Chapter 17

"How can you be so sure that we can trust them?" Inuyasha murmured. "They could be calling Kikyou's lackeys to us."

"Do you want to frisk them?" Kagome replied. "I don't think they're bad people- at least, not as bad as the people back there. Besides, if they try anything, you can knock 'em out."

He smirked before looking down at his hands. He didn't feel any different than before, yet, now he could be seen and heard. It would take some getting used to with all his boring habits, like shamelessly mocking Kagome's friends and making her laugh like a lunatic. A smile curled on his mouth. Yeah, he'd miss that.

Glancing up at Kagome, he watched her tuck her knees tight to her chest as a harsh wind blew. The top of a random building wasn't the best place to camp out, but it'd be the last place those scientists would look. Inuyasha leaned forward and shrugged off his haori. Kagome had smiled and lifted her hand to accept it, not expecting him to turn and pull her closer to him, though she didn't fight. He covered her curled body with the haori, holding her against his chest. "Better?"

Kagome leaned into his warmth and nodded. "Thank you."

"Keh," he sighed softly. "The first thing in the morning, we're getting you a new outfit. This dress you're wearing is useless and too conspicuous."

"And I'd feel better with underwear on," she muttered and Inuyasha was glad she didn't have a view of his face at that comment. "Do you think... Mama would-"

"We can't go back there," he told her, "Not only does she work for that company, that's the first place they'll check." He could practically feel her disappointment at that but there was nothing he could do about it. It wasn't like Seiko would accept them back even if they tried. "They'll hunt us down. We need to keep moving, Kagome."

"Okay..." she agreed reluctantly. "I guess I'm not going back to school either?"

Inuyasha's arms tightened around her. "Your life is in danger. Just think about that."

Kagome sat up, looking down at the floor beside them with a frown as the haori fell from her shoulder. "I wonder... if we had stayed for a few weeks and Kikyou released us herself-"

Just the thought of her overexerting herself for them raised his hackles. "Didn't you hear what Miroku said? If we stayed there, you'd turn out like that girl you killed-"

"I killed?" Kagome's eyes widened and he bit his tongue when she looked up at him. He could see through her eyes as she connected pieces together. "Oh, God..."

Inuyasha grimaced to himself as she closed her eyes tightly, as she always did when she was trying to dispel an image. "It was a blessing to her, Kagome. She obviously suffered a lot in there," he murmured, scenting the start of her tears in the night air.

"The demon I spawned- it ripped her apart," she uttered in horror. "How is that a blessing?"

"You got scared," he reasoned, feeling the chasm in the middle of them getting larger by every word they spoke. "It wasn't your fault."

Kagome shook her head. "I made her suffer... Even though she tried to harm me, she was just getting her revenge on the place that hurt her. She didn't deserve..." She stopped and glared when Inuyasha absently chuckled, "What's so funny?"

Inuyasha gave her a small smile. "Nothing. You're just too forgiving." When she frowned, he told her, "She was planning to kill you, first. Project Dreamer is all about projecting things with their minds, that's exactly what I saw. She was using your nightmares against you but you turned it into a reality. If she hadn't gotten any closer, you would have died by your own fear of monsters getting you in the dark."

She calmed somewhat, still looking a bit sad to have killed at all. "You're trying to make me feel better," she sniffled, glancing away.

"Well, it's the truth," he retorted, the fondness in his eyes not fading. "Did it work?"

"I... I still killed-" she gasped when Inuyasha suddenly leaned forward, his lips gently pressed against her cheek. Blood rushed to her face when he slowly pulled away, leaning his forehead against her temple as he breathed in deeply. "Inu..."

Kiss her mouth, you dumb fuck, his more confident side demanded, but he just couldn't do it. Even though he was real, he knew it wouldn't change their friendship status to something more like love. She was happy that he existed and thought that he would go live his own life. I want to be with you, he thought to her, his mouth silently forming the words before he leaned back against the wall. "You can't cry over every little thing, little mate," he reminded softly, pulling the haori back over her shoulder.

Kagome was silent for the longest time. He felt his heart racing in his chest as he gazed at her bemused expression. Was she connecting the subtle hints he continued to give her? Finally, she murmured, "I wasn't crying."

Rolling his eyes, he pushed his annoying feelings away. "You're hopeless, you know that? Completely hopeless," he told her as she laid back against his chest, resuming her comfortable position.

"That's why I have you," she replied, covering her yawn. Inuyasha sighed, leaning his head back against the wall to look up at the stars. "'Little mate'... you always called me that, didn't you? Before I knew what 'mate' meant..." His eyes widened as he recalled the small slip he had said. "Why did you call me that?"

Because I wish you were mine, he thought wistfully. It was completely up to her if she wanted him to love her. Until then, he would keep silent. "You tell me," he muttered.

"Mmm... I think I know," she told him as she attempted to recall her younger years. "Way back when, when I used to force you to play with my dolls, I'd always make you the knightly character that saves the princess," she laughed at that, "Then, our dolls would live happily ever after. I used to say that you were my knight. You're always protecting me..."

"You forced me to 'marry' you after that," he finished with a snort.

"And 'little mate' stuck," she murmured before closing her eyes to sleep. "Wake me up before we go, 'Yasha," she said with a yawn.

"Fine." Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder at their companions, watching them sleep soundly, before looking over their rooftop. When there was no danger to note, he closed his eyes and rested himself.

Kikyou sighed as she watched her boss throw a tantrum. Why on earth was she always the one to deliver the bad news? If she got injured again, so help her, she'd toss the lot of them to Floor 16- dedicated to the Carnivore Project.

"What do you mean Subject 643 is missing?!" Onigumo shouted, getting up to his feet and slamming his palms on the wooden desk.

She held her head high, "Subject 643 escaped last night. We underestimated her ability."

He glared at her, "And why wasn't I informed until now?"

"The scientists containing what's left of Project Dreamer," Kikyou explained, "They still are."

He tensed, "Subject 643 isn't going to be easy to get back," he seethed as he sunk back in his chair, "Kikyou, you find her, alive or dead if you have to. You're the most reliable to do the job right."

The woman stiffened but nodded, "Yes, sir." Oh, when she gets her hands on them...

"Dismissed."

She turned on her heel and strode out of the room, intent on finding those men to get some "help".

Naraku Onigumo stayed silent until the door closed behind her before picking up his phone, dialing the number to the command center. His mouth was set into a grim line as he pulled up 643's information on his computer. It was mostly blank, set up with useless observation notes that Seiko provided as well as the information Kikyou acquired over the years of being the subject's personal therapist.

If Kagome was harmed in any way, she wouldn't be very useful to him anymore. As one of the strongest of the Dreamers, it would be a major set back to the entire project, itself. Yet he could still use her dead body in Project Undead.

He had to stop thinking about it. He still had other subjects to test on and he intended to make sure none of them escape as well. It took nearly a second for the secretary to answer his phone call.

"Tell all staff to double their shifts. Any subject who crosses the line will be terminated. No more warnings."

"Yes, sir."

Naraku tapped his claws against his desk, "And send Seiko Higurashi in. If all else fails with Subject 643, we're going to need to try again."

There was an agitated sigh, "Yes, sir."

A/N: Nothing but blah, blah, blah.

Dwarg91: I usually use Onigumo as Naraku's last name in stories that require it ^-^

haine21: Oh, dear. Be sure to give your eyes a break!

Warm-Amber92: She undoubtedly will. It's just a matter of time.

okiedokeybunny: My flying mermaids shoot arrows at your elephant-giraffes as my blood thirsty elves tear your Pegasuses limb from limb to drink their immortal blood. I ride out on my elemental dragon to attack with my mythical sword to end this once and for all.

Opalbrat & FridayzGirl: Thanks :)

future author: That will probably be next chapter.

InuandKaglove4Life: I'm glad you're glad!

Deadman19: Not everyone *glances at your profile picture meaningfully*

I missed today's deadline by two minutes (which doesn't count because I have to add all my responses to the reviews, so HA)

FxA