A/N: Wow, almost to 100 reviews! The last few chapters feel like they have just flown by and in the next few the action will pick up with the arrival of famliar faces. Oh, and I will have to try harder if that's the worst sort of torture you guys can come up with! Although kudos to KhaosFire-Katana for creativity.
On a more serious note, I feel it is important to point out that this story is rated M with the new rating system. It is intended for individuals that are 16+ so please heed the rating! There will be mature situations in future chapters if I have anything to do with it!
"Of course we bribed Souta to be the flower "girl". He was so young he could barely waddle down the aisle with his little basket." Kagome giggled at the memory, glancing at Inuyasha and Shippou as they filed past the village gate.
"Yuki and I had wrapped ourselves in toilet paper gowns and made our grand entrance with all the grace two eight-year-old balls of fluff could muster." Shippou giggled as she pantomimed their round figures toddling like huge cotton balls, and even Inuyasha cracked a smile.
"And maybe it was a bad sign that the weather had decided not to cooperate with our dreams of the perfect wedding. It was drizzling and soon our gowns were a soggy, dripping mess." She wrinkled her nose and Inuyasha snickered.
"But we would not be deterred!" Kagome threw her hand over her heart, posing for effect. "We were getting married no matter what! So we marched down the path to the temple, determined and resolute."
"Get on with the story, little miss drama queen." Inuyasha drawled teasingly to which Kagome stuck out her tongue in response.
"I'm getting to it! As we climbed the steps to the altar it dawned on us that we had forgotten of the little matter of whom to procure as grooms."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "You make it sound like going to the market and grabbing sack of rice for dinner."
Kagome's lips twitched mischievously. "Oh no, its much worse! When we realized our error, and the lack of single males in the vicinity, we decided that the only option left was... to marry each other!" Shippou scratched his head in puzzlement, watching Inuyasha crack up.
"Ji-chan would choose to walk in just as we were vowing our undying love and devotion to each other." Inuyasha threw his head back and howled, the laughter ringing through the woods.
"It took Mama ten minutes to revive him with the smelling salts, and to this day he refuses to leave Yuki-chan and I alone in a room together." She finished her story with a roll of her eyes. Laughing even harder, Inuyasha doubled over, holding his sides as he caught his breath.
"Serves the old geezer right, always trying to seal me with those damn scrolls when I come around." Inuyasha muttered as he wiped at his eyes.
Kagome warmed with pleasure at hearing his laughter, it was too rare an occurance. He had few happy memories in life to reflect upon, so she loved to tell him of her own childhood. The stories always brought a smile, and on special occasions, laughter such as now.
She was startled as he casually reached down to hold her hand. I suppose it isn't really such a big deal. We're just friends, and he's trying to show me how much he has changed.
"Oy, Kagome. Do you ever think about getting married someday?" Inuyasha cleared his throat a little nervously. "I mean, all girls think about that stuff, right? Falling in love and starting a family of their own?"
Unsure of what to say, she decided to be honest. "Yes...I suppose I do. In my time most girls are encouraged to study and earn good grades so they can have a career." Kagome kicked at the pebbles on the road, slowing their pace. "But I guess I'm a little old-fashioned, I've always just wanted to find someone special that I could love and care for."
Cocking his head to the side, Inuyasha sensed she had more to say.
"Its not that I don't have goals or plans for the future." She hurriedly assured. "Its just that to me the perfect career or a large salary don't compare to finding that person who makes you complete."
Inuyasha gazed at her for a moment and then nodded, squeezing her hand in his. "Trust you to buck the system and be stubborn." Kagome elbowed him in the ribs playfully, but smiled at his unspoken support.
Suddenly, Inuyasha clapped his hands over his ears and winced at the loud squeal Shippou released as he bounced towards the back of the group. "Why the hell is the fur ball so excited?"
"Sugar high?" Kagome guessed.
"You let him into the candy again!" Inuyasha scowled and muttered something about kitsunes and some strong rope. Kagome shrugged and watched as Shippou pounced Sango and Miroku. One very hung-over and miserable looking Miroku, to be exact.
He looks just awful. Of course anyone would look awful if they drank as much sake as he did last night...Kagome sighed quietly and turned to face the road againShe wanted nothing more than to go to his side and smooth away the worry that lined his face, but she had made her decision, and she would stick to it..
Kagome wondered yet again if she had been wrong about Miroku's relationship with Sango. She had been watching them for days, and there was nothing romantic about the way he and Sango talked, nothing to point to them being anything other than friends. In fact, when left to their own devices Miroku inevitably sought her out and Sango seemed to gravitate towards Inuyasha. It was almost enough to make one wonder...
Miroku had been true to his word, and they had continued to train in the evenings even though the tension between them was tangible. He hadn't spoken of his feelings since that night, but he also left no doubt that he had not given up chase. No, if anything his other methods of persuasion were far more dangerous.
Each morning when waking in the dimness of dawn she met his violet eyes in a silent exchange of what was in their hearts. The early moments of just waking held no room for pretense, leaving them both vulnerable to the truth.
He had used innumerable excuses to be close to her, and was as playful and attentive as he could be under Inuyasha's watchful eye. The innocent ways in which he brushed against her were more devious and subtle than his wandering hands had ever been. And when her name fell from his lips it was in a teasing, seductive manner that made her shiver.
It was a masterful balance between need and restraint, never crossing the line beyond what was acceptable, but leaving no doubt as to what he wanted. Even as she fell to sleep at night, she could feel his gaze in the darkness like an embrace.
Kagome had done her best to not encourage his attentions, precariously treading the line between friendship and something more. But she was only human, and he was wearing down her resistance. She was to the point that one more touch or heated gaze would push her over the edge into shocking the hell out of everyone and kissing him senseless.
Her only option had been a tactical retreat, staying close to Inuyasha to maintain her sanity. Ironic, isn't it? I'm clinging to a past love to escape a current one.
Miroku wasn't aware of how close she was to giving in, and was becoming more and more frustrated. He had spent the night before carousing until dawn with some locals at the inn, buying round after round of cheap sake. When she had checked in on him around midnight out of worry, it hadn't gone well.
"And lo, the lady moon to my sun arrives." Miroku had stood, raising his cup to her and attempting a stumbling bow.
"It's getting late, maybe you should get some sleep before morning." Kagome eyed him warily, making the suggestion.
Miroku lifted his hand to slide the length of her tresses between his fingers slowly. "Alas the moon lies just out of the sun's reach." He let the ebony hair fall like a curtain between them. "Her love wanes and waxes in a dance between evening and dawn."
"Miroku, don't..." Kagome felt herself being drawn forward, barely holding herself back.
Leaning in closer still, his voice lowered so that slid over her like silk. "Is it the sun's fate to always greet the dawn alone?"
"But you aren't alone, isn't that the problem?" Kagome replied softly. "Shall I fetch Sango-chan from upstairs?"
He tensed at her reply, dropping his playful manner to give her a mournful look.. "Just go, Kagome. I'll be fine."
"You can barely walk, I can't just leave you in this state!" She retorted, tugging at his robes to pull him towards the exit.
"In this state?" Miroku's mouth twisted in bitter amusement. "This state is all that is keeping me from going mad."
Running his hands through his hair anxiously, giving her a hungry look. "I'm only a man, little flower. Even I have my limits." He gently freed his robes and put her at an arm's length. "It would be best if you go now."
She had left as he asked, but had stayed up all night worrying and pondering her own personal hellof a life. When did I begin to care so deeply for him? Why does it have to be the one person that I can't have?
Suddenly Kagome stumbled against Inuyasha as he spun to stare behind them with an incredulous look. Turning to see what was so surprising, she did a double take at the image of Sango and Miroku in a passionate embrace.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures?" Miroku whispered in a panicked voice, trying desperately to pull away from Sango's embrace "Are you insane!"
"We can't just stand back and let the two of them become engaged!" Sango argued against his lips. "If they...I mean if Kagome sees us kissing, she will become jealous enough to act upon their... I mean her feelings."
Miroku hesitated, but stopped struggling as he considered. "Trust me, just follow my lead." Sango wheedled.
Inuyasha roared at the top of his lungs, freeing Tetsusaiga from its sheath as he stalked towards them."Think….what….do you…fuck, fuck, fuck! What the hell are you are doing with my San..." He spluttered angrily, catching himself. "Just what is going on you damn lecher?"
"What does it look like we were doing, Inuyasha?" Sango dead-panned, nonplussed by his anger as she pulled away from Miroku's arms.
Inuyasha glared at the composed taijiya."You stay out of this, woman! I was talking to the monk!"
"I don't have to explain myself to you either." Miroku calmly brushed at an imaginary speck of dirt on his robes.
"Someone had better start talking, right fucking now!"
Sango sighed in exasperation."I was just offering to bear Houshi-sama's child."
"You what?" Kagome shouted out before she could stop herself. As for Inuyasha, his eyes had glazed over sliding back and forth between gold and demon red.
"Perhaps it is best if we explain." Sango gave a half-smile. "Houshi-sama and I quietly ended our relationship about four weeks ago. It was nothing either of us had done, we just drifted apart."
Kagome felt as though she had been hit between the eyes with a hammer. He was telling the truth all along?
"We still care for each other as friends, but not in a passionate way." Her friends gave her a blank look and she laughed nervously. "No, really! We had decided to go our own ways, but Miroku hasn't found that special someone to care for him yet, and time is running out…."
"Any day now we could find the last few shards and go against Naraku for the final battle."Sango took Miroku's hand in hers with a sad look. "If something was to happen to him, his family line would be gone forever. So I thought I would offer to help my dear friend."
Over my dead body! Kagome's temper flared at the very idea. Strangely, Inuyasha had completely quieted next to her and looked like he was a million miles away in his mind.
Miroku sighed pathetically, squeezing her hand in his. "I never imagined Sango was so selfless, but I just don't know if its right…"
"But Houshi-sama! Its not as though either of us is attached or has a love interest!" Sango argued. "I wouldn't be so concerned if that was the case, but we are both all alone in the world." She sniffled and wiped at a fake tear melodramatically.
Sango, you little charlatan. All this time, and I never knew what a natural you were. Miroku watched the emotions play over his friends' faces, trying not to lose his composure. "I need some time to think about all of this, Sango-chan."
Sango nodded. "Hai, we should get going again anway-"
"Like hell we are." Inuyasha interrupted, crossing his arms and staring at Sango unabashedly. For her part, Sango mulishly gazed back. "We aren't going anywhere until you fucking tell me what is really going on."
And with that, Inuyasha tossed up a very surprised Sango over his shoulder and stomped into the woods.
Next chapter: A race against time to find the last three shards injures one of their own, forcing Kagome to fight with her new powers.