Chapter 11:  Rainy Day Activities pt 1: Tickle Torture Interruptions

     "No! No! NO!" Each shriek got progressively louder. Little Shippou clung to Kagome like a leech, refusing to let go.

     "Come on, Shippou." She tried to pry him loose, but he only tightened his arms around her neck. "Your parents will be here any minute. Aren't you excited to be going home?"

     "Don't want to go home!" Shippou wailed. "I want to stay here with you! I want to play with Shiro!" He buried his face in her shoulder, his tiny body shaking with sobs. Kagome appealed to her mother and brother for help.

     Souta stared sullenly at the ground, a scowl on his face. His video game playing had been suspended again. Mom wanted the whole family present to say goodbye to Shippou and his parents. Grandpa continuously complained that it was freezing, and why did they have to wait outside?  He was an old man and his health was very fragile. Were they trying to give him pneumonia? Mom tried to take Shippou, but he screamed and sobbed so much that she finally left him alone with an apologetic look at her daughter.

     Shippou and Shiro had become great friends in the short time they had known each other. Kagome didn't mind since it had allowed her to spend more time with Inuyasha; something she wanted to do more and more lately. But Cousin Taro and Naomi were coming home today. They had called from the airport thirty minutes ago and, if the traffic wasn’t too bad, should be pulling up to the house any minute.

     Kagome eyed the overcast sky. It promised rain, though the weatherman insisted that it wouldn't be until later in the week. The naked limbs of the trees rattled in the rising wind while fallen leaves skittered across the barren ground. She thought longingly of a hot cup of tea in the comfort of her room. If only Taro and Naomi would arrive before they all froze to death.

     Kagome soothed Shippou, finally getting him to loosen his stranglehold around her neck. What was it with little kids trying to choke her? She looked up at the sound of a horn, settling Shippou into a more comfortable position, and watched the car park at the curb. A gigantic red-haired man and a petite dark-haired woman got out and waved to them, looking relaxed and tanned from their cruise. In a flash, Shippou released Kagome and ran for his daddy. Taro caught his son in his arms and swung him around with a laugh. Shippou let out a delighted shriek, his tears forgotten.

     "Were you a good boy for Kagome?" Taro asked, setting the boy on his shoulder.

     "He was an angel," Kagome's mom assured them.

     "We had a lot of fun," Kagome agreed. "Didn't we, Shippou?"

     Shippou nodded his head so hard it was a wonder he didn't give himself whiplash. "I made a new friend. His name's Shiro. His daddy likes Kagome 'cause they were holding hands when we went trick-or-treating. And Sango hit Miroku 'cause he's a pervert. What's a pervert, Daddy? Kagome wouldn't tell me."

     Cousin Taro gave the blushing Kagome a sly look. "You've learned a lot from your cousin." He set Shippou on the ground. "I'll tell you when you're older. Now, who wants a present? We brought something for everybody."

     "Presents!" Shippou squealed and ran to the car to begin searching. Kagome trailed after everyone. She was going to miss the little firecracker. But now maybe she could get some studying done.

^**^

     The sky had been spitting rain all afternoon. Kagome pulled the light a little closer and bent over her book again. The library was the only decent place to get any studying done. Either Souta's video games were blasting throughout the house or mom or grandpa came looking for her every few minutes to run an errand. She closed her eyes, breathing in the comforting smell of books and furniture polish, and felt herself unwind.

     Kagome and Sango had agreed to get together today at the library. It happened to be Sango’s day off from her job and this gave her the opportunity to escape from her responsibilities for a while and just relax.  She wanted to look up some books about planning the perfect wedding and Kagome wanted to study. An hour ago she left to go home and fix dinner for Kohaku, hinting that Miroku might also be coming over.

     The front door swung open, letting in a spurt of rain. Kagome looked up, startled. The sky outside the window had grown black and the rain was coming down in sheets. She glanced at the clock over the circulation desk and frowned. How did it get so late? It was nearly seven o'clock.

     "Five minutes until closing," the librarian announced. Kagome noticed that the room was nearly empty, most people having left when the weather turned nasty. She stood and began shoving books in her bag.

     "Where did I leave my umbrella?" Kagome bent down to peer under the table. She straightened too quickly and gave her head a nasty crack on the unyielding wood. "Stupid me," she muttered and rubbed the tender bump. "It's sitting on my desk at school where I left it."

     Kagome hoisted the heavy bag onto her shoulder and left the warm building as the lights began dimming one by one. She struggled to pull the door open against the suction of the wind. Torrents of rain lashed the ground, driven nearly sideways by unexpected gusts.

     "I hate the rain. I'm going to get drenched. Well, I guess I’d better go." Kagome dashed out from her sheltered doorway, getting soaked to the skin in the few minutes it took her to reach the nearby bagel shop and brief shelter. She huddled against the door with its mocking 'closed' sign and tried to work up the courage for another run to the next sheltered spot.

     "Kagome?" She looked up at the sound of that welcome voice. Inuyasha stood on the other side of the street, holding a large black umbrella over his head. He quickly crossed, splashing through puddles and the rushing water that filled the gutters. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her under the canopy of his umbrella. Kagome felt a surge of gratitude.

     "What are you doing out here, you stupid girl?" Inuyasha demanded. Kagome's glow of thankfulness dimmed. She tried to push away from him, but he held her too tightly.

     "None of your business," she snapped. "But I'm on my way home."

     Inuyasha snorted. "Without an umbrella?" He started walking, dragging her along with him. "What you need is a keeper. You're soaked. Are you trying to catch pneumonia?" She tried to kick him, but they were walking too fast. "Dry off at my place and I'll take you home later."

     Kagome stopped trying to maim him. It was funny how he could be sweet and insulting at the same time. "I'll need to call my mom," she said. Inuyasha grunted in reply. He hadn't let go of her arm yet. She relaxed against him. 'I love the rain.'

     Since Kagome hadn’t been available to baby-sit when Inuyasha ended up having to work a couple of extra hours, he had made arrangements with Shiro’s daycare for him to stay there. Looking after Shiro was a joy as Kagome well knew, so that hadn’t been a problem.  And Inuyasha had taken the bus that morning, since it hadn’t been raining when he left for work.  Normally, it was a quick mile walk from his house and past the daycare to the bus stop.  With the torrential rains, it seemed twice as long.

     They finally made it to the daycare center to pick up Shiro who launched himself at Kagome with barely a 'hello' to his daddy. The young daycare provider smiled at her and commented to Inuyasha that it was about time he started dating again. "Don't let this one get away," she said with a wink. Kagome blushed and tightened her arms around Shiro. The little boy talked nonstop all the way home.

     Despite the protection of the umbrella, all three of them were dripping by the time they reached the house. Kagome stood uncertainly in the doorway with a large puddle of water growing on the floor beneath her.

     "Go into the bathroom and get out of those wet clothes," Inuyasha commanded. "I'll find something for you to wear." Before she could obey, Shiro suddenly shook himself, spraying water in all directions.

     "What did you do that for?" Inuyasha asked, spluttering.

     "Mrs. Tama's dog does that when he's wet," Shiro said. "It's fun, Daddy. You should try it."

     "You're not a dog, Shiro. Now, run up those stairs and get into some dry clothes." Inuyasha gave him a pat on the bottom that sent him scampering towards his room.

     Kagome emerged later from the bathroom wearing a shirt of Inuyasha's and a pair of sweatpants. She had to roll up the legs and cinch it tight with a belt around her narrow waist.

     Shiro pounced on her as soon as she came into the kitchen. "Are you staying for dinner, 'Gome? Daddy's making ramen."

     "I don't know, Shiro," she said with a sideways glance at Inuyasha who was setting a pan of water on the stove. "Your daddy didn't ask me. I should probably get home."

     "Stay," Inuyasha said abruptly. He coughed a little, watching the water begin to bubble as if it was the most important thing in the world. "It's still raining cats and dogs and there's plenty to eat. Stay here a little longer… unless you don't want to?"

     Kagome smiled a little at the sudden uncertainty in his voice. "I'd love to stay. I just need to call my mom and let her know where I am. If I don't, she'll have the police scouring the neighborhood before midnight."

     Inuyasha laughed at that and dropped the first package of ramen into the boiling water.

     After dinner they went into the living room. Shiro brought out some of his favorite games. They played Candyland, Uncle Wiggly, and Chutes and Ladders. Inuyasha did a little victory dance every time he won.

     Kagome threw a pillow at him during one of his dances. He threw it back and caught her square in the face. She chased him around the table, whacking him with the pillow. Shiro laughed and cheered for Kagome.

     Inuyasha swooped down on Shiro and started to tickle him. Shiro shrieked with laughter and squirmed, trying to get away. Kagome came up behind Inuyasha and poked him in the side. He flinched and she got a really evil grin on her face. She attacked his ribs, watching his face turned red from trying not to laugh. Shiro decided to help tickle his daddy. Inuyasha backed away from the double onslaught and stumbled against the sofa. It caught him in the back of the knees and he fell backwards onto the cushions. Kagome tripped and sprawled across his lap.

     He immediately flipped her over so that she was underneath him and tickled her under her arms. Breathless with laughter, she tried to bring her arms down to protect herself. He grabbed both of her wrists in one hand and pinned her arms above her head. Shiro giggled and ran his tiny fingers over her bare feet. She jerked in response and Inuyasha shifted his weight to hold her still. He grinned at her as she struggled.

     "I'm going to get you." Inuyasha raised his free hand and lowered it slowly.

     "Don't you dare!" Kagome said, trying and failing to break free.

     He paused with his fingers an inch away from her side. She squirmed and he started his tickle torture. Shaking with laughter, she tried to buck him off. He ignored her attempt and continued to torment her. Inuyasha only stopped when they were both breathless with laughter.

     Inuyasha flexed his hand, bare skin registering under his fingers. He and Kagome looked down at the same time and identical blushes spread across their faces. Her shirt had gotten pulled up during her struggles and Inuyasha's hand had found its way under her shirt and was currently resting on the curve of her ribs. He became aware that he was lying mostly on top of her. Their faces were only inches apart and her breasts brushed his chest with each panting breath she took. Inuyasha had a sudden thought that had been plaguing him for the past several weeks. What would it feel like to kiss her? He leaned forward slightly.

     A pillow connected with the side of his head. "Got you, Daddy!" Shiro laughed at the look on his daddy's face. Inuyasha jumped off of Kagome like he had been burned. He turned away to hide his reddened cheeks and missed the flash of disappointment in Kagome's eyes.

     "You better run, Shiro," he roared. "'Cause when I catch you, I'm going to tickle you to death." Shiro shrieked and ran away on his short little legs with Inuyasha making growling noises right behind him. Kagome sat up on the sofa and straightened her clothes. Once she was sure that her blushes were under control, she joined Inuyasha in chasing his son around the house.

Food for thought:

As long as there are tests,

There will be prayer in schools