I do not own Inuyasha & Company, Rumiko Takahashi does. Though I do own the characters I've created in my stories. Especially Ayume Izumi, so don't try and steal her!


"Really, she's back?" the woman with ebony colored hair asked almost out of disbelief.

"Mm hm, she sure is, its such a wonderful surprise," the other woman, with dark brown hair responded.

"Yes, it is, but didn't they have chemistry before? And who's to say they still don't, it just doesn't put me in a comfortable position."

"Maybe Kagome, you and Koga weren't really the best match or destined to be together after all."

"But I really, really do like Koga," she chastised beating her hand on the couch they were sitting on.

"Now honestly Kagome, do you really have feelings for him, or are you just saying so because she's back?" Sango gave her life long friend a stern look that made Kagome feel uneasy about herself.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know right now," tears began to form in her eyes, Sango reached out for the girl and laid her into her chest for a comforting hug.

"Shhh, don't cry sweetie, its going to be okay," the former demon slayer said in a soft voice.

Kagome's phone began to ring, she sat up from off of Sango to wipe away the tear stains on her face. "It's Koga!" she said almost frightened, "What should I do?"

"First off, you need to answer it so he won't think you're ignoring him. And try to sound happy," she cracked a sympathetic smile. The girl shook her head vigorously at the command.

"H-hello?" she said in a small voice.

"Hey, are you still at the mall, I was getting worried?"

"Oh no, not anymore, I'm at Sango and Sesshoumaru's house."

"Do you need me to come pick you up, it wouldn't be a problem?"

"Umm no thanks, I'll just call a cab."

"Hey Kagome,…have you been crying?"

Her throat tightened, "No, I'm just congested that's all, I'm fine."

"Well okay then, I'll talk to you tomorrow, be safe going home."

"I will thanks, bye."

And with that she hung up her phone.

*

Ayume was making her way further downtown in cab, anxiety overwhelming her that she almost passed out in the cab. She maintained herself just long enough to make it to her destination, and got out to take in a deep breath of fresh air.

'Oh I'm so excited, I can hardly walk straight. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to wear these wedge sandals, oh well,' she rambled on in her mind.

She was wearing a white long sleeve shirt which dipped into her curves, dark navy blue skinny jeans with a swirl pattern on both back pockets, black 2-inch wedge sandals, and to top it off, a black leather cropped jacket that had four little buttons and it had a delicate bowtie at the neck, accompanied by an ebony-glossed colored hand bag.

She didn't wear much makeup, just a bit of mascara, blush, clear gloss for her lips, and some bronze eye shadow to make her green eyes pop. Her hair on the other hand was in high ponytail with her bangs wildly in front, yet tame enough to look elegant.

Her look made her appear to be a very mature young woman, though she was 565 years old, she enjoyed rockin' the look of a mere twenty year old.

As she walked in, she remembered that in order to eat there you had to make reservations. She slapped herself in her forehead absentmindedly. And as crowded as it looked, she really should have made one.

Her cell phone rang in the mini purse, scaring her out of her thoughts. She quickly grabbed it and answered.

"Hi, Ayume speaking."

"Oh Ayume, I'm glad you picked up," a man said on the other end of the line.

"Hey Miroku, I just remembered that you-,"

"You're supposed to make reservations ahead of time I know, and I did."

"Thank goodness, because I'm already here and its really crowded," she chuckled at Miroku for being so prepared for her clumsiness.

"Great, we're here too, the reservation is under the name Houshi."

"Okay well I'll see you in a second, bye."

She pressed the end button and went up to the man behind the desk.

"Hello miss, welcome to Yanmo: Marunouchi. Do you have a reservation or are you here with a party?" the little man asked her professionally.

"Umm yes sir, Houshi, party of three," she replied.

He scanned the list for the name, "Ah yes, right this way ma'am, they are already here."

With that he led her to the upper part of the restaurant, mostly where only celebrities or very wealthy and powerful people would dine.

As she came into view, Inuyasha stood up and walked over to Ayume. She squealed with delight when she saw that familiar glowing face, white hair, and her favorite little ears. She rushed into him, causing the hanyou to stumble back a bit, but he caught his balance and squeezed her tightly.

"You're never leaving again," he whispered in a serious yet loving voice.

Ayume couldn't help but giggle, "Don't worry I won't," she smiled with her chin on his shoulder.

Miroku had gotten up as well, "Well…where's my 'I'm back!' hug," he teased, "I would think you would have missed me just as much."

She let go of Inuyasha and walked over to the monk with a smile, "Of course I did," she teased in a mocking manner, "shame on me if I didn't."

Ayume wrapped her arms around the man's neck firmly as he held onto the sides of her waist. She was tickled by the contact, she released one arm from his neck and placed her hand on his back, trailing her fingers downward.

Miroku flinched when he felt a hand rubbing his butt, he hadn't expected such a gesture, "Didn't think I was capable, huh? Its just a little pay back from all the times you got me," she winked at the embarrassed man.

He laughed nervously rubbing the back of his head after she detached from the hug.

"So shall we get seated, Inuyasha I know you're hungry," she laughed at him.

"Well about time, I wasn't standing up here for my health," he fussed jokingly.

When they sat down a waiter appeared from around the booth. "May I take your orders, starting with your drinks," he asked politely with a smile.

"Yes, thank you, I'll have a Raspberry Lemonade please," Ayume answered, "And I'll have a Kamikaze, good sir," said Miroku.

"And how about you sir?" he looked over to Inuyasha, " Give me a Black Velvet," he said without taking his eyes of the menu. "Excellent choice sir," and with that the waiter disappeared with a bow.

"So…anything you guys wanna talk about in particular?" Ayume asked grinning, trying to break the silence between the three.

"Yes Ayume, that's one of the reasons why we invited you here, but not the main reason, we missed you and wanted to see you again," Miroku's expression serious.

"Uh, okay what did you have in mind," her grin already fading.

Inuyasha reached across the booth's table and rested it on Ayume's hand. She looked into his eyes full of concern. "What's the matter, did I do something wrong? You guys are mad at me for leaving aren't you? Oh, I knew I shouldn't have come back, hell I should have never left in the first place…" she rambled almost on the verge of tears, but was cut off by Inuyasha.

"No!," he said lowly, "We're not mad at you, and we are tremendously happy that you decided to come home, we wouldn't think any different."

Ayume sniffled, "Okay, then what is it?"

Miroku cleared his throat, catching their attention that the waiter was back with their drinks. Inuyasha pulled his hands off of Ayume's.

"Here we are, a Kamikaze for you, Black Velvet for this gentleman, and a Raspberry Lemonade for the lady. So are you ready to order?"

"Yes we are," Miroku replied, "I'll have the Miso Soup with a side of edamame(soybeans)I'm trying to watch my figure," he joked, "Ayume what about you, it's our treat."

"Thanks Miroku," she looked at the waiter, "I'll have the Sukiyaki, but instead of the raw egg, can I have soy sauce please?"

"Of course madam, and for you sir?" Inuyasha looked up from the menu, "I was thinking of going for the Ramen, but why should I pay for it here when I can just cook it at my house. I'm going to get the Calamari Okonomiyaki, add some ginger and tomato." Inuyasha replied.

"As you wish, your orders shouldn't take too long." with that he bowed and disappeared again.

"Okay, now that he's gone, back to the conversation Miroku," Ayume was serious, her knees were jittering about as her anxiety rose.

"Since you've been gone, a couple of certain people have made advances with each other, and they've been together for quite a while now."

"Like…..who?," she dragged out, "Do you mean the both of you, because if you are I really don't wanna know how good the sex is between you two," she teased causing both the men to blush harshly.

"Nooo!" Inuyasha whined like a little kid, "He's, he's talking about Koga and Kagome, they're, you know," he quieted his voice so only the people sitting around him would hear.

"Oh?" she questioned not really understanding, but it finally clicked in her head together what he was saying, "Oh!"

"Oh, t-that's nice," she forced a smile, but Ayume lowered her head some so that her bangs were covering her eyes as a lone tear streaked down.

'Oh Ayume, I knew this was going to happen, I'm so sorry.' Miroku thought sympathetically.

Ayume wiped away the tear quickly and stood up from her seat. "If you'll excuse me, I'm really not in the mood to eat anymore, I'm sorry," with that she walked away to a waitress with a smile and asked where the bathroom was. The woman pointed to the right side of the restaurant and smiled back at Ayume.

Ayume marched over to the designated area for women and closed the door behind herself.

"Damn, this all my fault, I shouldn't have told her," Miroku said glumly, "I knew she had feelings for him, but I didn't want her to not know, and then Koga would just break it to her without the slightest bit of compassion." he clenched his fist together messing up the silk cloth that was on the table.

"It's okay koishii, I'll just stay with Ayume for the night so she'll feel comforted. I don't like seeing her sad, and I never did," those beautiful amber eyes stared at the monk intently making the man just melt.

"Okay," agreeing to the hanyou, who he could never refuse, "just be safe when returning to her house. Do you want me to drive you guys there?"

"No, that's okay well just catch a cab," he smiled leaning into the man giving him a kiss on his temple, "promise me you'll do the same, neh?"

"I will," and he kissed Inuyasha goodnight.

Inuyasha walked away from the table and followed the direction Ayume had went.

"Hmm, this is going to be a long night for all of us," Miroku shook his head from side to side, "Check please," he called out to his waiter, "and could you put our meals in some formal to-go cases?"

"Of course sir, right away," the waiter said. "Thanks so much for our sudden inconvience, sorry." Miroku replied. "Not at all sir."