He looked down at Sota, Mama, and Jiichan who were all at the kitchen table eating dinner. Their mouths were half-full, ready to take another bite, as Inuyasha’s mouth took shape of an “o.”

“INU NO NIICHAN!” Sota exclaimed as he rushed over to hug the pupper. “Wait a second,” the boy pulled back, still gripping Inuyasha, “Weren’t you here this morning?”

Inuyasha’s cheeks turned red as he noticed Kagome’s mom and grampa smirk at the boy’s question, “N-No!” He pulled away, “T-That wasn’t me.” He pouted and crossed his arms.

“Eh?” Sota pointed at him. “But who else wo-”

Inuyasha hurried to cover his mouth and laughed nervously, “D-Don’t listen to him.” He released Sota like nothing happened -- the boy catching his breath-- “Is Kagome home?”

“Sorry, Inuyasha,” she smiled sadly. “Kagome has been out all day at the library studying with her friends,” she said as she took another bite of her food. “But, if you really wanna see her-”

“W-What?!” he cleared his throat. “I j-just wanted some more ninja food… th-that’s all,” he lied terribly.

Gramps nodded sarcastically as he ate his noodles, “I see.”

Inuyasha wasn’t sure if it was his mind playing tricks or if they were all suggesting that he was dying to see her. See her? Kagome? Why the heck would I care?!: is what he thought; but I do kind of miss her… and her nagging… her annoying voice… her…: is how he knew he felt.

“Inu no niichan!” the boy shook him out of his daydream.

Inuyasha shook his head -- hoping no one noticed he zoned out -- and looked down, “You can wait with me if you want! We can play video games and watch TV!”

“You mean the magic box?” he seriously asked.

Sota nodded and grabbed his hand before he even had a chance to think.

It was already 9 p.m.; the sky was dark and the stars were already high in the sky. Jiichan had fallen asleep on the chair in the living room while Sota was passed out on the floor with the controller in his left hand and the TV on full-blast with a virtual fighting game on the screen.

Mama had her face flat on the kitchen table, snoozing away with a dish rag in one hand and a half-clean plate in the other. Buyo was making his way to sleep on Sota’s stomach as Kagome closed the front door and made her way upstairs.

“Jeez, why is everyone already asleep?” she mumbled to herself as she rolled her shoulders. “Have I really been gone that long?”

She sighed as she let her yellow stuffed backpack slide off her back and drop to the ground. She fluffed her hair before getting ready to unbutton her shirt as she turned to the mirror and exclaimed:

“INU-INUYASHA?!”

The exhausted pup immediately fell off the bed, making a long ‘thud’ noise. He rubbed his head and immediately ran over and smushed his forehead against Kagome’s in (fake) extreme rage, “Why would you do that?!”

“Why would I….?!” she yelled as she shoved her forehead back against his. “Why are you in my room?!”

“Wh-what I’m not --” he stopped and took a look around -- “...oh.” He nervously laughed, but refused to let her win, “W-Well, where have you been all day?! All week?!”

Kagome laughed sarcastically, “Oh, now you wanna get all uptight about where I am?”

Inuyasha lowered his ears in fear, “N-No…”

“Where were you all those times you randomly ran off??” she crossed her arms. “Hmmmm?”

At first, he got mad that she even brought it up -- yes, I was with Kikyo, but dammit, Kagome… it’s not what you think... : is what he thought, but:

“Look,” he eased up his tone. “I j-just… j-just… the gang misses you,” is what he said.

Kagome sighed because she thought he was gonna say something more meaningful, “Okay…,” she put her finger on her chin. “But what does that have to do with being here --” she waved her arms in a circle -- “in my room?”

Inuyasha panicked, “I-It’s not like I miss you or a-anything!”    

For some reason, something in Kagome broke, “... Stupid.”

“Stupid?”

“Yes…,” she lowered her head and closed her fists. “BAKA, BAKA, BAKA!” Inuyasha shuddered, not knowing what to do, “Leave….me alone…”

“W-What?” he reached out to her, but she turned away.

“GO,” she shouted as he crawled away, and out the window.

He stared back into the window before he shut it behind him. She threw herself onto her bed and covered her eyes, almost as if she were to cry. Inuyasha felt bad for what he said, but at least he knew that it worked.

FIVE DAYS LATER

“Inuyasha? Miroku?” Kagome called out into the forest. “Shippo-chan? Sango-chan?”

She looked from left to right as she pushed herself out of the well. The breeze was nice and the sun was hiding shyly behind the clouds; a butterfly followed her on the way out, just like when she had first arrived in the feudal era.

“G-Guys?” she muttered as she finally saw the gang in the distance.

Inuyasha was yelling at Miroku while he ignored the pup’s shouts. Sango was laughing with Kirara, enjoying the amusement, while Shippo was acting “innocent” helping Kaede with the crops -- so basically a normal day.

“Kagome!” Shippo exclaimed as he ran to her and jumped into her arms. “We missed you… Especially that one --” he whispered, pointing to Inuyasha-- “where have you been?”

She giggled, rubbing his head, “I’ve been busy with my studies.” She smiled, “I’m sorry I haven’t been around.” She looked over at Inuyasha, “At least, I’m finally free on this special day!!”

Shippo tilted his head, “special… day?”

“Very funny, Shippo…,” she giggled nervously as he jumped down. “I only talked about it every day for the last two weeks…”

Did they really forget it’s my birthday?

She walked over to Inuyasha, and his eyes lit up, but he shook his head trying to hide the fact that it did.

“Today’s a special day, isn’t??” she pouted and put her hands behind her back, sway back and front, waiting for someone to answer.

Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango all looked at each other -- left to right, right to left -- before shrugging and a complete blank look on their faces.

“Eh?” Inuyasha scratched his head. “What’s so special about today?” He turned to Miroku, “Did he not hit on anyone today?”

It was almost as if fumes began smoking out of Kagome for reasons, and Sango for, well, other reasons. The two girls tried to contain themselves while the boys continued to be clueless.

Inuyasha noticed the death stares on their faces, “W-What did I do?”

Miroku jabbed his staff onto Inuyasha’s head, following the rude remark -- Shippo dug his feet into the dirt trying to hold Inuyasha back.  

“Anyways…,” Miroku turned to Kagome. “Ahh, you’re right!” He put his hand on her shoulder, “It is a special day!”

“See!!” she jumped up and down. “Thank you, Miroku!”

He took a deep breath, “There’s a festival going on in the village over!”

Kagome fell straight to the floor. She rubbed her head as Inuyasha and Shippo exclaimed “FREE FOOD” and Miroku yelled “SINGLE LADIES.”

The two ladies sighed again, lowering their heads in unison.

Sango laid a hand on Kagome, reassuring her friend, “Don’t worry.” She smiled softly, “I know why it’s a special day.”

“Really?!” Kagome let herself get excited once again.

“Yes,” Sango slowly walked over to Miroku. “Today is when…,” she smirked at him, “Houshisama gets what’s coming to him.”

She leaned into the monk, closed her eyes, and threw a nice jab to the face.

Inuyasha and Shippo rolled around on the floor, laughing uncontrollably as they grabbed their stomachs while Sango was satisfied and walked away with sass.

“Sigh,” Kagome breathed. “Whatever, you guys can go.”

She walked away from the loud noises of Inuyasha’s laugher and Miroku’s complaining. She slid the door open to Kaede’s hut and quietly sat next to the pot, sulking in her thoughts.

“Kagome,” she turned around. “Why are you so sad? Isn’t it your birthday?”

The girl gave a weak smile, “Thanks for remembering, Kaede.” She sighed for the tenth time, “But the others don’t…”

“Oh,” the lady thought to herself. “Well, let me make you a special soup; it’ll make you feel better.”  

She nodded slowly and watched Kaede leave the hut.

“It worked,” Kaede whispered to the gang.

“Kaede… where… are … you,” she tried to feel around her, but it was nothing but air. “Taking… me… ?”

“SURPRISE!!!”

Kaede removed her blindfold and before her was a huge birthday banner hung across the well. Flowers of different colors were planted around it and tables with different foods and cakes were placed on two tables.

The gang wore party hats and yelled in excitement -- they all looked stupid, but it still made Kagome’s heart melt.

Inuyasha walked up to her, “I wanted to celebrate your birthday in the place where we first met.”

ok here’s the sappiness:

Inuyasha: There were so many mixed emotions going on in my head right then. I had no idea how to tell her, so I tried my best to keep it to myself for as long as I can, but now that things are stirring up with the village people, I almost had no choice but to tell her soon.  "Hey, what do you want to have for dinner? I can meet you back at the hut if you want me to pick somethin' up at the market before it closes?" A sweat drop dripped down the side of my face as I cracked a very unrealistic smile in hopes she would help me change the subject.

Kagome: I saw the look on his face, and the way he spoke his words and carried himself, which made me feel almost terrible for trying to somewhat force it out of him; he just couldn't stop ripping his eye contact from mine and trying to avoid whatever subject it is he's trying to avoid. My poor boy, I'll just stop nudging him for now. "Surprise me," I said calmly with a smile, hoping it'd calm his nerves.

Inuyasha: Seeing her expression change made my heart race slow down. I knew that I was in a safe zone now. I grabbed hold of her hands held her small fingers in my hand and held them very tightly. Her face glistened in the moonlight, and that instantly made me feel calm again. "I'll be back soon, my dear." I gave her a small kiss on the lips and went off to the market. I walked off feeling a strong guilt deep in my chest. It hurt to keep something like this away from her. She has every right to know yet, I couldn't tell her.

Kagome: It soothed me hearing him still call me "dear," and give me sweet kisses like that. I couldn't help but smile at the lingering thoughts I had of him. I took a seat near the fire and just listened to the low crickets from outside. The chatter had went down a notch, and everything was much more calm--I didn't feel eyes on me anymore. Yet, I still felt uneasy remembering how uneasy Inuyasha was. Maybe I should talk to someone? Yes, I want to talk to someone--I need to talk to someone. I rubbed my hands against the warmth of the flame one last time before pushing my weight off the ground and headed back outside. There wasn't many people around; Sango and Miroku seemed to not be in their hut and I could see from her that Shippo is helping Kaede with something. I took a few steps to the left until I saw a big furry kimono, which could only be one person. "Onichan!!!" I exclaimed happily--because I loved annoying him with the word. "Onichan!" I yelped once again and I came in closer to him.

Stopping when I heard Inuyasha's miko yelling the absurd nickname she had for I, Sesshomaru. Though she was a interesting human, I'll keep her around for because I'm... curious, I looked in the miko's direction

He gave me such a cold stare, but that didn't phase me because I knew what kind of person he was deep down all of the sass and furry kimonos. "Hey onichan!!" I felt him mentally stab me in the face. "Err-" I took a sit next to him. "Is it cool if I sit here?" He didn't move a muscle. "Great thanks!" I plopped down beside him. I heard a low grunt, but I didn't pay any mind I know he loves me .... somewhere in his cruelness. "So, onichan-" he still didn't move a muscle. "I have a problem." He continued staring at me, "It's about your brother." Still nothing, "WELL," I took a deep breath. "So, like, today we were walking today in town like usual, right?" He didn't even blink. "Right okay, so we're walking it's all good and all, but then I notice him get all tense out of nowhere so I ask him 'What's wrong?' but he just ignores me, I guess, and doesn't say anything back until we got back to our hut." The only reaction I was getting from him was his hair flowing in the wind. "Also, today I felt like people were staring at me, crazy right?" Still no blinking. "Totally, okay anyways... what should I do?"

― ENTER SESSHOMARU ―

Sesshomaru: I blink. Staring at her, why is she coming to me with this problem? I, Sesshomaru have no use for pathetic human drama, I look at her hopeful face and sigh "humans are strange creatures they will shortly die, why care for their opinions?" Maybe she will leave me be now. 

Kagome: Wow, that hit me. That hit me deep. I took a moment to look away from onichan and take my mind off of it for a moment. But I really couldn't. I could push away the thought that me and Inuyasha are not of the same life. We do not come from the same place, the same time, not even the same world. Am I really what's best for Inuyasha? I'm not even sure what I could do for him; maybe what I'm doing here is wrong. Maybe being with him is.... wrong. "You're right, onichan-" I still gave him a gentle smile- "Thank you." He didn't respond, as expected, as I got up and began to walk away. I was only a step or two farther from Sesshomaru when tears began to fall down my face. I tried to erase them from my skin, but it just wouldn't cooperate. I stopped, a few inches from onichan, to take a breath, tears still down my face. I didn't know what to do or what to think. But what made everything even more difficult was the person who now stood before me. "Inu-" he dropped his bags onto the floor- "yasha....?" He took a gentle hold of my face and furrowed his brows, angrily, as he wiped the tears away. He looked at Sesshomaru from behind me, which made his hands grip me tighter. "Inuyasha he didn't-" he stomped furiously past me- "do...anything..."

Inuyasha: "What the fuck did you do to my woman Sesshomaru!?" I pulled Kagome away and stood in front of her as I clutched my fists ready for a fight. I turned back to the small figure behind me with tears running down her face. I kept a close eye on Sesshomaru before I turned around and looked down at her fragile face. "What the hell happened? Did he hurt you? Please tell me Kagome." After grabbing her hands I held them tight as I looked deep into her eyes. She looked so frightened, which ripped me apart inside.

Kagome: I didn't know what was happening; I didn't know what to think, to feel.... to believe? His eyes were piercing mine so roughly and aggressively like daggers that it made me shut my eyes and rip away from his hold in pain. "He... didn't do anything..," I sniffled. "He just... helped me think of something..." I wrapped my own arms around myself as I turned back around. I saw how torn apart Inuyasha looked and it broke my own heart. I looked down at the ground, trying to get myself together, but then I noticed Sesshomaru stand up from his seat.

Inuyasha: "Keh, the hell he didn't do anything to you." I pulled Kagome's arm carefully and brought her behind a tree. I continued holding her arm as we made it back to our hut, by then, the sun had finally set, so it was pitch dark out. On our walk back, I would quietly glance down to look at her face which was as white as snow. I knew something was up, and the two of us had to figure it out together. 

We finally made it back to the hut as I held the screen door open for her as she walked in first.

Kagome: "Look, Inuyasha-" I rubbed my eyes and sniffled- "Onichan didn't do anything to me, okay?" His crossed arms and the vein in his forehead told me he needed a little more convincing. "I went to him to talk about you...," I took a few steps away from him. "Not like, talking about you, like gossiping-" I chuckled but he didn't laugh- "Oh gosh, do you think I'd actually do that?!" I realized this wasn't anytime for jokes, I needed to stop hurting Inuyasha, which is the exact same reason maybe I should... leave. "Okay, babe. Look," I put a few strands of hair behind my ear. "What if... this is wrong? You and me? What if.... I'm wrong for you?"

Inuyasha: How could she be so loose about this? Thoughts raced through my mind, and too many at once to process what was going on.

"You actually went to HIM to talk about US?" I was mad now. "Are you kidding me Kagome? Why the hell would you seek opinions from him? This is our relationship, and I want him no part of it! You're my mate, which means we keep anything personal to us only." I dragged my feet across the wooden floor of our hut as I paced back and forth. I was really tensed up now.

"Wrong with us? What are you talking about?" I felt a strong tension between the two of us now.

Sesshomaru: I swing the ridiculous excuse for a door out of my way and walk into my brother looking like himself, an idiot. and the miko showing those human things.. emotions? "Look hanyou, I must speak to Rin."

Inuyasha: My eyes darted to him. "Who invited you in here scruffy?" I walked over to in front of him, holding my head high. "Rin isn't here. Now leave." I pointed towards the exit.

"What did you do to you mate?" I drag a hand through my hair, my curiosity got the best of me, and I glare down at the hanyou

"You mean, what did YOU do to my mate!? I left her in my home with no problems, but then I find her outside with YOU crying her eyes out." I started to breathe louder under my breath. Why is this thing in my hut at this hour? What does he want with us? I want him out of here, now!

Sesshomaru:  "Inuyasha. This Sesshomaru only stated the truth. Anything your mate might of read into it is on you, so stop blaming it on me like a pup and fix it." For some reason this Sesshomaru did not like the usually happy miko's tears, it angered me

I turned on my heels and walked out of the dwelling, I could smell Rin with her mentor the old woman in the distance. 

Inuyasha: "Finally he left!" I scuffed. I turned back to my mate who was standing behind me the whole time. My face calmed down, and I offered her my hand to follow me.

Kagome: I looked at his hand before me; those hands that show me his gentle affection, and for me it was in the most beautiful way anyone could ever show.  I grinned, and slowly nodded my head, as I placed my hand on his and melted at his touch.

Inuyasha: I softly took her hand in my own and brought her to a quiet place in the woods behind our home, and at this time of the year, they would be filled with glowing blue flowers that reflected on our own skin. I sat down on one of the rocks that was in a little open space, where we were surrounded by a beautiful iridescent blue glow. She sat next to me as I held her tight in my arms, never wanting to let go.

Kagome: I felt the butterflies fight against my stomach, trying to escape into the world, just like the ones I had when I first met Inuyasha. The flowers, the woods, the rocks--it all made out me in a state of serenity. Between the howl of the calm wind and the soft sounds of his breath, I was at peace. "If I may ask," I broke the silence. "What are we doing here?" On second thought, that might have come off a little rude. "I mean-" I looked down beneath us and rubbed his hand- "is there something you want to tell me?"

Inuyasha: I signed a sense of relieve. My body felt shaky, like I didn't know how to reply to her. I let her go and looked back into her eyes, but this time, I gave her my full attention. "I-I wanted us to talk about what happened earlier...

She looked at me with confusion. I had to think of a way to make myself more clear, for her. 

I'm sorry about jumping on you before. You just needed someone to talk to. I must have hurt you really badly, to the point where you had to ask Sesshomaru for help. I'm awful to you... You, you honestly deserve better than this..." These words, I never wanted to say them. I loved her, and I knew she wasn't happy here. I made her cry, I made her feel alone. How could I have made her so upset? Do I want her to suffer like this? Suffer all alone while I hide my feelings from her? I shook my head in disbelief. 

I continued before my mind got too off track. "Kagome, I want you to be happy, but even that sounds like a lie. I'm hurting you, because I wanted you to stay by my side. Listen, the reason why we aren't married is because..." I began to tear up. This made me turn completely away from her.

Kagome: I was frozen. I stared at the back of him nervously and anxiously. His words began to dig deeper inside of me, ripping me limb for limb, making me want to scream for help because of the pain but my voice was strained; almost as if I was trapped in a loop of my worst nightmare. "Babe.... W-What-" the tears flowed down to my chin but I didn't care to stop them this time- "are you saying?! What are you saying?!" I threw my head against his back. My sniffles and hiccups returned without my permission, making it more difficult for me to speak. "I-I was wrong before!" I threw my arms around him. "We were meant for each other... don't you think?!" I tried to even put my breaths, "Don't you know?" What was he going to say? Why aren't we married? I felt so scared, like my world was crashing down.

Inuyasha: Her arms around me felt cold. I couldn't embrace her like I would normally. “Kagome, please tell me the truth…” I shuttered. “Do you r-r-really want to live here with me? To give up your family, your home, your entire life? I’m nothing compared to them.” My heart race sped up faster than ever, and the tears continued to flow down my face. “I don’t want to tell you this, but I have no choice now, do I?” I lifted my head up, and not even bothering to clear my tears that were rapidly rolling down my face. “I don’t want you to be in a committed relationship with me. I’ve kept it like this up to now because it gives you the freedom to leave when you want.” I put my hand on top of hers. “You are free. Marriage with a half demon will take all of that away from you.” I stood up and walked a few feet away. “Kagome, be free. Live a happy life.” With that, I walked away into the darkness of the woods, where even the glow of the flowers around us no longer could reach hold of me.

The one-worded question sent both chills and fear down his spine; he wasn’t sure if he was terrified for speaking his mind or felt stupid for not doing it sooner.

“O-Of course not,” Miroku took a subtle gulp of his fear. “But you know what I am scared of?” He ran his hand down Sango’s thigh. “Wasting our time of arguing whereas we should be enjoying each other--” he continued to move his hand up and down while getting just inches away from Sango’s lips-- “So, what do you say?”

“I say--” she caressed his face with a touch so gentle he practically melted-- “We watch Home Alone 2!”

Miroku dropped his head into Sango’s lap, “Y-You are such a tease.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, babe,” she replied sarcastically.

She placed a quick kiss on the back of his head and quietly squealed to herself as she pressed play for the movie to begin. Miroku slowly lifted his head from her lap, figuring he might as well enjoy this too.

He placed his arm over Sango as she rested her head, comfortably, onto him and pulled the blanket to cover both of them. The movie began to play on their brand-new 50-inch flat screen that they had just bought for their new apartment. The candles set a nice and cozy tone for the room, as did the snow that was falling outside.

“You know babe--” Miroku played with Sango’s hair until she looked up-- “I think you chose the perfect movie.”

She laughed and raised her eyebrows a bit, “Are you just saying that?”

Miroku sarcastically gasped, “I’m offended by that statement.” He smiled as he rubbed the shoulder he had his hand on. “Where’s the crime in complimenting my lovely girlfriend?”

“The crime is--” she kissed Miroku-- “I know--” she kissed him again-- “you’re just--” and again-- “saying that.”

This put Miroku in a daze, “W-What?” He kept his lips puckered, “C-Can you repeat that?”

“You’re not slick at all, houshisama,” she said in a soft tone as she put her hands around him. “You know that?”

“No,” he lied. “Please, tell me more.”

The two moved in closer to one another; aching to give into their feelings until--

WHO RUN THE WORLD? GIRLS. WHO RUN THE WORLD? GIRLS. WHO RUN THIS MOTHA-

Miroku groaned saltily, “W-Who…Why…”

Sango reached for her phone in her pocket, “Sorry, babe.” She awkwardly laughed, “It’s Kagome.”

“Well, you have to pick it up, don’t you?” he asked even though he knew the answer was yes, yet he hoped the answer would be no.

Sango nodded her head, “To be continued.” She teased once again before kissing him quickly on the lips and picking up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Sango!” Kagome replied softly.

Sango pulled her knees to her chest, “Hey, what’s up?”

“S-Sorry for the random call, I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” she said.

Sango glanced over at Miroku, “Nope! Not all.” Miroku smiled, not knowing what was going on. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I was just wondering if you could--” she hesitated-- “maybe hang out?”

Sango lowered her head and rubbed the back of her neck, “Ahhh--” she looked at Miroku again, and he mouthed, ‘What’s happenining?!’-- “I’m sorry, Kags, but I can’t tonight.”

“Ahh,” Kagome said, trying to hide her disappointment. “No, that’s totally fine. I shouldn’t have called so last min--”

“Wait!” she cut her off. “Just… Hold on a second.”

Sango pressed the mute button and faced Miroku, “Who’s that new guy you’ve been hanging out with?” Miroku was still not in the loop, “You know, uhh, silverish-whiteish long hair?--” he still was a bit lost-- “Beautiful golden eyes, nice arms--” his expression now wasn’t a pleasant one-- “I-I mean, kinda looks like an anime character?”

“Oh!” Miroku finally realized. “You mean Inuyasha?”

“Yes!” Sango replied excitedly. “Do you think he’s busy right now?”

Miroku scratched his head, “P-Probably not. I’m kind of his only friend.”

“Perfect,” she said before unmuting her phone. “Kags, meet me at my place now--” she was about to hang up the phone but-- “and wear something as if you were going on a date.” Then she hung up.

“Uhhh, honey?” Miroku called out. “I thought tonight was going to be just--” he tried to get all playfully flirty-- “you know…”

“Yes, and I’m sorry, babe, but,” she sat up beside him. “I feel so bad for Kagome for always being the third wheel, and it’s the holiday season! I know she wants someone to cuddle up with too.”

Miroku brushed her bangs away, “Whaaaaaat--” he prolonged the ‘A’-- “she is not always third wheel--”

“Babe.”

“Okay yeah she is,” he caved in. “But how does inviting just her over help anything?”

Sango smirked as she ripped out his phone from his pocket, “Because you’re going to invite over Inuyasha.”

“What, so you can stare at his beautiful golden eyes?--” she gave him a blank, terrifying expression-- “Hahahaha… Now, now... I’m just kidding.” He kissed her hand, “I’ll call him now.”

The snow continued to fall as the christmas lights illuminated Sango and Miroku’s apartment. Sango lit up even more christmas cookie smelling candles because she thought it would make the atmosphere more “romantic,” but in reality it just made Miroku more hungry.

The doorbell rang which made Sango go, “Now it’s time to do a little matchmaking.”

She high-fived Miroku--who was bringing out more hot chocolate and some snacks--as she speed-walked to the door.

“Kags!” she squeezed her friend tightly. “Thanks for coming so quickly, sorry I didn’t invite you over sooner.”

“Oh, Sango, please,” Kagome replied as she stepped in and took off her trench coat, beanie, and scarf. “I always got time for you.”

“Kagome!” Miroku emerged from the kitchen.

“Miroku!” she said in a slightly disappointed tone as she hugged him. “Nice to see you a-again.” She placed a hand on the two of them and smiled gently, “Both of you.” She rubbed Sango’s arm, “The three of us… together… a-again.”

Then, the doorbell rang.

“Eh?” Kagome questioned. “Who could that be?”

Sango winked and nudged her, “You’ll see.”

Miroku winked and nudged Kagome too, but she just shook her head and gave him a please-don’t-do-that look.

Sango opened the door and revealed the ‘beautiful golden eyes’ boy. He wore a burgundy beanie that matched his bomber jacket. He had a black and red flannel underneath his jacket and a light gray t-shirt under that. His black jeans were ripped at the knees and his gray running sneakers matched his shirt.

“Hey Sango,” he kept his hands in his pockets. “Is Miroku here?”

“Inuyasha!” Miroku shouted, shoving his way past Sango and Kagome. “Thanks for coming.”

“Monk!” the two boys did their little handshake; Sango and Kagome looked at each other with a ok-that-was-really-cute look. “Thanks for inviting me,” he then walked over to Sango. “And thanks for letting him invite me,” he hugged Sango, who blushed a little.

As Inuyasha began to take off his beanie and jacket, he accidentally backed up into Kagome.

“Miroku, would you cut with the cr--” he turned around-- “Oh.” His face turned a little red, “I’m sorry, Miroku’s always trying to fuck with me an--” he stopped himself-- “And you probably don’t care about that.”

Kagome laughed shyly, “Ah, no.” Inuyasha nervously nodded his head in agreement, “But, I believe you. He’s always doing something.”

“Is it ‘Be Rude To Miroku Day’?” Miroku seriously questioned, Sango patting his back telling him, ‘You’re great.’

“Anyways,” Inuyasha and Kagome laughed. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he reached out his hand. “What’s your name?”

Kagome smiled and placed her hand in his, “Kag-”

“Kagome!” Sango raced over to them. “Her name’s Kago-”

“Sango--” Kagome nudged her with her waist while giving her a what-the-hell-are-you-doing look-- “I-I think I can tell him my own name.”

Sango backed away slowly, “Right.” She awkwardly giggled, “Sorry, I’ll just--” she looked over at the kitchen-- “help Miroku with snacks and such.”

Kagome let out a sigh of relief, “Sorry about her, she can be a little crazy.”

“So, I’ve heard,” Inuyasha replied as the two laughed, but Sango’s expression showed she wasn’t too fond of his reply. “A-Anyways, I’m Inu-”

“Inuyasha!” Miroku sprinted over to them. “This is Inuyas-”

“Are you seri--” Inuyasha pushed Miroku-- “Jeez, you’re just as crazy as your girl.”

Sango peeked her head out from the kitchen, “Excuse me.” She took a bite into a cookie, “I can beat your ass in 2.5 seconds.”

“...,” Inuyasha nodded his head, as did Kagome and Miroku. “Point taken.”

Miroku returned to the kitchen which left the two alone. Inuyasha and Kagome stood in an awkward silence, glancing and smiling at each other from time to time, unsure of what to really say.

Inuyasha then motioned over to the couch in which Kagome decided she might as well follow. The space that was between the two could fit one dictionary--the big official kind. Home Alone 2 was still on pause on Netflix, so it wasn’t even like the two could ignore the silence by watching the movie. They both continued glancing and smile at each other from time to time, only the sound of the wind from outside could be heard.

Meanwhile…

( -- LOCATION: KITCHEN -- )

“So,” Sango tried to whisper very quietly. “Do you think they like each other?!”

Miroku peeked into the living room, “It’s not looking so good right now, hun.”

Sango peeked under him, “Damn.” They both retreated, “What should we do?”

“So, this is what it’s like being a love guru, huh…,” Miroku pondered with his hand on his chin.

Sango laughed, but quickly covered her mouth, “Love gurus… That sounds much better than ‘matchmakers.’” She shook her head, “Anyways, we’re not doing so good if they’re not even talking…”

“You’re right,” he nodded. “Maybe we play charades? OR MONOPOLY?”

“Honey…,” Sango tapped him on the shoulder. “We’re not in middle school.”

Miroku folded his arms, “Alright then, what do you suggest, Miss Smartypants?”  

“Well…,” she smirked, peering back into the living room.

( -- LOCATION: LIVING ROOM -- )

“So,” Inuyasha boldly broke the ice. “How do you know the happy couple?”

Kagome chuckled, “Well, I’ve known Sango since high school. She was the first friend I ever made.” She smiled, “Then, freshman year of college she met Miroku and it’s been the three of us ever since.”

“Oh wow,” Inuyasha rubbed his hands. “That’s pretty cool, b--”

“Yes,” she finished his thought. “It does gets awkward, sometimes, as a third wheeler,” she lowered her gaze. “But, hey, they’re my friends and I do love them.”

“Well,” he matched her stare. “If it makes you feel any better, I have a feeling Miroku’s going to be inviting me a lot more,” he grinned. “So, you don’t have to worry about that awkwardness ‘cause I’ll be there.”

The two smiled at one another, making Kagome blush a bit as she looked down, tucking her hair behind her ear.

( -- LOCATION: KITCHEN -- )

“THEY ARE SMILING AT EACH OTHER AND KAGOME IS BLUSHING,” Sango whispered rather loudly. “I REPEAT--THEY ARE SMILING AT EACH OTHER AND KAGOME IS BLUSHING.”

Miroku peeked above her head, “Honey, you know what this means.” The two retreated once again, “We need to become professional love gurus.”

“I agree,” the two high-fived and then kissed before peering their heads once again. “Just look at them--” Inuyasha and Kagome couldn’t stop smiling as they talked to each other-- “They’d make such a lovely couple. Just look at how Inuyasha looks at her and how she tries to hide her blushing and--” Kagome began to turn her head towards the kitchen-- “CRAP ABORT”

( -- LOCATION: LIVING ROOM -- )

“Do you think our friends are leaving us alone on purpose?” Kagome tilted her head in the direction of the kitchen, Inuyasha’s eyes followed.

He threw his arm onto the couch, “Well, if I didn’t know these two I would say no.” He returned to looking at Kagome, “But I do know them, and the answer is hell yeah they are.”

The two laughed, “That’s right… How do you know them?”

“I just moved here at the beginning of the semester,” Inuyasha nodded his head because Kagome seemed so shocked. “Miroku sits next to me in my accounting class and he just doesn’t know how to shut the hell up,” he laughed. “But I’m kinda glad he doesn’t because that’s how we became friends,” he smiled. “Me, Miroku, and Sango eat together during lunch and hang out sometimes in the game room.”

“That’s cute,” Kagome smiled.

“Cute?” Inuyasha laughed. “Yeah, I am pretty cute.”

She smirked as she shook her head, “You said that, not me.”

“Hey, hey,” he patted her back. “Don’t worry, you’re cute too--” he paused-- “just not as cute as me.”

Her mouth dropped in, sarcastic, shock, “Yeah, okay.” She patted his back, “You keep believing that, buddy.”

The two laughed at one another’s claim to be the ‘cuter’ one. Sango and Miroku kept watch from the kitchen and high-fived one another once again after they saw the progress their two friends have been making. When the laughter finally faded, Sango’s old Gamecube caught Inuyasha’s attention.

“No way,” Inuyasha got up from his seat and towards the console. “I haven’t played this in so long.”

Kagome followed his steps, “If that has Mario Kart…” She crossed her arms in confidence, “I bet five bucks that I can beat you in it.”

Inuyasha laughed, “Beat me?” He sarcastically laughed even harder as he reached for the controllers, “Girl, you are looking at the DK--” he took a deep breath for emphasis-- “the Drift King.”

“Alright Fast and Furious,” she grabbed one from his hand. “I’ll show you why Mia Toretto’s just as good as Dom,” she raced back to the couch.

Inuyasha nodded his head, accepting the challenge, “Oh…” He turned on the console and put in the game, “You’re on.”

The two started laughing and shoving each other before the races even started. Kagome kept smashing buttons on Inuyasha’s controller while he kept trying to stiff-arm her head to prevent her from doing so.

Sango and Miroku finally came out of the kitchen, high-fiving one another, as they said, “Nailed it.”

a/n: this literally became 10x longer than intended butttttttt, i hope you enjoyed :)