Chapter 7: Rain

Kagome waited in tortured anticipation for the next thirty minutes as Sango talked on the phone to Miroku. She was talking in a low voice and it frustrated Kagome how she couldn't even eavesdrop to ease her curiosity. Finally, when Kagome was prepared to freak out, Sango said good-night and hung up.

Kagome's eyes never left Sango as her friend sat on the bed next to her.

"Well?" Kagome bit her bottom lip.

"Miroku says that Inuyasha came in about an hour ago looking really flustered. When he asked what was wrong all her managed to say was 'dinner'….'almost'…and 'stupid kid'. Miroku said that as soon as her forced those words out, Inuyasha shut up and hasn't said anything else since," Sango explained.

Kagome groaned and hit her head against the headboard a few times, "Yeah, but what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Sango smiled, "He obviously likes you Kagome."

Kagome shook her head in disbelief, "But he refused to say anything to even his best friend! That obviously shows that he's ashamed and regrets what happened!"

Kagome buried her head in a pillow .

Sango sighed, "I think you may be misreading the situation Kagome. Inuyasha has never really been the kind of guy who would just wear his emotions on his sleeve. He always used to say that it was a sign of weakness. But ever since he's met you he's been totally different."

Kagome lifted her head from the pillow.

"Don't look at me like that Kagome, you know I'm right," Sango smirked.

Kagome thought back to the first day she had met Inuyasha. It had only been like six days ago, but it felt like forever to her. He had been so rude to her that day in the office…but now…he was different. Kagome blushed.

"Anyway," Sango smiled wide, "Inuyasha probably isn't talking about it to Miroku because he's scared Kagome. He's scared of what he feels! He's scared of being rejected by you like he has been by every other person in his life!"

Kagome just looked at Sango. She was right…

"Wow…Sango, that was deep. You should be a psychiatrist or something," Kagome gaped.

Sango laughed.

"Anyway, don't worry about it anymore Kagome. Tomorrow, if you want, we can spend the day together and go do some shopping," Sango smiled.

Kagome smiled, "That would be awesome Sango."

Sango crawled into a sleeping bag and Kagome kneeled in front of her, hugging her.

"Kagome?"

"Thank you Sango…" Kagome whispered, "You've been such a great friend to me. I can't thank you enough."

Sango hugged her back and then Kagome got back into her own bed, turning off the light. As she lay in the dark she sighed…

Tomorrow was another day…

……………………..NEXT MORNING…………………….

Kagome and Sango both got into Sango's silver mustang the next morning and drove off to a small market.

"It's a really cool place that not many people know about," Sango said, "It has a whole bunch of shops with all this funky clothes."

"Sounds good."

Sango had used the shower at Kagome's house and her hair was still a little bit damp. It was a cool day and she was wearing light jeans with a pink hoodie.

Kagome was wearing a pair of dark jeans and long sleeve navy top with a brown poncho.

The market was a narrow street with dozen of shops lining the walls and so the had to park the car a black away. Once they had walked into the market Kagome was surprised that she had never been there before. It was so adorable.

There was so much color coming from all the stores and she could see that there was a store for everything. Clothes, jewelry, shoes, food, hats, shoes, and many others.

"Where should we start?" Sango hooked her arm in Kagome's.

"Let's start in that shop there," Kagome pointed to a store where a sultry beat was flowing through some speakers and there was earthy toned clothes lining the walls and isles.

Sango nodded and they started to shop…

A few hours later Kagome and Sango sat down in a small lunch shop and got a few bowls of fresh hot soup.

Sango set down her four bags beside her feet on the floor. She had bough ten a pair of cords and a long denim skirt that had a slit past the knee. She also bought a long sleeve t-shirt that was black and had a pair of pale pink angel wings embroidered on the back. Kagome had persuaded her to buy a pair of brown and pink converse shoes.

Kagome stuffed her three bags under the table with Sango's. She had bought a black bunnie hug with the quote 'you have two legs and a heart beat…what's stopping you?' on the front. Sango had said that it was something that Inuyasha would say. Kagome bought a white long sleeve shirt that had three small buttons near the top. She also bought a warm wooly green sweater.

When their soup finally came, Kagome found herself talking and laughing with Sango for over an hour. She had almost forgotten all about the silver haired boy who had been plaguing her thoughts for the past few days.

"So…Kagome," Sango sipped her herbal tea, "What do you plan to do about Inuyasha?"

Kagome sighed, her good mood vanishing, "I have no clue. I like him but I'm still not sure that he feels the same, even after what you said. I guess I'll wait to see what happens at school on Monday."

Sango sighed as well and nodded, "Well there's a dance coming up not this Friday, but the next Friday as well as the tryouts for Romeo and Juliet are this week."

Kagome groaned, "I totally forgot about the tryouts! I haven't even practiced my lines yet!…wait…what dance?"

"It's a school tradition. We always have a dance at the beginning of the year to welcome the new students," Sango said.

"Who are you going with/" Kagome smirked.

Sango flushed furiously and seemed to take ten times too long to swallow her tea.

"Oh my god…you're going with Miroku aren't you?" Kagome squealed.

Sango looked alarmed, "Not so loud Kagome! Do you have to tell the whole shop?"

Kagome ignored her, "When did he ask you?"

Sango cleared her throat, "Um…well, last night on the phone actually…"

"Why didn't you tell me then?" Kagome was confused.

"Well, it didn't seem important at the moment. You were upset about Inuyasha and I didn't think that it was the best time to bring it up," Sango blushed.

Kagome bit her lip. That wasn't fair to Sango…she liked Miroku so much and there was no doubt that Sango would have been ecstatic that Miroku would ask her. Kagome wished that she could have seen the smile on her friend's face the moment she got the news.

"I'm sorry Sango…" Kagome whispered.

"Oh Kagome, don't be sorry!" Sango grasped her hand, "It's no big deal, really it isn't."

"I want to make it up to you," Kagome said.

Sango sighed, "Alright. You can come and help me buy a dress, it's a formal dance."

Kagome nodded, "Deal. But I can't today, I'm supposed to help Souta with the chores."

"Alright then, I'll take you home."

Once Sango had dropped her off at home, Kagome set to work at cleaning the shrine. Her grandfather had always been the one to sweep the area, but the grassy area around the shrine was full of overgrowth and weeds. Sighing, Kagome got onto her knees and began to pull out the unwanted plants.

It took her almost two hours to get everything out and once it was clear enough Kagome went back into the house.

After taking a long bath she put on a pair of sweatpants and went to watch some movies.

…………FEW HOURS LATER…………..

Kagome yawned and opened her eyes to see a blank TV screen.

"I must have fallen asleep," she whispered to herself.

Crawling off the couch she went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of orange juice. When she closed the fridge door she noticed a note…

'Kagome…I noticed you were asleep and so I decided not to wake you up. Your brother is at Shippo's house for a sleepover and I have taken grandpa to the market to find some protection charms for the shrine. We should be back around nine. Love, mom.'

Kagome sighed…what to do…

Looking outside Kagome smiled when she noticed what a nice clear night it was. It would be the perfect time to go for a walk.

Putting on her converse she started to walk down to the park she and Inuyasha had sat in a few days ago. Kagome could feel her heart quicken as she pictured his handsome face in her mind.

Why did she have to feel this way about a guy who didn't even like her back?

Kagome sighed. What was going to happen in the next few weeks? Sango and Miroku were destined to get together, but where would that leave Kagome and Inuyasha? She didn't even want to begin to imagine how awkward it would be between them on Monday…

She sat down on the bench and looked out onto the pond. In the distance she could hear the soft beginning of thunder.

"It can't rain," she mumbled, "it's so nice out!"

She thought of going back home before it started to rain, but the something made her stay where she was.

Suddenly the sound of someone clearing their voice made Kagome look up.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome whispered.

He was standing in front of her, looking better then ever. He wore a red muscle shirt that showed off his muscular arms and toned abs through it. He also wore dark denim jeans, and the rosary around his neck.

"I thought you might be here," he said, looking at the ground.

Kagome's breath sharpened. Had he been looking for her?

"Um…do you want to sit down?" Kagome flushed.

He nodded softly and sat beside her. They were silent for a minute and Kagome's mind was racing.

Why was he here?

"Listen…Kagome," he ran a slightly clawed hand through his hair, "I wanted to tell you something…"

"Yes?"

It was then that he looked up at her. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes bore into hers.

Suddenly he stood up and began pacing, clenching his fists.

"It's about Friday night," he said.

Kagome wasn't surprised.

"I…I guess…what I'm trying to say is," he seemed to be having trouble finding the right thing to say, "I shouldn't have…I didn't mean to scare you or anything…it was stupid of me…I'm sorry…"

He was pacing back and forth so much that Kagome was getting dizzy. Standing up she walked up to Inuyasha.

"Look Inuyasha, please don't apologize, it's ok I-"

She was cut off when he spun around and sealed her mouth with his, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Kagome froze on the spot.

He was kissing her…

Getting over the shock quickly, she closed her eyes and returned the kiss.

His lips were warm and gentle and she weaved her arms around his neck. She had dreamed of him kissing her a lot over the past few days, but the real thing was better then she could have ever imagined.

She could feel every emotion being poured into his kiss. Desperation, worry, and…love?

When he felt her return the kiss she could feel him smile against her lips. Inuyasha deepened the kiss just as the first rain drop fell on Kagome's cheek. Ignoring it, she kissed him back and shivered when one of his hands moved to cup the side of her face.

Suddenly there was a clash of thunder and the pair jumped apart in surprise. They hadn't even noticed that it had already begun to pour. Kagome was thankful that she was wearing a black muscle shirt…

Even through the rain Kagome could see Inuyasha blush as they both gasped for breath.

"We should get out of the rain," Kagome grabbed his hand before he could protest, "Did you drive here?"

He shook his head, "I needed some fresh air so I decided to walk."

Kagome nodded.

"I'll walk you home though," he squeezed her hand.

Kagome smiled and nodded.

Already completely soaked and no longer caring, they walked hand in hand, just talking. Inuyasha started off by apologizing for cutting her off but she had just laughed and kissed his cheek, making him flush even more. Kagome told Inuyasha about Miroku asking Sango to the dance and surprisingly enough, Miroku hadn't told Inuyasha about it.

When they finally got back to Kagome's house, they both went inside.

Kagome went looking for something for Inuyasha to wear that wasn't wet. All she could find that might fit him was an old red kimono that her grandfather had worn when he trained as a martial artist.

"There is no way in hell that I am going to wear that thing," Inuyasha shook his head when Kagome held it out to him.

"You are going to get sick if you don't put on something dry!" Kagome exclaimed.

"I'm a half demon! I'm a lot tougher then you are!"

Kagome pouted, "For me?"

He cringed, "Don't look at me like that!"

She stepped closer to him, "Please?"

He groaned, "Fine!" he grabbed the kimono from her and went into the bathroom to change.

When he came out Kagome just looked at him.

"What?" he asked.

"It suits you," she smiled, "It really does."

He shrugged and went to sit in front of the fire. Kagome changed into some dry clothes and then went to join him. She was about to sit beside him, but he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his lap.

She giggled as he nuzzled his nose in her neck.

"You smell good," he mumbled and placed a soft kiss against her neck.

Kagome sighed and closed her eyes. This was so perfect. Here she was in front of a fire in the arms of the guy she had been crushing on…and he had just kissed her in the rain. Nothing could ruin this moment.

"Kagome!" I high pitch voice yelled.

She turned around sharply to see her mom and grand father standing in the doorway, staring at the two.

They jumped apart, both red in the face.

"Mom…I …um," Kagome stuttered.

Her mom raised a hand to silence her, then she smiled, "If you were inviting Inuyasha over you should have told me, I would have made some ramen for him."

Kagome sighed and almost laughed…typical mom…

"Thanks Mrs. Higurashi but I should really be getting home," Inuyasha inched towards the door.

"Alright then, goodnight dear," her mom smiled and then her and grandpa went into the kitchen to unpack groceries.

Kagome followed Inuyasha to the door.

"I'll return the kimono to you on Monday," he smiled.

She nodded, "I'm sorry about my mom…she's…like that…"

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. Kagome kissed him softly.

"Do you want a ride home?" she asked.

He shook his head, "The rain has stopped already, and I'm supposed to be at Miroku's anyway…but…I got side tracked…"

The way he smirked made Kagome blush.

"By the way, do you want to go to the dance with me?" he asked.

Kagome smiled, "Yes."

He smiled back, "See you on Monday then…"

He waved goodbye and the ran down the drive way.

When he was gone from sight Kagome beamed and ran up to her room, slamming the door behind her.

She had to call Sango…