Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Company.

Author's Note: Sorry so much for the delay! I was going to make the chapter longer but just decided to end it here. The ending of the chapter's kinda of dull. It ends with Sango and Miroku for the first time I think. But I like this chapter because I've put in a flashback about Kagome and Inuyasha. Hopefully you'll all like the flashback as much as I did. It was fun to write. Anyway, I think there will be one or two more chapters left in this story and an epilogue. That's the plan for now.

Well, yep. That's all I have to blab about. Thanks so much for your reviews and support! I love you guys so much! Until chapter sixteen, SilverRose88.

Chapter Fifteen

Despite the summer heat, the air was crisp and cool and the stars were shining brightly in the dark ebony sky. The streets were empty, it being after midnight, but he didn't really mind. Being alone was what he wanted; just to forget it all and spend time without an annoying roommate; just to relax. But, mainly to forget. A few days ago it had arrived in the mail, and it had made him want to kill something, preferably the certain bastard it had mentioned. But he'd refrained himself with a great amount of difficulty knowing if he'd committed murder, in the long run, it would cause more problems and it would solve. But it had made him so mad.

Inuyasha sighed, trying not to think of it any longer. But the more he told himself not to think of it, the more it pressed against his mind. Three days ago it had come in the mail, it--Kagome's wedding invitation.

Miroku had been the one to find it and had shown it to Inuyasha who'd practically started growling angrily at the fancy white stationary with it's golden borders and curvy, loopy lettering that said:

You are cordially invited to the wedding of

Kagome Higurashi and Koga Hikari

On the 20th of August

The wedding will be held at Shikon Church. If you

need directions, please feel free to call.

The ceremony will begin at 2 pm, and there will be a

reception afterwards.

Please RSVP by the 4th of August to assure your seat.

We hope you can attend this joyous occasion.

And after just one look at the card had made the blood begin to boil ever so rapidly in Inuyasha's veins. He'd been so angry that he'd promptly walked to the kitchen, turned the stove on and waited for a while before dropping the card onto the top and watching it burn. It was only after the last corner had turned to ash did he and Miroku realize that Inuyasha had just burned away all the information about location and time of the wedding. Miroku had yelled at him and had to call Sango to ask for the information again and Inuyasha had grumpily shut himself in the bedroom, refusing to come out until well into the next day.

Now, just thinking of it was making him cringe again, and he was cursing himself for even bringing it back to the forefront of his mind again. He'd come out here to not think about anything, to just enjoy the gentle summer breeze and watch the stars in the sky. But the fact was that he didn't want to think about it. Because thinking about it was only admitting to himself all the more that Kagome was getting married, and getting married within a week and a half. His best friend, the woman he loved, was getting married and was leaving him right before his eyes, and there wasn't anything he could do to stop it.

That night he'd left the apartment and Miroku's constant questions. That so-called friend of his had not left him alone since it had arrived; he'd been continuously asking Inuyasha whether or not he was going to do anything about Kagome's wedding. After about the fifty billionth time of saying no, he'd gotten fed up and stormed out. How could he crash Kagome's wedding? All he wanted was to see her happy, and he knew that Koga made her happy, even though knowing that only brought pain and sorrow to his heart. If Koga made her smile, if Koga made her laugh, if Koga made her happy, then who was he to stop that? It wasn't fair to Kagome, she deserved to have a happy life, and he wanted that for her. There wasn't any way he'd stop that wedding. He'd rather die than not give Kagome the happiness she deserved.

But Miroku had asked him if he was going to tell her about his love for her, and this question, out of the million others the letch had asked, was the one to stick out the most. Was he going to tell her? Could he tell her? He knew that it would be a hard thing to do, and it would amount to nothing in the end, but could he live the rest of his life knowing that he'd never told her about how he felt? Inuyasha was certain he didn't want that, but he also didn't want to tell Kagome something like that so soon before her wedding. That was wrong of him to do, but deep down he knew he wanted to. He really did want to tell her how he felt. If only he knew how.

Inuyasha sighed again, reaching a small park behind the street shops. He found a bench and sat down on it, sighing another time before looking up at the sky and taking in the mass of ebony and dazzling silver stars, along with the glowing ivory moon. He'd been out for almost two hours by now, and he knew he should be getting back, but being outside was comforting him somehow. It seemed as if nothing could destroy the calm, serene atmosphere that had consumed him, and he liked the feeling, and wished it wouldn't go away. However, as he shut his eyes and took in a deep breath, the atmosphere was broken when he heard his name.

"Inuyasha? Is that you?"

He opened his eyes and to his surprise gasped, "Kikyo! W-What are you doing out here so late?"

She looked him over and replied, "I could ask you the same thing,"

"It's okay for a guy to be out so late. But for you it could be dangerous," Inuyasha said.

She shrugged and said, "I can take care of myself,"

"So, what are you doing out here?"

"I was getting some food from the 24hour market," she said, holding up a plastic bag. "What about you?"

"Just taking a walk,"

"At midnight?"

"It's relaxing,"

Kikyo nodded and looked him over again. "Uh, Inuyasha, I want to talk to you for a moment, do you mind?"

He shrugged. "Sure, no problem," he conceded, knowing that there wasn't any way he'd get back into his calm atmosphere, and listening to Kikyo would at least take his mind off of more pressing matters.

Kikyo sat down next to him and plunged right in. "I-I've missed you, Inuyasha," she said, staring directly at him. "I mean, really missed you. I miss being with you,"

"Kikyo, don't you have a boyfriend?" Inuyasha asked.

She gave a slight laugh. "Things aren't going very well for Naraku and me," she said. "The truth is, I've never really gotten over you,"

"You were the one who broke up with me," Inuyasha pointed out.

"I-I know, and it was stupid of me," Kikyo said. "I-I realized that it was a very stupid decision,"

"Yet, you got a boyfriend about a week afterward," Inuyasha said, staring at her with annoyance.

She looked away. "I thought you were mad at me,"

"A little bit, anyway. Kikyo, why did you break up with me in the first place?" he asked.

Kikyo turned sharply to look at him. "Because you never spent time with me anymore. You were always searching for Kagome! Kagome, Kagome, Kagome! It was all you ever did, you forgot all about me! I was lonely," she said.

"Lonely?" Inuyasha repeated. "Kikyo, I never left you! Kagome is my best friend, of course I'd spend time looking for her. But I never forgot about you the way you think. Besides, I know you weren't lonely. You had Naraku back then too, didn't you?"

Kikyo looked surprised. "Y-You-You knew?"

"Not then, I didn't. But I figured it out later. I knew Naraku looked familiar to me when I saw him that time at the restaurant. He went to college with us, and come to think of it, I had seen him with you a few times, but never really thought about it. I put it all together after awhile, but now I really don't care. You mean nothing to me, Kikyo," Inuyasha said.

"B-But, I still love you! Inuyasha, don't leave me!" Kikyo pleaded. "I-I know you still love me,"

He shook his head. "N-No, I don't love you. Loving you would ease my pain, would make the truth go away, but I don't love you,"

Kikyo gave him a scrutinizing look, deciphering what he'd just said. Loving you would ease my pain… She stared at him and narrowed her eyes threateningly. "You love Kagome, don't you?"

Inuyasha practically fell over. "W-Wha-What? How did you--"

"Oh, please, Inuyasha, you're so easy to read sometimes," Kikyo said. "I knew it, it was always there, the signs were everywhere. I just knew you loved her. Why else would spend two years searching for her? The way you looked for her made it seem as though you couldn't live a second without her! The two of you were too close as best friends to not let something like love get in the way. You must be a fool to realize it so late,"

Inuyasha looked away, knowing everything was true. After he'd realized his feelings for Kagome, the reasons he'd spent so long looking for her made sense, the reasons they'd been such good friends made sense. Love was bound to get into the way somehow; wasn't it Kagome herself who'd said that 'love was friendship'? Is this what she'd meant that day two years ago? But if it was, then why was it only him who had fallen in love? Why didn't she love him back?

"Kagome doesn't know, does she?" Kikyo asked, and Inuyasha cringed, nonverbally answering her question. "It wouldn't do anything anyway. She's in love with her fiancée,"

Inuyasha felt his heart crack. "I know," he replied.

"She could never love you, Inuyasha. She only sees you as a best friend,"

The crack begin to deepen. "I know," he replied.

"She's getting married soon, isn't she? How could she ever love you when she already has Koga?"

Had his heart broken yet? Was that shattering noise in his head of his heart falling to a million pieces? "I-I-I k-know…" he replied, feeling a wetness behind his eyes.

"So, if you know she'll never return your love…Why don't you fall for me instead?" Kikyo asked, leaning closer.

Inuyasha snapped his head up to look at her, a deep scowl on his face, his dark eyes shined malevolently. "How dare you say something like that? Even if the pain would be easier to bear, trying to love someone else, I know that in a million years I could never do it. Loving you is ten times worse than not loving Kagome, and I love her so much it hurts. Besides, I know you're just lying about loving me. You really don't love me, I don't know if you've ever loved me. How could you say you love me when I can see your boyfriend waiting by his car just over there?"

Kikyo whirled around and sure enough, in the parking lot of the park a couple hundred yards away, standing against his car was Naraku. Kikyo seethed under her breath.

"I don't know what you're trying to do, saying you still love me. Maybe you just like to two-time your boyfriends, or maybe you're just angry that I don't love you anymore," Inuyasha said. Kikyo glared at him, but he ignored it. "The point is, I don't give a damn anymore. I don't care about you, Kikyo. You're history to me…Kagome is my future, well, at least in my heart. From now on, just stay out of my way," He stood to leave, but Kikyo caught his arm again.

"No, I'm serious, I-I don't love Naraku anymore. I love you!" she said.

Inuyasha shook her arm away. "Again, I don't care. I don't love you, I don't care about you. I love Kagome, and she is the only person in my heart, no matter what happens,"

Then with a goodbye, Inuyasha took off down the street, heading back to his apartment, feeling refreshed and relieved, but deep down much more sorrow and pain.

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"Let's go on a date!" Miroku exclaimed happily the next day.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow and replied, "What? Have you changed your preferences? Finally realized no woman will ever give you a chance? And, even if you have, I'm sorry, but I don't swing that way,"

Miroku hit him on the head and shouted, "I didn't mean you! What are you, stupid? I meant a double date with Sango and Kagome! Besides, I love my women too much to give that up,"

"What woman? You're pretty alone as it is," Inuyasha said.

"Well, I think Sango's starting to like me! Take that!"

"Sango, huh? And she's the first one out of the how many millions of women you've groped?"

"Ha, ha, very funny. Your love life's not that great either," The words were out before he could stop them. "Ah, wait--"

"No, you're right. It's not. But just for that insensitive comment, I'm not going on a double date,"

"Aww, but you have to come!" Miroku exclaimed. "Besides, I heard from Sango that Kagome's really excited to spend time with you…"

Inuyasha straightened up, turning to him. "Is that true?"

Miroku shrugged. "I dunno. I was just saying. But, Sango did tell me that Kagome's been feeling a bit down lately and nothing she does seems to help. Maybe what she really wants is to spend time with her best friend?"

"Why doesn't she spend time with her fiancée?" Inuyasha asked.

"How should I know? But don't you want to be the one to make her happy, and not let Koga do that? At least until she's married for good?" Miroku questioned.

Inuyasha looked away, knowing it was the truth. But seeing Kagome was making him feel so horrible, that he was beginning to think of never seeing her again…But that was much more painful. "F-Fine, I'll come. But, you'd better find out if Kagome can come. If she's spending time with her fiancée, then I'll shoot you,"

"Already taken care of! Sango and I already planned it. Kagome said she can come, that's why I was asking you," Miroku said.

"Then why the hell didn't you tell me that in the first place, you moron?" Inuyasha demanded, hitting Miroku on the head.

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"I haven't been to a carnival in years! This is so awesome!" Kagome exclaimed as she, Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku made their way to a carnival that was stopping by in the town. "Thanks, Miroku, for suggesting this," Kagome said, giving him a smile.

"Not at all, Kagome," Miroku replied, returning her smile. He then turned to his date and said, "Are you enjoying yourself, dear Sango?"

"Yes, I am, actually," Sango replied.

"Good, I'm glad," He gave her a bright grin and succeeded in making her blush.

"Quit grinning so much. It makes you look psycho," Inuyasha told Kagome.

"Gee, thanks. Glad to know my smile makes me look crazy. Guess I'll never smile again," Kagome replied, giving him a sour glare.

Inuyasha froze. Kagome…never smiling? "N-No, Kagome, that's not what I meant!"

Kagome laughed and said, "I know, I was just teasing. I'm smiling because I love carnivals. They bring back memories,"

"Memories?" he repeated.

"Yeah. Real fun ones," she said dreamily.

"Of you and-and Koga, right?" he said angrily.

"No, stupid! Of me and you! We met at a carnival, remember?" Kagome exclaimed.

How could I have forgotten that? "I remember," he said. "We were, what? About thirteen when we met?"

"That was seven years ago!" Kagome exclaimed. "Time sure flies, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, it really does," Inuyasha replied smiling down at her.

-----FLASHBACK-----

"Come on, Kagome, you've got to come! Everyone's going to be there!" Ayumi yelled grabbing her friend's hand and dragging her towards the carnival.

"I don't care! I've got better things to do than to go to a carnival," Kagome said, trying to pry her arm away.

"Too bad, Kagome! You're coming and that's final!" Yuka said, taking her other arm.

"That's right! And you're going to have fun. Like normal people!" Eri said, pushing Kagome from behind.

"You guys, cut it out!" Kagome exclaimed, but then realized that her friends weren't going to let her go no matter what. Sighing in defeat, she let them drag and push her into the crowd of the annual carnival that was held every year in their town. This year, their teachers had asked them all to participate in some kind of booth, be it a game or a food stand, in order to receive extra credit. Kagome, being the smartest girl in her year, had felt no need to partake in the carnival, which she had outgrown five years ago.

Deciding that the best way to get back home was to get away from her friends, she quickly said, "Uh, guys, there was a booth I wanted to see, I-I'm going to go check it out!" And before any one of her three friends could say otherwise, she had pulled her captive arms out from their grasps and made a mad dash into the crowd, disappearing instantly.

Thank god, she thought. Now, to find a way to leave without letting them see me… Kagome wandered around for awhile, having no luck to get anywhere other than being pushed further and further into the carnival. God, there's so many people here. And, I'm seeing like half of my entire class here! Shaking her head, she continued around, occasionally stopping to say hi to someone she knew or look over a booth that had caught her attention.

However, Kagome hadn't taken that literally until someone had grabbed her arm and roughly pulled her aside. "Whoa! What the--get your hands off of me!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Kagome, calm down, it's me!"

Kagome stopped struggling at the familiar voice and looked up into violet eyes. "Oh, Miroku! What are you doing?" she asked the vice-president of the student council. Kagome, being the council's president, had associated often with Miroku, but they had never really been friends. He was a bit of a player and wasn't exceptionally trustworthy. But he was nice, mostly to girls that is.

"Well, I need someone to do the dunking booth. I had someone who'd volunteered, but then he bailed at last minute. Think you can waste a few minutes to get dunked?" Miroku asked.

"Are you out of your mind?" Kagome exclaimed. "Of course not! And, I know you're only asking a girl because it'd be fortunate for you to see me get my clothes wet!"

"You don't have to wear your clothes if you don't want to," Miroku replied, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"You pervert! For that comment, there is no way I'll help you out!" Kagome shouted, blushing with embarrassment and anger. "Now, if you don't mind, I've got to figure a way out of here," She pulled out of Miroku's grasp and began to walk away when he grabbed her arm again.

"Kagome, I can help you get out, only after you do this! Just like three times, that's all!" Miroku pleaded. "Then I'll find someone else! A lot of people have been waiting for this game to start, but it can't without someone who'll dunk!"

"Why don't you dunk instead?" Kagome suggested.

"Because I'm collecting the money!" Miroku said.

"Fine, then you go get dunked, and I'll collect the money," Kagome offered.

"Doesn't work that way. If a girl's up there, more guys will be willing to pay," Miroku said.

"Because all men are sick pigs," Kagome exclaimed. "I'm not helping!"

"Please! I said I'll help you escape afterwards!" Miroku said.

Kagome looked him over, trying not to laugh at his pathetic face. Then, she said, "Fine, but you've got to help me leave, and you've got to give me all the money that was paid for dunking me,"

Miroku gasped. "You'll be stealing that money!"

"I don't care! It's a fair trade, isn't it?"

"But it's so scandalous! …I like it!" Miroku grinned and held out a hand for her to shake. "It's a deal!"

Kagome shook his hand and said, "Good. Then lets get this over with,"

Five minutes later found Kagome sitting on the little bench above the pool of cold water. She was thinking of ways to kill Miroku after this was over as she sat there waiting for the letch to start calling out to the carnival-goers about the dunking booth finally opening.

"Come on, men! We've got a gorgeous teen right here who's willing to get wet if you pay up a dollar and hit the bull's-eye!" Miroku said. "What else can you ever wish to see?"

"Miroku, don't make it sound so dirty! Do you want me to hurt you?" Kagome exclaimed.

"Hehe…And she's a fiery girl at that! Come on, for just a dollar you get three chances! Let's see your aim, gents!" Miroku called.

Just then a boy with long black hair tied in a braid stepped up and handed Miroku a dollar. "I'll have a try," he said.

"Yahoo! We've got our first contestant!" Miroku yelled into the mike. "Go ahead and take your first shot,"

Kagome watched the boy and sighed with relief when he missed the first throw. She then grinned when he missed the second. And she almost jumped with glee when he blew the third.

"Ohh! Tough luck, kid, maybe another time!" Miroku said.

"I'll try again," he said, and paid another dollar.

Yes! If this guy's that intent of getting me dunked, he could go on forever! And with his bad aim he might never hit the goal! I could get filthy rich off of just one person! I'm already at two dollars! Kagome grinned happily as she watched the boy blow the first throw.

"Oh, come on! Are you a man or what? Hit that bull's eye!" Miroku coaxed.

However, the boy missed the next two throws.

"That was horrible!" Miroku exclaimed.

"Shut up, moron," the boy said. He then turned to look at Kagome, who was practically jumping for joy, and said, "My aim's not that bad. It's just rude to dunk a girl," And with that he walked off.

It took Kagome a moment to register that, but when she did, she called after, "Thanks!" Hm, a good guy after all, she thought. Then, she yelled at Miroku, "See, you letch! It's rude to dunk a girl!"

"That was just one guy's opinion!" Miroku called back. "Not every guy that tries is going to fake out just because you're a girl. There has to be a guy who--"

"Wants to see me in a wet shirt? You pervert, that's just you! There isn't anyone else like that!" Kagome exclaimed.

"We'll see! Hey, we've got another customer!" Miroku said, turning to the arrival. "And look, it's someone from our very own school! Hojo, step right up!"

Kagome gaped. "H-Hojo!" she exclaimed, looked absolutely shocked. "Don't tell me you're going to try this?"

"I'm sorry, Kagome, but it looks fun," he said, looking apologetic.

"Hojo, I never expected this from you!" she said.

He just shrugged and handed Miroku a dollar. "Sorry, Kagome," he said.

"Let's just hope your aim is totally off," Kagome muttered under her breath. She knew that Hojo was a very bright student, but he didn't seem that athletic. Hopefully his aim is as bad as his math skills are good, she thought, silently praying under her breath. She did not want to get wet. She wanted to get as much money she could and then get out. That was all. No where did it say she wanted to get dunked.

She was very glad when Hojo blew all three chances. However, she was upset that he didn't try again. What's my luck in finding another guy who'll miss the goal? I just had two in a row, I definitely can't get another one, she thought with a sigh. However, contrary to her belief, three more guys came up and never hit the bull's-eye. She decided that they were either, a) very bad at aiming, like Hojo, or b) just not willing to dunk a girl, like the first guy who'd tried. Either way, she was glad about still sitting up on the little bench, as dry as the Sahara, with about ten more dollars in her wallet.

"See, Miroku!" Kagome exclaimed. "I'm still dry! No one's that willing to get me wet!"

"There were all just bad at aiming!" he countered.

She just rolled her eyes at him and looked through the crowd and found someone with long black hair walking over to Miroku. Great. The next one is here, she thought.

"Oh, Inuyasha! I was wondering when you'd get here," Miroku said.

"A girl, Miroku? You got a girl to replace me?" Inuyasha said. Then he rolled his eyes and said, "I should have known,"

The letch gave a nervous laugh and said, "Why don't you take a try and hit her? No one else has,"

"Yeah, I heard. A bunch of pathetic losers if they can't even hit a bull's eye," Inuyasha said. He glanced up at the girl on the bench, who was watching him closely and then handed Miroku a dollar. "Sure, I'll do it. I'll show these guys what a real throw is like,"

Miroku grinned and handed him the baseball. "Get ready, Kagome! You're definitely going down this time. He's not using the 'she's a girl and can't be dunked' excuse,"

"You're actually going to try to dunk me?" Kagome exclaimed at the long haired boy.

"Yeah, I am! Got a problem with that?" he shouted back.

"As a matter of fact, I do! You're the one who's supposed to be up here in the first place and wigged out! So-So, let me off and you get your lazy butt up here and do the job you were supposed to do!" Kagome yelled.

"Nah, don't feel like it," Inuyasha said. "But I am in the mood for a good laugh. So, dunking you will help me do that," He tossed the ball up and down in his hands and smirked at Kagome. "You'd better close your eyes and hold your breath!" And then, before Kagome could utter a word, he'd chucked the ball at the target and hit it squarely in the center. The bench Kagome was sitting on swung open and she fell into the pool of cold water, causing a big splash.

When she resurfaced, she was greeted by the laughs of the long haired boy and Miroku's perverted gaze. "You jerk!" she shouted. "I can't believe you did that! This was your job and I got dunked for you! It's not fair!"

"Like I care what's fair and what's not? I said I wanted a good laugh, and that was pretty funny," Inuyasha said.

Kagome pulled herself out of the pool and out the little cubicle that surrounded the pool. She stomped over to the jerk and the letch and said angrily, "This is all your fault! If you hadn't skipped out on your job then I wouldn't be dripping wet and shivering like a dog right now!" She then whirled on Miroku and exclaimed, "Did you have to make that water freezing? I think it gave me frostbite it's so cold! Now, give me my money and show me how to get out of here before I shove you into that pool and see how you like it!" Kagome hugged her arms to her chest, running her arms over her skin, trying desperately to warm up. She sneezed a few times and then glared at the two boys, "If I get sick, it's on your heads! Now, fork over the money!"

Miroku reluctantly handed her the twelve dollars and said, "Kagome, thanks for doing this,"

"Yeah, yeah, now tell me how I can get out of here!" Kagome said.

"Uh, well, Inuyasha can do that!" Miroku said. "I've got to stay here anyway,"

"What? I'm not helping. It was your deal," Inuyasha said.

"Yeah, and I don't want his help anyway! What a jerk," Kagome muttered.

"You're not that great either, wench," Inuyasha replied.

She stuck her tongue out at him and he blinked, then laughed. "Oh, shut up!" she snapped.

"But that was funny! It was so childish," Inuyasha said.

She glared at him and turned back to Miroku. "Well?" she said.

"You guys seem to get along. Why don't you just take her, Inuyasha? You're leaving anyhow, aren't you?" Miroku said.

"That's true," Inuyasha replied.

"Then take her with you, got it?" Miroku said.

Inuyasha sighed and grabbed Kagome's hand. "Fine," he grumbled and began to drag her away.

"Hey-Hey, slow down, will you?" Kagome exclaimed as she ran after the one named Inuyasha. "I'm wet and cold and I can't run in slippery shoes!"

Inuyasha turned to look at her over his shoulder and then slowed to a walk. "Sorry," he grumbled.

Surprised he'd even apologized, Kagome just nodded dumbly right before she sneezed.

She rubbed her nose and said, "Great, I really am getting a co-ld…?" Looking down at her shoulders, she realized that an over-shirt had been placed on her. She quickly looked up at Inuyasha who was watching her closely, but when he noticed her stare, turned instantly to look away as if he had nothing to do with the shirt that had mysteriously been placed upon her. A blush painted his cheeks as he crossed his arms. Kagome stared at him for a moment before hugging the shirt closer to her body to warm herself up. "Thanks," she said sweetly, smiling up at him, a slight blush on her own cheeks.

"Feh," he mumbled, looking away as the blush deepened. Then he turned to her, and said, "It's just atonement for dunking you. You're right, I shouldn't have. It wasn't fair. I should have been the one up there, not you,"

Kagome's smile widened, though inside she was so surprised she wasn't sure why she hadn't yet fainted. "Glad you see it my way," she said.

"Well, it's not like you got off that bad. You just got twelve dollars for just sitting up there and only getting wet once," Inuyasha said, grabbing her hand again and leading her off through the crowd.

"That's true, but still. I hadn't come here to get wet. Actually, I didn't want to be here at all," Kagome said.

"Then why are you here?"

"My friends dragged me with them,"

He gave a small laugh. "Yeah, me too. I'd rather be at home, so that's why I'm leaving now," He then stopped and said, "Well, we've reached the exit,"

Kagome looked around and realized he was right. "Oh," she replied. "Uh, well…Thanks for showing me out…and for your shirt," She began to pull it off when he interrupted.

"Keep it. It's not a big deal," he said, waving a hand in dismissal. "Don't really like that shirt much anyway,"
"Well…thanks," Kagome replied, looking down and blushing.

"Uh, hey, w-where do you live? Do you want me to walk you home?" He wasn't sure why'd he offered, but for some reason he felt content in her company. He wasn't one to trust people that easily, and it had taken him a long time to find a friend like Miroku, but for some reason, being with this girl, even though he'd known her about twenty minutes, he felt content, he felt good.

Kagome stared up at him with surprise and said, "But you don't even know me,"

He shrugged. "Guess I don't," he said. "But you don't know me, and you trusted me enough to show you the way out,"

Kagome blushed. "That's true," she said. Then, she looked up at him and said brightly, "Well, I'm Kagome Higurashi, nice to meet you,"

"Inuyasha Takeshi," he replied, and then gave a slight smirk. "So, you want company as you walk home or what?"

Kagome smiled at him and said, "Company would be good,"

Inuyasha nodded, his smirk widening as he and Kagome began to walk down the street towards her house, neither having a clue that this one tiny meeting would lead to the greatest friendship in the world.

-----END FLASHBACK-----

"That was one twisted meeting, wasn't it?" Inuyasha said.

"Yeah, it really was. I mean, who'd have thought that by you dunking me, we'd end up becoming best friends?" Kagome said. "Fate truly is a mystery,"

"I agree completely," Inuyasha said. "Well, I thank fate for letting us become best friends,"

"Me too," Kagome replied, smiling up at him as he grinned back.

"Ohh, they look so cute and happy together!" Sango exclaimed as she and Miroku followed from a few feet behind.

"Bet you they're talking about their past," Miroku said.

"What?"

"The two of them met at a carnival in seventh grade. It's obviously bringing back some memories," Miroku said with a smile, remembering that eventful afternoon himself.

Sango looked him over curiously and then slowly began to smile. "So…this was all a set up? To let the two of them remember their past and half a good little date? This was why you wanted to go to the carnival, wasn't it? It was all a set up,"

Miroku winked at her and said, "Exactly,"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Oh, that's so pretty," Kagome exclaimed, stopping at a game booth and staring at a small prize.

Inuyasha stopped beside her and glanced over at where she was staring. "That? Yeah…it's nice looking," he said.

"It's pretty," Kagome repeated, but then turned and noticed that Sango and Miroku had walked off. "Oh, we're losing the others, we should go--"

"Do you want it?" Inuyasha asked suddenly.

"Want what?"

"That prize, Kagome. You want it? I'll get it for you," Inuyasha said, staring directly at her.

Kagome blushed slightly and said, "You don't have to do that,"

"But I want to. Come on, I'll win it for you," he said and gave her a grin. "Don't worry, I'm a master at these games,"

Kagome felt her heart flutter. "Sure, lets see you at it. If you don't get it, I'll be--"

"I said, don't worry, Kagome. I'll get it for you," Inuyasha replied and then turned to the vender and handed over the money for the game. He was given five balls and had to throw them into a certain colored cup to win a certain prize. The first two throws didn't make it, but the last three did. In the end, he won three prizes, two small stuffed animals; one of a two tailed cat, and the other of a bushy tailed fox. And, of course, he won the prize that Kagome had wanted. Grinning, he turned and handed Kagome all three prizes and she looked at him with shock.

"All of them?" she said.

"Of course, stupid. I want you to have them all," Inuyasha said.

"T-Thanks, Inuyasha," she said. Then, she opened the small box and pulled out two identical silver rings with artificial gems of different colors that went all around the band. "It's gorgeous! Wow! And, there's two,"

"Why're there two?" Inuyasha asked as they headed back into the crowd, keeping an eye out for Sango and Miroku.

"Oh, come on, Inuyasha. Haven't you ever heard of promise rings? That's probably what they are!" Kagome exclaimed. She pulled him off to the side and said, "So, since they're promise rings, what are you promising me?"

Inuyasha stared at her blankly. "What are you talking about?"

Kagome sighed. "When you give someone a promise ring, you have to promise something to them," she said.

"Okay," Inuyasha said, and took the ring from her. He knew what he would want to promise, them to be together forever, but saying that out loud would not be a wise choice. She was getting married in less than a week, and he wasn't going to step in the way of that. But, what could he promise her then? He could promise that he'd love her forever, because, even if that was extremely true, telling her at that very moment wouldn't be the best choice. He looked up at Kagome and then smiled, finding the answer in her eyes as she stared back at him. He grabbed her left hand and was about to put the ring on her ring finger, when he realized that it was already taken with her engagement ring from Koga. He seethed under his breath, wanting to tear that ring off her grind it into the dirt, but he refrained himself and quickly took her right hand instead.

"So, what are you promising?" she asked again.

Inuyasha glanced up at her as he slipped the ring onto her finger and he said, "I promise we'll always be friends, no matter what happens,"

Kagome felt herself blush from the intensity of his gaze and for a moment the two were lost in each others gazes. She looked away first, the blush deepening. She looked down at her ring and then smiled up at Inuyasha. "Thanks," she said, and he just nodded, a blush on his cheeks as well. Then, she took the other ring and put it on the same hand and finger as hers, and said, "I promise we'll be friends too,"

He grinned at her and said, "Of course we will. I don't think we need a ring to prove that,"

"Still, the concept it so cute. I've always wanted to get a promise ring," Kagome said with a smile as they headed down the path. I'm so glad I got it from you and not someone else.

Yes! I got it for her, and that bastard didn't! Perfect. "No problem, Kagome," Inuyasha said, grinning at her. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"Oh, Inuyasha, lets go on the Ferris wheel!" Kagome exclaimed, grabbing his arm and turning to their right to the ride. "Can we? Please?" she pleaded.

Inuyasha shook the fact that she was practically hugging him out of his mind and focused on what she was asking. "The Ferris wheel? But that's such a lame ride," he said.

Kagome glared at him. "No, it's not a lame ride! It's so fun! Just relaxing. So, please, can we go on? Please?" She looked at him with pleading eyes and he knew there wasn't any way he'd ever resist that look.

He caved, sighing and then led her to the Ferris wheel saying, "Sure, let's go,"

She grinned at him and they got into the line.

xxxx

"Did you see that, it was so romantic and adorable!" Sango exclaimed. "He got her a promise ring…Despite the fact the fool didn't even know what a promise ring is…it was very romantic and so cute,"

"If I got you promise ring, would you like me more?" Miroku asked hopefully.

Sango turned to him and said, "Depends on what you're promising,"

"I promise to save all of my eyeing and groping just for you, dearest Sango!" Miroku exclaimed cheerfully.

Sango's eye twitched as she smacked him upside the head. "You letch! See, that kind of promise wouldn't work!" she said angrily.
"B-But, Sango," Miroku said as he pulled something out of his pocket. "I already got you a promise ring! What am I supposed to do with them then?"

Sango froze as she stared down at the rings in his hand. They were silver bands with three small diamonds on the one side. Simple, but elegant, and Sango could do nothing but stare. Then, she slowly looked up Miroku and said carefully, "Y-You actually g-got me a pr-promise ring?"

He nodded and grabbed her left hand, slipping the ring onto her ring finger. "Yep! I thought that this would be a good way to tell you how I feel. I really do like you, Sango. I know you think I'm just playing and that I really won't commit to anything, but I don't care about that stuff. I care about right now, and right now I really really like you and I hope you do too. …And if I know anything about woman, I think you do…don't you?"

Sango glanced up at him and blushed, knowing that he was right but not wanting to admit it. But as she stared into his violet eyes, she couldn't hold back her own feelings any longer. Looking away, she said, "Yeah…I-I like you too, Miroku,"

Miroku grinned boyishly, causing her to blush again. "I knew it! No one can resist me!"

"Don't get cocky on me, you letch," Sango warned. "I might just throw this ring away if you do…But I like it too much to want to do that. So, what's our promise?"

"How about we promise the same thing our friends did?" Miroku suggested.

"Friends forever? For some reason, it sounds really cheesy for us to say that. Somehow, it worked for them…but us, not really,"

"Yeah, that's true. But, since you're not going to agree with my other promise…" Miroku said.

Sango nodded vigorously. "Even though it is sort of nice, since it's coming from you, I'd prefer a different promise,"

"But that promise is like a really big honor coming from me!" Miroku insisted.

"You do know that if I don't agree to that promise that you can eye and grope every other woman you see? That is what you want, isn't it?" Sango said.

"If that's what I want, then why did I propose such a promise?" Miroku asked, staring directly at her and Sango blushed, looking away.

"Well…who says you have to promise only one thing?" she said.

He grinned at her and said, "So, I promise to save my lechery just for you!"

"And, that we'll always be friends," Sango finished, putting the other ring on his finger. She looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks, Miroku. T-This was very cute of you,"

"You just said I'm cute!" Miroku exclaimed. "Yes! It means you really are starting to like me!" Then, before she could stop it, he leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

Pulling away a moment later, he grinned mischievously and grabbed her hand, leading her into the crowd. "See? I'm keeping my promise already. I could have kissed that other woman over there because she was really--"

"Miroku!" Sango exclaimed, hitting his arm, trying to fight down the blush on her cheeks. "You promised!"

"I was just kidding, Sango! Don't worry, I always keep my promises!" Miroku said, and kissed her again.