Chapter 16 – Camping Part 3

"It's too hot," Koga whined.

Ayame rolled her eyes. "I thought it was too cold. That's what you said half an hour ago."

"Too hot, too cold, what's the difference?"

"About twenty degrees."

"Will you guys quit bickering?" Inuyasha snapped irritably. "You're getting on my nerves!"

"What are you gonna do about it anyway?!" Koga snarled at him.

"I could take you down with one hand."

"Oh yeah, dog turd?! Bring it on!"

"Stop!" Sango yelled.

Pfft, yeah right.

The two circled each other.

"Enough!" yelled Kagome, throwing a barrier between them. She glared. "Jesus, do I have to do everything?! We are lost, hungry, thirsty, and now I have to keep you two from ripping each other's throats out! Are you trying to kill each other?!"

"Kag-" Inuyasha started, but she whipped around to glare at him.

"When did I say you could talk?!"

"You asked a question," Koga pointed out neutrally… but backed away as Kagome turned her basilisk glare on him.

"Do you want me to start on you too, Koga?" she whispered in a deadly voice. "Because I swear to God if you're not careful, then I will rip your throat out."

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at Koga from behind Kagome's shoulder. Koga growled, baring his teeth.

Miroku stepped in, laying a hand on Kagome's shoulder. "Alright, I think we're all a bit stressed out here. Let's refrain from biting each other's heads off, if we can."

"I am not stressed out!" Kagome shrieked, slapping away his hand.

"Sango…" Miroku pleaded.

"Let's stop before we have to resort to cannibalism," Sango said in a calm voice.

"Keh," Inuyasha folded his arms. "I wouldn't eat that stinkin' wolf if I was dying!"

"Same goes for you, mutt-face!"

"That the most inventive name you could come up with, pup?!"

"Why don't you say that to my face?!"

"Are you fucking challenging me?!"

"ENOUGH!"

A blast of spiritual energy shot at the two demons. Before either of them could do anything, they were encased in clear bubbles of energy. Yelling and pounding uselessly at their prison, the two discovered that they were completely soundproofed.

Kagome sighed. "Peace and quiet."

"Err, Kagome?"

"Yeah?"

"How's about you let them out so they can smell their way back where we came?"

Kagome blinked. "Oh. I hadn't thought of that." She looked longingly at the fuming beings. "Can we just leave them in there for five minutes? I really do like the quiet."

…

Shit.

It was raining.

"Hurry up!" Sango fumed, "It's freezing out here!" she stamped her feet, trying to dislodge the ice from her toes.

"We have a problem," Ayame said, running a hand through her sopping hair.

"What?" Kagome asked expectantly, looking at the three demons.

"The rain's washed away our scent," Ayame explained. "We're gonna have to find another way to get home, because there's nothing left.

Panic began to show in Kagome's face. "But… but…"

"Calm down, Kagome," Miroku said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find our way back in time."

Sango grinned. "Think of it like an adventure," she winked. "A few companions, weapons, and no civilisation. Almost like the Feudal Era!"

Koga raised an eyebrow. "Except for the fact we're all in jeans and shorts, of course. I don't think they were that big on denim in the Warring States."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, then looked over at his girlfriend. The day had turned from a pleasant heat to frigid rain, and she and the other girls were in shorts. Ayame would probably be ok, but the other two…

"I think we should stop for a while," he announced abruptly.

Koga boggled at him. "What the hell?"

"Well, it's getting late," Inuyasha shrugged. "We're not gonna get back tonight, and we're just gonna get hypothermia in the process. Maybe the school will have sent out a search party if we wait long enough."

Miroku snorted. "I doubt it. I have a theory that all teachers hate their students. Us getting lost is part of their elaborate scheme to exterminate us all!" his violet eyes blinked at them in true sincerity.

Scary.

"What time is it?" Sango asked, looking at the group, and rubbing the goosebumps on her arms.

No one answered.

"Is anybody actually wearing a watch?" she asked, exasperated.

"Nope," said Koga cheerfully. "We're gonna have to play this one by ear. I make it…" he squinted at his arm. "A freckle past a hair… no, wait… ah ha! A blonde hair past a dark one!"

"You have blonde hairs on your arms?" Ayame asked, intrigued. "I would have taken you more for the dark hair type of person."

"Yeah, well," a blush painted Koga's cheeks. "I thought I'd try out being blonde a while back. You know, a new look." He raised his voice in complaint. "Did you know that demons are stuck with whatever coloured hair they get?!"

Absolute silence greeted this comment.

"Dude," said Miroku, shaking his head. "I never ever want to hear that story ever again. That's just… disturbing."

…

A cave. Not exactly the ideal place to sleep.

But, hey. Better than rain… and to be honest, the floor was more comfortable than the rock-hard beds back at the cabins. What is it with school accommodation? The beds are always painful.

Kagome leaned back against the cave wall, biting her lip. How long were they gonna be staying here? It was dark outside. With a sinking feeling, she realised that they were probably stopping for the night.

She was right.

Koga sat down with an expansive sigh. "Well, this is comfortable," he said, looking about him in distaste. "This the best you could find, mutt?"

"Yes, beauty-queen," Inuyasha snapped.

"No need to get defensive," Koga said. "Anybody think of making up a fire?"

"What's got into you?" Sango snapped. "You could get up off your useless arse and do something constructive, you know, if you feel like it."

"Bu-" Koga began, and he was stopped by a meaningful look from Kagome.

"One more word and I'll purify your arse so fast you'll be whimpering on the ceiling before you know what hit you." She said flatly.

"Kinky," Miroku grinned.

She turned her basilisk glare on him. "Volunteering for a demonstration, Miroku?"

"N-n-n-no," he stammered, crawling backwards rapidly before launching himself behind the love of his life. "Sango, protect me from the mad crazy woman!"

"Need a Slayer's input?" Sango offered to Kagome.

Kagome grinned, and if you didn't know better, you would have sworn she had fangs. "You up for it?"

"INUYASHAAAAAA!" Miroku howled desperately, throwing himself at the half-demon's mercy. "I'M TOO CUTE TO DIIIIIIEEEEE!"

Inuyasha stepped back hurriedly as the wolves descended.

"Sorry mate, you're on your own!" he mumbled hurriedly, before running out of the way.

Dum dum dum…

…

"Hell, it's getting cold," Koga said, rubbing his arms.

"Oh, finally decided on the temperature, have you?" Ayame said snippily. "I was wondering when you would make up your mind; it's such a relief to get that off my shoulders."

"Ayame, what is with you?!" Koga asked, exasperated. "You've been ratty for ages!"

"Oh yeah, as if you don't know!" she snapped at him.

Koga exchanged helpless looks with Inuyasha, who just shrugged at him.

"Err, actually, dearest, I don't know."

She glared at him. "You're wearing aftershave!" she accused angrily.

Koga blinked.

And blinked again.

"Huh?"

"I hate the smell!" Ayame enthused. "I much prefer your scent, but nooo, you had to go and cover that up with that weird-smelling bitey stuff that burns the inside of my nose. I mean, what do you take me for?!"

"Err…"

"I HATE that stuff, and yet you insist on wearing it! You're a wolf demon, and you smell like Miroku! It stinks!"

"Hey!" came Miroku's voice. "I think I object!"

"Try it, monk," hissed Sango.

"And then again," he said hastily, "I accept your acknowledgement as a compliment and decide to stay silent."

"Good thinking," said Sango.

"What is it that bothers you about the way I smell?!" demanded Koga.

"I like your natural smell," Ayame grumbled. "I miss it when you cover it with products."

There was a silence.

"You like the way I smell?" said Koga, at last.

"Yes," said Ayame, hanging her head in embarrassment.

Koga scuttled over to where she sat on his hands and knees, and lifted her head by her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Nothing to be embarrassed about," he said gently. "I like the way you smell like an iris."

She blushed.

He captured her lips in his own, and, after a moment's hesitation, she responded, bringing her face up to his and deepening the action between the two of them, encircling his shoulders with her strong arms. He grasped her forearms, and leant over her, his eyes closed and his body rippling with delight.

Miroku smiled at the pair, and shuffled closer to Sango.

But he didn't grope her.

Instead, he caught her hand between his two, and lazily ran a thumb across the soft skin. "Sango…" he murmured.

She looked up at him, complete surprise colouring her features. "Miroku?" she asked uncertainly.

"You know," he said to their clasped hands, "I've been thinking a lot about… well, about that time we kissed. Do you remember?"

How could she ever forget? It was such a perfect, such a happy moment. "Yeah," she said softly. "Yeah, I do."

"Why did you kiss me?" he asked, looking up at her for the first time.

She caught her breath. "I… w-well…"

"I hope it's for the same reason I'm going to kiss you," Miroku said matter-of-factly. He leant forward and closed the gap between the two of them, enfolding her lips in his.

Kagome met Inuyasha's eyes, and grinned. "Let's get out of here," she mouthed, jerking a thumb to indicate the two couples.

He grinned, and stood to follow her outside.

…

Kagome shivered as she trudged along the wet grass. It was dark outside, and the ground was covered in evening dew. The sky was clear, making the cold biting, and the stars and moon more visible. The world around them was semi-visible, hidden in part by the darkness, but shown in part by the pale white light.

"Here," Inuyasha murmured, throwing his arm around her as he felt her shiver beside him. "I don't have a jacket, but hey. I'm hoping my arm'll do the trick."

She smiled up at him, her wide brown eyes softening.

"Are you ok?" he asked her, his voice strangely gentle.

She cocked her head, and shrugged. "Tired, I guess."

"Keh," he said, rebuking her gently. "You should sleep more."

She shrugged again. "Sleeping doesn't work so well for me."

"Here," he said, and guided her to a spot by the rocky wall, indicating the ground.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Inuyasha, it's wet. We could get ill."

He sat, and pulled her down to rest in her lap, ignoring her squawk of surprise.

"I'm not wet," he whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "And demons don't get sick,"

"I'm sorry, oh mighty youkai," Kagome grinned, teasing him.

"You should be, wench," he said in response, nipping her neck gently.

"Wench?" she asked him, her brow furrowing.

"My wench," he said, softly.

She laughed, and snuggled against his rock-hard chest. "I could get used to this," she said, leaning her head against her shoulder.

"I hope you do," Inuyasha said, smirking.

She hit his arm lightly. "Don't be so smug," she laughed lightly.

"What's there not to be smug about? Here I am, an incredibly powerful and incredibly handsome demon, sitting under the light of the full moon, with the most beautiful woman in the world in my lap. I think I have earned the divine right to be an absolute pain in the arse."

"You really think I'm beautiful?" she asked him, shyness colouring her tone.

He snorted. "How can you not? You are amazing."

"You're pretty damn incredible yourself,"

"Oh, I know," he said, grinning, burrowing his nose into her hair. Mm. She smelt so good. The Sakura blossoms were in full bloom.

"Inuyasha?" she asked, sounding… uncertain.

"Hmm?" he was not willing to pull himself out of the heaven he was in.

"You do know I love you, right?"

He stroked her raven locks. "Of course I do. You know I love you too, don't you?"

He felt her smile. "Yes, and you have no idea how happy it makes me."

She went silent.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just letting the moon know how happy I am. I've gotten quite close to her over the past few years, and I think she deserves to know,"

"Heathen," he smiled at her.

He felt the laughter shake her body. "Yeah, I guess I am."

She shifted on his lap, turning to face him.

"Inuyasha,"

"Kagome?"

"What do you see?" she asked, a slight concern in her voice. "What do you see, in our future?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…" she sighed. "This is going to sound stupid and very very cheesy, but… I never believed I could love anyone this much. I'm… I guess I'm afraid that this happiness can't last," she said, embarrassment painting her cheeks in the darkness.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I guess… somehow, I have a hard time viewing the end, Kagome. I guess I hope… one day, long long into the future… that we could be… well, mates. Maybe," he gulped.

"Mates?" she asked.

"It's like… a bond, that youkai have. When you find the person you want… you want to spend your life with, you give them a mark. It… lengthens their lifetime, and it's like… like human marriage, but a lot stronger. Demons mate for life."

"Like Koga and Ayame will?"

"Yeah, like that, only theirs was arranged."

"I thin they love each other though,"

"You'd be an idiot not to notice it."

"So… you think… maybe, one day…?"

"Yeah. Maybe."

"How long have we been together?"

"Two and a half months, now."

She went quiet, shifting slightly in his arms. "Is it mad I never want to move from here?"

"Is it mad I never want you to move from there?"

She smiled, but yawned. He noticed, and frowned. "You should get some sleep."

"I don't want to," she told him. "I'm… afraid of the dreams."

"Do you really think I'd let anything hurt you?"

"But… but I might hurt you."

"It takes more than a scrawny miko to defeat me," he said bravely, grinning in the darkness. He felt her yawn again. "Kagome, sleep,"

"I'm scared."

"I'll protect you," he whispered into her ear.

"I… guess…" she said, her voice already heavy with lethargy.

Her eyelids drooped shut.

Inuyasha stood, and gently lifted Kagome into his arms, before walking into the cave where the others slumbered.

And that night, Kagome slept without nightmares, safe in the arms of the man she loved.

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Wow. Really quite fluffy. You may need chocolate for this one, folks.

Sorry for the delay, but I had a GREAT time in Scotland!

King Stephen IV - Lol, Miroku is one of my favourite characters! Thanks for the review, and I'm glad you're enjoying it! I hope you enjoy the extreme fluffiness of this chapter!
completeandtotalrandomness - I'm glad I could make you laugh! Hmm, juts let me get out my Sherlock Homes hat... lol! Please enjoy!
Mistyfire - Thanks for the idea! Please enjoy the fluffiness!
Namike - Yay! I'm glad you think it's funny! Finally updated, savour it! Lol :D
Sassybratt - Aw, thanks! I toyed with the idea of making him cry, but the oppurtunity was just too good to pass up! Wow, Florida! Send me a postcard!
kouga's older woman - Hehehe, thanks! Now I have a bit of fluff for them... mwahaha!
dangitsesshomaru - I know, I'd love to know someone like him!
bumblezee - oh, flying monkey of the sun high in the sky on the afternoon of the chocolate picking- mwahaha, your new codename!
eugh, imagine eating koga! don't know how wolf would taste... don't think miroku would object to taking a bite out of sango's legs though... ok, i'm not scaring myself at all...
ahh! i know! they worship the great god of the sanctity of musty-smelling books! and then they go off and steal medieval torture methods from the books which are in the overdue returns pile! and they eat children! it's true!
lol, i just hit five foot! i'm so happy! (still have to stand on tiptoe, but hey...) had to get somebody to get my bag down for me on the plane, cause i couldn't reach! lol! and mwahaha! (just felt like inserting evil laugh..)
it's not bad, as films go - i think most of our class would have enjoyed it more if our hums teacher hadn't skipped forward throught the lemony scene... lol! the boys were all groaning! not a film i owuld watch under my own steam, though, i don't think.
i shall take your word for it, master!
wow. good luck! i think it's amazing, and i can't WAIT to read more! 42 chapters... good luck! i stand behind you! go forth, brave adventurer, into the realm of the microsoft word, and bring back the treasure of the fanfiction of the broken clay pots!
i agree!!!!!!!!! they are... gah!!! there's not a word to describe the evil majesty!!! i bet they actually have brains, and they cling to you, and they physically think of ways to torture... or... GASP... do you think they're in league with the evil librarians?!
err... they don't wear anything under the kilts... don't ask me how i know that... *shudder*
WOW!!! NEVER BEEN TO PARIS!!! ENJOY!!! EAT FROGS LEGS, LET ME KNOW HOW THEY TASTE!!!
see ya soon, oh flying monkey of the sun high in the sky on the afternoon of the chocolate picking!
love libra
xx
myInuYasha15 - Updated and enjoy!
mkblackrose - i agree! thye're terrifying! lol, me too! distinct lack of sense of direction! keep writing, and please enjoy!
FrozenDragon - Aw, thanks!! I really appreciate it! Please enjoy the latest installment!
Black-Death-646 - Don't worry about it! Thanks for taking the time! I'm glad you're enjoying it, and I agree with you completely! Go the good guys! Thanks, please enjoy!
Strawberry-Ringo - Lol, I agree! Thank you, enjoy!
coolcat103 - Thanks! Yeah, I'm particularly proud of those parts XD! Enjoy!