Thanks for all the reviews. And I know it's short, but I wanna get back in the swing of this story before trying something longer...
Two months passed quickly. Things had been going well within the little apartment building. With the exception of the demon fights (y'know the "war zone") and the arguments between Kagome and Inuyasha, of course. And surprisingly, Miroku and Sango started dating. Kohaku was the only one who had objected this pairing, saying Miroku was a pervert that didn't deserve Sango. Sango had just laughed and Miroku tried not to piss Kohaku off (in an unfortunate…um…experience…he had learned that Sango's younger brother was good with a scythe and chain).
Ayame and Kouga's wedding came too. After what had happened in the apartment the day of Kagome's date with Bankotsu, Kouga had tried to be nicer to Ayame. Their relationship wasn't the unrequited love/unwilling fiancé anymore. It could be called friendship now…according to Kouga. Everybody else saw the bonds of love forming. The same thing could be said of the relationship between Kagome and Inuyasha…but nobody ever mentioned it except in teasing.
They all danced around happily. It was a joyous day…well, at least it was meant to be a joyous day. Anybody who looked could see the hint of sadness in the bride's eyes and the anger in the groom's. But when it was seen, it was ignored. The marriage was to unite the Ookami clan and the Tsuki clan. It wasn't meant for love. The only people who didn't ignore it were Kagome and Sango.
They stood by Ayame, trying to comfort her. She knew that Kouga didn't love her (and even if he did- which was, in fact, the case- he was in denial) and was distraught over it. They sipped at the champagne, talking quietly. Ayame didn't look it, but she felt ready to cry. Sango and Kagome were trying to make her laugh and it was working…until Kouga walked up. Ayame's laughter died immediately, and she looked away, a flush covering her cheeks.
Kouga smiled and held a hand out to Kagome. "Can I have this dance?"
Kagome glared coldly at him. "Shouldn't you be asking your wife that question?"
Kouga's smile faltered. "I danced with her already. May I have one with you?"
Kagome sighed, knowing Kouga would be persistent about it, but Ayame shot her a weak smile and nodded. Kagome nodded slightly, still wary. Kouga then swept her into the dance, pulling her away from her friends. And, in one corner, Inuyasha gripped his champagne flute harder and gritted his teeth.
Miroku went up to Sango and they started to dance, both smiling. Ayame was alone and Kagome tried to keep an eye on her newly wedded friend, but she was being twirled and spun and suddenly she and Kouga were out of the large room and in a hallway. She stopped, as did Kouga, and glared darkly at the wolf demon.
"Why are we out here?" she asked.
Kouga smiled charmingly and grabbed one of her hands. He got down on a bended knee and Kagome felt her stomach start to sink. "Kagome…" Kouga started. The dread got larger. "I love you." And there it was. A dark pit swallowed Kagome. "I always will. Ayame means nothing even though I'm married to her."
Kagome slowly shook her head. Didn't they go over this two months ago? "Kouga, I don't…" He stood and looked into her eyes lovingly, still holding one of her hands.
"Don't. I know what you're going to say." Then he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss.
Kagome's eyes went wide and she heard the shattering of glass. Pulling away, she whipped around and met teary leaf-green eyes. Ayame stood there, a shattered champagne flute at her feet, glaring at her and looking pissed off despite the tears. Inuyasha was next to her, growling darkly.
Ayame grabbed Kagome's arm and pulled her away. "How dare you…!" Ayame muttered angrily. She tugged Kagome into an empty reception hall and slammed the doors. "I thought you were my friend!" she yelled.
Kagome stared at her incredulously for a moment before shouting, "I am! He kissed me! Not the other way around!"
As realization came to Ayame, the fight left her and she suddenly slumped to the ground, burying her face in her hands. "I'm…so…sorry…." she sobbed softly. "I know you wouldn't…I just…"
"Just jumped to that conclusion?"
Ayame nodded weakly, and Kagome crouched down, looking at her friend. "I know. It's okay." She reached out and patted Ayame's head. "You know I love someone else anyway…"
Ayame lifted her head and grinned. Wiping her face, she sniffled slightly and said, "I know. Everybody knows. You two are just too stubborn to admit it."
"Well, he has he girlfriend...Kikyo…" Kagome sighed.
Ayame pulled her into a hug. "We're both saps," she said in a watery tone.
Kagome nodded her agreement. Then she shrugged. "Oh well."
They both stood and started walking out, both agreeing to get some wine- or maybe something stronger- and wash away their troubles. Opening the doors, they were met with the sight of Kouga and Inuyasha yelling obscenities at each other. The girls sighed and went to each of their loves. Ayame pulled Kouga way, saying how the clan heads would be angry if the couple wasn't at their own celebration and Inuyasha stormed off in a huff once he saw Kagome.
She stared at his retreating back, bewildered and wondering what the hell had happened while she and Ayame were gone. Sango and Miroku walked up to her, both grinning.
"He's just angry that Kouga kissed you," Miroku told her.
Kagome blinked several times before blushing. "He saw it!" Sango nodded and Kagome groaned.
"It's okay," Sango said, patting her friend on the shoulder. "Now…you wanna tell me what happened between you and Ayame?" Kagome smiled sheepishly as they entered the large reception hall that was filled with friends and family of Ayame and Kouga.