New Author's Notes: In honor of the one year anniversary of the 'Confessions Trilogy', I'm performing a massive editing session on all three stories. As you know by now, I've already finished editing the first, and am now posting this one, and will eventually be getting to the third as well, time permitting. I'm immensely proud of all three of these stories, and am contemplating turning this into a yearly tradition so that they can always be improving. The only thing that hasn't changed are the original author's notes, which I didn't have the heart to part with. I hope you enjoy!
Though not described in detail, this story does deal with rape, so be forewarned if that sort of topic bothers you.
Original Author's Notes: Thanks so much for the reviews, everyone, I absolutely love getting them! I'll try to keep updates coming as fast as possible, but unfortunately writer's block is an ever-present enemy…
My Christmas was great, how about yours? I got a wonderful new bathrobe from my mom that is lavender and like the ones they give you at spas. It's sooooo warm and comfortable. I think I'll give Kagome one like it in the story, as I now believe every girl should have one for sitting on the couch eating chocolate and reading her favorite book by a roaring fire.
Anyway, this chapter is more of a connecting chapter then anything else. It doesn't serve to move the plot along any more then tying together some loose ends. But I think you all will like it (I hope). And if it gets too mushy or anything please just let me know and I'll try to change that. After all, no one wants cavities. Other then that, all I can say is enjoy the chapter!
Title: The Realistic Happily Ever After
Author: dolphingirl0113
Chapter: Five
Rating: PG-13 (rated for violence, language, and implied sexual situations)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
It had been almost a week since Kagome had last attended school, or, more specifically, since the prom, and now, the more time she spent away from the building, the less appealing became the prospect of returning. Her reluctance was made even more potent by the fact that everyone would surely be aware of the fact that she had a fiancé, and while she was in no way ashamed of Inuyasha, at the same time she knew her classmates would not understand her situation, and would no doubt make the wrong assumptions.
How she wished Inuyasha could come to class with her. At least, when he was at her side, she felt a blanket of security that warded off any of the strange looks others sent her way.
Unfortunately, she thought to herself with a sigh, that was not possible. Not only did her school have strict rules about visitors, but she didn't think her hanyou would have a very easy time either what with all the unfamiliar smells and noisy, prying people.
She was currently standing in her room, staring at the girl in mirror who was wearing the usual green and white school uniform, her hair in its typical style, falling loosely about her shoulders in natural waves. She hadn't put on any makeup that day, having chosen to sleep for a few extra minutes instead, but Inuyasha said he liked it that way, so it didn't bother her that much.
Smiling as she thought about her fiancé, Kagome glanced down at her engagement ring, which twinkled under the lights of her room.
"Why did I promise mama?" She sighed in frustration, wishing, for at least the thousandth time since announcing her engagement, that she hadn't made the pact to finish school and go to college. At this point, all she wanted to do, as old fashioned as it sounded, was marry the man she loved and finish her training as a priestess in the Feudal Era.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Higurashi would hear none of that, having been upset enough at the initial thought of her daughter marrying so young, which was the reason why she had insisted on Kagome promising that she would earn a college degree. At the time, Kagome had been so desperate for her mother's approval that she had agreed to the demand without much thought, and even now she was grateful for the older woman's support, but still…
"Hey Kagome! Are you ready to go yet?" Inuyasha's gruff voice drifted up the stairs, sounding somewhat annoyed, and Kagome could practically see him tapping his foot in frustration by the front door. She wondered what her mother had dressed him in today.
Sighing one final time, Kagome snatched her yellow backpack from the floor and shot out the door. "I'm coming!"
Sango and Miroku were sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast when she stumbled down the stairs, and Kagome gave them both warm smiles before grabbing her lunch from Mrs. Higurashi and climbing onto Inuyasha's back. She noticed, almost disappointed, that he was wearing the same outfit as he had the day before, and decided that they definitely needed to go shopping if he were to be staying in her time for any extended period.
"I'll see you after school, sweetheart!" Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed with a smile, walking over and pecking her daughter on the cheek, causing Kagome to blush.
"Bye mama," she replied halfheartedly before turning to Sango and grinning meaningfully. "Today I want you to meet my friends, since they'll also be in the wedding, and then maybe we can go pick out dresses for the wedding. How does that sound?"
The exterminator hastily swallowed a bite of eggs. "That sounds fine, but…I don't have anything to wear that would help me fit in here."
Kagome waved the comment away as though it were unimportant. "I'll just lone you something from my closet."
Sango nodded, and Miroku took that moment to lean over his wife and wave, nearly spilling juice everywhere. "Have a good day Kagome!"
She giggled. "I'll see you later Miroku." She couldn't help but smile at the monk, but Inuyasha just rolled his eyes and walked out the door, shutting it forcefully behind him.
Turning to her, he raised an eyebrow in question. "Are you ready?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I guess…"
Inuyasha gave her a puzzled look, and seemed to be looking right into her heart. "Kagome, are you okay?"
She sighed. "Oh, not really…but I'll get over it." She waved her hand as though to wipe the comment away when she saw him frown. "Let's just go before I change my mind and run back upstairs."
His expression only grew more puzzled, but in the end he simply shrugged his shoulders and took off at a brisk run. Kagome appreciated the fact that he was leaving her alone for once…she just wasn't in the mood to argue.
Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi were all waiting impatiently at the main entrance to the school, and as she saw this Kagome was extremely grateful that she had insisted Inuyasha stop running and let her off his back a few blocks from the school. Now, instead of looking ridiculous, they looked like any normal couple, his arm around her waist like the perfect boyfriend taking his girl to school.
All three girls waved in perfect unison, and Kagome found herself mustering the energy to deal with their overwhelming presence as she hesitantly waved back to acknowledge that she'd seen them.
Yuka was the first to speak, excited as she was to see Inuyasha again as she threw her arms around her friend. "Kagome!" Her voice was an excited shriek. "Oh my gosh, you and Inuyasha look so cute together!"
Ayumi looked puzzled as she stared at the hanyou. "Did you dye your hair, Inuyasha? I thought it was black before…"
Eri just shook her head and giggled. "Who cares, Ayumi? I think it looks really hot!"
"And just where have you been this time, Kagome?"
"Sick again?"
"You wouldn't believe the fuss Hojo is causing because of you and the fact that you're engaged!"
"Yeah, he's going out with at least four different girls at once, they say!"
"Well, that's just what you heard from that cute lab partner of yours, Yuka!"
"And he's a very reliable source!"
"Says you! What about you, Kagome? Do you think our Hojo has it in him to be dating so many girls at once?"
"Are you at all jealous?"
"Of course she's not! What girl would be jealous with a fiancé like Inuyasha?"
They were talking so fast Kagome could barely keep up with who was saying what, though Ayumi usually was the one to be the voice of reason within the otherwise chaotic conversation, and, frankly, the whole experience was starting to become very overwhelming. She'd known them for years, and yet they still caused her sanity to flee on a moments notice.
Just as Eri was about to add her agreement that Inuyasha was better then Hojo, Kagome put her hands up for silence, allowing a sigh to escape her lips as she could already feel the headache for the day waiting in the wings. Her friends were instantly quiet, but instead, since they could never stand completely still, took that moment to give her a huge group hug…which included Inuyasha, much to his chagrin.
Finally, pulling away, the hanyou leaned down and whispered in Kagome's ear, thinking no one could hear him. "Should I pick you up at the same time as before?" All three girls squealed in delight, and the couple jumped back in shock at the sudden noise.
"Pick you up?" Eri had a starry look in he eyes. "Oh…that is so sweet!"
"I wish my boyfriend would do that…"
"Your boyfriend does do that, Ayumi."
"Oh yeah…"
"So does he take you everywhere Kagome?"
"Of course he does! He's probably like her own personal bodyguard…"
"And why wouldn't he be when he's so obviously in love with her…"
"Yeah, remember how they looked at the prom?"
"Oh yeah…"
Kagome felt her face instantly turn as hot as the coals in a fire, and she was almost afraid of touching her cheeks for fear of scalding her fingers. Glancing over, she could see that Inuyasha was in a similar situation, and had to fight off the urge to touch his shoulder in assurance. That would only make things worse, after all…
Gods above, she thought as she turned her face towards the crisp blue sky, why couldn't her friends just shut up once in a while? Why did they always have to say one sentence too many?
She loved them to death, and always would because deep down their hearts were pure gold, but still! Enough was enough!
"I…um…" She glanced at her friends, and then at Inuyasha with an apologetic glance. That's all she dared at the moment. "I think we'd better get to class."
All three girls instantly stopped talking and simultaneously turned their wrists over to glance at their watches. "Good heavens!" Ayumi exclaimed. "You're right, Kagome, we'd better go or we'll be late!"
Eri took the liberty of gripping Kagome's wrist tightly, pulling her towards the school as the late bell started to chime overhead, and it was all she could do to free herself and walk back to Inuyasha, impulsively throwing her arms around his neck. He shyly returned the embrace.
"I'll see you after school," she promised in a whisper, his ears flicking in her direction as he sighed at the sound of her voice and nodded against her hair, squeezing her tighter for an instant before releasing her to join her friends, watching as the woman he loved disappeared into the school building and the alternate aspect of her life which he was not a part of.
Kagome was instantly aware of the way everyone gazed at her intently when she entered the main hallway, and she found herself blushing self-consciously, wishing desperately that Inuyasha was with her. It was just as bad as when she'd first returned to school after her rape, and she raised her eyes to the ceiling in exasperation, trying to rationalize that they were just ridiculous high school students. After all, it couldn't be that abnormal for someone her age to get married…could it?
Perhaps she had been spending too much time in the Feudal Era after all.
But her thoughts were interrupted when Eri latched onto her right arm suddenly, gasping in surprise. "Oh my gosh Kagome…here he comes!"
"What?"
"Him! Look!" The normally talkative girl seemed unable to say more then one word at a time, and Kagome looked over to see that the source of her distress was none other then Hojo.
He looked like he always had, with his typical innocent smile, his dark eyes full of kindness and confidence, but this time, rather than walking by himself with a stack of books in his arms, he was surrounded by four or five different girls. One of them, Kagome observed, was the same blonde he'd taken to the prom, her arm tightly looped through his possessively. She could certainly see where the rumors that he was dating four or five girls at once had started.
The group came closer, and Kagome noticed that her friends had surrounded her as though to form a protective shield. She could have laughed. What did they think was going to happen? A fight? She'd seen battle, and this was anything but.
Rather then mimic her friends and move into a defensive stance herself, Kagome instead put a warm smile on her face and waited for Hojo to draw close enough that they could talk. After all, she still recalled every time he'd come to see her when she was sick, and all the evenings he'd stayed up late with her to help her study for an exam after she'd been absent from school for a few weeks. If it weren't for him, she probably wouldn't still be passing school…and she valued him as a good friend, despite what others may think.
"Hi Hojo!" She called out kindly.
He stopped and turned to her with a smile, his eyes seeming to light up just a little more then they'd been before. "Higurashi!" He moved forward and took her hand. "How are you doing? Your grandfather said that the upcoming trial has been so stressful that you needed some time off or else you'd make yourself sick. Are you sure you're up to school?"
Kagome blushed as she realized that Hojo still called to check up on her, but she squeezed his hands once before releasing them and allowing her arms to fall back to her sides loosely. "I'm fine, Hojo, and thanks for asking. The trial is stressful, but it certainly helps to have the support of friends."
His kind eyes turned serious. "I'll always support you, Kagome, no matter what else is going on. You know that."
She blinked in surprise for a few seconds, as though she couldn't quite comprehend what he was saying. He never used her first name unless he was saying something he felt to be extremely important, and that thought caused another genuine smile to warm her face. No matter what, he would always be kind. And if she hadn't met Inuyasha…
Well, there was no use thinking about that. In fact, she didn't want to think about that possible reality. "Thanks, Hojo, that means a lot to me."
They stared at one another for another moment before the blonde on Hojo's arm made a less then subtle noise, bringing the boy out of his reverie with a blush. He turned to the blonde and smiled charmingly before briefly returning his gaze to Kagome. "If you'll excuse us, we'd better get to class."
"By all means," Kagome replied, instantly moving aside as they passed. Beside her Eri and Yuka started giggling, though she ignored them until they were once more alone, at which point she gave them each a pointed glare. "What is so funny now?"
Ayumi gave her an amused stare and gave off a slight chuckle as well. "Isn't it obvious Kagome? Isn't it blatantly ridiculous what Hojo's trying to do?" At Kagome's continued blank stare, the other girl gave up with an exasperated roll of her eyes. "You really can be thick sometimes. Hojo's trying to make you jealous by showing off all those girls!"
Kagome practically fell over at that statement.
Good god, was that really what was going on? Was that Hojo's reasoning behind suddenly becoming such a lady's man, when before he had a hard time mustering the courage to ask her out?
She sighed.
Even now, when she had the engagement ring of another man on her finger, when she arrived at her prom with Inuyasha, his arm possessively around her waist all evening, Hojo still didn't truly get it? If that didn't make him see the truth…then what would? In all honesty, Kagome was beginning to feel very tired of the whole problem.
"So I'll meet you girls at my house at four this afternoon?" Kagome called over her shoulder, a few strands of her hair blowing into her mouth as she spoke. She and Inuyasha were quickly walking away from the school, and she was barely able to see her friends nod enthusiastically and wave in the affirmative to her question before the pair rounded a corner and were out of sight completely.
Once alone, after Kagome heaved a sigh of relief that the worst of her day was over, Inuyasha put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her securely against his firm body, glad to have her to himself once more. He hated it when she was at school and he was all alone…although this time he'd had some company as he'd been explaining some of the simple aspects of Kagome's time to Sango and Miroku.
The pair had spent half the day just staring at the television and trying to figure out how people could make themselves so small and fit into the box. It had actually been entertaining, at least until it occurred to Inuyasha that he had been just as clueless when he'd first come to her time.
Keh…he was still somewhat clueless.
After walking for several minutes in silence, when Inuyasha made no move to put her on his back, Kagome looked up into the face of the man she loved with a puzzled expression. "No speedy return home today?"
He just shook his head. "I just want to walk with you for a little while. Is that alright?"
His voice was so innocent, as though he were actually afraid that she would say no, and Kagome felt a soft smile come to her face as she giggled lightly. "Of course it's alright, Inuyasha…I enjoy nothing more then walking with you." She snuggled into his side. "With you I just feel so…safe."
That statement caused his chest to puff out slightly in pride, and he couldn't resist the small smile on his own lips. "So tell me…was school as bad as you thought it would be?"
She groaned at that. "Yes. It was horrifically boring, as always, and I am so far behind in every class that I'm going to be drowning in homework before this week is over. The only class where I'm not behind is history." She winked. "But I guess I have the advantage, since I'm actually living it. In a lot of ways, I know more then my professor."
He chuckled at that, and the rest of their walk home was spent in much the same way, with simple conversations filled with meaningless nothings that only young lovers could manage to find interesting. It was pleasant, with the sun warming their backs and their arms comforting each other, and Kagome found herself actually wishing for once that she didn't have to get home too quickly.
If this is how she would get to end every day, Kagome began to think that maybe, just maybe, she could handle four or five more years of school.
When they did finally reach the Higurashi Shrine, Sango was waiting for Kagome expectantly on the couch, and leapt to her feet instantly when the pair appeared through the front door. She was still dressed in her garb from the Feudal Era, and Kagome found herself shaking her head as she set her backpack down on the hallway floor and removed her shoes. "Yeah," she chuckled, "We'll definitely need to change a few things with your outfit before my friends get here, Sango."
The demon exterminator felt somewhat apprehensive at the look on her friend's face, as though she were hatching some frightening plan, but decided she'd be better off just going along with whatever Kagome ended up doing since that was better then having to answer a lot of questions for sticking out like a sore thumb.
As such, once Kagome had stepped into the kitchen and greeted her mother, Sango followed the girl up the stairs and into her room, which was, upon first glance, very pink. "Have a seat," Kagome stated, indicating her bed, and Sango allowed herself to sink into the soft mattress, marveling at the glorious comfort and warmth of the sheets.
Perhaps she could convince Miroku that they needed one of these modern beds back in the Feudal Era?
"So, um…do you think your friends will like me, Kagome?" The older woman tried to make her voice sound casual as she leaned further back onto the bed, her head burrowing down into the many pillows and stuffed animals near the far wall. She found herself looking at one little stuffed creature in particular, a furry white dog with vaguely familiar ears, noting the fact that it must have been cuddled a lot since it was worn out in many places, and smiled knowingly.
"Of course the girls will absolutely love you, Sango!" Kagome replied excitedly as she hunted through her closet for an outfit that would suit her friend. "They'll just have to get over the fact that you're my maid of honor, and none of them are, but I wouldn't worry about that. They're a forgiving lot." She winked over her shoulder, and Sango smiled back hesitantly.
Finally, after several silent minutes, when Kagome had practically discarded every article of clothing in her closet, she gave out an excited 'aha!' and turned around holding a pair of jeans and a top in her hands. Frankly, even to Sango the outfit seemed rather simple considering all the trouble that had gone into picking it out.
A blush came to Kagome's cheeks as she noticed the dog in her friend's hands, and noticed the knowing twinkle in Sango's eyes as well. "I assume you know what that's for?"
"Of course, but I wouldn't mind an explanation anyway." They grinned at one another.
"I bought that dog long before Inuyasha ever even came close to asking me to be his mate…or told me he loved me at all." She looked away. "It was just after I had realized that I was in love with him, and I'd seen him and Kikyou together under the Goshinboku. That was when he promised to always protect her…" Kagome couldn't help but wince slightly. "You remember how I came back to my time for a while after that? Well…walking home from school one day I saw that little guy in a window and couldn't resist. After that, he's the one I'd hold whenever I was wishing for Inuyasha to be with me, or whenever I felt insecure about his feelings towards me."
Kagome giggled and her mood brightened instantly, which was something Sango had always admired in her friend: her ability to turn anything into a positive. "Now I just keep that dog around as a reminder of the man I'm going to marry."
The exterminator smiled back at her friend and replaced the dog where it had been atop a small fluffy pillow, taking a final moment to admire the soft fur. It really did remind her of Inuyasha.
"So…" She was almost afraid to change subjects, but knew it couldn't be avoided. "What exactly am I going to be wearing?" She glanced fearfully at Kagome's short school uniform. "Nothing too revealing I hope?"
Kagome grinned and fished through the pile in her arms as she spoke. "I pulled an outfit out for both of us since I would prefer to not go shopping in this uniform, and since it's kind of cold out today, you'll be covered pretty much from head to toe. Here," she handed over a strange pair of deep blue pants and a soft, cream colored top along with some white lingerie.
Since they had both bathed together many times before, neither woman was particularly modest when it came to changing in front of each other, but Sango had to admit that she was a little embarrassed when it came to figuring out how to put on the blue pants that Kagome called jeans. They were pulled together by a strange metal contraption, and she kept getting her fingers caught. "Um…Kagome…do you think you cold help me with this?"
Instantly realizing the problem, Kagome helped Sango zip up the fly on her pants, also buttoning the single silver button at the top of the waist line.
When she was finished, Sango turned around and looked in the mirror with a blush, feeling somewhat awkward. It wasn't that the jeans were uncomfortable, exactly…in fact, she rather liked them…but the waistline was so low! She could see her navel, as well as a good portion of her hips! She could only hope that the top Kagome had picked out for her was long and would cover the bared skin.
"Kagome, um…is this even proper?"
"Is what proper?" Kagome turned around from where she was pulling a blue, long-sleeved, turtleneck sweater over her head, fixing the neck of the top using her reflection in her window since Sango was currently using the mirror. She looked beautiful with her thick ebony hair and short skirt revealing slender, creamy legs, and as she smiled in approval her entire face seemed to light up. "You look great Sango!"
The exterminator blushed. "That's not what I meant. It's, well, the pants…aren't they a little, well, revealing?"
Kagome laughed, and Sango blushed even more. "Not at all," the girl from the future explained. "That's the fashion these days. And those are actually pretty high compared to what most girls wear, trust me. Besides, the sweater I gave you is pretty long, so it will cover up the waistline anyway."
Nodding, Sango took the cream top from the bed and pulled it on over her head, slipping her arms into the long sleeves as she'd seen Kagome do a moment ago. It was a turtleneck, like Kagome's, and even though it was wonderfully soft, the exterminator found she still had to get used to having material so close under her chin.
Turning to her friend for approval, Kagome gasped. "Sango, you look absolutely stunning! Now I'm jealous!" She winked. "I could never pull off that outfit like you." The exterminator blushed, though this time it was from pleasure, and Kagome motioned for her friend to join her at her desk. "Here, let me just put a little makeup on for fun…and even fix your hair a little!"
"Makeup?"
"Trust me, you'll like it."
"Okay…I guess…"
"Just trust me."
"I do, Kagome."
"Good, then just hold still for a few minutes." Kagome proceeded to pull the older woman's long, chocolate brown hair into a high ponytail, brushing out the wavy locks with her brush until they looked full and shiny. She then applied a small amount of blush to Sango's face, and dabbed some lip gloss, a deep burgundy called berry flirt, to her lips. It matched the sweater beautifully.
"Voila!" She exclaimed when she was done, and turned her friend towards the mirror.
The exterminator couldn't help but gasp in surprised delight as she stared at her face, which glowed with a strange pink powder on her cheeks, making her expression look healthy and alive. And whatever Kagome had put on her lips caused them to fill out and shine seductively.
Her hair, pulled back into a high ponytail, fell to her waist in its usual long, elegant waves, though it now seemed fuller then normal, and the sweater, which did cover her upper body like Kagome had promised, did not hide her waistline, but rather was fitted enough that men could see her shapely curves.
Overall she decided that she liked her new look a lot. "Oh Kagome, it's wonderful!" She turned and hugged the girl warmly. "Thank you so much!"
Kagome giggled excitedly and hugged back. "I told you that you'd like it," she proclaimed triumphantly, adding some clear lip gloss to her own lips and running a brush through her hair a few times before turning towards the door. "Let's go; they'll be arriving any minute."
Sango nodded and followed her friend out the door, feeling a slight amount of apprehension as she wondered what Miroku would think of her new look.
Inuyasha was the first to see them appear in the living room, but rather then move forward he merely raised an eyebrow at Sango before sweeping his eyes appreciatively over Kagome, noting the way her sweater hugged her body and how the skirt seemed to lengthen her legs. She was beautiful, and she was his mate. The thought caused powerful, instinctive urges to swirl within his belly, and he forced himself to look away for fear of not being able to control himself.
Looking around for a moment, Sango noted with disappointment that Miroku was nowhere to be found, and sighed. She had wanted him to see her like this before she had to leave. Blushing, she realized that she had wanted her husband to gaze at her the way Inuyasha had just been gazing at Kagome…as though she were a precious treasure that he valued above all else.
But her disappointment was quickly quelled as the sound of a familiar, cheerful voice reached her ears, followed by confident footsteps, and Sango turned toward the entrance to the kitchen just as Miroku stepped into the living room. He smiled and nodded at her once, as though nothing was out of the ordinary, but then froze in place and did a double take, his jaw dropping to the floor.
"Sango! You…you look…"
He never finished his sentence, his eyes instead going starry as he roamed her body with his gaze, noting every line and curve that the jeans and sweater top revealed to him, resting for an uncomfortable amount of time on her chest. And then, without any apparent reason, he fainted, dropping his fresh plate of cookies to the ground with him, a dreamy expression on his face.
"Miroku!" Sango dashed to his side in an instant, shaking him roughly, but he just continued to lie on his back with a foolish smile on his face. She slapped his cheek in frustration, but still chuckled and sat back with a roll of her eyes. "You're a hopeless fool, husband."
"Keh, I guess that stupid monk can't handle women as well as he thought if he faints at the sight of his own wife," Inuyasha called out lazily from the couch, where Kagome was now nestled comfortably in his lap, and Sango blushed.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She retorted hotly. "That I am not worthy of his attention?"
"Oh for heaven's sake, that's not what he meant at all," Kagome sighed in exasperation. "He just meant that, well…" She paused and looked at Inuyasha. "What did you mean by that?"
Before he could respond, the doorbell rang, and Kagome leapt to her feet, leaving a cold spot in the hanyou's lap. "I'll get it," she exclaimed happily, and Inuyasha could hear the familiar chirping voices of her friends at the door. He had to stifle a loud groan as he rolled his eyes, wondering exactly how she put up with them on a daily basis.
"You'll never guess what people are saying now about you and Hojo, Kagome!" It was, of course, Eri who was speaking in a shrill, excited voice. "They're saying that he isn't going to give up on you and that he's going to fight Inuyasha for your affection! Isn't that exciting?"
Despite the fact that Inuyasha gave off an audible growl at that comment, the girl didn't stop chattering until she noticed Sango on the floor with Miroku, who, miraculously, woke up at the sound of young female voices. The exterminator's eyebrow twitched in irritation at that.
"So is this her?" Ayumi asked happily, running up to Sango and clasping her hands. "Is this Sango?" The other two girls followed suit, and soon Miroku was in heaven as he was surrounded by four beautiful women.
"We're so excited to meet you!" They all exclaimed at once.
"Oh yes! And I'm sorry we haven't had the chance to meet before now."
"I assume that since you're a friend of Kagome's, that means we'll be great friends too!"
Sango tried to nod politely to all of their prattling, but found herself feeling increasingly nervous about what to say. But in truth, she needn't have worried with a husband like Miroku.
"Excuse me, ladies, but I couldn't help but notice how lovely you three are," he commented in his kindest, gentlest tone, causing all three girls to blush excessively. Miroku acquired a look that Sango knew all too well, and she frowned. "Would any of you consider bearing my…"
He fell to the floor again with a lump on his head before he could even finish the sentence, Sango standing above him with steam practically coming out of her ears. Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi all took a step back in shock. "Hentai! How dare you! We're married!"
"But Sango, dear…I was only joking! Really!" He was whining pathetically, and she glared even more, causing him to flinch slightly.
"Your curse is gone, Miroku, and you already have a woman who will happily bear your children. She will be talking to you later!" Her voice was calm, but Kagome and Inuyasha could both recognize the deadly fury behind her tone, and backed up a few paces while the other three girls continued to stare in shock.
Turning around, Sango instantly changed her face, smiling pleasantly once more as though she had not just been yelling. "Husbands," She shrugged, "they can be so annoying sometimes." That broke the tension immediately, as all three girls exploded about comments on how cute it was that they were married in the first place.
At the rate they were going, they were never going to make it out the door, so Kagome chose to step in, laughing as she did so, to break up the conversation. "How about we head for the mall now, okay?"
That was a mistake…
"Yes! Let's go!"
"I'm so excited to shop for your dress!"
"I have the perfect idea for your dress, Kagome."
"Yuka, we're not looking for my dress…we're looking for yours today."
"But it would be so cute just the same," the girl whined playfully. "So if we see the one I have in mind, I'll just have to show you."
"Whatever."
Eri blinked happily. "I think the dresses should be lavender."
"I've already chosen ice blue."
"Oh, but Kagome, lavender would look so adorable on you."
Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance. "Need I remind you, Eri, that I am not going to be wearing the bride's maid's dresses?"
"I think the blue is a lovely idea."
"Thank you, Ayumi."
"Can we go now…please?" Everyone turned to look at Sango, who was patiently standing by the door, and Kagome mouthed a silent 'thank you' as the other girls ceased chattering and grabbed their coats from where they'd been discarded on the floor.
"We should be back before dinner," Kagome called out over her shoulder as she reached to open the door, and the two men nodded from where they were sharing the couch, Inuyasha lounging on one half while Miroku tended to his wounded head on the other.
The door finally shut, and the hanyou had the desperate urge to howl at the top of his lungs to release all the pent up frustration and annoyance that had been building on itself since they'd first run into Kagome's friends earlier that day before school. He couldn't take much more of this. The wedding was going to drive him insane, forget about Kagome!
"Don't you dare say a word," Miroku warned from where he was sitting, practically reading his friend's thoughts.
"What?"
"I said don't you dare start complaining right now, Inuyasha…the silence is so peaceful. Besides, it's going to get a lot worse before you're married, so you'd best get used to it."
On impulse, the hanyou reached over and bopped his friend on the head, hard, and was satisfied when he heard the monk howl in pain, running into the kitchen for some ice from a sympathetic Mrs. Higurashi.
"Keh," the hanyou grunted, and leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes for a brief afternoon nap.
