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Chapter 16
Kagome froze as two arms wrapped around her waist and she was pulled back against a chest. A very muscular chest. A very, very muscular chest. Ooh, was that a six-pack? Bad thoughts Kagome! Bad! His breath tickled her ear as he whispered, "Do you know how much trouble you're in? You went outside, without me. Do you even realize how much danger you could be in?" She tilted her head up as if to kiss his cheek, "I'm with Moriko and Luki, Inuyasha, I'm not alone." He sighed in exasperation, "I'm supposed to protect you! Not let you go around as if there's nothing wrong in the world!" She growled, "If you hadn't noticed Inuyasha, I'm full demon right now. If anyone tries to hurt me-" she licked her lips, "I don't expect them to live." A cough brought them away from their conversation. Hojo was smiling blandly, "I didn't realize you were going out Kagome." He began hesitantly. "Oh, I'm not going out, Hojo." She replied as a memory came back to her, "He's my Fiancé." The look on his face was priceless. "Oh. Uh, congratulations." He mumbled, "I, uh, really must go. Mayor stuff and all." He scuttled away from them and left the store. Kagome spun around angrily, "Now what was this 'date' thing about anyway? We hate each other. The only reason you're within fifty feet of me is because of this guy who wants to-to-to-!" Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her legs gave out. He caught her as she fell and it was by sheer luck that no one was in the same aisle. Moriko was next to him in an instant. "Move." She clenched her aunt's hand and closed her eyes, grimacing as she warped the power around and attached it back to the sender. If the person survived, which was doubtful, she doubted he would be able to move, let alone attempt this again, for a very long time. She finished and flowed a tendril of power back into Kagome to revive her, " Nnh?" she mumbled as she woke up slowly. The first thing she saw was Inuyasha face. Considering the fact that someone had tried to drain her power and soul, the fact that she screamed wasn't unexpected, the fact that her scream was cut off by a pair of lips, was another matter entirely. When he let her go, she scrambled to her feet blushing. "Why'd you do that!" she hissed angrily. He shrugged, "Your scream was going to attract too much attention." He replied none-too calm, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Kagome caught sight of her niece and new nephew, mouths agape and eyes huge in shock. "Uh, you guys ok?" She asked sheepishly. Moriko forcibly shook herself and repeated that with her husband. "He-he just-!" "I kissed her to shut her up, ok? It's not like I wanted to." Snapped Inuyasha angrily, looking away so they couldn't see his blush. Secretly though, there were other reasons for his actions. Something inside had taken over. He had known she was going to scream. Normally, there was nothing extraordinary about that. But this time, it was as if their minds had linked and he knew what she was thinking. Not a very comforting thought. Moriko sighed, "Here I go and try to have a normal evening with my aunt and not only does that creature attack her but her worst enemy-which means he's mine too by the way-kisses her to stop her from screaming." She sighed again looking at them both straight in the eye, "You two have officially joined the weirdest day club." She turned away from them, "Let's go. I don't want this day getting any weirder."
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!" demanded a pair of voices. Moriko made a unique sound, "And here we go again." Miroku and Sango stormed into the aisle, both staring at the unlikely couple. "You two-two-k-ki-gah! I can't even say it! I know I saw you two do it before, but this!" Sango stamped her foot. Kagome looked around, they were attracting the attention of other customers. "Okay, okay! Rent movies now, talk later!" she shoved Moriko toward the register, "I'll be heading back."
"With Inuyasha. Hey, maybe they'll-" Muttered Miroku slyly.
"FINISH THAT SENTENCE AND YOU WILL NEVER HAVE CHILDREN."
Kagome and Inuyasha successfully managed to dodge the subject of what had happened for four hours. Considering the fact that Moriko and Sango could pry a secret from a clam, this was indeed a miracle. It helped that the movies they had rented distracted them completely. Kagome left quietly right before midnight, she didn't want to bring attention back to herself. She sat out on the stonewall watching the moon as the last moments of the day ticked away.
"I thought I told you not to go anywhere without me." Commented a voice quietly. She looked at him over her shoulder, "Not in so many words and I'm at my niece's house. If any place is safe this is it." She pointed out as he sat down next to her. He ignored her, "Why are you out here?" He inquired quietly. "My time is up at midnight." He smiled, "Like in Cinderella?" he suggested, grinning. Kagome wrinkled her nose, "If you want to put it like that, yes." She sucked in a ragged breath as midnight ticked past. Her hair looked as if someone had dumped a bucket of steel gray paint on it, her skin color lightened and two tiny wings sprouted from her back. She sighed as the transformation finished, "We'd better get back inside." She turned to go and was abruptly pulled back into Inuyasha's lap. "I-Inuyasha…" He buried his face in her hair. "Why do you do this to me?" he whispered. "What are you talking about?" she whispered back. She could feel his smile, "You make me do and say things I wouldn't even think of before." She flushed, "Inuyasha? Are you alright?" she asked, a little taken aback by his change. He sighed, letting go of her, "I'm fine. I'm going inside." He left her alone to ponder his words. She returned to the house hours later, and reluctantly went to bed. The next morning Sesshomaru made an announcement. "I have to go back to headquarters." He stated calmly. Everyone gave him startled looks, "Why?" asked Ayame. He shrugged, "I got a call from my superior, there seems to be a serial killer back near headquarters, seeing as I'm the best profiler they have, they want me back." Moriko nodded, "I wish you good luck, Sesshomaru." She smiled mischievously, "Don't misuse it." He nodded slightly. "I leave Kagome's protection in your hands, Inuyasha, don't screw up." Inuyasha snorted, "I got it, I got it." Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows, "Then where is she?" he prodded. "She's asleep in her room." How he knew that, he wasn't about to tell. It seemed he was developing a sixth sense about where she was at all times. He was going to do some research on it after his brother left. "I would like to speak to you." His brother interrupted his thoughts. "Alone." He added looking pointedly at Moriko and Ayame. They pouted but let them go into the front hall. "Inuyasha." He began, "How do you feel about Kagome?" Inuyasha stared at him, "How do I feel…? She's under my protection. Nothing more." Which wasn't true at all but he wasn't about to admit, especially to his brother. His brother stared at him, unbelieving, "You are acting more like a demon with a potential mate." He replied stoutly. "What?" spluttered Inuyasha, "Mate? Kagome? No way!" His brother rolled his eyes, "Do you have this strange sixth sense about where she is no matter what's happening?" he continued. Inuyasha didn't reply, causing Sesshomaru to chuckle, "If it advances Inuyasha, say to knowing her very thoughts, I suggest you court her, as she is the only one you'll ever get." He turned abruptly and walked upstairs to pack. Inuyasha stared after him and shook his head, "What a whack-job." He muttered.
"I heard that!" He grinned and sprinted off before his brother could throw something downat him, odds were a suitcase or something. Kagome woke up an hour after Sesshomaru had left. Still in her pajamas, she stumbled down the stairs to the kitchen, "What time is it?" she asked between yawns. "Two o'clock." Came the reply from Kouga as he continued to read the paper. "Oh, Kagome, you're up." Moriko handed her a box. "?"
"It's from the bookshelf. Special delivery."
"Ah." She opened the box to find books and paperwork. "Ah! My research! Thanks Moriko!" she bounded up to the den and began sorting through it. She took out a disk and popped it into the computer and began typing relentlessly as she read through the book and notes.
"What are these for?" questioned a voice. She looked up, "Working on a book on herbs. I have found that all of the books are either for healing, cooking or not even about herbs at all but spices and flowers. My book is going to be about everything, which means I need research. I plan to go to the Amazon for a month this winter." She returned her gaze to the monitor. Inuyasha strode into the room and picked up a sheet of papers. "What's this about?" Kagome glanced up, "That's about aphrodisiacs." He dropped the papers as if they were poison. Kagome laughed, "Kidding! Kidding! It's about Orchids." He picked up the scattered papers. "Really? I know someone who would be a lot of help to you." Kagome paused looking up at him, "Really. Who?" "She's a Shinto priestess. An old hag really, but her knowledge on herbs and plants is great." Kagome looked at him, What is he up to? Came the thought in his head, definitely not his own. "Hey, I'm just trying to help." He responded hastily. Kagome snorted, "Whatever. Could you help me organize this? I need all of the healing herbs in one alphabetical pile and the poisonous ones in another alphabetical pile." She pointed to the pile of papers lying at her feet. He obeyed, sorting the through the piles of paper. After three hours the scent of dinner lured them away from their work. After dinner they all settled down to watch another of the rented movies. About halfway through the movie the phone rang and Moriko excused herself to get it. She handed the phone to Kagome, whispering something about the Bookshelf. She took the phone and froze as the all-too-familiar voice spoke, "How are you my little angel?"
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