Disclaimer: Not mineeee...!
wk: Wow! 217 reviews! I am so honored! I hit 200! And passed it! Mwaha... Oh, and for you guys that read "Neighborly Love", it's probably officially on hiatus now. I'm thinking about editing it, because my writing has improved a lot since I started that story, and looking over, I was kind of unsatisfied with my work. So until the rewriting of it is done, you guys might be waiting a while. This story, however, I will try to update regularly. I was actually going to update a lot sooner, but the chapter I had was... very different, a lot shorter, and I just didn't like how it turned out. So I rewrote it, and this was the result. Thanks for sticking with this one, and tell me if you see any problems and such. Thanks!
Chapter Nine
Accidentally in Love
Kagome groaned as she got up. She looked around for a moment, wondering where in the heck she was. She was cold, too. She was shaking so bad her teeth were clanging together. Her feet were cold. And wet. She sneezed.
"What the…" Memory came rushing back to her, and the cold in her bones was forgotten. "Darn it! Inuyasha! If you're not gone from this house, I swear I'll rip all the little hairs off of your body and paste them on to your face!"
"You know, you come up with the weirdest threats," A voice murmured from her bedroom. Kagome gaped at her door. She strode over, opened it, and saw the warm little bundle of joy beneath her blanket. Her warm, dry blanket.
Kagome stomped over, ripped the blanket from him, and wrapped it around herself. Inuyasha scowled at her, trying to pull the blanket back. "It's cold, dammit. Don't you turn on your heater? It's almost winter! Speaking of, you sound a bit sick."
"You can go eat poo and die," Kagome hissed, jerking the blanket out of his grasp. Inuyasha shrugged, snuggling into her bed and her pillow. With a sound of utter frustration and irritation, she brought her foot up, and kicked him in the backside.
"What the hell was that for, bitch?" Inuyasha yelled, rubbing the aforementioned backside.
"You know as much as I what that was for!" Kagome yelled back, heading in the direction of the living room again. She sneezed, and sneezed again.
"Oh hell… Are you really sick?" Inuyasha asked with worry from her bed.
"What's it matter to you?" Kagome retorted, going out the door. She was about to plop down on the couch again, but squeaked when she was swept up, blanket and all. She looked up to see Inuyasha's concerned face. On a normal day, that concern would have warmed her. Today, after he had left her on a wet couch roughly at the end of fall with no blanket or anything, and slept in her bed… She was going to slap him.
The blanket proved to be her downfall. She struggled against him, but the blanket wrapped around her like a tight cocoon limited movement, and her arms were trapped inside, unable to hit him for the grievances that he had caused her.
"Let me down!" she screeched, and saw him wince. She felt smug about it, and screeched again.
"Stop that, woman!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Kagome yelled back. "I don't think you—Ah!" Kagome screamed hoarsely as suddenly she was flying through the air, the blanket loosening around her flailing limbs. She landed on the bed, and her breath came out in a whoosh. She managed to suck in a quick breath again before a pillow smacked her in the face. "What the—"
"Well, duchess, I think you should be warm now," Inuyasha said gruffly. He felt guilty that she was sick. She obviously didn't believe in turning on heaters when it got cold. Or until it got really cold.
"You are such a—"
"Now, now… Let's not ruin your no cussing thing," Inuyasha interrupted. Kagome fumed on the bed, pulling the blanket tighter around her. She glanced at the clock, blanched and sprang up. He shoved her back down on the bed, his hands pushing her down by the shoulders.
"Let me go! I have to go to work! I am so late! If it wasn't for you, I would be—"
"You're not going anywhere, sweetheart," Inuyasha said grimly. She stilled, staring at him in disbelief.
"Where did this concern come from? You leave me on a wet couch and get me sick, and now you're feeling guilty about it?" she started to struggle anew, muttering "jerk" under her breath.
"Yes, dammit, so hold still! You're not going to work today!" Inuyasha said. Kagome glared at him.
"Do you know how much I have to do today? Not to mention that you have to go to work, too? You can't safeguard me!" Kagome said triumphantly.
"Actually, I got work off today," Inuyasha said smugly. Kagome gaped at him, then narrowed her eyes at him.
"You're bluffing," she hissed.
"I kid you not. You can call them yourself," Inuyasha retorted, but then a look of panic flitted across his face. If she called and they accidentally told her what his job was…
"I saw that look! I saw that look! What's their number? What's their number?" Kagome asked excitedly, squirming energetically under his hands. She had read his panic, but didn't understand the reason behind it.
"That's not the point! I did get off of work today, but I did it to go pick up my niece today!" Inuyasha said.
"Your niece? Ayame, right?" Kagome asked, smiling. Inuyasha nodded. Kagome grinned. "That still means you have to leave me here to get to the airport. And guess where I'll be," Kagome said. Inuyasha sighed. He lifted his hands from her shoulders.
"I guess I have no choice but to call your mother and—"
The color left Kagome's face, and she hissed, "You're blackmailing me again!" Inuyasha nodded grimly.
"I'm afraid so. So do what I say, or… Mommy dearest will have both our hides for dinner," Inuyasha said. Deflated, Kagome sank into the bed, putting the pillow he had thrown onto her face below her head.
"You're so evil," Kagome muttered, and sneezed. Inuyasha shrugged unconcernedly.
"Whatever works," he said. "I'll call Myouga and tell him." He watched as Kagome's eyelids lowered from fatigue and sickness, and he found himself still staring at her long after she fell asleep. Visibly shaking himself, he went to the kitchen and used the cord phone to call Myouga. He explained everything, and listened to Myouga's scolding before hanging up on the old flea.
He didn't have to pick Ayame up until eight, something he didn't tell Kagome since he was having fun wheedling her. Kagome ended work at five or five-thirty.
He watched TV for a while, but found himself glancing at the bedroom door. Sighing, he gave up trying to stay away, and went to her bedroom to gaze down at her again. Pulling her hair to one side, behind her ear, he sat next to her. Even though she was sick as a dog (he winced at the pun), she had quite the temper tantrum. He lied down next to her, nearly falling off the bed in surprise when she instinctively turned toward his warmth.
She snuggled against him, burying her nose against his shirt, breathing deeply and settling. Inuyasha's arm settled around her waist, marveling at how right this could feel. Whenever he had a fling or an affair with other women, he had never slept with them. He had sex with them, sure, but sleeping was out of the question. Solitary in nature, he didn't trust even the women he slept with to let them be near him unguarded.
Kagome, however, had managed to get under his wall, over it, around it… it didn't really matter how she did it, just that she was there now. "You stupid bitch. You should have run when you had the chance." Kagome gave no response, her breathing still deep with sleep. He heard the rattle in her breath, knew it resulted from her cold or whatever she had. He absentmindedly traced her features, committing them to memory. He wondered how she was going to react when he told her that he had been deceiving her. Wincing, he shook his head. He didn't think he could do it, and lose what they had. Rationally, he knew he should. But who knew Inuyasha for being rational?
"Dammit," he whispered. When did lustful longing become painful loving? He didn't know, nor did he care. With her wit, charm, her earthiness, she had brought him to his knees and didn't even realize it. "Son of a bitch." He buried his face into her hair, moving his mouth against her tresses and kissing her temple. To his astonishment, he realized he was trembling. The realization had hit him hard. Forcing himself to stop trembling, he got up from the bed, going into her bathroom.
He had to tell her. About the radio. About everything. He would stop the "Kikyou Shows". He had seen those sappy movies, where the boy deceives the girl, the girl slaps the boy, girl goes home, cries, then forgives and forgets. He didn't understand how that worked in real life, but he sure as hell hoped that would happen for him. With a woman like Kagome though, all fiery with a bad temper, he would be lucky if she just ended up slapping him. He would have to do some major ass kissing.
Kagome would be so angry. She would never forgive him. She wouldn't even want to be with him. Hell, before he had blackmailed her into it, she didn't even want to see him again, nonetheless date him. That thought made him pause in his determination to tell her. At first, she hadn't even liked him in the least. Hell, she still didn't, despite the attraction between them. If he admitted to what he'd been doing, she would cut all ties with him in a snap of a finger. Groaning, Inuyasha lowered his head into his hands, looking at himself in the mirror through his fingers.
"I can't tell her… She'll never forgive me!" Inuyasha said in despair to himself, and his hands came down to clench at his sides. His head whipped around when he heard a rustle behind him.
"What are you muttering to yourself about?" Kagome asked, rubbing her eyes. She started to push him out of the bathroom.
"Nothing and—what the hell are you doing?" Inuyasha asked, digging his heels in. Kagome gave him a dirty look.
"I have to pee, so if you don't mind—!" Kagome shut the door on him, and he chuckled as he made his way to the bed. He sat down heavily, stroking the silk sheet covering the mattress. He had fallen asleep like a babe in his mother's arms. Bathed in Kagome's scent, he had slept the best he had in years.
"You are such a butt hole," Kagome said, emerging from the bathroom, brushing her teeth.
"Thanks for noticing," Inuyasha said wryly as Kagome returned to the bathroom. He heard the not-so-pretty sound of her spitting, rinsing, and gurgling. Lord, he even found that attractive. "Kagome, dear, you sound like a wild boar," Inuyasha commented lazily from the bed. Suddenly, she was there, leaning over him and smiling.
"And you, Inuyasha, smell like a wild boar," Kagome said sweetly before mashing her pillow into his face. Before he could retaliate, she was walking away, the sheet still around her form. Inuyasha blew the mussed up hair out of his face while watching her look back over her shoulder at him in a condescending manner before slipping out to the living room. God just had to make him fall in love with such a troublesome woman. Sighing he followed her out, frowning when she sneezed.
He went to the kitchen, looking through her cabinets. "What are you looking for?" Kagome's congested voice came from her living room.
"Your medicines," Inuyasha replied, opening and closing more doors.
"You're looking for medicines in the kitchen?" Kagome asked incredulously. Inuyasha strode out, scowling.
"That's where I keep my medicines," Inuyasha said huffily.
"Well, I keep my medicine in the bathroom cabinet, behind the small mirror on the wall," Kagome said. Inuyasha followed her directions, and indeed, found it crammed with… medicines and feminine items. Making sure his hand didn't touch any… cootie-ridden box, he found the cold medicine. He went back out, gave it to Kagome, returned it to its original spot, then sat next to Kagome.
"Aw, you're babying me," Kagome said, laying her head heavily on his shoulder.
"Keh. Babying would imply a smaller subject," Inuyasha retorted, the color rising in his cheeks. Kagome huffed, lifting her head and glaring at him.
"Did you just call me fat?" Kagome asked, her voice low and dangerous. Inuyasha blanched, then exploded.
"What in the hell did I say to make you think that?" Inuyasha yelled. Kagome was instantly incensed.
"You said 'smaller subjects'!" Kagome yelled back.
"Yeah, 'smaller' as in size!"
"So you were calling me fat!"
"Wench, you need to get your head on straight!"
"It is on straight!"
"Could've fooled me!"
"You're the one that called me fat!"
"For the last time—"
The doorbell rang, and they both broke off from their argument, both flushed. Kagome went to open it, and discovered Shippo, looking down at his feet shyly. Kagome looked at him quizzically, her entire demeanor changed.
"Shippo, you know you can come in anytime," Kagome said gently.
"I just heard someone yelling, and you yelling…" Shippo gently scuffed his shoe against the ground. Kagome smiled, and pulled the youngster in.
"That was just Inuyasha. He's loud," Kagome said.
"Who the hell is that?" Inuyasha asked, narrow-eyed at the small fox-demon. He hid behind Kagome's pants leg, peering up at him. Inuyasha snorted. "Bitch, you've got yourself a little, soft furball in your hands."
"Don't call Kagome a… a… whatever!" Shippo said, coming out from behind Kagome to twitter angrily at the hanyou. Inuyasha, surprised, suddenly moved. His hand darted out grabbing Shippo by the tail. Shippo tried to fight him, his little paws swiping out, too little to do damage. Kagome cuffed Inuyasha upside the head, making him yelp and drop Shippo.
"What the hell was that for?" Inuyasha yelled, and Kagome put her hands on her hips, the sheet around her slipping.
"That was for hurting Shippo!" Kagome said. Inuyasha snorted.
"Wench, that kid does not have a mark on him," Inuyasha said. Kagome rolled her eyes, picking Shippo up protectively. She tickled Shippo's nose, and then asked him if he was all right. He gave Kagome the affirmative, and Inuyasha felt a kick in his gut as he watched them. She would make a great mother.
"My foster family decided to keep me longer," Shippo said. "They changed their mind about me, ever since I saved my 'brother' from a bunch of bullies at school. They had knives, and they wanted to hurt him, but they I fox-fired them and they all went running," Shippo said proudly, his chest puffing out. "I got them expelled, too!"
"Well, aren't you the brave little thing," Kagome cooed, and Inuyasha sat back, his eyes heavy-lidded. "And it's great about your family."
"I know," Shippo said, then made some excuse to go play on the Playstation 2 she had.
Inuyasha watched the child disappear into the spare bedroom, then turned to Kagome. "I've never seen you with children before, despite the fact that you leave the door for all the children to pour in and out. I've always smelled them in here, but never seen you interact with them," Inuyasha said softly. Kagome shrugged.
"So I like children," Kagome said nonchalantly, sitting beside Inuyasha again.
"Do you want some?" Inuyasha asked, looking anywhere but at her. Kagome gaped at him.
"Are you… Are you offering?" Kagome's question ended in a squeak. Inuyasha whipped his head around to look at her, his cheeks burning.
"No!" he said indignantly. "I was just wondering."
"Oh. Well, yes, I suppose so. One day," Kagome said in a musing manner.
"I want pups. Lots of 'em," Inuyasha admitted hesitantly, then saw Kagome's shocked expression. He scowled. "I want kids, too, you know. I'm normal."
"Yes, but… I never thought you were normal," Kagome said. Inuyasha blushed again, muttering "Nosy bitch," under his breath. Kagome heard, and started to retort, when she got a sly idea.
Slinking, stretching, she put her head on his shoulder, looking up at him with wide eyes. He smiled down at her, his eyes narrowing with intent. She moved her lips close to his, not touching, not even brushing, only breathing. Inuyasha didn't close the distance, just waited. Kagome wondered what she was doing. She had meant to punish him, but now she was caught by the spell, too. Stupid! She thought to herself.
She kissed him on the nose and sprang up, not trusting herself. Before she could run away, which was what she was about to do, Inuyasha's hand shot out with the same speed that it had caught Shippo, and snagged her wrist. He tugged and she fell back against him. Her breath snagged and held, as his teeth closed at the junction between her neck and shoulder.
"Inuyasha… Shippo's just in the other…" Kagome closed her eyes weakly and sank against him as she felt his tongue move over the skin that he had gathered in his mouth.
Momentarily removing his mouth, he said, "Your room has a lock on the door, doesn't it?"
"Mm hm…" Kagome murmured, not realizing the significance of his statement as his mouth moved again. His arm was locked around her waist, pressing her against him and making her realize just how "urgent" his situation was, but the other hand was on her back, on the cluster of nerves, exquisitely sensitive to his touch.
He got up, his hold still on her, and he turned her, his mouth meeting hers. She was all fire, flashing and burning. He only hoped he wouldn't end up with burns that would incapacitate him for life. He started to walk her backwards towards her bedroom, his hand still on her back.
"Ew!" Kagome tore away from Inuyasha, whirling to see Shippo. Shippo had his tongue out, his face scrunched up in disgust.
"Inuyasha, don't you know that girls have cooties?" Shippo asked, horrified that one of the loyal males had turned on him.
Inuyasha nipped Kagome's lip, even as she tried to dodge him, and said to Shippo smugly, "Yeah, but they taste so good."
Kagome sneezed and muttered, "I hope you get sick."
"I've never been sick my whole life," Inuyasha said amusedly. Kagome scowled.
"Do they really?" Shippo asked. "Kagome, I want a taste!" Kagome coughed, and Inuyasha laughed uproariously.
"Go find you own girl to taste, Shippo," Inuyasha said. Kagome looked affronted, turning to tell Shippo differently. Inuyasha used the arm around her waist to pull her up against him again. Her back to his chest and startled, she closed her mouth.
Shippo crawled onto the couch, much to Inuyasha's chagrin.
"Kid, when you goin' home?" Inuyasha asked. Shippo shrugged.
"Later, I guess," Shippo said. Sighing in defeat, Inuyasha sat on the one-seater couch, pulling Kagome down with him. Kagome fell into his lap, glaring at him over her shoulder. Inuyasha grinned, brining up a finger to trace a circle on the small of her back. He watched her eyes go opaque, and she tried to shoot up, but his arm around her waist didn't relent. He groaned as her struggling had… effects.
"What are you guys doing?" Shippo's innocent, lilting question drifted to them, and Kagome flushed furiously as Inuyasha grinned.
"Nothing, Shippo," Kagome said in a high voice. Shippo shook his head, turning the TV on.
Inuyasha continued to tease her through the day, and would have laughed if he hadn't worked himself up as well. Shippo went home at seven, and thanked Kagome for letting him stay.
Inuyasha had Kagome pushed up against the wall as soon as that front door closed. She didn't protest, practically attacking him, her hands finding their way inside his shirt to rest against his chest. His own hands went into her shirt, to her back where he pressed her against him. Their kiss was hungry and deep, plundering. Out of the corner of his eye, Inuyasha saw the clock and he tore away from her. Panting, she held herself up against the wall, bewildered.
"I can't do this right now," he said in a strained tone. She stared at him, disbelief written over her face.
"Say what?" she asked, incredulous.
"I have to go pick up my niece," Inuyasha said, keeping his distance from her. Kagome groaned.
"You tease! I'm finally ready to… to… Well you know! And you decided that… Aargh!" she yelled, the color flaring in her face. Inuyasha was beyond tempted to stay, but he had promised Ayame to meet her at the airport. Inuyasha walked to her, pulling her against him again and kissing her quick and hard. She trembled in his arms, and he relished the power to make this strong woman shake.
"Next time, nothing will stop us," Inuyasha promised huskily. Kagome blew disheveled hair out of the way, and looked up at him. She nodded then rose on her toes to press a chaste kiss to his chin. He gave a derisive snort, obviously not impressed.
"That's all I can trust myself with right now. Inuyasha, I've never had these feelings for a man before," Kagome said, burrowing her head into his chest. Inuyasha paused. Was she scared?
"Hey," Inuyasha said softly, pulling her face up by the chin and bestowing a soft kiss onto her lips. "Don't worry. Whatever happens, neither of us will regret it, right?" Kagome smiled up at him, and his breath caught.
"Right," she said brightly, and Inuyasha pressed another kiss to her mouth before moving away from her.
"So before I rape you, I'm gonna go pick up my car, and then my niece," Inuyasha muttered. Kagome laughed, tugging on a lock of his hair.
"I'll talk to you later. I'm going to call Myouga to see how much work I have to—" she sneezed. "…To do tomorrow," she finished. She sniffled. Inuyasha tapped his finger on her nose, looking at her worriedly.
"Go to bed early, and try to eat ramen. It'll soothe your throat," Inuyasha said. Kagome looked up at him amusedly.
"Ramen, hm? Well, I suppose that would be the only solution for you," Kagome said. Inuyasha growled playfully, tapping her nose again then moving away to put his shoes on.
"I'll call you later," Inuyasha said. Kagome nodded, and closed the door behind him when he walked out. She put her forehead against the cool wood of the door. She was thinking the same thought as Inuyasha at that moment: I can't believe I've fallen that hard so soon.
"Uncle Inu!" Ayame launched herself into Inuyasha's arms as soon as she saw him. Inuyasha swung her around, laughing. Then he eyed the piece of fur on her shoulders.
"How many rats did you kill for that?" he asked, fingering it and sniffing it. Ayame laughed.
"No rats, Uncle Inu," Ayame said. Inuyasha grinned. He pulled on Ayame's pigtails, making her shriek.
"I see you haven't lost these rattails," Inuyasha said happily, fingering the flower she kept in her hair.
"That hurt!" Ayame complained, rubbing her scalp. "And they're not rattails," she said. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Oh, excuse me. Wolf tails."
"Damn right," Ayame said, and she said it just like him that he burst into laughter. He pulled her into a tight embrace, one that she returned just as fiercely. "I missed you too," Ayame said, and pulled back. Inuyasha lifted the small duffel bag she had carried, and started to walk with Ayame beside him. Inuyasha went in one direction, but stopped in consternation as Ayame started to head to the baggage claim area.
"Oy! Where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha asked. Ayame looked at him over her shoulder, and gestured to the small duffel bag.
"You didn't think that was seriously everything a girl carried, did you?" Ayame asked. Inuyasha sighed.
"Figures," he muttered. Ayame laughed and strolled to where the carousel was starting to spit out suitcases. She pointed hers out and Inuyasha dragged it out. He was about to walk away again when Ayame pointed out another suitcase. It was formidable in size, and Inuyasha wrestled with it onto non-rotating ground.
"Uncle Inu, you're so strong!" Ayame cooed and soothed. Inuyasha, ruffled and irritated, grunted and started to pull the suitcases along.
"This better be all you have, bitch," Inuyasha growled. Ayame didn't take offense.
"Yeah, that's it. Let's go now," Ayame said. She walked ahead of him while he struggled to keep the two suitcases in balance with the small duffel bag over his shoulder.
"You could help me, you know. I know you're not some weak female," Inuyasha said to her from behind. Ayame looked over her shoulder, grinned.
"I could, but I know my big, strong uncle can more than handle two measly suitcases," Ayame said. Inuyasha swelled with pride, but easily saw through her manipulation. Still, he allowed himself to be manipulated. He grumbled and muttered dark things under his breath the whole way back to his car, but didn't really complain. "How come you didn't bring your girlfriend with you?" she asked him as they both slid into his car.
"Uh… Because…" Inuyasha said slowly. "She's sick…" Why hadn't he brought her?
"Uh-huh…?" Ayame said, motioning her hands so he would know that she was saying to continue.
"Oh, well… It's you and me, Ayame. I wanted some time spent with you," Inuyasha said, and found it to be true. He rarely saw his niece. He would have an ache until he saw Kagome again, but when Ayame left, he wouldn't see her for another couple of years, probably, since she was going to college. Ayame laughed, and Inuyasha looked disgruntled. "I'm serious! I could've gotten laid today, but I came to get you because I wanted to see you." Ayame rolled her eyes.
"You sound surly about it," Ayame said. Inuyasha shrugged.
"Maybe a little," he said sheepishly.
"Well, I'm sorry I interrupted your… 'getting laid'."
"No problem. I'll get it done next time," Inuyasha said easily, and Ayame laughed.
"Uncle Inu, I have never known anyone as open as you." Inuyasha shrugged again, driving easily out of the parking lot.
"It's a talent."
Kagome's brows were furrowed in thought, concentration giving her eyes an intense quality. The tip of her tongue came out in her deep thought. Darkly, excitedly, sadly, and happily knew there was no going back.
She put the last piece of her puzzle into place. Bored out of her mind after placing a call to Myouga, she had dug around in her closet to find a puzzle that one of her friends had given her as a present. She had always meant to do it, but work had always gotten in the way. Now, when she was sick and had taken a day off of work, she thought it was the perfect opportunity. However, once she had started, there was no stopping. The thousand-piece puzzle stumped her at first, but she had triumphed in the end.
Glee overtook her, making her stand and dance, then cough with exertion.
"Oh man, I feel like dirt," she said to no one. She looked down at the puzzle on her desk, all her papers swept to one side to accommodate the puzzle. It was a beautiful picture, a pastel picture. There was a white dog running on the beach, chasing after a black dog under the stars and the full moon.
She sighed, looking at the clock. It was near two in the morning. She had given six hours of her life to this darn puzzle, and Inuyasha still hadn't called. Incensed, she brushed her teeth and crawled into bed, drawing the sheets up to her chin. It had his musky smell on it, and disgustedly, she kicked it off. She knew that he was probably spending quality time with his niece, but the least he could have done was call her to tell her that he was too busy spending time with his niece to really talk to her today. She hated it when people said they were going to do something but never did it, thinking she wouldn't get angry. Well, she's show him who was angry whenever he called, if he called. Her eyes started to drift shut when she heard the shrill piercing ring of the telephone.
She groped for it at her bedside table, answering it with a drowsy, "Hello?"
"Oops. Were you sleeping?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome frowned, fighting to stay awake at least to chew him out.
"No," she snapped, but it was slurred. Inuyasha chuckled.
"Sorry I called so late. I didn't notice how the time went by until Ayame mentioned it to me. Go to sleep babe. I'll see you tomorrow for lunch or something. Ayame wants to meet you, too, so…"
"Oh, that's wonderful! I want to meet her, too!" Kagome said, genuinely happy. "But you can go away after you drop her off. We're going to have a little 'chat' about you." Inuyasha chuckled again
"I don't think so, sweetheart. I told you I was sorry for calling so late. I was just spending time with my niece," Inuyasha said, a pleading note entering his voice. Kagome sighed, relenting, too tired to do much else.
"I know. Sorry if I seemed snappish," Kagome said.
"It's all good. I was the one that didn't call until two in the morning. Good night, Kagome."
"Good night, Inuyasha." Inuyasha hung up, and Kagome did also.
Kagome knew she wouldn't stay at work today for long. She felt nauseous reading all the papers on her desk. Myouga hopped in, looking at the mess on her desk and her face mashed into it all.
"Kagome…" he said slowly, obviously worried for her sanity. She looked at him blearily, a sheet of paper stuck to the side of her face. "Maybe you should go home and rest…" Kagome shook her head fiercely, retrieving her pen (From where, Myouga didn't know. All he could see were papers). "Kagome, dear, you look sick."
"Thanks, Myouga," she said. "You can thank your grandson for that." Myouga frowned.
"Well… I came in here to tell you that we're going to have something like a charity ball. Anyone who attends will contribute money to a good cause, and we'll also get to figure out who is loyal to us, and who Naraku is pulling strings with."
"Two birds with one stone?" Kagome asked, frowning as she peeled off the paper that was stuck to her face.
"Yes, exactly. Anyways, as an early or late birthday present, you may buy a whole outfit for the occasion, and splurge using the company account. I'll cover it, don't worry," he said when she opened her mouth to protest.
"Uh… Thank you," Kagome said, already imagining what she could buy. What shoes she could buy. Oh, she felt like the proverbial kid in a candy store that he had just bought. "How lovely," she murmured to herself. Myouga smiled at her.
"Are you going to… bring a date?" he asked slyly. Kagome sighed.
"I don't think Inuyasha would like formal wear so much," Kagome said. Then her eyes brightened. "I could take him shopping with me! Then we'll be able to buy him a suit or something, too! Oh, this is wonderful!" Kagome paused. "You do know that Ayame is staying with him right now?" Myouga paused.
"Is she? Hm. I guess it slipped Inuyasha's mind to tell me. Ayame's a good child. Again, you can use the company account for her. Don't buy anything that is ridiculously expensive though," Myouga warned. Kagome laughed.
"Myouga, would I do that?" Kagome asked.
"I don't know. I'm thinking if I should be kicking myself or sighing in relief that you're not angry," Myouga said.
"Well, now I am," Kagome snapped, but smiled and said, "No I'm not! Oh, this is great! I can't wait to see Inuyasha in a suit!" Myouga figured his grandson would kill him when he got the chance. Sighing, he thought he should be kicking himself.
"Why don't you go invite them personally right now, and leave the rest of this to your secretary? She'll enjoy the work. She seems to want the workload. Every time I see her, she's looking through papers, double-checking and reading over them to make sure they're perfect," Myouga said.
"Oh, Kanna? I'm so glad I hired her. She really does seem to like it. Yes, I suppose I'll go then," Kagome said, standing up and stretching. She picked up her keys, thanked Myouga, and strolled out, making sure to thank Kanna as well for her hard work. The young woman looked at her blankly, just nodding to indicate that she had heard what Kagome had said. Frowning, Kagome went to the elevator, knowing Kanna's eyes were on her. She quickly stepped into the elevator, then went down.
She got into her car, then called Inuyasha to make sure he was home. "Inuyasha, I'm gonna come over right now," Kagome said. Inuyasha grunted his affirmative, and Kagome hung up.
When she arrived, she reapplied her lip-gloss, and went up, feeling fatigue making her drag her heeled feet.
When Inuyasha opened the door, she gave him a tired smile, and he led her to his couch, concerned. "You overworked yourself, wench," Inuyasha said. Kagome waved off his comment, but jerked her head up when Ayame came into the living room.
"Hello. I'm Ayame," she said pleasantly, her bright green eyes assessing Kagome. Kagome didn't flinch under the gaze, and shook Ayame's hand strongly.
"I'm Kagome," she said. She saw approval in Ayame's eyes before Kagome leaned her head back again. Inuyasha pushed her hair back, catching Ayame's sly glance. He quickly pulled his hand away.
"Why are you here?" Inuyasha asked gruffly. Kagome sighed.
"Myouga's holding a charity ball, wants me to bring a date, blah blah blah… Wanna hear the rest?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha raised a brow.
"So are you demanding, suggesting, asking…?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome scowled at him.
"I'm demanding, half-wit." She turned to Ayame. "You're invited, too. And he said to buy a dress for you in the name of the company." Ayame smiled brilliantly, clapping in glee.
"Oh! Shopping!" Ayame said. Kagome sighed happily, and her lips curved.
"I know," she said knowingly. Inuyasha sighed too, only not for the same reason Kagome did.
"Don't you have a dress somewhere in those suitcases of yours?" Inuyasha asked. Ayame rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, but they are not formal wear," Ayame said. It was Inuyasha's turn to roll his eyes.
"Whatever," he said.
"Let's go now!" Ayame said excitedly.
"Not now, Ayame. Kagome's tired," Inuyasha admonished. Kagome struggled to her feet before Inuyasha pulled her back down again.
"I can go, Inuyasha," Kagome snapped.
"Not without keeling over you can't," he said back. Before their argument could escalate, Ayame cut in.
"Uncle Inu is right. I wasn't thinking. We'll go tomorrow, of course," Ayame said.
"I can't go until after work. I took these two days off, but that's all those slave drivers will allow," Inuyasha said.
"Me either. I have too much stuff to do," Kagome said. Ayame sighed.
"Okay, shopping will have to wait until tomorrow," Ayame said mournfully.
"Didn't you do enough shopping today?" Inuyasha asked, exasperated. Ayame flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Of course not," she said haughtily. "When does a girl ever do enough shopping?"
"She's got a point there," Kagome said gravely. Inuyasha snorted. His eyes narrowed as Kagome sneezed loudly. She sniffled, then looked at Inuyasha's look. "I'm fine, you big worrywart. In fact, I'm going to go home and sleep now," Kagome said.
"I'm going to drug your ass next time instead of medicine, if that means you'll stay at home!" Inuyasha said. Kagome was instantly frustrated and angry.
"I guess so, but I'll have to trust you first if you want to come near my food or drinks!" Kagome yelled.
"You do trust me!"
"You wish!"
"I know you do!"
"As if!"
"Tell me you trust me, dammit!"
"I don't think so!"
Ayame watched the by-play, both throwing words at each other like baseballs. Ayame put her chin in her hand, her elbow propped up against her knee, and she sighed. She wished she could be in love like this. A passionate, fiery, fighting-one-minute-and-in-bed-the-next kind of love. Just as she predicted, the verbal spar ended to be started again by a session of mouth-to-mouth.
"Uncle Inu, I don't think Miss Kagome is dying for you to be sucking her lungs like that," Ayame said lazily from her position. Inuyasha gave her no mind, and Kagome only mildly protested. With amusement, Ayame could see Kagome's toes curl as Inuyasha worked his magic on her. "Wow, Uncle." Inuyasha tore away from Kagome, and she was breathing hard, glancing at Ayame and flushing with embarrassment.
"Why couldn't you have come next week?" Inuyasha asked Ayame, surly. Ayame shrugged.
"Because you wanted me to come today. Or so the ticket says," Ayame retorted. Inuyasha sighed, then looked at Kagome.
"Sorry babe. You know how family is. A royal pain in the—" A pillow smacked into the back of his head before he could finish the sentence. Ayame had another small pillow poised threateningly, and Inuyasha turned to look at her, disbelief written on his face.
"Did you just throw a pillow at my head?" Inuyasha asked slowly.
"I threw a pillow at your head this morning," Kagome muttered, but Inuyasha ignored her. Ayame grinned. She threw the other one, hitting Inuyasha smack in the middle of the face. Inuyasha pounced on her, and they both struggled. Kagome watched, interested as she saw them both nip at each other, but neither driving their teeth into the other. They were playing, it seemed. Suddenly, Ayame was on her stomach, and Inuyasha was poised above the back of her neck, his teeth an inch above.
"Okay, okay, you win," Ayame grumbled. Inuyasha grinned. He looked at Kagome, saw her amused look, then straightened.
"Kagome, you look tired," Ayame said from her prone position on the floor. Kagome nodded her agreement, and stood. Inuyasha gave Ayame a look, and she went to the kitchen. Inuyasha walked Kagome out, his hands in his pockets. Bare-footed, he padded to her car, and she looked at his feet dubiously.
"They're fine," Inuyasha said, wriggling his toes. Kagome smiled at him, and Inuyasha's hands clenched in his pockets.
"I wasn't worrying," Kagome said, and slid into her car. Inuyasha leaned down, cupped her chin in his hand and gave her a short kiss with a shuddering breath.
"Of course you weren't," he murmured. He watched Kagome silently look up at him for a few moments, then close the door. She started the engine and drove away, looking at Inuyasha through her rearview mirror. He stood there, the wind blowing in his hair, his hands in his pockets as she drove away. Kagome sighed as she drove out of sight of Inuyasha.
Inuyasha hummed as he came into work that day. He was humming Shrek 2's "Accidentally In Love". Miroku noticed right away, too.
"Love is in the air," Miroku sang in a low baritone that cracked when he went to low.
"That was beautiful," Inuyasha stated as he sat down, rolling his eyes.
"Wasn't it, though?"
"Anyways, let's get started. Who's the caller?" Inuyasha asked.
"I have to answer it first," Miroku said wryly, pressing on the button. Instantly, a female's crying reached both their ears. She was hysterical, and Inuyasha couldn't make out anything she was hollering.
"I knew you'd pick someone bad," Inuyasha growled. Miroku shrugged, hitting the hang up button.
"Okay, next caller. You can start our topic today," Miroku said cheerfully.
"Do you know Akio Enomoto?" a male voice asked.
"Your name first, please," Miroku said.
"Oh yeah. It's Nobusuke, but please just call me Suke. Anyways, do you know Akio Enomoto?"
"Who doesn't? He's the serial killer they caught a month ago. He killed seventeen women after raping them and carving a pair of initials onto their bodies," Inuyasha said.
"Yes, that's him. He would carve the initials of the next woman he was going to kill," he said, then he sighed heavily. "My wife, she's… she's taken with him."
"Taken? What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked.
"I mean, she has some infatuation with him," he said. Inuyasha recoiled mentally in disgust, but listened anyway. "She writes letters to him, saying that he has her support. I saw one of her letters, read it, asked her about it, and all she would say was, 'Wouldn't you want my support, honey, if you were accused of something so heinous?'"
"And what did you say?" Miroku asked.
"I said, of course I would want her support, but I'm her husband. She… She said that she'll give her support to anyone who needs it."
"She thinks a serial killer after women needs it?" Inuyasha asked incredulously.
"Obviously so," the man replied gravely.
"That's (beep)in' crazy!" Inuyasha said.
"I know," the man replied. "I tried to reason with her, but… I think it's far beyond infatuation now. I think she would actually leave me and the children if he beckoned."
"Jesus," Inuyasha said, then shook his head. "I'm sorry man. The best advice I can give you is to take your kids and divorce her now. Tell the court that she's an unfit mother, that she'll go running to her make-believe lover."
"I already considered that option, and I'm already speaking with a lawyer about it. I think I will do it. I have to, for the children," he said.
"Good luck," Inuyasha said sympathetically. "I think that women are so shallow. They say that they're virtuous and true, and there are women like that, like Ka—Kikyou, but once someone that is better looking or has more money comes along… Bam! They're gone."
"I agree," the man said heavily.
"All right. Good luck, Suke," Inuyasha said.
"Thank you. Good-bye." He hung up.
"What a bummer," Inuyasha said.
"Yeah, no kidding," Miroku said. "Okay, next caller." He hit the button again, and wailing was heard.
"Oh man, this chic again?" Inuyasha asked, his finger hovering over the hang up button.
"Wait!" she cried out, her voice waterlogged but her crying under control. "Please. I need advice."
"What's your name, and what's your problem?" Miroku asked gently.
"My name is Hotaru, and… and…" she trailed off, sniffling and obviously getting herself under composure.
"…And?" Inuyasha prompted, impatient.
"He broke up with me!" The girl dissolved into tears again, balling and hysterically crying, hiccuping.
"Get a grip!" Inuyasha yelled. The girl shut up, although a few sounds of hiccups could be made out.
"Sorry," she mumbled.
"Okay. Now. Why did he break up with you?" Inuyasha asked.
"He said… that he… liked someone else," the girl said, trying to keep herself under tight reigns. "He said… he said… that he doesn't love me anymore!" The last part was wailed out. Inuyasha's finger was above the hang up button again, but Miroku gave him a hard look and he sat back, sighing.
"There are plenty of guys out there that you haven't been with yet, guys that would never leave such an obviously delightful girl," Miroku crooned. This, however, didn't seem to help as the girl burst into tears.
"But I loved him! How can I find another guy that I would fall in love with when I'm already in love?" she asked, balling. Inuyasha sighed.
"Look. You can cry about it all you want, or do something about it. If my girl told me she liked someone else, not that she would with me, I would either break up with her and find someone else that's better, or get her back." Inuyasha knew that if Kagome started to like another guy, she would tell him straight up and do it in a way where he felt guilty enough to let her leave. However, after, he would do everything in his power to get her ass back and spank that pretty little backside for having left him.
"You think I should get him back?" the girl whispered.
"Frankly, I don't care. But, if you really feel you love this guy, then have a go at it. But I don't think you should close your mind off to the thought of other guys, better than the one you have now. The girl was quiet for a moment.
"Okay, I'll do that," she said slowly, then sighed. "I wish I was more like your Kikyou. She seems to be so much stronger. She would be able to bear it if a guy left her." Inuyasha's heart froze in his chest. Would Kagome mind if he left? Would she even care?
"Like she would do anything as stupid as to leave me," Inuyasha said with bravado that he didn't feel. The girl laughed, and hung up.
They talked about mundane things until one o' clock rolled around. Inuyasha sighed as the first caller asked:
"What did you do?" What did he do? Well, Inuyasha would tell the bright little youngsters that listened to his show avidly what he did with her.
"What did I do?" Inuyasha repeated. "I fell in love with her. That's what I did." There was instant silence, then the red button started flashing, apparently having a fit.
"Wow, I'm so happy for you! Does she—" Inuyasha hung up on him, sighing.
"And I still haven't gotten into her bed. How messed up is that?" Inuyasha asked Miroku.
"So, no sex, but love, hm? I think that proves it. Love has come around the corner and surprised you with a pie to the face," Miroku said. Inuyasha looked at him as if he was crazy.
"Where do you come up with this stuff?"
"My head thinks in mysterious ways."
"Amen."
The rest of the day was only talking about Kikyou. Kikyou for four hours. Inuyasha didn't think he could stop talking, for once. Other people called in with love stories, and Inuyasha tried to remain silent, but told them all the details about Kagome that made him fall in love with her. People called in with curses, telling him that he didn't deserve love after all the crap he had told them. He, of course, shot them down with explicit words and arguments that left them blistering.
When five o' clock came, Inuyasha was ready to leave.
"All right, that's it for today, and I have to go shopping with my niece and Ka—Kikyou today." Dammit! He thought. That's the second time today I nearly said Kagome's name. If I actually do slip one time, it's over. She'll be found out, and… us… Inuyasha gulped. He would be more careful with her name.
He walked out the door, already dreading the long day ahead of him. He just knew he would need hot water to soak his feet at the end of the day. Sighing, he drove to Kagome's work place anyway to meet her.
wk: Okay, that's the end of a very long chapter. It was about ten pages on Word, I think. This chapter was made extra long as a late... Thanksgiving present of sorts. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Okay, anyways, here's the...
ReViEw oF rEvIeWs:
Hehe, I updated sooner this time, emerald ash! Aren't you proud of me? Aren't ya? Aren't ya? And yeahhh... Exams can just go suck some watermelons.
Thanks, drake220! It was your comment, actually, that made me restart this chapter. The length and the quality of this chapter (I hope the quality is good) is thanks to you! So thanks you so much! I hope I updated a lot sooner than last time!
Hehe, and it was your comment, Forbidden Miko, that made me think of them falling in love in this chapter. It's about time, ne? And yes... School does swamp if anything. And I would never abandon this story! It's much too fun. (Grins)
Short term memory has certainly bested us, Yabou. And I'm glad you got it off of another reader's page! It means people like my story enough to put it on their page! Yay! (Smiles)
Thanks, azn-anime-anjel! I'm glad you enjoyed reading it!
Thanks so much, Kombat-King! Well, since this was Thanksgiving break, I had much more time, and not as so much stress on my shoulders. Hence the reason why I got this chapter out so quick. I think I could have done better on it, but... Maybe I'll look over it when I edit. After I'm done with the story.
Hehe, well, you saw Kagome's reaction, silentslayer. Do you think it was appropriate?
Haha, that was a strategic squirrel. Too bad it didn't go into hibernation yet. (Cackles evilly) I updated a lot sooner than last time, too! I'm so happy, AngelOfDiamonds! Thanks for reading!
School certainly kills, firebird5! Thanks for the support! Do you think maybe Inuyasha got in enough trouble, or do you think I should have made Kagome more harsh?
I am actually going to put up a "Kouga broadcast" on the next chapter, Kiala. And yes, Houjo probably is going to enter it, I just don't know how I'm going to put him in. I have a small idea, but I don't know if it should come to fruition... I'll think on it some more. In the meantime, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and see you next time!
It's okay, inulova4lyfe! I don't very much care as long as you read the chapter. I understand stress. Boy, do I understand stress. Don't you worry about a thing.
Hehe, the squirrel had no other part in the story except to interrupt Kagome and Inuyasha before... well, just before. Thanks for reading, hibi!
Hehe, I'm glad you think it's getting better! Maybe my writing quality is getting better instead of getting worse, huh? I'm so happy, o0 DaRkNeSsEz PuRiTy 0o! Thanks for reading!
I probably don't have Ayame's character right, since I've never watched her on the show before, so I molded her personality to fit my own purposes. Hehe, and I love to take the less popular side on topics, Mini Nicka. So in a way, I'm just as controversial as Inuyasha is in this story. I don't have as much influence though, of course. But I sincerely do believe that gay marriages should be allowed, and if they wanted it just for the government advantages, then why not just marry the opposite gender for them? People can be so close-minded sometimes.
I hope I updated soon enough, Dark Shards! Thanks for being a loyal fan, and reading my story!
Well, binab86, I am going to bring Sesshoumaru into the story, but probably later. Much later. And Kagome will find out later too. Possibly before or after Sesshoumaru is introduced. I haven't decided yet. In either case, thanks for sticking with my story!
Sorry ChibiKenshin6490... but Inuyasha's secret? Are you talking about his secret that he's working at the radio station and talking about Kagome? Or something else? I wouldn't even ask if I knew my own story as well as my readers do, but unfortunately, my mind is a bit wasted. I'm surprised I can write the alphabet, nonetheless this story sometimes.
I'm so glad you found the time, Tenshi Koneko! I hope I updated soon enough for you, and I'm so happy that you decided to read my story. Thanks!
It's not that I'm writing the scenes in disorder... Mostly because I have no scenes in my head. It's just blabber in my head until my fingers start typing. Then it becomes actual ideas on the computer, and I just go along with it. Thank you for you compliments, though, Leni! And I like this relationship-building idea much better, too. I don't really believe in love at first sight, just lust at first sight. Then, when you get to know the person... Bam! You're Inuyasha and Kagome in the same exact situation. And you don't know the half of the reaction I'm planning for Kagome when she finds out about Inuyasha's secret. And yeah... Inuyasha just has no courtesy for women. As I was writing this chapter, I realized I could have at least had Inuyasha cover her with a blanket, but... I don't know. Skipped my mind? And yeah... I found the "air" thing. I'll fix it when I edit it after I'm done with the story. If you see anything else, please do tell me, so I can fix that too! Thanks!
THANKS, Raining Fire! I think you're a wonderful reader!
Hehe, that was the idea, sapphire pink. I'll tell you now... if my future boyfriend would do something like that to me, I would have skinned him alive. I thought Kagome would be a little more nice about it though. (Smiles) Still trying to keep her in character as she is on the show.
Hehe, I got your hint, Amunett! I hope I updated a lot sooner that before. And I hope this chapter was good too. Critique, please!
Thanks, skitzoid! This story likey you too! (Grins) And I'll try to keep up the good writing. You tell me if it isn't.
Hehe, thanks, Iced Faerie! Of course, I don't see how leaving Kagome on a wet couch was sweet, though... but to all his own, yes? Ah, well... Thanks for reading!
Thanks, Mizo Sakura! I'm so glad you don't think I've ruined it yet. (Keyword: Yet) I think this chapter was a little fast and rushed, but I hope that didn't change the quality of it. And I think you're a tough (cool) reader! Thanks so much!
Thanks for reading and sticking with my story, InuYasha's-1-and-only-lov! I was happy I updated, too! It had been a long time, and I kept you guys waiting. Sorry about that. But I came out with this chapter a little faster, right?
Inuyasha faced his small hell in the morning, ne, Fushigi Aoi Tenshi? If you don't think so, please tell me. I did make Kagome's reaction rather small. Still, I think it was appropriate. If you don't think so, again, please tell me. Thanks for reading!
Ouch. Tell your friend I'm sorry, Corner girl. And I completely understand the lack of sleep. That was the reason I didn't write as much before Thanksgiving break. Not enough sleep. I had to literally take catnaps here and there, wherever I could before I had to wake up, do homework, study, eat, or go to school. And I love how you put it-- No one should force their idealogies on other poeple. Of course, I'm going to have Inuyasha try, but that's just the kind of person he is. He respects other people's decisions, but he'll stop at nothing to change their mind. And I do believe I will be addressing abortion in the next chapter. Thanks for the idea!
Haha, don't like your names too much? Or do you find another name that's much better? Either is plausible. In any case, thanks for reading my story, Linkin Park's Fan, or whoever you will be in the future. I'm glad Kagome's reaction got a reaction out of you. That means my writing really is okay! (Grins)
I don't really like stories that have no humor in it. I don't think I would be able to live without humor, nonetheless write without humor. Some stories I have read that have no humor have come out to be flat, toneless, colorless and just... plain. And thanks for the compliments, hana! I'm not so sure it's that organized, but if you say so... Hehe.
Haha, why would I want you to shut up, Daddy's Pixie? Your reviews are so interesting. And I'm a talkative little snot too. Poeple can't stand me, but who cares? And I really am ecstatic that you try to review on my stories, even though you're grounded and you could have spent time with your boyfriend. Hehe, and I think I updated soon... A lot sooner than last time, anyways. Thanks for your support and love for this story!
Well, abstract x heart, I think teachers give us piles of homework, because they have a conspiracy going that us children and kids don't need time to ourselves, that they'll wear us down and then later... Turn us into one of them. It's a horrible concept, one I've thought of for years. I mean, who wants to turn into a drab, working man/woman? And yes... I've also been behind textbooks. Unfortunately, my mind wanders a lot, something I can blame for my bad grades so far. And I'm thinking about Sesshoumaru. I'm thinking about just... well, you'll see later, but... Thank you for your opinion! Haha, and I've been trying to run from the fire-breathing dragons. They just won't get their claws out of my hair. I like dragons too. Love 'em to death. Teachers are just... the bad ones. I'm sure there are bad dragons, just like there are bad humans.
Thanks so much, Keiko89! I'm glad you find this story as interesting as some others you've read!
Hehe, yeah... I might have made Inuyasha a bit... unthinking in the last chapter, Disoriented Mind. But in a wierd, wierd way, I think it kind of fits him. Not really, but a tiny bit. I really should have changed it, but I was eager to get the chapter out, and I wasn't thinking. As usual. Oh well. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for your compliments, lady-latina! And I will continue to write it! I hope you you will continue to read it!
Yes, PeachesDani, my fellow college-goer. I am in college right now, and it is a pain in the rear. And work... (Shudders) And haha... I hope you liked Kagome's reaction in this chapter.
Did you know, Sunrider22, that you reviewed twice? With the same review? It's kind of amusing, but I want to know how you did it. If I try to review more than once on the same chapter, it doesn't let me. How sad. And yeah, I think "progression" is the right word. And Inuyasha's not in denail anymore! He finally admitted it to himself, and Kagome did too! Two in one, baby! Yeah... Kagome's reaction's going to be... indescribable when she finds out. I'm not exactly sure what Miroku would have thought on the marijuana deal for real, but this is just a projection of what he might have done if he believed the medical use of marijuana was okay. And... You'll see about Ayame, Kouga, and Inuyasha later. I have a plan for those three. And I love how you put Inuyasha would feel about it! "He would rather have three toes cut off." What a wonderful way to put it! I believe I'm going to use that, if you don't mind. Thanks so much, Sunrider22! And of course, I love to review your review! And all the others' of course. And I am honored beyond belief that you're considering this your favorite story. Flattery will get you everywhere. (Winks)
I put you in this chapter, "Hotaru"! Hope you like how I used her, Obsessive Starchaser! I'm thinking about her "reappearing" on the show. Stereotypical dumbass, I think you were, in this chapter. You know what? I definitely will use Hotaru again. And of course it's okay with me. And it's not a wierd idea at all. I enjoyed having one of my readers being personally involved in the story. It was so much fun while I was writing it. Thanks so much for lending me the use of Hotaru!
Hehe, you think so, Penguine? Glad you liked it! Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter, too. It was a bit rushed, but... Oh well. I'll try to make the next one better. Thanks for reading!
wk: Thank you all so much! Every time I do the ReViEw oF rEviEwS, I am almost swamped by the support andfriendly, warm feelingsI get for this story. I broke 200 reviews for this story, and I do believe it won't stop there, thanks to you guys. This extra-long chapter was dedicated to you guys, and I thank you again! Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving, and... and... THANK YOU!