Wrote this chapter forever ago. I have a habit of letting stories and chapters sit for months and years like they're marinating, or they're fine wine or something lmao

-sigh- you guys must hate me ;-;

Anyway, this vamphigher must be fed reviews. So, if you please (:

xoxo

-vQ


Inuyasha and Kagome took a short drive to Miroku's house in amicable silence.

Miroku lived a short distance outside of the lavish gated community. His family was too humble to become carbon copies of the other rich folk.

The pair did nothing but smile at one another and hold hands at the red lights.

Kagome had a lot on her mind. She felt so peaceful, finally. Not worrying about curfews or her foster mother was a huge weight off her shoulders.

Inuyasha's mind was muddled with perverse thoughts. He could still taste Kagome in his mouth, despite brushing and rinsing. It lingered in his mind , and he wondered what to do next. He thought about how much he frightened Kikyo away, and didn't want to ruin what he had with Kagome. He couldn't imagine what would happen if he lost her. She was too good for him.

As they parked in front of Miroku's house, Kagome's brows furrowed.

"Inuyasha, can I ask you a question?"

He nodded.

"Did you tell Miroku we're dating?"

Inuyasha slouched back and stroked his chin, his eyebrow raised.

"Nah. I mean, it wasn't on purpose...this happened so fast...n-not that it's your fault...it wasn't on purpose." He sighed. "We can tell him together, if you want."

Kagome smiled. "I would love to. Do you think he'll be happy for us?"

Inuyasha nodded. "He wants us together." He opened his car door and got out, then led Kagome out by her hand.

They approached the front door, and Miroku opened it before they could knock.

"I saw you from the window." He smirked. "Holding hands."

"We weren't holding hands." Inuyasha argued. "I was helping her out."

"Because she's your girlfriend."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Thanks for ruining the surprise." He droned as he pushed his way inside, dragging Kagome along with him.

"What surprise?" Miroku asked curiously as he followed. "I anticipated this!"

They settled in Miroku's foyer as Kagome rolled a joint.

Inuyasha got Miroku up to speed on their current situation and bragged about how he won Izumi over.

"I knew something was up, Kagome never gets to come to our weekly nights-in."

"You guys do this every week?" Kagome asked, her tongue on the joint.

"Since freshman year, yeah." Inuyasha replied as he stood. "Sango is nearby." He rushed to the door.

"He's great, isn't he?" Miroku mentioned.

Kagome sighed wistfully as she lit the joint.

"You should have asked me!"

"I didn't wanna bother anyone."

Sango and Inuyasha appeared. Inuyasha had a deep frown on his face.

"I told Sango to stop taking buses all the god damn time and ask me for cab fare."

Miroku pouted. "She could ask me as well."

Sango sighed in annoyance. "I don't wanna take money from you guys."

"It isn't taking money from us." Miroku reassured. "Especially me. You know how I feel about you."

Sango smiled. "I'm sorry. I'll ask next time."

"Please do. It isn't a bother. We want you here with us."

Sango looked up at Kagome and grinned. "I'm very happy to see you, Kagome."

Kagome blew out smoke. "I'm happy to be here."

Inuyasha grabbed the blunt and plopped next to her, an arm around her waist. "I don't think anyone is as happy as me."

"You finally got what you wanted." Miroku said.

"A girl that actually finds you attractive." Sango added in jest.

Kagome giggled and Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he passed the blunt to Miroku. " Ha..aha..ha. Fuck you."

"So what's on the agenda tonight? This feels more like date night than our usual night in."

"Kagome should decide." Sango suggested. "This is her first night with us."

Kagome smiled and twiddled her thumbs. "Well...I've got some film festival movies on my phone."

"Yeah, Kagome introduced me to some whacked out shit. It's really cool."

"I love horror." Sango grinned.

"So do I." Miroku stood. "Are we having Italian tonight?"

"If by Italian you mean pizza, then hell yeah." Inuyasha passed the joint back to Kagome.

"You can get pizza. I want spaghetti."

"I want some zeppolis." Kagome said as she inhaled smoke.

"You can't just have zeppolis, you junk foodie!"

"I want pizza also." Kagome said as she nudged Inuyasha.

Miroku looked over at Sango. She suddenly became quiet and distant.

"What's on your mind, Sango?"

"My brother is at home, cleaning out the attic. He found some jewels and really old weapons. I was thinking about how to sell them."

"Sell them?! You should keep them. Aren't they family heirlooms?"

Sango shrugged. "My family was involved in very dark activity, and that's what got them all killed. It almost killed Kohaku. I don't know if I want to keep all of that."

"Um...I used to work at my family's shrine. We handled many artifacts. I could take a look at them for you, if you want." Kagome spoke up shyly.

"That's a great idea! Come to my house later. Is that cool Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "We'll just crash there, then."

"Um...Sango. You have your own place?"

Sango nodded. "When my father was very ill, I got a job and got emancipated before he died last year. My mother died during childbirth, so Kohaku never even knew her."

"My mother also died during childbirth when she had me. She was only 15 when she got pregnant. My father was murdered when I was only 6. The killer was never caught."

Kagome let out a heavy sigh. "I guess...that makes us all orphans, doesn't it?"

"Basically. Now you're part of our little fucked up family." Inuyasha chuckled.

"It doesn't seem messed up at all. You're all great friends that love and care for each other. I'm happy to be part of this family." She grasped Inuyasha's hand and looked down sadly. "I wish I didn't have to go home after the weekend was over."

"I know those people are cruel-"

"It isn't just that." Kagome said, interrupting Sango. "Their son...I'm afraid he's going to hurt me. More than he already has."

The group looked at each other.

"Did you tell your social worker?"

Kagome shook her head. "What if they don't believe me? What if I get sent to a family that's even worse?"

"Inuyasha, there has to be something we can do." Miroku said in a serious tone.

"I'm doing the best I can. I introduced myself to the family and I took Kagome away for the weekend, but what else can I do? If I come up with anything, or you guys come up with anything, I wanna try it." Inuyasha turned to Kagome and looked deep into her eyes. "I will do everything I can to protect you."

"We're all here. You can call any of us anytime."

Kagome smiled. She knew as long as she had her friends, she could endure anything.

...right?