Hey everyone! This chapter's coming out a little early… but that's because I couldn't stand the current Kouga/Kagome pairing! and by the sound of your reviews, none of you like it! But I want to thank my reviewers! I can't believe I have surpassed 60 total reviews!!

Review Responses:

Inuyasha19912: Thank you for your review. You guessed good… but that isn't it!!

Inugurl617: Thanks for your review!! I hope this chapter is longer, I planned out some of the later chapters already and I decided to combine both chapters 12 and 13. Enjoy!

TiA aRiEl: Thanks for your review!! I love getting new readers!! I hope this update is soon for you!

Sunrider22: Arigato for your review! I am also glad that it isn't Kouga/Kagome… I would hate writing that… no offense to the people who do! Your two guesses are also good, but also not right! - About your question… I'm not sure of what you meant… I will try answering it. Ayame wasn't comforting Kikyo. She was just asking Sango if it was a good idea to invite Kikyo to Kagome's party. She asked because Kikyo and Kagome weren't at the best of terms with each other in high school. I don't really like Kikyo either (her clay pot form.. she's EVIL) but I do like it when authors make her "nice". Anyways, thanks again for your review!

Addam: I have to agree with you there, as I've said in my other reviews, I don't like this pairing either… but it will get better I promise. I hope you like this chapter!! Thank you for your review!!

Jason: Thanks for your review!! Lol, my sister read your review and she definitely agreed with you, she said that I should run him over… I'll think about it… hehe… By the way, I have no idea how long this story will be, but to give you kind of a reference, the drama that this is based on is twenty hours long.

Jurneyo: Thanks for your review! To answer your question about Ayame, well she is also wolf demon… just like Kouga. It's in later episodes, so if you want me to spoil it, then here goes: SPOILERS ALERT!! Note: I don't know much. Ayame is a wolf demon who has known Kouga since childhood. He promised her back then that he would mate/ marry her. So she appears one episode later on and holds Kouga to his promise. END SPOILER! I'm not sure if that info is correct so correct me if I'm wrong for anyone who know. Gomen nasai is a Japanese term that means very sorry. Thanks for your review again! Yeah, I think anyone who reads my reviews will know my name… but it's okay, as long as you don't find out my last name and stalk me!

Mel: Thank you so much for your review! Lol, Kouga/Kagome is going to turn into Kagome/Inuyasha somehow! However, how that happens will remain secret until the plot reveals itself!! I look forward to your emails!!

Ami Kuroneko: Thanks for your review!! It's okay if you don't get the plot twists and all that. Just remember if you have any questions, just email me! I also love replying to my reviewers! It's them that makes me feel bubbly!! Thanks again!

¢rt32q[ or ;fjekyrepoi[raey: Thanks for your review!!

Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews my story!! On with chapter 12!

Chapter 12

The hustle and the bustle of the evening was hard to walk through in the streets of Miko City. Sifting through the crowd was a brown eyed girl who was obviously late for something. Her sharp eyes were constantly darting around to look for open spaces to jog to in order to weave through the crowd. She loved the city, but the population always tested her patience. Kagome sighed; she had been under too much stress these past few days. It had been five days since Kouga had proposed to her and that caused her sleepless nights. She had been thinking a lot; would she ever regret her decision in the future?

Right now, she was on her way to a dinner date with Kouga and his parents. She hadn't seen them in a while and Kouga insisted upon it. So, there she was, at least 15 minutes late. And that was why she was dubbed Miss Tardy by her closest friends; she was always late to everything. Giving out another sigh, she looked up and saw the restaurant. She gave out one last glance before she headed inside, but that's when she saw him.

Her eyes widened as wide as saucers when she saw the guy. Even though it was only a glimpse, she was so sure, it was Inuyasha. But he had black, long hair and if she thought about it, the same face structure. Without a second glance, she ran off, determined to find the replica or maybe, the real thing.

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Kouga looked at his watch. Kagome was now 30 minutes late. In front of him, his parents were talking impatiently.

"Kouga, are you sure Kagome is coming?" his father asked.

"Yes, I told her the exact time, but I guess her reputation of being late never fails." He answered with a soft smile on his face. With that, his father gave a low chuckle and turned back to his wife. He then looked at his watch, now, worrying at the possibilities of situations Kagome would be in. He sighed,

"Kagome, where are you?"

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Gasping for breath, Kagome looked around. She was now on the outskirts of town, and she still hadn't caught a glimpse of the Inuyasha look alike. Her shoulders sagged in defeat and she took a seat on the bench. On an impulse, she looked at her wrist watch. Her eyes widened for the second time that day and quickly stood up and broke into a fast run. She was two hours late for the dinner date.

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Kouga looked up from where he was sitting at and saw Kagome enter the room, breathing heavily and her face was flushed from the exercise. He briskly stood up and ran up to Kagome and embraced her.

"I'm so sorry Kouga. I'm so sorry." Her voice was breaking slightly and was on the verge of tears. She was apologizing for being late and for betraying him. She had gone after another man. He rubbed her back and made some comforting noises and led her out to the car.

The pair drove home and Kouga reached the front of Kagome and Sango's apartment building. He stepped out of the car and opened Kagome's door. She stepped out and breathed in the fresh air, her eyes still swollen from the crying earlier. He hugged her once again and whispered "I love you" in her ear. She nodded and walked up to her apartment. Kouga sighed and ran his hand through his hair and got into his car. During the drive home, he thought about their relationship.

We have dated for two years and she has yet to say "I love you" to me. Does she really love me? It doesn't matter, I love her and she will eventually learn to love me. I just hope her memories of Inuyasha are dissipating and will be forever."

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"Hey Sango, I'm home!"

"Oh hey Kagome, how was your dinner date?"

Kagome plopped on the chair next to Sango.

"Actually…….. there was no dinner. Something else happened though. Before I tell you about it, will you promise not to tell anyone though?"

Sango nodded, her curiosity peaked.

"Well, okay. I was walking towards the place where Kouga and I agreed to meet. So then, I looked out into the crowd before I entered, you know, an impulse. And there, I saw Inuyasha… or a guy that looked like him but this guy had dark black hair, not the silver that Inuyasha had. So, I went everywhere looking for him. But then, I discovered what time it was and ran back to the restaurant. Oh Sango, I was so hopeful, that it really was him. Am I going crazy?"

By now, Kagome's eyes were glazed with unshed tears. Seeing this, Sango gathered the young woman into a hug.

"No way Kagome. Maybe it wasn't him; maybe it was just a look alike. Just remember this, he's probably always watching you, after all, he did love you." She reassured.

Kagome nodded and whispered thanks, heading to her room. Sango sighed but then brightened up, having an idea to cheer Kagome up. Kikyo was back from her trip and they could always hold an early birthday celebration for Kagome. She quickly called everyone and verified them of the date change, tomorrow. Kikyo was the last one to be called and Sango was waiting for her to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Kikyo, it's Sango."

"Hello Sango, I haven't seen you in a while, how's everything now?"

"Yeah, it's been a while, everything's great, how was your trip?"

"Oh, it was fabulous, and I met a certain special someone there in America."

"Really? Well, good for you. Anyways, I just called to tell you that Kagome's surprise birthday is tomorrow. Can you come?"

"Of course. Can I bring my boyfriend? I want you all to meet him; I think he's the one."

"Of course he can come tomorrow! I'll see ya there okay?"

"Kay Sango, Ciao."

"Bye."

Sango placed the phone back into its cradle and stretched.

"Tomorrow's going to be a blast Kagome, just wait and see."

Little did they know, they were in for the surprise of their lives the next day.

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"Come on Kouga, let me see!" A bubbly Kagome said. She had to put a blind fold on, on the way to the surprise event. Although, she suspected it was a birthday party since her birthday was only a few days away. Kouga was leading her, carefully not letting her bump into things or trip. After some walking, they stopped and Kagome heard some excited whispers near her. She felt Kouga tug the strings and pull of the blind fold.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAGOME!!!"

She gasped loudly. Even though she wasn't surprised at the surprise birthday party, she was surprised at where she was. The party was currently held at A La Shippo, the fanciest five star restaurant in the city. No wonder Kouga had encouraged her to dress up. It would have been incredibly embarrassing if she had been under dressed. She looked around, all four of her friends (Ayame, Miroku, Sango, and Rin) and her mom and brother were there. She was still looking for someone though.

"Don't worry Kagome; Kikyo will be a little late." Kagome nodded and smiled.

"Thanks everyone."

"Don't thank us, thank the lovely Sango standing next to me, she was the one who planned all of it. We just came!" Miroku piped up. His right hand was snaking up Sango's waist while speaking though.

Sango's eyes minimized into slits as she saw the threatening hand. "Don't even think about it Houshi." At this, Miroku laughed nervously and backed away. Kagome saw the potential of an explosion and so she hurried and gave Sango a hug.

"Thanks Sango, you're the best friend anyone could ever have." Sango hugged back and said a you're welcome.

"Come on everyone what are you waiting for? Let's sit down and eat!" Sango said after the friendly embrace.

Over dinner, the friends and family discussed their plans for their career and memorable events that happened in their high school career. Although, the group had not met Rin in high school, she was a terrific friend and a close ally in Kagome's company, as her assistant. Towards the end of the meal, Sango's cell phone rang. She had a brief conversation and hung up.

"Kikyo apologizes for being late and she will be here shortly."

"That's great! I thought she would never come! We have so much to catch up on." Kagome said.

"It's okay, we'll open presents first and then when she arrives, we'll catch up!" led Sango.

"First up is from your mom and your brother." She carefully opened the bag and lifted the tissue paper. She let out a gasp. Inside was the dress that she had been wanting for six months! It was a strapless blue dress with silver trimmings made of silk.

"Thank you mama and Souta! I love it!" She hugged them and looked proudly at Souta. He had grown into a handsome boy of eighteen and was on his way to being a doctor.

The twenty-five year old, soon to be twenty-six then looked back at her pile of presents. She grabbed a neatly wrapped box and read the top out loud "To: Kagome. From: Sango"

Her fingers lifted the tape and tore off the silver wrapping paper. Inside was an envelope which held a $50 dollar certificate to a spa. Kagome let out a squeal and rushed to Sango pulling her into another hug.

"Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I can't wait to go!" Sango laughed at Kagome's antics.

"I know you've been working your butt off and you definitely need a break."

Kagome then took another present, an envelope. Hmmm, from Miroku eh? This should be interesting…

She let out a sigh… it was another gift certificate… but from Victoria's Secret. Miroku's lechery never failed him.

"::sigh:: Miroku you lecher." Kagome breathed out.

"Ha! I knew you would fall for that. Here's the real gift." He handed her another card and it was to a book shop.

"Thanks Miroku. " She gave him a hearty hug, luckily, without his groping.

"You can keep the Victoria's Secret on by the way, that one's a real one." He said teasing and winking. Kagome playfully slapped him on the arm.

"Next up is Ayame!" Kagome sang.

She peeled off the wrapping paper which revealed a makeup set and some earrings. Kagome gave her million watt smile to Ayame and hugged her.

"Thanks Ayame."

Ayame smiled and hugged her back.

"You're welcome Kagome, thank you for being a great friend, you definitely deserve it."

"And least but not least, Kouga! " Her eyes were flashing with excitement. It was a long velvet box. She carefully lifted the cover and took in a sharp breath.

"Kouga…. It's- It's beautiful!" She showed the present to her friends and family and they oohed and aahed. It was a diamond bracelet with little bows and arrows decorating it, acknowledging her heritage as a miko. Setting it down on the table, she looked at Kouga, but there was someone behind him.

"Kikyo!! You're finally here!" Kagome shouted with joy, with the reunion of her friend. Kikyo had changed a lot since her trip to America. Her hair was now in ringlets and was wearing foreign clothes from America. Kikyo and Kagome embraced.

"Oh, I want you to meet someone very dear to me. I met him in America and I really think he's the one!" Kikyo said. Kagome nodded, in anticipation what Kikyo's boyfriend looked like.

"Come on in, Shizuki."

The door opened into the private room and in stepped a tall man. He caught everyone's attention and made everyone go into shock. His black long hair reached in the middle of his back with his alluring violet eyes. But his face structure was exactly the same. He was even wearing a necklace that was identical to the one Inuyasha had always worn. If you replaced his eyes with amber and his hair with silver, there would be Inuyasha. The room had gone silent, for everyone knew Inuyasha in the past, except for Rin.

Kagome broke the silence with one whispered word,

"Inu-Inuyasha?"

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Yay! Chapter 12 is done! Did you like it? I kind of admit that it isn't my best writing but a little mysterious doncha think? It brings up some questions, like:

Is it REALLY Inuyasha?

If he isn't why does he look a lot like Inuyasha?

Brings up the suspense ne? Thanks for all your reviews!! I really love reading them! Reviews are always welcome! I want to know what you think!

Till next time.

animemistress419