See, I told you I'd put it up soon : ) It looks like I'm not getting many reviews on Bright and Beautiful right now, so why not put up the chapter I've been waiting for/grins/ I love it And yea I know the likeliness of them actuallycelebrating Christianity over Taoism or Budism is slim, I'll decide to be ignorant of that for once and go along on the little facade that I'm right... heh.

Disclaimer:I don't own Inuyasha or it's characters. Rumiko Takahashi is a genius.

Enjoy :)


Chapter 10 – The Christmas Party

"Kagome, are you almost ready?" A voice came from outside her bedroom. It was Her mother.

"Just a second!" Both Sango and Kagome called from inside. She had spent all night deciding what to wear. Since it was a Christmas party, she decided on a slender red dress that found its way down to the floor. It was simple, yet was classy. She had avoided the mirror all night. Sango, who had done her hair and makeup, refused to let anyone see Kagome until she was completely finished.

"Ok, I'm all done." Sango said, backing away and looking at her. "Great. I did a good job, if I don't say so myself."

Kagome took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked…different. Sango had curled her hair with large rollers, leaving it in nice ringlets. She had on just a touch of makeup, but not enough to make noticeable.

"Sango," she breathed, her voice barely audible, "you're wonderful." Sango smiled brightly at the compliment.

"No problem. I'm glad you let me pamper you that much. The dress looks great! You did a good job picking it out," Sango said, squeezing her shoulder.

"Sango, don't kid me. You look gorgeous yourself," Kagome pointed out.

It was true: Sango did look gorgeous. She was wearing a knee length black dress and her hair up in an intricate bun. The dress tied together at the nape of her neck, leaving her shoulders and back completely bare. A small gold pendant hung around her neck, matching her dangling earrings. Kagome was relieved that Sango had put on at least a touch of makeup, since she hadn't worn any in so long. Sango had always been beautiful, but had lately decided to stop showing it. Kagome found it a relief to find her friend looking as resplendent as she used to.

"Are you ready now?" Her mother asked again, startling both girls instantly.

Kagome giggled, then said, "I suppose."

She opened the door and walked out to show her mother. At first she felt uneasy as her mother eyed her up and down a few times.

"You look lovely girls. Both of you," She hugged her daughter tightly and sighed, "I can't believe this. I'm allowing you to go to a Christmas party, where there will probably be alcohol, mistletoe and goodness knows what other illegal substances there."

Kagome and Sango glanced at each other uneasily. Since when had mistletoe been an illegal substance?

"Okay girls," her mother smiled, "time to go, I suppose. Do you have the invitation, Kagome?" Kagome nodded and handed her the "invitation" Rin had given her. Her mother looked slightly worried, but tried to cover it was a smile. But both Sango and Kagome saw through it.

"Don't worry mom, we'll be careful. It's not like we'll be doing anything you wouldn't approve of," Kagome said in an assuring tone. 'Other than going to this party in the first place,' she thought as an afterthought.

The trip there was quite silent. An awkward kind of silent, mind you. Sango and Kagome fidgeted uncomfortably as Kagome's mom tried hard not to turn around and take both girls home. As a mother, she didn't like the idea of the party, even if it was at a good friend's house. If only she knew who else lived in this house….

They followed the directions until they reached the court, where it was impossible to get any further due to all the cars. It wasn't surprising that after they got into the Shinikwa district of the city, the houses seemed to get larger and fancier with each block they passed.

"I think you can drop us off here, Mom. There's only 5 or so houses in the court, we'll be able to narrow it down."

"Call me when you need a ride home," She said as they got out of the car.

"Ok, thanks Mom!" Kagome and Sango waved as she drove off.

"What's the number again?" Sango asked.

"1532," Kagome answered, reading off of the invitation. "Ok, so it's…this one right here."

The two girls stared at the house in awe.

"Are you sure this is the right house?" Sango asked. Kagome nodded.

"That's what it says on the invitation," She checked again.

"You know Inuyasha could have been joking. Just to make a fool out of us," Sango said negatively. Kagome shook her head.

"Rin told us herself. This is their house," She said.

"Why is she living with them again?" Sango asked, confused.

"Her Uncle's on business. Apparently he's a friend of the family, who agreed to care for her while he was away."

Sango nodded, not quite paying attention. Her heart hammering against her ribcage preoccupied her, threatening to burst out at any second. "Shall we?" She asked, taking a deep breath. Kagome nodded.

"Yea. No use standing outside." She reached out a shaking hand and rung the doorbell. The door suddenly opened, and Rin stood, wearing a party dress and a Santa hat.

"Come in guys! I've taken duty of answering the door. Of course, I can't even get in a decent conversation without being interrupted every few seconds." Kagome laughed, Rin was always so spirited, even more so at Christmas.

Her hair was still in a half pony, but was decorated by a large white bow. Her dress was green, and had small frills at the bottoms, where it touched her knees. She had no makeup on, but looked beautiful just by being her regular exuberant self.

Rin lead them into a room filled with guests, many from school. They chatted happily amongst themselves while Christmas carols played softly in the background. Kagome and Sango had hardly any time to notice: they were too busy looking around at the large house.

"I knew Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were wealthy, but nobody said how wealthy," Kagome whispered to Sango, who nodded in reply.

"Don't be so shy guys. Join the party!" Rin said happily, leading them into the pandemonium of noise.

"Merry Christmas to you, ladies!" Miroku said, slipping by them. He gave them all a look over, but his eyes settled deeply on Sango. She was glowing. "You look gorgeous tonight Sango," he complimented, going slightly closer than what she would have wanted.

"T-thank you," she stuttered, before freezing in her place. He had touched her butt yet again. She turned bright red and yelled, "Miroku, you asshole! Could you cut it out for one day!" He gave her a small lecherous smile.

"Sorry Sango, I couldn't resist. You're just so beautiful and irresistible." Scowling, she kicked his shin as he walked away.

"A little untraditional," Kagome commented. "You didn't slap him."

Sango shrugged. "He was walking away, I figured I'd go for something more painful. Being Christmas and all. Heels hurt more than my hands." She clenched her fists as she saw him in the corner of the room, mingling with other girls. 'That Jerk! Who does he think he is anyway, groping me then acting like it was no big deal as long as he got to flirt with other girls!' She scowled. He would pay for it, one way or another.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Sango said suddenly, "Rin, could you…sorta show me where it is? I have no clue." Rin nodded happily, and waved goodbye to Kagome.

"We'll be back in a minute," She promised.

Kagome sighed. Why did her friends have to leave her alone right now? She shrugged and reached for a glass of punch.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," A voice said softly.

"Huh?" She asked, turning around. It was Inuyasha, with a classic smirk sprawling his striking face. He was slightly shocked to see that it was Kagome he was talking to. Firstly, because she actually came to his party in the first place. Secondly, he had barely recognized her. He quickly regained his cool before Kagome could even notice he had lost it.

"Miroku spiked it about half an hour ago," He said lazily. "Unless that is, you want to get buzzed. But I don't suggest that. It would ruin your goody two shoes reputation." She glared at him in reply. If it weren't for Rin's pleading for her presence, she wouldn't even be here.

"Oh screw off," She said, walking past him.

"Merry Christmas to you too," He said, shrugging it off. She was such a pain. Yet he couldn't help but admit tonight she was a very attractive pain…

More than anything, Kagome wanted to find Sango and Rin. Even in a very large room, she felt uneasy surrounded by all these people, most of them people she had never met. She was nearly relieved when she spotted Miroku and ran up to him.

"You're here enough, where's the bathroom?" He looked at her, confused for a moment, then put on a sly grin.

"Are you finally heating up to me, Kagome dear?" He slid his arm around her shoulder. "I don't see you as the type to be so naughty. How unexpected!"

Kagome rolled her eyes and took his hand off of her shoulder.

"I have to find Sango and Rin," She said, glaring at him. He raised his eyebrows surprisingly.

"They're in the bathroom, together? I would have never guessed, this I must see!" He clapped his hands together contently. Kagome scowled.

"Not together, moron! Rin had to show Sango to the bathroom, now tell me where it is!"

He sighed in discontent and answered.

"You're not much fun. Go up the stairs, to your right, take a left at the end of that hallway, then a right, and it's the last door to your right at the end of that hallway." She jumbled the instructions around.

"Something about the last door at the end, gotcha. Thanks Miroku," She patted his shoulder and walked away. He shook his head. Girls. Speaking of, he went back to the one's he was talking to.


Rin lead Sango to the bathroom quite easily, as if she'd been living there for years. Sango could hardly take in all that she saw on the way there. When they actually reached the bathroom, Sango would be surprised not to find a gold toilet on the other side of the bathroom door. (She was even more surprised not to find a couple making out on the other side of the door…)

"Thanks," She said gratefully.

Rin nodded. "Sure. Not a problem. I'll wait for you out here so you can find your way back."

Sango smiled and closed the door. She immediately wiped the look of gratitude off her face the instant she entered the bathroom. She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. How would she make it through the night avoiding Miroku? Oh how she hated him. Well, maybe not him exactly, but more the way he treated her. Everything he did disgusted her to no end. He had proved many times over that she meant nothing to him. 'I swear, if he touches my ass again,' she thought, but stopped. Nothing was helping. What would she do if he did? Hurting him certainly didn't work. Practically nothing did. She sat down on the counter and heaved a sigh. She would try her best.

After going to the bathroom, she left. Rin was still waiting outside.

"What do you say we find Kagome?" She asked. Sango nodded.

"Let's hope she hasn't gotten herself into too much trouble," Sango said, a sudden image of Kagome strangling Inuyasha popped into her mind. It wasn't that pleasant of an idea. They rushed down stairs, meeting Kagome halfway.

"What were you doing up here?" They asked her.

"I was looking for you guys. But I got lost," She said, looking sheepish, "Too many directions."

Rin laughed. "It's hard to find things at first, I'll admit. But I like it here. I've grown accustomed to it so quickly. It'll be sad when my uncle comes back."

"You mean you actually enjoy living under the same roof as Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, completely stunned. She shrugged.

"He's not around all that often," She said truthfully. "He's out doing other stuff. With Miroku and everything. In fact, the house is generally empty. 'Cept for Sesshoumaru-sama, who sits in his room. Or his 'study'." She quote un-quoted her fingers when she said this.

"What's his study?" Sango asked. Rin shrugged.

"Never seen it. Supposedly his own special room, with all his secret stuff or something. He's in there half of the time. The other half is in his bedroom. That I've only seen once. In fact, that's probably where he is now. He never liked the idea of a Christmas party."

Suddenly, the talking stopped and Inuyasha's loud voice could be heard from the other room.

"He's making an announcement, come on," Rin said, leading them down the stairs hurriedly. But, ironically, they had missed everything he had said, despite his obnoxiously loud voice.

"What do you think the announcement was about?" Kagome asked. Sango shrugged.

"Go ask him," she said nudging her. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"That's stupid. I'm not going to go ask him what he said. He's gong to treat me with the same attitude he always does, with the bonus of calling me an idiot for not hearing him in the first place."

Sango shrugged. "Then I guess we'll just never find out. Who knows what it could have been." This irritated Kagome to no extent.

"Fine," she said, looking around for a sight of Inuyasha.

"But maybe I just won't tell you then," She smirked, as she spotted him. "Hey, Inuyasha!" She called, shoving passed people. He turned, but looked slightly disappointed it was her who called his name.

"What?" He asked bluntly. Kagome stopped. This was a bad idea.

"I was just wondering…" She stopped mid-sentence, feeling uncomfortable.

"What?" He asked, sounding irritable. He tried to hide his amusement when he saw her at such a loss for words. He did not fail to notice the pink tint that swept across her cheeks.

"Kagome!" A voice interrupted.

"What?" she asked, turning to see an exasperated Rin.

"Mistletoe!" She pointed overhead.

'Oh no. Oh hell no.' Kagome thought, wishing there was some way out of this. Unfortunately, Rin had spoken a little too loudly, and people began to look at the two of them.

Inuyasha could feel his heartbeat quicken: He was never good under pressure. He didn't want to kiss Kagome, did he? He knew there was no way in hell Kagome would let him kiss her in front of all these people. Yet that made the idea all the more tempting, embarrassing her in front of everyone. His palms were damp with perspiration. Mentally, he readied himself. The thought of kissing her was unnerving; something inside of desperately wanted to see exactly what it felt like. She suddenly shoved him backward slightly, before he could move an inch. No one breathed.

"Uh," She stuttered. "I…eh…" She shoved passed him quickly and ran out of the room. Everyone stood in stunned silence, unable to believe that a girl had actually run away from the chance of kissing Inuyasha.

"Oh no," Sango whispered, unable to stand the tension. Spotting a glass of punch on the table, she quickly swatted it onto the floor, causing it to break. Heads turned, leaving enough time for Inuyasha to escape their view.

He quickly dashed around the corner. His face was red with embarrassment. The nerve of that girl! How could she embarrass him in front of everyone at HIS Christmas party! He would make her pay. His heart rate began to lower, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that had all the sudden filled him. Why? Why did he have that commanding urge to lean in and kiss her? He hated her! 'Something's got to be messing with my mind. Maybe Miroku spiked the punch earlier than I thought…'


Kagome made a mad dash for the door, but unluckily for her, was stopped. "Kagome!" Sango said in a urged whisper, grabbing her arms, "get a hold of yourself!" Kagome turned to look at her, her face drained of all color.

"We're leaving. We have to. I can't stay after that. I just can't." Kagome pleaded her.

"Kagome, don't say that. Do you know what you just did? You refused to kiss him! You're probably the only person who's everdone that. Ever. If you leave, everyone will start talking about how nuts you are. If you stay…you'll look brave. It's basically like saying 'I turned down Inuyasha and I'm proud of it'. Think of it as pay back for all the pranks he's played on you."

She stood silently thinking for a moment, then said ever so quietly, "Well, I suppose that it wouldn't be so bad." Then she smiled. "I'm not going to let it ruin my evening. It'd disappoint Rin if I did." Sango patted her shoulder.

"That's the spirit!"

"And besides," She added as an afterthought, "it'd kill Inuyasha."


A small knock emitted from the other side of the room.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, may I come in? " Rin asked cautiously.

"Yes Rin." He answered, not looking up from his book. She cracked the door open slightly and poked her head in.

"Hey, you coming out of here anytime soon?" He shook his head in reply. The hopeful smile on Rin's face flickered slightly.

"Why not?" She asked innocently. He shrugged.

"It's Inuyasha's party. I hardly want to be involved. I…appreciate your concern Rin, but I'm fine. I'm not very fond of crowds."

"Oh…alright. I also wanted to tell you, Kagome invited me to spend the night at her house afterwards. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Thank you very much!" She said happily. When he did not reply, she said in a softer, calmer tone, "Well, enjoy yourself Sesshoumaru-sama." She closed the door and sighed. Why didn't he ever want to join the rest of society? Although, she pondered, the more important question was, when was he ready?


For the rest of the night, rumors spread like wildfire among the house. All, no doubt, about Kagome's rejection of Inuyasha. She had decided to take Sango's advice and stayed, which in itself was reason for gossip. The second Inuyasha saw her, he darted off into another room, blushing heartily. It was surprising that he seemed to be gone for the rest of the evening.

"Where do you suppose he snuck off to?" Kagome asked thoughtfully, popping a pretzel in her mouth. Sango shrugged.

"You probably bruised his ego by rejecting him, and what's worse, staying. He probably couldn't handle it. I wouldn't be surprised if he's sulking in his bedroom right now."

"Or making out with the first girl he could get his hands on," Kagome said dryly.

"No, that'd be Miroku," Sango replied, rolling her eyes.

"Sango, I'm hurt, I didn't think you thought that badly of me," a voice said, a fake tone of concern lining his words. She turned to Miroku, reluctant to start a conversation with him.

"Well, it's true, isn't it?" She said simply. He shrugged.

"I don't go around kissing every girl I see, do I? I mean, I've never kissed YOU, have I?" Sango's face didn't lose any of its seriousness as he said this. Then he blatantly stated, "Of course, you probably haven't had your first kiss yet, have you?" She was taken unexpected as he said this, and turned pink.

"I- I never s-" she began before Miroku put a finger to her lips and made a small 'tsking' sound. "I'm surprised Sango. Then again, you are the type to kick any guy's ass if they even laid a finger on you. I'm familiar with that. Say, Is that mistletoe?" He asked, looking overhead. Sango did indeed look, long enough for him to remove his finger and kiss her gently.

Sango had no time to react between the when he had kissed her and when their lips had parted. She stared at him, wide eyed and embarrassed. "Well, now I can take those statements back," he said, a coy smile appearing on his face. With that, he left Sango standing there, shocked and dismayed. Luckily no one had been watching, not even Kagome, who was to busy munching on pretzels to notice.

"Kagome," Sango broke the silence. Kagome turned her head to Sango, out of her trance.

"What?"

Sango's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she muttered, "I think I'm reading to go home now." Kagome nodded.

"Yea, I think I'm ready to go home. Let's go find Rin," she said, a very quiet Sango in tow.


Ha ha! One down, two to go! Sorry Sango had to break the ice, but I don't think the Rin/Sess relationship has matured enough and of course, Kagome and Inuyasha will be the last : )

I would REALLY REALLY REALLY appreciate it if you gave me comments on this chapter. What you liked/disliked about it, things that could've been better, etc. Thanks SO much.

Love you all! Thanks so much for reading my story- It's a real confidence boost.

Lola