The sun was high in the sky when the three travelers came upon a ravine.
"I assume we're close to Asahikawa." Kagome droned when Inuyasha let her off his back.
"You assumed correctly." Akiyoshi nodded. "This is Sounkyo Gorge, and this..." He gestured to the large mountain to the south of them. "...is Asahi-dake."
"Pretty." Inuyasha yawned. "However, as it happens, I'm not particularly interested in a big rock, and I'm pretty sure Kagome isn't, either."
"That's a good intuition you have there." Kagome pointed out with a smirk, and Inuyasha smirked back. Akiyoshi chuckled.
"I figured you wouldn't be. But the only reason I wanted us to stop here is because this mountain is our hideout. If ever trouble strikes in this small town, we merely return to Asahi-dake."
"Huh. Now that's pretty clever, Mister Sword." Kagome whistled, impressed, and Inuyasha's smirk fell.
"I thank you, Kagome-san." Akiyoshi smiled. "Now we should head for town. I'd like to see how far the news is spreading." He walked ahead of them, but Inuyasha made Kagome trail behind with him.
"I really don't trust this guy, Kagome."
"Oh, why not?" Kagome waved him off. "Hey, sword guy's cool with me."
"You just say that because he called you pretty." Inuyasha huffed.
"What are you, jealous?"
"What reason do I have to be jealous?" Inuyasha drawled. "I just don't trust him, that's all. He seems like the kind of person who would be a spy for evil forces." Kagome stared at him, wondering if she'd heard him right.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe my ears were cleaned correctly." Kagome dug her fingers around in both her ears and released them with a soft pop. "Okay, what did you say? Did you say Akiyoshi is possibly a "spy" for "evil forces"? Is-is that what you said? Because that's what I heard."
"You make it sound so unthinkable." Inuyasha mumbled.
"No, it's not unthinkable. I'm surprised you got that impression from me. The impression that you should have picked up is that it's stupid. What the hell runs through your mind?"
"Just forget I even said anything, okay?"
"Oh, don't worry—it's forgotten." Kagome snorted, shaking her head. "I still think you're jealous."
"Whatever." Kagome walked up alongside Akiyoshi and said, "Yo, Sword Man, tell me about your island."
"Kunashiri Island is a peaceful place. It serves as a training ground for all kinds of warriors. I was born and raised there by my mentor, Mushin. He taught me the art of the ninja."
"What's the deal on Kunashiri Island, anyway? I know it's on the map and everything, but I've never heard of anyone actually going there."
"That's because the island is a mystical place. Only natives can come and go as they please, but foreigners are unable to cross the barrier."
"That's so weird! But I guess that's a good way to keep enemies out."
"It is. That was the primary reason for the construction of that barrier. But I am glad we're able to leave the island."
"Why is that?"
"Kunashiri women, while strong and intelligent, are nowhere near as beautiful as the women of Hokkaido." Akiyoshi replied smoothly. Kagome laughed and blushed, embarrassed.
"Oh, stop, Akiyoshi." She waved him off, trying to clear the red from her face. "Maybe some Hokkaido girls are pretty, but I'm not one of them, trust me."
"By the contrary; that is what separates you from other Hokkaido girls—you are a woman." Yet again did Kagome's skin flare up.
"Gimme a break..." Inuyasha mumbled, rolling his eyes as Kagome giggled girlishly. "Hey, if you two lovebirds up there are finished, we're crossing into town now."
"Are we? I hadn't noticed." Akiyoshi grinned, his eyes still on Kagome, who looked away, red. "Now, this is the idea that I had. Since you're a hanyou, it's more than likely you won't be very welcome here, Inuyasha."
"I'll pin my ears down." He scowled, crossing his arms.
"The excuse of cosplaying can only last for so long." Akiyoshi warned.
"I think I can make it long enough."
"Well, okay." Akiyoshi shrugged. "Then Kagome, you'll have to pose as my wife...you won't mind, will you?"
"Uhh..."
"Whoa, Jack, slow down! Why does anyone have to pose as anything?!"
"Inuyasha, be reasonable. Her being my wife is more plausible than her being yours." Akiyoshi chuckled, a bit condescendingly to Kagome's ears.
"Hey..."
"What's that supposed to mean, asshole?!" Inuyasha growled, getting into Akiyoshi's calm face.
"It means, maybe you're better off impersonating our servant."
"I'll serve my fucking fist in your face, dipstick!"
"HEY!" Kagome yelled, running quick interference between the two and postponing a possible fight. "Have you two gone insane?! Stop fighting amongst yourselves! We've got more problems to worry about! And nobody's posing as anything! I'm Kagome, you're Akiyoshi, and you're Inuyasha—deal with it!" The males stared at Kagome, who didn't realize she was glowing faint black, until she looked at herself. She cleared her throat, calming herself down so that the light disappeared. "Sorry about that; I got a bit worked up. Hehe...now, like I was saying: Inuyasha, stop picking fights with people."
"I what?!"
"And Akiyoshi, stop fanning flames."
"..." Kagome left them both standing in shock and continued on her way into the town.
Kagome couldn't stop laughing at the extremely irritated look on Inuyasha's face as he incessantly scratched at his ears. They were staying in a hotel at Akiyoshi's expense, and he was currently purchasing food for them all.
"Stupid damn fucking pins..." He swore under his breath.
"Dude, stop picking at them." Kagome snickered. "You're gonna make them come out."
"I don't care!"
"Well, it doesn't really matter anyway. No one's in here."
"RAAGH!" Inuyasha snatched the pins from his ears with a relieved roar, and Kagome fell over laughing. "Thank God! I thought I was gonna go insane!"
"You looked pretty damn close." She pointed out as he rubbed his red ears.
"Hey, can I ask you somethin'?"
"I guess so."
"What was up with the whole...glowing bit earlier?"
"...Glowing...?"
"Don't play dumb."
"I dunno." She shrugged. "Must be some weird side effect of my fucked up mind, don't you think?"
"No, I don't think so. I don't think so at all. That's how Tsubaki used to get when she got pissed. So let me ask you this: do you have anything to tell me?" They looked at each other for a long time, but Kagome refused to relent. Tsubaki had told her not to tell him, and so she would comply.
"Fine." Inuyasha sighed, annoyed. "If you don't wanna tell me, that's just peachy. But that's okay; I'll find out on my own."
"I'm sure you would...if there was anything to find out, of course." Kagome said evenly.
"Yeah, yeah...I bet you'd tell your new boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Kagome laughed incredulously. "Now that's hilarious. You're obviously blind. I don't have one of those."
"Don't you?" Inuyasha quirked an eyebrow, and grabbed her hands, mocking Akiyoshi. "Oh, my dearest Kagome, you're such a beautiful woman!" He taunted, and though she was red-faced, Kagome couldn't help but laugh. "The girls on Kuniyoshi aren't nearly as pretty as you! You won't mind pretending to be my wife, will you? I'm so lucky you and servant-boy half-breed Inuyasha aren't together—that gives me the opportunity to have you all to myself!"
"You're an ass, Inuyasha." Kagome cackled uncontrollably, and Inuyasha smirked, letting go of her.
"He said all of that crap and meant it."
"'Servant boy half-breed Inuyasha?'"
"Like I said, he meant it all."
"He didn't mean it like it sounded."
"How come you're defending him?"
"How come you're hating so hard?!"
"Uh, in case you haven't noticed, I don't "hate". I--" The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hey, speak of the devil. It's your boyfriend, Kagome."
"Hater." Kagome sniffed, getting up and going to the door. She didn't recognize the extremely handsome man behind a bunch of grocery bags in his hand.
"Whoa, who's that?" Inuyasha shook his head, throwing his guard up.
"I don't know..."
"Very funny, you two." It was Akiyoshi's voice, but they'd never seen this face before.
"Akiyoshi?" Kagome squinted at him, as though she couldn't believe who she was seeing. "Is that you, dude?"
"Who else would it be?" He chuckled. His face really matched his voice now.
"Uh...where's your...you know, mask?" Kagome blinked, letting him in the room.
"I had to take it off. People were looking at me funny, like I was about to rob the store or something... Didn't need that."
"Oh. Well, what'd you get? I'm starving like a dog." Inuyasha started rifling through the bags, but Kagome smacked his hand. "Hey!" He recoiled, frowning at her. "What's your problem? I was gonna share."
"Don't be a pig. We gotta put the food in the refrigerator before you just start plundering like that!"
"What are you, my mother?" Inuyasha grumbled, but when Kagome shot him a piercing glare that made him flinch, he began to help her put the groceries away. Akiyoshi laughed, sitting on the couch. "How come Frodo over there's not helping?"
"Because, dimwit, he brought and bought the food."
"You say it like I couldn't've done the same."
"The point is that you didn't." Kagome commented with a wry smile. "And thus, you're putting away groceries."
"What kind of sucky grocery shopping did you do?! There's no fucking ramen in here!" Inuyasha spluttered. "How the hell do you expect—jeez!"
"You're so ungrateful!" Kagome yelled, hitting him in the head. "He goes out and buys a bunch of wonderful food and you're complaining over some damn instant noodles! I can't believe you!"
"Hey, is it my fault he doesn't know how to shop?! And stop hitting me! You won't like me if I hit you back!"
"I have a feeling we've already been through this conversation, and I remember how it ended. Stop now while you're ahead." Kagome huffed, pushing past him. Inuyasha scoffed as well, mumbling, "Women."
"Trouble in paradise, it seems." Akiyoshi cleared his throat, smiling in amusement.
"Say one more word, you little shit, and I'll beat your face into the wall." Inuyasha growled, sitting on the floor.
"Akiyoshi, what do you want to eat?" Kagome called from the kitchen.
"Anything you cook is more than fine, Kagome-chan." Akiyoshi replied, and Inuyasha gaped at him.
"Oh, so it's -chan now?! And why don't I have a say in what to eat?!"
"BECAUSE YOUR OPINION DOESN'T MATTER!" Kagome screamed, making Inuyasha's ears flatten on his head.
"Keh. Stupid woman."
"I heard that! Keep talking and the only thing you're getting to eat is hot pan, and I do not mean bread!" Inuyasha started to open his mouth, then thought better of it—he certainly didn't want an irate Kagome chasing after him with a skillet. So he stayed quiet, patiently but with no less irritation enduring Akiyoshi's snickering.
Later that night, Kagome slept in both of the beds, which had been pushed together for her. Neither Akiyoshi or Inuyasha wanted to be seen as callous or "ungentlemanly", but Inuyasha was the first to suggest Kagome sleep in both beds. Kagome had been startled by this, but she accepted, putting Inuyasha on much better standing with her, to his smug pleasure. But Akiyoshi, never one to be outdone, did the actual pushing, and now he was on the balcony and Inuyasha on the floor.
What was going on? It was almost as if they were fighting over her or something. Were they insane? Inuyasha had no reason to be jealous of Akiyoshi; sure, he flattered her a lot, and he was nice, but she didn't have much of a romantic interest in him. To be honest, she didn't have the time to be romantically interested in anyone, what with the danger of Kamikaze lurking over their heads 24/7—or at least, her head, anyway.
A light tap on her shoulder startled her and she turned onto her side, seeing Inuyasha's bright amber eyes staring back at her.
"Inuyasha?"
"Were you asleep?"
"No...just thinking. What's wrong with you?"
"...Are you mad at me?"
"Mad? Why would I be mad at you?"
"I dunno...I guess 'cause I was making fun of Akiyoshi."
"..." Kagome blinked. "Do you think I like him or something?"
"Yeah. At least, that's how it seems." Through the darkness, Kagome noticed the red tint to his ears, and absently reached out to rub them. Inuyasha's eyes went wide and his face burned with embarrassment.
"You're really stuck on this thing, aren't you? Look, I told you—I like Akiyoshi, but I don't like him, like him."
"That's good." Inuyasha murmured, his voice somewhat distant. "'Cause he's really weird."
"Oh, yeah?" Kagome smiled. "Why do you say that?"
"Because we're on the fourth floor, yet he's crouched on the railing of the balcony like some kind of spider-cat, and if I'm not mistaken, he's asleep. In my book, that qualifies him as a weirdo." Instinctively, Inuyasha leaned into her touch, making a kind of purring sound deep in his throat.
"I'd say he's not the only weirdo, or the only cat." Kagome giggled, even more so when Inuyasha actually meowed loudly. "You really gotta be more careful with these pins...I think I feel bumps."
"I'll let you do it from now on."
"I bet you wish you didn't have to do that, don't you?"
"Of course I do. But it's not like it's necessary for me to leave, so as far as I'm concerned, I'll keep my ears unfastened."
"You really should. I like your ears."
"You've said that before." Inuyasha breathed, laying his head on her lap, and for some reason, Kagome felt a tickle in her stomach.
"Yeah, 'cause I meant it." She got no reply. "Inuyasha?" He was fast asleep.
Black Ice: Aw...! Gotta love the WAFFiness!!! It's so cute!
Blood Rain: Yawn. Where's the actions?! I wanna see some actions!
Black Ice: And that is why you're the action writer, and I'm the romance writer. Keep to that, hear?
Today's Rant: Casey and Caylee. Enough Said.
Blood Rain: Oh, my freaking GOD. I have been hearing about these people since the middle of last year. I'm totally all sympathetic and whatever that the kid's dead, okay, fine. It would've been okay if they'd left it at that. But fuck, people: they wanna act like they didn't know Casey killed the child! I mean, be for real!! They had piles of incriminating evidence: the smell of death in the car, Internet searches for whatever the hell that girl was searching for—it's obvious she did it! I mean, damn! They ran this thing to death for most of the year, and now they wanna carry that drama into this year. Just give the bitch life and let's get on with ours!
Bonus Rant: What Is Nancy Grace's Problem? Is She On Crack Or What?
Black Ice: I'm sorry, but this rant just couldn't wait for another chapter. I honestly think something's wrong with CNN's Nancy Grace. She's freaking obsessed with Caylee and Casey, I'm serious. That's all I want to say. Ugh.
Blood Rain: Ice isn't very good at ranting. That rant was seriously unfunny, and you borrowed from mine. You suck, Ice.
Black Ice: (lip trembles, then she breaks out into tears and runs out of the room)
Blood Rain: (anime-sweatdrops) Eh, let her cry one off...