"I'll help you, if you help me." He said moving closer to me, his hot breath gliding over my skin. "Think about it, you can get revenge on him for choosing her over you." Looking through the window at the couple only one answer came to her mind "Yes."
.qxxp.
"Miss Ayame, do you have any flowers in mind for the ceremony?" A short plump women asked annoyed while the young women being questioned remained lost in her own thoughts.
A frown the plump women's features as she carefully placed a hand on Ayame's shoulder breaking her out of her thoughts.
Once realising it was the wedding planner she regained her composure and flashed a smile to the frowning women "Oh I'm sorry Dianne. My mind is just not with me today I'm afraid."
Dianne simply huffed annoyed that the young women wasn't taking this seriously at all " Miss Ayame, perhaps it is best if you take a small break to sort out whatever is on your mind and we can begin again later?"
Thinking about it for a moment Ayame agreed and quickly made her way out to the balcony of the building she was in.
This was not going as planned.
All of her careful planning was seemingly being made worthless by that pest of a thing Inuyasha.
Of course she just had to get engaged to that love-struck fool.
Yes that's right, Ayame knew that Inuyasha had liked Kagome even if he had only attended there high school for a year.
The poor nerdling of a puppy's eyes never left the oblivious wench.
Then again who didn't love that backstabbing bitch?
She was always second fiddle when compared to sweet and kind Kagome.
Always forced to give up on being her own person and it was all her fault.
Once again Ayame's thoughts strayed to the clouds as she lost herself in another memory.
~Flashback~
"For the last time no Kouga! I'm really sorry but I can't go on a date with you tonight sorry!" A younger Kagome said as pleasantly as she could manage before hurrying away.
"That Kouga just won't quit aye Kagome?" A much more shy and timid version of Ayame asked.
Letting out a sigh Kagome ran a hand through her hair feeling frustrated "I just don't know how to make him get the picture that I don't like him like that!"
Taking a cautious look at their surrounding's Kagome leaned towards Ayame whispering "Besides I know someone who would be a much more perfect match for Kouga!"
Ayame's face became as bright as her hair as she quickly glanced around to make sure that no one had heard "Kagome!" she whined as she made a move to push her best friend.
Continuing on their way to their classroom Kagome sent Ayame a playful wink adding "Don't worry Ayame. He will be all yours after seeing you at the school ball! When are you going to ask him anyway?"
Suddenly the playful demeanour around Ayame was gone and her shoulders slumped "I… I don't know! He seems to really like yo-" Ayame started but was cut off by Kagome's laugh "Don't be silly Ayame. It's just a phase! Trust me the moment he sees you he will be all yours!"
"I'm not so sure about it Kagome…" Ayame said her eyes drifting to the clouds outside the stuffy hallway.
"Just trust me Ayame! We're best friends after all! Anyway here is my class! I'll catch you at lunch!" Kagome said happily as she made her way into the noisy classroom.
Ayame shook her head at Kagome's antics as the familiar feeling of jealousy filled her as she watched Kagome interact with the other students in the class.
She was so loved and it made Ayame feel like nothing.
Quickly turning away from the happy scene she went to hurry towards her class when suddenly a large wall of flesh hit her.
Falling back onto her bottom she looked up into the crystal blue eyes of her crush.
"Kouga..." She said for a moment mesmerised but then remembered she was staring at him "Oh I'm so sorry!"
"It's no biggie!" He said letting out a chuckle whilst offering his hand to her. "Hey your one of Kagome's friend's aren't you? Ayame was it?"
Ayame's heart began to pound even harder.
'He remembers me!' she thought excitedly as a large smile broke onto her face.
"Yes! Sorry again about bumping you!" She said doing a small bow.
Letting out another chuckle Kouga stroked his chin thoughtfully "It's no bother. But would you mind doing me a favour perhaps?"
She couldn't believe it!
Maybe Kagome was right! All that it took was time and he had finally realised that he loved her instead.
"Ahhh yes! Of course Kouga!" she responded her face once again bright red.
"Would you mind asking Kagome to the school dance for me? I think she might actually say yes if it came from a friend?" He asked hopefully not noticing Ayame's head drop.
'I… I knew it…. Why?' she thought unhappily before turning her eyes up to meet his once more masking her own hurt 'No! It can't end like this! She can have everything else! JUST NOT HIM!'
Putting on a sympathetic look she answered him "I'm so sorry Kouga… I'm afraid I can't do that…" She started slowly watching as disappointment flashed across his face.
"Why not?" He asked a bit pissed off.
"You see… Kagome already has a date to the dance!" She blurted out as his disappointment turned to anger.
"What?" He spat out.
"I'm so sorry Kouga! I thought she told you!" She said placing a hand on his shoulder. "But if you want… I could be your date?"
She watched him weigh up his options before adding "That way we can all hang out together at the dance!"
Looking her directly in the eyes once more she thought he had seen through her lies but was relieved when he said "Okay."
A giant smile made its way onto her face "That's great! I'm sure we will all have a great time together!"
Kouga simply sent her back a small awkward smile "Sure! Just let Kagome know I'll pick you both up around 6. Whoever her date is though can get his own ride." Before stalking off.
"Yes!" She chanted happily to herself.
Finally things were going her way.
She had the boy she adored taking her to her schools ball meanwhile Kagome had no one.
Finally she was ahead and she wanted to make sure things stayed that way.
.qxxp.
It was the night of the dance and Ayame was excited.
Her red hair had been gracefully done into a beautiful bun while her dress was black showing off her figure while making her look very graceful.
"Ayame are you all ready to go?" Kagome asked peering her head through the door.
Even Ayame despite her growing grudge against her best friend found herself mystified by Kagome's beauty.
"Y-Yes." She mumbled now feeling extremely self-conscious.
Kagome's looked her up and down letting out an excited gasp "Ayame you look amazing!"
Taking a moment to appreciate herself in the full length mirror in her room she sent Kagome a smile saying "Thank you Kagome! So do you!"
Suddenly a car horn disrupted them.
Picking up her bag Kagome let out an excited squeal before heading out the door "Let's go get-em Ayame!"
Letting out a small laugh Ayame followed her friend out of the room.
Walking down the stairs she could hear Kouga's over loud voice talking to her parents.
She hoped they would like him as much as she did.
Finally getting to the bottom she watched as he made his way towards her and placed a corsage onto her arm saying "You look very pretty tonight Ayame!"
Ayame's mother suddenly held up a small digital camera "Do you think you all have time for a couple of pictures? I promised Kagome's mother I would document this."
Nodding her head eagerly she moved to get into position when suddenly her mother yelled up the stairs "Kagome dear! Come down we have pictures to take!"
Making her descent down the stairs everyone smiled as they were met with the eagerly grinning face of Kagome.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting! I just wanted to do a quick makeup check. Let's take these photos and hit the dance hall!" She said excitedly.
Moving onto the free side of Kouga they all smiled for the photos minus Ayame who was to busy watching Kouga who's eyes had not left Kagome since entering the room.
.qxxp.
"Ahhh Higurashi! Your finally here!" A young brown short haired man said running towards the trio.
"Hojo. Please just call me Kagome! We are friends afterall!" She said with a smile as his face seemed to take on the appearance of a fire truck.
"Y-yes. Okay… H-Higurashi." He said unable to stop his nervousness from coming through.
Ayame swore she heard a growl but ignored it "Let's all head in then?"
Nodding her head enthusiastically Kagome took Hojo's arm and began heading to the door "Lets party!" She exclaimed excitedly.
Just as Ayame was about to say the same to Kouga he had quickly grabbed her arm and began to follow after the two with strange look on his face.
.qxxp.
"So… Did you wanna dance?" Ayame asked Kouga nervously playing with a strand of her hair.
Kouga just continued to gaze off into the crowd of dancing teenagers making Ayame reach a cautious hand over and place it on his shoulder.
"Kouga… are you okay?" She asked worriedly as he turned his bored looking eyes back to her.
Shrugging off her hand he sighed "It's just… I can't believe Kagome came with that loser over me!"
Ayame felt the familiar twinge of jealously inside her "But it wasn't all bad right? I mean you got to come here and spend time with me!" She said trying to sound calm and in control.
Kouga's eyes had once again gone out to the dance floor once more when suddenly he stood up not giving her an answer.
"Ayame I'll be back. There's just something I need to do…" He said hurriedly before he began to dodge dancers heading towards the outside patio.
"O-Okay…" She said her eyes never leaving him until the patio doors closed.
'Maybe… if he needs a drink or something to calm him down?' she thought to her as she got up from the seat she had been sitting at and made her way over to the punch powl.
'I'll just go out and give it to him! He might be so grateful that he might ask me to be his girlfriend!' She thought giddily as she filled up two cups and made her way to the patio doors.
Only slightly opening it she was shocked to hear Kouga's voice saying "Kagome I've always loved you! Yet you come here with that loser! Why haven't you ever given me a chance?"
There was a brief period of silence and Ayame could hear the furious thumping of her heart.
"Kouga…"She heard Kagome start "I'm sorry it would just never work betwe-"
"How do you know? You've never given us a chance Kagome!" Kouga said angrily.
"But Kouga-" Kagome tried again but was cut off by Kouga "No Kagome I want a serious answer about why you won't try to date me?"
"Because you're a player Kouga! How do you really expect me to be with someone who could run off on me for any floosy? Plus someone who I care about adores you! So I can't Kouga! I just can't." Kagome said angrily back her calm façade gone.
"I would change everything for you. You mean more to me than anyone else in this world. Why can't you see that Kagome?" Kouga said while Ayame leaned a bit further out of the door to see Kagome pressed up against a wall with Kouga leaning over her. "As for your friend… I'm sorry but while I have these feelings for you I will never be able to love another."
"Kouga I can't do-"Kagome replied weakly but stopped short as Kouga carefully gripped her chin.
Ayame's heart dropped as she watched Kouga slowly move closer towards Kagome.
How could they do this to her?
Just before their lips touched Kouga whispered softly too Kagome "I love you…"
From the one single moment all the hate and resentment held by Ayame towards Kagome overflowed as she dropped the drinks she was holding causing the two to break apart.
It was silent.
Ayame's fists were clenched at her sides and her head was facing the ground.
Kagome was the first one to speak "Ayame…"
"No Kagome save your crap. I should have known you would try to take him from me. I should have known you were never a true friend." She whispered angrily before raising her head to face them "I hate you Kagome."
It was only then that she ran.
~End Flashback~
Ayame looked down from the cloud angrily.
Once her and Kouga had met up again he hadn't remembered her from the dance.
All he remembered was the fact that Kagome had been one of her friends.
But she had her revenge; she had played the stupid fool getting him to abandon his love Kagome for her.
Inuyasha proposing to Kagome had provided a bit of a problem, after all how would she ever be able to extract full revenge on that tart if she was happy in another relationship.
Suddenly arms wrapped around her waist and she let a gasp of surprise "Kouga!"
"Hey Ayame, The lady told me you weren't feeling well and decided to come out here for some air. Everything okay?" He asked nuzzling her neck.
She took a deep breath and felt a smile making its way onto her face "Yes of course Kouga baby! I'm just a little overwhelmed by everything. But having you here makes it all better."
He smiled at her before turning her around to face him and placing a light kiss onto her lips.
"Good! After all what kind of future husband would I be if I couldn't make it all better for my wife." He said playfully as he quickly moved to get his buzzing phone.
"Oh that's cool! You remember Naraku right Ayame? He's heading back down here for a couple of weeks isn't that good?" Kouga said happily as Ayame's face brightened.
Naraku was coming down.
This would be perfect. She had finally found the solution to her little problem.
Kagome and Inuyasha's little dream wedding wouldn't be lasting long if she had any say in it.
.qxxp.
"How much further is this place Inuyasha?" Kagome groaned as they continued there long hike up the hill.
"Not much farther Kagome! It will be worth it once you get up there so stop complaining! It was your idea to do this anyway." He said agitatedly as they got near the top.
"I was just suggesting you tell me more about yourself! Not drag me up mountains." Kagome replied grumpily.
"Well this is as much as you'll get out of me at the moment! Now come on or do I have to carry you?" He said turning around to look at her.
"Psh! I can climb up a mountain just fine thank you Inuyasha!" She said taking a step but lost her footing and began to fall backwards closing her eyes in panic.
But instead of meeting the hard ground she felt a pair of warm arms grab her.
"Keh. Watch where you're going idiot!" Inuyasha grumbled as he picked her up bridal style earning an cry of shock from the black haired woman..
Regaining her composure she quickly began to try and fidget her way out of his hold before saying to Inuyasha " You know I'm fine now Inuyasha I can walk just fine by myself…."
Suddenly hot his hot breath brushed against her ear and she felt an involuntary shiver race down her spine.
"But what if I like to carry you?" He whispered smirking as he felt her shiver.
She grumbled something inaudible but let him continue to carry her up the hill.
'Damn me and my big mouth for wanting to actually get to know him.' Kagome thought frustrated.
'We've been spending so much time around each other for the past week since he asked me to marry him and yet I still know so little about him considering we are supposed to be getting married.' She thought looking up into his calm face.
She was getting married.
It left a bag taste in her mouth.
Inuyasha was amazing and all but was she making the right choice?
She shook her head trying to dispel all the negative thoughts away.
It was all Kouga and Ayame's fault. If they hadn't of hurt her like that she would have had to resort to these kinds of measures.
Still even that excuse didn't bring her any comfort.
Suddenly a voice broke her from her musings "We're here."
Inuyasha placed her down and she looked around at the amazing view from the top the hill before running over to the large tree in the centre of it all.
"Inuyasha this place is amazing! How did you find it?" She asked happily as she looked up through the branches of the old tree.
"My mother used to bring me here when I was younger." He said uneasily "We used to come up here and she would tell me stories about the tree."
"Your mother sounds like lovely women Inuyasha! Maybe you could tell me some of the stories one day?" She said happily as she looked at him with a warm smile on her face.
He sent her one back saying "Yeah she was. I'm sure we could come up here one day and do that! Although I'm not nearly as good of a storyteller as she was."
Taking a seat at the base of the tree she patted the spot next to her and he came and placed himself beside her "Why don't we test that out?"
"Okay don't say I didn't warn you woman." He said trying to sound aggravated but couldn't keep the pride out his voice.
"Well back in the feudal era they said that this tree had a hanyou pinned to it…." He started as Kagome looked out of the city below watching as the sun was slowly setting.
Slowly as he told the story to the young woman her head crept further down until it was resting comfortably on his shoulder.
.qxxp.
Once they had finished watching the view it was already night and Inuyasha was driving a tried Kagome back to her apartment.
"You would think you've never done exercise before…" Inuyasha said teasingly as Kagome let out another tired yawn.
"I exercise! Your just a slave driver with how quick you go!" she grumbled watching as the night lights flew by as the car raced through the city streets.
"Keh! Whatever! Girls are just not up to the same standard as us men!" Inuyasha said proudly puffing out his chest.
"I'm too tired for sexist bullcrap. Men are just crazy lets leave it at that." She said as they pulled up at her place.
"Thanks for a great day Inuyasha! Despite the exercise I had a really great time!" She said happily unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door to the car.
Inuyasha also unbuckled his seat belt and got out saying her would walk her to her door.
Just as they reached her front door she turned to say thank you once more when she saw he had smouldering look in his eye.
'I… I think he want's a good night kiss! But we haven't kissed since he asked me to marry him!' She thought worriedly
"Kagome…" he whispered getting closer and closer.
'Oh god. I don't know what to do! A part of me wants to kiss him but I don't want to be hurt like I was with Kouga!' she thought panicking as his face got closer and closer.
Suddenly a voice came and broke the two apart "Well, well, well! If it isn't my little friend Kagome!"
.qxxp.
Well that's enough for now. PHEW. THIS IS OFFICALLY THE LONGEST CHAPTER I'VE EVER WRITTEN.
Sorry about all the flashback crap! I just felt like I owed everyone an explanation for Ayame's hatered and blah blah blah! I promise now that this chapters done it will be focused primarily on Inuyasha and Kagome relationship from here.
But who is this new stranger? Anyone have any guesses? :P
I hope you all enjoyed this long and very late chapter.
I have exams for the next couple of weeks so an update may or may not come quickily!
Thanks to all of you guys who keep favouriting/reviewing/ encouraging me to keep on with this story.
Hope you all have a happy Halloween!
Thank you all again for reading~