Chapter 4

Past

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Skipping alongside Inuyasha, Kagome hummed softly while he chatted with Miroku and his band mates; the girls thankfully long gone the moment band practice was over.

"Dude, I'm telling you – the chick is diggin' me – not you!" Miroku crowed, his hands repeatedly slapping his chest boastingly, a little bounce in his steps, on the other side of Inuyasha.

Souta rolled his blue orbs at Miroku. "I swear – you're the biggest man-whore alive!" Scowling, Souta shifted his bag on his other shoulders. "Besides, she was eying me most of the night!" Narrowing his eyes at his giddy yet distracted sister, he cut back his glance to Miroku. "Even with whatever plot you and my midget of a sister formed, it wasn't enough to erase me completely from her mind."

"I am not a midget you oof!" Kagome screeched, stopping short to glare at her brother.

Inuyasha broke out in a hearty laugh, stepping backwards a few steps to re-align himself with her before draping an arm of his around her shoulders to drag her forward. "He's just jealous of you, seeing that he looks close to an anorexic giant," Inuyasha whispered softly so only she could hear.

With a deep blush as her only make-up, Kagome bowed her head shyly, while allowing Inuyasha to steer her to their destination. With a silent thank you to the heaven above, Kagome dared a whiff of Inuyasha's natural scent and decided then and there that her favorite aroma is simply Inuyasha.

"Aren't you guys jealous?" Kouga, who had been silent the whole time due to his never ending texting, jerked his head in the direction of Kagome and Inuyasha. He snickered softly at a text message, before shifting his eyes from Souta to Miroku. "You guys should hug…" He shook his head, as if his thought was suddenly absurd. "Better yet – we all should hug and up them with their two sum by having our amazing three sum," extending arms eagle like, Kouga rushed towards his two friends with a shit eating grin, dragging them into his embrace with a loud dreamy sigh.

"My heart's going…" Miroku's gaze turned heavy as he tapped his chest in time with his, "Ba-dum…Ba-dum," chant.

"…And I'm about to puke," Souta mumbled, throwing Kouga's arm from off his shoulders.

"Aww, come one!" Kouga moaned, sniffling dramatically.

"Yea – I thought we had something special going on."

Snorting, Souta made a left turn onto his lawn, and up the steps. "Hey, pipsqueak!" He shouted, grinning when Kagome's head automatically snapped in his direction curiously before catching herself and scowling at him.

"Souta…!"

"You have thirty minutes out," He started, putting up three fingers on one hand and using the other to make an O with his thumb and index finger. "Any later and I'm coming to find you!"

Kagome pouted in dismay. How dare he put a limit on her time with Inuyasha?! Furthermore, why did he always feel the need to act like a big brother anytime she chose to go about on her own with Inuyasha? Was this his way of punishing her because their parents gave him the authority as the older sibling? Huffing with a hand of hers absently reached up to her shoulder to lace fingers with Inuyasha's, Kagome stuck her tongue out at him.

"Curfew on their first date?" Miroku placed his hands over his heart. "My heart's breaking for her just thinking about it!"

Kouga shoved Miroku jokingly, jogging closer towards Inuyasha, slapping him over his back while leaning towards his ear. "Keep it PG alright?" He grinned when a scowl was his only response, walking backwards towards his house opposite Souta's two lawns upward. "Don't want to scare the poor girl off before she can even pronounce the word –…"

"Finish that if you have no value for your life," Souta growled threateningly, his stone narrowly missing the laughing hyena known as Kouga.

"I was going to say date!" He argued between uncontrolled laughter.

"Sometimes I wonder about all you motherfuckers," Inuyasha squeezed Kagome when she gasped innocently, but continued shaking his head in dismay at his friends. "I'll get her home on time Souta – tell your mom and pops I say night."

"As for you guys…" Miroku started, impersonating Inuyasha as he pointed on himself and then Kouga… "Get the hell out of my sight before I make you,"

"They are such idiots," Kagome giggled, looking behind her as the comic unraveled in 3D right before her eyes. "You're so lucky to have them as your friends."

Smiling softly at Kagome, he gave her a brief squeeze, looking down into her big adorable eyes. "They are your friends too – remember that."

Her smile was eaten up by a huge grin as her other arm found the strength to lace around Inuyasha's narrow waist, hugging him as best as she can while trying to control the butterflies in her stomach.

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It was all smiles and giggles for the little girl sitting next to her long lived crush, who at this very moment gave her all of his attention after awarded her with the massive strawberry ice-cream that was fast disappearing before her.

"I love how enthusiastic you are about everything," Inuyasha chuckled, his elbow on the table with chin in palm as he looked on at the animated girl. "Including eating."

Kagome raised a cute brow, confusion swirling in her bright beautiful eyes. "Enthusi – whaa?" She mumbled around ice-cream goo.

Chuckling even louder, Inuyasha shook his head while she continued eating, his eyes taking in the time and noting that this still had a little over twenty minutes to kill.

"You know Yashie," Kagome gulped down the last of her ice-cream, licking her lips slowly as silverware clatter against silverware by the drop of her spoon. "I think you're the coolest person," eyes wide and mouth spread in a huge grin she turned fully to her 'date' with a cheeks bright like rosy red. "…Like…ever!" She exclaimed, awarded herself with a dazzling smile from her neighbor.

"Well aren't you just the cutest gem out there?" Pinching her cheeks, he leaned forward and nuzzled his nose to hers affectionately. "And you're sweet for saying that," Kissing the top of his forehead, he thanked her before getting up and taking her dish with him.

Frozen in her spot, Kagome was sure her face probably skipped the normal blush hue and went straight to rosewood, her blue gaze as wide as a saucer. His proximity felt like an electrocution and until that shock, she wondered what was keeping her alive. The feel of his nose, kissing her nose, feeling his breath dancing against her lips – not to mention those sweet lips of his brushing over her now sweaty forehead had her whole body zapping with an intensity that both frightened and enthralled her.

"Hear heart," She mumbled, pressing both tiny palms to her chest. "Please be still and stay inside," Pressing her palms on either cheek, she sighed in blissing, her body sagging as her lids fell close. "He's soooooo amazingly awesome." Sighing once more, she broke out with a huge grin for a few seconds before snapping out of it when she heard her crush's voice.

"I gotta run, Kiks just called me," He told his boss as he dangled his phone in the air. "Sorry I can't take up a shift tonight!"

"Choosing a girl over work?" His boss tisked disapprovingly at him while he made a couple's order like second nature. "I'm shocked and impressed."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes before turning to Kagome. "All set to go, Kaggie?"

With that knowledge now known, a pouting Kagome simply nodded; her eyes downcast while she slid out of the booth. She didn't even wait for Yashie's touch to steer her outside as she headed for the exit her mind fueling with confused question. Why would he cut their time so short for that stingy Kikyou when he said he didn't even like her? Would he have lied to her just to…just to make her feel okay? A spark of anger lit a fuse in Kagome and her pout morphed into a scowl.

"Is everything okay?" Inuyasha nudged her softly with his hip, a sweet smiling exposing her teeth.

She huffed, folding her arms with a whip of her head in the other direction of him. If Yashie could so easily lie to her, then what else did he say just to comfort her? Her mind boggled at the thought that the moments they shared together held no comparison to whatever he may share with stingy-poo!

"Aww, Kaggie…" Inuyasha moaned, grasping her lightly by the shoulders. "Is my favorite girl mad at me?"

She huffed once more in reply.

Inuyasha sighed, hunching down in front of her, his hands on her shoulders halting her movements of avoidance. His lips twitched with a hint of a smile, loving how cute she looked even when irked. She was truly a gem, and as she grew older she was only going to shine brighter, and he was definitely going to be next to her brother to protect her from the jerks flocking her over time.

"You know you can tell me anything." He cajoled, his hands rubbing her shoulders absently, trying to dispel the tension out of her bones. "You were fine a moment ago back at Myoga's."

Pushing out her pout even more, Kagome tried to ignore the feel of his touch as she focused on his smooth looking hair, amazed at how shiny it looked under the moon's gaze and…and…Gosh! Why did he make her feel like a stupid poet?! Kagome scowled once more, 'hmph-ing' when he flashed her his 'Kaggie smile' that he said was for her, and her only. 'He's probably lying about thattoo.' She bitterly thought as her eyes intensity started to waver with the sting of tears.

"Sweet pea," He whispered, drawing her closer to him when he saw her lips quivered. "What's bothering you?" He pressed, drawing her into a hug. "Don't ever feel like you can't tell me anything."

"It's embarrassing," She mumbled, shaking her head negatively in the crook of his neck. "It's just..It's…ugh!" She stomped her little foot in aggravation, pushing him away and turning her back to him.

"Kaggie,"

"You're ditching me to go with Kikyou!" She screeched, covering her face with her little hands. "…Do you not like me?" She brazenly asked, gasping in shock at her sudden question. "I…I…"

"Of course I like you," He said, cautiously turning her to face him with a smile. "You're the closet thing I have to a sister," Wiping a stray tear, he missed the way she flinched at his admittance.

"But…I like you, Yashie," She mumbled, letting her eyes fall in surrender. She might as well get it over with, tell him about her little crush and then kill herself tomorrow when she realized what she's done. "I like you the way Mr. Simons likes Mrs. Simons!"

Inuyasha quirked a brow, amazed that this little kid had the balls to confess her crush so easily. He wasn't a fool to know she idolized him like many girls his age, but he figured she would be too shy to admit it and just accept the fact that she was his special girl – and that would never change. But then, he also had to remember that Kagome was like no other girl her age. She was mature in ways he sometimes couldn't comprehend and for that, his likeness to her was no secret – but it wasn't romantic either and she should know that.

"Kaggie…"

"Ugh, this is the part where you divorce me like Mrs. Haku divorced Mr. Haku after she found out something bad?" She folded her arms stubbornly, willing the damn to stay at bay behind her wavering gaze.

Chuckling at her choice of words, Inuyasha flicked his index finger on her forehead. "Of course not. I wasn't lying when I said you were my special girl." He sighed, his smile dropping slightly. "But I see you too much as a younger sister to like you in that way sweet pea," Moving a strand of her hair out of her face he grinned at her. "Besides, Kikyou and I are just friends – we're just going to hang out with some friends out on the basketball court."

Kagome sighed. "Why don't you like me Yashie?" She mumbled, shuffling her feet in distraction. "Is it because my eyes are too big? Or…Or, am I too short?" She looked up to see his quirked brow and she stepped forward, with pleading eyes. "I'm going to grow though! My mom tells me I just haven't it that thing where girls change appearances and and… I can get longer bangs to hide my eyes a little more!" She shook her hair in her face, patting down her short bangs that only reached her eye brows in a futile attempt at showing him how different she can look.

Shaking his head in pure wonder, Inuyasha ruffled her bangs. "You're eyes are beautiful Kagome and you are beautiful in every sense; both inside and out." Patting her head affectionately, he smiled endearingly at her. "Don't ever feel the need to change you're appearance for some idiot out there in the future."

"But you aren't an idiot."

"…And you're perfect just the way you are." He stood up, stretching slightly by going on his toes. "Like I said – I see you as a sister – I'll always like you." Nudging her and tugging her along in the same breath he beamed at her. "If I was to like you in that way, then I'll be the bad guy – you're too young and Souta would kill me…"

"You're just making excuses."

"Would you want to date Souta?"

Kagome wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Oh God no! He's my brother! Ew, ew, ewwww!"

"Exactly – and you're like my sister."

She swore she heard the swoosh of an arrow racing towards her heart, and when the pain spread from her chest outwards, she knew the damage has been done. Yashie kept up small talks with her, but she was already deflated. Thanks to always wanting to be around him, he grew some stupid affection for a 'sister' he didn't have and placed that title on her? Not to mention her mother had to wait so long to give birth to her? Automatically putting her in a different realm that Yashie and that…Kikyou person just had to be in Yashie's bubble! God was laughing at her right now.

"Would you at least make a deal with me?" Kagome mumbled, her mind working quickly, and grasping any chance of hope. "We can just go on a date and see how…it…um…"

"Wasn't this a date?" Inuyasha joked, his smile making her tummy do summersaults.

"It was?" She asked dreamily, but then shook her head negatively. "Hey…! No it was not!"

Inuyasha threw his head back in laughter, amazed at how smart this little girl was. The world had something special without it even knowing. Truly a gem yet to be discovered, he had to admit and he was proud that it was his Kagome.

"You're too young."

"Then when am sixteen! I'm aloud to date then." She happily revealed. "Mom allows Souta to date – not like he's getting anything – but I think it's unfair that I have to wait until am sixteen. Do you know how many days away that is?!" She asked, her big doe eyes sparkling with astonishment.

Still chuckling from her words, Inuyasha couldn't help but look on in wonder. This little girl right her would honestly hit the world with storm once she realize the power and manipulation she has over it – hopefully she wouldn't abuse it; though looking on at her, how bright and pure she was, he knew she couldn't possibly turn out into something that wasn't praised.

"Fine – we'll go on a date, just one," He reminded, with a pinky in the air. "To see how if you can possibly change my mind to not want to be that brother to you." Extending that same pinky to her, he continued walking, forcing her to rush towards him and link her own pinky with him as they continued down the road.

Her house was already in view, just five more houses to pass and it's goodbye to this glorious night while she stay up thinking about what kind of 'hanging' out Inuyasha and Kikyou would be doing. She wasn't a fool to think they'd probably be talking nor was she deaf when it comes to Kikyou gushing over her Yashie about how he hugs her, or hold her hands…and and…kiss her! It just sickens her to the core.

Miroku and the others were right. Boys can be with girls even if they didn't like them. It just…sucks that her Yashie was one of them. But as Miroku once told her: Yashie was a boy with raging…something – she couldn't remember the word and even so, she didn't know what it meant.

She halted in her walk, yanking Yashie in the process. "We have to seal the deal." She pouted at him. "You can't tell me that you forgot when I turn sixteen – because I won't forget! I'm going to write it in my diary as soon as I reach home!"

Grinning at his little girl, Inuyasha turned to her, stooping down at eye level with her. "Okay, what do you want to do?" He asked, amused at her determined glare. "We can carve it in a tree tomorrow – or now…" He fished out his cell to check the time, "You only have a little less than five minutes though…." He mumbled.

Pursing her lips, Kagome moved away briefly, plucking a rose from a nearby garden and holding it behind her as she came back in place before you. "I'll give you something."

Inuyasha glanced at her hands.

"But you have to close your eyes."

Her innocent smile flashed before he could object since he already knew what she was going to give him. And so, playing along with her, he allowed his lids to shield his eyes, a small smile dancing across his lips. "Okay." He said, extending one hand; palm up to receive her gift.

Kagome breathed deeply, burning her gaze at his face and waving a hand just to make sure his eyes were indeed closed. "You can't open them no matter what!" She squeaked.

"I won't, I won't." He chuckled. "Now hurry up before your brother comes looking for you."

Inhaling deeply, she too closed her eyes, moving forward in one breath so that her lips could press firmly against his, giving him the gift of her first kiss to the guy she adored more than her stuff animals decorating her room (although she would never admit that to them for fear of having them attack her at nights!). Before he could react, Kagome drew back, to see his shock look sizing her down. She blushed crimson, taking the rose and brushing it across her lips and dropping it in his hand. With a nervous giggle, she squeaked out a loud, high pitched 'good night' before brushing passed him and running the short distance home.

Inuyasha didn't move until he heard her door closed loudly, his grey gaze drifting down towards the rose laying lightly in his hands. "That girl…" He whispered, at a loss of what to think or feel.

Before he could ponder this even more, his phone vibrated loudly, causing him to jump out of his trance and notice Kikyou was calling him. With a sigh and a roll of his eyes, he ended the call but got up and headed in the direction of the basketball court.

At least he didn't have to look hard for a good distraction, even if that distraction wasn't something that thrilled him.