Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of its characters. This story is for entertainment purposes only.

A/N: Yes, so updates may be sparse until my last day of school in May. About the only perk in being a senior is getting to graduate two weeks early. In the meantime, I have to pick out which college I'm going to, do all my normal schoolwork, and study for AP exams. (I have five… yikes!) Plus there is work, scholarships, college visits, etc. so time is limited. I promise, even if I don't update again until May, this story is not abandoned. Life is just getting in the way. I hope you're all enjoying it… And now, on with the show!

Chapter 5: The Tension

Shippo perched on Kagome's shoulder. It was quiet. Too quiet. No one had yelled at someone else for wanting to go home, whacked a certain perverted monk with a giant boomerang, or, his personal favorite, "sat" Inu-Yasha within an inch of his life. Something was wrong. There was this terrible feeling of tension among the five friends. Well, four friends, he was just a kid. For the time being, no one in particular was angry with him. He was grateful for that.

It seemed like everyone was doing their best to avoid Inu-Yasha. He was in front, leading the group towards an unknown destination, like always, but people were following further behind him than usual. Kagome was actually walking in the back, not in her customary position at his side. Shippo never quiet understood what the deal was with Inu-Yasha and Kagome. It was obvious they liked each other. He was a little kid, and even he could see it. Unfortunately, Inu-Yasha was a half-demon, and didn't understand how to communicate his feelings, and Kagome, from the wrong time period, didn't understand that she needed to take the first plunge if she wanted anything to happen. And on top of that, they were both shy and stubborn. He didn't know if they'd ever end up together at the rate they were going. He might have a mate before they even confessed their feelings for each other. Inu-Yasha was so thick-headed and such a two-timing jerk that he might never tell Kagome he was even slightly interested in courting her. It was up to him, as usual, to try to lighten the mood.

"Hey Inu-Yasha, you must smell worse today than usual, or we wouldn't be ten feet behind you!" Well maybe not lighten the mood, maybe just distract everyone from their problems.

"Say that to my face, Pipsqueak…" Inu-Yasha threatened, making a fist and clenching his teeth.

"It's not like you smell like a bed of roses yourself…"

"Alright you two, settle down. There is no need to fight." Kagome reprimanded the kit and the half-demon.

Well, this approach wasn't working as well as he'd hoped it would. The distraction was only temporary and Kagome looked as though she had already moved on to other topics of thought within that confusing mind of hers. Considering the sizable distance between Inu-Yasha and the rest of the group, Shippo guessed that the silence was due to something that that moron had done to upset/hurt/humiliate Kagome. Nothing new. Unfortunately. So, "Operation: Distract Kagome" was a go in five, four, three two, one… Shippo cleared his throat and put on his most inquisitive, childlike expression. Sometimes, there were advantages to being a fox demon. Whether anyone wanted to admit it or not, he was truly becoming the master of deception. Just not in the conventional sense. The master of manipulation would probably be more suitable. His baby face certainly helped.

"Kagome, how do you know if you love someone?"

"Uh… what?" Kagome looked at the kit in confusion.

"I mean, how do you know if you love someone?"

"Well, I guess you want to be with them all the time. You still like them, even though they're not perfect. In fact, sometimes their faults become endearing…" She smiled wistfully.

"But most importantly, Shippo, if you truly love someone, you want them to be happy no matter what. You want what's best for them, even if it hurts you in the process."

"Well, what do you do if you do love someone? What do you say to them?" Shippo continued to ask with the curious, boyish tone he had perfected over the years.

Where is all of this coming from? Kagome wondered. She knew Shippo had had crushes on girls in the villages they'd visited, but she'd never suspected his feelings ran so, well deep. To her, he was still a little kid. She chose her words carefully.

"Well, if you truly love someone, you should come out and say it. Otherwise, what's the point of having those feelings? If you truly love someone, you shouldn't be afraid to tell them how you feel. You should march right up to them and say, "I love you," and have no regrets."

"So why haven't you said "I love you" to Inu-Yasha?" Her face paled, but her cheeks flushed brightly.

She couldn't believe she'd been having this conversation with Shippo without even realizing she was the intended target. She audibly gulped. What should she tell him? That Inu-Yasha was a stupid, two-timing jerk and she didn't want to put herself at his mercy like that? That she didn't want to ruin her friendship with the best friend she'd ever had? Sometimes, she failed to notice it, but it was true. Sango, Miroku, Kiara, and Shippo were very dear to her, but Inu-Yasha was in a league of his own. She would do anything for him. She would give anything to be by his side.

Have I really become this pathetic? Have I really become one of those girls who spend all their time daydreaming about some boy they can never have? She sighed.

I guess it was inevitable. Ever since I freed Inu-Yasha from the Sacred Tree, I felt like my life belonged to him… and that his life belonged to me. It's silly, but it's true. I can't picture my life without Inu-Yasha in it. It's painful and I don't know what I'll do when he leaves with Kikyo… I… I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. But I can't help it really. I love him. She smiled sadly, before giving Shippo her simple answer.

"It's complicated with us."

"So you do like him…"

"I never said that!"

"But it's written all over your face!"

"So… what if I do like him?" She avoided eye contact with the fox demon. She desperately hoped that the half-demon in question couldn't hear this with his super-human hearing. Knowing her luck though, not only could he hear their conversation, but he was listening with rapt attention.

What does it matter though? It's not like he doesn't know… How could he not know? I've done everything but come out and say those three little words. If he doesn't know by now, he's a fool…

"It's not like it matters, Shippo. Inu-Yasha's still hung up on Kikyo."

"If it makes you feel any better Kagome, I think you're a lot nicer than Kikyo. And you smell better, too. I can't understand why Inu-Yasha follows someone around who smells like dirt."

"Thanks Shippo." She smiled, hugging him.

"You always know just what to say to make me feel better."

"Don't worry, Kagome. Inu-Yasha will come to his senses eventually. And if he doesn't, you can marry Kouga!" Shippo smiled brightly as Kagome sighed at that dismal prospect.

"Oh Shippo… You have a lot to learn…" She increased the length of her strides to catch up with Inu-Yasha at the front, seemingly ending her avoidance of him.

"What did I say?" Shippo wondered aloud.

"I'll never understand women…" He then noticed the group was leaving him in their dust.

"Hey! Wait up you guys!" He scampered to catch up with the humans lagging behind Inu-Yasha and Kagome and leaped onto Miroku's shoulder.

"And Shippo, the great fox demon saves the day again!" He announced proudly, looking at the results of his work ahead of them.

Now if only I could get them to admit they like each other, everything would work out fine. I just know it would! But what to do, what to do…? He thought for a moment.

I have it! He smiled secretively. Those two didn't know what he had in store for them…

Inu-Yasha was miserable. It was simple as that. It wasn't like the time he had planned on telling Kagome he couldn't see her anymore after Kagome had witnessed their kiss in the forest. Not at all. This time it was so much more real. It was so much more painful. He felt like he had literally told Kagome, "Goodbye; I'm not interested."

Why had he been silent? Why hadn't he said something? Why didn't he tell Kagome he was confused, frustrated, and a little hurt? Instead, he had just let her bore into him with those glassy eyes of hers. Eyes usually so full of love and light. They'd darkened at his silence.

"Inu-Yasha…?"

"What?" He asked rudely, brushing dirt off of his fire rat robe.

"Do you love me?" She asked him plainly. He didn't answer her.

This scene kept replaying itself over and over again in his mind. He couldn't stop it. It seemed to be on endless playback mode. He wanted to yell at himself, or he supposed his past self. He wanted to tell him to not be such a fool. To not hurt the one who had taught him about friendship and acceptance. The one who had taught him to hope for something more. Kagome. She was so beautiful and innocent; sometimes it pained him to look at her. She was so good, so pure. She was pretty much the opposite of him in every respect. It seemed like a sin to even look at her sometimes. How could he have hurt such a perfect being? Even if he didn't know if he loved her, no one could doubt that he cared about her. Would she ever forgive him? His ears drooped.

She was talking about something with the kit back there. He could tell, whatever it was, it was embarrassing her. He was usually good about respecting others' privacy and not using his unusual gifts to eavesdrop. With a lot of effort, he continued this policy by listening to the wind whistling through the trees, the birds singing, and the padding of his own bare feet against the dry earth. Anything but Kagome and Shippo's conversation.

All he heard was, "It's complicated with us."

You got that right… He thought bitterly. Really, Kagome deserved better. Who else would put her through this kind of drama? Maybe he should let her go… No! No, he couldn't. Life without Kagome would be so cold and meaningless and he… He wasn't selfless enough to let her go. He couldn't bear the idea of losing her presence, her smiles, her laughter, her love. It seemed like hours, but really only moments later, she had come to walk by his side. He was surprised at first. She'd taken longer to forgive him for minor indiscretions. Something the kit had said to her must have gotten through, for better or for worse.

Will you stay with me, Kagome? Will you stay with me even if I might never be able to love you in return? He stared at her, willing her to answer. She looked at him, slowly smiling, and taking her hand in his.

He got his answer. Saint Kagome had forgiven him once again. She would stay with the devil himself.

The new innkeeper was fairly young. His father had died recently, entrusting his life's work, this wonderful inn he had built with his own two hands and managed until the day he died, to his only son, Keisuke. Keisuke had dark hair pulled back into a short ponytail at the nape of his neck and deep brown eyes. He wasn't overly handsome, but still pleasant to the eyes. Everyone always told him he looked just like his father. It was up to him now to keep the family business going and to take care of his mother and younger sisters. It was a big responsibility, but Keisuke was still really only a boy.

Business had been fairly slow that day when a woman drew the flaps of the doorway aside and entered. She was beautiful, but not in a purely conventional away. She had long black hair, nothing unusual in Japan, but it was her eyes. She had soft eyes in a shade of blue-gray and such a kind-looking face. She was wearing a ridiculous get-up though. Some sort of miniature kimono maybe? It left little to the imagination. She was obviously a foreigner. But who was he to resist the charms of a lovely foreign woman?

"Excuse me; are you the keeper of this fine establishment?" She batted her eyelashes and smiled at him.

Keisuke felt his cheeks heat.

"Why yes, yes I am. What can I do for you, Miss?"

"I came ahead of the others to see if you had any rooms available for the night. My friend, Miroku would gladly rid your inn of the foul spirits possessing it in return for a place to stay for the night."

"Ridding the place of demons will not feed my family, Miss." He told her kindly, but forcefully.

"Oh, but when we arrived in this village, we were looking for the best place to stay. Your inn was the finest by far, but we were concerned. There are a great many demons possessing this place, a detriment to your fine establishment. My friend has great spiritual powers. You are lucky he is in the area."

Reluctantly, he said, "I do fear demons, Miss. I would not want them to pose a threat to our guests or my womenfolk. It seems to be a fair agreement. How many rooms does your group need?"

"How kind of you to agree to my offer. Well, let's see. We will need one room for Miroku, his wife, and two small demons that help him rid places of evil presences. And my husband, Lord Inu-Yasha, and I will need a room. We are newlyweds." She smiled sweetly at him.

"Your… husband…" His voice reflected his displeasure. Such a lovely woman. Too bad she was already taken. Oh well, a deal was a deal. He didn't have the energy to mess with any demons.

"Very well. Your rooms will be prepared at once. And your name, my lady?"

"Lady Kagome. Thank you. You've been very kind. I will return shortly with the rest of my party." She waved fondly at the man and backed out of the room. He was too heartbroken and distracted to notice the large, fluffy tail on the strangely-clothed woman. Once "Lady Kagome" had exited the inn, "she" returned to her real form.

"That was close! I almost lost my form near the end! But maybe this will loosen those two up a bit." Shippo nodded, pleased at his latest scheme.

"It was nice of Shippo to agree to find a place for us to stay tonight." Kagome commented as they drew to the outskirts of the village. Shard rumors had been few and far between as of late, so they really were in no hurry. They'd hear something when they heard something. That was what Kagome believed anyway. Inu-Yasha was not so patient. His annoyance was quite noticeable.

"Uncharacteristically nice of him." Inu-Yasha muttered, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Oh, be nice! He's just trying to help." She replied kindly. Shippo and Miroku spoke quietly with each other behind them, seemingly uninterested in their topic of conversation.

"Hey Kagome!" Shippo appeared on the scene, leaping with excitement.

"I found a great place for us to stay! And all Miroku has to do is get rid of some phony demons!"

"I'll have you all know that I can exorcise demons and that there's no reason why you all should doubt my abilities!" Miroku objected.

"So you'd rather we stay someplace with real demons?" Inu-Yasha asked pointedly.

"Now that you come to mention it…" Miroku shrugged, laughing in discomfort.

"Well anyway, it's right near the entrance. Come on!" He grabbed Kagome by the hand, leading her towards the village. She laughed at his enthusiasm.

They all had to admit once they had reached the inn that it appeared very charming.

"Jeez Shippo, did you automatically pick the ritziest place in town?" Inu-Yasha muttered, feeling uncomfortable with the outward grandeur of their chosen shelter.

"You should be thanking me! We'll eat like kings tonight!" Shippo grinned for more than that reason. They entered the establishment and a young-looking innkeeper greeted them, paying particular attention to Kagome.

"Lady Kagome! How nice to see you again! Greetings to you all! I am the innkeeper, Keisuke. You've missed dinner, but I'll send some servants up to your rooms with food before the monk and his friends exorcise our demons. This way please." He smiled brightly at Kagome and seemed to frown at Inu-Yasha. This bothered Inu-Yasha in more ways than one. He didn't like anyone paying special attention to Kagome. Especially when he noticed the pining looks he was directing at his companion. He assumed the disapproving looks in his direction were due to his obvious demon heritage. Apparently, Kagome's good looks were enough for the innkeeper not to ask Inu-Yasha to stay elsewhere tonight. For that he was grateful. He didn't like being away from Kagome for very long. But why did the young man seem act so familiar with Kagome?

"For Miroku, his wife, and the small demons." He opened the door of a spacious, luxurious-looking room. Sango looked ready to protest the assumption that she was married to Miroku. They were engaged, but certainly nothing more than that at the moment. Miroku quickly made a motion to silence her, doubting they'd find better accommodations and assuming that Shippo had his reasons for telling all of this to the innkeeper.

"And this room, for Lord and Lady Inu-Yasha. I trust you'll find this room to your liking, Lady Kagome. Just let me know if you need anything, anything at all. I'll be happy to oblige. And congratulations again on your marriage." He ushered them into the room, gazed wistfully at Kagome, and closed the door behind them. This left the half-demon and the priestess in a very awkward, unexpected predicament. They looked at each other in utter confusion and bewilderment.

"Since when was I married to you?" They both asked at the same time.

"Shippo!" Inu-Yasha growled angrily, shaking his fist.

"Now Inu-Yasha, I'm sure Shippo had his reasons. It wasn't just us. You were there, he apparently told the innkeeper that Miroku and Sango were married as well."

"Yeah, but at least they're engaged! We're not anything!" Inu-Yasha protested. Kagome was slightly hurt and embarrassed by this statement, as true as it was.

"Still, I'm sure he did what he had to do. And look at how lovely this room is…" She looked around, trying to distract her companion. Her stomach sank as she looked more closely at her surroundings. All sorts of artwork centered on love and fertility seemed to surround them. She gulped as she saw the solitary futon in the corner with candles carefully placed around it.

Inu-Yasha noticed all of this at the same time she did.

"Where is that little runt?! I'm going to kill him!"

"I agree with you that this is not ideal, but we can work around it. I mean, I don't mind pretending to be married to you for one night… It's no big deal, right?" She was blushing slightly.

Inu-Yasha grunted.

"I guess you're right. We'll survive for tonight. At least this way I won't have to listen to Shippo's incessant whining for awhile."

"Right." She smiled at him.

"So, what do we do now?"

They looked around the room. There didn't seem to be anything to do except what the innkeeper thought they'd be doing in this room intended for newlyweds. The thought struck both of them at the same time and their faces flushed in an identical hue as they looked away from each other. Cautiously, Kagome sat on the floor, propping her back against the wall, inviting Inu-Yasha to join her.

"So…" Inu-Yasha began, not knowing what else to say. With that brilliant conversation starter, their stay was off to an exciting start. It was going to be a long night.

A/N: So yes, right now I'm thinking maybe around 10 chapters for this story? Maybe a couple more. I don't think I could sum up all I wanted to say in less than that, but you never know. I only have some vague plans right now for this story's direction. I'm kind of just writing it as I go along, as my English teacher would say, very bad when writing. There won't be a new villain or really anything of that nature. The whole plot is basically the difficulties in Kagome's and Inu-Yasha's relationships that are escalated by their insecurities after the fortune-teller incident. (More or less.) Back to my usual rant. Please review! It really means a lot to me. I'm even happy with criticism (as long as it's constructive)! Reviews are nice for authors because they let them know that people are reading and (hopefully) enjoying their work. Review and I will be a happy-go-lucky! Thanks for reading! Until next time!