Miroku wasn't the only one acting bizarre. Mrs. Higurashi kept giving Kagome tiny smiles all through dinner Tuesday night. On Wednesday she left a pile of nail polish and makeup on Kagome's desk. And on Thursday evening, she suggested a shopping trip, ''just us girls'' even though she knew Kagome hated shopping. Kagome wasn't about to be bossed into tennis and shopping in one week, so she said no.
''Are you sure,sweetheart?'' her mom asked. ''We could get you something nice to wear. In case you need it sometime soon. For anything.''
Aha. Kagome's mom was on to her. Mrs. Taisho must have told her about the double date. Kagome was kind of impressed that her mom had managed not to ask Kagome a million questions right away.
'' Oh, no, I don't need anything.'' Kagome said. Her mom's face fell, and Kagome felt a twinge of guilt. ''Besides, mom,'' she added, trying to be nice, ''you're a much better shopper than I am. I like the stuff you get me.'' It was true. With the exception of the bikini, Mrs. Higurashi's taste in clotes was remarkable. Sometimes Kagome thought it was the only thing keeping her out of the ranks of the true dorks of the school.
''All right,'' Mrs. Higurashi, hovering in the doorway. ''If you're sure.''
''Uh-huh,'' Kagome said. ''Thanks''
As her mom closed the door, Kagome crawled over the bed and knocked three times on the wall, the signal for Miroku to come over. Then she started pulling clothes out of her closet.
''What?'' Miroku asked, opening the door and poking his head around.
''Come and help me deicde what to wear tomorrow,'' Kagome said.
''No way!'' Miroku yelled.
''Miroku!''
''That's girl stuff.''
''And where am I supposed to find a girl to help me with this?'' Maybe if Ayame weren't all the way in China... although Ayame had never realled cared about clothes either.
Miroku shrugged. ''Unless you want me to say that you should go on a date in your underwear, I suggest you ask mom.''
'' Yeah, right,'' Kagome said. ''So should I lie to her and say I'm suddenly dating Inuyasha, who's been our friend for three years, or should I explain that I'm only pretend dating him to protect him from another girl? Which one of those fantastic stories do you think she'd like best?''
''Whatever,'' Miroku said. '' I see bras, so I'm leaving.''
'' Miroku!'' But he had already shut the door with a firm click.
Kagome hesitated, looking at the scattered hangers and folds of fabric. Was this a fancy date? The diner wasn't exactly a fancy place. So was it more of a jeans and T-shirt event? She didn't want to look like she'd made too much effort, but she didn't want to underdress, either. She tried to remember the time difference in China. But her parents had set strict rules about when and for how long she could talk to Ayame, and their next phone date wasn't for another week. She'd have to find her girly advice elsewhere. Her hands shook a little as she picked up the phone and dialed. Sure, Rin was probably only doing this date thing because Kikyo told her to. But she couldn't lie about what she was going to wear. So mayber her advice could be useful, in just this one situation.
'' Oh, howdy-doo Kagome,'' Mrs. Taisho said with the significant emphasis one mught use to say, '' You are the next president of the United States.''
'' Hold on let me get Rin.''
'' Kagome!'' Rin cried as she picked up. ''I'm so glad you called! I was just freaking out because I have no idea what to wear tomorrow!''
''Really?'' Kagome said, her nervousness evaporationg. ''That's why I called you!''
'' Oh, awesome!'' Rin said. '' Okay. Describe every single item of clothing you own, and then I'll do the same, and then we'll pick outfits that will look good next to each other but won't look like they deliberately match, and then we'll panic and pick backup outfits, and then we'll change them around, and then we'll throw out the whole plan and start over.
Kagome laughed. ''All right, you asked for it,'' she said. ''But I own a lot of clothes. My mom loves shopping.''
''You're lucky,'' Rin said. ''Mine willl never take me. And you guys have great malls around here; in my old town there was, like, one and it was a whole hour away. I could spend my life in a mall, couldn't you?''
''Um,'' Kagome said. ''Well...''
''We'll go together sometime.'' Sally said. I'll bet it's a lot more fun with someone who doesn't always answer the question ''Does this make me look fat?'' with 'Actually, your fat makes you look fat.' I think Kikyo got that from a movie, but she thinks its so funny.''
''That is crazy,'' Kagome said, feeling a lot braver now that Kikyo wasn't there to hear her. ''Rin, you don't need to lose weight. You're way thinner than I am.''
''Yeah, but you're cute like that,'' Rin said. ''You have curves. My extra weight just makes me look thicker instead of curvier.''
''Rin, seriously,'' Kagome said. ''That is crazy talk.''
''Well, start with your tops,'' Rin said, changing the subject. ''Do you have anything red?''
''Sure,'' Kagome said, and Rin laughed.
''I'm kidding, Kagome,'' she said. ''You wear red, like, everyday.''
''I do?''
''I'm surprised your bathing suit isn't red,'' Rin said.
''Maybe if I ever get a second one,'' Kagome said. ''But I like the one I have.''
''Doesn't it get boring wearing the same one everyday?'' Rin had three that she'd been cycling between, two tankinis and a one-piece.
''No,- I mean, I like it,'' Kagome said.
''That's the important thing,'' Rin said. ''So, tops, How about green for a change.''
Finally, an hour later, they had decided that Kagome would wear a gray shirt and a black skirt with sandals that were comfortable enough to walk a few blocks in, while Rin would wear a sky-blue sundress. Kagome fell asleep feeling much happier, even though she was still mad at Miroku for being so unhelpful. The next morning, as she was detaching her tennis racket from her bike, Inuyasha suddenly grabbed her hand.
''Are you excited for our date tonight, Kagome?'' he said, a little bit too loudly.
''Shhh,'' Kagome said, glancing around for Kikyo. But the only person she saw was Koga, strollling across the parking lot a few feet away from them. He gave her a wave-salute and headed in through the gates.
''Is it a secret from Koga too?'' Inuyasha asked, still hodling on to her hand.
''No,'' she said. ''I was just making sure Kikyo wasn't around. Ironic, right? I mean, we're going on this date to prove that we're dating, but we're keeping it secret from the person we're proving it to. Who knew deception could be so complicated?''
''It is funny,'' he said. ''So are you? Excited?''
How was she supposed to answer this? ''Are you?'' she asked.
''I asked you first.'' He smiled, but there was a small dent above one of his eyebrows that he got only when he was worried.
''Sure I am,'' she said. ''Don't worry about it, Inuyasha, we'll have fun.''
''It's just that, what if Rin reports back to Kikyo about this and she says that I don't compliment you, I'm not giving you enough presents and ecetera?''
''You don't have to do any of that,'' Kagome said, shaking her head. Lowering her voice, she added, ''This is just pretend, remember?''
''I know,'' he said, looking down at her hand in his. ''But- if it were real, would you want me- I mean, whoever your real boyfriend was- to do all that stuff?''
''I don't know , Kagome said truthfully, ''Not if it's work. It shouldn't be hard. I wouldn't want you-I mean him- to only be complimenting me because I asked for it, you know? Or because you think you have to. I mean, I think if someone wanted to date me, I'd be happy with whatever they wanted to do to show it.'' She shrugged.
''That's what I figure,'' Inuyasha said. They started walking up the path into the Summerlodge. She wondered if he remembered that he was still holding her hand. ''Although I guess if it were the right girl, I'd want to do all that stuff. So maybe maybe Amy was right about me.''
''Nuh-uh, '' Kagome said loyally. ''She didn't appreciate you at all.'' Not like I would.
''Oh look, it's the lovebirds,'' Kikyo said, popping out from behind the check-in booth. She strtched, showing off her perfectly flat, tan stomach between her shirt and short skirt. For once, she was wearing a color other than white- a light blue fitted shirt. ''So what are you guys doing tonight?'' she said in her lw, silky voice. ''To celebrate your one-week anniversary? Or did you celebrate it on Wednesday, ha-ha?''
''We have plans,'' Inuyasha said.
''Private plans?'' Kikyo asked. ''Or maybe we could double-date. Because I was thinking of asking that guy Koga out.'' Confusingly, she and Inuyasha both glanced at Kagome as she said this.
'' Oh, I don't -'' Kagome started to stammer.
'' Sorry,'' Inuyasha said, ''Private Plans.''
Kikyo narrowed her eyes. ''Doing what?''
''It's a surprise for Kagome,'' Inuyasha said. Smart, Kagome thought.
'' Hmmm.'' Kikyo sniffed. ''All right, you can tell me later Yashie, It can be our little secret.'' She ran her manicured fingers down his arm in an almost seductive manner, but luckily Inuyasha twitched away.
Kikyo tossed her pale black wings of hair and stared at Kagome while Inuyasha signed in. Kagome blanced one foot on top of the other sneaker, feeling uneasy. Kikyo's gaze traveled up and odwn, examining every inch of Kagome.
''What's that?'' Kikyo said suddenly, darting forward and plucking at Kagome's necklace.
''It's my necklace,'' Kagome said, falling back.
''You wear it all the time,'' Kikyo said. ''Even when it totally doesn't go with your outfit. Like today.'' (A/N : what a bich ) After what Rin had said, Kaogme had decided to dig out a shirt that wasn't red. And it was true : The dark purple colour of her T-shirt didn't exactly match the glowing sky- coloured blue of the gem.
'' It's - Inuyasha gave it to me,'' Kagome mumbled.
'' Awwwwww, '' Kikyo said. ''Only a week and already you're giving her jewelry? What a dashing boyfriend you are, Yashie. I hope your girlfriend is good enough for you. Kidding! '' Not! Kikyo quietly thought in her head.
'' I gave it to her a while ago,'' Inuyasha said. ''Back when I was starting to figure out I liked her but didn't know what to do about it yet.''
Kagome thought she must have been turning the deepest shade of scarlet. If only that were actually true !
'' I have to get to tennis,'' she blurted, and took off at a sprint for the courts. Inuyasha would have to handle the rest of the morning's interrogation without her.
Koga was warming up outside the fence by jogging in place. He showed up on Wednesday in jean shorts that were clearly jeans he'd cut the legs off of, but now he was wearing real shorts.
''Hey, Kagome,'' he said. '' Remember how we were talking about Lost yesterday?' She vaguely remembered saying something about liking the show, but she wouldn't have called it a whole conversation. He rattled on without waiting for her to answer.
''Well, they're having a marathon tonight on TV, and I thought maybe we could watch it together, so you can explain it to me and maybe, I'll see how good it is. Whatcha think? We could order pizza.''