Disclaimer: - -'

AN: Sry . . .

A Day of Autumn

In her hands is a paper. It's a paper that's being posted everywhere in Tokyo. The school is even doing it. They never had one of these at her old school before. Basically, all the people there aren't as jolly and spirited like they are here. Amazing, the other side is always different. This paper tells of the events that will happen in the festival. "The autumn festival," she whispers.

"What are you looking at?"

She turned to Taka-ichi and pointed at the poster. "They're having an autumn festival, are you going?" So what if she sounds excited, but who wouldn't. The event there is so interesting! Win a prize by shooting a ball at a couple of bottles, so easy! Catch a few fishes, and then keep it, now that's child's play! If this festival can get free stuff, then you're stupid if you're not going.

"Iie," he answers monotonously.

"Well, you're stupid," she replied.

"Nani?" There was a tinge of anger in his voice.

Kagome snorted. "Well of course. You win prizes, have fun, and go home for keeps," she said nonchalantly. A grin was spreading across her face. "And besides, having to stay home during a festival is pretty inspirited of you Taka-ichi."

"Since when have I been spirited Higurashi?"

She turned to him and stuck her tongue out. "Ne, you're being such a spoil-sport, try to liven up Mr. Stoic." She grinned. "Besides, I want to go!" She exclaims.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "And you need me to go because . . ." He trailed off, waiting for her.

Kagome bit her bottom lip, trying to think of a reason. There must be a valid explanation to get Sesshoumaru's attention. The guy would always try to ruin her fun if she put up a stupid excuse. Let's see, saying their friends' crap is getting old. There must be a reason for his benefits. There MUST be one, somewhere in the pits of her mind. "Ah!" She socked her left hand with her right fist. "I need you to go because I never gone to an autumn festival before and you can be my tour guide!" She exclaims. Bakayarou . . .

"That was the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard," he said. Sesshoumaru shook his head. Kagome was about to fuss over it, but then she hears his next response. "But I guess I could go to kill time."

Kagome grinned and nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Go! You might not know it, but it might be fun!" Oh boy, did she just jump? Oh well, jump some more. "Awesome!"

Sesshoumaru suddenly looks around. He place two hands on Kagome's shoulder and stilled her jumping. "Act your age you baka," he told her harshly.

She grinned. "Uruse," Sesshoumaru said.

--

It's an unrelenting, annoying case. Kagome is just, clearly, slow. He doesn't know anybody as slow as this idiot right next to him. What does the meaning of romancing a girl doesn't he get? Inu Yasha pushes Kagome's face forward, hitting his forehead straight to the window. "You see that baka, that's what I meant by romancing a girl!"

"How is watching a chick flick being romantic?" Kagome asks.

Inu Yasha groaned and hit his forehead. "You know what? Just forget it! Trying to teach an amateur these concepts is like trying to teach a dog English." He shook his head.

Kagome hit him in the back of his head. "Come one! It isn't my fault I don't know this! Look, if Kikyou expects you to be romantic, I would've noticed." And so the moron says. What would Kagome know anything about Kikyou? Oh right . . . They're twins after all. But twins aren't supposed to be dating now are they! Why'd he have to bring an idiot who doesn't know shit about relationships with him? Oh why? Does it fit in the fact that Kagome is Kikyou's twins and know every single detail about Kikyou? Possibly . . .

"Well, I'm not trying to get Kikyou to notice. It's suppose to be a surprise, you jackass!"

"Oh . . ." Kagome trails off, "And exactly why didn't you just get to the point instead of showing me these girlie little trinkets?" He asks.

They continued their walk around the city. The stores they've seen so far have only autumn festival objects or Halloween necessities, the usual. There wasn't anything he can find that looks romantic. He wanted to surprise Kikyou with his gift, but that isn't turning out as he expected. Well considering he doesn't know what would make Kikyou happy, what the hell can he do? Of course he couldn't just ask her straight forward, it wouldn't be a surprise if he did!

And Kagome here isn't helping either. "Kagome, have you ever gone out with a girl?" Inu Yasha asks. He thought a disgusted look crossed Kagome's face, but it appears he was wrong. When he turned to Kagome, the guy had on an oblivious expression.

"Why would you want to know?"

"Why the hell are you acting so suspicious?" Inu Yasha asks. Could it be! "Shit! You've never had a girlfriend before did you?" He cracked up laughing in front of Kagome's face. This is hilarious. A guy that's never had a girlfriend in his life! That mystery especially contains a pretty boy like Kagome, what a joke. "Dude, do you know how funny it is that someone like you doesn't have a single relationship! Has any girl asked you out?" He asks, suspiciously.

"Err-umm, Kagura and Yura?" Kagome asks, unsure.

"Senior girls? Kagura and Yura? No wonder! They're obsessed with their pretty boys."

"Hey! Hey! Hey! We're getting off topic!" Kagome's face is pretty fuming red. "Aren't we supposed to figure out what makes Kikyou think is cheesy here? What's with this interrogation you're giving me?" He crossed his arms and turned away from Inu Yasha. Great, Kagome's a sissy. A little teasing and that affected Kagome. Wow, very manly.

Inu Yasha snorted. He grabbed Kagome's wrist and dragged him to some jewelry shop. "Alright, help me figure out what to do with Kikyou's gift." He looks down at the rings and necklace presented in the luxurious glass. "Should I give her that?" He looked at Kagome who inspected the nice ruby ring.

"Dude, don't you think that's too extravagant?" Kagome asks.

He grumbled and pointed to a necklace, "What about that?"

"Shit. Are you nuts, that's going to drag Kikyou down!"

Inu Yasha glares at Kagome and drags him to another portion of the glass. "What about this ring, it's small, simple, and gold."

As he looked for Kagome's response, the moron just shook his head. "Then what the hell should I get her? What the hell are you here for then, window shopping?" Damn it, he doesn't want to snap but from the look on Kagome's face, he's really tempted. Kagome's face was of disappointment and annoyance. What is aggravating him?

Kagome grabbed Inu Yasha's wrist and drags him out of the jewelry shop. "Man, Kikyou doesn't like this stuff!" He exclaims. "It doesn't even matter to her if she gets a gift or not. You're stressing out over nothing really. Do you think Kikyou would be the kind to really want jewelry, clothes, and affection?" Well, he does have a point there.

"Well, of course not, but I want to show her that she's special."

Kagome rolled her eyes at him. "Look, it's going to be the autumn festival soon, be creative. If you're serious with her like I think you are right now, then it shouldn't be so hard. News flash idiot! Kikyou isn't complicated. Now your aniki, that's a different story."

"How so Higurashi?" Inu yasha turned to his aniki then at Kagome who turned pale. "Mind explaining to me how I'm a 'different story'?" Sesshoumaru asks, icicle falling out of his every word. And with that, Kagome and Sesshoumaru left him in the dust.

What does he mean Kikyou isn't complicated? He's stressing over nothing?

--

"Ne Sesshoumaru-san, help me out here!" The miko calls for him.

"Let me get another hand for you miko," he said, aggravated. Couldn't the miko see how busy he is right now? Having to put up little lanterns around the corner, dust the gods, and hang around little paper strips of golden leaves, who would have time to help the miko?

He place a small little fake golden leaf next tot he shoji door.

Turning to the miko, Sesshoumaru finally understands why the idiot needs his unconditional help. The miko, his idiotic boss, hung from the large ribbon she's suppose to put in front of the well house. One of her ankle was wrapped in them with her arms crossed. She grinned at him, as she loosely hung there. "I really need your help Sesshoumaru-san!"

Going over to where her problem is, he looked up and met her eyes. He could help her, but what's the fun in that? Of course, this Sesshoumaru doesn't DO fun, but it's quite amusing seeing her like that. But oh how humiliating this shrine would be if prayers come and see her like that? Then again, he could just leave her to rot, that'll be a fun idea. Oh dear conscience, what should I do?

Shrugging it off, he turned from the miko and walked away. "What the hell are you doing? Get back here and help!"

"Well, that's a very nice way to ask a request miko!"

"I'm not asking, I'm demanding you to get me out of this predicament!"

Stopping and tilting his head over his shoulder, he smirked. "Oh conscience, should I help this idiot who torture me every weekend?" they stayed quiet for a moment. Then, Sesshoumaru turned his head and continued walking. "Guess my conscience declines mko," he said, "Ja ne! My time is up here, see you next weekend!"

"Kami! I swear when I get down there I'm going to freakin' kick your pretty boy ass Sesshoumaru! You freakin' dickhead!"

Sesshoumaru's going to pretend he didn't heard that.

--

Kikyou takes a hold of the ribbon and made a jump up the wall and tapped it lightly against the ceiling. As she landed on the ground, she made sure no one noticed and let out a relieve sigh. She wouldn't know what to explain if they saw her jumping twenty feet in the air.

"Oi! You're done, that was fast." She smiled at Sango. She's so glad the class president didn't see her.

"Yeah, I guess I'm a quick worker," Kikyou replied. Sango grinned and hands her a hammer. "I know it isn't your job or labor, but the guys are setting up the sports in the gym. I would do it, but as you know, I'm a bit preoccupied." Kikyou nodded.

"It's alright. I did volunteer to help now didn't I?" Kikyou asks.

Sango sighed. "And you're not even in the council. Well, arigato Kikyou-san, I got to go."

Kikyou sigh and looks at the hammer and the nails on the ground. Well, she did volunteered now didn't she? Taking the nails, she felt her back being pressed harder as she turned around quickly with a swift quick. It was blocked and Kagome stood there laughing nervously. "Gomen ne Kikyou, I was in a hurry." She let her feet fall and furrowed her eyebrow in confusion. What is it this time? Did she mess with the wrestling club, martial arts club, or any other club in this school?

Soon, Kagome sprinted around the dojo and hid herself behind a few boxes. "Ne, keep quiet that I'm here, okay?" Kagome asks from the boxes.

"Ma-"

"Higurashi-san."

She jumped and could feel her spine tingling. Turning slightly, Kikyou just blinked. "Da-daijobu desu ka?" She finally found her voice and asks. Takayama-senpai stood there, with feathers sticking out everywhere from his body. He smells of syrup and his hair looks a bit orange. His eyes were blank, but his aura tells otherwise. He was pissed, and Kikyou knew it.

"Ask your brother," Sesshoumaru replied, venomously. "By the way, do you know where that little gawky, impulsive, fatuous, dunce, nitwit has gone to?"

From the look of his golden eyes, he doesn't want any lies. Kikyou gulped, somehow feeling afraid. This feeling is strange to her and unconsciously, as it in a trance, pointed to the boxes. Sesshoumaru nodded and walked pass her making her feel a chill through her spine. Kagome, please be careful.

The boxes suddenly scatters and Kikyou watches as Kagome's eyes widen and ran through the doors, slamming it. Sesshoumaru marched after, an evil intent and slammed the door after, making her wince. Hopefully, I'll be able to see my little sister again.

"Boo!" Kikyou jumped as someone poked her sides. She dropped the hammer on that person's foot on accident. "Shit!"

She turned around and apologized. Seeing its Inu Yasha, she apologized even more. "Gomen ne, I didn't notice you behind me!

Gomen nasai," she said. Kikyou bowed below her waist three times and went to see if Inu Yasha's foot is alright.

He smiled. "Ah, it's going to be alright, really!" inu Yasha tried assuring her. But from the way he's wincing, she thinks otherwise.

"Why do you have a hammer anyway?"

Kikyou smiled. "I volunteered to help with the autumn festival at school."

"So what? Sango, shouldn't be giving you these labors." He picked up the hammer and the nails." He turned his head over his shoulder to look at her. "Now, what am I suppose to do?" He asks. Kikyou smiled. He's really great.

"Oh, you need to hammer this board over here!" She exclaims picking up a flat wooden board with all sorts of autumn decorations.

--

Sesshoumaru crossed his arms inside his sleeves. He was wearing a white yukata with red flames on the hem of the sleeves and bottom where it hits his ankle. Sesshoumaru's long silver hair was down, pass his waist. He hadn't worn a yukata for quite awhile now. And when he said he's going tot he autumn festival, all the maids in his mansion starts fussing over it and measuring him. It's a nuisance really. He could've worn just his simple uniform, but his father and his step mother said it just won't do letting the son and heir of the Takayama company go in normal clothing. Basically, to Sesshoumaru, it's a bunch of bull. They just wanted to see him in a yukata.

Trying to go to a less crowded area is basically impossible. Sesshoumaru could feel a few girls even woman stocking him. It's creepy, but it's normal in his case. And where the hell is that damn Higurashi? He's been here an hour already and there's no sign of that little moron and he's the one that suggested coming in the first place. Sesshoumaru still have a sack full of coins with him. He didn't want to bring a whole sack of money considering this is just a simple festival.

"Taka-ichi!" he stopped and looekd over his shoulder. His eyes widen slightly. Is that the miko? He shook his head. The only person who calls him Taka-ichi . . . Kagome? The moron looks so much like a girl! It's probably because Sesshoumaru never saw Kagome with his hair down before. Kagome also wore a yukata, colored dark navy blue. On the rim of the sleeves were white sakura petals and against the ankle. There was a split on the side of Kagome's yukata it seems. The strange part is that Kagome has an undershirt which was blue. It's very suspicious, but it's Higurashi. He's always weird. Still, with Kagome's hair down, anybody would mistake him as a girl.

"Gomen nasai," Kagome said. He panted and held up a hand.

"Before you start insulting me, hear me out. You see, Kikyou and I were-"

"Save it," he cut Kagome off.

"Eh?"

Sesshoumaru turned around and kept on walking. "Nani?" Higurashi trotted next to Sesshoumaru. He tilted his head. "Y-you're not mad?" Kagome asks, furrowing his eyebrow.

"Should I be?" Sesshoumaru asks.

Kagome, in turn stopped him by marching up in front and facing Sesshoumaru. "Are you sick? Because if you are, you didn't have to come."

He didn't feel sick. "What are you talking about?" Sesshoumaru asks.

"What I'm talking about is your damn face is red. It's really really red like you just ate something spicy!" Kagome exclaims.

Sesshoumaru lift up a hand and there it was; his face was warm. What in the world would cause this? He didn't ate anything, nor is he sick. As he turned to Higurashi, he could feel his ears warming up. Sesshoumaru gulps and walks pass Kagome.

"It's probably the hot sauce in the corn I just ate," he quickly lied. Sesshoumaru doesn't know what compelled him to lie the way he did, but he just had to. Obviously, not even Sesshoumaru himself knows the reason why his face became warm the way it did.

--

"Guys! I'm going to go hang around here alright?" He called off.

They look at him, then turned away quickly. It's probably because he has his thick-rimmed glasses on. Hopefully, no one would recognize him in his old get up. All the girls have been swarming up to him and even the homosexual in Hokkaido. It's frightening, really. Now only wearing his geeky glasses, and a yukata, oh onegai, let no one see him as the leader of the Shichinentai.

Stuffing his arms in his large sleeves of the yukata, he looked around the festival. This autumn festival is bigger and grander than the one at his hometown. There's a lot of activity going on. He stopped once he sees a shooting range as kids shot the bottles or grown ups to get prizes. For the fun of it, Bankotsu dropped a hundred yen on the table and took the gun from the man's hand.

With precise aim, he shot through the bottles. With his glasses instead of the contacts, he can see through them better. As he shot, shot and shot, he got every one down. He heard someone drop a coin down. A competition? He aimed and the girl next to him did as well. They shot, shot and shot. He hit every one down, so did the girl with raven black, wavy hair. As it counted to their last one, Bankotsu missed.

"Yes!" The girl picked a inflatable hammer which was peculiar considering girls would go for the stuff animals. "Sugoi! Taka-ichi, look!"

Taka-ichi? His eyes widen as he turned around suddenly. "Kagome!"

The two were about to leave, but they turned around to his voice. "Bankotsu!" Kagome shouted. His eyes widen. Shit! The girls around them suddenly turned their eyes towards them. Suddenly, world war three raged. Bankotsu ducked and so did Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Slowly, they crawled out of the war and made it outside, panting. They ran away from the girls that started to scream for Bankotsu. When they made pass the mess, about a mile away, they sighed in relief.

"Banryuu, what the hell are you doing here?" Kagome asks.

"And what the hell are you doing here, dress up like a girl? It's not Halloween yet, you know." He grinned.

"Eh? Nanda, I look like a girl?"

"Look, the obvious finally registered in the pea-brain sized sophomore," replied Sesshoumaru. He chuckled a bit. Even though he doesn't know them that long, Sesshoumaru and Kagome's practically his hero! They made all this happen.

Kagome glared up at Sesshoumaru. "I wouldn't be talking about girl-look-alike if I were you Taka-ichi."

"And what is that suppose to mean Higurashi?" Sesshoumaru asks.

"It means what it sounds like, girl-face prince charming!" Exclaims Kagome.

They started to argue and Bankotsu could only watch, cracking up. Ah, so sweet, they're having a lover's quarrel. "Alright, alright you guys! Quit bickering like you two are married. Do it in private when I'm not here alright?" He asks, laughing.

They both blushed with their eyes wide. Coughing out the embarrassment, the two turned their heads away from each other. Wait, did Bankotsu miss something? "Ne! Ban-Hey what do you want me to call you?" Kagome cut herself off to ask.

He thought it over then snapped his fingers. "You guys can call me Naomi, my father's name!" He exclaims.

Kagome grinned. "Alright Naomi, I challenge you in catching fishes. Whoever loses has to take care all of the fishes they caught!"

--

Kikyou took the corn and ate it. It's delicious. Maybe going around alone isn't as bad as she thought. Kikyou haven't spotted Inu Yasha anywhere so far, not to mention Sango disappeared somewhere leaving her alone. She doesn't mind, but the guys that's following her right now is giving her a conscious feeling. It's uncomfortable, but Kikyou's acting as if it really doesn't bother her. Really, it does, but it's really not a big deal.

She wore a lavender yukata that reaches pass her knee. Her yukata had a nice rose that covered from the bottom reaching her waist. The back had a trail of roses as well. Her mother made this and it's just simply precious. Having a kaasan is what Kikyou always wanted too. The woman is really kind. She wonders if all kaasans are like that.

She chomped on her corn, little by little going over to an activity. Dropping her corn, she dropped five yen and they gave her five darts. Aiming for the balloons, Kiykou hit it straight in the middle. With the five darts, she managed to win herself a small stuffed, black dog. It was so adorable! The other side of Tokyo is simply amazing.

"Oi!"

Kikyou turned and smiled at the buff and big guys that's stalking towards her. There are three in total. She stood there with a smile, holding onto her corn and the dog. "Konnichiwa," she greeted them. Her eyes were slightly narrowed and she waited for their assault.

"Hey babe, why don't you hang out with us?"

"Gomen nasai, but I'm really in a hurry."

"Nah, it's only going to be a second, promise," the leader with the green dyed hair said. His voice sounded ruff.

Kikyou shook her head, "I really don't have the time, onegai, and I need to hurry." Kikyou turned around and started to walk away.

A hand came on her shoulder as she expected. The ruff voice was in her ear now, "Don't worry, it'll be very pleasurable."

"What is the meaning of no do you not understand?" Kikyou asks, with a small chuckle.

The guy was too stubborn. "Come on. Don't start looking so easy, and then act all hard-to-get." Nani? She looks easy? "Come on." He tugs her yukata. That's when she started to get angry.

With quick agility, she was above him. Bringing her elbow down, she hit his neck as he passed out. The two others seem to get easily mad as they charged. She ducked and side stepped. Jumping backward, still holding onto the adorable dog in one hand, she jumped again when a leg almost tripped her. With another leap, she brings herself down hard with her hand fisted in the air. With one swipe, she had one of the leader's crew members in the neck. He passed out, obviously.

Someone grabbed her arm. With her other hand, she made a fist and rammed it in the guy's stomach, making him double over. The impact made him release her arm. She brought her fist up and slammed him under his chin, making him fly a few feet in the air and falling down on the concrete, hard.

Kikyou sighed and turned to her corn. It was smashed up. She was half way through with it too. As she looks at the three guys, she furrows her eyebrows in confusion. Do I look THAT easy?

She turned and started to walk away from the unconscious fellas'. Turning around the corner, she stopped suddenly when she spotted Inu Yasha. He sat on a booth. Going over to him, she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned slowly to her and smiled. "Yo Kikyou . . ." He drawled out.

Is he drunk, she wonders. But he's underage. "Inu Yasha, why are you drinking sake?" She made sure her voice was soft, yet loud enough for him to hear.

"Because sake is an enjoyment for losers!" He exclaims, holding the cup in the air.

--

Sesshoumaru finally reached a secluded spot. Feeling those girls' eyes on him isn't very comforting to say the least. And with Higurashi and Banryuu being childish, they wouldn't notice him gone. Sitting on the stone bench, he stared out at the pond. He came here before, with his mother when he was younger. It's hard to remember the details, but Sesshoumaru could get this vague image of him drowning in the water. That's how I learned to swim.

It was the autumn festival. His mother doesn't know how to swim and he had to get out someway. That's what forced him to learn how to swim. Basically, he didn't want to see his mother worrying for him. Shaking his head, he quickly ducked when a few girls stomped pass him. That was really close. If they manage to seek out his silver hair, it'll be all over for silence. It's a peace which he was accustoming to. But ever since Higurashi had came, goodbye to tranquility.

He sighs and went down on the grass. Somehow, he just felt like lying down. The breeze at night felt nice. "Ne Tajka-ichi!" Great, there goes his tranquility. Sesshoumaru turned to Higurashi who managed to leap over the bush and sat next to him. "Oi! What are you doing here? It's too quiet," Kagome said.

Sesshoumaru ignored Kagome and leaned against the bench crossing his arms in his sleeves. He closed his eyes and tried as much as he can to ignore Kagome's annoying aura. If he hadn't work for the miko, Sesshoumaru wouldn't be able to sense these. And with Higurashi strong aura, he's tensed. "Oi! Baka, get your ass up and go enjoy the autumn festival!" Higurashi yelled in his ear.

Sesshoumaru ignored him.

"Ne, Taka-ichi, if you go, I'll promise to get you a bone . . ." Kagome trailed off, "Alright, some stake, but that's all I'm offering." He didn't respond, but his left eyes away from Higurashi was twitching silently. "Okay, a chew toy to boo-"

"What do you think I am? A dog!" Sesshoumaru finally snapped.

Kagome was patting his chest in a bit of fright. "Mou . . . Do that again and I just might sew," Higurashi said, through wide eyes, "That was some reaction I got from you."

"Is that the reason why you've been pestering me?" He asks through gritted teeth.

He thought Higurashi would start denying it, but guess what, the moron didn't. "Basically," Higurashi said, "Yes."

Kagome patted his back and smiled. "It's no fun when you're quiet. You look like some loner when you're doing that ya know?" He asks, "So, what's the big deal if you have an annoying sophomore hanging around you? You can't deny that's it's been a lot more hectic since I came ne?"

Sesshoumaru didn't comment. Higurashi was right in some part. His life, his school life, has been nothing but noise. Chikusho, Sesshoumaru really doesn't want to admit it now. "Besides, you aren't lonely anymore right?"

He tilted his head slightly towards Kagome and analyzed that guy. When in the world did Higurashi realize this and Sesshoumaru somehow didn't. It's true he felt as if he lost his personality in some way, but Higiurashi really can't be the reason is it? He smirked. Alright, so he admits it. Higurashi COULD be the reason, but initially, Sesshoumaru acted upon it as well. Without warning, he took Higurashi's neck and started choking the poor sophomore.

"Ah! Taka-ichi, let go of my neck, you-you're choking me!" He yelled.

"That's the reason for the headlock Higurashi. I'm revenging my tranquility," Sesshoumaru said.

"Hell with tranquility! Let go of my neck damn it!"

"Ah, that's how it is huh?" Sesshoumaru asks, tightening his hold.

"Ta-Taka-ichi! I'-I'm going to k-kill you," Kagome tried struggling for words.

"How? When you're under my arm, hmm?" Sesshoumaru asks.

As Sesshoumaru head locked Kagome, they didn't notice the fireflies coming out of the large leaves and the trees around them.

--

"Here you go, Inu Yasha." Finally, they were able to get out of the festival, away from the crowds. Inu Yasha was ready to fight anyone that they were passing by, even little children. Of course, with Kikyou there, no one got hurt. Dumping him in the middle of the meadow, she stood in front of him. "You're pretty heavy," she said. Kikyou hit her right shoulder where she helped him up here.

As she turned back to Inu Yasha, Kikyou smiled. "Daijoubu desu ka?" She asks him, crouching in front of him. He just stared at her and Kikyou raised her eyebrow, questioning. His face was red and he looked really sober. "Ne, Inu Yasha, are you-"

She was cut off as he leaned closer to her. Kiykou was surprised when his forehead landed on her left shoulder. "I-Inu Yasha?"

"Gomen nasai, Kikyou," he whispered.

She furrowed her eyebrow in confusion. "Y-you're not THAT heavy, I mean-"

"Iie," he shook his head.

There was silence between them. Kikyou stayed in her position and Inu Yasha laid his head on her shoulder with his knees pressing against the grass. His arms found its way around her shoulders. "What are you talking about then?" Kikyou lost her balance and fell against her feet with her legs bended.

"I'm such a loser."

She raises her eyebrows. What's this nonsense he's spouting? He's probably still sober. As she felt him embracing her tighter, Kikyou's only reaction is the blush forming on her face. She don't know what's gotten into him. He drank for anonymous reasons and now he's hugging her and saying he's sorry for Kami-knows-what. Kikyou lift up her arms and wrapped it around his waist and place her head against his head. "What's wrong?" She asks.

At that question, Inu Yasha starts to laugh quietly against her shoulders. "It used to be so easy," he whispered. She waited for him to continue. "Every girlfriend I had before was easy for me to show them how special they are, then why are you so hard?" The question caught her off guard that Kikyou stayed silent. "Kagome says it's easy, but guess what?" He laughed quietly to himself. "Kagome isn't dating you. Anything would suffice he says, but your too special for just 'anything'."

Kikyou furrowed her eyebrow. "Did you put some kind of spell on me to be this obsessed with you? Are you some kind of enchanted witch?"

"Nanda?" She asks, a bit flabbergast.

"You know what's wrong with that theory. A witch is wicked and you, you're always sweet and kind, gentle, and level-headed. There's no aspect or any sign that you're a witch." He shook his head. "I guess it couldn't be helped. I love you too much that I can't give you such a simple gift."

Kikyou froze, literally. Did he just declare he loves her? She could feel herself blushing from the upper chest straight to her face. "Anou," she finally relaxed. Lifting her hand and placing it against his back, she smiled. "Just knowing that you feel this way for me is enough Inu Yasha. You're right, just a simple gift wouldn't' suffice. No gift would suffice for the likes of me, but what you said is sufficient enought." She lifted up his head as his golden eyes met hers. Unlike his brothers', they held child innocence and a boyish, charming glint.

She leaned forward and he did the same. Their lips touched in a gentle kiss. Because they're distracted of this moment, Kikyou and Inu Yasha weren't able to see the fireflies appearing from the trees and bushes around them.

--

Bankotsu furrowed his eyebrow as he walked around the festival. Where in the world is Kagome and Sesshoumaru? All he did was leave for the bathroom and suddenly, they disappear. Did they freakin' ditch him? He shook his head and turned around only to meet up with his band. "Ne aniki! We're leaving!" Exclaim Jakotsu.

He told them not to call him that. How come they won't listen? "Hai!" He called back. Turning back, he spotted Kagome and Sesshoumaru. They were looking at the fireflies. They sat here, backs turned. He could see them from where's at because part of the festival was closing down. Kagome and Sesshoumaru just sat there it seems. He smiled a bit. If he goes now, Bankotsu would feel out of place. The two seem to get along, in some strange and questioning way. He smiled and turned around. He ran to his band, leaving without saying goodbye. It wouldn't matter.

Kagome and Sesshoumaru are his friends, but they seem preoccupied.

...