Hallo! I'm sorry for not updating this one. I've been wrapped up in "Michyuki" lately. Hehe! sorry! Anyway, please enjoy this chapter and review afterwards (please?).

Love and Fondest Wishes,

Victoria Faust

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Kagome's eyes shot open and she looked around. Inuyasha was asleep and so was everyone else. She scowled. Boys always slept so late! Kagome got up and walked to the bathroom. At least she could take a shower peacefully.

The front door creaked open as Faust walked in as quietly as possible. Everyone was still asleep and Faust wanted it that way. If anyone was awake, he would have been bombarded with questions. Faust looked up, startled, as the bathroom door opened. Kagome was drying her hair in a towel as she looked up. Her cheeks instantly flushed red.

"Um . . . hi, Faust . . . " She said, throwing the towel aside.

"Hallo. You're up early." Faust said walking to the window.

"Yea, well I'm used to getting up early. I had to do it at home all the time." Kagome said.

Faust nodded.

"Yes. Sleep was nice. I remember it . . . a little." He said.

Kagome couldn't find any words to say. Her mouth just hung open as she was racking her brain for something to say.

He doesn't sleep? It does explain the bags under his eyes . . . but I wonder why he doesn't sleep...

"Oh look! The sun is rising." Faust said, happily.

Kagome looked at him in amazement. He was so happy all of a sudden. Faust was standing, looking out the window with a faraway smile on his face.It made Kagome smile too.

"I love the sunrise." Faust said absently.

But I love the moon more . . .

"Yes. It's very pretty . . . " Kagome said, choking up.

She blushed. It was so awkward to talk to him. Not awkward in the sense in the way that she thought the conversation was stupid. No, it was awkward in the way that she couldn't speak. Her throat clenched and her heart started to beat faster. Faust turned and looked at her. The sunlight was flowing over his hair, making it shine. For a moment, he smiled and all of his sadness melted away, but then Inuyasha sat up and the sunlight faded away. Then, Faust regained his sad composure.

"Guten morgan, sunshine." Faust said.

Inuyasha grunted and stood up. Soon after Yoh and everyone else got up. Faust sighed and put on his hat.

"Another day . . . " Faust whispered, tying his scarf tightly around his neck.

Yoh stood and struck a dramatic pose.

"YES! Another glorious day!" Yoh said, pumping his fist into the air.

"You need to stop. Seriously, you scare people." Ren said.

Yoh looked at Ren and smiled.

"You're just a poor sport!" Yoh smiled.

"Oh yea, and you're just an idiot." Ren said to himself.

"What?" Yoh asked, still smiling.

"Nothing...nothing at all..." Ren said, walking away.

Ryu walked up and leaned his elbow on Faust's shoulder. Faust looked at him and smiled uneasily.

"What are you doing?" Faust asked, wearing a forced smile.

"When you think about someone night and day, does it not mean love?" Ryu whispered inFaust's ear.

A shiver traveled up Faust's spine. Ryu walked away, toward Yoh, leaving Faust pondering his cryptic words.

What the hell did he mean by that? Usually the creepiness is left for me...that's my department!

"Are we ready to go?" Yoh asked.

"Yes! Why do you think we're all standing by the door?" Ren asked, hair sticking up in annoyance.

"IT'S A PORCUPINE!" Horohoro cried, pointing at Ren.

Ren's face turned red and he looked at Horohoro. Ren reached to the left and grabbed his sword. He pointed it angrily at Horohoro and smiled.

"You're going to die." Ren said.

Horohoro screamed and ran out the door, Ren close behind. Faust held in a hearty laugh by putting his hand to his mouth. Kagome just looked on in silence.

"Is it always like this?" Kagome asked, turning to Yoh.

"Yep!" Yoh said.

After a few minutes, Ren walked back inside, breathing heavily.

"Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow...but someday, I swear I'm going to murder him." Ren said leaning his sword back against the wall.

Faust laughed and walked out the door, muttering "Ha! You wish...", making Ren grimace.

"Hey Kagome?" Yoh asked, waiting until Faust had shut the door.

"Yea?" Kagome answered.

"Faust likes you!" Yoh cried.

Kagome looked taken aback. Ren sighed and put his hand on Yoh's shoulder.

"You're about as subtle as a flying brick." Ren said, shaking his head.

Yoh smiled as he shrugged Ren's hand off his shoulder and walked toward the door. As he passed Kagome, he whispered something in her ear.

"It's true, you know. He isn't this open to everyone." Yoh said.

Kagome blushed a violent shade of pink and she sank to the ground. Ren walked right past Kagome and didn't even look at her. The thought of Faust liking her...maybe even loving her, was overwhelming. She didn't know what to do.

Then thinking about where she was, she jumped up and walked out the door. Yoh looked at her and shifted his eyes toward Faust, who was right in front of him. She shook her head, confused. Yoh mouthed, "Go talk to him!". Kagome shook her head and walked to the opposite side of Faust. She walked down the path leading away from the house, not even looking at Faust.

"If I died during the shaman fight...do you think she'd care?" Faust asked Yoh, while watching Kagome.

"Hard to tell. Girls are scary and confusing creatures, Faust. Personally, I think she likes that guy with the dog ears, so don't get your hopes up." Yoh said, following Kagome.

Faust felt his heart break. He was shocked that he had been so affected by Yoh's words. He had just met the girl and he was sad that she was already in love! But, Faust attempted to shake it off and he followed Yoh down the path.

What if Yoh is right? His words were so honest, he didn't even try to sugar coat them. I don't know why I'm falling apart over a girl who I barely even know. I'll just focus on the shaman fights and Eliza. Those are my true priorities in this life.

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As they walked down the path, Kagome began to think. Everything became a blur and she couldn't sort her true feelings apart from what she thought was important. It was driving her insane.

I love him. Or do I? I love Inuyasha...but is that real? He has Kikyo. What does that mean? Should I go with Faust? But what if he's married! He probably only did that thing on the roof as a friendly gesture...Oh...No.

Kagome couldn't help but feel terrible. All these feelings were so confusing! Maybe she should just push them aside for now...

Yes! I'll leave all these feelings behind me. No more of these confusing feelings. No more worrying over Faust. I'm done.

She repeated the plan over and over in her head, as if trying to convince herself that it was really what she wanted. She felt a warm hand grasp gently onto her shoulder. Kagome looked up and saw Faust looking down at her, a concerned look on his face.

"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about something?" Faust asked.

No more.

"No thanks. I'm just fine." Kagome said, not sure of who she was trying to assure.

Kagome blushed slightly, remembering her feelings. She wanted them, but she knew that she couldn't.

"Okay. If you need me, I'm always here." Faust said, walking with Yoh into a large arena.

Kagome just nodded and stood by Ren and the others. Faust, Yoh, and Ryu were standing in the arena in a circle.

"What are they doing?" Kagome asked.

"WHAT! You don't know? They're competing in a shaman fight today." Ren said, staring at Kagome.

"What? Is it dangerous?" Kagome asked, frightened slightly.

"Yes. It could be very dangerous." Ren said, trying to get a rise out of Kagome.

Kagome stood looking into the arena, eyes wide. What would she do? Would she give up her promise and worry about Faust?

Kagome pressed her eyes shut.

No more...

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