Hey, L.A. Here. Another chapter, yay!

I kept trying to write this chapter, andwas getting nowhere. So, I took some friendly advice, and just sat down and wrote the first thing that came to mind.

I think it came out pretty decently.. not exactly what I was wanting, but it still gives the general idea. Also, I didn't take the time to edit this, so if it's a bit choppy, or contains some mistakes, please forgive me. I wanted to get this out as soon as possible for my faithful fans. Thanks for everything!

So,

Here we go!

Chapter 21 (Or, 18 if you disgard the three Author Notes..): The Accidental Confession

Disclaimer: I own none of the wonderful characters present in this story, besides Kale and Lysi.

Reminder: Still a InuYasha/Kagome pairing... ;)

Lysi sighed as she stretched out on the cool grass, near the lake where the rest of her new group was hanging out. She lazily watched the female demon slayer and monk splash around, a small smile upon her lips. She knew of the monk's desire, and also knew that he was afraid to act upon it.

'What pathetic mortals...' She sighed to herself, her eyes flitting to the figure of the school girl that she so despised. She was playfully splashing the small fox demon, whom seemed to be enjoying himself also. The cat demon was sitting on the bank, watching the small group with as much animosity of Lysi.

Lysi rolled her dark eyes heavenward, then rolled over onto her stomach, a bored groan escaping her slightly parted lips. She allowed her eyes to flutter close. She could feel a good nap coming on...

Only a few minutes after Lysi had drifted off, a dark shadow stepped in front of her sun, robbing her body of the comforting warmth. A few seconds passed before she shivered, then opened one eye to glare up at the person who dared to disturb her sleep. Upon seeing only a bare foot and the edge of red pants in her view, she opened her other eye and shifted her gaze up farther, settling on the frowning face of the one reason she was traveling with the pathetic group of misfits.

"InuYasha." She breathed, quickly sitting up. She started to stand, but he halted her with a small movement of his hand. Lysi remained in her position atop the ground, her gaze continuing to hold his. He smiled a little, then looked out at his friends with a small sigh.

"Why aren't you out with the others?" He asked gruffly, yet she could sense worry and hesitance in his voice. Within the last few days she had traveled with them, he had quickly adopted the role of protector over her, as he had the rest of his companions. He checked on her regularly since he, as the others did, still believed her to be a fragile, innocent pup. Much to her liking, of course.

"I was tired." She answered simply, pulling her legs in to sit on them, her gaze following his. Kagome was giggling hysterically as Sango tickled her sides, and Miroku was trying to fend out Shippo, who sat proudly on top of his head. Kirara had long since curled up under a nearby bush to take a nap. Lysi sneered softly, envying the small cat.

She then turned her face back up to InuYasha, letting her face transform back to the friendly, trustworthy look that she managed to master over the last couple days. He soon looked down at her again, a small smile gracing his troubled features. After a few moments he seemed to decide something and turned from her, retreating into the trees bordering the clearing in which they had made their camp for the night. Lysi watched him curiously, then smirked at he motioned for her to follow. She did so without hesitance.

Once they were a good distance away from the others, InuYasha turned to Lysi, doubt and anxiety apparent in his golden eyes.

"What is it?" Lysi asked alarmed, genuinely worried about the hanyou she so cared for.

A small sigh was her answer as he gazed at the ground, his brow wrinkled as he thought. Suddenly, he shook his head, as if once again deciding something, and looked back up at her. His eyes were now cold and empty, and he turned from her.

"Nevermind. Return to the camp.. I'll be back shortly." He prepared to leave, but Lysi had never taken well to being dismissed. She reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn to her.

"What is wrong?" She asked, almost forcefully. "You can trust me." Her voice softened when she spoke this, and InuYasha's resolve seemed to falter. He sighed again, and met her gaze, his eyes holding hesitance yet again. He turned back to her, and ran a shaky hand through his hair, nervously scratching an ear before letting it fall to his side again.

"Listen, Lysi..." He started slowly. "I need to tell you something that I think you should know, since you'll be traveling with us for a while..."

Lysi smiled and nodded, then led him over to a comfortable tree by his hand. InuYasha followed, his face revealing how deep in thought he was. He settled himself beside her, keeping his gaze at his feet. After a few minutes, he looked up at her, seemingly ready to explain himself.

"Well, Lysi, you know that I am a hanyou..." After her nod, he continued. "And, every hanyou has a night where they turn human. My night of vulnerability is coming up..." He watched her expression, and upon seeing only understanding and innocence, his finished. "Actually, it's the night of the New Moon..." InuYasha held his breath, awaiting her reaction, for he had never told anyone this. Kagome had only learned on one of the fateful nights, and the rest had been informed by her.

Lysi smiled and scooted closer to him. "Okay, I can keep a secret."

InuYasha breathed a sigh of relief, and allowed a small smile to grace his lips.

"Why is this such a big deal, anyway?" The soft, obvious question spoken from the demon beside him startled him, and he turned to her.

"Because it's the one night of the month when anyone that wants to kill me has a damned good chance-" He was abruptly interrupted by a wave of Lysi's hand.

"No, no.. not that. Besides, you have me and the others to protect you against any evil that wishes your demise." She moved closer, lifting her eyes to his. "I mean, is there any other reason that you dislike this night?"

InuYasha watched her closely, wondering how she knew that he hid something from her. Lysi smirked and cocked her head slightly, keeping eye contact.

"You know," She spoke softly, a knowing look in her eyes, "Sometimes a stranger, or someone you haven't seen in a while, is the best person to tell secrets to..." She sighed. "For instance, I had never told anyone about my watching over you all those years ago." Upon seeing his raised eyebrow, she chuckled softly. "Yeah, I know.. you were entitled to know since it concerned you..." She leaned back on her hands, her eyes getting a far off look in them. "But, still... it didn't change the about of courage it took to let it out, after keeping it to myself for such a long time." She looked up at him again, and smiled. "You can trust me, InuYasha... What's on your mind?"

InuYasha watched her, his mind reeling. What she had said held merit, he knew, but he was still timid about opening up to her. He barely ever talked to Kagome about much more than the shards and when she would be back from her era, much less his 'feelings'. He scowled. That was it.. that was what was bothering him so much. 'Feelings.' When he was human, he felt things. Mostly, toward...

InuYasha sighed. Lysi was right, he did need someone to talk to, someone who was out of his circle of friends, yet who he knew he could trust. Lysi was new to him, yet also one the few people that had been there with him since the beginning. She knew his past, understood it, didn't judge him for it... She had been the reason why he never felt alone when the kids of his village picked on him, and why nothing had ever successfully ended his life once his mother was gone. She had been there. Secretly, but still there, her scent being the one that had comforted him, the voice that soothed him... She was a true friend. He could trust her, right?

InuYasha turned to Lysi, his mind made up. The inuyoukai had been watching him with soft, caring eyes and smiled warmly once he acknowledged her again. He returned the small smile, feeling so at home in her presence.

"It's Kagome..." He blurted suddenly, the words seeming to tumble from his lips. He cursed himself mentally, but seeing that he couldn't take back what was said, and that Lysi was watching him expectantly, he sighed, summoned up the courage Lysi had spoken of, and continued his confession.

"It's just that, when I'm in my human form, all my feelings for her sorta just, I don't know... 'Blind Sight' me. I mean, when I'm myself, I can hide them, ignore them, not have to worry with them. But, on that one night, I can't think of anything but Kagome." He stopped, watching her. She seemed to be just listening, but a sly smile was one her face. "What?" He asked defensively.

"What feelings are these?" She asked humorously, though she knew full well what he was speaking of. However, she wanted to hear him say it.

"I-I'm sure..." He stuttered, looking back at the grass at his feet. "It's just that, she's so sweet, and caring.. and not just toward Shippo and Sango and Miroku.. but me. And, I can't figure out why. I'm so mean to her, I act as if she's nothing to me, when she's so much more-" He blushed, then changed direction with his speech. "I don't deserve her affections, even though they are what I desire the most..." He finished in a hushed voice, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious.

Lysi watched him curiously. Well, they weren't the exact words she was hoping for, but close enough. Maybe this hanyou was more complicated that she thought. She quickly placed a soothing hand on his shoulder and smiled when he turned to her.

"Then why don't you fix it?" She asked plainly, as if the answer were as plain as day. InuYasha simply blinked at her, and she gave him a reassuring smile. "Well, the jewel can grant one wish..." She started, letting him put the pieces together.

"Yes, I know... At first, I had originally planned on using it to become full demon. But, I've changed my mind since then..." Lysi nodded, fully aware of the effect his demon blood had on him when fully awakened. "Actually, I've pondered using it to become fully human instead for a while now.." He sighed, looking away.

"You have? You would do that, give up your powers and strength? Just for a girl?" Lysi asked, wanting to test his affections for the modern girl.

"Yes, I'd give up everything for her, if it meant that we would be together in the end!" InuYasha stopped, suddenly realizing exactly what he had allowed himself to say. He growled and turned from her, not believing what he had let her know.

"Hey, don't worry. Like I said, I can keep a secret." Lysi chuckled, pushing him playfully. "Feels good to get it out in the open, doesn't it?" She teased.

InuYasha smirked and nodded, then sighed as he looked up into the early evening sky.

"Hey, we better get back... We still need to make camp and eat supper."

Lysi nodded in agreement, and they started back to camp and the others. She walked slowly, letting him gain ground on her. She watched him closely, a look on her face that would have sent shivers down his little school girl's back.

'So, you'd willingly give up your powers for this girl... I may have to progress with my plan quicker than I thought.' She chuckled at her thoughts. InuYasha looked back and beckoned for her to hurry, and she quickly made her way to him.

'Oh, my dear InuYasha... how you so easily play into my hands...'

A/N: Okay, I have a bit to answer for with this chapter.. I know that InuYasha would never admit, much less even think, such things about Kagome. But, like I have said before, I need to add some OOCness to make this story work. Also, kindly remember, that this is Fan Fiction. Not meant to completely follow what would happen in the anime. Thanks.
Time for Review Replies! Darn, I haven't replied to you guys since a couple days before Christmas 2004... Sorry!

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed!

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Sorry if I missed anyone, I truly didn't mean to!

This is mainly what I have been able to pull from my reviews: No one likes Lysi. Lol! Well, good! Cause you're not supposed to! Lol.

Also, remember, InuYasha isn't in love with Lysi. He simply feels connected to her because of their past.

Oh, and to clear up any confusion; I know that Naraku is also a hanyou that turns human once a month; But, to my knowledge, he is able to choose which day this happens. Maybe later in the anime this fact changes, but Hey- I've only seen up to episode 100 and Movie 3. ;)

Once again, Thank You to everyone who has taken the time to review! It truly means a lot to me!

Til Next Time!

L.A.