A/N: Here's the sequel to Downfall. Read. Enjoy. Review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. I don't even really own Mika.

Chapter 1

Graduation Day I

"Inuyasha!" I shouted over the crowd, trying to find him in the sea of red and white robes and caps.

I looked around, and when I turned back I saw his head pop out in the crowd, calling my name. I waved high over my head. He smiled and shoved his way towards me. "Hey, you. Are you excited?"

"A little, I guess. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. But we'll still see each other a lot, right?"

"That, and we'll be spending the rest of our lives together…maybe a little space in the beginning will be good, who knows."

"Maybe…but I don't think I'd ever be able to get sick of you."

He laughed. "You say that now."

"And I mean it now…wait. Do you think you'll get sick of me?" I asked, a hint of panic seeping into my voice.

"Impossible. How could I ever get sick of you? I love you."

"Good. If you didn't…well, I don't know what I would do with myself."

"I have to go and get in line to sit. I'll catch up with you later?"

"Of course. Good luck."

He leaned in to kiss me and then turned to head to his spot in the alphabetized line. I grabbed his arm before he got out of my reach. He looked at me, curious. "What?"

"I love you, too."

His face softened and he bent his head to kiss me again. "I have to go; I'll be late."

I nodded and smiled at him. He was graduating, and I was stuck here in high school for another year while he went off to college. I was sad that I wouldn't be able to see him very much anymore, but happy at the same time as I looked down at the diamond ring on my left hand. We'd been engaged for not even a week and I still wasn't used to it.

I looked up to see the far end of the football field I was on clearing of people, all heading to the bleachers to watch their friends or family get their diploma. I spotted Mika and went to sit by her. She smiled in excitement as she saw me coming up the metal steps.

I sat and looked up to watch the extensive list of seniors lining up at the right side of the stage and waiting for their name to be called. I spotted Miroku in one of the earlier groups and cheered for him. I could hear Sango above most of the crowd…along with many other girls.

When I saw the next row of seniors walking toward the stage, my stomach did a somersault. I saw Koga walking in between a few of his friends. He looked happy, but I knew that I had hurt him inside very badly by saying that I hated him. At the time, it seemed like the only thing I could say. What else could I have said to get him to get it through his thick head that I broke up with him?

He looked up at the crowd after he was handed the scroll of paper and he looked directly at me, his eyes turning sorrowful. I gave him a weak smile and he turned his head away from me. He raised his hands above his head and acted like he had before—happy.

Finally, I saw Inuyasha stand up with his row and walk forward. He looked at me and winked. As he approached the stage, I got ready to cheer as loudly as I could and that's when I noticed the beach balls being chased by teachers, the students having fun playing keep-away.

I looked up just in time to see Inuyasha standing at the foot of the steps that lead up to the stage. He looked at me one last time and then his name was called I stood up and cheered as loud as my lung would allow, Mika doing the same. I could hear the cheers of others as well, but I, triumphantly, was the loudest. He smiled wide and cheered as well after he had his diploma. The rest of the ceremony went by too slowly. As soon as everyone threw their caps into the air, I was speeding loudly down the metal steps and towards Inuyasha. He was coming my way as well.

I hugged him and congratulated him. "Well, how does it feel?"

"Awesome."

"That's it?"

"Well, it also feels a little depressing, since I wont be able to see you every day anymore."

"Well, for now just feel happy. Let's go out to celebrate!"

Mika came racing up to us and nearly tackled Inuyasha. "Hey, Mika."

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks, kid."

She raised an eyebrow.

"I mean thanks."

"Your welcome. Now where do you want to go?"

"Same place as Miroku. You remember that Italian restaurant we went to, Kagome?"

"The one from our first date?"

"Yeah, that one."

"We're going there?"

"Yep. Me, Miroku, and a few other guys rented the whole place. You should invite your mom. There's plenty of space."

"You rented out the whole thing?"

"Yep. Now come on, we have to get there soon."

We headed out to Sango's SUV, since we all came together. When we pulled up to the restaurant, I looked in awe at all the decorations that had been put up. The inside was even more amazing. There was music playing—and not the classical crap they always play.

Banners were hung all over congratulating Inuyasha, Miroku, and a few other names. I found the table that Inuyasha and I would be sitting at fairly easily; it was huge and had an enormous "Congrats!" cake in the middle. I walked around some more before Inuyasha came up from behind me and grabbed my waist.

"Hey," he whispered into my ear, his hot breath sending a shiver through my body. I turned my head and looked up at him from an odd angle. His eyes were fixed on me and me alone. His face wore a softer expression than I was used to seeing.

I was so caught up in his intense amber eyes that I jumped when Sango spoke up from behind him. I took his hands and pulled them apart, releasing my waist so that I could go and talk to her. "Hey, Sango."

"Doesn't this place look amazing?"

"Yeah, it's awesome."

"When are the people supposed be here, Inuyasha? Miroku told me but…I forgot."

"They should be here around six-thirty. Why?"

"Because! I can't wait to show off my new college boyfriend to everyone!"

I shook my head and Inuyasha looked at me, his eyes rolling skyward.

"Well, they should be here soon. Where's Miroku?"

"He's taking care of some last minute decorations or something."

"Last minute….? I better go find him."

"Last I saw him he was near the entrance."

"See you later, Kagome."

I managed a weak "bye" before he left, still wondering why he was looking at me like that. It was strange…he hardly ever looked at me like that…

"Kagome!"

I spun around to see Yuka and Ayumi coming in my direction. They had gotten here early. "Hey, guys! It seems like it's been forever since we talked."

"It has, though! We haven't talked to you in practically a month!"

"Really? Has it been that long?"

"Well, we haven't really had a real conversation in that long. Just the occasional 'hellos' in passing."

"Well, I'm sorry. I've just been so wrapped up in things that I totally didn't realize I hadn't talked to you."

I really hadn't thought about it until now, but I did miss them.

"More like wrapped up in Inuyasha!"

I could feel the blood heating my cheeks. "Well…yes, him…and other things…"

Like marriage proposals and hurting my ex's feelings really badly...

"Like what?"

Oh, crap. What do I say, what do I say?! "Well, you know…busy getting ready for finals and…um, my mom has been a bit of a wreck and whatnot…" I hate lying. I'm not so good at it. Hopefully they believed that…

They seemed to, their faces softening slightly in sympathy. "Sorry…"

"No, it's totally fine! I'm fine! Don't I look fine? I feel fine…" Uh-oh. Starting to sound suspicious. Shut up, Kagome! Just close your mouth, and stop talking!

"Yeah, you look great! I've never seen you seem so…so happy!"

I shot a glance in the direction Inuyasha had gone. They noticed that. "It's because of him, isn't it? Admit it, Kagome. You're in love."

"You could say that…" In fact, that was putting it lightly. Very lightly.

The squealed excitedly. "I knew it! You guys were always looking at each other with those gushy eyes and stuff! Have you said it yet?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god! You have?!"

"Yeah. What about it?" No need to lie here.

"You were with Koga for much longer and you never said it…right?"

"Yeah, that's right," I said, a little bitter. "Inuyasha isn't Koga. If he were, I would have ended it already. Inuyasha is much better than Koga, actually."

Just then, speak of the devil, Inuyasha came up and stood at my side, his arm loosely around my shoulder. Yuka and Ayumi eyed us, then looked at each other in sideways glances.

"We'll see you later, Kagome." They walked away together, small smiles on their faces.

"What was that about?"

"I was just telling them that we said we loved each other. For some reason, they flipped out."

"Well, I for one am perfectly fine with it."

"You'd better be. Was anything wrong with Miroku?"

"No, he was just being…Miroku."

"A lecher?"

"No, not exactly…he was...how do I put this? He wanted to hire a stripper for later. I caught him while he was trying to arrange it for after everyone left."

"What would he have done if everyone but me left and the stripper came?"

"Enjoy himself."

"Still? Even with me here?"

"Probably. Not much is disturbing to him…he, however, is very disturbing to most."

"So, you got this taken care of, right?"

"Yeah, everything's straightened out. Miroku lost this one."

"Good. I would have dragged you with me when I left anyway…stripper or not."

"I figured that."

"You know me well."

"Yes, I do."

"But not quite well enough, in my opinion."

He simply rolled his eyes.

A short time later, people started arriving, filling in the tables and greeting others.

I clung to Inuyasha's arm the whole night, even through the talking with his friends who made a bit of fun of us about looking like we were married. Oh, the irony, I wanted to say. Instead, I just kept to myself and occasionally joined into conversations if it was necessary.

After a long night of greetings and 'good-luck's and 'have fun in college's, we all went to Sango's car and I drove, Sango having had a couple of glasses of wine. Stupid Miroku.

I went to Inuyasha's house and we let Miroku drive Sango home; though I'm sure they wouldn't go to bed—sleeping, I mean—until a lot later, what with Sango being giggly and touchy-feely. Again I say, stupid Miroku.

"So, do you feel different?"

"I feel like I did yesterday and every other day this year."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Good. Bad. Both. I don't know."

"Decisions, decisions."

"Indeed."

"So…what do you want to do?"

"What do you want to do?"

I opened my mouth to answer but he stopped me. "Never mind. It doesn't matter, we aren't doing that yet."

I just raised my eyebrows innocently.

"Then what do you want to do?"

"How about…we go on the roof and watch the stars?"

"That sounds great. Let's go."

A/N: There you go. Any questions? Comments? Review, por favor. TTFN.

+TORI+