>Chapter 4: A Little Breathing Room

Kagome could not remember a time when she was angrier. Sitting in one of the inner rooms of the main house of the estate, she was fuming while going through the contents of her pack. Shortly after they had realized that attempts of escape were futile, even with tetsusaiga, she had retired here. InuYasha had followed her silently and was now sitting in the far corner of the room, near the door.

I can't believe he… grrrr… and then… argh! Does he really? He's such a…. grrr!

Kagome squeezed the life out of a dispenser of dental floss until she heard a large snap. The dental floss had caved under the pressure of her emotional distress. With a sigh, she tossed it over her shoulder and continued with her sorting and fuming.

InuYasha was brought out of his reverie when something smacked him on the forehead, bouncing off to fall in his lap. He picked it up and examined it. It obviously belonged to Kagome, being made of some tough material that had to have come from her time. He tucked it into his haori for safe keeping and let out a sigh, returning to his musings.

For the most part InuYasha felt downright rotten. Guilt was eating at him, not to mention worry. These were combating with indignation, irritation and frustration. He knew what he had done was wrong. But he wasn't exactly sure why, therefore the urge to apologize had not yet been established in his mind. Not to mention the other half of him still held on to the notion that Kagome had left just to get away from him. Therefore he was not inclined to apologize if he was the victim here! He had thought about talking to her about it, but was fearful of multiple, unyielding sits.

Frustrated, InuYasha decided he needed some air and space and rose to leave. Unfortunately, instead of sliding out of the way when he applied pressure, the door remained fixed in its position.

Aw damn.

He tried wrestling with it a few more times before he gave up and served the frame a vicious kick. To his surprise, the wood didn't even dent.

"Kagome…"

No response.

He said her name a bit more forcefully.

He got a "Humph," but no real acknowledgement.

"Fine woman, whatever! I just wanted to inform you that the only exit from this room is not working."

At that she spun to look at him incredulously.

"What do you mean, 'not working'?"

InuYasha gripped the door and gave it a good yank in demonstration.

"It won't open."

"You mean we're stuck in here? Try the window!"

InuYasha moved to the window Kagome had been sitting near and grasped the shutters. To his dismay, they two seemed inexplicably barred.

"This is impossible! I had opened that window earlier to get some fresh air! And how could it possibly be locked from outside? We're two floors up!"

"Damn it wench! Don't yell at me! I didn't lock us in here!"

"Yes you did!" Kagome screamed, her hands clenching into fists at her sides, as tears began to stream down her face, "You broke your promise! You dragged me back here! You picked this place to stay! It's all your fault, InuYasha!"

At that, Kagome flung herself on the futon, burying her face in the pillow.

InuYasha stood there for a moment and watched as the sobs rocked her frame. He was always a mess whenever she cried. He supposed it was because it couldn't be allowed while he was growing up. Emotions were a sign of weakness and weakness would get you killed. Slowly his indignation and anger slipped away as the urge to comfort and console her took over.

He walked over to the futon and sat beside her.

"Kagome, I…"

She jerked away from the hand he had tried to place on her back. InuYasha let out a sigh and tried again. Actions were his thing, Kagome needed communication.

"Kagome… I… I'm sorry. You're right, this is all my fault. I promised you three nights and I broke that promise. I know you didn't lie to me, you never lie to me. I… I'm sorry I got us into this mess. Please stop crying Kagome. Aw, jeez…"

InuYasha rubbed the back of his head nervously. He had said a lot and Kagome still wasn't paying him any heed.

Kagome sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"Why did you do it, InuYasha? Why did you break your promise?"

"Be… Because I… I wanted you here."

InuYasha's nose and cheeks flared a bright magenta.

Kagome smiled and hugged him, trying to save him at least a little from his embarrassment.

"I forgive you, InuYasha. Now, let's find a way out of here, ok?"

With a nod, InuYasha joined Kagome on the hunt for any clue to their escape.

…………………………………………………….

InuYasha and Kagome had searched all of the buildings, even the hot springs to no avail. They had met up at the gate to discuss their findings.

Kagome looked up to see InuYasha approaching her.

"Nada and you?"

"Nothing." InuYasha let himself an irritated growl.

Kagome placed her hand on the gate to lean on it, but stopped when her fingers met carvings. Turning her face, she let out a sound that was a mix of surprise, relief and frustration. InuYasha turned and eyed her suspiciously.

"What's wrong with you now?"

Kagome ignored his rude comment and motioned to the gate.

"Look, I think I found something. Frankly, I don't know why we didn't look here before."

Kagome wiped dirt and dust from the wood in an attempt to see it clearer and read it aloud.

"When travelers; friend or foe,

Enter this place most not know,

Come here with a secret untold,

There very freedom they have sold.

Here they shall remain and be,

Until the truth shall set them free."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know." Kagome thought about it for a moment, but couldn't come up with anything. "I'm too tired and hungry to think anyway. Let's go eat something and we'll figure it out in the morning."

InuYasha followed her, still in thought.

Now that I've solved the issue of her not talking to me, what do I do about the way my instincts are reacting to her clothes… or lack there of…

…………………………………………………

Yay! I finally updated!

Takes a breather from dodging all the flying objects -

Love you too, Shinkan Neko!

Anyway, if my track record is anything to follow, don't expect a chapter too soon. Though it is encouraging to have gotten past most of that writers block on this story.

PS. I haven't really edited this chapter yet so please excuse any typos for the time being ;)