Chapter 11: Jealousy ~Nostalgic Lover~

"Kikyo…?" Inuyasha found himself saying as he heard her voice through the phone.

"Hello, Inuyasha, I'm very surprised to find you still have the same cell number after all these years. I feel it's been so long since we've seen each other and seeing as I'm on Christmas break, I'm going to be flying to Japan to see you and everyone else I left. I hope you're as excited about my arrival as I am," she sounded genuinely happy and sincere. Kikyo then left the number to her new cell phone and that she'd be staying at the Century Hyatt in Tokyo.

Inuyasha still couldn't believe it and had to listen to the message quite a few times to soak it all in. Sure, he was still pretty upset about her leaving to go to that stuck up American college, but a part of him hated to admit it to he wanted to see her again, he'd missed her.

He surely wasn't going tell Kagome anything she didn't know so he'd call Miroku and tell him.

"Hey, Inuyasha," Kagome said and he nearly jumped. "What's with you?" He shook his head so she continued, "Want to see me model my new clothes?"

"Uh… I'll catch up with you two later. I got something to do right now." And without saying anything else, he rushed up the stairs to his room.

When inside, he pulled out his cell, replaying the message in his head. Perhaps he'd call her now. Slowly, he began to punch in the phone number she'd left him.

The phone rung nearly seven times before someone answered.

"Hello?"

"Kikyo?"

"Inuyasha," she said surprised, "I didn't think you were going to call me back. You looked pretty upset when I left…"

He wanted to tell her just how hurt she'd made him. She didn't know what it was like for him. For someone you'd cared about to leave just like a snowball in hell. He wanted to make her feel bad, but he said nothing. "I was upset…" he said quietly.

"Well, let's not dwell on the past. I'm back now."

That was that? Just 'don't dwell on the past'? "Look, Kikyo, don't you want to apologize?!"

She was quiet for a while. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how hurt you'd be… But you've got to forgive me. I realize I was wrong."

Oh well. He supposed that would be all right for now. Kikyo sounded sincerely sorry so he'd let it go. "Where are you?"

"Actually I just got off the plane in Tokyo. You do go to Tokyo U right? Which dorm number is yours?"

"Yeah. But not now, I'm at a friend's in Yokohama."

"What an inconvenience. Can you come by and see me sometime though?"

"I guess."

"And I want you to introduce me to all your new friends too."

If you asked Inuyasha, she was reminding him of one of those mom's who were so anxious to know all your friends. "Yeah, sure."

"Oh, Inuyasha, I want to see you now. Isn't there some way…"

"I could borrow my friend's car and see you in a few."

"Thanks, Inuyasha. See you soon."

And then she hung up. Well, all he had to do now was borrow Kagome's car. He walked up to her bedroom and opened the door. "Hey, Kagome, let me borrow your car for a while."

"Why?" she asked. "Don't you have a car?"

"It's in Kawasaki, genius. Now come on."

"Fine, but I want to go too."

"What?" There was no way he was bringing her along. Kikyo and Kagome in one car? Not that it was like two girlfriend of his kind of scenario or something. He just thought—well, what did he think? Never the less, Kagome was not coming.

"I can't believe you're in this car with me," Inuyasha said grumpily as he sped down the highway.

He'd tried everything to stop her, even telling her that he might get into trouble and she'd get time in the slammer with him. It didn't work and now she was saying that she was there to prevent him from getting into any trouble.

"It is my car," she pointed out. "And besides, I don't see what the big deal is anyway."

Of course you wouldn't, he thought. But he decided not to worry about it anymore, there was no point in arguing and he didn't want to risk getting kicked out the car or something. He knew how girls could get when they were mad. They acted all catty and rude. Bossy even. And he wasn't in the mood right now.

It wasn't too long before they reached the airport. "Come on," Inuyasha commanded as they walked inside. It wasn't long before a girl was running towards them. Kagome couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

The girl was stylish in a red hooded fleece jacket and thermal top with a collar deep enough to show her cleavage. Then to top it off, designer jeans that fit well enough to show off her curves.

She had long, black hair with two pieces pulled to the front and then looped in the back to the ponytail. She looked about 5"7 and had a runaway model's figure and a very confident air about her, telegraphed in her correct posture and the arrogant turn in her shoulders when she walked or spoke. Kagome had to admit she was very jealous and it increased to the fact when she saw her hug Inuyasha.

Just why did that matter? She can hug him; he isn't my property or my boyfriend or something… Kagome thought. I shouldn't be envious.

They were walking back to the car when she noticed something she should've earlier. That girl was Inuyasha's ex-girlfriend, Kikyo! But why are they reuniting now? I thought he hated her.

"So, why'd you dye your hair?" Kagome could overhear Kikyo saying.

"It was a mistake. That girl over there did it." He pointed in her direction.

"Oh, well at least it's not the boring black that all of Japanese seem to have. I like it."

They neared the car and Inuyasha hoisted her bags in the trunk. And then Kikyo whispered something to Inuyasha and the next thing Kagome knew, they were kissing.

And not a friendly, quick kiss-your-mom one either. They looked like a real couple; you would've never guessed they didn't go out. Unless…

Inuyasha was right, I shouldn't have come. Three's a crowd. And by now she couldn't tell whether or not it was because of Kikyo's looks which had every guy watching her like a homeless guy eyes a piece of meat or because of how close she and Inuyasha were. But she didn't like Kikyo.

Unfortunately there wasn't enough space in there so some ended up going in the backseat. She knew she wasn't sitting back there.

But just as she thought it, Kikyo carefully and quickly hoisted herself into the front beside Inuyasha. That forced Kagome to sit in the back. Today was not her day…

"Hi," the girl greeted, smiling, taking Kagome by surprise. She was hoping no one would have noticed her.

And she's got perfect, straight teeth too, she thought bitterly. "Hello. I'm Kagome Higurashi and you must be Kikyo."

Kikyo looked surprised she'd known that. "Well, it's nice to meet you." She laughed. "We kind of look alike, like twins almost?"

"Yeah," Kagome answered without much enthusiasm. Kikyo was starting to notice Kagome's sarcasm and struck up a conversation with Inuyasha.

Kagome was happy to be free of her presence. Then, almost immediately, she began to feel bad. It wasn't Kikyo's fault. She was just trying to make friends with her and here she was giving her a hard time. Kikyo didn't know how she felt. But Kagome still couldn't figure out what was causing her to dislike Kikyo the most.

The car ride was filled with chatter and Kagome sat in the back next to the suitcases listening. Kikyo had tried several times to get her in the conversation and finally gave up when she'd turn it into a dead end one.

"So, Inuyasha, done any good in your life?"

"Go to college, I guess. I haven't flunked out yet so you could call that good."

Kikyo smiled that 100-watt smile and turned on the radio. Automatic by Hikaru Utada. She started to sing along and Kagome found out she had a beautiful singing voice. Little Miss Perfect.

It seemed like hours until they reached home, and it didn't help that Kikyo seemed to know every single song. But once, when 'Up-Walk in Galaxy' came on, they'd sung against each other. Kikyo didn't seem to get that she was battling against her and that was fine.

As Inuyasha pulled in the driveway, he fixed his gaze in the rearview mirror at Kagome. Usually she was lively and happy, most of the ride she'd been pretty withdrawn and antisocial—reminded him of himself actually, and that was strange. Maybe she was sick…

"Hey, Kagome, you feel okay?"

What? Just because I don't like your girlfriend means I'm sick? Kagome thought. "No, I'm fine. Just anxious to get inside." She opened the car door and stomped out.

"What's with her?" Kikyo asked innocently.

He shrugged. "And unless you still want to stay at the Century Hyatt—"

"Oh no," she interrupted, "I'd like to stay here even if Kagome is lacking in manners."

Then she stopped for a moment. Usually she was used to this, people snubbing her as stuck up and conceited, but Kagome seemed to have a different reason. Kikyo hadn't thought she'd treated Kagome wrong. So what was her problem?

"Stay here?" he questioned. He wasn't sure if Ms. Higurashi would want more visitors if he did bring her without warning. Oh well, he'd just do the thing parents hated: For you to put them on the spot. He'd ask if Kikyo could stay while she was standing there. "Ok, come on."

Inuyasha took her hand and they went to the front door. He turned the knob but it was locked.

Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong!!!!!

Ms. Higurashi looked up from her cleaning, "Kagome, could you get the door?"

She looked up lazily from her spot on the sofa. "I already looked. It's Girl Scouts."

"Oh. They sure are persistent around Christmas time," she said listening to the doorbell chiming. "I didn't know they sold cookies on Christmas."

"They're singing Christmas carols and selling Christmas cards," she lied trying to block out the noise and focus on the Love Hina Christmas special.

After a while, Souta stomped down the stairs annoyed at the noise interrupting his game play of Fatal Frame.

"Wait, Souta, don't—" But it was too late, he'd already answered it.

"Yes? Oh hey, Inuyasha."

"What the hell took you people so damn long to answer the damn door?!" he asked angrily. He could have sworn he'd been ringing it for half an hour now. Were they deaf?

Souta shrugged. "I was upstairs."

Inuyasha sighed as the two walked in. "Tell your momma to come here."

"All right." And he trotted off and then Ms. Higurashi arrived.

"Hi, Inuyasha, Kagome. You wanted something."

"Well, actually, I'm Kikyo. It's nice to make your acquaintance," she said holding out a hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that you and my daughter look alike."

"Anyways," Inuyasha said nudging the girl.

"Yes. Ma'am, I was wondering if you would allow me to stay at your home for the Christmas break."

"Sure."

Woah. That was simpler than I thought, Inuyasha said to himself.

"I hope I'm not imposing."

"No, no, of course not!" Ms. Higurashi insisted.  "It's just unfortunate that I don't have anymore vacant bedrooms. But you could share with Kagome."

In the family room, Kagome'd turned down the T.V. volume so she could listen in and couldn't believe what she'd heard. Her mom wanted her to share her bedroom with Kikyo?

It wasn't long before Ms. Higurashi was busy placing a futon in Kagome's room. She sat on the bed watching her. "Mom, why do I have to share with her?"

"If I had known this was going to be such a problem for you, I would have never suggested it," she said in the tone she usually used for Kagome when she thought she was being rude. Ms. Higurashi finished placing down the cover, "But what's with you? Never have I had you act ugly to a guest. She seems like a polite enough girl. Give her a chance."

No matter how much she disagreed with it, she smiled and nodded her head.

"That's a good girl. Now I'll go call her up." With that, she left the room.

Kagome stared at the ceiling for awhile, cursing herself for her great idea of inviting Inuyasha over in the first place. Well, she could seek refuge at Sango's and stay until dinner. Still one drawback remained: Kikyo'd most probably be coming since everyone else was. She sighed and flicked on the radio. "Jealousy, sabishii sa wa…"

Great. That was the last thing she wanted to hear Aikawa Nanase singing about. Then there was a knock at the door. Kagome's eyes narrowed. "Who is it?"

"Kikyo. You mom told me this was your room."

She rolled her eyes before finally allowing her to come in.

"Hi," she greeted.

"Hello."

"I like your room," Kikyo said looking around at the blue pastel walls. There were only a few pictures hung and somehow her room seemed a little bare but she didn't say anything. "Your mom is nice."

"Yeah," she replied coldly.

Now it was Kikyo's turn to slit her eyes. "Look, Kagome, I've done nothing but be nice to you and your family so you tell me. What the heck is your problem? Don't think I haven't noticed that you've been extremely cold—a real ice bitch to me—" but Kikyo didn't have time to finish her statement because Kagome leaped off the bed like a cat getting ready to pounce on a mouse.

Kagome wasn't sure of what happened. She knew that Kikyo had called her that that word and she just went off. She was blinded by the red fury that was enveloping her eyes. It was as if the devil himself had possessed her. All she could hear was Kikyo's screams but she refused to release her firm grasp on Kikyo's silky, black hair. Soon her screams ceased and Kagome let out a sigh.

Kikyo wasn't about to lose her ground and pulled Kagome up by her collar, pushing her against the wall. HARD. "Don't you ever touch me again! And I swear if you pull my hair again, I'll get rid of yours!!!"

As if Kagome was smart enough to sit there and let her cut it off. She stared her straight in the eye and saw that Kikyo had tears in her eyes. She probably did too seeing as how her vision was blurring. Then Kikyo calmly released her and walked to the mirror to straighten her hair.

Soon the red that had taken over Kagome's sight had faded away. She couldn't remember exactly what happened but she couldn't stand being in a room with Kikyo anymore.

She stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind herself. As she walked downstairs she bumped into her mom.

"What was all that commotion? I could hear bumping and screaming."

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Kikyo and I were in Souta's room playing Tekken 4. She was a little steamed because I won." Then she continued down the stairs. "I'm going to Sango's."

"Kikyo isn't going?"

Why did everything she was gonna do have to involve that… that tramp? Who was her mom more concerned about: her daughter or a stranger? "No. She wants to get unpacked. Bye." With those last words, she was out the door.

"So Inuyasha bought his ex-girlfriend to your house? I thought he hated her the way he never wanted to speak about her," Sango said stirring the marshmallows around in her hot chocolate.

They were in her kitchen, sitting at the table. Kagome had been explaining the whole predicament. She nodded, glad she had come. Since her and Sango were best friends, they understood each other pretty well. It was as though they were real sisters.

"Now she was being forced to share a room with her," Kagome continued, "God must really hate me for something."

"But why do you hate her so much—besides her great figure?"

That was something she hadn't thought of. "Well, she's putting on this act to seem like she's so perfect, just trying to get everyone to turn on me."

Sango sighed, she awfully glad it wasn't her problem. "Are you sure? Maybe it's not because you dislike her so much that you want to believe this stuff."

"There's not much I can tell you, Sango, but you'll see tonight at dinner."

She nodded, she was really anxious to see this girl that so resembled her friend and causing her to act so unlike herself. Never, since they'd been in diapers, had she known her to be this way. She was usually cheerful and nothing got to her. Why now?

"Kagome!" Mr. Hiraikotsu called. "Your mom just phoned and she wants you to come home now."

"Ok!" She turned back to Sango. "See you tonight."

"Alright, bye."

Kagome let herself out and trotted back to her house. What could she be wanted for now? Hopefully nothing dealing with Kikyo.

"Mom! I'm home! You wanted me for something?"

"Yes," she said emerging from up the stairs in a beautiful, lightweight suit with soft gray fur at the cuffs and the neck of the jacket, "we've decided to go out to Evening Impression for dinner instead."

Kagome was going to ask why—it seemed like they were breaking most of their traditions this year, but it was rare they ever went somewhere like Evening Impression. It was a somewhat expensive place, classy enough for rich people yet affordable enough for middle-class people like herself. "Great. I'll go get ready."

She hurried up the stairs, wondering if Sango had known about this. On the way to her room, she couldn't help but peer into Inuyasha's room. And the door was cracked. So sue her.

He was wearing a white tuxedo—that matched perfectly with his hair, she thought—and his formal shirt was as well with black trim.

"So what do you think?" he asked taking her by surprise. He'd seen her?

She stopped out from the shadows and into the room. "I think—"

"I think I look like some pretty boy."

She laughed. "I think you look nice," she admitted.

"I don't want to look "nice"," he said. "And it's just Evening Impression. It ain't fancy enough for all this. Might as well go in what you're wearing."

Kagome looked down at her jeans and turtleneck. Yeah and how ghetto would that look to come in like that? You were supposed to dress up, but what did he know? To her it screamed out that you just didn't care or weren't used to going to nice places. Must have it mistaken with something else. "Well, I'm going to dress up. See you." Maybe Inuyasha was saying that because he didn't like to dress up. Perhaps it would ruin his "bad boy" reputation. She giggled to herself but stopped as she approached her bedroom.

She opened her bedroom door cautiously, checking to see if Kikyo was in there. She wasn't but from what she could tell, she was hogging her bathroom. Oh well. She'd just dress in her room as she usually did. Kagome pawed through her closet looking for the perfect dress to wear. And she found it.

A crimson dress that hung like a clinging sheath from a wide, sparkling cuff that crossed over in the front and went around to the back, and the entire dress was held up by two glittering red shoestring straps. It was a slender dress, revealing the best to her figure.

There had been a little jacket that came with it to cover up what was revealed but she decided to leave it. Tonight she was going to upstate Kikyo. Maybe I'll give her another chance, Kagome thought. Yeah. Like my mom said.

It wasn't long before Inuyasha had came in the door gaping, "Whoa, Kagome, since when did you start filling out in all the right places?"

But before she could dish out a reply to that, the door to Kagome's bathroom opened, letting out the mist of bath oils and perfume. Then out came Kikyo. She looked so beautiful, Kagome's heart swelled with both admiration and with some envy too. Her long formal gown had a skirt of flowing green velvet, cut low to show a lot of cleavage. Underneath the streaming panels of lighter green chiffon were spaghetti straps that glittered. Diamond and emerald earring dangled long and sparkling. Her scent reminded Kagome of a musky, perfumed garden on a moonlit night somewhere in the Orient. No wonder Inuyasha was staring at her like that…

"Hello, Kagome," she said smiling a bitter sweet one. "I like your dress."

"Whoa," Kagome said still awed, forgetting her whole "upstage-Kikyo" plan. Not even thinking to wonder if Kikyo was just saying that. "Where did you-?"

"I bought it in one of the nice boutiques in Boston. And you?"

"It was my mom's, but she only got to wear it once," she added quickly. She didn't want it to seem as if she was wearing some sort of hand-me-downs for Kikyo to pick fun at.

Kikyo nodded, and then turned to Inuyasha. "Are we leaving yet?"

The amazement of Inuyasha's eying the two girls wore off pretty soon. "Hey, we're going to Evening Impression. It ain't exactly fancy."

"I know but you should look nice wherever you go."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Whatever." And he left out the door.

Kagome watched Kikyo apply some eye shadow and instantly felt more envious. Just when I was going to upstage her, she thought bitterly. She probably had this planned out. She sighed, reminding herself of what her mom said. She wouldn't let Kikyo get to her.

*

They all stuffed—and I mean literally into Ms. Higurashi's Expedition that night. (Gosh, how many cars do they have?) Since there were only eight seats and ten people, you know it was pretty crowded. Sango sat on Miroku's lap although she felt a little embarrassed with her dad being just a seat away from her, but Kohaku felt even more so having to actually sit on his dad's lap as old as he was. And Souta was wedged in the middle. In the back, seated comfortably were Kikyo, Inuyasha, and Kagome. They were supposed to be switching on the way back though.

As they pulled into the crowded parking lot from the car ride, Kagome gave a sigh of relief. She'd felt somewhat uneasy or something the whole ride. Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kikyo had been reminiscing about "the old days" making sure to keep it light so the adults wouldn't think they were some sort of criminals. As enjoying as the stories were and somewhat funny, she couldn't help but feel left out. Inuyasha and Kikyo seemed to really bond and even was Sango laughing along as if they'd all grown up together. Kagome felt out of place in the merriment. So she'd covered it up by putting on a little smile or too, but kept her quietness.

"Let's go, people," Ms. Higurashi said like a teacher talking to her students on a field trip, "Let's go and hope we can afford to pay for the meal."

"And if we can't then, girls, you pretend to go to the bathroom when the check comes by and—" Grandpa joked but Ms. Higurashi elbowed him in the gut.

"Don't say things like that, father, it'll persuade them."

Miroku laughed heartily. "No, that's okay. We're pro's when it comes to stuff like that." He continued to laugh but everyone else was silent.

Cricket cricket…

He smiled weakly and Mr. Hiraikotsu gave a look of 'I can't believe I'm letting my little baby date this guy'. Miroku kept silent then on.

When they arrived inside, Kagome had to gasp for breath. Inuyasha was totally wrong. This place was just as fancy as she had remembered it, back when her father was still alive and used to bring in enough income for them to come here every month.

There were sparkling gigantic silver and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling with candles fitted in the five tiers. The chandeliers twirled about casting the light and the aroma of scented candles down to the lobby. A mural was painted on the walls of the scenery of Japan's nightlife. There was velvet, silky to the touch curtains over the windows… It looked like one of those places too nice to touch anything. It made her wonder how they were going to have enough to afford for all of them. Silk tablecloths covered the tables and the cups were made of crystal and made that 'clink' noise when pressed together for a toast. Never had Kagome seen anything so grand, she had to pinch herself at least three or four times to make sure it wasn't a dream. Kagome was speechless and happy that she didn't listen to Inuyasha's advice. She'd only have been ridiculed and had the higher classed people thinking 'Dumb middle-class citizens don't know how to dress for nice things.'

But from the way they were dressed, you'd have never guessed that they weren't as rich as them. Kikyo and Kagome all dressed up, Sango in her black chiffon gown and Miroku looking handsome in his black tuxedo with the pink formal shirt with black edged ruffles down the front. Kagome giggled remembering how at first Miroku didn't want to wear pink.  

She glanced over at the rest of her friends to see their reactions: Inuyasha looked as if he was disappointed or perhaps it was because he was wearing that tux he so hated. Everyone else looked pretty impressed, all but Kikyo who had that rich, used to it look.

Kagome felt a little embarrassed when the host started to lead them to their table and the men stopped from their interesting conversations to steal glances at them, hoping their wives didn't notice. Some did, however, and were giving them icy glares.  As soon as they took their seats, Inuyasha was the first one to start poking mean fun, "Man, he was ugly. I bet his old lady had to tie a pork chop around his neck so the dog would play with him."

Kagome couldn't help but laugh at that even if she knew it was mean. He was right. The man had a fat man's body and a baby sized head, it was as if he was some Barbie doll that a kid tore off the head of a baby doll and a Ken doll and exchanged them. Quite hilarious. Bet he was ridiculed a lot.

Kikyo gave him a playful smile, "Since when did you start judging men?" she asked.

Everyone laughed and Kagome couldn't help but to let a giggle slip out. Maybe she could learn to forget about Kikyo's behavior earlier, she wasn't that bad when it came to personality.

At least that was what she thought.

About fifteen minutes into the main course, something besides the food was brewing.

Miroku looked back and forth to Kikyo to Kagome. He couldn't even remember how the heck it started. One minute, friendly conversation, the next Kikyo was telling Kagome how unflattering it was for her to roll her eyes, and then Kagome was shooting daggers her way.

Miroku had to stifle a chuckle. From the look on Kagome's face, she looked ready to rip Kikyo apart. He wondered if they didn't like each other, but why? He'd known Kikyo for a while and she was a pretty nice, smart, classy kind of girl. Lots of friends, well-liked by her peers as well as teachers, but there was a downside. That was the side that was probably the reason why she'd went out with Inuyasha, Kikyo could get a real mean streak to her when she felt threatened. He'd seen her go after someone before and it wasn't pretty. Kikyo basically got the whole school to turn on her and she had a partly good reason: the girl was spreading rumors that weren't true about her. And that was perhaps why Inuyasha liked her; she had this cruel, cold side to her. He knew Kagome could probably be pretty vicious herself, but overall a nice and lively girl. They were somewhat evenly matched. Miroku could practically smell a cat fight.

Inuyasha looked from one girl to another, waiting to see what was gonna happen next. "Hey! Something wrong with your eyes?"

Both girls diverted their attention to him, giving the same glares as if to silently tell him to stay out of it.

"Look, I'm don't want to have to act unladylike in this fine establishment," Kikyo started.

Kagome gave a smile remembering a quote her teacher always said, "And I'm not going to stoop to your level of stupidity," she countered. If dirty looks could kill, Kikyo would have died that second. She stopped to look around, hoping they hadn't caused too much of a scene and sat, returning to her meal.

Kikyo, feeling somewhat defeated, took her seat and they went on as if that never happened.

Miroku sighed. Some fight that was. Where was the water and ripping of clothes? What a letdown. As if reading his thoughts, Sango whapped upside his head, muttering something about dirty minds.

The dinner finally ended, it was full of silence and Miroku was happy to leave the awkwardness. You couldn't say anything without getting one of the girls upset…

Kagome looked over at Kikyo. She was wrong about her, just a little troublemaker who thought she was better than everyone else because she attended college in America.

Kikyo glanced back at Kagome, who evidently had been looking at her seeing as she turned her head. She still wasn't sure of why she disliked her so much, but if she wanted to, then let the war begin. This should be simple, she thought with a little smirk.

So they all crowded back into the Higurashi Expedition, this time Sango and Miroku being unstuffed and Kikyo being forced to sit on Inuyasha's lap. It got really awkward when Souta decided to ask a question.

"Hey, Inuyasha, how come she's sitting on your lap instead of my sister? I thought you two went out."

Inuyasha flushed. "NO! I never went out with Kagome."

"So Kikyo's your girlfriend?"

Before Inuyasha could open his mouth, Kikyo spoke for him, "Well, we used to go out and I'm hoping that maybe later we'll get back together," she said looking over at the blushing Inuyasha.

Kagome couldn't hold it in any longer. For some reason it just annoyed her to see Kikyo sitting on his lap. As if reading her thoughts, Kikyo spoke up.

"Something wrong, Kag-chan?" she asked innocently. "I really would like it if you traded seats with me. Something about sitting on a man's lap makes me feel uncomfortable. You know?"

That wasn't the solution Kagome was looking for… Kikyo did seem like she was serious about that though. But if someone like her was shy, wouldn't it be the same for her? Then again, she had been pretty close to Inuyasha before. Sometimes it made her wonder about Inuyasha and Kikyo's relationship. Seeing how somewhat aggressive he could get around strangers like herself, she couldn't help but wonder how intimate he and Kikyo had been. But then again, all that could have just been because she resembled Kikyo….

Kikyo looked over at her with a look almost saying 'I'm waiting.' But before Kagome could respond, Sango piped up sighing. She could see the silent war about to begin, "C'mon, Miroku," she said shifting into his lap, totally taking him by surprise. Sango turned to Kikyo. "You can sit here if you're so uncomfortable. No biggie."

She smiled a grateful smile before taking a seat next to Sango. "Thanks."

Kagome heaved a sigh of relief. But why was it bugging her so much?

That night when they'd returned home, Kagome laid on her bed thinking. Maybe if she was really sweet, then she could get some information out of Kikyo. Yeah… she decided waiting as the bathroom door opened letting out a mist of steam.

Kikyo walked out, her hair wrapped up in a towel piled on top of her head. She donned a red over-sized T-shirt and sat down on the futon, humming 'Automatic'.

Kagome smiled over at her. "I like that song."

"Yeah," Kikyo agreed, somewhat wondering why the girl was being so nice to her. She knew that she despised her, so why? Was this perhaps her way of pretending to be nice so she could lay a trap on her? No… Couldn't be. And if it was, Kikyo would find a way to get her.

"Well, good night, Kikyo," Kagome said flicking off the lamp at her bedside.

"Good night."

The room was silent for a while until Kagome gathered the courage to ask her a question. "Hey, Kikyo, are you still awake?"

"Yeah. Why? Something on your mind?"

"Just a question. How was you and Inuyasha's relationship? Before, he never mentioned you for some reason…" Kagome hoped it didn't come out the way it sounded. To her, it seemed like she was saying something mean.

Kikyo sighed. "So he didn't huh?" She felt a little down about it, but then again, he shouldn't have spoken about her. They didn't go out anymore… Though a part inside her heart wished they still did. Maybe…

"No," Kagome replied, surprised at the depression in Kikyo's voice. "So… Um… What was it like? You know, going out with somebody." She didn't want it to sound as if she'd never had a boyfriend, although it was true, but she didn't want advice on it. She just kind of wanted to pry in and see what Inuyasha was like as a boyfriend, of course, she figured if she'd asked that it would sound as if she wanted him or something.

Kikyo sighed, almost happy to answer her question. "You must be curious as to how Inuyasha is a boyfriend, seeing as he's usually so bad-mannered all the time."

Kagome laughed on the bed, happy at their temporary truth, almost hoping that maybe they could become friends. But, she knew, they'd probably forget all about tonight and start being the way they'd been all along. "Yeah. I suppose that's it."

"Well," the girl started, her eyes growing misty and dreamy, "I remember Inuyasha had been transferred to our school in Kawasaki from Sendai.        Immediately all the girls began to swarm around him like angry bees and Naraku quickly accepted him into his gang. But, back to the point, it all started when I, Kagura, and Yura were studying for a test. And since they were all part of Naraku's gang…

*FLASHBACK*

Yura suddenly placed down her pen. "Ok. I've had my fill of this boring Algebra II." Her eyes flickered to Kikyo. "You know, I think Inuyasha likes you."

"What?" Kikyo asked. "What gave you that idea?" She knew that pretty often she found him following her around, and most of the time she'd ask him to walk her to class. But when she did he was usually reluctant or she could see a blush forming. When they did walk home, he didn't say much so she would ask him questions or tell about herself. For some reason, the thought never occurred to her seeing as Inuyasha never showed an interest in any of his "fan club" members as she'd dubbed them.

"Yeah," Kagura agreed. "Anybody could tell that he likes you. Why do you think he's always following you around?"

Another point there. Had she really been so oblivious?

"You should call him," Yura suggested, handing over the phone.

Kikyo waved it off. "You're all just being silly." Or were they…?

"Take it," Kagura urged.

Unwillingly Kikyo took the receiver as Yura dialed the number for her. It began to ring. Then…

"Hello?" a voice growled. It sounded like Inuyasha, but she wasn't sure.

"Hello. May I please speak to Inuyasha?"

"This is him. Kikyo?" he asked surprised, probably wondering why she was calling.

She smiled. "Yes. How are you doing?"

"Fine. You wanted something?"

"Oh. Are you busy?" she asked her eyes softening.

"Well. I can make time for you I guess."

She could hear someone else's voice in the background. It sounded like… "Is that Miroku over there?"

"Yeah. The whole gang's over, we're planning to jump Nobunaga when he comes home."

Before Kikyo cold ask another question, Miroku had taken the phone, "Look, Kikyo, we both know you like Inuyasha and we all know he likes you…"

"No I don't!" Inuyasha shouted like a little child in the background.

"Walking each other to class, etc.  So I now crown you two as going out. Alright?"

*END OF FLASHBACK*

"I know, it was stupid," Kikyo said as she finished the tale, "But that's how it was. Miroku was the matchmaker."

Kagome nodded, she had been expecting something more, but life wasn't all glamorous like the V.C. Andrews books she'd been reading. At least she knew. "But why did you leave him?"

"I have received a scholarship from Harvard, and I'd always dreamed of going there. Although I had passed the entrance exams to Tokyo U, I just had to go to the U.S. even if it meant leaving everyone I loved…" her voice trailed off. Then she switched the subject. "Well, we've talked about it. It's over. Good night, Kagome and I'll see you in the morning."

"Night." Kagome couldn't exactly doze off though, she kept thinking about what Kikyo had said. And now maybe she knew. She could see it in Inuyasha's eyes that he still cared about her. Yes, it was apparent now. The reason why she'd hated, and probably somewhere far down, still hated, although it seemed they were on friendly terms. She couldn't help but be jealous of Kikyo. She had one thing she didn't.

Inuyasha…

Ending notes: Gomen-nasai for taking so long to update and everything. Most of you readers had gone on vacation so I wasn't getting as many reviews as usual so I took slower. But I'm really sorry. Forgive me? Well, I'll be redoing the first few chapters, I read over them now and I wasn't that good at writing I see. Makes me wonder how come there are that many of you now. Oh well. I'm thankful. Sayonara bye bye. Megu-chan ^.~ Ah! School starts August 12! Iie!!!