Haven't updated in... 'counts on fingers' Forever! Gomen! I've had school and all that "good" stuff... Bleck... Then I came on here to look at the stories I usually read and realized that I haven't updated since August 21rst! It's almost been a month! So, after seeing that, I immediately started typing away on Wordpad (Microsoft Word's not working! 'cries'). So, if this chapter seems a little rushed, you know why.

:Review Responses:

w1cked angel: I know! I meant for it to be!
Kagamoesiun: Suspense is what I do best!
TakaraDaiya: Hai! Being carried by the Lord of Hotness would be great! And you're probably right about Sesshoumaru's cold heart melting!
hermonine: I didn't even think of that! But, of course, Sesshoumaru would probably have sniffed him out or something, you know?
ohiowriter: You mean, I actually pulled it off? (the bringing feelings to the readers thing) SCORE! That's exactly what I was trying to do! I'm so glad it worked!
SubaruWings: I'd give up my boring life here, too, to be with him... 'sigh' Kagome doesn't know how good she's got it! I mean, she's got three cute guys wholove her(Kouga, Inuyasha, and Hojou), and she's constantly getting to see some reallycute/hot guys, like Lord Sesshoumaru, Bankotsu, Miroku, and pretty much all the good-looking guys in the anime! How lucky is she?
djdoodet: 'sigh' How many times must I say it? They're not going to fall in love!
lil kagome 13: I know... And sorry for taking so long to update! '
BlueMonkey89: Thank you, and sorry for not updating as soon as I had planned!
InuSessyloverforeva: You'll just have to read to find out!
KagomePriestess-15: I didn't? Sorry! I thought I did! And thank you for the compliment!
flutist726: Thank you!

:End Review Responses:

Whew! That was a lot of reviews! Thanks, guys!

:Disclaimer:

Akana: 'cries' My legs are starting to ache!
Leiko: Why don't you stop to rest?
Akana: I'm not that stupid.
Leiko: 'sigh' It was worth a try! Oh, and no, we still don't own Inuyasha. If we did, we could make Sesshoumaru stop chasing us!
Akana: Why don't we just stop making him our spell-checker?
Leiko: ... That's actually a good idea... Who are you and what have you done with Akana?
Akana: ...

:End Disclaimer:

Enjoy!

Chapter 11, Ramen

"Is something the matter, Kagome-chan?" Rin asked curiously, concerned for her friend.

"No," she answered simply. Her voice seemed dull and numb, and there was little to no conviction in it.

She hadn't budged an inch since Sesshoumaru had led them to a clearing and they'd settled down. She was still sitting next to the same stump of a tree as before. She hadn't said a word, either. She'd just watched with emotionless eyes as Rin chased butterflies and did other such things as a child does. She'd just watched with emotionless eyes as Jaken built up a fire to try and impress his lord (he, of course, failed -- you can't impress anyone by making a fire with a staff that BLOWS OUT fire!). She'd just watched with emotionless eyes as Sesshoumaru sat on the opposite end of the clearing, thinking about who knows what. She'd just watched with emotionless eyes as the world went by and as time passed.

"Kagome-chan..." Rin was concerned for her friend. She was acting very different, and it kind of scared her. "Are you hungry?"

As her stomach growled, Kagome was snapped out of her thoughts. She looked to Rin and smiled a genuine smile. "Yeah, I guess I am. I'll make some of my food this time, though. That sound good?"

Rin nodded eagerly, wondering what kind of food Kagome was talking about. When Kagome pulled out a few cups of instant ramen, she was confused. She'd never seen anything

like it.

Sesshoumaru, though he'd never admit it, was also confused as to what the food was. How would he know the deliciousness of perfectly cooked instant ramen? He was born in, after all, a place with nothing even remotely close to that. How sad...

Kagome poured water from a water bottle she had in her bag into each of 4 cups; on for her, one for Rin, one for Sesshoumaru, and one for Jaken. She was almost certain that the two latter would refuse it, but oh well. That was their loss.

"That smells good!" Rin said when the water was boiling and the smell of almost done ramen filled the air. She took a few good sniffs and sighed happily. "Rin cannot wait to eat!"

Kagome looked from the pan where all four ramen cups were being cooked over the fire and smiled at Rin. "If you think it smells good, wait until you try it!" She looked back and an image of Inuyasha slurping the noddles down came to her mind. A wave of sadness washed over her, but she pushed it away and concentrated on making sure the ramen was cooked just right.

Sesshoumaru took a silent whiff of it. He nearly opened his mouth to say something along the same lines of what Rin had said, but stopped himself just in time. This was human food! He didn't need such things, especially not when it was cooked by his half brother's wench! But still... It did smell good... So very good...

"Here, Rin-chan!" Kagome said, smiling as she handed Rin her cup and chopsticks. "Be careful, it's hot." She gave Jaken his, then picked up another and walked to where Sesshoumaru was still and silent against the tree. "Lord Sesshoumaru? Would you like some?"

Yes! his mind screamed. "No," he said aloud, not even bothering to look at her. "I do not eat human food." But it smells so good! he complained on the inside. Still, he would not give in to such temptations.

"Are you sure?" Kagome asked, kneeling now beside him. "Come on, just one bite?" He just sat silently, and Kagome nearly yelled with frustration. He was as stubborn as his brother! However, she knew how to handle it. "Alright. I'll just set it here in case you change your mind." She left it beside him, then walked back to her own cup and sighed happily before digging in. In a purposely loud voice she exclaimed, "These are better than usual! So, what do you think, Rin?"

"This is so good!" the young girl exclaimed. "This is the best food I've ever had!"

Kagome grinned. "That's good to know! I'm really glad you like it so much!" This was almost too easy. Everything was going perfectly. Soon, Sesshoumaru wouldn't be able to help himself and would take a bite. This was what she was waiting for. Then something happened she wasn't counting on...

"It's... Okay..." Jaken mumbled under his breath, as though it pained him to say it. "For human food!" he quickly added.

Better than perfect! Sesshoumaru would try the ramen. Now, why did Kagome want him to try it so much? Well... He must be really hungry, even though he doesn't act like it. I don't want him to starve. As said in an earlier chapter, Kagome felt that he wasn't a bad person, and she couldn't help but care about what happened to him. She just wished he'd drop the act already!

For Sesshoumaru, the smell was torture. If only his nose weren't so sensitive... If only the wench hadn't placed it so near to him... If only he hadn't let the runt get her bag for her... If only, if only, if only! He knew what her plan was, though, and he wouldn't fall for it. He would not eat her food, no matter how good it smelled.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, won't you at least try it?" Rin asked.

Thank you! his mind shouted in glee. Now he finally had an excuse! He seemingly reluctantly picked up the cup of ramen and took the chopsticks. He peered into it with an expression of disgust, then slowly used his chopsticks to pick up some of the noodles. He slowly, solemnly took a bite...

Kagome grinned. He'd finally tasted it! Now he wouldn't starve! After all, no one could resist the oh so wonderful tase of --

"Disgusting," Sesshoumaru said, putting the ramen cup back on the ground in its earlier position. He closed his eyes and laid his head back, seeming as if he were asleep.

The grin disappeared. Impossible! Was she hearing things? Could it possibly be true that someone didn't like ramen noodles? "W-What?" she stammered, not knowing how to respond.

"Disgusting," he repeated coolly, never opening his eyes.

She gaped at him. In her entire life, she'd not met a single person who could ever resist the great taste of ramen! She thought it was impossible not to love it! But here, right in front of her, was someone who'd defied everything she'd ever learned about people and their bond with their noodles. She felt like she was going to faint. Instead, she just slowly ate her meal in silence, stunned and in a slight state of shock.

Jaken put his down, trying to follow the example of his lord, but he couldn't resist and started eating once more in less than a minute. Rin just continued on in a happy, oblivious silence. Sesshoumaru's cup remained untouched.

Sometime late at night, around midnight or so, Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open. He looked around quickly, making sure everyone was asleep. Then, with a silent sigh of relief, he picked up his cup and chopsticks.

Such a liar he was. But a good liar, nonetheless. In truth, the ramen was the most delicious thing he'd ever tasted, and it was killing him earlier when the others were eating it and he wasn't. He had to maintain his dignity and reputation, though, and so he forced himself to think of things other than that smell until all were asleep. That's where we are now, with him holding the cup of ramen in his hands.

He realized it was cold, so he took the odd pot Kagome had used that she'd left on the ground and sped off in search of a clearing far enough away from the others for him to be certain they wouldn't wake up because of the smell. He found a small one and settled there. He made up a fire and put the pot over it and the ramen on the pot, just as Kagome had. He waited until the smell was perfect before finally taking his cup and allowing himself to eat.

A sigh of joy escaped his lips after the first bite. Wonderful. He continued eating, taking his time to savor all the ramen-y goodness. (This is making me hungry! 'cries')

It was some time later before Sesshoumaru sneaked back to where everyone was. He'd disposed of the cup, and already he had an excuse for its disappearance if Kagome should ask.

He settled back into his position and waited for morning to come.

Ah, Sesshy, what a liar you are. But hey, we all know that no one can resist the power of ramen! Review, please!