Before we continue on with love slowly growing between Inuyasha and Kagome let us take a moment to see another romance blossoming. One that is between the young quarter Miroku and Kagome's dear friend Sango. The two of them had spent several days together, getting to know one another and getting very close. They had eaten at Sango's favorite restaurant, went for a stroll in the park, saw the Rainbow Bridge together, and went dancing one night. Sango wouldn't admit it but she found herselfbecoming very fond of Miroku. That is when he wasn't being a lecherous pervert.

"So what's it like where you live?" She asked him.

"Only one word to describe it...Beautiful." He answered. "The plants, the trees, the birds, the animals, it is truly nature at it's most majestic. I spend my days exploring it's beauty and becoming more intrigued with the countless species inhabiting it."

"It sounds wonderful. I wish I could see it. You know I've always dreamed of exploring wildlife and I love animals so being close to them would be like a dream come true for me."

"Maybe you can see it. When I return to the Feudal Area maybe you could come with me?"

"Oh I don't know. I mean...It does sound exciting but is it safe?"

"Worry not Sango I shall protect you from any harm that dares to come near you."

"My aren't you the noble hero. Well I guess I could...Wait a minute is this all just some scheme for you to get me far away and alone so you can force yourself on me?" She asked suspiciously.

"No! No of course not! Believe me Sango I may be a bit perverse but I would never force myself on to a woman. In my opinion a man hurting a woman is the most despicable act ever committed and I am applaud by any man who would do such a thing."

"You really believe that?"

He gently took her hand and gazed at her affectionately.

"Yes and if you were my woman I swear that I would never harm you in any way or force you to do anything."

Sango found herself blushing, feeling flustered, and a little shy. At first she tried to convince herself that this was probably just an act so he could take advantage of her but she could tell by his gaze that he was being sincere.

"Well um that's...That's interesting." She stuttered.

"What?"

"One minute you act like a pervy leaches then thenext you act like a noble gentleman. So which one are you?"

"That depends which one do you like?" He said with a grin while raising his eyebrows.

Sango didn't know what came over her but suddenly she just started laughing. She didn't why but she just found him so funny at that moment. Then she quickly silenced herself in embarrassment.

"That's a cute laugh you have there." He said.

"Oh no I hate my laugh."

"Why? It's adorable."

"You think so? Kuranoske says it's annoying."

"Who's he?"

"He's my ex boyfriend. We broke up some time ago but he's still crazy for me."

"Crazy is right, he must be out of his mind to find your laughter which is like the sound of melodious bells to be a nuisance. Dare I say your laughter is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard."

If Sango wasn't blushing hard before, her entire face was the color of an apple now and she tried everything she could to hide it from Miroku but he saw it anyway and he found it adorable.

"So Sango about Kagome's party." He said. "Have you decided to be my date?"

It took her until her blush was completely gone to give him an answer.

"Alright it's a date." She said smiling but then sized him roughly by his shirt and looked at him seriously. "But one perverted move on me or any other girl at that party and you're dead in the ground."

"Understood." Miroku gulped.

...

Inuyasha looked at himself in the tuxedo Kagome gave him using one of her mirrors. To other people he looked like a sharply dressed gentleman but in his eyes he looked ridiculous. He wasn't used to wearing clothes like these in fact he wasn't used to wearing any kind of clothing except for his pants.

"Kagome do I really need to wear this monkey suit?" He asked her.

"I know it's uncomfortable for you Inuyasha but it's just for one night." She called from behind her bedroom door as she changed.

"Do we have to go to this?"

"We won't stay long, we just need to stay long enough for me to call off the engagement."

"What's this engagement thing I keep hearing about?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about."

She slipped into her emerald green dress and heals then pulled her black hair up with a pin and applied a little make up. Once she was ready she stepped out of her room, went to take Inuyasha's arm, and they left for the party. The enegagement party was nothing like Inuyasha had pictured. For one thing it was held at a huge manor and it was a sophiscated gathering filled plenty of rich and high class guests who used words that he didn't understand. When the guests finally took notice of him all they could do was stare and whisper about him. It made Inuyasha feel insulted and he would've called them out on it if he didn't want to embarrass Kagome.

Sensing his uneasiness Kagome decided to direct him away from the guests and over to the table where Miroku and Sango were seated. As the four of them dined they talked about their time in Tokyo and in the jungle and how much fun they had been having. However Inuyasha hardly said anything because he was nervous but not about the party. He was nervous because unknown to Kagome and anyone else Inuyasha was planning to ask Kagome to be his mate after the party. He had the necklace he had bought her hidden in his pocket and was fiddling with it while trying to keep his nerves under control and the fact that Kagome looked stunningly beautiful right now didn't help.

"You've been very quiet this evening." She noticed. "Is there something on your mind?"

"Well I'm just...Surprised! I mean I've never seen so many food in one place before." He said pointing to the buffet table. Shippo would go nuts if he saw all this. Boy is it hot in here, I think I'm going to get some air."

He then stepped outside.

"What's his problem?" Miroku wondered.

It didn't take a genius to see that he was nervous as a tick but Kagome figured that it was because of the party. She had been very nervous too, in a few minutes she would have to stand up in front of crowd of people and say that she wasn't marrying Koga. Her aunt had been giving her glares to intimidate her into not doing it but she refused to stand down. Not this time. Kagura had been running her life ever since she was twelve but not anymore. From now on she was the one calling the shots in her life. That is...After she took a moment by herself to get her confidence together.

"Hey Kagome." Sango said walking in the room. "Wanna see what your jungle man is doing?"

Outside Kagome's other friends Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka were watching Inuyasha perform acrobatic like stunts on some of the trees. For him that was how he worked out stress and it was a pleasant thing to watch for the girls.

"So this is what you were doing in the jungle." Yuka said to Kagome.

"He's so gorgeous where did you find him?" Eri asked.

"Well actually he found me. He saved me from a leopard." Kagome said.

"That is so romantic." Ayumi sighed.

"I wish some strong and handsome guy would come to my rescue." Yuka said.

"So what's he like? He's not gruff and mean is he?" Ayumi asked.

"I know he's just the opposite." Kagome said. "He's kind and sweet and he treats me like I'm the most important thing in his life."

"Oh my God Kagome you are so lucky." Eri said.

Kagome giggled and continue to watch him. Later that evening while Kagome was busy trying to break the news to everyone Kagura had pulled Inuyasha away for a pribpri conversation.

"Excuse me Inuyasha is it?" She said.

"Yeah?"

"Hi I'm Kagura, Kagome's aunt."

"Oh yeah I remember you."

"I wanted to have a little chat with you."

"About what?"

"About you and Kagome."

"Huh?"

"I don't know a lot about you but I do know one thing, you are in love with my niece and don't bother denying it because it's written all over your face whenever you look at her but I'm afraid a relationship between you and her can never be."

"I don't understand."

"Tell me are you aware of what an engagement is?"

"No."

"It is when two people are to be married."

"You mean they mate?"

"Exactly and she is supposed to mate with Koga not a mangy, filthy mongrel like you!"

"So you don't want her to love me?"

"I would rather have my tongue nailed down every morning at breakfast."

"That would hurt."

"Not as much as you will if you screw up my niece's marriage to Koga. When he returns this wedding will proceed as planned and if you do anything to upset that I will remove your reason for wearing lower clothing."

Inuyasha gulped nervously at that threat then looked down but quickly regained his confident demeanor.

"I don't care what you do to me! This is Kagome's choice! And she should decide who she wants to be with and you won't scare me away from her!"

"Get real you heathen! Do you honestly think Kagome would give up a chance to live a life of wealth and luxary to be with an animal like you? What could you possibly offer her that Koga can't? Nothing! If you were to tell her how you felt she'd only laugh in your face! And that's the truth so why don't you do us all a favor and leave?"

She then left. Her words made Inuyasha's confidence fall. What if she was right? What did he have to offer Kagome? He had nothing.