In With the New

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does...talk about rubbing it in….x-p

Now to thank my precious readers and reviewers:

blaise91- Thanks bunches for reading and reviewing! Now, now if I answered your question I would spoil the story. You will find out soon enough….

zookie78- depending where u live, u can buy pocky at a store called SunCoast or Seafood King, or any asian or Japanese market in ur area. Some grocery stores like Wal-Mart do sell it maybe they were out of stock. U could always ask ur friend 2 get it 4 u. Thanks 4 reading.

BabyD4Lyfe: there, there. You're not alone in ur feelings about Kikyo.

Raithya- thanks for the review! All will be revealed in due time. ;-)

-Key of Minds-: Thanks 4 R+R, here is the update. ;-p

Thank you everyone for reading. -The title should take care of the fluff warning! ;-)-

Chapter 9: Prelude to a Kiss

Kikyo was outside during her break and was surprised to see Inuyasha show up at the restaurant. She rushed to him with open arms, but stopped when she noticed his displeased expression. "What's the matter?" She sweetly asked him. "What did you say to Kagome today?" He asked, stepping closer to her. She placed a fist over her chest and narrowed her eyes, replying, "I told her to stay away from you. What's it to you?" He had not expected Kikyo to be so brutally honest with him as to tell him the entire conversation that transpired between her and Kagome.

Kagome waltzed into the parking lot and noticed Inuyasha's motorcycle. She figured he was probably there to visit Kikyo. She was parked in the back of the restaurant and made her way around the buildingand happened upon Inuyasha and Kikyo. She stood, dead in her tracks. She could clearly see they were in the middle of a discussion and apologized, "I-I didn't mean to interrupt." She turned to flee, but Inuyasha went after her. "Kagome." He said, not yelling out to her, just loud enough to catch her attention and she turned to face him. He was right behind her. He seriously looked into Kagome's brown eyes and said, "why didn't you tell me Kikyo told you anything?" Kagome didn't say a word. She just slowly looked away from him.

"Inuyasha!" Kikyo called after him. He looked at Kikyo and she asked, "how could she be more important to you?" Kagome looked at Inuyasha wondering how he would respond to that. She's changed, Inuyasha thought as he looked at Kikyo. He never thought his lovely Kikyo could become so cold. He addressed Kagome, "Go home." She opened her mouth to protest, but he said, "Go home, would you! I'll talk to you when I get there." She followed his orders with a scowl on her face.

At home, Kagome was unsure of what to expect when Inuyasha got back. Miroku and Sango stopped her as she was heading back to her room. "Kagome, have you seen Inuyasha?" Miroku asked. Kagome nodded. Sango apologized, "I'm sorry Kagome, I didn't mean to tell him Kikyo had talked to you, but that's all I told him I swear." "It's true. I was there." As Miroku said that, he came up to Sango and rubbed her rear. Sango's eyes widened, she blushed, and slapped his cheek leaving a hand mark. He sighed and said to Sango, "at least you didn't hit the sore spot on my head. You do care, thank you." Sango looked at him like he was delirious, until she found herself being hugged by him. She became angry. He had said the last part to distract her! "It's alright," Kagome suddenly said before Sango could hit him and Miroku released Sango. "Inuyasha's with Kikyo right now and I don't know why he sent me home." "That's where he ran off to." Miroku thought aloud.

Kagome briefly explained that Inuyasha and Kikyo were having a discussion and she had accidentally interrupted. Miroku thought it over, eyes closed, and said, "Either he is going to finally choose between the two of you or he wanted to fix things with her and not want you to witness." That was not what she wanted to hear. "I'm going to my room." Kagome said, her left eye twitching to avoid giving Miroku a cold stare. Sango watched Kagome put the silver key into the lock, turn it, with a swift swing of the door Kagome disappeared, and the door closed behind her. "Miroku, I think you upset her." She said. "I didn't mean to," He sincerely replied, "want to play Tetris until Inuyasha gets back? We might be able to hear their conversation from my room." Sango shrugged, "sure, why not? Your hands will be kept busy during the game."

Meanwhile, "Inuyasha, I see now that you never really cared about me. Everything you said about wanting to be with me was a lie!" Kikyo shouted, tears welling in her eyes.

"Kikyo, that's not true! I meant every-"

"Stop lying to me, Inuyasha!"

"Kikyo…"

He tried to approach her, one hand stretched out to her. She flinched and moved away from him. It hurt him to see her angry and heartbroken because of him. It felt just like it did when they had last argued; the day she had to move out and she blamed him for everything. He couldn't help, but feel responsible for the pain she was caused. "Kikyo, I-I don't know how to make you better. If I even can," Inuyasha continued when he saw that she was listening to him, "Ever since what happened with Naraku and you moved out, you've changed." "As have you, Inuyasha," she muttered and before he could continue speaking she came closer to him, tracing his lips with her finger tips. "Even though we are parting, you will never forget me; the way it feels to hold me in your arms and the feel of our lips…" she leaned in to kiss him, but stopped just short of their lips meeting. She was so close to him, he could feel her soft breath on his lips. "I thought I could bring myself to feel for you the same way I did before," she said softly, "I really wanted to be with you, Inuyasha. But, I can't. I can't forgive you for not defending me that day." She backed away from him. He was trembling slightly out of anticipation and the pain her words had struck in the crevices of his heart. "Ki-Kikyo. Wait!" He called out to her. "I have to go back to work now, Inuyasha. Remember what I said; it's over between you and I." With that, she went back into the restaurant. "Goodbye, Kikyo." He said sadly and returned to his motorcycle.

Kagome sat in her room listening to the radio. She had changed out of her work uniform and into a dark blue skirt and a white blouse. Her stomach rumbled with hunger. She sighed. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and didn't have any food or money to spend. She drank water trying to stifle her stomach's demands. But, it wasn't just hunger that plagued her stomach. It was her nerves as she wondered what could have been going on between Kikyo and Inuyasha and what he could possibly tell her once he got back.

Miroku and Sango were playing Super Mario World. "That's it we're changing games, you pervert!" Sango shouted and slapped him. Every time it was her turn to play, Miroku's hands weren't kept busy and he would grope her. "I don't know why I even agreed to play a game that didn't require your full attention!" Sango shouted. Miroku sat with a wide smile and rubbed his cheek. Just then, the two heard Inuyasha arrive. She muted the television and heard his footsteps down the hall.

Inuyasha walked passed Miroku's room. His ears twitched as he heard Miroku say, "don't mute the television, he'll know we're trying to listen!" "But, then we can't hear!" Sango replied. Inuyasha burst through the door, "Would you both shut up and mind your own damn business!" Miroku and Sango stared wide eyed at him. "Calm down, Inuyasha," Miroku said as he reached for Sango, "Sango and I were merely concerned for you and Kagome." Sango slapped him when his hand slid down to her back side. "Inuyasha, do you really think it's wise to move onto another girl so quickly?" Miroku asked. "Shut up! I know what I'm doing!" Inuyasha said angrily at them and slammed the door behind him as he went out to Kagome's room.

Kagome could hear the commotion next door. She knew Inuyasha was back and her heart pounded in her chest. She placed a hand over her heart and took in a few breathes to compose herself. She was prepared for the knock on the door and she let him in. "Follow me." Inuyasha said. Kagome was confused, but did what he said. He went next door to Miroku's room and flung the door open. There were Miroku and Sango with their ears pressed against the wall. They were entirely fixed on listening that they didn't notice right away that Inuyasha had come in and caught them. "I knew you'd be trying to listen in!" He barked. The two straightened, stood and nervously looked at Inuyasha. Miroku put a hand behind his head, had an opened mouth smile and his eyes were closed. Kagome giggled and said, "Inuyasha, leave them alone. Let's just go somewhere else to talk." Kagome grabbed Inuyasha by the wrist and lead him out. Inuyasha still glared at Miroku and Sango over his shoulder and growled at them. Miroku thought of saying something witty to tease him about them going to be alone together, but he didn't feel like taking another beating today.

"Kagome, wait. We don't need to go anywhere else." Inuyasha said as she led him toward the front door. He stopped in front of his room. He unlocked it and went inside. She looked through the opened doorway. She remembered the last time she had been in his room was the night she meant to go to Sango's and ended up in his instead. They had grown so much closer to each other since then. She never would've thought then that she would've felt for him as strongly as she does now. "Well, don't just stand there!" He said gruffly. "Alright! I'm going in already!" She huffed and stomped inside.

He stared at her for what seemed like ages. His amber eyes stared into her dark eyes. She couldn't read the look in his gorgeous face. She looked down. She felt she knew his decision already. She could feel all hope leave her body. She felt disappointed. I'm such a fool. Why would he ever want me over Kikyo? That's why he didn't want to go anywhere else. He's just going to break it to me here and now. She thought to herself. "It's okay, Inuyasha. You don't have to explain anything to me. I just want you to be happy and I hope you'll let me be your friend still." She said, trying to make things easier on herself and on him. She saw his eye brows knit together in annoyance. She fought back tears. She felt she failed in lessening the blow. "Stupid girl!" He said and before she could react, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her toward him. She fell into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her; one hand holding the back of her head against him and he rested his head on the top of hers. Her hands were pressed against his chest. "I need you by my side, Kagome." He whispered. She looked up at him and murmured, "I love you, Inuyasha." She pressed her lips on his softly before he could respond. He slowly, but firmly kissed her back. Her hands clenched his white and red t-shirt as their kiss lingered.

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A/N: I hope you're happy with this chapter… it's a little short, but I felt continuing it would ruin the moment lol…it continues next chapter ;-) don't worry…I'm thinking of putting some citrus next chapter…not a lemon, just like a slice of orange lol…I probably have to change the rating for the next chapter….We'll see what I write up. Review and let me know what you think about anything or everything PLEASE! I hate to say it, but I have to end this story next chapter. School is starting soon, I work, and my boyfriend needs his laptop back. But, next chapter will be LONG because I need to end all loose ends and what not…we need more on Koga and Naraku and what about Sango and Miroku! LOL…well, see ya soon-hopefully! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR READING! And in advance for ANY REVIEWS I receive! –hugs- Michi4