Here I go again; I hope to make this a somewhat fast-paced story, so some interesting things start happening in this chapter. Also for you mushy types, there's some tender moments between Kagome and Inuyashawhich I really had fun writing. Warning: things may get a little more comfusing before they start making sense so just be patient - and enjoy!

Goshie…

'Maybe I could get used to this', Wade, a.k.a. 'Chuck' to the other residents, mused as he observed the nature fest taking place in the clearing designated for such occasions. Having been accepted into the fold, the incognito merc settled against a large water oak as girls in gauzy togas swayed to a strange combination of bluegrass and sitar music before his eyes. Afterward, a lengthy session of yoga was scheduled in the ashram.

Okay, so maybe the life of self discovery wasn't everything it was cracked up to be: aside from the free food and the liberty to watch public television to his heart's content, there were annoying mandatory chores to perform as well. His first time gathering vegetables hadn't gone over too great when he'd come upon a brown-eyed doe quietly chewing the leaves from a head of lettuce and proceeded to 'take down' the poor creature, pummeling it to death with its own hind leg. Afterward he'd had a venison spit roast on his front lawn that'd been somewhat less than embraced by the neighbors.

Unnecessary animal slaughter aside, he felt as though he were finally starting to fit in here. The peace-loving spirit of acceptance seemed to have a calming effect on his dementia. He almost regretted his plans for tonight, but he knew the longer he delayed the inevitable the more complacent he'd become.

Swami Fitzgibbon, the guru, was a hulking, George Harrison-meets-Grizzly Adams of a man who'd look equally comfortable chewing tobacco and carving canoes out of trees as seated in a lotus position. Deadpool had carefully observed him for over a week now and memorized his daily routine. The object of his mission hung round Fitzgibbon's neck – a string of prayer beads.

According to the story Wade had been given, the beads once belonged to a revered teacher – created as a divine gift. The stones were like no other found on earth, and were said to contain such power as to grant the wearer's any desire, even up to immortality.

At least a dozen questions had immediately cropped up in the mercenary's head concerning credibility of such a legend, namely: whatever happened to the first poor schlub to wear the supposedly all-empowering beads, and how did they end up on some son-of-the-soil, backwoods, Hare Krishna reject? 'I've got it! That teacher's mom could have found them lying around one day and sold them in a garage sale, thinking they were just some old Mardi gras beads, right? Then after they've collected dust in someone's attic for a couple centuries, they end up getting pawned, finally along comes Bubba Fitzgerald, who trades a bone handle pocket knife for them. Before ya know it, Goshie Ashram is born; it makes total sense!'

He'd received no straight answer to his questions, but didn't care much. Even if the crack-pot story were true, from Deadpool's own personal experience, immortality wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

With a longing sigh, he tore his gaze from the romping nature dance, and rose to prepare for the evening's business.

Tokyo…

Hold it now and watch the hoodwink
As I make you stop, think
You'll think you're looking at Aquaman
I summon fish to the dish, although I like the Chalet Swiss
I like the sushi
'cause it's never touched a frying pan…

Karaoke blared in the background as Kagome and Inuyasha sat outside the restaurant on the patio with their coffees. Kagome gazed up at the starry night sky and sipped her hot beverage – the evening had gone wonderfully.

She hadn't really known what to expect at first; although she and Inuyasha had run errands together before, she'd never actually taken him to an establishment for any long period of time. Everything here was foreign to the time-misplaced boy; none the less, he'd handled himself perfectly through dinner.

Kagome had ordered for the both of them, making sure to pick something Inu would like, particularly nothing spicy (she knew what a baby he was about anything with curry or wasabe). Apparently she'd done a good job too, because the half-demon had scarfed everything down – okay, so he didn't have the best table manners, but that was just part of his charm.

Aside from the fact that she was taking him out instead of the other way around, it could have been any ordinary date; what made it special was being with Inuyasha.

She turned to give her companion an appreciative smile.

He sat with his mug poised halfway to his lips, examining the strange infusion with a quizzical sniff before taking the first sip. Immediately, he spat it back into the cup, sloshing more of the steaming liquid down his front in surprise.

"Hot," he exclaimed, dropping the ceramic mug back on the table, thereby splashing Kagome.

"Ouch, Inuyasha," the girl scolded, grabbing a napkin and wiping her scalded arm.

"What is that stuff – it's hotter than hell!"

"It's called coffee, Inuyasha, it's supposed to be hot; just blow on it," she reached over with the napkin and dabbed up the excess liquid on his chest as his amber eyes watched her intently.

Feeling slightly self-conscious under the gaze, she sat back and looked up at the sky once again.

I see the crystal raindrops fall

And see the beauty of it all

Is when the sun comes shining through

To make those rainbows in my mind

When I think of you some time

And I want to spend some time with you…began a different singer from within.

"Inuyasha?"

"Huh?"

"I've really enjoyed our time tonight; thanks for coming with me."

The hanyou shifted awkwardly in his seat and adjusted the rim of his ball cap, "Uh, you're welcome – I liked it too – I mean – the food was okay."

The server walked by to pick up the bill, but neither of them noticed.

Kagome was once again taking in Inuyasha's striking features, which never ceased to astonish her, when a familiar brown mane suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision. The poor girl nearly slipped off her elbow and smashed face first into the table. Heading directly toward them down the sidewalk was, of all people, Hojo!

'Oh no, oh no, oh no,' Kagome momentarily considered diving under the table and yanking Inuyasha with her, but quickly thought better of it. Great; the last thing she needed was an awkward encounter between the possessive dog demon and the boy from school with a crush on her.

She pretended to become very interested in her coffee, hoping that the other would pass by without noticing her – alas!

"Hey, Kagome, what's with you," the silver-headed boy, noticing her strange behavior, loudly demanded.

'Oh Inuyasha, why are you such an idiot!'

Hojo, now within three feet of her, suddenly looked up in mid-stride, "Kagome?"

"Oh hi there, Hojo," Kagome practically squawked, forcing an enthusiastic wave.

"Hello. What a coincidence, you're exactly the person I was going to see!"

Kagome could do nothing but grin stupidly, "Oh really," she could feel Inuyasha's eyes boring through her.

Without so much as a glance in the dog demon's direction, the human boy approached holding a small tin. "I would have expected you to be at home resting in your condition."

'Great, now what illness has Gramps given me – typhoid fever, bubonic plague? – I'll kill him if it's hemorrhoids!'

"You have to be careful when you're suffering from blackouts; fortunately I did a little research and found some good herbal tea that stimulates blood flow to the brain." He held out the tin to her.

"Gee thanks; that's really nice."

Across the table, Inuyasha grunted loudly, catching the other boy's attention. Kagome thought quickly, "Oh Hojo, I'd like you to meet my – ah – my cousin, yes, my cousin from out of town. He's visiting for a little while."

"A pleasure to meet you," Hojo bowed politely.

Inuyasha scowled in return.

"Well, I can see that the two of you are busy visiting," continued the first boy, looking confused, and a bit apprehensive at Inuyasha's unwavering glower, "Hopefully I'll see you in school, Kagome. Bye!"

"Bye," she replied to his retreating back.

She turned sheepishly back to her date who now sat hunched on the balls of his feet in the chair with his arms folded sullenly across his chest.

"Now what kind of behavior was that," she reprimanded.

Inuyasha's eyes flashed with outrage as though he wanted to ask her the same question. "Who wasthat," he jabbed a clawed finger past her shoulder.

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Just a boy from my school."

The half-demon cocked a dark eyebrow under his silver mane, "is that all?"

"Yes, that's all" the girl moaned.

Without another word, her companion pivoted and leapt nimbly over the back of his seat, eliciting a few stares from onlookers. Kagome hurriedly followed after him.

"I can't believe you're jealous of Hojo," she exclaimed as he lead the way to a nearby park. She watched him toss away the cap that concealed his ears and flop down on the grass. She plopped down beside him, her own irritation rising.

"Well, answer me this," he stuck his face inches from hers, "why'd you introduce me as your cousin – when I ain't!"

The girl started, "What was I supposed to say: this is my boyfriend from the feudal era who's a half-demon?"

Kagome watched his face go red in the dim lamplight before he turned away from her with a harrumph.

Silently she shook her head, he acted worse than a girl sometimes! She considered yelling at him for being so immature and ruining an otherwise perfect evening as she might have another time, but something held her tongue in check. Obviously their situation was as frustrating to him as it was to her; although they'd always be from two different worlds, there was still a vital connection between them that couldn't be broken.

Instead, she moved in front of him, planting her hands squarely on his shoulders, "Listen, Inuyasha, I want to be with you, not him or any other guy; that's why I asked you here, though goodness knows it'd be easier for me to date Hojo!" She nestled under his chin, "But he just isn't you." She could scarcely believe what she was saying; her heart felt as if it would bust through her ribcage.

Gradually, she felt his arms wrap around her and pull her close.

They remained intertwined for a couple blissful moments, when suddenly she felt his muscles tense. His claws dug uncomfortably into the back of her blouse, and Kagome looked questioningly up at him. He was glaring at something off in the distance past her right shoulder, his amber eyes almost glowing in the pale light.

"Stay here," he ordered, releasing her and suddenly sprinting away into the darkness.

She opened her mouth to protest, but shut it again as he was already gone. What had he seen, she wondered, or smelled – whatever heightened sense he'd used. She wasn't overly afraid, only a bit anxious; she'd seen Inuyasha go up against countless demons, so what could possibly pose a threat to him here?

Listening intently for any sound that might clue her in on what was happening; Kagome began to feel strangely lightheaded. An oppressive force swept over her, weighing down her shoulders and blurring her vision. Something was wrong – very wrong.

Desperately, she tried calling out to Inuyasha, but could only manage a whisper as the malevolent presence quickly claimed her and she knew no more.

Wow!What the heck just happened here, and why'd that dope have to go and leave Kagome at a time like this? Well, don't stop reading yet; I havn't gotten to the best part! And as always, reviews are welcome and encouraged! Thanx!