DISCLAIMER: Nope, I don't own Inuyasha or anything to do with it.
You're not Alone
By: Of Memories Past
Part III
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"Can't find anything to wear?"
Kagome whirled around staring shocked that someone had invaded her room. Her hair haphazardly fell in her face as she randomly flung clothes out of her closet, none of them being quite right, and her cheeks flushed a pink tinge from the embarrassment of being caught in her panicked state. No matter how badly her room was destroyed, she had to look perfect that night. However, the site of the childlike fire-cat on her bed, watching her with a humorous gleam in her pink eyes slowly calmed Kagome's nerves.
"Kirara," she breathed, shoving yet another article of clothing back into the closet. "How did you get in?"
The little girl smirked. "Your mother let me in. I just had to explain who I was." A sudden frown crossed her face. "Though my ears still ache from proving it."
Kagome laughed and started scooping up armfuls of clothing only to return them from where they came. "I'm sorry about the mess. It usually doesn't look like this." She bent down and picked up yet more clothes. "But I'm afraid I can't find a thing to wear for tonight and it might sounds pathetic, but I have to look perfect." Giving up on the mess, Kagome flopped down on the bed beside her friend. "How vain does that sound?"
The melodic sound of a child's laughter filled her small bedroom, and Kagome looked down to see Kirara's small form shaking with mirth.
Smirking, she playfully nudged the fire-cat. "Hey, it's not my fault. I have no idea what I should even wear."
Kirara stopped laughing and stared up at her, obviously shocked. "You mean he didn't tell you where he was taking you?"
Kagome shook her head, hiding a smile as Kirara rolled her eyes.
"Men, they can be so stupid at times." She stood up suddenly and pulled on Kagome's hand. "Well, get up. We've only got a few hours to make you gorgeous."
"What?" she asked, stumbling a bit as she tried to keep up with the girl dragging her by her hand.
Kirara stopped to look at Kagome and smiled. "I know exactly where you're going, and I'm here to help you get ready. But first tell me about you and Inuyasha." A sly grin crossed the fire-cat's face as she watched the shocked expression on Kagome's.
"What…Kirara…" Kagome flushed and stuttered. "…there's nothing…no, not at all…nothing to tell."
But the look on her face said quite the opposite. Kirara shook her head inwardly as the miko continued to stutter and try to cover herself up. "She's head over heels for him and afraid to admit it out loud. Well, we will just have to fix that." Kagome's face was as bright as a brilliant sunset by the time she stopped rambling, and Kirara merely smiled back at her.
"Do you find it difficult to talk to a child about these things?" the soft voice asked.
Kagome looked down at the floor and took a deep breath. "I suppose," she whispered. "I do miss being able to talk to Sango about these things." She stubbornly pushed back the tears that threatened to spill. The feeling of a small hand taking hers brought her attention back to her companion. "Kirara?"
Pink eyes lifted to her own, a somber look on the child's face. "Kagome, Sango made me promise her before she died that I would watch out for you—take care of you. And I will forever hold true to that promise. But Sango did not only mean for me to protect you. I'm here to be you're friend. I know what you've been through, and you can talk to me about these things." Her look became stronger as she continued. "I know that I can never replace Sango; I have no desire to do so. But Kagome, please let me be now as my mistress was to you then."
The soft voice and innocent looks were so deceitful. Kagome looked down and fully realized that the tiny Kirara she had always know was truly on the same level as grown woman—even in her child form. And she was also right. Kirara was the only woman around that she could talk to who would understand what she felt. She smiled with a fondness at her friend.
"Kirara," she began, "you've always been my friend. I guess I'm just having a hard time putting it together that you're so much older than you look." Kagome grinned. "But you are awful cute right now."
"Well, let me make you feel a bit better about it then." Kirara stood up and walked a couple yard away from Kagome. "Stay back."
Kagome watch in awe as Kirara quickly changed from the precious, little girl with a soft voice that she had been spending time with to a voluptuous women looking to be around Inuyasha's age. Her eyes widened. The pink kimono and blonde hair had disappeared. That unique innocence that had surrounded her was gone, and in front of Kagome stood the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.
"Oh, Kirara," she breathed.
"Remember that I do have a small and a large form, Kagome," a sultry voice reminded her." She walked over and sat on the bed, motioning for the stunned girl to join her. "Now, where were we?"
Oh, how the fire-cat had changed! The little girl was completely gone and in her place stood a woman measuring at least five feet and eleven inches—maybe even six feet tall. The once fair hair was now a deep black and cut into a short, somewhat spiky and trendy style. Her pink eyes remained the same, only now appeared to be more exotic, and the tailored and fitted, black pantsuit that she wore clung to her curves perfectly.
Kagome gaped at the exotic beauty in front of her and tried to picture the dirt covered, blood muddled, giant youkai that she was so use to seeing. But it became more impossible to do as she stared at the carefully line eyes that tilted upward exotically and the lips that were smeared in a frosted melon color. What she would have given to look like that.
"You are beautiful," Kagome said, her lips still slightly parted from shock. "Do Shippo and Inuyasha know about this?"
The deep, sultry voice laughed pleasantly as she shook her head. "Not a chance. I'll let them know when the time is right. Who knows? I could really pull one over on them one day." She stopped to wipe a few mirthful tears from her eyes as she crossed her right leg over her left, revealing the black stiletto heels that she wore. "But speaking of those boys, tell me about you and Inuyasha now."
Kagome blushed again at the mere thought of the hanyou.
"Ah," Kirara nodded wisely, "picking up from where you two should have left off, are you?"
"Oh, it's so confusing and then so wonderful all at the same time, Kirara!" Kagome exclaimed, falling backwards onto the bed. "A year ago—or five hundred years ago—we defeat Naraku and complete the Jewel. Inuyasha calls me a wench, we start to argue, and then suddenly I feel myself being pulled towards the well." She braced herself on her arms so that she could face the fire-cat. "Next thing I know, all of you are holding on to me and pulling on me, trying to keep me with you. But in the end the well won." She looked down.
"I remember that part," Kirara smiled. "Now tell me something that I don't know."
Kagome sighed. "A year after I've been stuck here you all show up again." She paused to smile. "It was one of the best days of my life. Next thing I know I'm at your apartment, I hear the worst news of my life, and then I fell asleep in Inuyasha's room. Then…" her voice halted as she blushed a violent shade of crimson.
"Then?" The pink eyes sparkled, encouraging her friend to continue.
"Then the next thing I know he's kissing me like there's no tomorrow!" Kagome blurted out. "Actually, I think that I kissed him first, but still, I was kissing Inuyasha." She sat up looking miserable. "It was so different than from that time when we faced Kaguya, Kirara. That had been something that I had to do. Yes, it was nice when he kissed me back then, even if it was quick, but this time…I don't know. This time was special." A scowl formed on her face as another memory entered her mind. "This time he at least didn't tell me that he didn't mean to kiss me."
Leaning forward and bracing herself on her knees, Kirara cracked a knowing grin. "Was he a good kisser?"
Kagome grinned mischievously. "I could have died happy."
Both women laughed with each other at that comment.
Standing, Kirara wiped more tears from her eyes and pulled her friend up. "Well, keep talking. But we have to get going if we're going to find you a new dress."
"A new dress?" Kagome quickly pulled on her sneakers, prepared to leave her house to do shopping while looking like she was headed to the gym. "I don't have any money to buy a new dress, Kirara."
Now it was Kirara's turn to grin mischievously as she pulled out a small, golden piece of plastic. "Inuyasha's treat. He's taking you to that new club. I think it's called The White Sands."
Kagome gasped, even if the idea of using his credit card provoked her dangerous side. "Kirara, we can't." And he was taking her to The White Sands? It was not like the dance clubs in the area, but more or less a high-class dinner restaurant, filled with soft music, wonderful and talented singers, and an elegant dance floor. She had wanted to see what it was like since it opened two weeks beforehand.
"Oh yes we can." Kirara shoved her out the door, and they began to head down the stairs to the garage to borrow Mrs. Higurashi's car. Kirara had already cleared that with her. "Inuyasha insisted, and he can definitely afford it."
Kagome buckled her seatbelt. "Really?"
"Really," Kirara confirmed, igniting the engine and backing out. "Just ask him about everything he's accomplished in the last five hundred years. You'd be quite proud of him."
Kagome grinned wickedly. Well then. "You know, Kirara. I could use a new pair of shoes."
The fire-cat's deep laughter filled the car as they drove down the street. "That's my girl."
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Two hours and three hundred and fifty dollars later a weary Kirara slowly pushed her key into the doorknob of the apartment she shared, remembering to transform back into her child form before opening the door. No need to waste the means for a possibly good prank. So, it was the beautiful, little girl who trudge in and dropped her shopping bags tiredly on the kitchen table, ready to curl up and go to sleep right then. "Why do I have to have such a long night ahead of me?" She smiled a bit as Inuyasha rushed out of his room, obviously anxious to hear about what had happened that day with his two girls.
"You might want to button your shirt, you know," her soft voice teased, pointing to the open article of clothing. "Though Kagome may like it better that way."
Inuyasha scowled and quickly buttoned the black dress shirt. "How did it go? Did she find everything she needed?"
Kirara walked up to him and lifted her arms in the air, silently asking to be picked up. The little girl giggled. "You will love me forever, and I get a hug and a kiss because she is absolutely gorgeous." She grinned happily when he swept her up into his arms, holding her like one would a baby.
Inuyasha kissed her nose and pulled her close. "Thank you, Kirara."
She yawned and snuggled up under his chin. "I should be thanking you."
"For what?" he asked, obviously confused.
"For the ruby earrings," she murmured. Suddenly, Kirara gasped, realizing that she had just let the cat out of the bag about her little spending adventure.
"The what?" The dark look on his face did bode well.
Kirara hurriedly popped back into her kitten form, bounded off of Inuyasha's shoulder and onto the kitchen table, grabbed the small shopping bag that held her plunder in her teeth, and raced into her room as quickly as she could. She barely made it with him hot on her heels. The kitten panted, hoping that he would settle down soon and leave so that she could get ready.
"Kirara!" he pounded the door furiously. "Kirara, come out here and face it like a youkai!"
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Mrs. Higurashi desperately tried to suppress a proud grin as she watched Inuyasha's face when he first saw Kagome. Oh, how she wished she had grabbed her camera!
To say that Kagome was absolutely gorgeous as he watched her shyly make her way down the staircase to him was an understatement. The long, dark tresses of hair were done up elegantly into an upsweep, framing her radiant face perfectly as her cheeks turned a demure shade of pink. He could not help but let his eyes wander down her body, taking in every detail of the shimmering, white dress that she wore. Inch-thick straps rested at the edges of her delicate shoulders, the cut coming down in a "V" in the front. He was thankful that it was not too revealing. The dress came gently down to her knees in the front, hanging down a bit longer in the back. Not to mention that it fit her curves perfectly. And her face. He had never seen Kagome wear makeup before and though he preferred natural beauty, he could not say that what he saw did not appeal to him. As a matter of fact, her crimson lips as she took his arm were a little too tempting.
Kagome's own thoughts tortured her as she got a good look at him. She had never before seen him dress up and found that she liked it very much. The black dress pants and shirt that he wore fit him perfectly, accentuating his strong form flawlessly. She could not tear her eyes away from his violet orbs as she greeted him, subconsciously running her fingers through his midnight strands of hair and bringing her hand to a rest on his broad shoulders. He looked as good human as he did hanyou.
"What time do I need to be home by, Mama?" Kagome asked, turning her attention away from the biggest distraction she had ever seen for a moment. It was going to be a long night no matter how late she could stay out.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled and shrugged. "Stay out as late as you want. You just need to be back before daybreak." She handed Kagome her matching shawl and began to shoo the couple out the door. "Now have fun."
"Mama!" Kagome protested. "Are you sure about this?"
She laughed once more. "I know that Inuyasha will take good care of you. He always has. Now get going before you miss your reservation!"
Kagome kissed her mother and then accepted Inuyasha's arm as he led her out to his car. Mrs. Higurashi did not miss the look of gratitude he gave her before leading her daughter away.
She sighed once the car disappeared down the street, a worried hand coming up to her mouth for only a moment before resting back at her side with a smile. Normally, she would have never allowed Kagome out of the house in such a dress. Her daughter looked too good in it. But as far as Mrs. Higurashi was concerned, that boy would one day be her son-in-law, and she trusted him. She lessened her strict rules just a bit in this special case.
Meanwhile, Kagome sat nervously biting her lower lip. Inuyasha had not said one word to her all evening. She began to worry that she did not meet with his approval as the silence prevailed, hoping that she would not have to wake up from the dream she was currently living.
Suddenly, Inuyasha pulled the car over. Kagome started a bit as he unbuckled his seatbelt and moved closer to her, but did not find herself able to complain as he drew her face into his hands and heatedly kissed the lips that had been torturing him since he first saw her.
Kagome's eyes widened for a moment, surprised at his intensity before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. She could not complain, having wanted him to do so again since they had first kissed. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pressed on his neck and tried to draw his face closer to hers.
Inuyasha told himself to stop as he felt the youkai instincts becoming stronger, but it was easier said than done. His mouth firmly pressed against hers again before trailing along her jaw line and down the slope of her neck.
Gasping, Kagome pulled away when she felt his fangs graze her neck. Fangs. Not a good sign, especially since that necklace was suppose to keep his hanyou form concealed. She smiled at him gently and settled back down into her seat.
Inuyasha also sat back, letting out a deep breath as his head fell softly against the back of the seat. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Kagome shook her head as a small laugh escaped. "I'm not." She smiled warmly when his questioning eyes turned her way. "But I will not allow you to lose complete control of yourself. It would be wrong of me. However…" she leaned over and kissed him one last time. "…I won't say that it is easy for me either. And that's why we need to be careful." Pulling back, she buckled her seatbelt and pulled the mirror down to touch up her lipstick.
Inuyasha simply smiled and started the car back up, admiring her strength. He surge of pride rushed through him as they drove off, knowing that his Kagome held to her morals. Whatever the future held, he had faith that their relationship would be done right and done well.
A/N: Just a note: this is not and will never be a lemon fanfic. Sorry guys, I don't write that stuff. Never have and never will. But I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Next one will be all about their little date and getting to know a bit more about what happened in those five hundred years that Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kirara waited. Also, watch out for our little fire-cat! The playful side is coming out, and with Inuyasha busy it only leaves a certain kitsune to stop her…God Bless! ~Of Memories Past