Notes:

Sorry for the late update! Well here you go the third chapter! Enjoy.

3. Always

"Yo, Kagome-chan!"

Kagome stopped and turned back.There she saw Kagura running up to her while waving her hands. "Ah, Kagura-chan! Ohayo," greeted Kagome with a pleasant smile on her face. Kagura went next to Kagome and both of them started walking. "I really like to thank you for yesterday. I mean like for helping me out in my studies and all."

Kagome shook her head lightly, "No problem. I'm always glad to help out." Kagura responded back with a smile, "Thanks." She looked away from her for a moment, as though she was anxious to ask her something. When she knew she had the right determination, she faced Kagome, "Ano… Kagome may I ask you a question?"

"Nani?" asked Kagome peculiarly. "Well… I was just wondering….have you thought about breaking up with Naraku?" asked Kagura with tint of hesitation. Kagome was stunned and curious at the same time. Why such a question? "Why out of the blues you asked this question?"

Kagura tried her best to hide her expression as she gave off a phony smile, "It's nothing. I was just a curious that's all." Kagome nodded and gave an understanding expression, "Well no… I" Kagome was interrupted by Kagura, "Well what if I told you that he has fallen for someone else? Would you believe that?"

Kagome thought for a while. Would he? She replied with wonder on her questions, "I have never thought about it before. But I don't think so he would have kept such a thing from me." Curiosity now hit her mind, "Why did you ask anyway?"

Kagura gave a worried expression. How am I to tell her? Her thoughts broke off when Kagome asked Kagura uncomfortably, "Don't tell me he really did fall for someone else?" She shook her head deniably

"No, no, no. Don't be so silly Kagome-chan!" exclaimed Kagura.

Kagome let out a sigh of relief, "Yakata. And here I was really worried that he wouldn't want me anymore." Kagome changed her expression from worried to happy. "I'm really glad to hear that he still loves me." She let out a smile.

Kagura bit her lips. I guess it will never work between us.

Kagome reached home at about 4 in the afternoon, "Tadaima" she shouted out. No one answered. "Jii-chan?" "Mama" "Souta?" Still no answer, she went to the kitchen and found a letter on the table. She took it and read the letter.

Kagome,

Sorry dear but we had to leave you behind on your birthday date and we are really sorry that we couldn't celebrate your birthday with you but I promise we'll celebrate it once we're back. The reason I'm sure you know you can't make it to because your exams are just three days away and we won't be back till next week. Your uncle in America has fallen ill. We just received the call today. Ojii-san and Souta has left with me. Take care dear. Good Luck in your test. Gambate yo!

Mama

She let out a sigh, "Oh well at least I have the chance to take the exam. Anyway birthdays' aren't that important." She went up to her room, dropped her bag next to her study table and went for a shower. After a nice warm shower, she got on a simple baby blue t-shirt along with navy blue casual shorts. She went towards her bag and took out her physics reference book. She took out some papers and made some notes. Suddenly a loud growling sound was heard.

Kagome looked down to her stomach, "I think I better get something to eat or my stomach will keep complaining." She made her way towards the kitchen but she came to a halt right after she heard someone knocking on the shouji door while calling her name, "Kagome."

She let out a smile and walked towards the door. She knew exactly who it was, "Yo, Inuyasha." She greeted as she slides open the door and gave him a sweet smile. "What are you doing here?"

"Well…I just came here to give you," he took the box that he was hiding behind his back in front. He showed the box to Kagome and opened it. "This" he beamed at her, "Happy Birthday!"

Kagome was so happy and surprised at the same time, "Oh my god! This cake is fabulous Inuyasha."

"You really think so?" he laughed as he closes the cake box.

"Yes," she smiled at him, "Where did you get it?"

"I baked it myself. I couldn't think of what to get for you on your birthday so I just baked you this."

She took the cake box from Inuyasha and gave him a big hug, "Thank you so much Inuyasha." She looks up to him.

"Hey, no sweat!" he winked at her, "So where are your family?" he asked looking around to see whether Kagome's family were around.

She released herself from clinging onto him, "They're not here. They left for something important. It was my uncle at America who was ill."

"Oh, well you don't have to worry. I'm here with you tonight so you don't have to feel lonely on your birthday." He smiled at her.

Kagome smiled sweetly at him, "Thanks."

"So where to, birthday girl?" asked Inuyasha.

Kagome suggested, "Hm... What about the beach?"

"Alright."

"Ano…. Miroku-kun," Sango called out for him softly, looking down at the book, with a confused expression.

Miroku was searching for some books in the shelf. He went to Sango and asked softly, "Nani?" he went and sat down next to Sango.

"I just don't really get all this equation here. I tried doing it but I just can't seem to get it right." Sango kept doing the questions but never seem to get the answer.

"Here let me help you solve it." He offered. He took the book and tried doing it. He was really fast. He finished it in less than a minute. Sango was so amazed. He slid the book back to Sango, "Here." He smiled.

"Oh my god. You are a genius!" she praised him softly.

"Do you want me to explain?"

"Oh please do." She pleaded. He smiled at her and then started to explain, "The reason you made a mistake was that this equation was suppose to be positive," pointing at the equation he was talking about, "you got it the other way round, that's how you got different answers."

"So ka," she smiled, "Domo Miroku-kun." She looked up to Miroku, "I can be quite careless sometimes." She giggled.

A smile flickered across Miroku's face, "Well do you have any other problems?

Sango shook her head, "Not at the moment. I'll let you know if I do find one."

"Okay then. Well if you do have any problems don't be shy to ask." Winked Miroku, "Well I'll be over that section," Miroku pointed at the aisle. He took few steps in front and then turned back to Sango, he showed a thumb up to Sango and then went towards the bookshelves.

"So Inuyasha where's Sango-chan?" Kagome turned to Inuyasha. They were at the beach. They enjoyed themselves hearing the wonderful sound of the wave, taking in the smell of the beautiful sea, feeling the soft sandy sand below their feet and enjoying the cozy breeze.

Inuyasha opened his eyes and turns to Kagome, "She's at home studying. She is really nervous about her test."

Kagome giggled, "Who wouldn't be."

"Well lets not waste any more time, you have a big test to catch up with." said Inuyasha as he took out the cake from the box and flatten the box on top the sand. He placed the cake on top on the box and positioned the candle in the middle of the cake. He took out a lighter from his pocket and lighted up the candle.

Inuyasha looked up to Kagome and saw a beam on her face. I never knew that Kagome would look so beautiful at this point… Suddenly Inuyasha felt his heart beating faster. He looked down to hide his expression from Kagome. What's wrong with me?

"Inuyasha are you alright?" asked Kagome worriedly. Inuyasha quickly turned up to Kagome and gave a fake smile, "I'm fine… I just got lost in thought… That's all. Anyway let's not drag time anymore." Inuyasha sang a birthday song to Kagome and Kagome sang along as they both clapped their hands to the rhythm of the music.

"Make your wish now."

Kagome closed her eyes and clasped both of her hands together. I wish that Inuyasha and I would always be together till the end…Always…She opened her eyes and blow off the candle. Inuyasha handed Kagome the knife. Kagome took it from Inuyasha and sliced the cake. Inuyasha took out small paper plates and handed it to Kagome. Kagome sliced off two parts of the cake and placed them on both of the paper plates.

Both Inuyasha and Kagome got the cake. Kagome took a mini fork from the plastic bag and took another one to hand it to Inuyasha. Both of them looked out to the sea while enjoying little bits of the cake slice. Kagome turns to Inuyasha , "You're really good in baking cakes, you know that?" Inuyasha turned to face Kagome. "You should open up a bakery store. I'm sure your shop would be loaded with customers."

Inuyasha chuckled, "Thanks. But I don't think I would capable of running a bakery store. So anyways, what did you wish for?"

"I can't tell you. It's a wish." Giggled Kagome, "It wouldn't come true anymore if I told you what it is."

"I guess you're right." As Inuyasha was about to turn to face the sea, he was distracted when Kagome spoke up, "Hey, Inuyasha… Domo…" Kagome smiled sweetly and turned to face the sea.

Inuyasha felt his heart beating faster once more and his cheeks growing hotter. He brought his hand to his cheeks. What am I blushing for? It's not like this is the first time Kagome thanked me…