Saturday

The boy woke up the next morning feeling defeated.

Images of the one he, unknowingly, held so dear to his heart kept on popping up one after another, after another, after another.

His mind couldn't seem to get over the way her luscious hair was finally out of the way of her face, revealing the true natural beauty it had been trying to hide. His hands yearned to feel the way her body would feel against his; the silk of her jumper soothing his own skin. His eyes didn't have the guts to rip its glare from the radiant smile that emerged from her face when she saw him, and he saw her.

But it was nothing. And so he said to himself, "This means nothing."

He suddenly felt a vibration beneath him. The bed shook harder after each pause. He tossed and turned, throwing his blankets and pillows in every-which-direction in order to find the thing that was driving him mad.

Finally, after all the sheets, blankets, and pillows were ripped off the bed, he rubbed his eyes to see if that whole hassle was even worth it. And it was.

"WAAAAKKKEEEEEE UUUPPP SLEEPYHEAD!" Kagome shouted in a sing-songy tone.

Inuyasha shot a glare at his alarm clock, - 7:35 AM - he grumbled and rubbed his hand across his face, "G-Gomes… what the hell…. Woman… it's 7 in the morning…"

The girl's giggle echoed through the phone, sending chills down his spine. "Silly! We're going shopping! Remember?!" She was so upbeat and excited; Inuyasha loved the girl but at this moment he really wanted to glue his hand to her mouth.

"Gomes… The malls aren't even open yet…," he spoke as he threw his head into the crest of the bed. "Wait a minute," he shot up. "Please don't say-"

"ROAD TRIP!" Kagome squealed ecstatically. Inuyasha could basically feel her smiling so big through the phone.

Inuyasha fell face forward to the other end of the bed, "But… Goooommmmeeeessss…" He exaggerated, "The sun isn't even up yet…"

"Open your eyes, bud"

The sun was up all right.

Kagome giggled again, her laughter choppy through the call, "Have you never been up this early?"

"Gomes, it's Saturday. Saturday morning," his sleepiness slowly fading. "I don't move until one o'clock in the afternoon."

"LAME," she teased the boy. "My house in fifteen!"

He stared at the ceiling after being left with the end tone. He laid there frozen both because: he was half-asleep and his heart was pounding, practically, out of his chest.

Realizing what his body was doing - or feeling - he attempted to aggressively shake away his emotions.

"We're just friends," he assured himself. "She's just my best friend."

The sun was bright and there was not a cloud in the sky. The wind was moving so swiftly between the trees and its leaves. The flowers' aromas engulfing the air.

Inuyasha slammed his car door behind him, as he bent down to check his hair in the side mirror; tightening his ponytail and fixing the hair that was left.

He silenced his mind as he made his way up the many - many - steps that led up to the Higurashi household. As soon as he stood before the door, hand in a fist, ready to knock - it was already opened.

"INU-NO-ONIICHAN!" Sota screamed as he threw himself on the guest.

"O-Oi! H-Hey, kiddo!" Inuyasha awkwardly patting his head. "How did you-"

"Neechan told us you were coming over!" The boy grabbed Inuyasha's hand. "Come in and join us for breakfast!"

Inuyasha, following in the direction of his pull, was ready to make his escape before inhaling the smell of food that made his mouth water.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome's mother rejoiced. "Come in, come in please!" Her huge grin made it impossible for him to refuse.

"Sure thing Mrs. Higuras-"

"NO TIME FOR THAT" Kagome screeched as she snatched Inuyasha from his chair, zooming out of the kitchen within 0.5 seconds. "WE'LL BE HOME LATER FOR DINNER, MAMA!"

Kagome was running at the speed of light; her grip so tight on Inuyasha's hand, was making him feel like he was going to learn how to drive one-handed today.

"First you wake me up at the crack of dawn and now you're making me run?!" He sarcastically yelled. "Woman, are you trying to kill me?"

"Stop getting your panties in a bunch!" They stopped in front of the car. "It's already 8 o'clock. The outlet mall is an hour and a half away, but you know with our luck - or your luck - we're gonna get caught in traffic."

Inuyasha nodded his head in agreement, "Alright… Fine…," he grabbed her face. "You better not fall asleep!"

She placed a hand on her chest and awkwardly opened her mouth, "Wha-"

"You always fall asleep in traffic and I did NOT roll out of bed for you to sit in traffic and have a conversation with my radio," the boy explained crossing his arms, pretending that he was truly pissed off.

Kagome snickered, raising her hand up to her forehead, "Sir yes sir!"

But she still fell asleep.

After a two and a half hour drive alone with his radio, the two finally reached the outlet.

Inuyasha turned off the car and pulled up the hand brake. As he unbuckled his seat belt, ready to wake up Kagome, he paused.

She looked so peaceful. Her hair was in a messy bun, and her mouth was slightly curved. Her head rested lazily on her arms against the window, which she tried to substitute as a pillow. As he took in all her breathtaking features, she began to move.

"Rise and shine, princess," he softly breathed with only minimal sarcasm.

She stretched her arms - nearing punching him in the face - and rubbed her eyes, "E...eh?" The sentence ending with a yawn. "OOOOOHH, WE'RE HERE!"

"W-Wha… How are you s-"

"NO TIME FOR THAT" Kagome shouted yet again, unbuckling herself, practically pulling Inuyasha out the car with her.

It had just turned 10 o'clock in the morning and the outlet mall was already packed. Herds of people were already walking in and out of stores, four to five shopping bags already at their grip.

Inuyasha tried to keep up with Kagome, but she was constantly drowning in the sea of people. He peaked over the rippling tides of the crowd, keeping his eye on the girl; her gaze meeting his repeatedly.

"Why'd we have to come all the way over here?!" He shouted to the girl as he bumped into another person. "The malls near us have the latest trends, and honestly, a great variety of colors," his patience was running low, but he took a deep breath to try to hold it in.

"BECAUSE," she exclaimed, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a store. "THIS IS THE BEST STORE WITH THE BEST SALES!"

Kagome jumped up in excitement as she sped her way through the store. There were clothes that were 10% off, 20% off, 50% off and others that were $10, $5, hell even, $3. She was right; this place was fashion heaven.

Inuyasha made his laps around the store within fifteen minutes. His hands occupied by piles of new shirts, jeans, and jackets. He expected his friend to be done - with probably double the amount of clothes - but when he found her in the $5 section, he found himself proven wrong.

"Ah! Inuyasha!" She spun around and held the shirt to her chest. "What do you think of this?!"

Inuyasha scratched his head, nearly dropping all his clothes, "Ehhhhh. Not your color."

She held it up to herself again and peeked at the mirror, "Yeah, you're right. I'm not much of a yellow girl." But then she picked up the blouse again, "Butttt…. Hojo-kun's favorite color is yellow so maybe-"

"Gomes, no," the boy repeated, shaking his head rapidly.

He settled his clothes down a table before disappearing for about two seconds. He returned with a periwinkle blouse with lace designs on the collar, "Now, THIS," he shook it around. "This is a shirt for you."

Kagome basically ripped the top out of his claws. She spun and leaped in satisfaction, holding it close to herself. "Thank you, best friend."

Inuyasha felt himself blush and forced his cheek the other way, "So uhhh, how was your date, Ms. Bigshot?" He forced a smile.

"Oh, Inuyasha. It was great!" the boy practically heard her heart beating at an unhealthy pace. "He was so sweet, kind, and such a gentleman!"

"Heh…. oh yeah?" He fiddled with his fingers, leaning on the pile of clothes he put down.

"Yes!" She flung herself close to his body. "And he asked me out on a SECOND date!"

"Ahhh…," he cracked a smile and embraced her. "That's great, Gomes. You deserve it."

Her grin was so huge that it reached up to her eyes. She felt so warm in the boy's hold. He couldn't help but admire her in this moment.

"And it's thanks to you!" Kagome wrapped her arms around him, dropping the three shirts and two pairs of jeans she had chosen.

"Wh-what?" Inuyasha stammered. "But all I did was help choose your outfit…"

"AND, that's what gave me so much confidence! By doing that, you showed me how much you care for me and support me," she nuzzled his chest and gripped him tighter. "And that you've got a helluva sense for fashion! I didn't know you had it in ya, chief."

Inuyasha giggled at the girl's silly remark, "What can I say…..Daddy's got it."

Kagome then raised a brow and released herself from his embrace. "Yes… daddy does got it…," she jolted from the boy before he could even come up with a thought.

Minutes later, she came back with a girl.

"Haaaaaaave you met Inu?" She nudged the girl forward, inching her closer to the boy.

"Gomes, what are yo-"

"This here is Janice," Janice reaching out her hand. "And this, is my dear beloved best friend, Inuyasha. He's sweet, funny, caring, and just the most amazing person anyone could ask for," he awkwardly met the stranger's touch.

"Gomes, I-"

"Just look at him! Look at that sexy silver hair in a ponytail. Look at how he's able to match that black v-neck shirt with dark cuffed jeans and a black Nike windbreaker. And to top it off, look at those black and red…..something sneakers-"

"They're Jordan Bred 4s," he corrected. His patience running low again. "Kago-"

"ANYWAYS," Kagome winked at the boy. "I'll let you two kids get acquainted." She then sneaked in a whisper, "BEST WINGWOMAN EVER."

As Kagome walked away, Inuyasha felt like both his head and his heart wanted to explode. He turned to face Janice and softly said, "I'm sorry," before storming off behind his friend; his friend with whom he was completely and hopelessly in love with.

He put a hand on her shoulder and she shuddered, unaware of who it was, "Ha… Thanks.. uhh, Gomes but uhh…," her eyes screaming out confusion. "I'll just meet you back at the car."

"Inuyasha! Wait!" the girl shouted from across the street. Inuyasha ignored her call-outs and refused to turn his head.

She chased behind him, but constantly got held up by passing cars. "Damn, there is too many people here," she sprinted past the cars and groups of people.

Then, finally, she caught up with Inuyasha. But, he still didn't utter a word, nor bother to look at her.

"Inuyasha!" he opened the car door. "What is the matter?!" she ripped open hers and hopped inside the vehicle.

The boy didn't pay no mind, keeping an emotionless look on his face as he turned the engine over.

And he kept up with this act for twenty minutes into the drive. Kagome just sat there; staring at him and trying to figure out what he was thinking. When she reached to touch him, he didn't flinch or make any kind of gesture. He just kept his eyes on the road, and his thoughts on his mind. Until-

"Look," he turned to glance at her. "Why did you do that? Back at the mall?"

Kagome was happy to finally hear his voice, "I-I'm sorry… I just wanted to thank you for what you did for me!" She offered a smile.

"I didn't want you to do that," he faced the road again. "I didn't need you to do that…"

"What?" She placed a hand on him. "Why not?"

"BECAUSE I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU" Kagome had no words. "I… I-I didn't realize it before… because of course you're just my best friend… but these last couple of days have shown me so much more of you…," he stumbled over his words. "You're beautiful. Whether you're wearing a champagne ball gown dress with gold studded heels… or one of my oversized hoodies and gray sweatpants… you are breathtaking…"

Inuyasha pounded on the brakes, nearly sending both himself and the girl flying out the window. However, he didn't do that out of frustration. It was because a long line of traffic was placed in front of them; a two-hour-long-looking line of traffic.

"Great," he angrily mumbled.

"Inuyasha…. I… I didn-"

"Don't sweat it," he interjected.

He stole another glance at the girl and noticed how wide her eyes were open. Her brown eyes piercing into his golden pair. He felt knives stab him in the chest and the throat, making it hard to breathe. He heard the sound of his heart begging to be released of this pain; he wondered if she could hear it too.

"I don't…. I don't wanna talk about it," he chuckled silently. He rubbed the back of his head with his right, and laid back more freely, staring out of the window.

"Mmkay.." Kagome quietly murmured. She brought her legs up on the seat, and turned to face the opposite window; letting her body fall soundly to sleep.

After a two hour and fifteen minute drive filled with confusion, heartache, frustration, and a conversation with the radio, the two finally returned to the Higurashi household.

As soon as they pulled in, Kagome was already awake.

"Oh," he retreated his arm. "You're already awake. Usually takes you awhile," he uttered a laugh.

"Heh… yeah. I couldn't sleep," she looked up at the boy. His eyes were screaming confusion and his stomach was fighting butterflies.

"Well," he cleared his throat. "I'll walk you up."

The sun hid behind the white puffy clouds. The cool breeze had slowed down its pace between the tree and its leave. The flowers' aroma still faint in the air.

"Kagome! Inuyasha!" Mama Higurashi shouted from the kitchen window. "Back so soon?"

Inuyasha and Kagome blushed, and turned away. The two accidentally touching each other's hands. They both embraced the touch, but Inuyasha hesitantly pulled away.

"Uh-huh… be there in a second, mama!" she turned to face the boy, and her cheeks began to get warm again. "Inuyasha, come on, let's go in-"

"Sorry, Gomes," he awkwardly shuffled his feet. "I uhh… I gotta go."

He took a few steps before turning back around, the girl looking more upset and disappointed than ever. "I'll see you tomorrow," he saluted the girl.

"INUYASHA, WAIT"

Kagome sprinted back to his side. She was breathing hard, and felt every bone in her body shaking.

"G-Gomes….? Wh-what are y-you…?"

Her body leaped into his. His arms immediately wrapping around her waist as the two shared their first kiss. It was gentle, yet passionate. The heat from their friction causing steam to erupt from their bodies. He held her face as she felt chills and steam travel throughout her fragile self. The two let themselves go, and lived in every nibble, bite, and lick.

"I love you, Inuyasha," she gently kissed his cheek. "You've always been more than just my wingman."