Note: Unlike Strictly Taboo, I will not have scheduled update days. You're just going to have to learn to be surprised. =D There's a total of 13 chapters, so it's just a short story, but I like it quite a bit and hope you do as well. Also, I know nobody listens to the songs, but it's fun for me when I go back and think about which song would go with each chapter, and it helps me title things.

One: Bye Bye Baby

(Bye Bye Baby by the Bay City Rollers)

"Finally ready!" Kagome muttered to herself, more or less satisfied with her appearance.

Tonight, the night of their first school dance as a couple, was the night. Even though she was only fifteen and he was only sixteen, she felt that she had known Inuyasha long enough to trust him with her virginity. After all, he had been after it the entire two years they'd been dating but had still respected her enough to stop when she said stop, which was often. Nervously, she smoothed her hair, glancing back at the mirror to check her reflection once again.

She looked pretty, but she didn't feel it, and feeling it was everything. She had braided her hair and wrapped it around her head in a crown, knowing the first thing Inuyasha would do when he saw her would be to bury his face in her neck and then angrily free the dark, fragrant mass, undoing all her hard work. It was nice that he liked her hair, considering she spent so much time conditioning and treating it, but letting her wear it a different way would certainly be welcome.

The dress wasn't low-cut but was tight enough to show off her still developing figure, the gold hugging her body and making her skin glow. It clung even to her legs, and it was a little hard to walk, especially with the high matching gold pumps she had "borrowed" from her sister, but she managed, determined to make everything about the night perfect. Kagome had even snuck out with her friends to buy lingerie, picking out a dramatic black set that was sure to have her boyfriend's ever roaming eyes admiring the contrast it made against her pale skin. Inuyasha had never seen her in just her underwear before, and that alone would probably be a big enough treat for him for a while.

"Ready?" Kagome's mother called from downstairs, almost as excited as her daughter was.

"Yeah!"

Carefully stepping down the stairs, she made her way into the family room. Inuyasha had wanted to come, but since her family did not approve of her dating or even having male friends, she was forced to meet him at the school. At least the Shrine she lived in was just across the street.

Her chipper mother, disapproving grandfather, and bored sister were all sitting on the couch, watching her awkward descent. She nearly turned around to go back up the stairs and grab her sneakers when she thought about all the stairs she'd have to descend once she left the house.

"Oh, Kagome, you look beautiful!" her mother crooned adoringly, her hands clasped. "Doesn't your baby sister look lovely, Kikyo?"

Kikyo rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Their mother's expression darkened. It was no secret that Kagome was her favorite and any lack of enthusiasm from any member of the family was seen as a direct attack on her.

"That attitude is exactly why you are not allowed to go to the dance, Kikyo. Now apologize to Kagome and take a picture of me with her."

Kikyo glared at her little sister and Kagome gulped, hoping the sound wasn't audible but suspecting it was. She had never done anything to encourage her mother's treatment of her sister. Well, maybe she had when she was a child and hadn't known any better, but those days were gone. Kagome felt bad that Kikyo was not given the same love and support she received on a daily basis, and the strain it put on their relationship grieved her. To an extent, she had always idolized Kikyo, admiring her intelligence, temperament, and beauty. In comparison, she felt like a peeled Mr. Potato Head. Whatever her mother saw in her was not apparent to her eyes and she doubted it ever would be. Still, she was secretly grateful that at least someone thought she was better than Kikyo. Outside the house was a different story. Well, at least Kikyo was a senior and had already been to her share of dances, probably envied even more than usual. That made her feel a little less guilty.

Her mother put an arm around her and smiled at her affectionately, her love shining in her eyes. How could someone with so much love not have enough to share? How could love from one person to another ruin what should have been a naturally caring relationship and turn her sister against her?

"Look at the camera," Kikyo said dully, not bothering with any cheesy lines to make them smile like Kagome would have.

Kagome beamed, hoping she didn't have that overenthusiastic nerd look that haunted each and every one of her school photos. She wanted so badly to be beautiful for just one night, for just one person.

"Thanks, Kikyo!" she said happily as she bypassed her sister, not wanting to look at the picture and have it ruin her mood.

"Have a good time at the dance, Kagome!" Her mother called as she unsteadily made her way to the door.

Kagome grinned back and waved, knowing her mother wanted to go with her, and would go as far as the bottom of the steps, so goodbyes were pointless at this time. She always wanted to go with her everywhere. She waved at Kikyo, too, but the older girl did not see, busy glaring bitterly at their mother's back. Her grandfather was sleeping on the sofa, something he did often but always in a funny way that made Kagome smile. This time, his mouth was hanging open and his snores sounded almost like words. She wished she had the camera so she could film it. If she asked Kikyo to do it, she'd immediately be scolded for being disrespectful.

"Love you guys! See ya!"

Her mother watched from the doorway, pride shining in her eyes as Kagome determinedly marched her way down the few house steps and across the courtyard to the grand set of stairs, dabbing a few tears away before she too began to descend the ancient stone steps. Kagome kept her gaze ahead. Inuyasha was leaning on the chain-link fence and she quickened her feet, her eyes locking with the dark ones of the boy she loved, the shy, goofy smile on his face migrating onto hers.

Nobody saw the car coming.