Chapter Two: Her Birthday

The next morning Kagome woke up hyper and fully energized. She took a very quick shower, got changed, did her hair, then finished packing her bag. Little did she know that she had a audience. InuYasha was sitting out on her windowsill, traumatized. Kagome finished packing and was about to walk out her door when InuYasha finally awoke from "his little world." He gently knocked on her window and walked in at the same time Kagome turned around. She was very excited when she turned around because she was franticly hoping it was InuYasha ( Who else would be coming through her window. ) When she saw him she totally lit up. She then gave him one of those huge and kind smiles that cause him to have a total meltdown. He couldn't help but stare she was wearing a baby blue, short, summer dress with a light, white sweater that had holes going down the arm so that her flesh color could show like light seeping through curtains. He would of stayed there forever if Kagome's sweet voice didn't pull him out of his trance.

"So what do you think?"

InuYasha's heart was telling him to tell her she looks absolutely beautiful but his stubborn mind wouldn't let him just yet.

"Yeah. It looks good."

Even at the somewhat generous reply she blushed red as bright as a stop sign and decided to change the subject.

"So, InuYasha do you want to stay for breakfast or have you already eaten?"

"No, I haven't ate yet but I was wondering if you would want to come with me to eat breakfast in my time?"

"I would love to just let me go tell my family, okay?"

"Okay...that's fine."

InuYasha followed Kagome downstairs to the kitchen where her mother was cooking breakfast.

"Mom, I'll see you tomorrow, I'm leaving."

"Wait Kagome I thought..." She came around the corner caught one glance at InuYasha and didn't continue her sentence. "I... I thought you were going to say goodbye to Sota?"

"Oh, okay. We'll go sat bye then leave, okay?

"That's fine he just loves seeing InuYasha and will miss you, Kagome, if you don't say bye."

"Okay, okay. I'm going. Come on InuYasha." Kagome then dragged InuYasha back up the stairs to Sota's room. "Sota, are you there? Sota?"

"What Kagome I'm playing my game?"

"InuYasha's here and..."

"Hi, InuYasha!"

"Hi, Sota."

"Why are you here?"

"I came to get Kagome for breakfast in my time."

"Oh..."

"Sota we came up to say bye and we'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay see you tomorrow, bye." Sota managed through a sigh.

"Bye, Sota, stay out of trouble."

InuYasha said bye as Kagome was dragging him back down the stairs. He was smiling slightly because this was the first time she was dragging him down the well. They both yelled bye to Mrs. Higurashi as they were going through the door towards the well house, hand in hand. Before Kagome jumped through InuYasha tightened his grip on her hand which, caused her to pause and turn around.

"What?"

"Birthday girls shouldn't have to walk."

Without even giving her time to reply he picked her up and put her on his back. Kagome was speechless but didn't refuse either. She got situated on his back and they were off. When they arrived in feudal Japan he jumped up to the ground surface and, to Kagome's surprise, didn't put her down, instead he just kept walking.

"InuYasha, not that I don't thoroughly enjoy this but, could I walk?"

InuYasha didn't stop and kept walking, "Birthday girls shouldn't have to walk."

"Pleeassee... can I?"

"Okay, fine."

Kagome slid off his back, moved to his side, and grabbed his hand. She smiled up at him and started to walk. InuYasha was stunned, he just stared at their hands while he was walking and would have continued to if it wasn't for the brilliant Kouga.

"Dogface get your half breed hands off my woman."

"Kouga for one thing, I'm not your woman. Second, he can hold my hand if he wants and you can't say anything about it."

"But Kagome I though you liked me?"

"Kouga, no I'm sorry if it looked like I did but your only a friend."

"Yeah, Kouga, your just friends now leave."

"Don't you worry I'll get her to like me more then a friend you just wait and see." after that Kouga took off back into the forest.

InuYasha and Kagome kept walking through the forest and InuYasha was so in tuned to making sure Kouga was gone he missed Kagome's question.

"What?"

"I said, what's on the agenda for today?"

"Oh, well how about we eat breakfast first then after breakfast you can open your gifts?"

"You guys got me gifts? You didn't have to."

"I know but we wanted to."

Kagome let out a big smile and squeezed his hand a little tighter. When they came in view of the village Kagome let go of InuYasha's hand and ran towards it.

"Bet you can't catch me InuYasha!"

InuYasha gave her a evil grin and took off after her. He was practically walking but still, he caught up to her. Kagome was laughing but when she turned around and saw how close hw was she let out a playful yelp. At that InuYasha sped up and grabbed her waist and jumped up into the air. When they landed they were right out side Kaede's hut. They looked around and noticed that most of the villagers were rolling their eyes and shaking their heads. The villagers have come quite accustomed to the hanyou and human chasing after each other through the village. Kagome walked in the hut first, and immediately, Shippou jumped straight into Kagome's arms and gave her a huge hug.

"Hi, Shippou! Hi, guys!"

"Hey, Kagome.", answered Miroku and Sango.

"Hello young one.", is all you got from Kaede.

As Kagome was sitting down, Sango offered her a bowl of rice and Kagome gladly accepted. Miroku handed InuYasha his bowl and joined him sitting in the corner. Shippou was right by Kagome's side ,with Kilala, making a mess with his food. InuYasha exchanged a couple of words with Miroku but mostly just listened to him talking none stop. The girls talked about almost anything that came up and Kaede sat quietly across from them.

"Thanks for the food Kaede it was great."

"Your welcome Kagome."

"Well, Kaede do you want me to help with the cleaning?"

"No, child, I will get it. You go and have fun."

"Are you sure Kaede?"

"Yes, go."

"No! Wait!"

"What Shippou?"

"You have to open your gift first."

"Oh ok... I will Shippou."

"Ok wait here I'll go get it."

"Ok"

Shippou ran to the back room with full speed which had Kagome smiling in an instant. Shippou was back in a few moments shoving the gift in Kagome's hands, smiling so wide his eyes were closed.

"Here you go Kagome!"

"Wow, It's beautifully wrapped. Did you wrap it Shippou?"

"Yeah, but Sango helped a little."

While Shippou wasn't looking Kagome mouthed a small thanks towards her best friend and Sango just smiled in return.

"Oh, Ok. Now who is this from?"

"Me, Miroku, Sango, and Kaede."

"Ok, well lets see what it is."

While Kagome carefully unwrapped the gift Shippou was tense and nervous. After all, this was the first 'birthday party' he had ever been to and was very excited.

"Oh my gosh."

"What, you don't like it?"

"No, Shippou I love it. Thank you so much guys I have been needing a new bow and arrow set for a while now. Thank you so much."

"Kagome why don't ye go try it out, to break it in a little. It wouldn't do much good in a battle to have a stiff bow."

"Yeah, that's true and it sounds like fun. Come on guys lets go try it out on some trees in the forest."

"Ok, Kagome. Just let me go get my Hiraikotsu."

Everyone followed Kagome out the door except InuYasha (and Kaede but anyway). Kagome notices and tells them to keep going she has to get something out of her pack and she'll catch up.

"Aren't you coming InuYasha?"

"No. I got something to do. I'll catch up later."

"Ok, just don't go to far." She smiled and ran out the door.

"What are ye doing InuYasha? I told you everything is finished, go with the rest of them and have fun."

"Not everything is finished. I still have to lay out the blanket and get the flowers. Not to mention getting the food together and ready."

"Ok, child, you go lay out the blanket and get the flowers, I'll pack up the food for you so it will be ready."

"Ok, I'll be back soon."

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"Wow! Great shot Kagome."

"Thanks Shippou."

"Man... I'm hungry guys lets go back and get some lunch. What do you think?"

"Shippou are you always hungry?"

"Yep!"

"It's fine with me, I'm pretty hungry myself."

"Guys they're all the same."

"Oh ok fine lets go back. Sango if we say no then all they'll do is bug us to death."

"True Kagome, ok let's go"

"Yes! Food come on let's go."

"Shippou slow down, will you, your going to pull Miroku's arm out of his socket."

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InuYasha had just returned with Kagome's flowers, and was going to stop by the hut to pick up the food when...

"Kagome will love those InuYasha."

He got stopped by Kaede.

"I hope so, I couldn't decide so it took forever so, then I went to the nearest village to ask someone and, well let's just say that didn't go to well. You know it's a lot easier talking to humans when the others are there. I wonder why?"

"InuYasha that's not important here's the food go set everything up knowing the boys stomachs I'm sure they will be back soon."

InuYasha took off towards the river still pondering his question.

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Meanwhile, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou were on their way back. Kagome, with Shippou on her shoulder, was walking up ahead of Sango and Miroku. Everything was fine and peaceful until, SLAP!

"Houshi, Keep you hands to YOURSELF!"

Sango moved up to were Kagome and Shippou were walking leaving Miroku in the dirt. The girls started talking and Shippou, realizing it was girl talk time, moved back to Miroku's shoulder. Kagome was currently trying hard not to laugh but it wasn't helping, every now and then a little giggle would escape.

"It's not funny Kagome!"

"Oh, it's not that bad at least he doesn't do it to other girls anymore. Only you."

"Should I feel special? I know it's not that bad, it's just so annoying, we can't talk more then a minute without him doing that."

"Well, Sango, maybe if you told him how you felt he would stop."

"I'm not telling him, that I like him."

"So...you do like him?"

"Kagome that's not fair and you know it."

"Maybe but, I had to get you to admit it, whether it was for me or you. Why won't you tell him? You know he likes you."

"I don't know... but your one to talk, Kagome, why don't you tell InuYasha you like him?

When Kagome wouldn't answer Sango just glared at Kagome until she answered.

"I don't know Sango, I guess I'm just scared of what he'll say back and the whole Kikyo deal just makes it that much harder."

"Kago...." Sango was cut off by InuYasha jumping in front of them before they could walk into the hut.

"Ok. Are you ready Kagome?"

"For what InuYasha?"

"My present." InuYasha scooped up Kagome and took off towards the river.

"Kagome don't be scared he doesn't care anymore believe me!"

"What does she mean?"

"Oh nothing."

InuYasha landed a few feet from the spot he had chosen earlier

"Close your eyes, Kagome."

"Why?"

"Do you have to ask dumb questions? It's a surprise, just close them."

"Ok, they're closed. Where are we going?"

"Hold on we're almost there. Ok, now open."

"Oh my gosh! InuYasha you did this?"

"Yeah, do you like it, Kagome?"

"Do I like it...." She stopped herself and gave him a hug, "I love it InuYasha."

InuYasha was still a little stunned by the hug at this moment

"InuYasha these flowers are beautiful, I've never seen any like these before. Where did you get them?'

"In a field south of here, I'll show you later. Let's eat first."

"Ok, no problem so what are we having?"

"Some of the finest stew, in this time era, and some seasoned rice. Is that ok?"

"It sounds great, InuYasha."

While they were eating it was sort of that awkward silence you have when your with a bunch of people you don't know until Kagome broke the silence.

"Thank you so much InuYasha, this is wonderful."

"Oh it's nothing special but this is only part of the gift."

"What? InuYasha the picnic was excellent already I don't need anything more."

"I want to show you someplace after we eat it's part of my gift to you."

"Fine but that's it you don't need to give me a lot of things, your my best friend and that's good enough for me."

"Don't worry that's it, (for today anyway)"

Kagome reached up to get some more stew when she burnt her hand. When she yelped InuYasha had ripped part of the blanket off, dipped it in the river, and was at Kagome's side faster then you could blink.

"Kagome let me see you hand."

"InuYasha I'm fine it's just a little burn, it's not like it hasn't happened before."

InuYasha didn't listen and continued to wrap her whole hand for a burn the size of a peanut.

"Thanks InuYasha"

"Yeah"

Kagome tried to begin to eat her food again but was getting no where fast. So she put down her bowl and waited for InuYasha to finish.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't use my chopsticks with my hand wrapped but it's ok I'll just wait for you to finish."

InuYasha walked over and sat next to Kagome and began to feed her the rest of her stew.

"Thanks but you don't have to do this InuYasha."

"You can't eat any other way."

"Yeah but."

"Just eat the last bite."

"Ok fine."

Once InuYasha had finished his food and feeding Kagome they took off towards the surprise he had promised.

"InuYasha, now where are we going?"

"It's a surprise, now close your eyes and relax its just a little farther."

They kept going and by the time they got there it was sunset. InuYasha had timed it perfectly.

"Kagome we're here."

"Can I open my eyes?"

"Yes"

"InuYasha, it's beautiful."

"Really you think so?"

InuYasha had taken Kagome to the top of a waterfall overlooking a valley where every inch was covered with flowers.

"InuYasha, where are we?"

"Down river a little ways."

"Is that where you got the flowers?"

"Yeah, Kaede probably knows what they are called."

"I'll ask. How far are we from the village?"

"A couple miles. Why?"

"Because I want to come here more often. Thank you so much InuYasha this has been the best gift ever."

"I'm glad Kagome. We better go and get the blanket and stuff before some demon eats it. Ready?"

With the sun finally setting Kagome took one last look of the surroundings and said "Yeah let's go."

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What happened when InuYasha grabbed Kagome.

"Miroku where are they going?"

"InuYasha is giving Kagome her gift."

"I'm going to go with them."

"Oh no you don't Shippou."

"Why not Sango?"

"Because InuYasha left us alone when Kagome got our gift, so now we have to leave them alone."

"That's not fair, we never said he couldn't come."

"I know Shippou, come on let's eat."

They finished eating and Kagome and InuYasha still hadn't returned. Then it hit sunset and Shippou began to worry.

"Come on Sango let's go find them."

"No Shippou."

"What if Kagome is hurt?"

"I doubt InuYasha would let that happen."

"But what if InuYasha got knocked out and she is?"

"They're fine now come back inside."

"But Sango.."

"Come on Shippou inside now."

"Fine but if she's hurt it is YOUR fault."

"Ok, Shippou. Now in."

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"Ready to go back to the village, Kagome?"

"Do we have to? I just wanted to relax."

"Sango, the monk, and the kid will be worried about you."

"Shippou will be but Miroku and Sango trust you to protect me."

"Yeah, why is that anyway? I have saved him many times, most of them putting me in very dangerous positions."

"InuYasha."

"Ok, fine what do you want to do?"

"I just want to look at the stars. Is that ok, InuYasha?"

"Ok."

InuYasha sat down with his back up against the tree. Kagome walked up and sat next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. InuYasha's cheeks were as hot and as red as fire. They sat like that for a little while until InuYasha felt Kagome shiver.

"What's the matter Kagome?"

"Nothing I just got the shivers."

InuYasha took that as a clue to wrap his RED haori around Kagome's shoulders and pull her closer.

"Thanks InuYasha."

"Yeah well if you were cold you should of said something."

They just sat there as the sun sank lower and lower allowing the moon and stars to get brighter and brighter.

"Hey Kagome?"

"Yeah?"

"Happy Birthday."

"Thanks InuYasha."

"It's no big deal Kagome."

"Maybe not to you but to share a night alone with the one person I've ever loved means a lot to me."

"Did you just say love, Kagome?"

"Umm.... Yes I did, I love you InuYasha, and I do understand if you can't say it ba..."

Before she could continue InuYasha grabbed her chin and kissed her. Kagome was shocked but eventually returned the kiss. They had to break for air and when they did both of their cheeks were on fire. InuYasha looked away and when he did Kagome used that time to snuggle n closer to him. Without even realizing what happened his arm instinctively went around her shoulder. They sat like that for what seemed like an eternity. Sleep soon took over and Kagome laid there gradually losing the battle. When she finally fell asleep, InuYasha noticed the change in Kagome's breathing and looked down, he scooped her up, gently, bridal style, and took off towards Kaede's hut.

"InuYasha what did you let happen to Kagome, I told Sango she wasn't safe with you."

"Nothing happened fox she's asleep. Now go to bed."

"Fine."

When InuYasha went to set Kagome down she wouldn't let go of his inner haori and only held tighter when he tried to pull away. Well, InuYasha didn't want to wake her because he knew she would be mad at him if he did. So, InuYasha slid in next to Kagome n her sleeping bag and it felt right. Kagome's calm, peaceful scent took over and soon InuYasha also lost the battle to sleep. Kaede had heard the door open and went to check on it, when she saw InuYasha and Kagome together she closed the flap separating the two rooms and went to lay down, when she did she could only smile.