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Reviews:

pyrotechnic oh come on now! I am not makin you wait NEARLY so long this tiime! Consider it a chance to exercise your patience ()

June-bug: Dear june-bug, you are cute! I love the letter opening. And thankyou for the lovely complements

kagome101 : YOU ARE A GOOF (rofl!) your review makes me laugh, and I am updating I promise.

Kagome lover: ok ok hold your horses, give me a sec to type this up ()

SmifaliciousPurpleSquirrel: ok well i wouldve had it up within minutes after you posted your review, but then my internet went haywire, so i went to bed and then extended it... so here

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Chapter 8

Marco Polo Mayhem

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Miroku took up the oars to the little boat and began rowing towards the shore, all the while smiling at the taijya. A blush began creeping across her face at his relentless gaze, she looked down and squeaked, pulling her sarong off the floor and draping it over her near bare legs. The monk winked at her causing her to blush even harder. She had half a mind to slap him, but held back.

They felt the pebbles scrape the bottom of the boat and jumped out, pulling the small boat ashore, the miko had come into the shallows, holding her upper body out of the water like a seal. She bent her knees and the flippers came out behind her like a tail.

She smiled at the taijya, "Sorry Sango, but the sarong will just weigh you down in this game, might as well take it off."

The grin on the monk's face only grew. Sango rolled her eyes and tossed it in his face, turning back to the miko, "So what do we need for this game?"

"See these?" the miko motioned to her flippers, "There are two more pairs in the boat, one is for Miroku, the other is for you."

The monk finally pulled the garment away from his face and took a pair from the taijya, looking how Kagome put her's on and sat down, putting his on. Kagome bit her lip as he stood, he started walking towards the water, but as he took a step, his flippers dug into the ground, then he stepped on his flipper and did a face plant at the water's edge. The girls giggled and he spat out the pebbles, muttering to himself.

Kagome sent him a sympathetic look, "Its much easier to put them on once you are already a ways in the water."

"Well thanks for the warning," the monk said lamely.

The taijya giggled and waded into the cool water, meeting up with Kagome about waist deep. The miko assisted and they watched at the monk who ackwardly make his way out into the water, falling and splashing and drenching himself by the time he reached where they were.

The miko giggled, "Glad you could make it."

She gave them a quick lesson on how to use the flippers and the taijya did ok, but the monk had opened his mouth while swimming and got a huge gulp of water. He came up coughing and sputtering, spitting out the excess water. Eventually they made their way out to where the hanyou was waiting.

The miko smiled, "Now for Marco Polo. We won't use the goggles for this."

She took the hanyou's and her goggles and tossed them to shore, the taijya cocked her head, "Marco what?"

"Polo."

"Marco-"

"Polo!"

"Hey!"

"That's how the game works."

The monk shook his head, "I am confused."

"There is a person who is 'it' and they call out 'Marco' and everyone else yells out 'Polo'. Then who ever gets tagged is 'it'. But there is catch, the person who is 'it' has to keep their eyes closed, and use their other senses to find everyone else."

"Sounds easy enough." The hanyou said cockily.

Sango put a hand on the miko's shoulder, "Who should go first?"

"Well, since I have played before I will be it first."

She closed her eyes and counted to ten, listening as her friends scurried away. She smirked, they were gonna have to be more quiet if they didn't want to be 'it'. Kagome finished counting and let out a loud, "MARCO!"

"Polo." Came a single reply.

She crossed her arms, "Ok guys, you ALL have to say 'polo' it's the rules!"

"POLO!" came voices all around her.

She gave chase to the nearest, and loudest. She used her senses to zone in on Miroku, who was still getting used to the appendages, splashing and coughing up the water he kept swallowing. Kagome used her other senses and noticed the auras of the others coming closer, curious to see what she would do. She made a final lurch and grabbed his ankle, "GOTCHA!" she opened her eyes and gave a triumphant smile.

He spat out some water and did his best to smile, "You are fast!"

She smiled back, "That's just cause I am used to these," she kicked back and exposed her flippers. He grabbed it and yanked hard, causing her to run into him, "Ah I love them," he said with a big hentai grin.

Her eyes narrowed and she did a back flip in the water, catching his chin with her flippers. He winced and she resurfaced, giving him a glare, "Watch out, you guys may be better on land, but I rule in the water."

The monk smirked, "We will see about that," he closed his eyes and said, "Marco"

The miko squeaked and sped away, along with the rest of the friends, the monk left all by himself.

"Marco!"

"Polo!" came the three responses.

He swam forward and called out again, "Marco."

"Polo."

Suddenly he lurched towards the taijya, she shrieked and tried to escape, but the flippers weren't cooperating with her. At the last second she dove under and out of the way, but he sensed her going under him and he dove under and reached out, the turned to see what he was doing and tensed as he grabbed her just above the waist. He pulled her to the surface and pulled her against him, "I have you now my sweet taijya."

She strained against his hold, but he only held her tighter, she suddenly got an idea and kicked, dragging them under. He was surprised as her body went limp, he pulled her back to the surface, loosening his hold and shaking her, "SANGO!"

The taijya opened her eyes and splashed him, pushing him away. He heaved a sigh of relief and surprisingly a smirk came across his face, "Darn, I was hoping to give you that CPR thing."

She splashed him again and closed her eyes, "Marco."

The monk splashed her back and answered, "Polo."

Sango crossed her arms, "Marco!"

"Polo!" came the three replies.

She honed in on the miko and gave chase. The miko dove under her and came up behind her.

"Marco."

"POLO POLO POLO!" the miko yelled, laughing her friend wheeled, "How did you get over there?"

"Magic," Kagome giggled.

The taijya charged towards her voice and she ducked under, but Sango was ready. She dove under as well and could feel the water from the fleeing miko, she chased her and grabbed the girl's flipper, smiling as the miko froze and floated to the surface.

"Aw man! You got me!"

"It was magic." The taijya giggled. Kagome looked over her shoulder to the hanyou, who was leaning on a boulder, she smirked, "Your next dog-boy!"

"Keh, like you could catch me."

She just closed her eyes and counted to ten, honing in her sensed and figuring out which auras were where. The monk was over in the shallows, and by the noise, he was figuring the best way to use his flippers. She giggled to herself as she heard the monk mutter about the 'stupid things' on his feet. The taijya was currently fleeing, since she had tagged the miko, and the hanyou…. Ah hah, the hanyou was trying to be tricky.

"Marco!"

"Polo." Came two responses.

Instead of heading towards either voice, the miko moved slighty away from them and stopped, treading water…

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The taijya rushed away from Kagome, wanting to be well away by the time she finished counting. She turned to find the miko slowly swimming in a wide circle, her eyes closed. Sango realized she was listening for everyone, and she immediately quieted her movements through the water. She watched the miko come to a stop and cocked her head, what was her friend doing? The taijya suddenly noticed bubbles breaking the surface infront of the teen. She realized the hanyou must be down there, and began wondering how long he could hold his breath.

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Inuyasha figured, if he couldn't hear 'marco' he couldn't say 'polo' so he dove under and watched her. Of course he wasn't wearing the goggles, so he was watching the dark blur above him, he watched as she made a couple small circles, apparently figuring out where everyone was, but then she came to a stop… just over him. He suddenly realized he was running out of air, fast… and he would have to surface right next to the miko.

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Kagome sensed his aura stirring, and could feel as little bubbles rising as the time passed. She began to worry, what if he pushed himself too hard? The seconds passed and the miko's concern grew, but they faded away as she heard him surface and gasp for air. She turned and tagged him on the chest, opening her eyes and smiling, "Your it."

He smirked and took her hand from his chest, "I won't be 'it ' for long. You can be sure of that."

"Oooo, dog boy is getting serious. Good luck finding me without my aura."

"Keh, I don't need your aura to find you."

"We will see." She winked and ducked under, slipping out of his reach.

The hanyou closed his eyes and felt the miko mask her aura, he began counting.

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Miroku had finally gotten used to the flippers and watched as Kagome found her target. He really liked this game! You can't see so you are not blamed if you grope, and the clothing showed more skin than he ever thought would be allowed in society. He noticed the miko duck under and head off towards some boulders, masking her aura in the process. He shook his head, that girl was going to exhaust herself if she kept doing that. Although he had to admit it was a very handy trick. Miroku sat back in the shallows and watched as the hanyou began his turn.

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The hanyou knew that Kagome was masking her aura, but it made him edgy that he couldn't sense her in any way when she was under the water. He could easily pick up the taijya moving about, but he kept his senses attuned for when the miko resurfaced. Inuyasha wheeled and charged.

Sango watched her friend leave and wondered where she was going, but she didn't think long. As she turned she found a hanyou coming in fast. She cursed her lack of experience with the flippers as she ducked benenath the watere and swam towards the nearest boulder. Swimming around it she resurfaced and watched to see what the hanyou would do, watching as two white ears came plowing through the water towards her position. (shark music)

He raced, closer and closer, beginning to wonder why she wasn't moving until… WHAM! Smack into the boulder he went, simultaneously crushing both ears and yelling out in pain, with a colorful stream of language to follow. He surfaced and rubbed his abused ears, he growled at Sango. But before he made a move to tag her, he wheeled on a familiar flare.

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Kagome heard the hanyou yell out in pain, suddenly filling her with worry and adrenaline, forcing her to release her aura in a gigantic flare. She quickly concealed it again and heaved a sigh of relief as she heard the hanyou yelling his usual profanities.

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Miroku bit his lip trying to hold back the laughter, after watching the hanyou slam into the boulder. Sango had burst out laughing from her position. But they all froze as he actually saw the surge of miko energy a ways behind the friends. It disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving the air with an electric twinge. He smirked, figuring she lost control for a moment.

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Shippo watched as the miko made her way through the boulders to the small cove. He had been here with her before, but on bathing trips. He figured she would use it for a hiding place so he led Kirara there to set up for the trap. The fire neko had found two more balloons and the kitsune had gathered the best of his charms. He motioned for Kirara to come close and he put leaf on each of their heads, and poof!

The neko cocked her head, 'Uh nothing happened'

He smirked and thought, 'oh, something did happen.' And he leapt down to the boulder directly behind the miko.

'WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?'

The kit winced, 'Man you think loudly! I masked our auras… see?'

Kirara twitched her tail in annoyance, 'You could've just told me.'

'Oh, but that was fun!'

The neko rolled her eyes as the kit made his way silently back up the tree, they watched and waited for the final piece, the hanyou. Suddenly they turned their heads towards the lake as they heard the hanyou cry out and yell with his typical language, but their attention was turned downward as the miko suddenly flared with a great pink light, the shockwave nearly knocking them out of the tree!

They exchanged a look of shock, 'Dang! If she did that in a battle we wouldn't NEED weapons!'

The kit nodded in agreement and watched as a pair of slightly swolen ears slowly made their way through the boulders towards the pool.

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The hanyou left Sango where she was and made his way towards the flare, this time with his hands out in front of him, feeling his way along the maze of boulders, since he wasn't supposed to open his eyes. He felt the water temperature drop as he entered the shaded pool.

A smirk pulled at his lips as her aluring scent reached him, "Ah, thought you could hide from me eh?'

Kagome had sensed him coming and figured she had given up her position, but she could still make it fun, "You still have to catch me."

She recognized that growl, playful, yet not. But she wasn't ready to be caught just yet.

Inuyasha noticed a sudden shift in her scent and realized that this 'game' could get very interesting. He was willing to follow the rules, for a little while anyway. So he let out a low, "Marco."

"Polo." The miko had moved to the deepest part of the cove and was just waiting for him to give chase. He carefully moved towards her, but heard her duck under him and pull the trick she did on Sango, resurfacing behind him. The hanyou knew it would be harder to track her now, with her aura masked. She ducked under again, but this time he followed. He realized he could hear her flippers as they propelled her in wide circles around his position. Going up for air he heard her take a small breath, and they both dove under once again. He heard her coming directly towards him, most likely going to dive under his feet. It was time to regain control of the situation, so he reached down and grabbed her flipper, causing her to thrash in surprise. She towed them to shore and resurfaced, breathing hard from the surprise attack.

Upon reaching the pebbled shore she turned over, resting stomach up, and on her elbows as she worked to calm her breath and her wildly beating heart. She saw five neat holes in her flipper, but ignored it. The miko looked over to the hanyou, who sat there, half out of the water, and his bangs covering his eyes.

She tucked her legs to the side and moved towards him, "You can open your eyes now," she gently brushed his silver locks out of the way.

Her breath caught as he opened his eyes, revealing the molten orbs, she suddenly became entranced at their stunning beauty. The miko's heart jumped and began to race once again, he let out another low growl, sending shivers down her spine. He moved towards her until she was again on her elbows, never breaking eye contact.

The hanyou opened his eyes and saw the beautiful, halter topped miko before him, sending his senses reeling. His instincts caused him to let out a growl and his nose picked up another fluctuation in her scent, he moved towards her and was surprised as she didn't run. His heart lept and his thoughts melted away as he moved closer still. He placed a hand on either side of her, but remained next to her, not wanting to scare her off.

The hanyou's hair draped a silver curtain around them as he closed the distance. His lips captured her's in a teasing kiss, just barely making contact before pulling away, letting out a seductive growl to egg her on.

She realized he was toying, so she figured she could toy right back. Her breath quickened as she did the same, gently kissing his lips and nibbling, teasing him further. Her aggressions were causing the hanyou to fight himself with every shred of his strength. He didn't want to take her, but his instincts were fighting to lay claim on his mate-to-be.

Oblivious to the internal battle, Kagome egged him further, moving further out of the water and forcing pursuit. The hanyou could feel her moving away and he growled, his body aching for her's and his mind desperately tried to regain control. This was turning into more than just some playful game, and he needed to take control of himself, his body was aflame in the rush of blood. He was fighting a losing battle, and needed to calm himself, fast. He felt himself advancing on her once again, and looked into her wonderous eyes that were filled with laughter, playfullness, and just a hint of seduction.

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Shippo watched as the couple played the game of cat an mouse, too naïve to know what was going on. Kirara, on the other hand, could smell all the pheremones being released, so she caught the kit's attention and had him check the trap to make sure everything was ready. She didn't mind giving the couple some alone time, so she laid down and closed her eyes, stayng wary for any major scent changes.

She heard the kit return and led him to a higher branch, carefully positioning her tails to block the view of the scene below. The fire neko went over the plan one more time. Suddenly she smelled fear and nervousness emitting from the hanyou, as well as a surge in his youkai blood.

She stood up and told the kit, 'Look! Now's your chance! Kagome even left you some extra space!'

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Kagome was surprised at his hesitation, she watched as he froze in the water, and was he… trembling? She looked into his golden orbs realized why. The golden orbs that usually were a gentle gold, despite his moods, were now swirling like a molten whirlpool, she saw that he was fighting for control to the point that his eyes were almost glowing.

She had complete trust in her hanyou, but she figured she could help, so she sat up, and moved towards the deeper water, concealing her state of dress. She felt his gaze follow her movements, and the farther she went the faster the gold swirled, until…

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Shippo sprinted down to a lower branch and unleashed his charms, causing it to rain down mushrooms and water balloons. They splashed all around the miko and hanyou, thoroughly gettinig them redrenched.

Inuyasha was suddenly very glad for the distraction, it allowed him to retake control and direct his attention elsewhere. He wanted to thank them, but that would probably ruin the kit's fun, so he put up his gruff front and yelled, "Oi! What in seven hells do you think your doing?"

"Getting my revenge!" the kit giggled.

Kirara tilted her head, she could smell relief coming off him in waves! She looked up to find the rest of the group making their way into the small cove, so she let out a welcoming mew. Hopping down from the branches she found it entertaining how the kit could get so excited about something that he would completely forget how to use his senses. She shrugged and watched the monk and her master swim into the small cove.

Kagome was now exhausted, and had long since released her aura, but in moderation this time, she prevented it from flaring. If she hadn't learned how to just float she would've sank to the bottom by now. Her aura had flared multiple times between the playing, and close moment, and being bombarded with the funky kitsune mushrooms. Keeping all that hidden along with calming her emotions had definitely taken a toll on her energy reserves. She kicked lightly to shore and met up with the fire neko. "Hey Kirara."

"Mew."

"I don't know about you, but I am exhausted."

The neko blinked and tilted her head.

"I think I may need to just catch some rays for a while."

Kirara blinked, and the miko laughed, patting her on the head. She looked up to see her friends entering the cove and she smiled, but sat on a submerged boulder while trying to regain some of her strength.

The hanyou had gone to the deep area of the cove, kicking lightly to stay afloat. He knew his friends were coming, and he was glad he could sense the miko's steady aura now. Her scent filled him with peace, but worried him at the same time, her scent had such power over him. It could calm him down or rile him up, he knew she wasn't doing it on purpose, but she did. He also knew how badly he wanted to become her mate, but he wasn't ready for that, and he had the feeling she wasn't quite ready either. He knew her time wouldn't accept her being a mate at her age, so he planned on dicussing it with her. But today was not the day. Of course, after what he did he wondered if she would ever go near him again.

The monk came in with a hentai smile, "Wow, you guys sure do take a while to get tagged."

"I think I need to take a little break from games for a while," the miko said tiredly.

"Well you are gonna exhaust youself if you keep hiding your aura like that," the taijya said with a concerned look.

"Already happened." The miko said as she kicked off the rock and slowly headed towards shore, the hanyou watched her as she pulled up onto the pebbles and took off her flippers. She stood up and smiled, "I am going to walk back to the rest of the stuff. I will meet you guys there. And if Inuyasha joined me, I would much appreciate it."

He gave her a surprised look and swam ashore, taking off his own flippers and joining her. She gave him a comforting smile and they walked off into the woods.

As they walked through the trees the hanyou began to grow very nervous, was she going to tell him off? Or tell him to never come near her again? To his surprise she took his hand and smiled, "I know what happened earlier. And I am sorry."

He froze and looked at her wide eyed, "What are you sorry for! I was the one who-"

"-I know. But I pushed you too far, I didn't realize I was making it so hard for you." She sighed, "Inuyasha, I hope you know you have my complete trust, and I know you care. And I hope we are married someday. But I don't think either of us is ready."

He nodded, but was shocked at how she knew his exact thoughts. She retook his hand and they walked through the out of the woods and onto the lake's edge. the miko smiled and released him, tossing her flippers in the boat and pulling out two towels. Setting one down for her to lay on, and tossing the other to the hanyou. He caught it and spread it out next to hers. Kagome laid down and closed her eyes. The hanyou lay next to her and closed his own, each dreaming of their future… together.

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That would be the end of the Day of Fun in the Sun! phew! Now I can finish my other three. Hope it met your expectations! Arwen Rivendell out.