A/N: ok wow. I am so sorry. I can't believe I haven't written in so long. And I should probably be writing for another story but I just reread this one, and found inspiration, so I have to.

Um. I pretty much realize that in the last chapter, Kagome like professed her life story to Inuyasha, but it'll be explained in this chapter. Or at least kinda, in Kagome's thoughts… so hang tight, and please enjoy this chapter. Read&Review!

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Escape Velocity

Chapter Five

TaintedMunkeyz

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I feel frustration set in.
Temptation's too much to bare.
Fighting my own thoughts I've failed.
Finally, i don't care.

- Stutterfly; Out Of The Mud

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Friday morning, Kagome woke up to the early morning sunshine through her bedroom window and Inuyasha whistling as he walked up and down the hall of the apartment getting ready for his morning classes.

The raven-haired girl bit her lip. She was so angry with herself right now. Really, she knew absolutely nothing about Inuyasha, save for the fact that he has a model girlfriend and that he's a college student. But that's as far as it goes. And she was already starting to like him. Not to mention, she still had Kouga. 'And I told him my entire life story… but the real truth is I was trying to win his sympathy vote. Still… he knows too much…'

She flipped the heavy comforter back from her bare legs and padded across her soft carpeted floor to the door, swinging it open and barely containing a yawn with the back of her hand. She walked into the bathroom and started the shower, not caring that Inuyasha was standing in front of the mirror brushing his teeth. He glanced over at her scantily clad form and had to turn away to hide Goliath.

'Damn you Kagome…' he thought as he finished up and closed the door before she pulled off her tank top. He sank back against the door and thought about it. He was growing fond of her. That much was true. And he had to stop himself. Because he still had Kikyo.

'…Models sleep around. And as much as you want to believe that this "relationship" you have is all fine and dandy, you should ask yourself, 'is it really what I think it is'…'

He'd been thinking about what Kagome said all night. And he didn't know why he was letting it get to him, but she had a point. The only reason he was thinking about it, was because he thought it might be remotely true.

And that bugged him.

More than he'd like to admit.

He sighed and walking into the kitchen, thinking that a big nice bowl of Ramen would help soothe him and his thoughts. But when Kagome came out of the bathroom only clad in a towel, her face flushed, he couldn't control his thoughts. Pictures of them rolling around on his queen sized bed and her calling his name out in-

"Hey, Inuyasha?" she called, interrupting his perverted thoughts. "Where'd you leave the toothpaste?"

"Um… I, uh… the medicine cabinet." He coughed the clear the blush off his face, but there was no way he could come back from that.

"Thanks. You're a doll." Inuyasha nodded and prayed to whoever was listening that suddenly Kagome would turn ugly and grow a mustache or something so that he wouldn't have to feel guilty every time he glanced at the picture of him and Kikyo at that picnic.

"Self-control…" Inuyasha whispered to himself. He knew that that wishing was false. There was no way in hell that Kagome could get ugly. Especially since she was so much prettier than Kikyo. And Kikyo was a model!

"Okay, I think I'm ready for the day. Can you drive me to school on the way over to your campus?" Kagome asked coming out of her room ready for the day. She was wearing a deep colored hot pink T-shirt with Pikachu on the front and the words "PIKACHU LOVE" on the front in black. She had yellow and lime green beads around her neck and tight blue jean capris with yellow, lime green, hot pink and black plaid converses on. (which are actually quite cute if you know how to rock 'em ). Kagome threw her hair into a side ponytail and outlined her eyes in black. Inuyasha gawked. Pikachu never looked so good.

"Um... what?" Kagome looked up at him from her small messenger bag and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you okay lately? You've been like, spacing out way a lot." She giggled at the spacey look on his face. "Like that."

"Shut up wench. Sometimes I just feel like spacing out, ok?" Kagome held her hands up in defense.

"Ok, wow. Sorry I brought it up." She was smirking though as she grabbed something to drink from the fridge and an apple from the kitchen island. She started walking toward the door, expecting him to follow, but soon realized that he wasn't following her. "Yo, earth to dumbass!" she stood with one hand on the doorknob and glanced at him strangely.

"I'm coming."

"Maybe I should drive…" she joked quietly as they both walked out of the door.

--

"Cute outfit, Kag," Ayame commented as the three girls – Sango, Kagome and Ayame – walked down the hall to their first class. Kagome smiled.

"Thanks Aya. Just something I had in my closet. You know." She giggled as her friends glared at her and smiled. "I was just joking you know. No need to get your knickers in a twist." Sango smiled. She was wearing tight blue jeans, a bright red zip-up hoodie and red converses. She had a long string of red beads around her neck to match, and red eye shadow around her eyes to set it in place. Ayame was wearing a green hoodie with black jeans and green Vans. She had a long white tank top hanging out from the bottom, stopping just at the middle of her bottom. All girls had a unique style, but Kagome's the most which was why so many guys – and sometimes girls – were attracted to her.

"Alright, English. How exciting does this not sound?" Sango snorted at Ayame's obvious hate for English. She was struggling with the subject, but for some reason, she'd decline anyone's offer of help.

Unless it was Kouga's…

Sango shook her head. Something was wrong with her friends. There were so many secret things going on here or there, and that was definitely not good. And Kagome still had to talk to her about how everything was going. It'd been a week and she hadn't mentioned anything, although she noticed that there was a certain glow and a new bounce in her step. And that made Sango's entire heart fill with joy.

Sango interrupted her thoughts as they came to their classroom door. All three girls turned into the classroom and found their seats in the back of the room, chatting happily until the late bell rung and the teacher walked in nonchalantly.

"Ok class. Today we'll be watching a movie that goes along with the book The Grapes of Wrath. Any questions?"

"Yeah, can I skip out on this one?" some kid from the back of the room asked, causing quiet snickers to erupt.

"Yes, you can skip right off to the principal's office if you'd like." She replied smugly. Kagome smirked. She really liked this teacher, despite the hard and grueling work.

"Alright. Please pay attention, because when the movie is done – which we'll finish by next Tuesday or Wednesday I'll assume – you'll be writing a paper to compare and contrast the novel and the movie. Hold your groans please." She proceeded to start the film and flick off the lights, watching as some students put their heads down, while others became engrossed and took notes. Kagome half-watched and half-spaced out, much like her "roommate" Inuyasha had been doing lately. She wondered why he'd been doing that so much lately. But she knew that if she asked, he'd either lie and give her the cold shoulder or call her a name and give her the cold shoulder.

Not too many options.

And she had to wonder why she was so drawn to him. Sure he was really nice by letting her stay, but really he hadn't been all that heart warming. 'Maybe that Kinkyho chick turned his heart cold or something…' she thought to herself.

Kikyo; The girl that had Inuyasha's heart…

She had to wonder how they met and why they were still together after so long. After dating a regular boy getting along on a students income (or so she guessed), wouldn't a model get bored and want to do better? All signs basically led up to it. So how in the world were they still together, and why would she just keep leading him on, instead of just breaking it off...

Kagome snapped out of her thoughts when the bell rang and the classroom lights flicked back on. She looked over at Ayame who was asleep on her desk and Sango who was trying to kick her awake. She shook her head and gathered her binder to go to her next class.

--

Ah. Lunch!

Kagome excitedly closed her locker door and smiled as Kouga came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Hey babe, how's your day going? I didn't see you this morning." Kouga frowned. Actually, he hadn't seen her for the entire week in the mornings. "Have you been getting here late? Because I'd be more than willing to come and get you or something…" he trailed off when Kagome shook her head and pecked him on the lips, taking his hand and leading him to the lunch room. When they pushed open the doors, everyone was talking excitedly and the line for food was long, as always. Kagome spotted her friends a couple tables away and led him to them, sitting down and chatting. Kouga started talking about soccer immediately with his friends, which kind of annoyed Kagome, not that she'd ever admit it. She loved soccer, but sometimes it seemed like Kouga only played because he had too. He took the fun out of it, talking about it like the weather.

And that was another thing. Lately, Kagome had been thinking about all the bad things about Kouga that bugged her. And that wasn't a good thing.

At all.

"So you want to go shopping with me tonight Kag?" Sango asked as she glanced up from the magazine she had spread out on the table in front of her. Kagome blinked and glanced at her best friend.

"Mos def. Just call me tonight." Sango nodded and looked down at her magazine, flipping to an open page with "60 best sex secrets!" scrawled on the top in bright pink. Ayame squealed and scooted over, glancing at the colorfully written article and reading it, while giggling with Sango.

That was yet another thing. Lately with Kouga she'd wanted nothing to do with him sexually. The kisses and holding hands was good, but she didn't want to get into more, which she guessed was starting to bug him, even if he didn't come right out and say it.

Jeez, she was finding way too much to not be pleased with. This had to stop. She had to be happy and loving and caring, the way a good girlfriend should.

Because that's just the way it goes.

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Inuyasha watched confused as Kikyo pushed the front door to his apartment open, and walked in, setting down the bundle of red roses he'd gotten for her when they met up on the counter carelessly. She crossed the kitchen into the living room and sat down on the couch, putting her feet up on the coffee table and examining her nails as if waiting for something. He raised an eyebrow.

"Inu baby, why are you still standing there? Can you like, get me some water or something?" she glared at him when he stood there like he didn't understand what she said, and he held his hands up in defense and walked into the kitchen to fetch his beloved girlfriend some water.

"You want ice?" he asked in a monotone voice. He was actually bored with her already. She was just staying the night tonight, till her flight to Milan in the morning at 7:00. That was okay with him because ever since he'd picked her up, all she could talk about was herself and her manager; who happened to be a man…

He'd just never realized how vain she was.

"Yes." Inuyasha glared at the wall to his left, knowing full and well that on the other side, Kikyo couldn't see him. 'Please.' He added silently to himself. He rounded the corner and handed Kikyo her glass of cold water, watching a look of disgust come to her face after she took a sip. "Is this tap? Am I getting Punk'd right now? Like, where's Ashton?" Inuyasha frowned then rolled his eyes.

"What the hell is with the dramatics? No, it's not tap, it's from the refrigerator."

"Right, well can I get something that's purified and bubbly?"

"Sorry, we're fresh out." He growled out and stomped back into the kitchen to make some ramen. He heard a sigh from the living room and then soft, gliding footsteps come towards the kitchen. Kikyo placed her hands on his back and ran them up to his shoulders, squeezing gently. Inuyasha sighed out in relief. It'd been a long time since he'd gotten a massage. And his muscles had long since turned tense and knotted.

Kikyo turned him around and smirked up and him, her cold brown eyes glinting with mischief. Her lower lip protruded into a pout as she looked up at him.

"It's been so long, sweetie. I missed you." Inuyasha looked down at her, uncertainly. But before he could protest she pushed her lips to his and licked his lips sensually. Try as he might, though, he couldn't get into it. He wasn't feeling it. She backed him into the counter and pressed her body up against his, grinding him in all the right places. But he didn't feel as excited as he would have when they were first together.

As soon as Kikyo started to really get into it, the front door opened and a light breezy female laugh flitted through the air. Inuyasha pulled away as if he'd been burned, which was abnormal, seeing as Kikyo was his girlfriend and everything.

"Inuyasha what did I tell you about using coasters?" Kagome set her backpack on the floor by the door and walked over to the coffee table grabbing the glass of water and taking off her shoes with practiced ease. She stepped into the kitchen and dropped the glass at the sight before her.

Kikyo practically growled in anger and Inuyasha looked a little pale. Apparently she was missing something?

"Um." She mumbled and looked at Inuyasha. He looked like he was about to pass out. It was only when she felt cold water soaking into her socks did she realize that she did just drop a glass of water and that it did need to be cleaned up. "Shit." She stepped away from the mess and grabbed a towel from the counter, mopping up the water, and glancing at Inuyasha occasionally. He moved from behind Kikyo and helped pick up some of the larger shards of glass, watching Kagome carefully.

Kikyo fumed. Who was this, this little girl and what the hell was she doing in Inuyasha's apartment?

"Inuyasha!" Kikyo screamed, startling him and making him turn to face her. Kagome just kept working swiftly, trying to get this over with as quick as possible. "Who the fuck is this bitch, and what the hell is she doing here?" she screeched. Kagome slowed in her motions before coming to a stop and standing up. She tossed some pieces of glass into the garbage bin next to her then looked at the older girl across the room. She had a frown on her face, but Inuyasha could see a hint of a smirk on the corner of her mouth.

"Excuse me?"

"You," Kikyo pointed at her. "No one asked you to talk bitch, so shut up and let Inuyasha answer!" Kagome tilted her head and a look of clarity came to her beautiful features.

"Oh… you must be his model girlfriend, Kikyo. I'm Kagome. No need to yell by the way." Kikyo's mouth dropped. How did this little child know about her? She whipped her head to Inuyasha, waiting for him to explain.

"Kikyo, right now isn't really a good time, but I'll explain everything-" Kagome's gaze flicked to Inuyasha and she cut him off quickly.

"He will do no such thing, because as far as I'm concerned, it's none of your business."

"My business? Well, as far as I'm concerned, it is my business, because Inuyasha is my boyfriend!" Kagome smirked and looked at her colder mirror image standing across the room from her.

"Right, well, I'm only living here temporarily," she turned towards Inuyasha, never taking her eyes off of hers. "Hopefully you're presence in his life is temporary also." With that she threw the dish towel down on the floor and walked out of the kitchen, grabbing her shoes and backpack up on the way out the door. It slammed behind her and Inuyasha winced before moving to follow her.

"Don't you dare follow her, or I'll leave and this will be over." Inuyasha didn't hear her though. He was already out the door and following after Kagome. Kikyo screamed in frustration. This did not just happen to her. There was no way in hell she'd let some kindergartener come and steal her man…

Not that she was staying with him much longer anyway.

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"Kagome, wait!" Kagome sped up if possible and headed over to the staircase, swinging her backpack over her shoulder. Inuyasha grabbed her wrist before she stepped down to the first step and swung her around. "Why'd you leave?"

"Why'd you leave your girlfriend?" the words were meant to be scathing, but they didn't come out as such. It actually came out a little softly. Kagome tapped her foot, and looked up at Inuyasha slowly, trying to gather her courage.

"Kagome… there's not a lot that I can answer right now. Or at least not until I figure out what the answers are. So just… bear with me? Please?" Kagome looked into his eyes for any sign of deceit. But she found none.

"Inuyasha… I can't do this. How much longer is your girlfriend going to be here? If it's for a while I'm going to find someone else to stay with. Trust me when I say, she's a royal bitch." Inuyasha shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away trying to hide his grin. He tilted his head and looked back at her, his mouth twitching.

"She's only staying for tonight. Then it's just you and me partner." He reached out and gently nudged her chin with his knuckles. "Thanks for being at least a little bit civil to her."

"Right I almost socked her in the face when she called me a bitch." Inuyasha chuckled.

"Yeah, I could see that. But thanks." She nodded and stood there looking down at her feet, wondering why they were just standing there. Suddenly, though, she was enveloped in a warm hug. Kagome smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist. There was certain rightness about the hug, and because of that, Kagome pulled away quickly.

"Um, I should probably go call Sango. I'm going to stay there tonight, so if you need anything, just hit up my cell okay?" she backed away with a smile on her face and headed down the stairs with one last look behind her shoulder. Inuyasha stood there dumbly watching her leave.

'What just happened there?'

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A/N: okay. Wow… um this didn't take me so long to write. But the thing is, I couldn't find the inspiration. I looked all over and took notes wherever I went, but it still took me a while to get all my thoughts together. But now I have. So I hope you enjoy this chapter. Read and Review!

TaintedMunkeyz