The next morning found Kagome sound asleep on her bed, the book lying over her like a forgotten blanket. She hadn't moved a millimeter over the night, and she wasn't about to do so in the near future.

And neither were her friends; Sakura, Steph, Miyako, and the others were scattered around the living room, sprawled across sofas, the floor, and even the coffee table. Sakura's mystery drink had apparently been a knockout.

And as the sun slowly rose into the pale azure sky, a single silver feather floated in through Kagome's open window, landing gently on the floor. It emitted a silver aura for a moment, and then, in its place, Roxas appeared once again. Now, however, he was not wearing the hooded coat; instead, he wore clothing similar to Kagome's new attire. His consisted of a pair of baggy black pants, strung with chains, zippers, and belts, an enormous, hooded white sweatshirt, and black combat boots, covered also with zippers and belts. His hair was short, spiky, and a dirty shade of blonde, and, parted to the left side, it waved toward the right.

The boy's eyes were what stood out, though. Although partially hidden by strands of golden hair, they shone with such an intense cerulean color that they seemed to glow against his skin.

Roxas approached the sleeping miko quietly, careful not to wake her with his footsteps, and kneeled beside her bed. Gingerly, he reached out and brushed a few strands of hair out of her face, and she stirred; though she did not wake, he jerked his hand away out of caution. Still, though, Roxas smiled, and he watched Kagome sleep for a few entrancing moments.

"Roxas…"

His eyes widened and a tinge of red colored his cheeks, for he had not known until then that Kagome would dream of him. But this also meant that she was awakening, and his limbs refused to move.

"Roxas?" Kagome asked, eyes now wide open, as she drew back, startled.

"I-I'm sorry," he replied nervously. "I didn't mean to wake y—"

Kagome sat straight up, showing a serene, sincerely gleeful smile. "That's not the point! The point is that you're /here!"

"Oh, yeah. That."

As though she were afraid to burst into hysteria, Kagome covered her mouth with both hands, giggling quietly. When she removed them, she said, "I can't believe it. I thought you couldn't see me."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Roxas said innocently.

"You said something like, 'I have to go. I'm sorry.' Then you poofed!"

Roxas grinned. "Ah, that. Well, it was true—I had to go—but did I ever say I couldn't see you anymore?" From behind his back, he pulled out a silver rose, receiving an awed gasp from the little wolf.

"Oh… oh my…" Kagome stammered, reaching out with two temporarily dysfunctional hands. "A silver rose… where did you get it?"

He simply shook his head, eyes closed, still smirking. "It's a secret." He placed the rose in her hands, clasped them together, then leaned forward and placed his lips on hers for a brief, heavenly moment.

"Get a room, you two!" called a voice from the doorway. The two's eyes darted to the origin of the voice, which just happened to be a certain pink-and-black-haired girl. "You're like me and Skyy. Or Dark, or Zell, or…"

"Oh, stop it, Steph," Kagome said, smiling through her reddened face.

Roxas looked half frustrated, half embarrassed. "Steph? Is that really you? You look so different… I mean… there's pink even in your /hair/ now."

Steph put her hands on her hips. "So? You got a problem?"

All of them started to laugh, and then Roxas said, "I'm surprised you trust me. I mean, you aren't afraid that I'm not supposed to be here."

Kagome spoke up first, strangely. "Our memories won't let us think that," she said happily. "Mine, especially. You're so clear in each and every one of my memories that I wouldn't be able to mistake anyone for you, or vice versa."

Steph nodded. "That's about it," she said approvingly.

"Well, whatever the reason, I can't complain. It makes me happy." He glanced at Kagome, who looked back up at him when she felt his gaze land on her. Steph shook her head and turned around.

"You two seem to be busy wallowing in your little, uh… infatuation, so I'm gonna leave you alone." She turned her head, looking over her shoulder at them, and winked.

"Steph!" Kagome said accusingly, aware of the heat rising in her cheeks.

Roxas put his hand on Kagome's—the hand in which the rose was enclosed—and said, "Calm down. It's okay."

And as the door slammed behind the storm of pink and black, Kagome replied, "It's only okay because you're here."