Chapter 3

Kagome hummed softly to herself as she weaved daisies together, occasionally glancing up in the direction of her house to see if her mother had noticed her missing yet. "It's been a long time..." she said, concern pulling her brows together.

"You think so?" Inuyasha asked as he sat up, completely awake from his little cat nap. His sharp eyes scanned the area around them before relaxing. "She might be relying on the police to find you again. Lazy bitch."

She slowly nodded, not quite understanding the last word. Her hands brushed the daisies and weeds off her pajamas as she stood and started off in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going?" He got up himself, his tone suggesting his own laziness as he followed her, likely wanting to return to his nap but finding the absolute need to follow her everywhere.

Kagome smiled and grabbed his hand. "I saw water last time. I want to see it before we have to leave."

Heavy clouds lurked overhead still, but the two of them didn't mind it. Kagome led the way as they marched deeper into the forest.

"Inuyasha," her pace slowed, making his nearly stop. She nibbled her bottom lip before looking up at him, "What... what did you do with t-the...body?" she whispered.

"Who says I killed him?" He sounded distant, defensive, and it made Kagome sad. His free hand went to his head and his eyes softened. "... Don't worry 'bout it, Kagome."

Her hand tightened on his but she said nothing. Sure, they had been bullying her around, taunting her into following them in the woods to reveal her friend, but they didn't deserve... death. Perhaps it wasn't smart to panic over the disappearance of someone they couldn't see or hear.

"Oi, little mate," Inuyasha's sudden stop made her stumble, but he quickly righted her, almost wrenching her arm out of it's socket. Kagome never told him that he was stronger than he realized- though it might have to be soon, she noted as she absently shrugged her shoulders back and forth. He knelt to her level and she avoided his gaze shyly. "The boy isn't dead; I only knocked him out. He deserved that much, at least." Kagome shook her head in disagreement, whining in dismay when he pinched her cheek. "Quit the gloomy face... If you smile- real wide- I'll give you a piggy-back ride to the water."

Her lips quirked up slightly with his tempting offer, though she struggled to tamp it down. When Inuyasha released her face to pull on his own cheeks and made a funny face, she grinned. It wasn't everyday that her best friend would go out of his way to make her happier. She, once again, pressed yesterday to the back of her mind as he smirked at her.

"You're prettier when you smile," he told her, his hands resting on his knees.

Kagome beamed and giggled, "You looked stupid." He gave her a mock-scowl, his hands shooting out to grab her and pull her against him. "Leggo!" she shrieked, laughing when he blew a raspberry against her neck, the only bare skin he could reach. "Inuyasha!"

"Say you're sorry," he teased as she squirmed in his strong hold. "Say you're sorry and I'll let go."

"Sorry!" Once her arms were free, the little girl pulled back to hit him but he jumped away, running on ahead. "Get back here! You promised a piggy-back ride!" she yelled, running after him.

"Did I?"

"Yes!" He was getting farther away but she knew he wouldn't go too far. A loud splash reached her ears and she slowed, edging through the wild shrubbery to smirk as Inuyasha registered that he now sat in a dirty stream. "That's what you get," she kicked water at him.

"Shaddup," he splashed her back, making her squeak when the cold water hit her. She stuck her tongue out as he stood back up, futilely brushing dark sludge from his hands and hakamas.

Their happiness was short-lived, however, when they both heard a familiar voice.

"Kagome! There you are!" Seiko gasped as she knelt down to her daughter's level, looking at her solemn face. "Oh, dear. You shouldn't play in there," she chided as she produced a handkerchief from her pant's pocket and wiped the muddy water from her face.

"It was Inuyasha's fault," Kagome mumbled, knowing that her mother's reaction would be to fall silent, a disapproving, brooding look on her face. She looked away. I'm not doing anything wrong. Inuyasha's real, she told herself as her mother grabbed her hand.

"Come on, Kagome," her mother said as she started pulling her daughter along, "The detective's been waiting."

Kagome looked back over her shoulder at Inuyasha. He just stood dripping, his gaze hard on their backs. Heaving a heavy sigh, she followed her mom home, wishing she could stay with Inuyasha.

A/N: I'm not sure how long I'll keep writing Kagome as a child- it might be through the whole story if I feel like I should. Just letting you guys know: I'm liking this idea of child!Kagome and Inuyasha friendship.

Kagome's Blossom: Welcome aboard!

JP1525 & FridayzGirl & Inu'sgirl4ever: Glad you like :)

xsachi: I'm still wondering where I'm going with this, myself...

Sahora: Hell yeah, I missed you! Where have you been? :D

HopelessRomantic183: Whoa... that's a big assumption you got going there... it is my duty to avoid it at all cost! (I wish I thought of that first... dangit)

Get ready, people; we're going deeper into the unknown plot.

FxA