Disclaimer : I do not own Inuyasha.

Overtime

Chapter 8

They came through the door of the store hesitantly. Inuyasha had suggested they sneak back in instead of openly joining the others late. Who would disagree with that? Plus, this whole sneak thing was kind of fun.

Finally, the two arrived at the front desk. Kagome put a well pampered hand over her mouth to conceal her laughter.

Sango kept on scanning through papers when she heard the slight creak of the small door leading behind front desk. She shook her head. 'About time they got back, I was going crazy doing the job of three people and on top of that making sure no one noticed.'

"Okay," Kagome crouched about to open the small swing door. "You go first."

"No way!" Inuyasha whispered loudly. "This is stupid, spying is for pansies."

"Is that why you suggested it?" The look Kagome gave him was of pure superiority. Inuyasha just glared at her, at a loss for words.

"Whatever..." He mumbled, crawling in front of her. He was about to push the door open when he was stopped by Kagome's hand coming down hard on his own, slapping it to the ground.

"What is it now?" Inuyasha struggled to find his inside voice.

"Don't just swing the door open, if someone sees it you'll have us both busted!"

"I know that, I'm not stupid. Plus, it doesn't matter that much if I get caught because I was just getting you!"

Kagome eyed him dangerously. "That's it," she hissed. "I'm going first." She slightly pushed ahead of him only to be lightly pushed back.

"No." Inuyasha looked at her hard, his eyes turning into little slits. "you already said I'm going before you." He pushed the door open a bit. It shut with a thud when Kagome slapped his hand back.

"Well, I changed my mind." She shoved in front of him and opened the door herself.

Sango heard muffled whispering and the door creak open again.

"Stop it you fool!" Inuyasha whispered angrily and shut the door shut again.

"Cut it out Inuyasha!" It opened a bit.

"Urg!" Kagome brought a hand down to push Inuyasha over but it was caught in midair. So she swung the other. Inuyasha smirked as he know had both of Kagome's fists in his hands and she had no way to open the door. Their faces were just under a foot apart. Kagome suddenly smiled, startling Inuyasha as she pushed him back with both her hands and he fell backwards into the small door, knocking it wide open.

"Whoa!" Kagome yelped as they both came tumbling out behind the front desk.

"What took you two so long?" Sango asked with a hint of mischievousness in her normally mature voice.

They both looked over at Sango who was still scanning through sheets and then looked back at each other. Kagome's eyes widened noticeably when she realized how close they were. Inuyasha hid his smile at her soft blush. He would have made fun of her if she didn't look so innocent at the moment. They quickly untangled themselves from each other and stood up straight to face Sango.

"Well we— uhm yes. We, uh." Kagome stuttered, not wanting to have to explain their fight and then their amateur Ninja training.

"We had to go slowly because of the roads and— wait, why should we explain anything to you?" Inuyasha finished for them both.

"You mean like, slow as in 5 miles per hour?" Sango ignored his last question and laughed a little at her joke.

"Yeah, five miles per hour slow." Inuyasha said walking over to his spot on the desk, where he had his own work to do. "I'm sure if we had gotten into a horrible accident you'd be a lot happier about it."

"I never realized we took that long." Kagome said, going over to the end of the counter. She began speaking with a friendly young woman who just came up to ask questions about the shoe department. She looked around Kagome's age except she had long brown hair and was a tad scantily dressed for the weather.

"I'm looking for just a regular pair of running shoes."

"That's fine, we have lots of those. Actually, if you wait one moment I can get the expert in that department!" Kagome smiled politely and picked up the phone to page Kouga to the front.

Inuyasha couldn't help but overhear her.

'Expert?...yea right! Everyone intelligent knows that Kouga has rocks for brains…'

Sango laughed lightly as Inuyasha's face hardened at the mention of Kouga's name. They were friends and all but…she couldn't quite understand how some moments they would be fine, and others they wanted to kill each other.

It got even worse when Kouga showed up all smiles at front desk. He could recognize that sweet voice form anywhere, and responded enthusiastically to Kagome's call.

"You called Kag?" He said running up to stand beside the woman.

"Actually, this lovely lady needs some runners and I thought you'd be perfect to help her out!" She smiled at him and Kouga couldn't help but smile back. Inuyasha ignored the exchange. "Sure thing, follow me ma'am. And your name is?" Kouga turned to face the girl. "Ayame." She said politely. "Nice to see you again Kouga!" She smiled brightly at him. "You do remember me…don't you?" She had immense hope in her eyes.

"O-of course I do! " Kouga scratched the back of his head nervously. "Anyway, follow me for some shoes."

Him and Ayame disappeared down the isles leaving Sango and Kagome staring after them, puzzled.

"What's up with those two?" Inuyasha sounded the least bit concerned, but still curious.

"They know each other?" Kagome wanted some info as well.

"Beats me," Sango shrugged and put down the papers she was stacking.

Everyone let it go.

Kagome sat patiently at her station at the front table. After about 10 minutes she started getting tired. Sighing, she turned to Inuyasha who was staring at some unknown point behind the table.

"So how are you holding up Inuyasha?"

"Fine I guess." So he didn't feel like talking much.

"Hey!" Sango said excitedly, getting both of their attention. "How about we all go for dinner after work," she shrugged and brought her hands up to ward of an early rebuttal, "That's if you don't have plans of course." She eyed them both, begging them to say yes.

"Count me in." Kagome said, happy she found something to do after work other than go home and eat until she was sleepy.

"I have nothing better to do," Inuyasha's closest thing to a yes.

"Perfect!" Sango smiled. "Then let's all meet at the Mermaids Pearl at seven, sound good?"

Kagome and Inuyasha nodded.

"Oh wait!" Kagome shot up from leaning on the table, suddenly remembering something.

"I cant, I don't even have a car here…actually, I don't even know how I'm getting home from work." She slumped back down in defeat, and Inuyasha looked at her like she was stupid or something.

"Well, if Inuyasha drove you here, then he should be able to take you to the restaurant, right Inuyasha? I mean if it's not any trouble, I would be happy to take Kagome but I also have to take Miroku and Kouga and I have to still have room to pick Kohaku up from soccer practice so…"

"No, it's okay! You don't have to Inuyasha," Kagome quickly intervened. She didn't want him pressured into taking her around everywhere.

"Well you want to go right?" Inuyasha purposefully avoided her gaze. He saw her nod from the corner of his eye.

"Of course but, I don't want to be in the way…"

"Then sure." He replied easily. "If we're all going to the same place, then why not go together? Well not together, together…" he quickly corrected himself. "I mean …you know…."

"I think she gets it, don't hurt yourself Inuyasha." Sango was amazed at how much kinder he'd become since Kagome got here.

'I think he's finally getting over Kikyo…'

End chapter eight