a/n: Well! Here's another chapter! I'm going to try to update twice more today - I want to get the shopping and the dance over with! :) So let's see if I can do it! Please take a look at some of my other stories, ok? I'm sorry that there's not so much Inu/Kag in this chapter... but I gaurentee lots of it in the next two !

Disclamer: i don't own Inuyasha - but I love my Sesshomaru doll! *hugs poor Sesshy plushy tightly*

Dedicated to: This chapter goes out to Nyony's Echo, for being my 100th reviewer! XD *throws confetti all over the place* Your chapter will be coming up soon - I promise!

Chapter Twenty-Five:

Rin:

We all sit on the grass outside the Youkai's house, talking about random things.

For some reason, Kagura and Kohaku decided to tag along with me, so they are now sitting quietly looking up at the stars, while the rest of us talk.

The rest of us, excluding Sesshomaru, who is watching us from the deck, are talking aimlessly.

We picked up Sesshomaru an hour ago at the train station, and walked over here for some desert, and maybe a movie.

But somehow, watching a movie, had turned into watching the stars… which in my opinion is ten times better.

Koga moves from where he sits beside Kagome, to beside me, with a small smile.

"Hey, Rin."

I flash him a quick smile.

"Hey, Koga!" I greet him.

He glances nervously down at the grass, then at me, and I smile encouragingly.

"You want to go to the dance with me?" He asks, sounding confident.

I consider.

Go with Koga?

I don't have a choice, do I? I have to go with the first person who asks. And besides! Koga's not that bad. It's better than going with Naraku… and I'm sorry, but Kohaku.

After what Sango said about him, I've been trying to keep my distance from him.

So Koga? Sounds good.

"That sounds great!" I respond, trying to sound enthusiastic.

It must have worked, because he gives me a weak smile.

"So, I'll pick you up at… 6:30, on Friday?"

Fidgeting, I nod.

"Sure - are you sure you want to pick me up though? I mean… Renkotsu…"

He gives a sigh.

"I'll live, I think."

I force a giggle. "Ok! 6:30 then!"

He throws me a relieved smile, which I return, before he goes to sit beside his beloved Kagome again.

I sigh. I need some time to clear my mind. To calm down a little, and accept that I wouldn't have had the guts to ask Sesshomaru anyways.

I freeze, as I take a step forwards.

I had wanted to ask … Ses… Sess… Sesshomaru?

Face burning with embarrassment, I walk a short distance away, into the shadows.

Sango:

"Then don't go!" Miroku tells me again, "If you hate him that much, don't force yourself to go!"

I respond with a groan.

If only it was that easy! I already said yes - and I HAD to go with him… so there's nothing I can do!

I don't want to miss this dance. Who knows what kind of trouble Miroku will get into?

Speaking of trouble…

"I can see you, idiot!" I snap at him, as I glimpse his fingers reaching towards my backside.

"I didn't do anything!" He insists, seriously.

"But you were going to!" I reply heatedly, as I get to my feet.

"I'm fed up with this." I mutter to myself.

I glimpse Rin's retreating figure and decide to follow suit. Except I have better plans. I'm going to go home.

Take THAT, pervert.

Hah.

Kagome:

"Unless an idiot dies, he cannot be cured."

"Keh. When entering a village, obey the villagers."

"What is with you two and proverbs?" Ayame questions, to my right.

"Feh. One who smiles instead of rages, is always the stronger."

"what are you talking about?" Koga demands, causing me to laugh.

"So you're saying Rin is stronger than Sango?" Ayame snorts.

"We are no more than candles burning in the wind." I reply sagely with a smile, enjoying their confusion.

"The reverse side, also has a reverse side." Miroku puts in, as he scoots closer to us.

"Sleeping people can't fall down!" Inuyasha tells him accusingly.

"Even monkeys fall out of tree's!" I respond coolly.

Koga, Ayame, Kohaku and Kagura are giving us looks, as if we're insane.

I hope no one calls in the nuthouse people to take us away - I wouldn't be able to stand the embarrassment.

"Affinity is a mysterious thing - but it is spicy!" Miroku murmurs, winking at Kagura, who looks disgruntled.

"A fog cannot be dispelled by a fan." The older girl shoots at him, with a glare.

He sighs sadly.

"A good wife is healthy, and absent."

"it's husband, idiot!" Inuyasha yells at Miroku.

I roll my eyes at the scene in front of me, as I tug on Inuyasha's arm.

"Unless an idiot dies, he cannot be cured."

Kagura:

I glimpse the tall, Youkai boy passing out of the corner of my eye, and I get up to follow him. However, his cold gaze causes me to freeze.

I admit it. He is good looking. Hot? Maybe not… but… ok. Maybe he is hot.

But that doesn't mean ANYTHING!

I bet Rin like's him. She probably doesn't even know it herself, poor thing. I wouldn't dream about taking her love from her.

But asking him to a dance?

Why not?

"Sesshomaru -"

I'm cut off, as he glares stoically at me.

Sheesh. This guy is kinda freaky.

"I - I was wondering if perhaps we could go to-'

"I won't be attending." He responds icily, before sweeping off into the close shadows, where Rin is standing alone.

Ah well.

Fallen blossom doesn't return to the branch, a broken mirror can not be made to shine

In other words?

It doesn't matter.

Hmm.. Maybe I'll see if I can sneak another popsicle…

Ayame:

I watch Kagome and Inuyasha talking animatedly together, as they point out 'constellations' in the sky.

More like figures they made up.

"And that one is… is… that one is… " Kagome thinks for a moment, that snaps her fingers, "That one is, a soul collector!"

Inuyasha shakes his head and disagrees.

"It's Byakuya's eye, that has wings, and acts as a spy." He responds, seriously, earning disbelieving glances from all of us.

As expected of the idiot.

"All in favor of sending Inuyasha to the loony bin?" I call out.

Heads snap to look at me, and three - no, FOUR! , hands raise themselves above their heads.

Inuyasha looks petrified.

"Kagome! Restrain him!" I order, grinning viciously at the wide eyed rich boy, "Koga! Go get the immobilization darts!" I wink at him, and he hurries inside the large house, "Kagura! Get a fan!" Kagura gives me a funny look, before digging through her purse, "Kohaku! Go find a chain and sickle!"

Miroku looks at me mournfully.

"What can I do, fair, warrior maiden?"

"Call in the caretakers." I reply, menacingly, with a toss of my head, as Inuyasha's eyes widen.

Sesshomaru:

I find Rin sitting under a tree, staring at a small golden leaf, that she holds in her hands, twirling it ever so often.

"Rin."

Looking flustered, she drops the leaf, and her wide eyes rove up to mine, as a look of embarrassment washes over her face. Or at least, I suppose that is what the pinking of her cheeks means.

"Sesshomaru." she replies with a slight smile.

Where has her sunny, bright, joy filled smile, gone?

I don't want her to look so… down. So tired. So sad.

I reach out slowly, to her, my hand outstretched for her own.

A small gesture. I know. But I'm uncomfortable with it. It's strange, new.. And too caring. I would never do such a thing for anyone but her.

I don't care to know why.

Her eyes seem to soften a bit - they look less lonely and sad, as she tentatively reaches out for my hand.

There.

Her small, warm hand clutches mine, as I help her to her feet, her face flushing ever so slightly.

She seems so delicate, so flimsy, as if she would break if she fell.

I don't want her to break.

I want to catch her before she falls - to save her before she cries.

What IS this feeling?

Rin:

I blush, as his hand momentarily clasps around mine. He's so elegant, strong looking… and well… attractive.

He's so much better than me in everyway. He's out of my reach.

He's said to be cold, refined, and cruel. So why am I not seeing any of this.

I offer him a shy smile, which he takes in with a blink. If I may say so - a surprised blink.

Wow… um… well.

Why am I so flustered?

He's just someone I happened to run into (literately), in the hall one day. Why does he matter so much?

He gently pulls his hand away from mine, as he looks away, into the deep, deep forest…

Deep forest…

The lyrics of my favorite song, Fukai Mori, by Do As Infinity, suddenly pop into my head as I think that.

So silly of me, I know… but still.. The songs won't get out of my head.

Holding in the laughter that threatens to overtake me, I walk along side him, on our way back to the others, and the lyrics happen to escape past my lips in a whisper.

"Go on with our lives… and lose those things behind…"

He gives me a silent stare, to which I respond to with a blush.

"Sorry." I mutter, suddenly self consciences, "Song lyrics…"

"Hn."

I glance his way, and he looks back at me, with an almost curious blink.

"Fukai Mori."

I smile at him brightly, and he seems taken aback.

Face growing warm again, I let out a sigh of relief as we come to a stop beside a bewildered Inuyasha who - by the way - is tied to a chair, with a scarf wrapped around his mouth to keep him from yelling.

Kagome:

I laugh as I pat the top of Inuyasha's head.

We've just explained to the wide eyed Rin, and the blank faced Sesshomaru, what has been taking place sine their little walk.

"They'll be here in any moment!" Miroku laughs pleasantly, as, Kagura fans Ayame from where she lays in the grass, like a princess on some sort of royal liter.

Kohaku is experimenting with a chain and fork device he made, and has so far succeeded in knocking down a bunch of leaves on a plant.

Congratulations, Kohaku! You've done the impossible! Knocked the leaves off a plant in autumn. BRAVO!

Koga is poking Inuyasha with chopsticks right now, and Inuyasha looks like he's going to kill us.

Which wouldn't be surprising.

There's a crunch of gravel from the driveway, and a tall figure get's out of a sleek, shiny, expensive looking car.

It's dark out, so I can only see his silhouette.

His voice is smooth - yet has an almost rough quality to it. Odd I know… but still! It's true.

"I believe this is who you want taken away?" He asks, in his soft, warm voice.

"Yes, Sir." Miroku replies saluting the man, like a soldier.

We all watch in silence as the man grabs the back of Inuyasha's chair and tows it towards the car.

Ayame let's out a frustrated hiss.

"I wasn't being serious, idiot!"

"Neither was I." Miroku laughs.

Nervously, we turn to him, just as Sesshomaru comments to the man as he passed him, "Good luck - father."

Kikyo:

I yawn, and smile sleepily to myself.

I have a date for the dance! Inuyasha!

Butterflies flutter about in my stomach, and I give a little giggle, feeling lighthearted and free.

I'm going to have a blast! I just know it!

Sango:

It's twelve at night. Why the hell is Kagome calling me at this hour?

With an angry sigh, I pick up my cell phone, with a tired, "Hello?"

"Sango! We're going shopping on Wednesday after school!"

"Why?"

"We need dresses!"

"It's not formal." I slur.

"NEWS FLASH! It IS!"

"No it's not, silly." I argue.

"It IS!"

"No it's not!"

With that, I turn off my phone, and drift into dreams of un-perverted perverts, and world peace.

If only.

A/n: WELL... REVIEW! X)

just somthing random but... I watched the Corpse Bride, by Tim Burton today, because I had this fascinating idea! What if, Kikyo was the Corpse Bride, and Inuyasha was the unsupecting 'husband'. Kagome would be the living girl whom he gradually falls in love with . Naraku would be that freaky lord guy, who is supposedly rich! I thought it was a genious idea! Up until I actually watched it again, and realized that it wouldn't work out for my style of writing. So... if anyone was interested in it, please tell me, because, I'd like to read a story like this.

JA NE!

REVIEW!