Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. The following story is for entertainment and not profit.

Chapter 21: Unexpected

Kagome entered the cavernous room that housed the private hot spring. She inhaled the steamy smell of the mineral rich water, letting it relieve the knot of emotional stress that had formed in her chest. A nice long bath was exactly what she needed. She had been the last to leave, feeling the need to apologize to their host for her outburst. Sesshomaru had waved her off, his stoic expression revealing nothing. Kagome, however, could not forgive herself so easily.

Placing her carefully folded towel within arm's reach of the edge, she slipped out of her school uniform and into the rejuvenating warmth. A contented moan escaped her lips as she let herself sink lower, until the water rose over her head. She exhaled, the air she released rushing to the surface. Her chest now empty of both oxygen and stress, Kagome sat up and swept her water-heavy hair to one side. Combing it gently with her fingers, she attempted to let her mind wander freely only to have it insist on replaying the horrible way she had treated Inu Yasha.

"I shouldn't have yelled at him like that." She mumbled to herself. "I just wish he'd…" She sighed, leaving her longing unreleased by words.

"Kagome?" A familiar voice asked from the far side of the spring.

Kagome froze, her eyes searching the dim, steam-shrouded expanse before her. It couldn't be. It better not be! "Inu Yasha?!"

"Kagome?" He questioned again, moving closer so he could better make out the face of the individual who had interrupted his bath.

Kagome screamed, her earlier frustration returning, "What do you think you're doing?"

"What do I think I'm doing?" The fear of being humiliated in front of his brother no longer an issue, Inu Yasha had nothing holding him back from a proper confrontation. "What are you doing. I was here first!"

"No you weren't!"

"Yes I was, now get out!" Inu Yasha stopped just close enough that they would each have a clear view of the other, what sat above the water anyway.

"I'm not leaving. You leave!" Kagome retorted.

"I was here first. NO!"

"I can't get out so long as you are here!" Kagome knew the redness of her cheeks was not just anger.

"Well, neither can I!"

They sat glaring at each other in silence.

"It looks like we're stuck here then." Kagome sighed, breaking the tension.

"I guess so." Inu Yasha exhaled deeply as he shifted his eyes to look off into the far corner of the room, "Kagome?"

"Hmm?" She had also let herself gaze into one of the darkened corners. "What, Inu Yasha?"

"Do you ever smile like that when you think of me?" He was thankful for the dim lighting in the room and her human eyesight, making him feel less exposed.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? Smile like what?"

"Like you did when you were thinking of the stupid wolf!" He snapped. How could she act so innocent, like she had no idea what she had done.

"I'm sorry." The soft sound of her words barely found its way to his ears. Maybe it was the warm water she was immersed in or maybe it was her guilt for yelling at him that morning, but her will to fight with him just wasn't there anymore.

Inu Yasha blinked. "What'd you say?"

"I said, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you earlier. I just…"

"Yeah. I know." He picked up as her voice faded away. "Besides, I kind of deserved it."

It was Kagome's turn to be surprised. "what do you mean?"

"I … I …" He stuttered as he let himself drift closer to her. "Kagome, I…"

"CANNONBALL!"

The call echoed through the chamber as a wave of water washed over Kagome's head, blinding her temporarily.

"Did you see?! Did you see?!" an excited Shippo squealed as he bobbed along the surface to reach her. "I did it just like you taught me!"

Kagome forced a smile, so as not to disappoint the child. "Yes, Shippo. It was great. You did very well."

"Did you enjoy you bath, alone?" He had asked to go with her when she had first returned to their room looking for her towel, but had insisted that she needed a little time to herself first. Shippo had waited patiently for what seemed like forever before heading to join her.

"Yes. Alone…" She muttered as she looked into the darkness as the far end of the room, wondering where Inu Yasha had disappeared to so quickly, and what he had been about to say.

She smiled again at the little kitsune. "You be careful, okay? I'm going to go get dressed for dinner."

Shippo smiled and nodded as he paddled off around the hot spring. Kagome turned, letting her smile drop, and climbed out of the water pulling her towel around her before getting to her feet. 'I do love you, Shippo,' she thought to herself, 'but you can really have the worst timing.'

Inu Yasha fumed from the cover of the darkness as he pulled on his discarded clothing. He couldn't decide if he should be angry with the little brat for interrupting or thankful that he stopped him from saying something he wasn't sure he was ready to say.