A/N: Hey, I might have nothing worth hearing to say (or reading to type, whichever) but there has to be an A/N. I'm sure of it.
Thanks to all the people who reviewed me! I love you all! Please don't be creeped out!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. If I did, Sesshoumaru would run around naked, and Kouga's pelt would accidentally fly up during those from-the-ground point of view.
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Chapter Four: Forgive and Forget
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Kagome was fuming when they were packing the yellow bag with lots of ramen at Inuyasha's insistence in the morning. Kouga was still apologizing profusely, but Kagome kept ignoring him.
Inuyasha was glaring at Kouga, resolving to bash in his face later. Kagome hadn't told him what had happened, but Inuyasha could see to it that it was the book (which he found after he barged into the room) which upset her. He'd make sure that it would be so far up Kouga's ass that he'd be spewing porn all over his stinking den.
They had reached the well now, and Kagome shoved past Kouga and jumped in. when Kouga made to follow, Inuyasha bumped him aside and leapt in after Kagome.
Kouga stood there for a bit, thinking, and then jumped in.
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Miroku was walking through the village towards Kaede's hut. He had just returned from another village where he had driven a demon away. He was really happy today; he had enjoyed the payment last night.
When he neared Kaede's, Sango was waiting outside the hut. She was looking worried. "What's the matter, my dear Sango?" he asked. "Kagome hasn't returned yet, and I don't know where Inuyasha and Kouga have disappeared off to. Do you know where they are?" she asked him.
Miroku shook his head. It was common knowledge that Kouga was after Kagome, just how much was the question. Kouga hadn't revealed to them what the main purpose of his joining them was. After all, he could have gone off on his own to hunt for Naraku, which was the reason he had given them.
Miroku sat down, leaning against the hut's wall for support. Sango sat beside him, but not too close. She didn't want Miroku's curse "flaring up" again. Miroku threw her a look of exaggerated hurt. She glared at him.
"So Kagome, Kouga and Inuyasha have not shown up, hm? I wonder why," he said. Sango gave him a whack on the head. "Kagome isn't like that, you pervert! Honestly, I don't know how you became a monk…" Miroku looked at her again with a look of mock hurt. "Sango! How can you accuse me of such impure thoughts?"
He was inching nearer to her as he was speaking. Sango snorted at his statement. "Yeah, yeah, and I – ACK! YOU PERVERT!"
Fortunately, she had had her Hiraikotsu handy, and Sango swung the weapon around. Miroku never had a chance.
Kaede'd have to collect more wood now, and it wouldn't be for the fire.
Just then Kagome, Inuyasha and Kouga made their grand appearance. "What's with the hole?" Inuyasha asked with a tone that showed that he couldn't care less whether he got an answer or not. When he stepped inside the hut he got it anyway. Miroku was lying in a pile of broken wood.
He groaned and rubbed his chest. "You'd think that I lifted up her kimono or something, the way she hits me…" he trailed off under Sango's glare through the hole.
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Sango was relieved when the three returned, and she noticed a change between them. Inuyasha looked smug, and Kagome angry. Kouga was looking downright dejected.
She hung around until everyone but Kouga had gone inside, and dragged him behind a tree. "What happened?" she asked. Kouga took a peek at the hut and, satisfied that no one would overhear them or was looking out from the newly made jagged doorway, explained the whole situation to her.
Sango's mouth was open by the time Kouga had finished, more at Kouga's stupidity than Kagome's reaction. She looked at him pityingly. He needed help. The whole taking-care-of-Kagome-while-she-was-sick was a good start, but he got too eager.
She thought about what would calm Kagome down. A good bath in the hot spring probably, but that would be with her, not Kouga. So that was out. A couple of flowers might do the trick, or generally treating her like a lady. Sango was of the opinion that Kagome wasn't too demanding anyway. Look at Inuyasha. The guy actually runs off with his dead girlfriend and Kagome forgives him every single time.
She explained all this (except the dead girlfriend part) to Kouga. She saw him droop even more. She knew what was going through his mind. He, Kouga the Wolf Prince, would have to act like a virtual slave to a human.
But he straightened up resolutely. Sango looked at him, and smiled. So he loved Kagome more than his self respect. If he loved her more than that would be revealed later, she knew.
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Kagome sat beside Shippou, handing him chocolates as usual. He was ecstatic and hugged her tightly. She smiled and ruffled his hair lovingly.
"We were so worried about you! I'm glad you're back!" he said happily. Kagome was still smiling, her grin apparently being fixed there.
Sango and Kouga entered. They all looked at them. Sango smiled nervously, and was about to sit down near Miroku, but changed her mind and sat between Kagome and Inuyasha instead. Kouga walked over to Kagome's other side and sat down. She looked at him, and turned to talk to Sango.
"I got something for you." He said cautiously. Kagome turned her head quickly towards him. "Yeah, what is it? Did you draw them yourself this time?" Inuyasha cackled. Sango nudged him hard in the ribs, and he shut up.
Kouga was unfazed. Ripping off Inuyasha's ears would satisfy him, but Kagome probably wouldn't be too happy about that. He brought out his hand from the back and held it out for Kagome. He held five beautiful delicate-looking purple wildflowers.
Kagome coloured and took them. She smelt them, but they didn't have a smell. They were very pretty, and Kagome smiled slightly. Kouga was so sweet. Now that she thought about it, he wanted her to be happy anyway; it wasn't his fault that he didn't think. She decided she would forgive him.
Kouga was still looking at her expectantly, and she blushed. He looked very sexy by the firelight, his ocean blue eyes shimmering. Before she could argue with herself, she swiftly bent and kissed him on the cheek. Blushing even more, she looked away.
'I can't believe I just did that! Oh shit… what will Inuyasha think!' Kagome's mind was on overdrive. She looked at Inuyasha. He was looking murderous, and Kagome didn't have to guess who the victim would be.
"Sorry…" Kagome muttered, still avoiding Kouga's eyes. Kouga took her hands into his. "I'm the one who should be sorry, Kagome. I shouldn't have threatened your modesty –" (it was all rehearsed) "that way. Will you forgive me?" he said, delivering his speech even though she obviously had.
"Yes." Kouga gave her hands another squeeze and let them go; he was pushing his luck as it was. Kagome was amazed. Kouga was so thoughtful; she'd have had to prod Inuyasha to force out an apology from him.
Inuyasha looked like he was about to burst, but he turned away and pouted. He couldn't have done anything anyway; he'd be sat in seconds. No one paid attention to him, however, as they were too busy watching the scene unfolding before them. Inuyasha pouted even more and muttered in a low voice, "I thought you said he wasn't your type."
"Pardon?" said Kagome. Inuyasha heaved a huge sigh, as if it was obvious and she should have heard him. "Nothing"
But Sango's trained ears had caught his words. She was slightly surprised. So Inuyasha still had a thing for Kagome. She wondered if she had gotten herself into some deep tangled web when she agreed to help Kouga, but it was too late. The spider would be reaching them all soon.
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A/N: Again, sorry for this short and apparently – apparently –useless chapter. I consider it useful. .:glares:. Don't start thinking of those "filler" episodes of Inuyasha. I like them, you know.
By the way, I know it's a cheesy title.
Thanks again to all the reviewers! I appreciate you all taking the trouble to give your opinion. Please skip this and review before I get too formal. Good bye. (Ack! I'm going to the dark side… maybe I'll buy one of those smart looking skirt and suit or whatever. Somebody stop me before I turn this into a personal blog.)