A/N: Here we go my beloved readers, the next true installment of my beloved story. I had planned to update sooner, but my hunt for work is still ongoing and my leisure time is limited. Still, I have so much planned out for my summer (check my bio page for more information). You can expect updates from my two on-going series (Wish Fulfillment and Unknown) and look for the debut chapter of my newest mini-series Behind The Scenes coming soon. Thanks to all of you who stuck by me, you guys are the best readers in the world! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or anything there in. If I did, I would be a much happier girl. As it is, I am a poor college student looking for work and trying to get a short-story published.


Wish Fulfillment

Chapter 7


"I'm going out tonight."

Both Sango and Rin stopped playing with Buyo to openly stare at Kagome, who fiddled with the sleeves of her sweatshirt as she stood in front of them. Buyo still pawed at the toy in Rin's hand, oblivious to the working of humans. Rin herself simply blinked up at Kagome in surprise. Sango remained pensive.

"But, Kagome," Rin said tentatively. "You never go out."

"I am tonight," she stated, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear bravely. "And you know what that means."

"What?" the teenager asked carefully.

"No parties," Kagome said, in her best impression of her mother's voice. "No boys over. No staying up past curfew and you better not bug Sango too badly, or she'll rat you out."

The Jin covered her smile with a fake cough as she got to her feet. "I take it you don't want me to come with you?" she asked.

"No. This is something I've gotta do." Kagome, wearing her casual clothes of jeans and a baggy college sweatshirt, checked her watch and headed for the door. It was the end of April now, and it was hoodie weather. "I'll be back in a couple hours, so you two play nice."

"Do you have a date or something?" Rin asked, eyes huge with curiosity.

"It's...complicated," the young heiress replied with a tired smile. "See ya."

Rin and Sango waved lamely as she disappeared, then turned to one another. "Do you know where she's going?" they asked in unison. Then shook their heads.

"She didn't say anything to me," Rin replied, picking up Buyo and cuddling him on her lap.

"Nor to me," Sango replied thoughtfully. "Strange. I wonder if she's going out with that man from work..."

"What man?" the younger woman asked, leaning forward.

"There is this investor at the company that's been pursuing Kagome for some time now," Sango explained, her eyes dancing. "He takes her out to lunch and will drop by her office whenever he has the chance."

"That's so cute!" Rin giggled. "Sounds like he has a crush on her."

"What worries me is that she might have a crush on him as well," the Jin commented. "If I'm not mistaken, she's supposed to be marrying your brother in a matter of months, isn't she?"

Rin shrugged, rubbing her nose against Buyo's. "It's complicated."

"Indeed." Sango looked toward the door and sighed.

In truth, Kagome had not gone far. She was still sitting on the front step, chewing on the drawstring of her hood as she waited for her "date" to show up. She had told him six. It was already near six thrity, but the boy never was good at telling time. In a way, it was better like this. It gave her more time to prepare for what she was actually going to say to him. For an hour that night, Kagome has stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, coaching herself for an intense conversation.

Just as she began thinking about going inside and calling him, a familiar car drove up to the curb and an even more familiar man got out.

Kagome smiled at Kouga as she got to her feet. He was dressed as casually as she was, in jeans and a flannel shirt. His hair was wet from a recent shower and there were circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, but he was still handsome. For most of her life, Kagome considered Kouga to be the most attractive man she had ever seen. Now, he was number two, but no less a hottie.

"You're late, cockfag!" Kagome called to him, smiling brilliantly.

"Traffic's a bigger bitch than you are," he called back, stepping up in to the sidewalk and opening the passenger door to his sleek black sports car. "Come on. I've got us reservations at the best restaurant in town." Kagome descended from her front steps with all the grace of a queen. She even accepted his hand when he offered to help her into the car. Kouga closed it for her when she was securely inside, and then walked back around to slide into the driver's seat. "I was surprised when you called me. How've you been?"

"Busy," she admitted. "But I'd say you're the same." She touched a hand to his face, just under his right blue eye. "Been sleeping?"

"Not much," Kouga replied with a grin. "But there is no rest for the wicked."

"Don't work too hard."

"I won't, Mom." She whacked him in the arm for that, to which he promptly whimpered. "Don't abuse me when I'm driving, you madwoman."

"You're lucky you are driving, or I'd do worse."

"Can you see me shaking?"

Kagome sighed, smiling, and settled into her seat comfortably. "How's work?"

"It's going," he replied. She noticed that the set of his shoulders changed as he spoke. It had become a sensative subject. "Dad is well underway with the merger plans and I'm just going along for the ride."

"I feel like it's my fault," she confessed.

"It's not," Kouga assured her, flashing his thousand-watt smile at her. "We're here!"

Kagome looked up just as Kouga parked in front of a rather shady looking Wendy's. When they were inside, she couldn't help but giggle as he ordered one of everything on the menu and then asked if she wanted anything. Kouga had always been able to cheer her up just as she had always been able to cheer him; they were weird like that. After he paid for their meal, Kouga drove Kagome to one of the several small parks that littered the city and they ate their food on a park bench. Then they raided the playground and conquered the swing set away from a pair of ten-year-olds who whined and went on the slide.

"So," Kouga called as he pumped his legs, "are you ever going to tell me why you called?"

"Can't I call you without an ulterior motive?" she asked innocently, flying back.

"You sounded like there was something you wanted to say."

"There is," she admitted, digging her heels into the chipped wood under her swing, slowing her motion to tiny circles. Kouga did the same so he could listen to her properly. Kagome stared at her feet as she tried to come up with some clever words. "I wanted to get your permission on something."

"Permission?" he asked, taken aback.

Kagome struggled for a moment before she met his worried gaze. "How's Ayame?"

Kouga opened his mouth, thrown for a loop by the change of subject. He floundered for words, but then regained himself. "She's fine. Finals start in a week or two so she's been busy with papers and such. But what does she have to do--"

"Am I allowed to date?" she blurted out, a blush of shame spreading over her face.

Kouga balked. "What?"

"Am I allowed to date? Other people, I mean." She couldn't look at him now. "I know our wedding is in a couple months and it's a very weird situation, but I was just wondering if I would be allowed considering our respective positions."

"Kagome..."

"If you don't want me to," she said sincerely, looking up at him again, "I won't do it."

Kouga looked wounded for a second, and then smiled a little sadly. "If you want to date, then I will certainly not stop you," he told her, reaching out to grasp her hand. "I would never deny you the right to live a normal life, Kagome."

"It's not a revenge thing, Kouga. I'm not asking this in that 'if you get to then I want to' way."

"I know." They were quiet again for a few moments before Kouga ventured to speak again. "Got anyone in mind?"

Kagome blushed again, hanging her head. "There's a man I work with. I like him. He makes me laugh. He's been asking me out for a while now, but I didn't know whether I should say yes or not until I asked you."

"Just don't lead him on too long," the man beside her said. "It'll just hurt him the longer you go."

"I know," she replied, kicking the wood chips under her feet.

"Sucks, don't it?"

"Uh-huh."

They were quiet again for a few minutes before Kouga moved on to a neutral topic. They talked and joked around another hour or so before Kouga offered to take Kagome back to her apartment. By then it had gotten dark and the bright lights of the city threatened to intrude. As they walked back to Kouga's car, Kagome pulled him down to the ground.

"Do you remember going camping when we were kids?" she asked, lying on her back on the ground. Her head was pillowed on his shoulder.

"You mean the summers at the country club when we would drag our sleeping bags down by the lake?" he countered.

"Yeah," Kagome giggled. "We'd pretend to be roughing it but we could still hear the music from the lodge."

"We couldn't even have a fire."

"It was the only time I've ever seen so many stars." Both stared up at the empty sky, dark but polluted by so much light only three or four of the brightest stars could be seen. In Kagome's eyes she saw the clear summer sky filled with more stars than she could ever count.

"I could name almost all the constellations," Kouga admitted. "Now I'm lucky if I can recognize the Big Dipper."

"Do you think we can go back there after we're married?"

"Whenever you want," he promised. For some reason she couldn't understand, that made Kagome want to cry. Her eyes welled and she sniffled once, but was able to repress the feeling. "Come on," Kouga said, getting up and pulling her to her feet. "Let me take you home."


"So you can understand why I would be worried."

"Yes, I understand."

A young man spoke into his cell phone as he absently typed numbers into his calculator and sketched numbers on to a piece of scrap paper. His room was small and unadorned; most possessions were boxed away already. There were faint outlines along the walls to indicate where a poster had hung, and there were spaces on the dusty dresser to suggest objects had been removed. The occupant of the room sat at a small wooden desk, doing his last-minute homework as he took the phone call, only half-listening.

"How are your Finals going?"

"Good," he replied, putting down his pencil in order to rub his tired eyes. "I just need to finish crunching some numbers for a lab report that's due tomorrow, but other than that, I'm finished."

"You'll be home tomorrow afternoon, right?"

"Yes. The car is coming to pick me up at four, so I'll be home in time for dinner."

"That's wonderful. It will be so good to have you home again."

"Thank you, Mother." The line was quiet for a moment, only the sound of light breathing and the clicking of calculator buttons in his ears. He was well versed in this kind of silence. It meant that something was to be done, and he would have to do it. It had been that way since he was a little kid. He was the cleaner of messes. "What is it, Mother?"

"I was hoping you might do something for me," she said. "I would if it was in my power, but since your father died and I've had to do everything by myself..." She let it fall off, but he knew the words that would come if he prompted them. It was a familiar speech that was supposed to invoke guilt, but now it only annoyed him. He would have rather she get to the point and tell him what she wanted him to do straight out.

"What do you need?"

His mother sighed. In his mind, he could see her sitting at her mahogany desk, rest her head in her hands as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. He was sure there would be a new worry line etched into her face when he saw her, just like there would still be dark circles under her eyes. His poor beautiful, capable mother.

"Could you go talk to her? Just for a little while. I know she'd be ecstatic to see you. She adores you, you know."

"I know."

"Would you go see her? She refuses to talk to me and--"

"Sure, I'll go see her."

"You will?"

"I haven't seen her in a while. It would be nice to see how she's holding up...considering the situation since her birthday."

"Thank you, Souta."

Words he was used to danced through his mind and he smiled a little to himself. Those were the words he danced his life to, to be loved. "Of course, Mother."

"I'll see you tomorrow night." And then she was gone.

Souta Higurashi closed his cell phone with a grunt and tossed it on to his bed without a second glance. He looked back to his math thesis, finishing it off with a few more equations. It hadn't been particularly hard, but it required time to check his work and to copy it on to another paper. Even though it wasn't that hard, he would repeatedly run his hands through his shaggy head of black hair and chew on the end of his pencil.

Math was his world; numbers were his friends. Math was always easy for him, ever since he was in the third grade. The beauty in math was that there was only one answer to every question. There was nothing magical or fantastical about it. He could always rely on the answers his work provided, even if that was the only thing in the world he had to believe in.

Once he was finished, he sat back in his chair and crossed his arms behind his head, arching his back. He could rest a little now. Souta pressed his knuckles to his strained eyes and felt a little defeated. Maybe he should call Kagome and see if he could swing around and go to lunch with her tomorrow. Or maybe it would be better to just show up like a surprise. Oh, but she hated surprises. Always had. If there was one thing he knew about his sister, it was that.

In some ways, Souta regretted giving in to his mother and saying he'd go visit her. He and Kagome had never gotten along very well. Kagome had always been the favorite, and Souta was always playing the catch-up. Trying to be worthy. Kagome was older, and had gotten to know their father; it was a sore spot between them that had always been the source of their fighting. His sister didn't adore him, but he didn't adore her either.

He tossed a glance at the clock. It wasn't even after four yet. If he caught the four thirty bus, he could make it to Kagome's apartment by six. Then he could barge in, have a little chat with her about their mother, and get back to school before eight. There would be plenty of time to copy his thesis before tomorrow.

Souta pulled himself to his feet, cracking his back. He changed into something less rumpled and dragged a brush through his hair. It wasn't that he felt the need to be presentable for his sister; it was just out of habit. He checked his wallet to make sure he had enough for bus fare two ways, and then locked up the room. The stop was close so he had time to sit around and think about what he was going to say to Kagome.

They had never been terribly close, and he knew it would annoy her to just show up. Kagome would put on that fake smile like she always did when he and their mother was around, and she would make nice and pretend that everything was wonderful and it would annoy the shit out of him as much as it always did. That was the way she was.

Their mother created the messes.

Souta cleaned them up.

And Kagome made everyone forget they ever happened.

It had been different when their father was alive. He had been the rock, the one that kept them all together and sane. But he was gone now, and life had morphed into what it was. An ever-growing pit of denial and barely veiled distaste.


"Kagome, I'm speechless!" Rin giggled for the millionth time.

"And yet, you're still talking," the heiress replied.

Sango couldn't help but giggle along from where she sat on the couch, watching the other two play with the small, cubby kitten that padded between them after a catnip mouse. Rin had, as she had for several weeks now, showed up at the apartment that night after Kagome returned from work. The three were spending another fun evening of baited conversation and cat torture.

"He asked you, just like that?"

"I've told you, Rin. He's asked me practically every day for two weeks. This time I just happened to say yes."

"So you're really going on a date with this guy?"

"Why not?" Kagome asked with a shrug. "I was given official permission. I think it'll be fun to go out for once."

"You must admit that it is unusual," Sango commented.

"I never said it was normal, but then again, nothing in my life is normal."

"Think of it this way," Rin commented with a cheeky smile. "Your life is full of adventure."

"That's for sure," Kagome laughed. "I never know what's going to happen next."

And it just so happened that the doorbell rang at that precise moment.

"Spooky," Rin said, hugging the kitten to her chest.

"Cowards," Kagome hissed, getting up to go to the door. She was still smiling when she opened it, but that look melted like snow in summer when she saw her brother in the doorway. "Souta."

"Hello, Kagome," he said, forcing a quicksilver smile. They were silent for a moment. "Can I come in?"

"Oh, yes!" She recovered quickly, opening the door wide and ushering him in. "Please. Sorry, I was just surprised. I wasn't expecting you."

"I know. I thought of calling first, but--" He trailed off when he noticed the audience in the living room. He hadn't expected anyone to be there; Kagome didn't entertain. He recognized the one of the floor immediately to be Rin Murakami. He had grown up with her just as Kagome did, and he knew the pair of them were still good friends. The second woman on the couch, however, was a stranger. But judging from the letter tattoo scrawled across her cheek, he had his guesses.

"I was under the impression that you were still in school," Kagome commented, trying to keep conversation going.

"I still have a thesis to submit," Souta said, clearing his throat. "But other than that, I'm done."

"Hello, Souta," Rin said, smiling a little shyly.

"Hi, Rin," he responded, returning her smile in kind.

"Shall I make us some tea?" Sango offered, feeling the tension in the air.

"Are you going to conjure it?" Souta asked, tilting his head to the side as he looked at her. "You are the Jin, aren't you?"

Kagome's two-toned eyes widened at his words, and Sango seemed just as speechless. Rin was not so stricken. "What did you say?"

"I was simply inquiring as to whether...You are aware she's a demon, aren't you?"

Rin stared at him as if he had grown a second head. He only stared back at her, as rational as ever. Kagome was having a panic attack in the background, and Sango hastened to her side. "Kagome, are you well?"

"I'm having a panic attack."

"Souta, what the hell are you talking about?" Rin asked him, getting up from the floor. "Have you been getting enough sleep?"

He sighed and turned to look at his sister. "Well, it seems she hasn't told you."

"Told me what? What's going on here?" She looked at Kagome helplessly, who only clung on to Sango's shoulders until the initial shock wore off.

Sango licked her lips in concentration, then made a suggestion to her master. "Perhaps you would like me to explain the situation to Rin while you speak with your brother?"

Kagome hesitated, and then nodded. "That's probably best."

Sango helped Kagome to the couch, then took Rin by the elbow and led her into the back bedroom. "Come with me, dear. There are certain things you should know."

Souta watch the exchange with confusion, and once they were alone, turned to his sister. "What just happened?"

Kagome laughed humorlessly and rubbed her temples. "What just happened is that you waltzed in here and told Rin that Sango is a genie. Thanks for that."

"You mean she didn't know?"

"Yes, Souta, I think I will go around and tell everyone that I have a genie living in my house!" Kagome was snapping. She never snapped.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was a secret."

His sister held up her hands, as if only realizing something. "How do you know about Sango?"

He shrugged. "Mom."

"When did she tell you?"

"I've known about the jin for years. Mom wanted me to inherit her, but Grandpa said only you could because I'm not the true heir or something."

If it was possible, Kagome became even paler. "You mean to tell me that everyone knew and didn't feel the need to tell me?"

"It's some kind of tradition," Souta commented. "The one to inherit the jin isn't supposed to know ahead of time."

"So I've heard."

"Don't be so dramatic, Kagome." Souta sat down in a chair across from her. "It wasn't like we conspired against you. It was a present, a good thing. You should be happy that you were chosen to inherit her. You're the true heir." It was painful to admit the words, like he wasn't good enough to be the heir.

"It's the eyes," Kagome said suddenly. He blinked at her, confused once more. "Sango told me. The only reason I got her and you didn't is because I have the two colored eyes, like Daddy."

He scoffed. "I lost the genetic lottery."

Kagome was moved to sympathy, until she felt annoyance surge through her again. "Souta, why are you here?"

Remembering his mission, he shook his head free of pitying thoughts. "Mom called me. She's worried about you."

His sister sighed and buried her head in her hands. "I wish Mom would leave me alone."

"It's because she cares about you."

"No, it's because she cares about her merger." Kagome pushed her hands through her hair and growled. "You can run back to Mother and tell her that everything is fine. Kouga and I are fine. Sango is fine. Everything is peachy. She can stop freaking out over nothing."

"You know, Kagome, Mom loves you whether you want to believe it or not. Like always, you want to play the martyr." Souta got to his feet, shaking his head. "I knew it was a mistake coming here."

"Oh yes," Kagome said, going to the door. "That's me, Saint Kagome. Next time you want to drop by for more family fun, make sure you call."

He shook his head and left without another word to her. Kagome closed the door and leaned her back against it, fighting the urge to cry. She really did love her brother, but it seemed she could never be civil with anyone in her family anymore.

"Kagome!" Rin shrieked, running out of the bedroom and skidding to a stop in the living room. She looked around for Souta, but he was gone, so she surged forward. "Sango's a genie!"

Kagome laughed, but that laughing quickly lapsed into tears. Horrified, Rin patted her on the shoulders and tried to think of something to help. "Sango? Sango!"

The jin came when beckoned and went to her master's side. "What happened?"

"They all knew," Kagome sobbed. "They all knew. Why do they always leave me out of everything?"

"Don't weep, Mistress," Sango soothed her. "I'm sure they were only trying to protect you."

"That's what they always do," Kagome sniffled.

"It's okay, Kagome," Rin said, grabbing a handful of tissues and offering them to her friend. "You've got us. We know you're strong."

"Oh, Rin, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you," Kagome said, giving a watery stare to her young friend.

The teen only smiled back. "Don't worry about it."

"Young Miss Rin took my secret rather well," Sango offered with a half-smile.

"I always knew that there was something different about you," Rin said with a wag of her finger. "But boy was I off. Still, it's so awesome, Kagome! You can have any wish in the world granted with a snap of your fingers."

"I'm not good with power," Kagome sniffed. She was calming down now. "All I've ever wanted was a normal life."

"You can still have normal," Rin said, grinning now. "Only...quirky normal."

"What does that mean?" she asked. "It's either quirky or normal. There is no halfway."

"What is normal?" Sango asked. "Everyone has their own normal, and it just so happens that your normal is a little different than other normals. There is no shame in that."

"Oh, thanks you guys."

"You'd do the same for us," Rin laughed.

A group hug was had, laughs were shared, and the kitten went back to being tormented.


Inuyasha sprawled across his couch, flipping through channels on his big screen TV, not really caring what was on any station. Internally, his mind was racing. Finally, finally, Kagome Higurashi had agreed to go on a date with him. But he had no idea what he was supposed to do.

He had expected that a high class woman would want to go to high class places, but Kagome kept subtly reminding him that she hated money and places that attracted people with it. Still, he couldn't bring himself to take her to his usual haunts. Chinese take out from a small, humid store on a corner of the Working District, and cheap movie theaters with sticky floors and stale popcorn was fin for high schoolers on their first or second dates. This was Kagome Higurashi, a woman who stood to inherit more money than his mind could fathom. Money might not matter to her because she had never had to worry about it, but it mattered to him. Inuyasha now had the means to take a woman out to good places. What he was used to was not good enough.

"You look down," Miroku commented. He strolled into the room wearing a pink flowered apron. After he made a crack at Shippou, the unamused teenager ordered the jin to clean the kitchen. The outfit was just a bonus.

"I'm thinking," Inuyasha grunted.

"About what?" Miroku asked, plopping down beside him.

"About where to go on a date tomorrow night."

"Ah, the sweetest kind of work."

Inuyasha leveled a disgruntled look at his jin. "Do you always have to talk like that?"

"Lke what?"

"Like you're Casanova or something."

Miroku chuckled and leaned back on the couch, pillowing his head beneath folded hands. "I can't help having a superior understanding of the fairer sex."

His master grunted. "You're something else, pal."

The jin smiled, and shrugged. "When I was human, it was my job to know women."

"What the hell kind of job is that?"

"Well, it was somewhere between being a con man and a prostitute." He thought about his choice of words a moment, then nodded. "I was originally trained to be a Holy man. It was a kind of tradition within my family, you see. When my parents died, I was still young. My family was in debt and the collectors took our farm, and I soon found myself without money or a home. A man named Mushin found me, and trained me."

"To be a con man prostitute?"

"I was thought to be attractive. I played the part of a lost Holy man and would take refuge in the homes of wealthy families. Young wives and daughters were easily influenced by a pretty face and some attention. I kept them occupied for a night, then took whatever I pleased before leaving."

"Cold, Miroku. Very cold."

He sighed. "I never said I was a nice guy back then, but when you're broke and desperate, you do what you must to survive."

And that, Inuyasha could not argue with. "So what, did some jilted woman curse you or something?"

Miroku smirked. "No, this wasn't a punishment. I asked to become a Jin, of my own free will."

"Why?" A simple question that hung in the air like a matter of life or death.

For a while, Miroku considered skirting the issue. It was not often that he invoked his beloved's name, but he liked his new master, and saw no reason to withhold the information. Inuyasha was not the kind of man to use one's weaknesses against them without cause. Surely this man would not belittle another man's actions in the name of love.

"When I was about your age," Miroku began tentatively, "I came to a huge estate. It was bigger and more lavished than anything I had ever seen before. There were rumors in the surrounding towns that the lord of this estate had some kind of magical power that brought him unlimited wealth and good fortune. My curiosity got the better of me and I had to investigate."

"There was a jin in that house?"

Miroku nodded. "I didn't know her for what she was at first. I was in the audience chamber for dinner, and I thought she was just another dancer meant for entertainment, but it struck me as odd when the lord wouldn't let anyone touch her. Back then, dancers were always fair game for guests, even when they were hired instead of slaves. I watched her closely for the rest of the night, and followed her around much of the next day." He smiled and shook his head. "She ignored me completely, even when I made attempts to charm her."

"Immunity?" the other joked.

"I wasn't sure. She intrigued me, which was rare. I became rather infatuated with her, and made it a kind of game to pursue her. A few days turned into a few weeks, and by the time I realized what I was doing, I was already in love with her." This was the part of the tale he always had the most trouble telling, mostly because it pained him to this day. "Jin are not allowed to love, she made that very clear to me."

"Why not? You guys are -- were -- human. What's the problem?"

"A jin has no sense of self. We are slaves to our masters, devoting everything of our souls to the whim of those who own us. When a creature has nothing of themselves, they have no heart, and therefore, no right to love another."

"Bullshit." Miroku was surprised Inuyasha was getting as angry as he was. "Who made up these rules? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

The jin only smiled at his master. "The rules are as old as time, and the magic that enforces them is just as old. It's just one of the things we live with."

"So what happened? Did she turn you into a jin for bugging her?"

Miroku laughed. "She didn't want to turn me into a jin. I had to convince her to do it. The truth is, I knew she loved me every bit as much as I loved her, but it was forbidden. She could have been killed for being with me, so I told her to turn me into a jin like her. That way, I would live as long as she did, until the jin were freed or the rules were changed." He sighed again, wistfully. "I told her I would wait until the ends of time for the chance to be with her."

"Wow...that's corny."

"Says the man who used to stalk the woman of his affections."

"Hey!" They both laughed a little. "What was her name?"

"Hm?"

"Your girl. What was her name?"

Miroku looked up to the ceiling, his eyes seeing a time long ago. He called an image of her to mind; the brown hair, the lavender eyes, and the smile that could stop a man's heart. The only woman he had ever loved. "Sango." A warm silence fell on them for a little while until Miroku could shake off the past. "Come, let us speak of something more pleasant."

"You're gonna help me think of somewhere to take Kagome?"

"Nope." Miroku got up, dusted off the front of his apron and stretched. "You're on your own there, my friend. I should go clean "master" Shippou's room, while he's out."

Inuyasha grinned. "Have fun with that."

"I'm sure I will."

Inuyasha sat back and pondered about what Miroku had told him. He thought about Kagome, and what she was like. He couldn't imagine her being a slave to anyone else, having to give up the freedom she so obviously enjoyed. Nor could he think of what it would be like himself.

You do what you must to survive. Miroku's words echoed in his skull, bringing unwanted memories to mind. Memories of what he did when he was living on the streets, of things he had done in his past that he locked away in the deepest parts of his mind. There are times in a human existence, when you are pushed to the very limits of survival, when you are willing to do whatever is necessary to see another day. Things you never speak of, that you'll take to your grave.

He'd been able to save Shippou from that point. It was something that had the power to break a kid, no matter how tough.

He thought about what Kagome might think if she ever found out, and he shivered at the thought.

Inuyasha shook his head and cleared himself of the thoughts. Thinking about those times wouldn't bring anything but shame and fear. He had more important things to think about, better things to do. He forced himself back into his everyday tasks, and eventually, he forgot again.


Kagome looked through her closet for the third time, and each article of clothing was worse than the last. It seemed like a hopeless venture because nothing she found was good enough. Her closet was filled with sensible business suits and casual jeans. What she wore in front of her mother, and what she wore to lay around the house. Kagome was not the kind of woman who dressed to impress, unless she was forced into it by family obligation.

Now she cursed her lazy fashion sense.

In a huff she stormed to her bed and through herself face down across it. Rin, who had been in the kitchen, came in at the sound of her squealing and sighed when she found her.

"Kagome, are you ok?"

"Eh goath nuffen teh weeh," she said into the comforter.

"Excuse me?"

Kagome lifted her head, blowing a strand of hair out from her face. "I said, I've got nothing to wear."

Rin giggled. "You've got plenty to wear."

"Not on a date."

"Since when did you get all 'beauty queen' on me?"

Kagome groaned and flopped over on to her back. "I just want to look nice. I've never been out on a real date before. Kouga doesn't count." Rin only laughed harder, causing Kagome to whip a pillow in her general direction. "I'm being serious."

"I know you are," the teen replied. "But in case you have forgotten, you do have a mystical being in the living room who will grant you any wish you please. Just ask her for a new outfit."

"I can't just ask her for new clothes--"

"Of course you can," Sango butted in, coming up behind Rin. "You never wish for anything, Kagome. My magic is going to go to waste."

"I feel guilty," the heiress defended, blushing a little.

Sango only grinned as she pulled back her hair into a high ponytail. "Stand up, my lady."

"Yay," Rin cheered. She dropped herself into a sitting position on the floor. "I think Kagome's best colors are white and green."

"Did your date give you any information as to attire?" Sango asked, rubbing her chin in thought. "Outdoors? Indoors? Formal?"

"Um, he just said to be casual." Kagome didn't like the look in the eye of the other two women. She was starting to suspect that she would soon be made to raise her arms and spin around to the back. "What are you going to do?"

"Just this," Sango said. She curled her forefinger over her thumb and then flicked it off, aiming at Kagome. Suddenly, Kagome's fluffy robe and slippers were replaced by an alarmingly low-cut white dress and heels.

"Ah!"

"Hm," muttered Rin. She wrinkled her nose and then shook her head. "Too much cleavage. Kagome's best asset is her pretty face and her legs."

"I think you're correct," Sango agreed. She repeated the action, and Kagome was now garbed in an emperor's gown in deep green satin. "Perhaps a bit too formal?"

"That looks like a bride's maid dress," Rin piped.

"What are you guys doing?" Kagome squealed. "This flicking thingy is weirding me out!"

"It's a simple spell," Sango rationalized. "I'm simply arranging the matter of one outfit into another."

"Oh, simple you say?" Kagome frowned, defeated. "Can I see something in black?"

"But you wear black every day!" Rin protested. "That's your mother's color of choice." The teenager turned to Sango, ignoring Kagome's protests. "I think she'd be more suited in something short, a skirt or shorts maybe."

"It's too cold for shorts," the mannequin whined.

"Perhaps something tighter on the legs?" Sango asked, blinking a pair of denim jeans into existence. "No, you're correct. A skirt would most suit her, and would be good for any occasion."

This time, Kagome was dressed in a short green skirt and a flattering white top. She had to give them credit as she spun in front of the mirror on her bathroom door; she did look good. "Now I need shoes," she announced, waving bare feet toward the others.

"Uh-oh," Rin giggled. "We've created a monster."

"I am only too happy to oblige," Sango smiled. They went through a variety of colors and styles before settling on a comfortable dress shoe with a chunk, mild heel. Kagome had enough of toe-crushers and heel-hurters.

"How should I wear my hair?" she asked Rin, peering at a couple split-ends among her flowing locks.

"Down," her consultants advised. "It's prettier when you let it frame your face." Rin fluffed it, and let it settle into place. "And all you need is a little lip gloss and you're good to go, sister. You know, it's a crime to be as pretty as you are."

"What are you talking about?"

Rin grinned easily. "You make it look easy."

"Please, I'm no where near my mother."

"You're a different kind of beautiful, Kags," Rin told her honestly. "You're the kind of beautiful that shines out from inside."

"Did you read that on a fortune cookie?" They stuck their tongues out at each other and laughed. "You think I look okay?"

"You're gonna knock him on his ass," the younger girl said with a wink.

Kagome turned to Sango, who nodded her assent. "Rin is right. You make a stunning picture, Kagome."

She flashed her mega-watt smile. "Thanks you guys."

Their group hug was cut short by the doorbell. Kagome leapt to her feet, paling as she looked at the clock next to her bed. "Oh my God, that's him!"

"I'll get the door," Sango laughed, heading back into the kitchen, and then the living room. She heard Kagome flipping out from the front door, and was still laughing when she opened it. Much like when Shippou first came to their home, Sango appraised the man before her. He was highly attractive, dressed casually in jeans and a button down short sleeved shirt. His hair, an unusal color, was held back at the nape of his neck. Over-all, he seemed clean cut and innocent enough, but one could never be too careful.

Much like when Shippou had first come, Sango liked Inuyasha on sight.

"Hello," she greeted. "You must be Inuyasha. Please, come in." She stepped aside enough to let him come in.

"Thank you," he said politely, stepping into the living room. As he expected, the layout was modest and filled with the finest a cheap garage sale could offer. It was a lot like his old place, and he liked that. He turned back to the woman who had admitted him and smiled. This was Sango, Kagome's roommate. She had spoken of her often, and Inuyasha was determined to give a good first impression. "You must be Sango."

"That's me." She took his offered hand for a shake. "Kagome will just be a minute. She was having a wardrobe malfunction."

"It's not a problem." He would have said more, but it was in that moment that he noticed the tattoo on the side of Sango's face. A letter in calligraphy strikingly similar to Miroku's own brand. And then he thought back to what Miroku had told him before, about his lost Jin lover. Sango. Things clicked in his brain and he was about to comment on it when Kagome chose her moment to arrive. The sight of her robbed him of the ability to speak, let alone accuse a woman of being a genie.

"Hi," she said, rather shyly. In all honesty, she loved the way he looked at her. Inuyasha didn't fake interest in her because of her last name; he really was attracted to her.

"Hi," he replied, blinking. It was a moment before he gave himself a mental smack. "You, ah, look great."

"Thank you." She blushed a little and moved toward the door. "Ready?"

"Whenever you are," he countered.

"I'll see you later, Sango."

"It was nice meeting you."

"You too," she said, waving and closing the door behind them.

Rin popped out of the kitchen and whistled. "Wow, he's a looker."

"I'm a little worried," Sango sighed.

"Why's that?"

"He's in love with her," she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "And Kagome's halfway there herself."

"Oh," Rin replied. "Now I'm worried too."


A/N: Thanks to all for reading. Sorry for the delay between chapters -- I have been hard at work on my costume for the Con here in Jersey. (Yes, I am one of the geeks who dresses up in a costume and parades around a stadium filled with other geeks in costumes.) But seeing as how the Con is on Friday, and my work is pretty much done except for the painting of my sword, I can get back to writing. I have a one-shot coming out soon -- I've been working on it feverishly. And the first chapter of Behind The Scenes is nearly ready. Yay for summer!