Chapter 2: Familiar Faces
Kagome reached a hand from beneath her covers and felt around on the nightstand.
Her phone was ringing and although it sounded fairly close, she couldn't place her hand on it. Kagome felt her finger push something hard, followed by a soft thud on the floor.
"Great!" She moaned. Kagome hauled herself to the edge of her bed and scooped her phone off of the floor. The screen lit up and she shielded her eyes. The name on the caller ID was familiar.
"Hello?"
"KAGOME!" A loud overly excited voice squealed into her ear.
Kagome chuckled, rubbing her eyes, "Hey Sango."
She sat up and stretched. The sun was streaming into her room through cracks in the shutters and there was a recognizable aroma of cinnamon in the air. It was nice to wake up in her old bed for a change. Kagome hadn't realized how much she'd missed being home.
"So you're home now right?" Sango said eagerly.
"Yes, I got in a few days ago."
There was the sound of muffled voices in the background. Kagome could hear Sango snapping at someone.
"Sango?"
"Sorry about that," Sango's chipper voice reappeared "Some people don't know how to be quiet when I'm on the phone!"
Kagome laughed. She wondered briefly who Sango was referring to.
"Anyway," Sango continued "I'm having a little welcome home get together for you at my place around seven. It's nothing too big, just a few known faces."
Kagome raised an eyebrow, "Which known faces? And how do you know I don't already have plans for tonight?"
"Kagome I'm your best friend. Who else would you spend your first weekend back with?"
Kagome exhaled slowly. Sango had a point. Kagome had fully intended on calling her best friend as soon as she was settled in to see if they could hang out. Yet, as always, Sango had beaten her to it. Still, Kagome wasn't sure if she was ready to see anyone else so soon. A part of her just wanted to relax and readjust, "Does it have to be a get together? Not that I don't appreciate it but can't we just —"
"Look, I've already invited people to come and everyone is really excited to see you." Sango interrupted.
"Can't the two of us go get our nails done together or something instead?" Kagome offered "I don't want to see a whole bunch of people right now."
"It won't be a whole bunch of people, I said nothing too big. Besides Kagome, once you told me you were coming home, I couldn't keep that excitement to myself. And trust me, you'll want to see everyone I invited, I promise. Just please don't say no."
Kagome shook her head. She knew that Sango wasn't going to budge. Once she set her mind on something there was no changing it. On one hand, Kagome could've said no, made up some excuse to hang up, and went back to sleep. Sango would be upset but she'd get over it soon enough. On the other hand, Kagome couldn't deny the growing curiosity she now had to see who Sango "invited" to this little gathering. Aside from that, she did want to see Sango, if anything.
"Alright, fine." Kagome breathed into the phone "I'll come. But you're picking me up. I'll be ready at six."
Kagome was ready before six. By the time she'd finally gotten out of bed and made her way downstairs the house was empty. Her mother had gone to work and her little brother was at school. Kagome discovered that the source of the cinnamon aroma was a batch of cinnamon rolls that her mother had made that morning. She helped herself to one immediately.
After that, Kagome had called Naraku and the two of them talked on the phone for a few hours. Naraku was on his way home but decided to visit a friend's house for a few days first. She missed him already.
Eventually, Naraku had to go so they hung up and Kagome took a shower. She decided to wear a navy blue and green floral print sun dress with matching blue sandals. The dress was tight enough to show her curves but loose enough to flow. Kagome wasn't sure who she was dressing for, but either way, she knew she'd look fine. She tied her hair into a pony tail and by five thirty she was sitting on her couch, waiting for Sango.
Kagome tried to make a mental list of the people she anticipated to be there. She thought of Miroku first. He had been her best male friend in high school. In fact, Miroku, Sango and Kagome had always stuck together back then. His little brother Shippo used to follow them around. Kagome guessed that Shippo would be graduating himself pretty soon.
Kagome blushed as the next name popped into her head. It had been almost a year since the last time they talked…she wondered if Sango had thought to invite —
A sharp blast from a car horn interrupted Kagome's thoughts. She grabbed her house keys and her phone then hurried outside.
Sango was standing in front of a black car with dark windows parked in the driveway. She jumped up and down excitedly. As soon as Kagome walked out of the house, she rushed to her best friend and hugged her.
"Kagome! I can't believe you're finally home!"
"Hey Sango," Kagome returned the embrace "You look great, it's so good to see you!"
Sango's auburn hair pooled around her shoulders and hung down to the middle of her back. Her athletic build was still as toned as ever.
"Let's get back to the house. Everyone is waiting for you." Sango smiled mischievously. She got into the driver's side of the car and Kagome followed suit.
"I like your car." Kagome said as Sango backed out of the driveway.
Sango huffed, "Oh this? This is Miroku's baby. He's letting me use it while mine is being fixed."
Kagome raised an eyebrow. Miroku was the king of 'mine'. She remembered how upset he used to get when she'd take his chips from him during lunch. The fact that Sango was driving around in Miroku's car seemed nothing short of unbelievable, "How did you get him to do that?"
"Well, he's much more willing to share with his girlfriend than anyone else these days."
Kagome couldn't stop her mouth from falling open, "Girlfriend? Wait…you guys are a couple now?"
"There are a lot of things that I need to fill you in on. Don't worry; we'll have time for that later." Sango winked. For the rest of the short car ride that chatted about Kagome's school year. In truth, Kagome wanted to tell Sango all about Naraku but she decided to wait until the two of them had real time alone to indulge.
A few minutes later Sango was parking in front of her red brick home. Kagome noticed that there were two other cars in the driveway. One was a yellow pick up and the other was a dark red mustang. Her heart sped up a bit as she wondered who they could belong to.
Kagome followed Sango up the walkway to the front door and waited for Sango to unlock the door. The porch light flickered above them and Kagome could hear muffled voices coming from inside.
Before Sango could put her key into the lock the door swung open.
Miroku's mouth dropped as he reached forward and pulled Kagome into his chest, "Kagome, I can't believe my eyes! Look at you. It's so good to see you!"
Kagome laughed as Miroku picked her up and spun her around. His embrace was warm and welcoming, "Hey Miroku!"
Miroku put Kagome down then turned and pecked Sango on the lips, "It's about time you two showed up," He grinned "I was starting to think something might have happened to my baby."
"I'm fine," Sango took her coat off and flung it on a nearby chair.
"Not you," Miroku scoffed "My baby." He pretended to look past Sango in the direction of his car and she playfully pushed him aside. Kagome felt awkward watching them. She'd already forgotten that they were a couple but from the looks of things they seemed happy. She made a mental note to congratulate them later.
"Come on Kagome," Miroku chuckled as he grabbed Kagome's hand and lead her down a short hallway "We're all in here."
Kagome braced herself as they made their way downstairs into the furnished basement. She briefly remembered how much the three of them used to hang out down there after Sango's parents fixed it up.
As they entered the room Kagome couldn't stop the grin spreading across her face. Immediately she was bombarded with hugs and hellos. Shippo was the first to reach her. Kagome was surprised at how mature he looked now. He gave her a huge hug then moved aside. Kouga was next.
Kagome blushed as he kissed her on the forehead, "Hey Kouga. I see you haven't changed."
"I've always had a soft spot for you Kagome." He flashed a grin "Glad you're home."
Kagome didn't realize how much she'd missed her friends. She was glad that Sango had convinced her to come, "Thank you guys so much for this." Her gaze swept the room.
"No problem Kagome," Miroku flopped onto the couch and picked up a remote "Now we have pizza to order and movies to watch."
"Sounds good to me."
Shippo, Sango and Kouga made their way to the couches to claim their respective spots. Kagome was about to join them when she heard footsteps coming from behind her. Instinctively she spun around, "Sango was there someone up—s"
Kagome felt body bump into something hard. Before she could fall two firm hands grabbed her around her waist. Her eyes gazed up and almost immediately Kagome felt as if time had slowed down.
The sound of his voice was like hearing a long forgotten song, "Hey, Kagome. Glad you finally made it."
"Hey…InuYasha."
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- Crimson Grey