"As truth and beauty shall together thrive, If from thyself to store thou wouldst convert:" - William Shakespeare

The Darling Buds of May

Chapter Fifteen:

"Miroku, would you please pass me the encyclopedia that's sitting under your elbow?" Sango stretched out her hand as Miroku handed the book to her from across the table. She smiled, making Miroku's insides do small back- flips. They went back to quietly making notes for the next day's group report.

"Sango?" Miroku said quietly.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Do you think that Kagome will even come to school tomorrow? I mean, after what happened today. . ." he trailed off.

"I wouldn't worry. . . Kagome is one of the bravest people I know. . . And I don't think she'd even miss out on school if the world were to end." She smiled again.

'She has a beautiful smile. . .' thought Miroku, as his stomach did another turn.

"I wonder, do you suppose that Inu-yasha fellow will ALLOW her to leave her home?" Miroku jested. Sango smirked.

"I don't think he can really stop her. . . they're both very strong willed people, you know, but somehow I think Kagome will win that argument. . . I hope you don't think that Kagome or Inu-yasha can read your handwriting." Sango quipped over her book.

"Ha, ha, ha. . . and ha. I don't think I'll even dignify that with a comment." Miroku sniffed.

"You know, you just did." Sango raised an eyebrow. Sighing, she went back to work, making sure there were enough notes so that everyone could tell a part of the group's work.

'Miroku's not so bad. . . He hasn't tried anything, even.' She sighed again, thinking of that afternoon. After leaving Kagome's home, Sango and Miroku had decided to finish the project themselves, thinking that Inu- yasha and Kagome especially would be too preoccupied to worry about their report for tomorrow. So the two walked back to Sango's home and started working.

'Oh Kagome, DO be okay tomorrow. . .?' Sango pleaded in her mind.

"BRRRRING!!!" Kagome's alarm clock rang.

'Time to get up for school. . .'she thought to herself sleepily, shivering a bit as she slid the covers back.

Kagome looked out her window has she slid her pajamas off and shook out her skirt for school.

"Inu-yasha" she blushed, remembering how she woke up later in the evening on the couch, his arm wrapped protectively about her shoulders, her head resting against his chest. Not long after, Inu-yasha woke up, and, realizing the rather compromising position they were in, go up to leave, blushing furiously and promising to meet Kagome at the DOOR to walk her to school the next morning.

Kagome still blushed faintly as she slid her shoes on and walked to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

As she walked down the stairs to the kitchen, Kagome heard Sota shouting as he played one of his games. She poked her head into the living room to see none other than Inu-yasha sitting cross-legged on the floor next to her younger brother. . . playing one of Sota's fighting games.

"Hey!!" Inu-yasha cried.

"I TOLD you I was good" Sota said, smirking.

"Feh. . .We'll just SEE about that." Mumbled Inu-yasha. He paused the game, hearing a gentle giggle from behind.

"I see you and Sota are busy" she put her hand up to stop Inu-yasha from rising. "I'll just be in the kitchen, getting some toast and orange juice. . ."

Inu-yasha watched her retreating back. He thought for a moment, and all of a sudden, in one smooth motion, leaped over the couch with one hand and landed on his feet next to Kagome, leaning on his cane and looking as relaxed as if he'd seated himself onto the couch. He followed her into the kitchen.

Author's Note: Well, I'm BACK!!!! Yes, after a long and unexpected hiatus (due to the writing of many, many essays for a particular AP lit. class *grrr*) I am back to fill your lives yet again with my chapters of literature ^_^ *listens to "Always, Time after Time" from Spirited Away* I LOVE that song, don't you? Okay, well, I know this chapter is kind of strange, but DON'T WORRY, because I'll write at least two more before next week is over. I have a lot to make up for, AND I'm on my Spring Vacation starting Friday, so I'll have some time to sit down and really think. ^_^ And speaking of thinking, why don't you all tell me what YOU THINK of this CHAPTER? I know it's kind of short, and you're all probably wondering about the creepy guy, but don't worry, he'll pop up in later chapters. . . Well, until I post again! Ja ne! - Starmoon