Y'all. Y'all. I have the best readers ever. Each and every damn one of you. I want to give a shout-out to Satu82—sacakuink on tumblr—who drew some amazing fanart for this story, which nearly had me in tears I'm so unbelievably touched and in awe. Y'all need to go check it out! I'm still at a loss for words. So I'll settle for a massive thank you :-)

A couple quick notes because I don't want to be unintentionally misleading: One, last chapter the "redheaded kitsune leader" Kōji referred to was a woman, and not Shippō. BUT since I don't have the heart to torture those of you who love our precious fox boy, yes, Shippō is still alive and he will show up at some point (though not any time soon) in this story.
Two, about her curse and her friends' memories, specifically Kōga: Kōga does not remember Kagome. He remembers, vaguely, a woman who was the shikon miko, but that's all. I'm not saying Kagome will never run across anyone from her past—that may or may not happen—but when and if they do, they will not remember her specifically.

Anyway, here's chapter 18, basically the second half of chapter 17.

Quotes:

"Life is too short, Harry. And there's nowhere near enough joy in it. If you find it, grab it. Before it's gone."
–Jim Butcher, Changes

"Ladies in bunches always filled me with vague apprehension and a firm desire to be elsewhere."
–Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Saturday

Midmorning Saturday, while Kagome was spending time "socializing" the orphaned kittens—neither Momo nor Miki had called her on the extremely flimsy excuse—she got a text from Rikuo.

Rikuo: Morning blue eyes. Forgot to ask you last night, but are you free tonight? I should be home early this evening.

She was sorely tempted to cancel her existing plans, but before she could answer, another text popped up.

Natsumi: Looking forward to tonight! I know you have to work today, but please don't bail on me!

Shit, is she psychic or something? Kagome's shoulders slumped, and she let out a whine that made the kittens swivel their ears and tilt their heads at her. She would rather see Rikuo than spend time with Eri and Rika, but she didn't have the heart to ditch Natsumi.

She sent a quick reply to Natsumi, saying, "I won't. I promise."

One of the kittens pawed at her phone, and she giggled, booping Tora on his nose. "You three don't have a clue how easy you have it, do you?" With a sigh, she texted Rikuo back.

Kagome: Hey! I wish I was free…but I've already got plans with Natsumi and some old friends of ours who're in town.
Rikuo: Damn, there she goes stealing you away from me again. Maybe tomorrow, then?
Kagome: Sure! Tomorrow would be great

She started to add something more when she heard Miki bellow, "Hey, how long you gonna 'socialize' those kittens? There's work to do, ya know!"

Kagome: yikes, gotta run before Miki has a meltdown or confiscates my phone lol – I'll text you later okay?

She shoved her phone in her pocket without waiting for his reply and hurried up to the front.

Saturday Night

Kagome recalled reading somewhere that women dressed up more for other women than they did for men. The article had mentioned something about wanting to impress one's friends, or something along those lines, but as she dressed for the evening out, Kagome felt more like she was preparing for battle, choosing clothes and applying makeup as one might select weapons and equip armor. For this particular skirmish, she'd opted for a skirt that hit right above her knees, a comfortable yet stylish sweater, and her favorite pair of knee-high boots. Once her hair and makeup were done, she'd be combat-ready.

Oh, for fuck's sake, Kagome, quit being so melodramatic. It's just one girls' night out. How bad can it be?

She peeked at her phone. Nothing. She'd texted Rikuo back once she'd gotten off work, apologizing for having to cut their texting short that morning and letting him know that she was free any time after two thirty or three on Sunday.

He's probably still on his way home from Tōno, she told herself. Or catching up on whatever he does as the clan leader since he was gone for almost a week. Don't read too much into it.

Several minutes later, though, when a text alert ping sounded from her phone, she dropped the earrings she was putting in as excitement coursed through her.

It was short-lived, however, when she saw it was from Natsumi.

Natsumi: Be there in 10! text you when we're outside

She replied with a thumbs-up and picked her earrings up off the floor, putting them on. Then, since she had a bit of time to kill, she opened the Kiyojūji paranormal investigation website to see if there was anything new—and potentially helpful for Rikuo—in the forum.

One post immediately caught her eye, a thread titled "vampires?" from a user named "crowbros." She clicked on it:

"Heard a rumor that supposedly there's some vampires kidnapping and killing people here in town, but that just seems really hard to believe. I mean, wtf, vampires? What do you guys think? Anyone here heard anything?"

Of course, Kiyojūji_no1_fan had replied, wanting to launch an investigation, no surprise there; yurei_l0vr made some asinine comment about how exciting, oh mah gawd maybe she could meet one, and didn't you just know they had to be devastatingly handsome; and then there were the requisite people making snide comments or saying "vampires aren't real." Which, to Kagome, was remarkably hypocritical given the array of things those individuals did believe in.

A few, however, did appear to take the question seriously. One—the user "waterdragon"—asked for further details, saying, "While I highly doubt the vampires we see depicted in movies and other media exist, there's always the possibility of a blood-drinking yokai or other paranormal entity. What did these rumors say made them think it was vampires?" To which crowbros said they weren't sure, but supposed it could've had to do with the bodies found near Ukiyoe Town.

Another reply, from "cupcakesamurai," seemed to back that up:

"According to a friend of mine, there's been an uptick in missing persons cases. Then you've got the guys found in Ukiyoe Town, reportedly killed by an animal attack, but what kind of animal is going to come into Tokyo to hunt…without getting seen by anyone? Plus it's Ukiyoe Town. If there's a supernatural connection and I'm not saying there is, but if there was one, a vampiric spirit, yokai, whatever… it could be kidnapping people in order to provide themselves with a readily available food supply."

The idea made Kagome sick to her stomach, but it wasn't unfathomable. No, actually, it makes a lot of sense. Yuck.

Both waterdragon and crowbros jumped on the response, asking things like how their friend knew about the missing persons cases and were there any connections between those who'd gone missing, but cupcakesamurai had yet to answer them.

Kagome was about to open a post with the subject "IRL Meet ups?" when she got a text from Natsumi saying she was outside. Closing her phone's browser, Kagome took a deep breath, grabbed her purse, and headed out for her first girls' night in a very long time.

"How bad can it be?"

She really had to learn to stop tempting the universe that way.

The upscale bar and lounge was crowded, and it was only by good luck or divine intervention that the girls were able to find a table for all four of them. Glancing around the venue, which was simultaneously overstimulating and underwhelming, Kagome wished for not the first time that she hadn't agreed to come. Rika and Eri got on her nerves, and the bar was a little too packed for her preference. She was thankful to have Natsumi along, but truth be told, she would have rather stayed at home.

Or spent the evening with Rikuo…supplied that oh-so-helpful little voice in her head. She had yet to have the opportunity to tell him about her past, and with him coming back into town, she could have finally ripped the band-aid off tonight. Her stomach flip-flopped uncomfortably at the idea, but the longer she waited, the worse her anxiety would be. On the other hand… Things are so nice right now…I really don't want to ruin things with him…

Nope. Nope nope nope. Gut-churning fear over how he would respond be damned, she had decided to tell him and that was that.

A sharp elbow dug into her ribs as Natsumi nudged her, drawing her out of her daydreaming, and Kagome tried to refocus on the conversation they were having. Not that it was anything particularly stimulating. As usual, Eri and Rika were gossiping about guys. I don't know how Natsumi can stand it—there's barely even matchmaker potential here…

"Anyway, I only went out with him twice, and he was sooooo boring. Extremely good-looking, but totally dull," Rika said dejectedly.

Yes, because you're such a paragon of intellect.

Eri clicked her tongue. "Such a pity."

Natsumi laughed. "What about that guy you texted me about, Eri-chan? The one you went out with for a couple months? I think his name was Shou or something?"

Oh, kami, don't encourage her, Kagome thought. None of her attempts to change the subject had worked thus far.

"Shou? That was over a year ago… He wasn't as cute as I prefer, but he definitely was…mmmm…how to put it?" Eri paused dramatically, putting a finger to her lips. "Well-endowed?"

Kagome choked on her drink, and Rika threw her head back, laughing. "Oh, cut the crap, Kagome-chan, don't act like you're some blushing virgin."

"Oooh, yeah, I heard someone say you dated Daisuke-kun a while ago, Kagome-chan. Sooo…? Supposedly he's quite the stud in bed," Eri said, looking at Kagome expectantly.

"Yes, do tell. Details, details." Rika made a "gimme" gesture with one hand.

If by stud, you mean male, then sure. But otherwise… Kagome shrugged. "He was okay, I guess."

All three girls, even Natsumi, stared at her like she'd grown three heads. "'Okay'? You guess?" Rika sputtered.

Kagome lifted her glass only to notice it was empty. Damnit, already? "Um, yeah, I mean… Not that Hōjō-kun was mind-blowing, but at least he lasted more than two minutes," Kagome replied, and then clamped a hand over her lips, eyes widening. Clearly, the two drinks she'd already consumed had loosened her filter significantly. Well, fuck. Nice job, genius.

Natsumi's expression didn't change—she'd already known, plus she didn't know Hōjō personally—but Rika and Eri's mouths unhinged in shock. Then, Rika recovered, saying, "Whoa, whoa, whoa… You slept with Hōjō-kun? How could you not tell us?"

Eri moved her head up and down rapidly, like some sort of bobblehead doll. "Yeah, what the hell? Why are we just now finding out?"

Once again, Kagome's mouth got ahead of her better judgment. "Oh, I don't know, maybe because it's none of your damned business?"

Her two friends jerked back like they'd been slapped, and Natsumi gave Kagome a reproving glance before saying, "Now, now, let's remember not everyone likes to kiss and tell."

There was an awkward silence, Rika and Eri looking hurt while Natsumi patted each of their hands comfortingly as Kagome fidgeted with her straw and the remaining ice in her glass.

Why am I even still here? A peek at Natsumi reminded her. She had spent too many years pining for the dead; if she were to go on living, she needed to be with the living. Kagome blew out a breath, her bangs fluttering. I need to make more effort…if for no other reason, Natsumi.

Forcing a plastic smile upon her face, Kagome offered a halfhearted apology—reluctantly—and asked if anyone needed anything from the bar. If she were going to survive the night, she would need another drink. Perhaps several.

Squirming and wriggling through groups of other patrons, narrowly dodging an elbow here and a sloshed martini there, she finally made it to the bar unscathed. She ordered herself a double rum and coke and one of those pink fruity concoctions that Rika kept knocking back.

As she waited for the drinks, a beyond-tipsy guy sidled up next her, propping one elbow on the bar and staring at her. She rolled her eyes and ignored him.

"Hey, babe, come here often?"

He did not just say that. Tell me he's joking. A quick glance told her that he absolutely wasn't.

"Hey." A tap on her shoulder. Mentally she urged him to go away.

Another tap. "Wanna come drink with me 'n' my friends? Pretty girl like you shouldn't be all alone."

She clenched her teeth. Apparently, the bartender was distilling his own rum it was taking him so long to make her drink, so Kagome figured it was best to tell the drunk he was barking up the wrong tree. Except…not in those exact words. He's too shitfaced to understand I don't mean a literal tree.

She turned slightly so she could make eye contact with him and said firmly, "Not interested."

"C'mon, I'll buy you a drink! It'll be super fun…" he pleaded, words slurring.

For the love of… Kagome glared at him. "I'm here with my friends. Thanks, but no thanks."

The bartender finally returned with her and Rika's drinks, and as she started back toward her friends, the drunken moron who wouldn't take no for an answer grabbed her arm.

"So what'd'ya say? Come drink with us?" He flashed what he probably thought was a charming smile.

Kagome tried to jerk her arm away, but because she was taking care not to spill the drinks she'd finally obtained, she couldn't quite wrench free. Thoroughly pissed, she snapped, "I said no, you dumbass. Let me go, now."

Instead of letting go, however, his grip tightened, almost painfully so. "Don't be a bitch about it—" he began, but was cut off when another hand grasped his and forcibly pried it off Kagome's arm.

"I believe she said she wasn't interested and told you to let go," a familiar voice spoke, and Kagome was stunned to find Rikuo suddenly standing there. Rikuo's brown eyes were hard, and he looked as if he were struggling with the desire to break the guy's wrist.

The drunk snatched his hand away, rubbing it. "Damn, dude. Chill." Then as he started to walk away, he muttered under his breath, "Stupid whore…"

Rikuo's jaw tightened, and he took a step forward. Sighing, yet amused at his overprotectiveness, Kagome said, "Rikuo. Ignore the drunk idiot. I'm fine."

His expression softened when he glanced at her, and she smiled. "Really. But thank you. I'd've kicked his ass myself, but then I'd spill the drinks and have to go get more, and never mind the wasted money—that bartender is about as fast as a herd of turtles." She gestured with the cocktails in her hands.

Rikuo finally relaxed and laughed. "Oi, let me help with those."

She handed him Rika's. "Thanks." Then, "What are you doing here, anyway? Did Natsumi-chan say something to you? This is supposed to be a girls' night," she said, suspecting yet another of her friend's matchmaking schemes.

Rikuo averted his gaze, and Kagome could have sworn he looked faintly embarrassed—it was hard to tell in the dimly lit bar.

"I… It's not like that," he said, still not meeting her eyes. "Kuro…mentioned that he was a little concerned, what with the missing persons lately and all, but Natsumi-chan threatened him with a fate worse than death if he crashed your girls' night. So I offered to keep an eye on things, from a distance." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly with his free hand and lifted his gaze to hers. "Sorry?"

She attempted to look stern and arched a brow. "I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. As is Natsumi-chan, I'm sure. But…the intention is appreciated. Besides…" She couldn't keep from smiling at this point. "It's good to see you."

A boyish smile appeared on his face, reaching all the way to his eyes. "Thanks. Glad I got to see you too. Can't say I was entirely altruistic when I volunteered to help Kuro out."

Kagome felt her face grow warm. "Well…can't say how Natsumi-chan's gonna react, but honestly…to me, you'll be a breath of fresh air."

He tilted his head. "Oh?"

"It's not Natsumi-chan's fault. It's…" She gave a lengthy sigh. Then, gesturing toward their table, she said, "Well, c'mon, you'll see. Apologies in advance…"

Rikuo's brow furrowed, and she could tell she'd only confused him further. However, he didn't question her, just followed as she wove her way through the crowd.

When they got to the table, as Rikuo set the drink he'd carried down, Rika ran her gaze up and down Rikuo's body, not even trying to be subtle. She glanced at Kagome. "Ooo, I see you brought me an extra treat from the bar. What's your name, handsome?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Kagome caught Natsumi looking at Rika, her lip curling into a tiny sneer before she schooled her features back to neutral.

"Rikuo-kun, I'm surprised to see you tonight. Please tell me Kuro didn't send you?" Natsumi asked, her silky tone scarcely covering the steel lurking beneath.

He cleared his throat guiltily, and Kagome took pity on him. Hey, what's one more fib amid the innumerous lies I've already told? "No, he had a, um, business meeting here, right, Rikuo? And he happened to see me at the bar. Was kind enough to rescue me from an overly persistent drunk."

Natsumi stared at them for a moment, suspicious, before relaxing. Then, waving her hand between the people gathered, she introduced Rika and Eri to Rikuo as Eri snagged an extra chair, placing it in between Kagome and Rika.

Eri leaned over and started filling in Kagome about some gossip she'd heard about Yuka, which Kagome hardly registered, adding "mmhmm" and "oh really?" when appropriate as she watched Rika flirt with Rikuo shamelessly. As best she could from her angle, Kagome studied Rikuo's expression and body language, curious how he would respond. Old ghosts of insecurities past hurried to resurrect themselves—would yet another man she had feelings for leave her for another woman?

It's not like she's unattractive…she's certainly prettier than I am…

"Yeah…that's…nice. So, Kagome." Rikuo attempted to turn toward her, when Rika reached out abruptly and ran her hand through his hair, startling him.

"Such unusual hair," Rika purred, continuing to comb her fingers through his brown-and-black hair. "Is it natural?"

Rikuo's left eyebrow twitched, and he leaned away until she quit petting him. "Uh…yeah, it's natural."

Natsumi's eyes were narrowed at Rika, her mouth now blatantly twisted into a frown. If Kagome hadn't been so irritated by Rika's antics herself, she might have found her friend's reaction funny. Natsumi never appreciated someone interfering with one of her matchmaking endeavors. Not that Rika would care.

"Do you work out, Nura-kun? Even under this shirt, I can tell you're very muscular…"

I think I'm going to puke. Sure, she'd admired Rikuo's physique herself, on more than one occasion, but damn, what a cliché and cheesy line to use.

"Rika-chan," Natsumi said, her tone deceptively sweet as Rika now trailed a fingernail down Rikuo's arm, seemingly unaware of Rikuo's efforts to pull away. "Did you notice the guy over there checking you out?"

Kagome bit her lip. That she did find amusing, as she was well aware there was no such person. The question was, would Rika take the bait?

"Oh? Where?" Rika peered in the direction Natsumi indicated, and evidently not seeing anyone piquing her interest, she turned back around and tossed her hair over her shoulder, peeking up at Rikuo coyly through her sideswept bangs. "So, Nura-kun…tell me about yourself."

Apparently not. Good effort, Natsumi-chan.

"Uh… Well…"

As Rikuo gave polite but obviously vague—at least to Kagome, anyway—answers to Rika's questions, Kagome watched Natsumi grow further annoyed. If she'd had a tail to match those catlike eyes of hers, Kagome had no doubt it would've been lashing angrily at that point. Eri seemed blissfully unaware of the situation, chattering about who-knows-what to no one in particular, both Natsumi and Kagome occasionally adding monosyllabic replies.

After a few minutes, Natsumi must have come up with some way to thwart Rika, as her expression shifted from one of irritation to self-satisfaction. But just as Natsumi opened her mouth to speak, Rikuo jumped in his seat, his knee whacking the table, back rigid, and the girls eyed him strangely.

"Everything okay, Nura-kun?" Rika asked innocently, pulling her arm from beneath the table to rest her chin in her hand. The tone of her voice plus the fluttering eyelashes had Kagome instantly grinding her teeth together.

Rikuo coughed. "Uh, yeah, sorry, just, uh…" He pulled his cell phone out and gestured with it. "Phone on vibrate startled me, is all." He gave an uncomfortable chuckle and then edged his chair slightly closer to Kagome's.

When Rika pouted and Kagome realized he'd slid himself just out of arm's reach, she put two and two together. Handsy bitch. Her reiki crackled below the surface in agreement. Pity she's not a yokai…'cause it'd be such a pleasure to purify her ass.

Her annoyance must have shown on her face, or perhaps he sensed her reiki fluctuate, for Rikuo nudged her gently. "Oi, you all right?"

I will be, she thought irritably and downed the last of her rum and coke. Then, she leaned in close and whispered to him, "Follow my lead." He looked puzzled, but nodded almost imperceptibly.

Stretching her arm, Kagome made a show of glancing at her watch. "Wow, will you look at the time! I soooo hate it"—she struggled to rein in the sarcasm—"but I really need to be getting home. Natsumi-chan, you good?"

Natsumi gave her a knowing grin and a thumbs-up. "Yep, I can get Kuro to pick me up later."

Kagome, standing, smiled weakly at Rika and Eri. "It was positively peachy to see you two again. Rikuo was ever so sweet and offered to take me home, so we're off, but you three enjoy the rest of your night!" Oof, hopefully they'll buy it. Overselling the cheerful a bit much…

Rikuo, a smirk flitting across his face, also stood. "Nice to meet you two," he said, inclining his head momentarily before turning to Natsumi and adding, "Be safe getting home. Call or text me if you can't reach Kuro." Then, to Kagome's surprise, he placed his hand on the small of her back, using his other hand to point toward the exit. "Shall we?"

She waved good-bye, and as they made their way to the door, she tried to ignore all the wicked thoughts that arose from his touch, borne of the combination of jealously and alcohol-loosened inhibitions. Kagome wanted to deck Rika, wanted to tell the shallow bitch to keep those wandering hands off her man, but more than that, she wanted to kiss him, wrap her legs around his waist…

Whoa, down, girl. Getting ahead of yourself. Think cold shower thoughts.

Rikuo flagged a taxi, and Kagome started to thank him and tell him how much she appreciated his help escaping, when he slid into the vehicle next to her, saying, "I'll make sure you get home safely."

"Huh? Oh, it's okay, you don't have to. I really didn't have that much to drink."

"It can be dangerous after dark," he said simply.

The twenty-minute drive to her apartment was borderline torturous, Kagome struggling to maintain a coherent, if superficial, conversation with Rikuo when her focus was actually on the arm behind her back, the hand snug at her waist. The warm press of his thigh against hers, how close her head was to his left shoulder, the delicious way he smelled faintly of wood smoke and sakura…

Ice water. Snow. Kissing him in the snow. Not helping! Shaved ice. Popsicles. She could've facepalmed for that particular thought and what it brought to mind. Epic fail. Hmm…math? Equations, variables… Sine, cosine, tangent. Minus b, plus-or-minus the square root of… Blehhh. Yuck, maybe that's working too well…

"Kagome?" Rikuo's confused tone drew her out of her distracted mental rambling.

"Mmm?"

"You okay? We're here."

She perked up. Saved from quadratic formula hell. "Sorry, was thinking about math…" she replied, realizing too late how truly bizarre that sounded.

Rikuo blinked. "Math?"

Kagome laughed awkwardly and waved her hand. "Never mind!" She accepted his extended hand and stepped out of the taxi.

He thankfully didn't press the issue as they made their way to her apartment door, opting instead to ask about Rika. An equally distasteful topic, if you ask me.

"So is she always like that?"

"Who, Rika? Yeah, she's always been like that. Get a few drinks in her and it only makes it worse."

He was silent for a moment, as though mulling over something, and then snorted. "Since you've seemed lukewarm at best toward her, I'm going to assume—"

"Natsumi," they said in unison.

She grinned at him. "To be fair, she had only good intentions with a girls' night, and she was also pissed at Rika."

Kagome stopped outside her apartment, and Rikuo raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" Then, a split second later, as understanding dawned, "Ohhh…"

Although, for once, I'm on Team Matchmaker. Or at least in agreement with her. Rika…thank goodness she lives in Kyoto.

She bent her head to fish her keys out of her purse, and as she unlocked her door, Kagome's impulse control finally snapped the leash it had been straining at ever since they had left the bar. Oh fuck it.

Kagome pivoted on her heel and then reached up, grabbed Rikuo forcefully by the collar, and yanked him down into a kiss.

Author's Notes:

1. So…it's not Kagome telling him the truth, but will that suffice? ;-) Joking aside, I really hope y'all enjoyed the chapter!

2. I know I said nothing good comes of characters named Rika, but I suppose to be fair, Rika did help spur Kagome's actions. Even if Kagome would like to draw and quarter her.

3. Random headcanon (since y'all really care lol) – For the contexts of this story at least, I think of yokai as being perhaps more touchy-feely and physically affectionate, in a platonic or romantic way, than their human counterparts. Or maybe it's just that yokai don't have a good sense of boundaries (I'm looking at you, Awashima…). ¯\_(ツ)_/¯