Chapter 8: And the Pining Continues

"Hello Sango." Kuranosuke answered his door.

"Hey. How's the packing coming?"

"It's all done, the trucks come tonight."

"I see." She stopped and sat down on one of the boxes. "Thank you but I can't accept this." She held out her hand with the velvet box in it.

"Hmm, but you must." Kuranosuke laughed. She opened the little box to expose a small star shaped charm, engraved with words, 'Slushies, a time of happiness!'

"The first date was under the stars, and we did go out for slushies." Kuranosuke kissed her gently.

"Kuranosuke, I need you to run up and get our pizza." His mother came out and interrupted the 2.

"I should probably go any ways. I still have to help Kagome clean up." Sango smiled.

"Yea, and for the record, the party was awesome." Kuranosuke said as she left.

"Thank-you." She walked back to Kagome's house; her heart felt slightly lifted as she attached the star charm to her necklace.

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"Kagome, why do we have to help clean up?" Inuyasha groaned.

"I don't think that Sango's really feeling up to it, that's why." Kagome snapped back.

"Here they go again." Miroku sighed.

"Do those 2 ever stop fighting?" Sota asked.

"On good days, they're only on each other's nerves, no fighting." Miroku told Sota.

"What was that?" Inuyasha snapped at Miroku.

"Oh nothing."

"Better be!"

"Hi, I'm back." Sango yelled from the front door. As she walked into the backyard she was shocked to see the 3 boys helping out. They were almost finished. "Wow, how long have you 2 been here?"

"A few hours. We thought you wouldn't be back until 6." Miroku answered her question.

"Yea, well it was weird, and then he had to go off and run some errands for his mom." Sango said solemnly.

"Alright, already. We're finished." Kagome looked around. "Now who wants a snack?" Kagome walked into the kitchen with 3 boys following her drooling.

The 5 of them sat down to fresh cookies and milk.

"Mmm, yummy." Sota took his glass and cookies into the living room.

"Yea." Inuyasha stuffed his face.

"So should we all just go get our gifts and open them now?" Kagome asked.

"Why not." Miroku said joyfully.

"Okay, so let's say, be back here in 20 minutes." Sango planned.

"Sounds good." Kagome clapped.

"Whatever." Inuyasha grouched.

Sango and Inuyasha walked their way home while Miroku dashed across the road.

"Inuyasha, can't you smile. It's Christmas and with that attitude Kagome will never agree." Sango scolded him. He stood there kind of surprised.

"I guess." Inuyasha pouted.

"Alright, see you in 20." Sango ran inside.

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(Higurashi Shrine)

"Finally." Kagome smiled. "There's eggnog and dainties in the front room. I'll be right there." Kagome welcomed her 3 friends.

"So, you ready?" Sango whispered to Inuyasha. He nodded in response.

"What are you two whispering about?" Miroku said sipping the potent eggnog.

"Oh nothing." Sango blushed. Kagome walked in holding many wrapped parcels.

"Wow, how many things did you buy?" Sango's jaw dropped.

"You'll see." Kagome winked.

"Okay. Here's one for Kagome." Miroku handed the pink parcel to her. She opened it. It was a journal for her to write in, and new alarm clock.

"Ha ha very funny." Kagome laughed. "Thank-you. I have one for you as well, here." She handed him a heavy box.

"Gee thanks." He opened it and viewed the small Buddha statue. "Well thank you for honoring my religion."

"No problem." Kagome smiled.

Although they all had gifts for each other in no time at all only 3 gifts remained.

"Okay, who's next?" Inuyasha said anxiously.

"Me, here you go." Kagome handed him a second gift.

"But you already gave me one!"

"Just open it." She stifled a giggle. He popped the top open and exposed a soft dog toy.

"What the hell!" Inuyasha grouched.

"It's just a joke, but crack it open." Kagome giggled. Sango bit her lip, Inuyasha looked like he was about to pounce on her. Her cracked the dog toy open to find a ring.

"What, what's this?" Inuyasha was extremely dumbfounded.

"It's a king's ring, just like the one you were drooling over, just like the one your father had." Kagome blushed as Inuyasha pushed the long navy velvet box into her hands. She carefully opened the slim box. "Huh. I-I-Inu, oh my god, I-it's g-gorgeous." The whole room drew silent. Sango held her breath. Kagome leapt up and kissed Inuyasha on whim, she had nothing to say. He was likely surprised by her gave in and kissed her back. He broke off the kiss and helped her place the sparkling necklace on. He let her head rest on his shoulder as both of their faces burned a bright pink.

"YAY!" Sango couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Huh, what are you so happy about?" Miroku asked her.

"Look." She pointed at Kagome and Inuyasha. "That's why."

"Alright settle down." Kagome hushed her. Miroku handed a small wooden box to Sango, but when she leaned over to get it from him, her star charm reflected the light of the fire and Kagome shrieked. "Oh my, Sango! Who gave this to you?" Kagome asked admiring the necklaces latest addition.

"Kuranosuke. It was a good bye present." Sango smiled.

"I see, it's beautiful." Kagome smiled then returned to Inuyasha.

"Oh right, Miroku's gift." Sango turned around expecting to meet his blue eyes, no chance. He was gone. "Huh, where'd he go?"

"No idea." Kagome looked around.

"He left while you two were ogling that necklace." Inuyasha said.

"What? Why would he just up and leave." Sango's heart sank.

'Oh no, seeing that charm, he must've freaked and left. He still doesn't know that they broke up.' Kagome felt so guilty. "No idea, but I'm exhausted. Shall we do something tomorrow?"

"It's the day before Christmas Eve, I have a gathering." Sango said.

"Sesshoumaru and I have plans too." Inuyasha said regretfully.

"Oh I see. That's okay, I'll just see you all back at school then." Kagome pouted.

"I guess, I'll call you tomorrow." Sango left.

"Umm Kagome, does this mean, that we're…" Inuyasha began.

"Boyfriend with girlfriend, I hope so." Kagome blushed as she pecked him on the cheek.

'Okay, I'll see you in school." Inuyasha walked out of the Shrine.

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That's all she wrote…

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-Just kidding…Chapter 9 coming up…2 b cont.