Well, I'm back again, and I am very happy that in your latest reviews, almost everyone said they would like to see a sequel. That's good, because this is one of my best storylines I've ever done. And, being the selfish person that I am when it comes to my writing, I have no desire to let go just yet. There was some confusion after the last chapter as to what sukiyaki is. It is a Japanese food, made mostly at the table. It is largely tender, thinly sliced beef, which can be very expensive. Just go to google and look it up it's there. I am always happy to answer your questions!

Anticipation and Apprehension

The next morning, Inuyasha was downstairs early, preparing things to take to the beach. Arani had informed him she was "sleeping in," which probably meant that she was planning more work on Kagomes' room. He was just packing it all up when Kagome came in, looking bright, except for the shadow in her eyes.

"Good morning Kagome." He said, pretending her hadn't noticed.

"Morning." She replied, acting happy.

What am I supposed to say to him? Suspicious things have been happening, but I can't just confront him about it.

"Can I help in any way Inuyasha?"

"Not really, there isn't much left to do."

"Oh, well then, let me make something for breakfast. By the way, where is Arani?"

"She's sleeping in. Don't bother making anything fancy for me, I'll just have cereal."

"That sounds good."

Kagome got bowls and spoons out, while Inuyasha fetched the milk and cereal. They sat and began eating, and a few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Inuyasha jumped up to answer it, and came back a minute later with Sango and Miroku following.

"Good morning guys!" Kagome said.

"Hey Kagome." Sango said.

"You two almost ready?" Miroku asked.

"Just about." Kagome said, polishing off her breakfast.

Inuyasha, who had finished his, took the bowls into the kitchen, and put the food away. When he came back, Kagome already had her sandals on and was ready to go.

"How far away is the beach?" She asked.

"About a mile." Sango said.

"Okay."

"We should get going."

"Okay Miroku, just let me put my sandals on." Inuyasha mumbled.

They left the house, talking excitedly about what the plans were for the next few days.

"Well, as I was saying before, I thought we should go to a movie and go shopping on Saturday." Sango commented.

"Where? You have a movie theatre around here?" Kagome asked, confused.

"No." Miroku said.

"We'd go to the city, obviously." Inuyasha said.

"I didn't think-"

"I know, we don't often go, but it's not like we can't leave." Sango said.

"Besides, half the people here work in the city." Inuyasha added.

"Yeah, like my dad is the head of a huge car company." Miroku said.

"My dad owns a company that makes and installs advanced computer networks, and my mom runs the largest chain of department stores worldwide." Sango commented.

"And my parents were… both scientists and doctors, working to cure new and resistant diseases, and my grandfather, before he passed away, owned a nationwide chain of gas stations, which Arani now owns," Inuyasha remarked.

Kagome noticed that he winced when mentioning his parents. But she acted like she hadn't noticed.

Wow, no wonder they live here. And that's all the more reason I don't belong. He was an alcoholic who got fired, and mom was a nurse… we were definitely NOT wealthy.

"What's wrong Kagome?"

"Oh nothing Miroku." She lied.

Inuyasha knew she was lying, and the shadow in her eyes only seemed to grow.

I hope she's okay since she is obviously upset. But she's not the type of person to let other see her when she's sad.

"Anyway," Sango continued, "what do you say to that idea?"

"Sounds like fun."

" I agree with Miroku" Kagome said.

"Inuyasha?" Sango asked, waving her hand in front of his face.

"Huh?"

"What do you think about Saturday?"

"Sure."

"We're here!" Miroku called.

The beach was cleaner than any Kagome had ever seen. The lake, being a good distance from the city, was clean and clear. The trash wasn't strewn across the sand, and it was virtually empty.

Kagome went into the changing rooms to pull off her clothes. She could have easily done so outside, since she wore her suit underneath, but she wasn't sure how things were done here. When she was done, she rubbed on sunscreen, threw the jumbo beach towel Inuyasha lent her around her shoulders, and went back outside. The guys were already up to their necks in water, and Sango was about to step in. She saw Kagome leave the dressing rooms and called out.

"Hey Kagome! Drop that beach towel and come on in! The water's warm!"

She hesitated, then kicked off her sandals, dropped the towel, and ran to catch up. Inuyasha, who had heard Sango calling her, turned to see her in her swimsuit. She looked beautiful! The one-piece swimsuit hugged her form perfectly, and the pink flowers adorning it gave her skin a warm glow.

Kagome waded in with Sango, who was wearing another one-piece, though hers was a light blue.

"Hey Sango?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm just wondering, but why didn't wear that bikini I saw yesterday?"

"You really wanna know?"

"I'm just curious."

"It's because if I wore the bikini, Miroku might go mad."

They both laughed, and didn't see the guys coming closer until Sango felt something touch her rear. She whirled around, and slapped Miroku upside the head, eyes full of rage. Miroku took off, laughing his head off, until he noticed Sango chasing him, a large stick of driftwood in her hands. Kagome laughed even harder as Miroku tried to get away, and as Sango slowly closed the gap.

"He'll never learn." Inuyasha said from behind her.

Kagome turned, and had to hide the small gasp that escaped her lips. She knew Inuyasha was good looking, but she hadn't realized how toned he was. She could definitely tell when he was wearing his swimsuit. His suit was black with red stripes down the sides.

"No he won't." She said, to cover her amazement.

Inuyasha smiled slightly. For a moment, he had seen her staring at him, and the shadow had left he eyes while she was laughing.

That's more like the Kagome I know.

Sango had finally caught up with Miroku, and hit him over the head with her stick, then came swimming back. They swam until lunchtime, and then took a break, to eat the sandwiches Sango had brought for lunch. Miroku pulled out a bag of chips, and Inuyasha brought out the four 24-ounce bottles of soda he had brought. After lunch, and a little break, the girls went and sat in a couple feet of water, while the boys swam farther out. They messed around for the rest of the day, and then went home to relax a bit before dinner.

Very little was spoken on the way home, and Kagome went to her room when they arrived. She came to dinner, but once again said little.

She looks really worried… I wonder what happened…

She ate her bacon-wrapped chicken breast, excused herself, cleared her space, and returned to her room. Inuyasha and Arani ate, and he took advantage of the time alone to discuss going to the city. Arani agreed then took he to see Kagomes' room. It was coming along beautifully. The bathroom looked better than he could have hoped, and the walls were now painted a pale green, not dark enough to not be pale, but too dark to be called pastel. It was a beautiful. The carpeting was a light, creamy blue. Inuyasha said goodnight to Arani, and went to his room. But on the way there, he took a detour past Kagomes'.

When he drew near her door, he could hear the sound of crying, and judging by the sound of it, she'd been crying for a while. He went up to his room, and tried to fall asleep. But he couldn't, not when Kagome was crying. He grabbed a sheet of paper, scrawled a note, and snuck back to her room. He would have told her directly, but it was too embarrassing, so he slipped the note under her door, and returned to his own room.

Kagome heard the rustle of paper, and looked in time to see a sheet of paper slide under her door. Confused, she picked it up, and began reading.

Kagome,

I dunno if I did something to upset you, or if something that happened in the past is disturbing you, but I want to help. You can talk to me, even if I don't always seem like I'd listen. It's stupid to keep this all locked up so it can torture you. I want you to be happy, since obviously you weren't before. So just try and get over it okay?

Kagome smiled weakly. Inuyasha was trying to make her feel better, even though he tried to sound as if he were only mildly concerned. She wouldn't talk tonight, but it made her feel better to know that he would listen. She crawled into bed, still pondering. Her last conscious thought was:

Does this mean he really DOES care for me?

Sorry that took so long, I've been kind of busy. The chapter tapered off a bit at the end, but I didn't know how to finish. I know Inuyasha sounds a bit…mellow for him in the note, but, I had writers block. I'm kind of stuck. See you next chapter!