Kagome and Ian had walked the rest of the way home hand in hand. Kagome still had butterflies in her stomach, and was sure one of these times she would burp and one would come flying out of her mouth and land on her head.

'Weirder things HAVE happened' She thought with a smirk.

"What are you thinking about?" Ian said, poking her side. "Let me guess…something good?"

"Good period." Kagome said. "I feel better then I have…"

"say no more."

Kagome looked at him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Ian…how the hell did you get to be so sweet."

"I have a theory about me being dumped in a sugar vat as a baby." He flashed a grin. "But seriously…I know what it's like to be thought of as nuts. I don't like it when people say I am making up my nightmares. And I wouldn't like it if someone said I really didn't travel to Feudal Japan if I had really done so."

"You do realize you just swept a girl off her feet, right?"

Ian blushed. "I didn't do anything special…"

"Exactly." Kagome interrupted with. "What every woman wants from a man: Every simple action is special." She kissed his cheek and nuzzled his shoulder as they got near her house. Ian squeezed her hand, thrilled that a girl like Kagome would show an interest in stupid old him. "Ian? Can I ask you something?"

"I have never been to Feudal Japan, but I do hear the weather is lovely!" He paused. "That was what you were going to ask me, right?"

Kagome giggled. "No! I was going to ask…why are you named Ian? That is a very…American name."

Ian shrugged, looking up at the stars. "The orphanage is run by Americans. They have this huge list of American names, because they couldn't think of any names other then Yoshi or Kenji or Sakura, or something like that. So, most of us have English names."

"I like the name Ian. It's short and sweet." She smirked. "Just like you."

"I am not short!" He shot back. "I am taller then you!"

"But you are sweet, no?"

Ian gave a sigh of defeat and the two chuckled as the headed up the sidewalk leading to the shrine and her house.

They finally made it to her front door, and after declining the invitation to come in, but promising to be over the next day so they could enjoy Sunday together, Ian turned to leave.

"Ian!" kagome called out. He turned and looked at her.

"Yes Kagome?"

"Listen…my school is having this costume party this Friday. I know it's short notice…but most of the time it's boring and I don't like going…but…"

"If we add a nut to the mix…"

"two nuts" She said, pointing to herself

"Two nuts…then it might be fun?" kagome bobbed her head. "Sure. Want me to pick you up…"

"I'll meet you there. I want to see if I can find you!"

Ian chuckled. "Ok…see you tomorrow."

Kagome nodded and watched Ian's form retreat into the darkness, before picking up a "YE HAW!" She giggled and resisted the urge to swoon, instead running to her mom to give her all the details.

&&&

Kagome looked over everything she had gotten at the thrift store, making sure she hadn't missed a thing. She paused, noticing she was missing a piece of silk. She looked through the bag, frowning.

"WEEE!"

"Shippo!" kagome said with a laugh, watching as the little Kitsune ran about her room, waving the silk around. She snatched it away and chuckled. "Come on, this is part of my costume. Besides, I brought you and Kirara a gift, so if you two settle down, I will give you guys it!" Kirara let out a meow, obviously annoyed. "And I swear, it is not like that cap nip mom brought! I tried to explain that you are a youkai…but she sees you as a pet."

Kirara let out a tiny growl.

Shippo, however, sat on the bed and watched as Kagome got everything ready. "What are you doing Kagome?"

"You remember me talking about Ian?"

"That boy!" Shippo shouted. Kagome sighed, realizing Shippo was worse then a little brother. One she couldn't have her mom deal with him.

"yes." Kagome said. "We are going to a costume party at my school." Shippo frowned. "That is where everyone where a disguise, and dances. Imagine a bunch of humans pretending to be hanyous, youkais or other strange things."

"OOOOH!" Shippo said. He paused, looking at Kagome again. "What are you going as?"

Kagome chuckled. "as strange as it will sound…I am going as Kikyo."

"MEOW?" Kirara said, her head bolting up. Shippo spit out the orange juice he had been drinking from the sippy cup (another one of her mom treating him as a baby…atleast he wasn't having to wear a diaper…anymore), shocked. Luckily, it all landed on her covers.

"What do you mean, Kikyo! She hates you!"

"She can't hate me, she is me!" kagome said. "Or…I am her." She sighed, deciding just how to put this. "I had a dream about a month ago…" She decided to cut out the part with the zombie Inuyasha and friends. "…and Kikyo talked to me. I think…I think at some point, Kikyo, in her time, finally let go, and accepted me. So…I guess I can accept her."

Shippo paused. "Couldn't think of a better idea, huh?"

Kagome sighed in defeat. "Yup." She looked over the outfit. "I figure this will look good enough. It's just strange enough for a costume party." She took out a toy bow and arrow she had bought, as well as one of her grandpa's fake Shikon Jewels. "And if all else fails, everyone will think I am nuts."

"Like Ian." Shippo said with a big grin.

Kagome stare at him. "YOU WERE LISTENING!"

Shippo hid behind the covers. "Maybe."

Kagome growled. "Now I understand why Inuyasha used to hit you so often!" Shippo let out a whimper, and Kagome finally gave in. "Ok…Ok, that was mean…Let me get your presents."

Shippo's eyes lit up as Kagome grabbed a bag she had hidden. "What did you get me!" He shouted.

Kagome smiled and pulled out a coloring book, and a huge box of crayons. Shippo's eyes went to the size of dish plates as he grabbed them and went running out of the room to draw some pictures on the kitchen table, having discovered recently that while grass was ok, hard wood surfaces are best for people that like to draw pretty pictures.

"If only men were so easy to please." Kagome told Kirara, giving the can demon a scratching post. Kirara glanced at it and deciding it would do, began to sharpen her claws.