DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter Twenty: Birthday Surprises

"What do you think I should get her?" Inuyasha asked Miroku over the phone impatiently. It was three days till Kagome's birthday and Inuyasha wanted to get something special for her.

"Inuyasha, you've been dating her for nearly two months now and you've recently got back together," Miroku stated simply. "And you still don't know what she likes?"

Inuyasha scowled at the reminder of their one-day breakup. He had endured a very difficult night and he didn't want to go through that again. "I just wanted some guy advice, ok? Women are complicated and you never know what to expect."

"So basically, you're asking the master of romance for advice?" Miroku teased.

Inuyasha growled into the phone and snapped, "You are so lame Miroku. Since when did you think that you could replace me? I am definitely more popular with the girls than you are!"

"Yeah," Miroku agreed while smirking. "Only until you made Kagome your girlfriend. She will tear you apart if she found out that you are still bragging about being popular with the ladies."

Inuyasha's ego deflated. He really didn't want to risk the chance of losing Kagome and he knew that having Kagome was enough for him. No other girl would be able to match her beauty or amazing personality in Inuyasha's eyes.

Noticing his silence, Miroku knew that he had hit his target. He decided to give Inuyasha a break. "Inuyasha, I've already told you that Kagome likes simple things. Her feelings won't change for you because of a gift."

Inuyasha thought that Miroku's advice made sense and thanked him for the encouragement. He then hung up, leaving a shocked Miroku. Inuyasha rarely thanked anyone, and Miroku decided that this was a day that needed some sort of celebration. Miroku then decided that he and Kagome would eat out that night instead of simply having Ramen.

The next morning, Inuyasha arrived on time to pick up Kagome. Since he came by so often, Miroku had decided to give Inuyasha a key to his apartment.

"Hey Kagome," Inuyasha greeted her casually and leaned in for a kiss. It was brief, but the two enjoyed it nonetheless.

"See you later Miroku," Kagome called out to her cousin as she exited with Inuyasha. The trip to the university was shrouded in a comfortable silence.

When they arrived, Inuyasha quickly put his arm around Kagome's waist to indicate that all males were not allowed to touch his property. However, one male in particular, was denser than most.

Kouga walked up to the couple and smirked. "So, Kagome, when do you plan on dumping dog-boy over here, huh?"

"Who are you calling dog-boy?!" Inuyasha growled dangerously. "Kagome's mine, so back off!"

"We all know that you probably forced her to be your girlfriend," Kouga retorted. "And that she'll be glad to be with me..."

"Enough!" Kagome screamed at both of them. She sent a warning glare at Inuyasha and then turned to Kouga. "Kouga, you aren't me, so you don't know how I feel or think like. I'm happy to be with Inuyasha and to tell you the truth, you might be a great guy and all, but I really don't like you that way. So please, take the hint and leave us both alone."

Inuyasha smirked when Kouga walked away. Apparently, something did get into his thick skull.

"I feel kind of sorry for him," Kagome began.

Inuyasha stared at her. He couldn't believe his luck that Kagome had actually pushed Kouga away, but now, she was feeling sorry for the moron?

"But you just..." Inuyasha stuttered before Kagome put a finger on his lips.

"I know what I just did, but I can't help but feel that he needs someone, just like you and I have each other," Kagome calmly explained.

Inuyasha just shrugged his shoulders and blamed the queerness of women. The two then headed to their class.

As usual, Kagome, Rin, and Sango were rigorously taking notes while Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Miroku were busy goofing around. Suddenly a thought came to Kagome and she leaned over to whisper to Miroku. "Hey Miroku," Kagome whispered. "Don't you think that Ayame would be perfect for Kouga?"

Miroku looked at her, surprised. The thought had never occurred to him. "But she's our cousin, and if she does get together with him...then he'll be a part of our family, too."

"Your point is?" Kagome glared at him. "I just think that they'll make a cute couple. Maybe we can invite both of them to my birthday and we can pair them up."

Miroku thought about it for a minute and nodded his head. "I guesss..."

"Ms. Higurashi! It would benefit all of us if you would quiet down back there and concentrate," Professor Myouga scolded.

Inuyasha snickered when he saw his girlfriend get reprimanded. She never got in trouble and it was just too hilarious for him. Kagome turned to him and glared at him. Miroku also had to grin when he didn't get caught.

The day passed on peacefully. Kikyo didn't' dare bother them and Naraku was simply lurking in the shadows.

"It's my birthday tomorrow!" Kagome yelled excitedly while sitting next to Inuyasha in her home in Tokyo. The group had decided that they would spend Kagome's birthday in Tokyo, so they had drove there on Friday night. Since they lived on a shrine, they had enough rooms for Miroku, Sango, Rin, and Sesshomaru.

Inuyasha simply smiled at Kagome's childishness. It was cute and he admired her childish innocence. Mrs. Higurashi was glad to have her daughter home and she was also happy that her daughter had found the one that she truly loved.

Souta was ecstatic that his hero was going to stay overnight that he begged Inuyasha to sleep in a futon in his room. He wanted to stay up all night and ask Inuyasha questions about his fighting skills and video games. Mrs. Higurashi immediately disagreed because she thought that Souta should get some sleep and having Inuyasha share a room with the little boy would equal very few hours of sleep and a grumpy hanyou in the morning.

The next morning, Kagome walked sleepily to the kitchen. She was so excited yesterday that she didn't get to have much sleep.

"Happy birthday to you sleeping beauty," Miroku joked when he greeted his cousin's tired face. "Not much sleep yesterday?"

A yawn confirmed his guess. Kagome decided to go take a shower to wake herself up. She showered and felt quite refreshed. She put on her favorite sky blue sundress and headed back downstairs. This time, the others also seemed to be more awake.

"Happy birthday Kagome!" Rin squealed happily. "We've decided what we're going to do with you today! So, it'll all be surprises for you!"

Kagome smiled at her friends. First thing they had decided to do was go shopping. The boys groaned when they heard the event mentioned again. They had agreed to go because Sango and Rin had blackmailed them, but they had tried to persuade the girls to only go for an hour, but to no avail.

Kagome and the girls were excited and they arrived at the mall in no time. They finally decided to go to the food court after each guy had to carry their girlfriend's ten bags.

"How much clothing do you girls need?" Inuyasha asked. He was getting hungry and grouchy that he had to carry all of the bags.

Kagome kissed him on the cheek and that quieted him down for awhile. Miroku tried the same tactic, hoping that Sango would reward him with a kiss, but she only glared at him. Miroku gulped and decided not to test Sango's temper. Sesshomaru remained as stoic as ever. The only indication that he was annoyed was an occasional rolling of eyes from him.

They finished their meal quickly and the girls decided that they had had enough shopping for one day. The boys were extremely grateful when the girls suggested that they go home and do their next event.

They got home and decided to shower before they went. Kagome was done in about half and hour and she came out wearing a pink tank top and tight black jeans. The girls had planned on taking Kagome bowling and Kagome quickly agreed. The boys weren't that disappointed.

When they arrived, they decided to split into teams. It was boys vs. girls and the boys were sure of a quick victory. The game lasted for three hours and the girls won by two points. "Too bad boys," Sango smirked at them. "Didn't you brag that you were going to win?"

"Keh," Inuyasha scowled. "We only let you win because you have the birthday girl on your team."

"So are you saying that we're not good?" Kagome taunted.

"Yeah," Inuyasha smirked. "We let you win."

Kagome growled and punched Inuyasha in the arm. "Hey, that hurts you know!"

"Well, that sucks for you right?" Kagome smiled. Inuyasha just scowled but couldn't be mad at Kagome for long.

They went home and Mrs. Higurashi had decided to take them to Hometown Buffet for dinner. The group was excited and Miroku and Inuyasha looked as if they had died and gone to heaven. They could eat as much as they want!

Dinner passed by quite formally, besides the fact that Miroku and Inuyasha had raced to get thirds before the others had finished their first dish. Kagome and Sango just smiled at their boyfriends. After Miroku and Inuyasha had finished about ten dishes and went back for dessert they decided to go home so that Kagome could open her presents.

"Seriously you two," Kagome commented. "I really don't understand how you two can eat and still manage to look so skinny."

"Keh," Inuyasha just snorted. "It's just my natural body. I was born to be muscular and good-looking."

Kagome just rolled her eyes at her boyfriend and entered her house. She sat down in the middle of the group and began to open her presents. Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Mrs. Higurashi answered.

Inuyasha was shocked to find Kouga standing in Kagome's living room.

"Why the hell is he here?" Inuyasha burst out.

"Because it's my birthday and I invited him," Kagome calmly explained. "I wanted him to meet someone."

Kouga was surprised to hear that. He was also shocked that Kagome had somehow gotten his number and invited him to her home in Tokyo for her birthday.

The doorbell rang again and this time, Mrs. Higurashi was greeted by the face of her niece, Ayame.

"Hello Auntie!" Ayame squealed happily. Mrs. Higurashi hugged her and led her into the living room where everyone else was sitting.

"Ayame!" Kagome screamed when she saw her cousin. She immediately stood up and gave her cousin a hug. Kagome then introduced her friends to Ayame. She noticed that Ayame's eyes rested on Kouga for awhile longer. Kagome smiled and hoped that her plan would work.

Miroku smiled and Ayame then turned to him. "So, you've finally decided to grope only one girl?"

Miroku pretended to be shocked, but then smiled guiltily when no one was buying his act.

Kagome then returned to the task of opening her presents. Sesshomaru had given her a pair of earrings and Rin had given her a diamond choker. Miroku had decided to give her a CD of her favorite band and Sango had given her a basket of soaps from Bath & Body Works. Ayame had given Kagome a bracelet with her name engraved on it and Kouga had given her a perfume bottle. Inuyasha had promised to giver her present later. Kagome got up and gave each of them a hug. She had noticed that Kouga kept on stealing glances at her cousin, Ayame and hoped that it was a sign.

It was getting late and Kagome sweetly asked Kouga to drive Ayame home. Kouga agreed and Ayame blushed shyly. The others headed to their rooms, but Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's wrist and led her outside.

He handed her a box and she opened it with trembling fingers. Inside, was a blue silk kimono with silver butterflies and flowers decorating it. It was silk and so soft to the touch. Kagome smiled and hugged Inuyasha.

"If you don't mind Kagome," Inuyasha choked out. "You are...breaking my ribcage."

Kagome smiled and relaxed her grip. "It's so beautiful Inuyasha. Thank you."

Please Read & Review!

Thank you for all of your reviews and I'm sorry for not updating yesterday. I was really busy, but I'll try my best to continue to update ASAP!

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