A/N: Hullo again. Sorry for the wait, but I predict you will be pleased! We've got a lot of plot and character development in store, so get to it!

"Okay, so let me see if I've got this straight

"Okay, so let me see if I've got this straight. No one's seen or heard from Kagome since she left for work yesterday—after borrowing Sango's car, right?" Miroku slowly tried to sum up what his girlfriend had been saying during her frantic discussion with Kagome's mother.

She nodded. "AND we can't forget that this guy, Hojo, was supposed to be picked up by Kagome yesterday. Add to that the letter for Kagome-chan and, well… I just don't know what's going on anymore." Sango was lying back on her couch with her eyes closed and her head flung back.

Kagome's mother had been hysterical, of course, so the phone call did not go smoothly. Koga was beginning to wear a path in the floor from his incessant pacing and Miroku was a mix of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, he was still upset that Sango had allowed a drunken MALE demon spend the night; but he couldn't stand seeing his beloved so distraught over the mystery disappearance of her best friend and her car. He was concerned for Kagome as well, but not convinced that it was time to panic as of yet.

"My darling, would it not be prudent to start the search where she was seen last?"

Sango opened her eyes and blinked a few times as she let his suggestion sink in. Slowly she raised her head in amazement. He seemed ready for this reaction and modestly raised one hand to stop her from speaking. "No, my love. Sarcasm is not necessary. For the sake of Kagome-san, why don't we skip the traditionally poke at myself and get down to business, mm?"

She considered this for a moment and smiled in response. Grabbing a light jacket and her purse, she stopped momentarily at the door. She spun around and ran back to where Miroku was collecting himself and pounced on him, throwing her arms around his neck as she plastered him with a long, deep kiss. As they parted they each seemed flushed, surprised and rather pleased. With an uncomfortable cough from Koga, the couple broke eye contact and Sango led the troops to the scene of the crime.

--

Kagome stretched and sighed as the last tendrils of sleep began to peel themselves away. She hated sleeping in strange places but absolutely adored being bundled up in cold weather. That was why, after a lengthy and violent pillow fight, the room's thermostat had been set to 60 degrees F. This was also why Kagome appeared to have been swallowed by her fluffy comforter. Only a tuft of unruly black hair had managed to escape the snuggly prison she had fashioned during the night. It was quite amusing to see the tuft occasionally sprout a few wiggling fingers which acted as little temperature probes, testing to see if it was still too cold to emerge from her floral-patterned cocoon.

Inu Yasha, being made to take the role of a gentleman, had been forced to relinquish ownership of his bed's thin blankets to Kagome's growing den of linens and had subsequently spent a long night wrapped in his sheets, all his clothes—including his jacket, and most of their supply of towels.

When Kagome finally woke up, it took a moment for her to remember where she was. She was in a hotel room alone with Inu Yasha, the handsome and annoying hanyou, on the run from thugs and on route to Las Vegas.

She looked over to Inu Yasha's sleeping form. Even in his sleep he was wearing a scowl—he had not been pleased with the sleeping arrangements or at having lost not only in a tournament of jan-ken-pou (rock-paper-scissors), but three straight games of tic-tac-toe and a pillow fight.

The sight of him so pathetic and shivering with a hand towel covering the top of his ears and head lead Kagome to a stroke of inspiration. Moving as though she was in a bowl of molasses she slowly unwrapped herself from her blanket fortress and made her way to her purse. She was biting her lip to stifle the laughter and breathing as slowly as possible so as to not wake her prey. Thanking the gods that she'd left her purse unzipped, she easily was able to grab Inu Yasha's camera. (He'd lost custody of it after taking a very unflattering picture of Kagome asleep and drooling on herself.)

As she crept closer to move in for the kill, she smiled and thought to herself as the flash went off, oh yes, pay back is a bitch!

--

When they arrived at the DMV, Miroku, Koga and Sango took a moment to let the scene settle in.

The entire area was roped off in yellow police tape. There were fire engines, cops and reporters everywhere. The two shriveled old ladies seemed perfectly at home amongst the chaos and chatted happily to a police officer of high rank. Miroku, sensing that this would not go over well with his already anxious girlfriend put an arm tentatively around her shoulders. When Sango's brain had finally processed the images around her, she put one hand to her pale lips and fainted into Miroku's arms.

When she finally came to again, it was to find too many faces all hovering with mixed levels of concern, amusement and interest. Miroku and Koga showing the concern along with what must be some paramedics, amusement from the two Marys and interest from the reporters along the fringe of faces standing over her.

As Miroku and Koga helped her gently to stand she forced out the words, "Where is she?" The Marys exchanged looks of forced gaiety. The red-head spoke first. "Oh, don'cha werry nun aboot yer lass! She's oof wit' da' 'andsum woon, Aye'd reckon."

Sango's head was still swimming while she processed what the tiny Irish woman had said.

"Y-YOU MEAN SHE'S WITH INU YASHA?! IN MY CAR?!"

The darker Mary stepped up to confirm her partner's theory. "Si, meja. I tink da's wha' che said."

For the second time, Sango fainted.

--

It had been quite for almost a quarter of an hour, now. After the incident with the towel picture, Kagome was still too pleased with herself to let Inu Yasha's pouting aura affect her. She was also trying to not think about where he had gotten the funds to afford such a decent hotel room. Living in New York City, you see some really, really, disgusting rooms. There wasn't even a single bloodstain in their room!

They had grabbed some complimentary breakfast and jumped in the car without much further ado and had been riding in relative peace for a while. It made Kagome a little nervous, actually. Their squabble-pout-ignore routine was getting to be a little too comfortable, too. She was almost looking forward to picking fights with him: it seemed to be what they were best at.

She was still a little freaked out from the man in the window last night, though. It seemed as though people's glances lingered a little too long or that there was something suspicious in every twitch or sudden movement she caught out the corner of her eye.

Maybe I'm not quite cut out for this adventurous lifestyle.

"We're making good time."

The words were so sudden that Kagome forgot she wasn't alone with her thoughts. Shaking off her feelings of anxiety, she focused on the half-demon next to her. "Hmm?"

"Sheesh. Pay attention when a man speaks to you!"

She felt herself bristle at the sexist comment. "Why do you think we spend so much time training men and dogs? We'll tell you when it's your turn to talk. But go ahead, you've got my attention." She finished sweetly.

He was speechless for a moment, obviously not expecting her remark to be quite so brutal. Kagome, however, seized his moment of weakness and pressed her advantage.

"Well? I'm sorry that I don't have any treats on me, but go ahead: speak, boy!"

"OI! I happen to find that extremely offensive, wen—ah—ugh—Kagome!" His ears were flattened back and there was no sign of his usual humor behind his words. Kagome watched him to see if her words had really made such an impact or if it was a bluff. When she saw Inu Yasha chance a glance at her, she knew she'd hit where it hurt. Feeling slightly ashamed of herself she spoke.

"Yeah, it really hurts when people assume they're better than you are because of something stupid like your blood or your gender, huh?"

She watched as he mulled over her words. After a few minutes of stony silence, though, she gave up hope that he'd gotten her point.

Kagome was watching the lush landscape pass by and let her thoughts begin to wander again. It was obvious they had hurt each other's feelings and they both knew how easy it would be to fix everything but neither seemed capable of backing down first.

When the car started to slow down, Kagome was brought out of her brooding. Inu Yasha had pulled over to the shoulder of the road and stopped the car. He was still staring into the space in front of the steering wheel, but Kagome doubted he was seeing anything at all.

"Look. You should know that I don't like that you're here."

"Wow. What a crappy apology." At her bitter words Inu Yasha turned to her with a look of frustration.

"Don't interrupt! And who said it was supposed to be an apology?" Kagome glowered at him but remained silent. Inu Yasha turned back away from her and continued what seemed to be a rehearsed script.

"ANY-way… Like I was saying, you should know that I don't want you here. This has nothing to do with you. I don't know you and I sure as hell don't I want you to know me. You've got people who are worried about you and will probably try to come after you. I've got killers and demons and mobsters after me. I don't like having people around me, okay? Because as soon as I start to like them being around, they have a funny habit of leaving or dying or betraying me. Starting to make sense, Princess? I can't deal with you. This isn't a picnic or a cozy road trip. I am running away because I am not strong enough. Happy to hear that? I hope you are because it is hard as hell for me to say."

Kagome was frozen. It was like something inside of him had snapped. He seemed so… vulnerable. Kagome tried to imagine how it must feel to be him. To live for so long. To be a part of two worlds and not belong to either. To be hated and feared and hunted. And alone. What would she do if Sango had betrayed her trust and thrown her out on the streets? Or what if she had to live long enough to see all her human friends and family pass on without her. How could anyone bear all that?

"We're about ten miles outside of town. I am going to drop you off at the police station and you are going to tell them… I don't know; tell them whatever the hell you want. Just go home to your family and friends and get the hell out of my life!"

She felt the tears welling in her eyes but couldn't bring herself to show him weakness now. Not with what this was costing him already. She swallowed hard and blinked away the tears. She needed to be strong right now. With a deep breath to steady her, she turned to face him.

He had started to bend the steering wheel; he was gripping it so tightly. She saw the unshed tears being blinked away and the bitter resolve behind them.

"I will not leave you."

She could barely find the strength to say it. But she saw what it had cost him to say these things to her. It was only fair to show him the same respect. That didn't mean that she had to say, look him in the eye. She swallowed again and went on.

"I won't go. You can threaten me all you like but you cannot make me leave." The tears were starting to choke out the other words she wanted to say. Just as words tumbled out of Inu Yasha before, now tears spilled from Kagome's eyes.

She heard his terse words, "You can't come. I… I can't…"

"Can't? No, you 'won't'. I'm sorry that you've been hurt. I'm sorry that I am weak and a burden and that I always say the wrong things but I am not sorry that I am here." She turned to him again. "…and I am not sorry that I met you." She took a deep breath to steady herself as a wave of sobs broke. "I will not leave you, Inu Yasha!"

He turned on her, his face flushed with frustration. "WHY? Why not? It's easy, Kagome! Just open the door and don't look back! Forget about me—it's easy, dammit!"

Kagome sobbed harder than ever and screamed back, "how can I forget someone I'm in love with?!"

The sudden silence that struck the Volvo laid heavily on them both. Inu Yasha looked like he'd been shot and Kagome looked like she wished someone would shoot her.

Slowly, he turned back to the steering wheel, started the ignition, and merged back on the highway. Kagome turned her face as far away from him as possible and continued to watch the scenery go by as silent tears fell down her cheeks.

--

"So you're telling me that Inu Yasha's car was set on fire so Kagome took him in…" It seemed painful for Sango to say it, "…in my car… and that's the last anyone has seen or heard from them?"

"Si."

Miroku held out his arms behind Sango, ready to catch her should she faint for the third time that day. As she was too irritated to faint at the moment, she waived him off and pointedly ignored him when he started pouting.

Koga took up from where Sango's interrogation left off. "So you two left for the night, as usual, and when you came in to work this morning…" He turned and looked to the charred remnants of the DMV. "…it was like this?"

"Aye, me boy-o."

Miroku, trying a new tack to garner his beloved's attention, asked if it was safe to look around inside. Apparently neither of the Marys had felt it necessary to find out as they recommended asking the fire fighters if the structure was sound.

After getting the okay to snoop around inside from the fire fighters, however, they had to next get past the police.

"The police! Of course!" Sango was furious at herself and the two males with her for not thinking of going to the cops sooner. "We can tell the cops to keep a lookout for my car! Maybe they can find them!"

When Koga scoffed this, Sango turned and scowled. "Well, do you have a better idea Mr. 'Where's-my-woman'?"

"Of course. I'll go after them. I can track her down if I can catch her scent. Screw the cops. I'm a full-blooded youkai. Nothing can stop me from getting my woman back." He smirked and looked down his nose at the human men around him.

Sango looked disgusted and flicked Koga's ear. "Dumbass. Do you not remember running all over New York City last night trying to catch her scent?"

He looked crestfallen for but a moment. "But if the police can spot your car and we go to where they were, I can follow them from there!"

He looked excitedly from Sango to Miroku, seeking praise for his idea. The couple shared a silent moment of communication before Sango nodded. "Alright," she said, "we could do that. So I assume this means you have plenty of money to spend on gas and food and lodgings?"

"Oh yeah! I was planning on taking a long road trip after getting my license. Guess this'll have to do."

There was an awkward pause before Miroku stepped up. "Ah, so do you have your license yet?"

"Nope."

"So that means Sango and I will have to do all the driving?"

"Of course! I'll be trying to follow their scent! I can't drive at the same time! I'd totally loose concentration!"

"Ah. Fair enough." Miroku conceited.

Koga was grinning enthusiastically. "So, when do we leave?"

--

After a seeming eternity, Kagome's full bladder and empty stomach won over her overwhelming embarrassment of that morning's conversation.

"Okay, I'm dying. Must pee. Must eat. Now."

"In that order?" Inu Yasha smirked. Kagome was a bit surprised that he was talking to her like nothing had happened.

"Not necessarily. Just make it happen! And no psychotic attendants if we go to a gas station, this time!"

"Picky, picky, picky."

"HAIYAKU!"

"HURRY!"

"Hai, hai, hai. Urasai, ne?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shut it , will ya?"

--

Casually, Inu Yasha glanced at Kagome as she got out of her side of the car. He noticed her smiling softly for what seemed like the first time in forever as they locked up the Volvo outside of a seemingly deserted generic burger joint.

"Listen, I want to check on the tires, the car is starting to pull a little. You go ahead. I'll be in behind you soon." He said most of it over his shoulder so as to avoid looking her in the eyes.

She seemed to notice this, but thankfully didn't press the matter. She sounded nonchalant as she turned and said over her shoulder that she was gonna order something to eat, too. Looking at the tires was mostly just an excuse to spend some time away from her and think for a second.

He did it. He told her all the quiet things he'd been thinking. He said he didn't want her there. He told her to go to the cops; to leave. Of course even he knew that wouldn't save her completely. Half the cops in the country belonged to Fluffy and his cronies. She wouldn't be safe even if she went away.

He bent down to look at the tires. The front right did seem a little low… He put a clawed hand to the crusted rim of the tire to feel for any leaks. As he felt around his mind wandered again to what happened earlier.

And then… what she said… I will not leave you!

EEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRHHHHH

The sound broke his concentration and he looked to see the rim still in his clutch, but now bent nearly in half. Oops.

A/N: Well? Let me know what you think. It's always scary getting to Inu Yasha's emotions and really hard to keep him in character... Let me know if it worked! I've got some time off from work, so hopefully I can knock out another chapter or two this week... Cross your fingers for me!