Alright, for starters, let me sincerely apologize for being such a total slacker. This took way too long.

A note about the sequel issue: I'm not sure everyone undertsood what I said last time, so I'm going to elaborate! First, I would never just bring up some detail and not include some explanation. I'd never leave you hanging like that! So this is what I was thinking. A sequel (an entirely seperate story)versus extending this current story, Entangled. Either way, it'd be essentially the same ending, but with the extension you'd get rid of the loose ends much faster than with the sequel. If I did just extend this story (which I am leaning towards), I would probably throw in a little interlude between parts. So let me know what you guys would rather have.

To my reviewers, I love you all! Thank you for your comments! I hope you enjoy this next chapter too!

To yasha0926: Well I'm glad you did! Thanks, I'm glad you like it. And I'm happy to know that it made you laugh! And I would love to take a look at your story! I'll get right on it!

To orangepencils: I'm glad you're better! Nothing's worse than getting sick during the summer. Well, there probably are worse things, but whatever... Anyway, glad you like it and thanks for the review!

To Inu/Kag 3 4eva: Yay! Glad you like it! hehehe. Sorry, this probably isn't soon enough. Thanks for the review!

To Sukuri 99: Thanks! Glad you like it!

To Sheenachi: Hehe, glad you like it! Thanks for the comment!

To windgal: Sorry, this definitely isn't ASAP. But it is here! Glad you like it! Thanks for the review!

To creepydemonicgothgirl: I'll try. No dying yet though, that'll come later... mwahahaha... cough Anyway, glad you enjoyed it so far! Thanks for the review!

To Orlandoroxmysox: Glad you like it! So you want a seperate sequel? Alright, I'll keep that in mind. But this isn't done yet! I've still got... about seven more chapters at least for this fic. And we still have the... Midori issue to deal with. Hehehe, thanks for the review!

To branch of tree la: Oh no no no! I wasn't going to leave loose ends like that! You're right, that wouldn't be fair. I was just thinking about whether or notto have a sequel OR to extend this story (with the same stuff that would be in the sequel). With the extension, you'd get the details explained much faster. And I know... I'm not sure what it is with me and throwing him off of cliffs... Glad you liked it! Thanks for the comments!

To gal pal: Glad you like it! Thanks for the review!

To freakturd151: Thanks! Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for the comments too!

To theSilver-Sapphire: Yay! I'm so happy you like it! I know, that was pretty mean... but he's back and in one piece! Yeah, I'm leaning towards the extension. I think it'll be easier that way. Thanks for the reviews!

To angicakesisinuyashasluvr: Hehehe, me too. Glad you're enjoying it so far! Thanks for the review!

Thanks to everyone reading and reviewing! You guys all rock! Enjoy this next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own it... That seems to make me more depressed every time I write that...


Chapter 7: Room to Breathe

Inuyasha was awake well before dawn, and before he had even opened his eyes he knew something was amiss. There was some... weight... nestled firmly against his body...

Blinking the fog of sleep from his eyes, the half demon looked down at the head tucked neatly beneath his chin. 'Oh... yeah...'

He turned stiffly, glancing downward at their still slumbering comrades. With a quiet groan, he shifted Kagome gently in his arms. Turning his focus to her peaceful expression, he raised a hand to stifle a yawn, noting that the still hidden sun was just beginning to stain the sky pink.

Lifting one hand, Inuyasha reached out, absently combing his fingers through her soft hair. He blinked. 'What did I just do?'

Almost in response, Kagome sighed, twisting slightly. Her eyes fluttered open, immediately widening as she realized she was at least three stories above the ground... in a tree... Before she could shriek, Inuyasha's low voice interrupted her.

"You're awake." He stated, removing his arms from around her waist. "Good."

"Um..." It was strange... feeling his voice reverberate from deep within his chest, through her back. "Uh-huh." The memories of last night came flooding back, causing her to blush.

Inuyasha moved behind her, grasping her by the arms and levering them both to a standing position. Then he wrapped one arm around her again, silently giving her a warning, and stepped off of the branch. They dropped quickly, landing easily on the ground next to Kagome's belongings.

Kneeling, Kagome began to shuffle through her bag. She suddenly felt awkward in the hanyou's presence. "It looks like we're out of potato chips..." She began, making an attempt at conversation. She closed one pocket and opened another, accidentally knocking a textbook to the ground.

Textbook... Studying... School...

"Oh no! I was supposed to go back to school today!" Kagome glanced up at Inuyasha, who was doubled over behind her; the beads taut around his neck. "But that's obviously not going to happen." She sighed, shoving various objects back into her pack. "But I suppose we could use some more supplies. You'll just have to come to my time." She smiled uneasily at the half demon as he hunched down next to her.

"Only if you bring back extra ramen."

Kagome sighed. Was that all he ever thought about? "Fine. We'll get you more ramen while we're there."

Tucking more books into the her bag, Kagome turned to face Inuyasha, who was watching something off in the other direction. "Hey, Inuyasha can you hand me that-"

Inuyasha and Kagome froze, gently locked at the lips as they stared, shocked, into each others eyes.

Inuyasha had forgotten about their close proximity as he'd turned around. Both blushed as bright as the sky dawning above them, but neither one could pull back, far too stunned to move.

Kagome could feel her heart hammering in her chest, and she felt light headed.

Inuyasha felt a strange surge of an emotion he couldn't quite place, and as his heart rate seemed to double in its pace, it threatened to overwhelm him. Finally, he was forced to pull back for lack of breath. Both panting they stared at each other.

Kagome swallowed hard. Leaning back, she averted her eyes, and gestured to a towel that was lying on the ground behind the hanyou. "... That towel." She finished quietly, feeling exceptionally lost.

Inuyasha turned numbly, grabbing the cause of their abrupt exchange and shoving it at her. He opened his mouth to speak, but his voice failed him. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "Um... yeah. Here."

"Thanks." Kagome quickly finished packing and stood, her eyes glued to the ground. Moving to hoist the bag over her shoulder, she ventured a timid glance at his face. Realizing that he appeared just as confused as she was, she offered him a small smile.

Seeing this, Inuyasha swiftly turned away to hide the persistent blush still coloring his features.

After scrawling a short note for the others, Kagome climbed on Inuyasha's back, and in an uncomfortable silence they set off for the well. All the way plagued by thoughts of their accidental kiss.


Fifteen minutes later, Inuyasha and Kagome were struggling to heave their stuck selves and the heavy bag out of the well. Finally managing to climb from the ancient fount, they were greeted by Souta, who had been watching curiously from the doorway.

His eyes lit up as he saw Inuyasha, and he came scrambling down the stairs to see his hero. "Inuyasha! Wow! What are you doing here? You don't normally come home with Kagome, so what are you doing here? Are you visiting? Did you bring you're sword? Did you bring it? Huh? Did you fight any cool demons while you were away? Did you?"

Inuyasha, seeing the young boy take a deep breath to begin another barrage of questions, drew himself up to his full height; smirking as Souta was sent into a state of shocked, and silent, awe.

Kagome rolled her eyes at their behavior. "Souta, we're just here for some supplies. If you want to hang around than do it quietly."

Souta pouted, crossing his arms as he eyed his sister in a stubborn manner. "I don't have to do what you say. Right, Inuyasha? You don't mind if- Hey, what's that?" Distracted, Souta leaned closer, staring with wide eyes at the strand of beads around both of their necks. "Are you two stuck or somethin'?"

Sparing her brother the details... well, the whole story rather... Kagome stomped past the small boy, dragging Inuyasha along with her as she climbed the stairs. "Go away Souta! We're busy!"

Needless to say, Souta did not 'go away,' but rather followed at a safe distance until they were faced with Kagome's grandfather.

Before he even opened his mouth, the girl knew what he was going to ask, so she quickly told relayed the story of how they ended up bound together.

The elderly man stood quietly, scratching his beard. He circled them, scrutinizing the beads. He picked them up and took a long, appraising look at them, still pulling absently at his beard with one hand. Then he turned to his granddaughter.

"You know, Kagome. I'm sure I know an incantation or two that could get rid of these for you." He looked expectantly from Kagome to Inuyasha, who looked quite uncomfortable.

Kagome, however, looked absolutely horrified. "Oh gee, thanks grandpa! But we're okay, really! We're just going to go and get some things and then go back down the well. Okay? Bye!" Then she grabbed Inuyasha by the wrist and dashed off towards the house, leaving her grandfather behind.

"What was that all about?" Inuyasha asked once they had reached the house and slowed to a walk.

"The last time Buyo started acting strangely, Grandpa thought he was possessed. That poor cat had seals stuck all over him for a week until we found out he just had worms. Trust me, we don't want Grandpa's help." Kagome stopped outside the door that led to the kitchen, sliding it open, they saw her mother standing at the sink. Kagome smiled and dropped her bag on the table. "Hi mom! I'm back. We need to get some supplies."

"We?" The woman turned, spying the half demon. "Oh, Inuyasha! What a pleasant surprise." She smiled as she approached. "It's so nice to see you. What brings you here?" Her eyes fell to the necklace, and she opened her mouth to speak; a questioning look on her face.

And so Kagome once again launched into the story of how they ended up stuck together.

"-and Inuyasha fell of a cliff but he's okay as you can see so we came back to our time and here we are!" Kagome took a deep, steadying breath before smiling at her mother.

"Uh-huh..." Kagome's mother had an expression that seemed to say that she really hadn't understood most of what her daughter had been saying, but she smiled anyway. "Well, I'm glad you're alright Inuyasha. But I can take care of that necklace for you in a snap!" The woman turned, opened a drawer, and pulled out a pair of scissors.

Images of Midori engulfed in the violet flames immediately filled Kagome and Inuyasha's minds.

Mrs. Higurashi's hand closed around the beads as she caught the band between the two blades.

"Wait!" Inuyasha cried.

"No mom! Don't!" Kagome exclaimed, panicked as she flinched back against the hanyou.

Both winced visibly as a quick 'snip' was heard. The beads around their necks fell easily away as the older woman backed off. Kagome's mother nodded in satisfaction and dropped the beads on the table next to Kagome's backpack.

Kagome and Inuyasha looked down at themselves. They were free. Free... as in not stuck together...

The first to lose their expression of confusion and shock was Kagome, who grinned widely. "Hey! We're not stuck anymore, and I can go to school! Alright!" She flung her arms in the air in triumph, only to find her wrist stuck to Inuyasha's. Kagome blinked, pulling insistently on Inuyasha's arm.

Their eyes met before they both began to pull in earnest. But to no avail. They were still stuck.

Inuyasha growled in frustration. "What the hell? The beads must wear off when we cross time, but the spell doesn't! Damn it!" He grabbed Kagome's elbow for more leverage, and gave a harsh yank.

His wrist came free, but they were now connected by the girl's arm and his hand.

Her mother approached them again after replacing the scissors. "Now what are you going to do, Kagome? You've got that really important test today in school. You can't go stuck together like that can you?" She wondered aloud, glancing from Inuyasha to her daughter.

"Ah! The test! I can't miss it! If I miss this test I'll be held back a year! What am I going to do?" She thought frantically for a solution as Inuyasha fought to get them unstuck.

Fighting to ignore the half demon's pulling, she finally came to a conclusion. Turning, she grabbed his hand in hers. "Inuyasha, you're going to have to come to school with me. I'll go changed and then we can get going. There's a small department store around the corner from the school! We'll get you some knew clothes on the way! C'mon!" Kagome dragged him up the stairs to her bedroom.

Inuyasha frowned as he was roughly towed down the hall. "Hey! What's wrong with my clothes?"


Twenty minutes later they were tearing down the sidewalk towards the department store.

"Almost there! It's right down here... Oh no!" Kagome came to a screeching halt a few yards from the doorway.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" Inuyasha grouched, regaining his balance after the abrupt stop.

Kagome gestured hysterically. "It's my friends! They can't see us like this! They can't see you like that! Quick!" She grabbed his arm and flung them against the wall behind a large hedge. Pressing herself flat against Inuyasha, she shushed him as the three girls neared their hiding spot.

"Hey! Did you guys see that new movie? The one with the cop and that strange alien?"

"Oh yeah! That was soooo cool!"

"And the actor is soooo cute! I could just die!"

"I know!"

"Yeah! If I had a boyfriend like that..."

Inuyasha watched over the top of Kagome's head as three girls, all in matching uniforms, disappeared down the street; their voices fading. "They're gone, Kagome." When the girl against him made no effort to move, he nudged her gently. "Kagome!"

"I know. But..." Her voice was muffled by his chest. "I'm stuck!"

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her. Well, her hair anyway. Shifting sideways, he found that they were indeed fused at the front. He reached out and grabbed her hand, releasing Kagome, who backed away quickly, her face flushed.

"Thanks... Okay, let's hurry. I can't be late!" She again hauled him by the arm across the remaining distance to the store.

Inuyasha jumped as the doors opened by themselves with a quiet hiss.

"Damn! The doors are possessed?" He exclaimed, reaching for his sword and finding it absent. "Hey!"

Kagome grabbed his shoulder and forced him through the doorway.

"They're not possessed, Inuyasha! They're automatic! And Tetsusaiga is back at home. Remember?" She turned with a smile plastered across her face as a store attendant hesitantly approached them.

"Good morning! Can I help you find anything?" The young woman looked somewhat reluctant, and her accommodating expression faltered at the sight of the girl's companion.

Kagome pulled Inuyasha in front of her. "He needs some new clothes. A pair of jeans, a tee-shirt, some socks and a pair of sneakers should be fine. But I'm not sure what size he is."

The young woman nodded, trying to pretend she didn't find his strange robes, bare feet, and ears the least bit weird.

"Alright. No problem. We'll just get him measured quickly. And then we can find him some clothes."

Kagome nodded. They followed the woman as she walked into a back room, where two other women sat waiting. They immediately jumped to their feet at the sight of Inuyasha, grabbing various measuring tapes and grinning ear to ear as they approached.

"What clothes!"

"Don't worry, dear! We'll have you fixed up in a jiffy!"

Inuyasha was then attacked. They swarmed all over him, wrapping strange ropes around his chest, waist, and various other places. He looked ready to belt one woman as she measured his inseam. But then as quickly as they had come, they retreated.

The saleswoman from earlier appeared again, holding a pair of socks in her hand. 'Now that I think about it, doesn't this store have a no shirt, no shoes, no service policy?' She dismissed the thought quickly, gesturing for the young pair to follow her.. "Alright. Why don't you two head out to the changing rooms while I find some clothes. Jeans right? And what color shirt did you want?"

Kagome eyed the half demon's robes. "Red will be fine." That was definitely his color.

Several minutes later, Inuyasha had shed his old clothes, and was clad in a pair of jeans, a red shirt, and a pair of new shoes.

Inuyasha glared at himself. He plucked at the shirt, which was a bit more snug than he would have liked. Why the hell did he have to wear these clothes? And why did people wear... shoes, he believed she had called them. They were so uncomfortable!

"Why are there two of me?" He asked, turning, but not taking his eyes off his clone.

Kagome sighed, folding his things and putting them into a bag the clerk had given them.

"There aren't two of you. It's a mirror. Now c'mon, we've only got fifteen minutes until class starts."

Stopping at the cash register on their way out, Kagome sighed as she dealt out the majority of her remaining allowance.

The cashier smiled as she watched the girl pluck a baseball hat off a nearby rack, and pull it down over her friends head; tucking the ears underneath. Much to the annoyance of her silver haired companion.

'Why doesn't he just take the ears off?' She wondered.


They rushed through the crowded hallways of Kagome's high school, earning strange glances as Inuyasha was led by the hand through the doorway of a classroom.

Kagome froze two steps into the room, feeling the eyes of her fellow classmates on them. She smiled sheepishly and began to make her way back towards her seat.

"Miss Higurashi..."

Kagome jumped, turning guiltily around to face her teacher.

"Miss Higurashi, I have no problem with you having a guest in my class. Even if it is during a test. But you know it's against school policy to wear hats in school. He'll have to take it off."

Kagome quickly stepped up to her teacher, standing on tiptoes to whisper something in his ear.

The man nodded, listened intently for a moment, and nodded again. Then his expression became shocked, turning slightly embarrassed. He nodded a third time and made a shooing motion with his hand. "I'll allow it."

"Thank you, sir." Kagome bowed slightly before leading Inuyasha to an empty table in the back of the class.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, wondering what the heck she could have told the man to make his face turn so red.

Kagome instructed Inuyasha to si- take a seat, and then sat down herself; their hands stretching across the tabletop. "Now, I need you to behave Inuyasha. No noise. What-so-ever. Okay?"

The hanyou fidgeted in discomfort but nodded. Looking around the room, he saw the girls from earlier staring directly at him; Their eyes almost as wide as dinner plates.

Sensing his discomfort, and seeing the girls unblinking stares, Kagome slowly inched her foot across the floor until their ankles met. Then she let go of his hand, directing her attention back at the front of the room as the teacher began to hand out the tests.

As the room became silent, Inuyasha sat as still as a rock. Only his eyes shifted to gaze around at the other students; their heads bent low over their papers.

Quickly becoming bored, Inuyasha propped his chin in his hand. Looking over at Kagome, he couldn't help but remember how soft her lips had felt. How right it had seemed. The feelings it had brought to the surface.

Lost in his thoughts, he barely registered the rest of the class getting up to leave.

Kagome tugged at his arm to gain his attention. Then, grabbing his hand, she stood and walked around their table, drawing him urgently to the door. "Hurry!"

They slipped out the door just as her friends started to call out for her to wait. But by the time they had reached the door, Kagome and Inuyasha had disappeared down the hall again.


Kagome sighed as they stopped a good distance down the corridor; still gripping Inuyasha's hand tightly in her own. "Phew! That was close!" She grinned triumphantly. "One crisis averted. I got my test done and the rest of the day should be a breeze!"

"Hey! Kagome!"

Kagome gasped, terrified. "Oh no!"

Inuyasha watched as she turned to face the boy who was jogging up to her.

"Hey Kagome! Nice to see you again!" He gave her a huge smile. "Are you feeling better? I hope those kidney transplants went okay."

Kagome blanched. 'Kidney transplants? What was grandpa thinking?' She gave him a strained smile. "Um.. yeah! I'm great, Hojo! All better!" She laughed quietly.

The boy now known as Hojo caught a glimpse of their linked hands. "Hey, Kagome, who's this?" He gestured to Inuyasha.

"Oh! This is, umm... my... cousin! My cousin... Midori!" She grinned, tightening her grip on Inuyasha's hand as she sensed his flaring anger.

Hojo blinked, his face blank. But then he smiled again, oblivious. "Oh! Okay! Nice to meet you, Midori. Well anyway, Kagome, I was wondering if you'd like to see a movie with me tonight. Say around seven?"

The young woman blushed. 'What horrible timing.'

Inuyasha suppressed the urge to tear this guys face off. He knew what was going on here. Managing for once to control his anger, he stepped forward. "Sorry, buddy. But Kagome already promised to take me to the mall tonight. Maybe some other time." He was actually pretty proud of himself for coming up with that so quickly... What was the mall again?

Kagome blinked, confusion written across her face. Was he jealous? Why did he seem so angry?

Hojo's constant smile never wavered. "Oh, okay. Maybe some other time. See you later, Kagome. It was nice meeting you, Midori." And he walked off down the hall.

Blinking, Kagome watched as Inuyasha glared at Hojo's retreating back. Then she smiled. He'd been protecting her from Hojo like he protected her from Koga. She squeezed his hand slightly, earning herself an odd glance from the half demon.

"C'mon Inuyasha, it's time for our next class." She moved to walk down the hall again, but he wouldn't budge. "What's wrong?"

Inuyasha looked uncomfortable. "Well, I didn't want to mention this earlier, but I uh... have to go to the bathroom..."


There you go! Shorter than the other chapters I think, but that seemed the best place to stop. hehehe. Anyway, I'm really going to try to be more diligent about updating from now on.

I hope you liked it! Please leave a review if you did!