punkish furball—Yay!

Words to Ponder:

Thank you xXKillorbeKilledXx, iluvchocs, Shin Wal-New Moon-, YukimureShuusuke Girl, DeathNoteMaker, Death By Squishy, Blue Fairy Girl, shadow miko, IceDarkness, Mz Mischief, lildevil0644, Anime Punk Kitty, Bloodcherry, hermonine, naru-chan13, Mada Mada Dane, Kagome Lady of Darkness, LadySoftball, AliKat89, Michiko, Kurai Oujou, xoulblade, Saphira1204, Mistress Kira- Fires of Hell, DemonKingRaizen, LadyAkina, Evil RULZ, Bloody Serpent 2, linglingchan, ancient-relic, KuroxTenshi, Silver Moon Vampire, Hoku ala, Dark Inu Fan, regretfully-yours-Cassy-chan, SandK, kachie, Green.on.Black, and torrie102.

Chapter 6

"Is that Aya?" Shigure asked looking at the silver snake in Yuki's grasp.

"Who's Aya?" Kagome asked.

"Hello, Kagome," Yuki said—ignoring her question—once he noticed her and visibly calmed down. Shigure took advantage of this and took the snake from Yuki's loosened grip. He took it to another room.

"Kagome!" Tohru exclaimed as she burst through the door panting as she came into the room.

"Hello, Tohru," Kagome said, "So what happened? Was that another zodiac member?"

"Yes," Shigure answered as he entered the room, "That was Sohma Ayame. He's the snake. When it's cold like this it can cause him to transform. Probably because snakes usually hibernate in the cold."

"So, Yuki," Shigure said with a childish look on his face, "What did Aya do to upset you so much?"

"I won't even say it it's so disgusting," Yuki said.

"What's the big deal?" Kyo said.

"Did something bad happen?" Kagome asked Tohru.

"Not exactly," Tohru said with a red blush on her face.

"It wasn't so bad," a loud voice said in a low octave, "You could at least show some forgiveness to your own brother."

'Brother?!' Kagome and Tohru both thought.

"Allow me to explain," the voice continued, "I was on my way here when a sudden chill in the air caused me to transform. I sensed a warm body growing near and naturally I clung to it. I suppose you could say it was instinct."

A tall man pushed the sliding door open as he pulled on his clothes. His hair was long and a whitish silver color and his eyes were golden.

'He sorta looks like Sesshomaru,' Kagome thought.

"Greetings everyone," he said and flipped his hair back, "And how are you doing, little brother?"

'He's like a grown up Yuki,' Tohru thought with swirly eyes.

"If we all followed our instincts," Yuki said, "I would have snapped you in two when I had the chance.

Ayame ignored and he and Shigure began to speak about something—sounding like they were flirting with one another. Kagome didn't even bother to follow the conversation.

'Yep, that's definitely Sesshomaru,' Kagome thought, '…on crack.'

"So," Shigure said, "You came all this way just to see Tohru. And you also get to meet Kagome."

"Oh yes. That's right," Ayame said and turned to the two girls, "I'm Yuki's older brother, Ayame."

"Pleased to meet you," Tohru said.

"It really is a pleasure," Kagome said but it was through slightly clinched teeth.

"So you really do exist," Ayame said, "The hime-samas I heard so much about. Two blooming flowers in a house of stinking men."

Tohru and Kagome both stared wide eyed at the eccentric man.

'Okay,' Kagome thought, 'I've had just about enough of this.'

Kagome stood up abruptly and walked towards the door.

"I'm going home," she said in a dry voice.

"But you just got here," Tohru said.

Ayame grabbed Kagome's hand, "Please allow me to take you both out to lunch."

"Both?" Kagome said confusedly.

"Yes," Ayame said and grabbed Tohru's hand as well, "We're going out to eat."

"Oh, I don't know," Tohru said as she and Kagome were dragged away.

"Don't worry!" Ayame said, "It's my treat!

Kagome sighed and put her free hand on her forehead.

'…kill me.'

-O0o0O-

Kagome sighed and rested her cheek against her fist. Ayame was talking about something and she was trying her best to pay attention. She was immediately drawn to attention when Ayame mentioned that he wanted to check on Yuki today.

"And so you see," Ayame began, "while I did want to meet the two of you today, I really wanted to see how Yuki is doing after his meeting with Akito at school. I'm glad to see that he is doing well."

"That's nice of you," Tohru said, "but why didn't you just ask him yourself?"

"Yuki and I have never really been close," Ayame said, "He was kept away most of the time and by the time I realized I even had a brother, a large gap formed between us that we have never seemed to breach."

"How sad," Tohru said, "but you know maybe you should try meeting half way."

"Hmm?" Ayame said.

"You know," Tohru said, "Compromise. It's something my mother used to say. If you both try a little harder, I know you can bridge this gap.

"You know," Kagome started causing the other two to look at her, "I used to know two brothers like that…half brothers actually. They couldn't be in the same room without fighting. I'm still not entirely sure why they fought. Was it because their father left the elder brother's mother? Or because the younger brother was abandoned when both his parents were killed? Either way, there was a deep seeded hatred the neither of them could overcome.

"Then they found something, something they both wanted to protect with their entire being. The love they shared for this something helped them form a bond. It isn't much; they still argue and insult each other most of the time, but it's a step. It made me very happy."

Kagome turned to smile sweetly in Ayame's direction.

"Find something in common with Yuki. Something you both love and want to keep that can bring you closer together…" Kagome said as Tohru and Ayame stared at her, "Sorry, I guess that didn't help much."

"No," Ayame said, "It does; everything the both of you said does. I promise that when it comes to Yuki I'll keep trying. I think I understand why Yuki is doing so well lately. I imagine you two are good influences on him."

Kagome smiled to herself while Tohru waved her hands and protested the statement.

'I guess something good came out of coming here,' she thought.

She looked at the clock hanging on the wall.

"It's late," she said, "I should go home after this."

"But you didn't even get to spend time with the others," Tohru said.

"You should stay at Shigure's for the night," Ayame said "I doubt Yuki would be very happy if he finds out I am the reason you weren't able to see him."

"I don't think he'll be too angry," Kagome said, "It's not like I'm that important to him.

'I wouldn't say that…I wouldn't say that at all.'

-O0o0O-

Tohru opened the door to Shigure's house. Kagome was behind her hugging herself nervously.

"Are you alright?" Tohru asked her.

"I'm fine," Kagome said, "Just a little movement and it tickles. Nothing I can handle." She tightened her hold on herself intentionally.

Tohru laughed nervously, "I know the feeling."

"Miss Honda! Kagome!" Yuki shouted once he answered to door.

"Hi," Tohru said, "Did everyone get something to eat?"

"Never mind that," he said, "Did my brother give you any trouble?"

"Oh, no," Tohru said, "He bought us both pot sticker plates."

"And he was very pol-ITE!" Kagome said with her voice going high pitched on the last syllable of her sentence.

"Just had a chill. I got caught off guard," she said and hugged herself tighter.

"But, Yuki," Tohru started, "When we were talking with Ayame…well…do you really not like your brother?"

"Well," Yuki began, "It's not that I dislike him. It's just that he can be too much for me sometimes."

"If that's all then we can overcome it!" Ayame's voice said coming from Kagome's shirt, "I will do all in my power to meet you halfway, my brother."

Ayame slithered out of the top of Kagome's top.

"You see," Tohru said nervously, "It got cold when we were on our way home and he transformed. He said if snakes get too cold they can die."

"And I put him in my shirt since he was already in Tohru's earlier," Kagome said.

"Well, I am a snake," Ayame said.

"You may be a snake but you're no brother of mine!" Yuki said and yanked to snake out of Kagome's shirt.

Kagome and Tohru watched with wide eyes as Yuki beat Ayame up.

"So," Kagome said, "Do you think I could borrow some of your clothes for tonight?"

"Sure!" Tohru answered and lead Kagome upstairs.

-O0o0O-

"I'm really sorry about what my brother did earlier," Yuki said to Kagome once he calmed down a bit. Kagome was wearing a large white T-shirt and sweat pants. She was sitting on the porch with her legs draw into her chest with the sliding door open.

"I told you not to worry about it. I just wished he would have kept still," Kagome said and patted the space next to her, "Sit with me."

Yuki sat down in the space next to Kagome with his legs crossed.

"What made you decide to stay the night?" he asked.

"Does it bother you?" Kagome asked.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm glad you decided to say. It's just that—"

"I really didn't get to see much of you this visit. I wanted to spend time with you."

"Umm…thank you…I guess…"

The two teens were silent after that and looked anywhere but at the other.

'Great,' Kagome thought, 'Now I made him uncomfortable.'

"Kagome?" Yuki said breaking the silence.

"Yes?"

"Will you come with me? I want to show you something."

"Sure."

'Anything to relieve this tension,' Kagome thought. They both stood up and Yuki grabbed Kagome's hand.

"Where are we going?" Kagome asked once Yuki had taken her a good ways from the house. It was dark outside and she could hardly see without squinting her eyes. Yuki seem like he could see perfectly.

'That must be the rat in him,' she thought.

"Nowhere too mysterious," Yuki said, "It's just something I don't like to tell others about." Yuki stopped; he had brought Kagome to a small garden.

"Wow," Kagome said as she knelt down next to the small garden, "You did all this yourself?"

"Yes," Yuki said and sat beside her, "It's not anything special. It's just my…secret base."

'That was lame,' Yuki thought after he said it.

"I think it's amazing," Kagome said, "Everyone has a place where they can go that's just for themselves. I have a secret base too."

'Of course it's five centuries in the past,' Kagome thought.

"Are those strawberries?" Kagome asked and pointed to the small red berries beneath some leafy plants, "I love strawberries!"

Yuki nodded and picked the reddest strawberry he could see.

"Here," he said, "I was going to pick them soon. You try one."

"Oh, no," Kagome said, "I couldn't."

"Go on, try it," Yuki said. Kagome reached to grab the red piece of fruit but Yuki instead held it to her mouth. Kagome gulped before opening her mouth and taking a bite out of the strawberry. A smile grew on her face as she chewed.

"It's delicious," she said happily.

"Thank you," Yuki said and chuckled a bit at Kagome's expression.

"What?" Kagome said and pouted.

"You have some juice on your face," Yuki said. He reached up his hand and cupped Kagome's cheek. He wiped the red juice off the corner of Kagome's mouth with his thumb.

"There," he said in a slightly lower voice with his face a little closer to Kagome's, "That's much better."

"Thank you," Kagome said in a small voice; Yuki's hand was still there. Yuki began to draw in closer to her and his hand held her head in place.

'What…is he going to do?' Kagome thought. Kagome was very anxious about what Yuki might do. She and InuYasha haven't progressed in their relationship lately but she was going to see him very soon.

'And I still…care for him…I think,' she thought, 'I'm not too sure anymore.'

Yuki was feeling very confident at the moment and about to plant his lips on Kagome's. He had grown to be quite fond of her after the few weeks he had known her-. And he was certain that his affections for Tohru had grown into more of a sibling-like bond. As he grew closer to his goal and he noticed something in Kagome's eyes.

'She's…afraid?' he thought, 'No, not afraid but uncertain about this. Maybe I'm going to fast. I must be letting the fact she can hug me go to my head.'

Yuki placed his lips on Kagome's forehead reasonably north of his intended goal. He pulled back with an embarrassed blush on his face almost as red as Kagome's.

"Let's go back to the house now," he said.

Kagome stood up to leave and stepped on something sharp.

"Ow!" she shouted jumping up and down and grabbing her foot.

"What happened?" Yuki asked fearing he had just made things worse than he already did.

"Nothing. I just stepped on something."

Yuki looked down to see a trowel lying guiltily by Kagome's foot with her blood on it.

'I must have forgotten it this morning with my brother causing the commotion,' he thought.

"Here," Yuki said and offered Kagome his back, "I'll carry you back."

"Are you sure?" Kagome asked while trying to balance on her good foot.

"Yes," Yuki said, "I won't transform and it is my fault. Besides, it could get infected if you walk on it."

Kagome sighed and put her arms around Yuki's neck. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he slipped his arms around her thighs.

"Are you alright?" Kagome asked, "I'm not too heavy, am I?"

"No, you're fine," Yuki said. At his affirmative response, Kagome relaxed against Yuki's back and laid her head against his neck. Yuki walked slowly; he loved the feeling of Kagome completely relaxed against him and her breath on his neck. Kagome breathed in the scent of Yuki's hair. His body radiated warmth. She felt herself be lulled to sleep.

When Yuki reached the house, Kagome had fallen asleep against him and her foot was bleeding on his clothes. Having no other place to put her and not wanting to wake her or Tohru, he put her in his room. He set her on his bed and went to get some bandages. He returned quickly and wrapped Kagome's foot. After admiring his handiwork, Yuki pulled by the covers on his bed and tucked Kagome in.

"Good night," he whispered in her ear and settled on his floor and went to sleep.

-O0o0O-

Kagome shot out of the bed with a start was a loud yell resounded through Shigure's house.

'Wait a minute,' she thought as the grogginess faded away, 'This isn't Tohru's room.'

Kagome heard a loud grumbling noise from the floor. She looked down.

"Yuki?" she said and all of the memories of the night before came rushing to her. Kagome blushed but got out of bed and walked out of the room. She leaned against the closed door and let out a held breath.

"Ohayo, Kagome," Tohru said walking down the hall with her usually cheerfulness.

"Ohayo, Tohru," Kagome said immediately feeling the embarrassment melt right away with Tohru's attitude, "Do you think I could borrow one of your uniforms? I don't have one with me."

"Of course," Tohru said and held out a folded blue bundle, "Actually, I was thinking of that and brought you this one and I washed your under clothes. There's an extra toothbrush and a wash cloth for you to use too."

"Thanks," Kagome said and took the items in her hands.

"I'll see you downstairs," Tohru said and walked to the kitchen. Kagome went into the bathroom grateful that Tohru didn't ask why she came out of Yuki's room. When she walked out of the bathroom, she ran into Yuki who had his uniform on with the white tie loose.

"Morning," he said in a groggy voice.

"Morning," Kagome said with a little giggle.

'Someone's definitely not a morning person.'

"Yuki," Kagome said, "About the other night…thank you. It was fun hanging out with you."

"You're welcome," Yuki said, "Do you think that maybe…we could do it again? I mean if you wanted to."

"I'd like that," Kagome said and the two of them walked downstairs to the kitchen. They both sat down with the others at the table.

"Why the hell did you sleep in my room?" Kyo shouted at Ayame.

'That must have been why I heard that shouting,' Kagome thought.

"I'm sorry," Ayame said while holding his bowl of rice and sporting bruises on his face, "if I spent the night with Shigure, I wouldn't have gotten any sleep and I didn't want to intrude on Yuki and Kagome."

The two teens went red.

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Kyo shouted.

"Don't tell me you didn't see Kagome come out of Yuki's room this morning?" Ayame said, "Her hair was tousled and her clothes were out of place. And the bandage on her foot. Who would have thought my little brother would have been the type to experiment with that kind of fetish?"

"Stop that!" Yuki shouted and shot out of his seat.

"So did something really happen between the two of you?" Shigure asked Kagome. She just blushed and didn't say a word; Shigure smirked at her response.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of really," Ayame said, "Shigure and I did a lot of experimenting at your age."

Yuki growled under his breath and went outside.

"I think we should go to school now," Tohru said and the other three stood up and left the table.

-O0o0O-

Kyo walked in front of the two girls on their way to school.

"So, Kagome," Tohru began, "did anything really happened between you and Yuki last night?"

"Absolutely not!" Kagome shouted then took some deep breaths, "Sorry for overacting, but nothing happened. Yuki took me to see his base and I stepped on something and cut my foot. He carried me back and I fell asleep on the way. I just woke up in his bed this morning. I'm guessing he gave me a bandage and put me in his bed because he didn't want to bother you while you were sleeping."

"So that's what happened," Tohru said, "Sorry about upsetting you though."

"Really, that's no problem," Kagome said.

Kyo groaned as he heard the two girls apologizing back and forth.

'Those two are too much alike for their own good,' Kyo thought, 'but then again they're very different.'

Kagome seemed to have a bit more attitude and a stubborn streak in her. Not to mention she had a temper too. Kyo could just imagine being in another argument with her. Her yelling at him with her face flushed red in anger, her eyes darkening just a few shades of blue, her tiny fist clutched at her sides, the cute little wrinkle between her eyebrows, her chest heaving up and down from her deep breathing…

'Why the hell I'm I thinking about that crap?!'

"Kyo?" Kagome asked from behind him.

"What?!" he shouted due to his frustrated state.

"Well, pardon me," she said, "I was just asking if you were alright?"

"There is nothing wrong with me as if it's any of your business!" Kyo said, "Just leave me alone!"

Kagome just sighed and shook her head.

'This getting to be too much like InuYasha and me,' she thought, 'I thought that Kyo would a least be a little less aggressive since that incident when he walked me out of the woods.'

"Fine," Kagome said and walked ahead; she really didn't want to get into it this early.

'What?' Kyo thought, 'No shouting, no slapping, nothing?!'

"Wait up!" Tohru shouted and ran after Kagome. Once Tohru and Kagome were out of sight, Kyo slapped his hand to his forehead.

"Dammit!" he said aloud.

'I just had to go and say something!' he thought, 'Now Tohru's gone after her and she's gonna be pissed at me all day.'

Kagome didn't yell at Kyo like he expected her to. She just left him alone. If Kyo knew anything at all, it would be aggression. Fighting and arguing is how he usually got it out, but if it's kept in…

'She's not gonna forgive me anytime soon,' Kyo thought, 'Figures…'

Kyo didn't realize it but a single thought was drifting through his head. If Kagome didn't forgive him…she may not hug him again.

'Like I care!' Kyo thought as he walked into the school yard. A nagging feeling in his head told him that that wasn't true…that Kagome's gentle touch was something he couldn't bare to part with.

-O0o0O-

"Hey, Momiji," Kagome said as she walked into her classroom. She was still a little angry at Kyo, but she wouldn't let that get her down.

'Besides, it'll pass,' she thought, 'It always does.'

"Kagome!" Momiji shouted and wrapped his arms around her waist, his newly formed habit.

"Good morning," Haru said and walked over to the two. He noticed something as Momiji continued the embrace Kagome.

"Kagome," he started, "did you know that your—"

"My uniform's shorter," she finished for him, "Yeah, I know. Tohru let me borrow one of her older ones since I stayed at Shigure's last night. Yuki's brother stayed there too."

"Really?" Momiji said, "Aya's there. I haven't seen him since the New Year's banquet for the zodiac mem—"

"Shut up, Momiji!" Haru said.

"Does that have something to do with the zodiac curse?" Kagome asked, causing Momiji and Haru to stiffen.

"It's alright," Kagome said and brought the two to an isolated corner of the classroom.

"Yuki told me about it after I met Akito," Kagome said once she was sure they had their privacy.

"That's good!" Momiji exclaimed being mindful of being quiet, "So do you know why it is that we can hug you and not transform?"

"Does that mean you a part of the zodiac?" Kagome asked.

"Yep," Momiji said, "Me and Haru both."

"Really?" Kagome said and hugged Haru around his neck like she had done to the other zodiac members.

'No poof again!' she thought, 'Is one poof too much to ask for?!'

'What does she think she is doing?' Haru thought. He wasn't angry; in fact he wanted to hug her for a while. But he was feeling a little...awkward doing this in front of class.

"Kagome," Haru whispered in Kagome's ear and rested his hands on her hips, "We shouldn't be doing this in class." He was delighted when she shivered against him.

"It's just a test," Kagome whispered back, "I guess it's a good thing you didn't poof into…whatever it is you poof into when a girl hugs you in the middle of class."

"Higursahi! Sohma!" the teacher shouted, "I think that you should continue you little love-fest outside of class!"

Haru and Kagome walked out of the classroom followed by the snickering of their classmates and a sympathetic look from Momiji.

"Sorry about that," Kagome said leaning against the wall outside the classroom, "I need to learn more self control."

"Don't worry about it," Haru said, "So…you know about the curse?"

"Does it bother you that I know?" Kagome asked.

"Not exactly," Haru said, "It's just not something we go around telling people for obvious reasons. It doesn't bother me that you know, I'm glad you do. But I want you to promise me one thing."

"I'm not going to tell anyone about the curse," Kagome said quickly.

"No, it's not anything like that," Haru said, "There's a zodiac member, Sohma Hatori. I want you to watch out for him."

"Why is that? I remember Tohru telling me that he was a doctor," Kagome and Haru both sat down on the floor against the door.

"Yes, that's true, but if someone finds out about the zodiac curse, Akito orders them to have there memories erased. Hatori is the zodiac member with the power to do that."

"Really? How does he do it?"

"I don't know really. I just want you to be careful and not be alone with him."

"Alright."

"Now that that's out of the way, we have a bigger problem."

"Like what?"

"After that stunt in the classroom, you and I are probably going to be the hot new couple around school by the end of today. Word gets around here pretty fast."

Kagome blushed and hid her face in her hands.

"I am so sorry," she said.

Haru chuckled, "Don't worry about. Let 'em think what they want. Besides…" Haru put his arm around Kagome's shoulders, "any guy would be lucky to her a girl like you."

Kagome just hid her face from Haru's eyes.

-O0o0O-

"Look at that Higurashi girl!" Mio said tightening the hold on the envelope she was holding. She and Minami were running an errand for their teacher when they happened to see Kagome talking with Haru outside their classroom.

"That's Sohma Hatsuharu isn't it?" Minami said with venom dripping off her voice.

"Higurashi has all the Sohmas wrapped around her little fingers!"

"Just like Honda."

"Only worse. We have to tell President Motoko. We need to move forward with that plan of hers."

"But she said that it was too early to ask her about Prince Yuki."

"We have to do something! If she's that chummy with Hatsuharu, just imagine her with Yuki."

"You're right." Minami and Mio both went into the classroom determined to put an end to whatever Kagome was up to.

-O0o0O-

"You sure it's alright if I go home with the two of you again?" Kagome said walking to Shigure's beside Tohru while Yuki walked in front of them and Kyo was behind them. Both of them were quiet; Yuki had said a polite good afternoon to Kagome and Tohru while Kyo didn't say anything.

"Of course it is," Tohru said.

"Thanks," Kagome said, "By the way, Yuki." Yuki turned when he heard his name being called, "Are you feeling better? I didn't get a chance to talk to you."

"I'm fine really," Yuki said.

"Look on the bright side," Kagome said, "Ayame's bound to be gone by now." Kagome didn't care either way; Ayame grew on her quite a bit.

Tohru opened the door to Shigure's house and then the sliding door to the living room.

"Hello, everyone!" Ayame shouted from his spot next to Shigure, "I see that you couldn't wait to see me and had to come straight home."

"I stand corrected," Kagome said.

"So, you're still here?" Tohru asked and the others sweat dropped.

"Yes," Ayame said, "Just looking at some old photographs."

Kagome and Tohru both sat down next to the two zodiac members to look at the photos.

"You two look so young," Tohru said, "Are these from high school?"

"Yes," Shigure said, "Ah, the wonderful days of youth."

"Wow. You all are pretty cute. You look just like Yuki, Aya-kun," Kagome said. The whole room paused.

"What did you just call him?" Yuki asked in a very tight voice.

'Why would she call my brother by that ridiculous nickname?' Yuki thought, 'And more importantly…did she just imply I was cute?'

"It's alright if I call you Aya-kun, isn't it?" Kagome asked Ayame.

"Of course, hime-sama," Ayame said, "Call me whatever you like."

Shigure sniffled and fake tears, "But what about me?"

"How about Shi-kun?" Kagome asked.

"Perfect!" Shigure shouted.

'I can't believe she's doing this!' Kyo thought.

'At this rate, he's never going to leave,' Yuki thought.

There was a knock on the door that interrupted the group. Kyo and Yuki were grateful for the distraction; Ayame stopped talking.

"I wonder who it could be." Tohru thought aloud.

"Kagome!" was heard and Momiji ran into the room and dove straight for Kagome. The impact caused her to fall to the ground.

"Momiji, what the hell are you doing here?!" Kyo shouted. Momiji just stuck his tongue out at him.

"Hello," Haru said as he walked into the room. Kagome was just sitting up and settling Momiji to sit in her lap. He held onto her waist.

"Oh, Haru too," Tohru said.

"Just what are you doing here?" Yuki asked.

"Sorry," a taller man said as walked into the room. He had brown hair—the left side of his bangs was longer than the right—and had leaf green eyes…eye.

"The door was unlocked so I just let myself in," he said.

"Hi, Hatori!" Tohru said.

'Hatori?' Kagome thought as she subconsciously held Momiji little tighter, 'That's the zodiac member Haru warned me about.' Kagome looked at Haru and he smiled reassuringly. Kagome smiled back and lightened up her hold on Momiji

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kyo shouted when he notice Momiji snuggle deeper into Kagome.

"What I do?" Momiji whined loudly.

"Momiji," Yuki said, "You really shouldn't jump on Kagome every time you see her."

"Aw, but Kagome doesn't mind, do you?" Momiji asked as he looked up at her with his light caramel colored eyes.

"Of course I don't mind!" Kagome said and cradled Momiji's head towards her chest, "I love you so much!" Momiji closed his eyes in contentment while Kagome pulled him closer to her.

'So this is what Akito was talking about,' Hatori thought as he looked at the pair, 'No wonder he wants to keep an eye on her.'

"At any rate," Hatori said, "Ayame, I came to pick you up. Hatsuharu told me to come get you."

Everyone expected Ayame to put up some sort of fight and was surprised when he just got and gave them all a quick farewell.

"Momiji," Haru said while Hatori and Ayame walked out the door, "it's time to go."

"Aw, but I want to stay with Kagome some more," Momiji whined.

"You heard him," Kyo said, "Go home." He was really tired of the little rabbit.

"Bye," Momiji said before getting out of Kagome's embrace and standing up.

"Don't worry," Kagome said and gave Momiji one last hug, "You'll see me later."

"Promise?" Momiji said. Kagome held out her pink and Momiji linked his with hers when he caught on to what she was doing.

"I promise," she said. Momiji and Haru left the room each giving one final wave.

"I guess I should leave too," Kagome said.

"Do you really have to?" Tohru asked.

"I should," Kagome said, "After all, I haven't called my aunt to tell her I was here. I must have made her worry. I'll bring you back your uniform tomorrow."

"Good bye," Tohru said.

"Farewell, my sweet…sweet Kagome," Shigure said and grasped one of her hands, "Until I am once again blessed by your radiant presence, I shall bask in the light of my delicate flower Tohru."

Two fists collided with Shigure's head causing him to let go of Kagome.

"Okay, then," Kagome said, "I'll see ya!"

Once Kagome was out of the door, Tohru went to get started on dinner.

"You really shouldn't have hit me so hard," Shigure said rubbing the spot on his head.

"No, you really should learn to control that mouth of yours," Yuki said.

"So, Kagome's gone then?" Shigure said. Yuki and Kyo both nodded.

"I hope she doesn't get lost again," Shigure said.

Shigure left the room and Yuki went up to his. Kyo stood still for a moment before going out the door. Shigure pocked his head out of door and smiled.

-O0o0O-

"Don't tell me," Kagome said as she looked around at the trees, "I'm lost again."

"You're pathetic aren't you," someone said behind her.

"Kyo," Kagome said, "What do you want? You didn't meet your quota for telling people off Kagome said as she looked around at the trees, "I'm lost again."

'Dammit, she's still angry,' Kyo thought, 'Just great, that pervert gets away with saying those things and I can't have one little outburst.'

"Okay," Kyo said, "I deserve that."

"What do you mean?" Kagome said and then paused before saying, "I think you deserve much worse than that." Kagome turned to walk away. Normally, she wasn't one to hold a grudge, but Kyo was a lot like InuYasha; not that she disliked InuYasha, he's just an ass.

'I really shouldn't project what I feel on Kyo,' Kagome thought, 'It's not fair. He may be similar to InuYasha but he's not him.'

"Like I'm trying to apologize to you," Kyo said, "Why don't you just listen to me?"

"You're right," Kagome said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ignored you. And I was just worried about you earlier. I have been thinking a lot."

"Oh," Kyo said not having much to say but was relieved that the tension was gone.

"So," Kagome said, "Any chance you're apology involves leading me out of here again?"

Kyo sighed, "Yeah. Come on. Don't expect this every time you get lost."

"I'll find my way around," Kagome said, "…eventually." Kyo chuckled and Kagome pouted adorably.

'One minute she's worried, then she's pissed, then she's sorry, now she's pouting,' Kyo thought.

"Ya know," Kyo said looking sideways at Kagome, "You're…you're really something."

"I wouldn't say that," Kagome said with a smile on her face, "but I guess it means a lot coming for you."

-O0o0O-

Kagome took a deep breath before entering the vegetable store. She had her excuses all ready.

"Hello?" she called out when she reached the top of the stairs.

"Hello?" she repeated.

"Kagome?" Motoko said and stepped out of her room. She was covering a cordless phone with her hand.

"Hey, Momo-chan, sorry abo—" Kagome started but Motoko shoved the phone in her direction.

"It's your mother," Motoko said, "She told me she really needed to talk to you."

Kagome paused before taking the phone from Motoko.

'I wonder what she could want.'

-O0o0O-

punkish furball—That was a long one. What can I say? I'm on a roll! L83R!

(edited 9/3/07)