a basic commodity.

Kagome and Ayako stared at him blankly, then screamed simultaneously "PERVERT!" and sent him flying off the ottoman he was perched on.

Fifteen minutes later, everyone was decked in various bathing suits. Kagome was wearing a yellow bikini, while Ayako had on a blue and silver tankini. Shippo had already been to the pool with Seito, so he had his own custom pair of trunks with a hole for his tail. Mrs. Higurachi had packed Inuyasha swim trunks, and he had a spare pair, (AN: It rhymes!) which is what Miroku was wearing.

The boys were ready before the girls, so they waited patiently in the living room. When the girls came downstairs, Miroku was happy.

"Uh, you might want to put that away." Kagome said, glaring at him.

"Huh? Oh, right." Miroku blushed. Oh, sweet Buddha, he thought to himself. This was way better than Sailor Moon.

Inuyasha was surprised as well. Ayako was cute in that bathing suit, and Kagome. . . wow. Inuyasha was used to seeing her legs, thanks to her school uniform, but with nearly all of her top exposed. . . wow. Wow.

Kagome noticed him staring and shrugged a towel around her shoulders. It was nice that he thought so, but it was weirding her out a little.

Of course, the two guys weren't the only ones trying not to ogle. Kagome couldn't help staring at their backs on the walk to the pool. They were both a LOT sexier than she gave them credit for.

Miroku had just the right build. He wasn't overly muscular, but cut just right and with wide enough shoulders. She watched his back muscles ripple as he walked and turned her eyes downward.

Holy crap! No wonder Sango spent so much time watching him walk! His butt was perfect. She wanted to touch it, but then caught herself. If I grab his ass, she thought to herself, I'll never hear the end of it. She decided to distract herself with Inuyasha.

It wasn't very hard to do. His long silver hair swished back and forth across a very well-cut physique. Inuyasha's stature was that of a twenty-year old, even though he hadn't reached full maturity. He had a nice ass, too. What had amazed Kagome, however, was his chest and abs. That boy had the best abs she'd ever seen, with the beginnings of a happy trail leading her eyes downward. She knew what his muscles felt like, but had never seen them full on like this.

Ayako caught up to her. "Happy trails lead to happy places!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh come on, you were about to stare a hole through his crotch!"

"I was not!"

"Yes you were, you were staring at both of them like Miroku stares at Victoria's Secret catalogues!"

Apparently both girls had forgotten that Inuyasha had youkai hearing. They had also forgotten that he now understood English. Heh, they're just as bad as you, monk!

What are you talking about?

Listen!

Miroku listened to the girls' banter for a while and grinned to himself. I always knew women were interested in me. He strutted forward, and the pool came in sight.

"POOL!" screamed Shippo, running toward the front gate.

Fortunately for the group, it was Free Friday, so they all gained admittance without paying.

When the boys came out of the locker room, Miroku was greeted with the sight of his life. So. . . many! He stood there, grinning like an idiot, until Inuyasha shoved him into the water.

When the monk resurfaced, he glared angrily at Inuyasha, who was trying not to fall over from laughter. Miroku readjusted his rosary, and got ready to kick the crap out of the hanyou. He never had to, though.

"SIT!" a familiar voice rang out from the direction of the girls changing room.

Several people gasped in shock as a white haired boy went splashing face first into the pool. Inuyasha resurface with a gasp and grabbed his floating hat. He flicked his ears angrily, and then gave a devilish grin. He looked at Miroku, and then both of them looked at Kagome and Ayako.

"Oh shit!" Both of them screamed as the boys jumped out of the water and ran towards them. Before the girls could gain any distance, Inuyasha jumped in front of them, and grabbed one under each arm. He then ran to the deep end and jumped in with both girls screaming and giggling for mercy.

Later, the two girls sat on towels, sunning themselves, while Inuyasha splashed around with Shippo and Seito. They were also having fun on water slides. Miroku was off hitting on girls, which was actually quite successful. He had gotten several names and numbers, but had no idea what to do with them. He'd ask Kagome when they got back. One girl had even accepted the offer to bear his children, which he was ecstatic about. "Finally!" he thought, nearly passing out from happiness.

Inuyasha joined the girls on their towels. "Where're the kids?" Kagome inquired, looking up from a copy of "Fushigi Yuugi."

"They're okay." A loud splash, followed by a scream of "Seito!" confirmed that they were not.

Inuyasha jumped up and ran toward the sound of thrashing water, but before he could get there, Miroku was in the water and dragging a sputtering Seito out. Ayako ran over to her brother.

Are you okay, Seito-otouto? she asked, worried.

Seito coughed. Yeah. He looked up at Miroku. "Wow, you saved me, Miroku! That was so cool!"

"Feh," grunted Inuyasha. The pool manager came over to Miroku.

"That was amazing! I have never seen anyone rescue a kid like that!" He was furiously pumping Miroku's hand. "Tell you what, how would you like to work here?"

Miroku thought of the library fiasco from earlier that day. Work here? With beautiful women every day?! No more brats? Women?! Half-naked women?!?! His eyes became glassy with the prospect of it all. "Work. . . here. . . yes. . ." and then he promptly passed out.

"Uh, right." The manager stared at the rest of the group. "When he comes to, tell him he starts training on Monday."

When the group was finally home, Kagome asked Shippo what had happened. I don't know, Kagome. I felt something slimy brush my leg, but I thought it was nothing. Then Seito just went under.

Odd, why would Seito just go under water unless. . . oh no. Not here. Kagome sat very still. Great, she muttered.

What? Inuyasha asked, sitting beside her on the couch, slurping a root beer.

A shard.

What?! There's one here?! Kagome nodded. All right! Shard hunting time! Inuyasha dashed upstairs and came back down wearing his kimono and carrying Tetsusaiga. Let's go! he hollered at Kagome, ever ready.

I don't know where it is, baka. she groaned, dampening his spirits. After so long without kicking the crap out of anything, Inuyasha was feeling a bit stir-crazy. He glanced over at the wall and saw the calendar.

When had Kagome said this Homecoming was?

It was next Saturday. And that was a problem. The new moon was next Saturday.

Oooh, and so the plot thickens! Kukukuu!

Yeah, I was having a nice time with the swimsuit scene, weren't you?

And so I can make it lots more action-packed! Shards! In America! Woot!

And I just had to cut Miroku a break. After torturing him with small children, I thought he deserved a job he would like. All though I feel sorry for whatever female is his CPR training partner. They might get a little more CPR than they want. . .