A/N: =) Gomen mina for the huge delay in this chapter. I typed it ages ago but I've just been so frigin busy! .

Also, I've finally got an inspiration for my next fic! I'm working out different plots right now but I probably won't begin the actual story right away. Gomen mina (yet again!) but I can't even keep up with my work as it is! But I'll try to write up little bits so that I can work with them.

*sigh*

Well here is the next chapter so dig in!

P.S. Linkin Park……… =P

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha so don't sue!

CHAPTER EIGHT: MEMORIES – PART TWO

^_^

I've lied to you

The same way that I always do

This is the last smile

That I'll fake for the sake of being with you…

^_^

"Ite…" she mumbled sleepily and draped an arm across her eyes. Stupid sunlight! I really do need to get some blinds!' She berated herself before stumbling out of bed.

Sometime during the morning, she had heard Inuyasha leave for work with a light kiss on her forehead and a word of…something… She frowned as she tried to recall what he had said. Just what the hell did he say?

Whatever it was she knew it was important.

Sighing, she made her way to the kitchen to check for any messages on her mobile. "Who is this?" she pondered on the number and shrugged. Strange…

Hey kag, i was wondering if u would lyk 2 go shopping 2day? msg me if its ok wiv u. kikyou

"Kikyou?" Thoughts of the woman sharpened her senses. She had been wary of her for a few weeks now despite her politeness and admiring intelligence. There was something that the woman seemed to hold against her that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

How in sweet hell did the girl get hold of her number? Naraku? She shrugged and called her back, accepting the invitation to meet her in the city near the mall. She hadn't been shopping for a while and decided that this was a good opportunity to catch up.

How so wrong she was.

Kagome waited patiently at the designated spot and somehow felt a little nervous meeting the delicate beauty. She didn't feel relaxed around her and constantly felt as if she regarded her with much distaste.

She hoped that it wasn't the case.

As if on queue, the woman appeared through the main doors and waved before approaching her with practised grace. She really is beautiful… Kikyou smiled and tilted her head to study her. "Come on, let's go!"

Both girls chatted while browsing through clothes and other items giggling and discussing topics that both were familiar with. 'Maybe she isn't what she seems.' She watched the woman, as she picked up an article of clothing before discarding it to pick up another. Kagome smiled to herself, relieved that the tension she had felt between them had dissipated.

However, lunch was a different case.

The remnants of Kagome's laughter faded as Kikyou sat back to watch regain her composure. What the woman was about to discuss was something she would have never expected.

"So how's Inuyasha?"

At that time, she thought nothing of the question and concluded that she was just being polite. "Oh he's good."

"In bed?"

Kagome almost choked on her food.

Who the hell did she think she was? She eyed the girl suspiciously before laughing politely. "Oh, he's alright."

"Awe… really? I thought he was more than alright…"

This time Kagome did choke on her food which had Kikyou sitting back even further on her chair.

"He hasn't told you?" her eyes were wide and she seemed a little 'disappointed' at the revelation. She sighed.

"I suppose he hasn't told you that we use to be an item?"

Kagome shook her head. "What happened?"

"It didn't work out." Kikyou shrugged, "It was mutual so it was alright." Kagome nodded slowly.

"He also gave me a similar necklace." Her voice projected a hint of bitterness but her eyes gazed admiringly at the chain with its pendant that shone brilliantly with the light. "It's a beautiful stone. A Shikon no Tama?"

"Hai. Arigatou Kikyou-sama, it is a beautiful stone isn't it?" Kagome watched her carefully as she finally nodded her head after a long moment. Somehow those grey eyes seem to disagree… she thought as they continued to do more shopping.

Later that afternoon she returned to her apartment with a handful of shopping and flopped on to the couch to close her eyes.

It had been an exhausting day and her head was spinning. I think I've got a headache… she winced as the pain took its toll and continued to close her eyes until her phone went off. Groaning she rummaged through her bag to retrieve it.

"Hai?"

"Kagome?" Inuyasha's voice was filled with concern and was somehow relieving all the pain in her head. Still, she continued to close her eyes.

"Are you alright? Is everything okay back there?"

"Mmm…" she murmured, "I've got a bit of a headache but it's alright."

"Dammit, what did you do?" she winced a little at the growing concern present in his voice.

"Nothing drastic. Just did a little shopping."

She heard him sigh but let it drop. "I won't be coming over tonight," paused briefly, "meeting with a business associate over dinner… but if you're sick I'll come right away and – "

"Inuyasha, I'm fine. I really am." She smiled a little at the snort she heard, "Go to your dinner, I'll be fine."

He sighed again. She was never going to give in and he knew it. "Whom did you go shopping with?" he decided to change the subject

He narrowed his eyes as he waited patiently for her response. He could have sworn that she was hesitating at the other end of the line.

Something was definitely wrong.

"Kagome? What's wrong?" he demanded, suspicion growing with every word.

"Kikyou. I went shopping with her."

"Kikyou?" He echoed. He couldn't hide the surprise in his voice.

"Hai, Kikyou. Is there something wrong?" She chose her words carefully, wanting to catch anything that would give him away. She bit her lip at the growing suspicion within her. How could she be so suspicious of someone she cared so deeply for?

"Kagome? Are you there?"

His voice broke through her conflictions and she quickly regained her composure.

"Hai, I'm here. Gomen, but what were you saying?"

"I…eh… never mind." She could hear him shuffling papers before clearing his throat. "Are you sure you're alright? You sound… different…"

So do you… She wanted to say but assured his persisting concerns. All she wanted to do was lie down and forget about this insecurity within her. How events could twist in a day, she wondered distantly…

The conversation went for a while longer before Inuyasha gave up. Stubborn bitch! He thought grimly and disconnected after their goodbyes.

Sighing, he got up to dine with his business associate.

She had better be all right.

Kikyou unexpectedly greeted her the next morning at her front door. She was quite stunned as she welcomed her into her apartment. How did she find my address?

"Gomen Kagome! But I thought you may need a little company."

She settled herself on the couch and admired the apartment with keen eyes. "Lovely place."

"Arigatou Kikyou-sama. Would you like a drink?"

She shook her head with a wave of her delicate hand. "Oh no, I won't trouble you."

Kagome shrugged but sat down opposite the girl and waited for her to make conversation. There was something about the woman that told her that she wanted to say something.

Noticing that the girl was waiting for her, Kikyou bit her lip nervously and smiled sadly with concernment in her eyes. "Are you alright?"

Kagome frowned at the question. "Alright?" she was confused.

"Hai… I heard during the dinner I had with Inuyasha last night, that you were sick."

She stiffened slightly. He had dinner with Kikyou? If she could remember clearly, he had said business associate… what was going on?

"Dinner?" she managed to get out.

"Hai, dinner. That's why I came." She regarded her with an all-too bright smile, "we had such a wonderful time, it was such a shame you weren't there…"

'Inuyasha? Lying t-to… me?' She wondered dejectedly, 'NO! How could you think of him like that?' She inwardly cursed herself for her insecurity. 'Kikyou can say whatever she likes! She's probably jealous!'

Kikyou bit her lip and placed one of her manicured hands to her mouth.

"Oh goodness, who am I to say such things? You must have been sick all this time!" she shook her head as if it were her own folly, "Gomen, but we had such a wonderful time!"

Oh yeah…She thought sarcastically as they conversed for a while longer before leaving with an embrace and a 'get well soon'.

She watched as the woman disappeared and swore there was a small triumphant smile upon those red lips…

Again!

She cursed for not preparing herself earlier. Inuyasha had messaged her to dine with him alone at seven and she was already ten minutes late!

Stupid shoe… she glared down at her feet recalling her luck as the heel of one of her shoes had snapped on her way out.

She entered the restaurant and was about to give her name to the bookman when she spotted Inuyasha in his human form…with another companion!

She dropped her bag.

Kagome froze as she took in the girl's hair styled professionally like a crown upon her head, a matching skirt and blouse enveloping her petite form and her face… that face!

She stumbled backwards with a small gasp, as the woman turned around as if on instinct.

Kikyou's eyes flickered her way before she turned to meet Inuyasha's tender gaze.