Disclaimer: *whispers* Shh... The CIA just came by and warned me that if I don't admit that I don't own Inuyasha, I won't live to see another day. BUT I CAN'T DO IT! *bang!* *thud* *shuffles of several foot* *door slams* ... [Spirit of Nankinmai: See what I mean?]

A/N: Yep, procrastination is always a good thing, but it will kill me one day... (Oh, a miko was able to revive me just now! ^_^)

Happy Birthday!

by Nankinmai

Chapter 5 - I Don't Know...

Mrs. Higurashi had just walked into a gift shop. She looked around a bit and thought, 'I think this should do.' Hearing a noise behind her, she turned to see Inuyasha putting down all the groceries onto the floor just next to the entryway. He stood up straight and looked curiously around him before facing Mrs. Higurashi.

"I've thought about it, Inuyasha. You have been a great help today, since I definitely wouldn't have been able to carry all those items," admitted the elder.

"Keh!"

"Anyway, I thought that I should probably pay you for helping out, and so you may use that money to buy Kagome her present. You can probably find one in here," said Mrs. Higurashi, while swiping her hand across the store. Inuyasha could only stare at the numerous number of *gulp* girly items, from plush animals as tall as himself to hair pins that looked like it had the head of a white cat on it.

Meanwhile, a sales girl approaches them with a smile and asked, "Irasshaimase! Is there anything you would like some help in?"

"Hai. This young man here needs some help picking out a birthday present," replied Mrs. Higurashi.

The sales girl turned to Inuyasha and asked, "Is it for a girl?" Inuyasha blushed.

"Is it for your girlfriend?" Mrs. Higurashi didn't think the hanyou could turn any redder, but was just proven wrong.

"Is it for your fiancée?" "NO!" yelled Inuyasha, who only went into a deeper red. 'Wow, this is the first male customer to blush so much from that question,' thought the sales girl.

"Is there anything in particular you might have in mind?" inquired the sales girl.

"Iie."

"Well, if you would follow me to the counter, I have a few items that might be perfect for your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend either!" yelled Inuyasha, as he and Mrs. Higurashi followed the sales girl. Mrs. Higurashi herself was trying her best not to laugh.

"Oh? Gomen." Inuyasha was taken aback. 'Did she mean that she was sorry for her mistake or that Kagome wasn't my girlfriend?" thought Inuyasha. Soon, he was distracted from that thought as he was looking through the counter glass to see many necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings.

"Oh my. There're so pretty," said Mrs. Higurashi.

The sales girl noticed where Inuyasha's attention was and said, "If you're interested in those, we have these to attach to them."

Inuyasha found what he was looking for. He pointed to it and said, "I want that one."

~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~

Kagome sighed as she followed her friends out of a gift shop. They had already been to half the gift shops that exist in the area. 'This is becoming hopeless,' thought Kagome.

"So just what are you looking for, Kagome?" asked Eri.

"A present for a friend."

"Girl friend or boy friend?" asked Ayame. Kagome blushed when she heard "boyfriend".

"Eh??" went all three friends.

"Is this the same guy who two-timed you, dumped you, and then got back with you?" inquired Yuka.

"..."

"We'll take that as a yes."

"How about a picture frame with you two?"

"Don't have a picture of him..."

"How about a scarf?"

"It's already summer! It's going to be too hot for a scarf..."

"How about some clothes?"

"I don't know his size..."

"Honto???" went all three again.

"Why in the world would I know his size?"

"Well..." However, none of them could think of an excuse, for they didn't want Kagome to know just what they were thinking. [Come now, they're teenagers!]

"Oh! I know!" yelled Ayame, as she dragged Kagome with her down the street. Eri and Yuka merely stared at each other before running after their friends.

~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~

Japanese terms: (See earlier chapters for other terms.)

Irasshaimase - welcome

Honto - really

~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~

A/N: Yep, all of you readers should be really happy and irritated at the same time. Happy because I posted this chapter so early. Irritated because I didn't tell what they bought! =P

I would like to express my gratitude to the following people for reviewing Ch. 4: WolfSapphire200 and Ame Tenshi (also thanks for the names!). Now where did Bunny disappear to???

Inuyasha - What are you doing, wench?
Nankinmai - My research paper…
Kagome - Oh? When is it due?
Nankinmai - Tomorrow…
Inuyasha - Nani!? How long does it have to be?
Nankinmai - 6 to 8 pages….
Shippou - Anou, have you started on it yet?
Nankinmai - Nope…
Inuyasha - And why not, wench?
Nankinmai - Because I was too busy…
Inuyasha - Keh! More like procrastinating!
Nankinmai - You're right…
Inuyasha - Urk!
Kouga - Cat's got your tongue, dog-turd?
Inuyasha - Why in the hell are you here, wimpy-wolf!?
Kouga - Why, I came to give Nankinmai my support.
Inuyasha - That can't be all…
Kouga - To keep my woman company, right Kagome?
Kagome - Err…
Inuyasha - Why you-
Nankinmai - Alright! That's it! Leave me alone!
Inuyasha - Make me!
Nankinmai - Grr… *kicks Inuyasha into the air* Anybody else?
Everybody else - Nope! Ja ne! *runs away*
Nankinmai - *sigh* I have a long night to go…