Disclaimer – I really wish I didn't have to do one of these EVERY chapter. But attorneys are expensive ya know?

Author's Note – I hope you guys all liked that chapter; I am starting a new chappie the same day I update? Hell yes! Be happy for me people!

Chapter Seven – Take A Swim With Me

Ooo

With all of the blinds open, and the French doors that over looked her balcony propped open as well, Kagome's room had a light and warm feel to it. Normally, she would have been enjoying the lightness that filtered in from the sun that hung low in the western sky but instead Kagome was sitting on her computer, sighing in sheer boredom. It was nearing 7pm and her room was 100% unpacked and organized. She had out of habit jumped on her computer wanting to dish about the day's events with her gal-pals, but then realized it was 2 in the morning back in Tokyo.

So there she was, sitting on the wheeled chair that sat before the desk, staring blankly at her computer screen. Signing onto her chat anyways, wondering if any of her friends were having a late night, she tapped her fingers eagerly on the desk as the messenger loaded. Her shoulders slumped with disappointment as she saw all the names were greyed out, meaning they were offline. Sighing softly she dropped her head down onto the solid wooden surface of the desk, a thunking sound coming from it "Owie…" She said lifting her head and rubbing the slightly red spot. She looked at the clock for the hundredth time and got up from her computer, deciding she needed to do something before she gave in and fell asleep too early.

Walking out to her balcony she looked over the back yard, her eyes lingering on the pool. A nice swim would help to make her tired enough to easily sleep, and kill enough time that she wouldn't be asleep too soon. Grinning she returned to her room and began to dig through her dresser for a bathing suit that she hadn't used in a few months. The hot tub flowed into the pool, so she was going out on a limb and assuming the pool was heated. Just as she yanked the two halves of her bathing suit from the bottom of her drawer she heard a light knock on her door and jumped in surprise.

Tossing the bathing suit on top of her dresser she walked over and opened the door to see Inuyasha standing there "Hiya," She said, leaning on the door frame and smiling at him.

He smiled back and said "Hey, my dad just called and said he wasn't going to be home until late. There is going to be a conference call with some share-holders back in Tokyo in a few hours and he wanted me to tell you he is sorry."

Waving her hand at him Kagome said "Oh, no. He doesn't need to apologize for that kind of stuff, hell it's his job."

Inuyasha smiled "I know you wanted to talk to him about going to school next week, and so I mentioned it to him and he said if you feel that you are ready to go that he will take you in on Monday to register. It's a teacher work day, so there will be people there and everything."

Kagome's eyes widened happily "Great! Oh, I should get Sango's number from you before I forget and tell her that I'll be there on Tuesday." She left her door frame and moved back to her desk.

Inuyasha stepped in the room and looked around nodding his approval "It looks good in here," He commented absently as she picked up her cell phone.

Walking back to him she smiled "Thanks, feels much more homey now. Ok, so what is Sango's number?"

Without pulling his phone out Inuyasha said "555-0108."

Kagome grinned and tapped the buttons on her phone to enter the girl's name and number before she shoved the phone in her pocket "Thanks, maybe her and I can get together this weekend. She seemed cool." Kagome was almost desperate for some kind of female interaction at this point.

Inuyasha nodded "Yea, Sango is pretty chill." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly "Uh, I guess I will let you get back to whatever you were doing. I just wanted to let you know what my dad had said and everything…"

He turned to walk out when Kagome bit her lip and said "Wait, I have a question?" She sounded nervous. She knew Inuyasha was supposed to help her and so far he had been pretty cool about it, but she was afraid to push her luck with him. He seemed to go from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds sometimes.

Turning back to her Inuyasha nodded "Ok, what?"

Kagome looked back at her balcony and said "The pool is it ok…I mean." She fumbled her words and sighed, shaking her head. She couldn't even ask to use the pool? This was supposed to be her house too now, even though she knew that would be hard to come to terms with.

Inuyasha got the gist of her question and laughed fully "Wanna go for a swim? Sure, the pool is heated so we can still use it when it gets kinda cooler out." Stretching his arms up over his head Inuyasha mused "A swim sounds kinda nice, I think I might join you. If in fact you are gonna go swimming."

Kagome blushed and nodded "Sure, that'll be fun. Meet you in the hall in 5?" Inuyasha grinned at her and nodded before returning to her door, shutting it behind him Kagome heard him enter his own room.

In an almost panic, Kagome snagged her bathing suit from her dresser and dashed into the bathroom. Straining for quiet, knowing he would hear any and every noise she made through the simple walls. She was glad she had shaved her legs the morning she left Tokyo. Touching the smooth skin she sighed happily. Stripping out of her clothing she tossed them on the large counter, not wanting to deal with them at that moment. She slipped into her bikini, a simple black thing with silver metal accents that gave it a more polished appearance. The dark black material showed off her smooth, ivory skin and Kagome was suddenly very shy.

She was thin, with lightly defined muscles. Over all she was really pretty, and had no reason to be shy about herself. She looked at her side, chewing on her lip at the small bandage wrapped around her torso, it was sealed and she was able to swim, and shower and do pretty much any other water-related activity with it. The wound was more-or-less healed, but given the delicate location it was still wrapped to fight infection. She rubbed her collar-bone, it was still a little tinder and had a smattering of bruises left over, but it was better. As long as she didn't do anything stupid, it would finish the minute parts of healing without being in a sling, she was desperate to keep her arm out of a sling. Deciding to leave her multiple small hoops in, she took her hair down and ran a brush through it before grabbing a large, white towel from the towel rack in the corner. Wrapping it around her body, hoping for some kind of modesty, she moved through her bedroom and opened her door.

Standing there in the hall way was Inuyasha, wearing a pair of red and white swim trunks that hung just around his knees. His toned upper-body fully exposed as he turned to face her. Kagome couldn't help but admire his well-chiseled abs before her eyes found his face. Expecting some sort of smirk and snide comment she saw his eyes were looking her over, even though she had a towel on there was still plenty for him to see and plenty more for him to imagine.

He had his own towel slung loosely around his neck and smiled "Ok, let's go before we lose all of the day light."

Kagome glanced back at her windows, and the heavy orange light falling in them, signaling the quickly coming night-fall. "Alright, are there lights out there?"

Inuyasha nodded "Tiki torches, a couple flood lights. My dad likes to entertain his business associates here sometimes, so it's all set up for a party pretty much." Kagome nodded, following him down the stairs.

They walked down the hall, passing the kitchen and going into the laundry room, Kagome was glad she didn't have to ask about its location, and then they exited through a door there "There's a big set of double doors from the dining room but going through them right now would activate the outside light and that thing is a bit too bright for my taste and I don't want to have to go turn it off." He explained why they were taking the scenic tour through the back of the house. Kagome grinned, knowing that if Inutashio was throwing a business party, she doubted he would make his guests step over dirty laundry to enjoy it.

Opening the simple door there, a slightly chilly breeze blew in, rustling Kagome's hair up off her neck and sending goose bumps across her skin. Holding the towel closer to her body she hurried after Inuyasha when he quickened his pace. He too was getting chilly standing there is almost nothing, letting the cool wind settle over him. He tossed his towel on a lounge chair and went and dove right into the deep end. Kagome read the tile marker next to where he had jumped in, it was 10 feet deep there.

She was still standing on the edge of the pool when he popped up, brushing long silvery strands out of his face and shaking the water from his sensitive ears "You just gonna stand there all night and freeze or you gonna get in? The water is nice and warm."

It was one thing to drop her towel and get in at her own pace by herself, but with Inuyasha's eyes on her she felt much more vulnerable. So, setting the towel down on the chair beside his, she looked up at the falling sun "It's getting dark, should we turn some lights on?"

Glancing at the floating half-demon, she saw a surprised look on his face. His eyes though, were very far from meeting her own. They trailed over her skin, leaving heat in their wake. Gulping she moved to break the contact and went to the steps in the shallow end. Finally hearing her question, Inuyasha shook his head and swam to the edge where the small waterfall connected the hot tub and the pool. Reaching up he flipped the cover open on what Kagome had assumed to be just another rock. Hitting a few buttons a collection of multi-colored lights turned on in both the hot tub and pool. The waterfall between them was a rainbow of colors and Kagome gasped at the beauty that shimmered across the surface. Battling against the paling orange fire of the sunset, the whole scene was beautiful.

Feeling another bought of wind, Kagome shivered and grasped the hand rail and walked slowly into the water. She was expecting a much lower temperature than what graced her skin and gasped in surprise at the warmth. Not as hot as a bath, but a nice change from the cool evening wind. Once the water was just below her chest she leaned back and let her hair float around her with a content sigh. Dipping her head back fully, getting all of her hair wet before just relaxing on the surface of the warm liquid. A few ripples alerted her to the arrival of Inuyasha.

Looking up as the half demon stood over her, she grinned and he laughed "Having fun?"

Lifting herself out of the water she nodded, brushing her hair back off her face "Yea, this feels fantastic. I needed something to do because I felt like I was going to just fall asleep and with the jet lag I didn't want to do that and screw myself over any more than I already am." Inuyasha laughed and swam away from her a few feet. Kagome took a deep breath and dove under the surface of the water, swimming past Inuyasha and into the deeper parts of the pool.

She was about 5 feet beneath the surface and the numbing silence was amazing, it was unlike any other kind of silence she had ever known and she loved it. Simply floating in nothingness, her eyes closed and her body weightless. She opened her eyes under the water and saw the blurry form of Inuyasha swimming towards her, his own eyes open as he looked at her curiously and she laughed, causing bubbles to float out from her mouth before she kicked up to the surface.

Inuyasha emerged after her "Decide to see how long you can hold your breath?"

Kagome laughed again "No, I just like the peace and quiet of being under water."

Inuyasha shook his head "You are really into the whole, peace and quiet huh?"

Kagome nodded "You don't get a lot of it in Tokyo, so when I do have it I love it." Inuyasha nodded and swam around the pool a few times, leaving Kagome and her thoughts. And thoughts she had.

When would Souta wake up, and when he did would they go back to Tokyo? Would she even want to leave yet? She sighed and trailed her fingers through the water absently and thought about it, her friends thought she would come right home when her brother woke up and continue with her emancipation plan and just take care of her brother back home, in a place where she knew and could manage easier. It would be like a slap in the face to her new guardian though and she had nothing but the greatest respect for the man.

Taking a deep breath and sinking herself down under the surface she swam around a bit, feeling guilty for thinking about just bailing 'I kind of like it here, though I have only been here a day. The school could be terrible, and the people could be worse…' She knew she was being unfair. There were plenty of things about Tokyo she hated, and plenty of people too. Sango and Miroku were cool, Kikyo not so much. And Inuyasha? Sighing she surfaced and her eyes found the form of the demon as he cut through the water with an ease and grace she was envious of.

Swimming back to the shallow end so she could walk, Kagome stood up and grasped the railing. Hesitating about leaving the warmth of the water, knowing that the air would be even colder than before. Inuyasha's voice followed her "Where are you going?"

Kagome glanced over her shoulder at him "I was thinking about trying out the hot tub before I went inside, it looks so warm and relaxing."

Nodding and swimming over to her Inuyasha said "Yea it is, but damn getting to it is gonna be cold as fuck."

Kagome shook her head "I know, that's why I'm kinda waiting here…the wind just won't stop."

Shaking her head, Kagome took a deep breath and Inuyasha laughed "You look like you are getting ready for a fight!"

Glaring at him Kagome said "Maybe I am!"

Walking up to her side Inuyasha held a hand out for her "We can run."

Kagome stared at his hand for a moment longer than was polite but smiled and placed her hand in his, his hand pretty much dwarfed hers in a comical way "One," He began while she was studying their connected hands "Two," She looked up at him and grimaced, causing him to laugh "Three!" They emerged from the water quickly, just as a cold wind blasted into the yard and the sun dipped below the trees.

"Of course!" Kagome grumbled as they jogged around the pool and then stepped quickly into the hot tub. Kagome dropped into a crouch so the water was over her shoulders and shivered for a moment while her body adjusted to the warmth "God, maybe swimming wasn't a good idea!"

She laughed as she said it and Inuyasha shook his head "Naw, you'll get used to the chill." He pressed a few buttons on the side of the hot tub and the jets turned on.

One of them hit Kagome in the center of her back and she squeaked and shot up and moved to a seat where the jets were more comfortably positioned. "Whoa…"

Inuyasha laughed at her overly relaxed posture "You enjoying that?"

Kagome just grinned at him and said "I think the last time I was in a hot tub was Eri's 13th birthday, her parents let her rent a hotel room. It was indoor, half this size but when you are 13? Psh, it was the best damn thing ever. I feel bad, now that I think about it…" She grinned "We trashed that hotel. Not like, trying to be mean we were just young girls having fun." She laughed and Inuyasha smiled, his head tipped back, showing his enjoyment at the jets that were working into the muscles of his back and legs.

"Yea, birthdays are a time to cut loose." He said absently and it reminded Kagome of what Miroku had mentioned earlier that day.

"Oh yea, especially with the strippers." She winked at him as he gaped at her, looking embarrassed and uncomfortable.

"In my defense, it was his idea. My dad knows Miroku, which was why he made sure to say it in so many words 'no strippers' of course, we live to rebel from authority." Shrugging he let his head fall back as Kagome laughed.

"This is nice," She said once her laughter subsided "I see myself out here, like all the time. Swimming laps before school sounds like a great idea." She nodded and Inuyasha made a sound in his throat.

"Only if you don't mind sharing the pool. Because I usually do that. Even when it gets cold out – as long as it isn't raining or super freezing. We also have a gym here, next to the garage. If you are into working out and stuff I can show it to you."

Kagome imagined them getting up together before they were even ready to face the day, both half asleep and still looking like crap – as everyone did in the morning – and going for invigorating swims together, it made her shake her head "If you don't mind sharing the pool, than neither do I. Working out is always better with a friend." Inuyasha looked at her oddly and she wondered what she had said, did he not want to work out with her "Or, if you do mind I can just use the pool at another time." She chewed her lip and Inuyasha shook his head "No, no I don't mind that. I just, never mind."

Kagome didn't want to push it, in case he decided he did mind sharing the water with her so she just nodded her head "God, school. I need to go and get some clothes. My school had a uniform dress-code, so I don't really have a huge wardrobe of school clothes."

Inuyasha smiled "Well, you looked good in what you wore when Sango and Miroku were here."

Kagome blushed "Oh, well thanks…I-I don't have much like that and I should."

Inuyasha just chuckled "Maybe you and Sango can go shopping tomorrow or something? She said she wanted to hang out, and that way you aren't stuck here all weekend. Get out and go see the city a bit." He shrugged "Whatever you decide, you have her number." Closing his eyes and just enjoying the heat of the water, Kagome did the same. A companionable silence fell over them for a while and eventually Kagome felt sleepiness settle over her.

A large yawn broke through her lips and she said "I think this pool and hot tub combo did the trick, I am having some trouble staying awake." She stretched her arms up.

"Yea, I could use some sleep too. You know, we never got dinner are you hungry?" He asked as he shut the jets off.

Kagome thought about it "Not really but there is left over pizza in the fridge from this afternoon."

Inuyasha nodded "Oh, that's right. I kinda forgot about that, what with how crazy this day has been."

Kagome snorted "You are preaching to the choir Inuyasha." She looked over, making sure she knew where her towel was before she even got out of the warm water "That air is going to be brutal now, isn't it?" She asked as Inuyasha turned the lights off.

"Yup." He said simply and stood up, goose bumps covered his skin instantly and he held a hand out to her "I can go get the towels if you want to wait, or you can come with me."

Kagome blushed again and took his hand "We should both face the cold." He pulled her from the water and they rushed up the small steps and ran across the ground to their towels "My god!" Kagome said wrapping her dripping body in the thick towel. Her shivers didn't stop though and after a moment she felt an additional towel drape over her shoulders. Looking up, she saw Inuyasha there – with no towel on his body – and frowned "No, Inuyasha-"

He waved her words off "Don't, come on. I'm used to the chill and the pool. You aren't, let's get inside."

Kagome nodded and followed him into the back door, they stood there for a moment beside the washer and dryer, shivering and trying to remember how to be warm. After a moment Kagome discarded both of the towels she was wearing into the laundry basket that was sitting there with a few other pool towels already in it. "Thanks, for the towel."

Inuyasha shrugged and locked the back door, getting dangerously close to Kagome in the process "No biggie, you looked like you were freezing."

Kagome nodded and laughed lightly as she began to lead the way from the small room – needing some more space between them "I really was. Now I just want a hot shower and my bed." She nodded briskly, happy with that idea.

Inuyasha laughed "I want some pizza, then a shower and then bed." Kagome laughed and they paused at the entry of the kitchen almost absently. He leaned against the wall and she crossed her arms over her chest, wishing she had kept one of the towels.

Inuyasha glanced at the bandage on her side "Does that hurt?"

Kagome lifted her arms and looked at where he pointed "Not too much, if I stretch wrong or something it tugs on the stitches but it is much better than it was. This too," She gestured to her collar bone and Inuyasha scrunched his nose at the bruises he hadn't even noticed earlier.

"Ouch, I'm sorry."

She shrugged, shaking her head "Don't be," Her voice lowered "I got off easy."

Inuyasha didn't know how to respond to that. After a moment Kagome sighed and smiled up at him.

"You enjoy your pizza then, and I guess I'll see you in the morning?"

Inuyasha nodded "Yea, uh have a good night." Inuyasha felt like he was expecting something, like she was expecting something. She smiled and then turned, walking away down the hall way and then climbing the stairs. Inuyasha watched her go and then sighed deeply before heading into the kitchen to drown his confusion in cold pizza.

Ooo

Kagome stepped out of the warm shower with a happy sigh, she had been playing with the various buttons and settings they controlled for the better part of the last half hour. And she had loved it. "I can totally get used to a shower like this…" She said as she briskly ran a towel through her wet locks, not wanting to fuss with her hair dryer that evening, so she was just trying to get as much of the water out as possible. She walked naked into her bedroom, knowing Inuyasha wasn't going to just barge in, and grabbed some comfortable pajamas.

Slipping on the short and tank-top set she smiled at herself in the vanity and stretched her arms up carefully, mindful of her healing body she heard a satisfying pop in the process. It was already almost 9 o'clock and she was beat and beyond ready for bed. Falling onto the soft, clean bed she sighed. It was the best feeling in the world, the clean sheets were soft against her skin and there was a delicate and clean scent coming from them that lulled her gently closer to sleep. "Oh crap, before I forget," She said snapping her eyes open.

Reaching for her phone on the bedside table she lifted it and laid back on her pillows typing a text message to Sango:

Hey Sango, it's Kagome. I hope it's not too late & I'm sorry if I woke you. I am going to be registering for school on Monday and was wondering if you wanted to go shopping tomorrow? I need to get some school clothes & don't really know where to go. Let me know, night!

Setting the phone down she hopped off the bed and went to turn the light off with a yawn. Pulling the thick blanket back she crawled under and sighed happily. Pulling the blanket up under her chin she smiled into the dark room and finally drifted off to sleep.

Ooo

And that is the way the cookie crumbles. Sorry it took so long to get a new chapter up…but whatever. Review it loves!