A Bride's Request and Bridesmaid's Honor
Chapter 9 - Ayame
Kagome walked into Kaede's house already knowing the reason why Sango and Miroku were there. She only prayed that she hadn't missed the announcement. Inuyasha had been gloomy all the way there, the only words passing his lips were to ask why they were going to Kaede's. Kagome had replied that it wasn't her place to say and much to her distress the silence had returned. She had always thought the distance to Kaede's was a short one, but walking there today had seemed to take an eternity, an eternity she had been unable to speak.
"Miroku?" she called out taking her shoes off. "Sango?"
"Kagome!" Sango cried happily from what sounded like the living room. Sure enough her friend came bolting around the corner to embrace her. "I'm so glad you're back. I tried to put it off as long as possible…..but…."
"I understand," Kagome said drawing back to survey her friend. She was surprised to see the nervousness in Sango's eyes. "Sorry we're late, we missed out flight last night so we took one early this morning."
"That's what we figured," Miroku said coming around the corner.
"Did you find out yet?" Kagome asked tentatively.
"No," Sango said. "I made Miroku wait before we found out for certain. I couldn't do it without you."
"Do what?" Inuyasha demanded curiously all traces of gloom disappearing. "Does this have something to do with those dancing lessons this afternoon?" He paused and then exclaimed in horror. "Oh GOD! That old bag isn't teaching you two how to dance is she!"
"Inuyasha!" Sango and Kagome exclaimed together.
"I see ye are still as disrespectful to one of my age Inuyasha," Kaede said emerging with a tray of tea cups and a plate of cookies.
"Oh Kaede," Kagome said rushing forward to take the tray from the old woman. "Here let me take that for you!"
"Why thank you Kagome dear," Kaede said letting her take the tray. "I'm glad you're back."
"Me too," Kagome said walking into the living room with everyone following behind her. Kneeling down Kagome unloaded the tray onto the small coffee table in the center of a small living room with a single couch and two armchairs. Kaede settled herself comfortably into her armchair, Miroku and Sango sat down on the couch and Inuyasha took the other chair. Sitting next to Sango after she handed out teacups Kagome asked, "so how are you doing Kaede?"
"Very well child," Kaede replied sipping her tea. "Did you have a pleasant flight?"
"More pleasant than normal," Kagome said. "Inuyasha managed to distract me until the last half hour and so I didn't throw up for the whole trip."
"That's wonderful Kagome!" Sango exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you. Finally you might be able to fly in peace!"
"I hope so too," Kagome said. "It's about time too."
"Yo Miroku," Inuyasha said. "What's up with you? You look like you're about to implode!"
"Well?" Kagome said looking at Sango.
"Are ye ready Sango?" Kaede asked.
Sango nodded and took Miroku's hand, and Kagome placed one hand on her shoulder as a show of support. Inuyasha looked at the three of them confused, then shook his head at their immaturity.
Kaede took a deep breath, and then said, "yes my child you are pregnant."
Kagome squeeled, Sango gasped and Miroku sagged deeply back into the couch. Inuyasha however yelled, "what the FUCK! You're pregnant!"
Sango just nodded through her tears of happiness and laughed when Miroku took her hand and hauled her to her feet so he could kiss her passionately.
"Wow," Sango breathed. "Miroku!"
"I'm going to be a father," Miroku said and for the first time, let himself cry. "Sango I- I- I'm going to be a daddy!" Lacking other words to express how he was feeling he kissed her again.
"Oh Sango!" Kagome said hugging her friend when they broke apart. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Can someone explain to me how this happened!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Well Inuyasha," Miroku said grinning perversely. "Firstly you need a man and a women and-"
"I know how that part works!" Inuyasha exclaimed turning red. "I mean how! I mean when! I mean….well I have no clue what I mean!" Turning to Kagome he pointed an angry finger and said, "you knew about this didn't you! This was the "surprise" that you wanted to be here for."
"Yes," Kagome said.
"How come you told her but not me!" he exclaimed indignantly.
"Because she's the one who chased after me the other day when I ran into the bathroom," Sango said shaking her head. "Why are you jealous?"
"Of course I am! I mean I'm not!" Inuyasha said hurriedly correcting himself. "I just…..uh…wish I could have been told sometime before so it didn't come as quite a shock!"
"Inuyasha," Miroku said laughing. "You should have seen the look on your face! I'll never forget it as long as I live!"
"I wasn't really looking," Sango admitted.
"Me neither," Kagome said. "But I can imagine!"
"How come people never tell me these things!" Inuyasha said disbelieving at their insensitivity.
"Miroku," Kagome said grinning. "Why don't you and Sango go for a little stroll, I'm sure you'd like to be alone for a little while. I'll take care of Mr. Huffy-pants over here."
"Just who are you calling Mr. Huffy-pants!" Inuyasha growled.
"Thanks Kagome," Sango said. "Why don't we meet at Ayame's place in an hour? Do you have the address?"
"No," Kagome said. "Sorry I forgot it back at your place but just jot it down here on the back of this receipt," she went on ruffling through her purse and producing an old bill and a pen.
"Ok," Sango said scribbling the address down. "Here you go, if you run into any problems just give me a call. Don't be late or Ayame'll have your life!"
"Don't worry," Kagome said. "We won't be late."
"Kagome," Miroku said placing a hand on Sango's shoulder, "will be perfectly fine with getting to Ayame's, it's dealing with Inuyasha that she'll have issues with."
"Ha ha," Inuyasha replied sarcastically.
"See ya," Sango replied and then both she and Miroku made a quick departure.
"Why didn't they tell me?" Inuyasha asked. "I don't think they even apologised."
"Don't feel bad," Kagome said patting him lightly on the arm. "I don't think they purposely kept you out of the loop."
"I think Inuyasha, that ye must not take this like this so seriously," Kaede murmured wisely.
Inuyasha's eye narrowed as he glared at her, "easy for you to say," he snapped.
"Why are you making such a big deal about it, does it really bother you that much?" Kagome asked.
"No of course not," Inuyasha said huffily. "Feh! I couldn't care less! I just hate surprises is all."
"Awwww poor baby," Kagome said sitting down and reaching for her teacup.
"Look would you have been upset if suddenly you heard that your best friend was pregnant and it wasn't even her who told you?" Inuyasha asked.
"Well yeah I guess," Kagome said unsure of where he was taking this.
"Well that's how I'm feeling," Inuyasha muttered.
"Oh Inuyasha honestly," Kagome said shaking her head. "Miroku would probably have told you himself except for the fact that Sango didn't tell him her suspicions till we left."
"What do you mean suspicions?" Inuyasha asked.
"Sango wasn't sure if she was pregnant, she just thought she might be," Kagome said. "That why she came to see Kaede, she wanted a doctor to tell her."
"How could she just think she might be?" Inuyasha demanded. "Don't you get fat when you're pregnant
Kagome blushed furiously. "Does Sango look fat to you?" Kagome demanded looking to Kaede for help.
"Inuyasha, Sango is not even a month pregnant," Kaede said. "A women's belly does not grow until much later in the pregnancy. My guess would be that she is but barely two weeks pregnant."
"If it's that early in the pregnancy how did she guess then?" Inuyasha asked slowly beginning to relax.
"Her cycle was late coming, that was the first thing that alerted her. She also recognised many symptoms of being pregnant."
"Oh," Inuyasha said a faint blush tinting his cheeks.
Kagome flicked an invisible piece of dust off her dress, "so see, Sango wasn't even sure if she was pregnant and she's the one who's going to be having the baby."
"Oh well if that's the case," Inuyasha said. "I don't feel so left out then." there was a moment of silence before he asked, "so how long till the baby's born?"
Kagome sweat-dropped. "Nine months Inuyasha," she said.
"Is it going to be a girl or a boy?" Inuyasha asked turning to Kaede.
"It won't be possible to tell for quite sometime," Kaede said.
"Hmmmm," Inuyasha hummed. "Does anybody else know yet?"
"No just the four of you and myself," Kaede reassured him.
"Good," Inuyasha said. "Kouga'll be the last one to know then, not me."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome screeched. "How can you think of something like that at a time like this! You should be wishing Sango and Miroku the best instead of competing with Kouga!"
"This is nothing compared to when the two of them get together," Kaede said. "After the last time I had them over here together I banned them both from entering if the other was present."
"Awww stop your complaining old hag," Inuyasha said. "We paid to fix everything, and even threw in some nice new furniture. You should be thanking us."
"For destroying my living room?" Kaede asked innocently.
Inuyasha just growled in response and rose. "I'm leaving Kagome, are you coming?"
"Well," Kagome said reluctant to leave and looking to Kaede. "Do you need me to help you with the dishes Kaede?"
"Oh no child, Sango just recently convinced me to buy a dishwasher and I must say it works very well."
"Oh I'm glad Kaede," Kagome said. "I've been trying to convince you for years that it would be far easier.'
"And I am sorry that it took me so long not too," Kaede said bowing her head and closing her eyes. "So you and Inuyasha run along, I'm sure that you have plenty of things that need doing before the wedding."
"Yes," Kagome said. "There's so much that needs to be done and we have only four days left!"
"It's hard to believe isn't it," Kaede said. "It seems like only yesterday you were both little girl sitting in my office with a cold."
Kagome grinned, "yes time just flies by doesn't it?"
"Yes child it does. Now you hurry along, I'll see you at the wedding," Kaede replied.
"Alright," Kagome sighed turning and walking to the front door. "Have a good afternoon Kaede."
"Goodbye."
Closing the door gently behind her, Kagome wasn't surprised to see Inuyasha waiting impatiently for her on the sidewalk. Walking up to him Kagome said, "strange isn't it, it does seem like yesterday we were all little?"
"Not really," Inuyasha said beginning to walk back to Sango and Miroku's house.
"Awww come on Inuyasha," Kagome said nudging him with her elbow. "Don't tell me you don't miss being a kid sometimes."
"Sometimes sure," Inuyasha replied. "But I like being an adult more; you don't have to rely on other people to survive. You also don't have an older brother to beat you up."
Kagome's eyes glazed over for a second and she turned her gaze away from him. "Sota and I were always so close I was never able to understand why the two of you hated each other so much. To tell you the truth it's still baffling."
"I'm sorry Kagome I didn't mean to bring brothers up," Inuyasha said.
"It's alright," Kagome said smiling, though the smile didn't warm her eyes the way it normally did. "I don't think anyone realises how much they love their family until their gone and it's too late. I mean look at you, Sesshomaru is the only one you have left out of your family and you still can't bear to be with him. He's the person you went on family vacations with and opened presents with on Christmas, he's the only other person alive who remembers those special family memories."
"Look I know you miss your brother Kagome," Inuyasha said. "But don't try and analyse my family. Mine wasn't the same as yours, my brother's way of saying hello was beating me up. He hated me before I was born and that fact hasn't changed all these years I've been alive. He hates the fact that father didn't leave him the family business and instead insisted that we share it, run it together."
"But he's your own blood!" Kagome protested. "If you look down, deep down, I'm sure you feel that family bond."
"Not a chance," Inuyasha said gruffly.
"I'm not saying this to make you angry," Kagome said laying a hand lightly on his arm. "I just wish people would see what's staring them straight in the face before it's too late." Letting her hand fall she whispered, "I wish I had."
"Don't dwell on things you can't fix," Inuyasha said.
"I try not to," Kagome said smiling softly. "Now what do you want to do for the next hour?"
"Get something to eat," Inuyasha replied as they turned the corner and Sango and Miroku's place came into view.
"Sounds good I'm famished," Kagome said. "Where to?"
"I know this great noodle house just a couple minutes away from here," Inuyasha said. "They make the best ramen in all of New York."
"Sounds good," Kagome said. "Lead the way."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Slurping noodles away happily Kagome reflected on how fast the service had been. Of course that might have been because Inuyasha hadn't bothered to look at a menu or let her do likewise, instead ordering the house special insisting that she hadn't tasted ramen until she tried theirs.
To be quite honest she hadn't really felt like ramen, the weather being so nice and all. Inuyasha however had insisted that there was no bad time to eat ramen. Smiling at his stubbornness Kagome looked up at Inuyasha who was shovelling noodles into his mouth like there was no tomorrow and giggled. Realising she had stopped eating her ramen Inuyasha looked up confused, her bowl was still half full!
"Why are you eating? Don't you like it?" he demanded. Seeing her raise her hand to her face to hide her smile his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What are you giggling about?"
"You," Kagome said. "I looked up and you were shovelling noodles in your mouth so fast I thought you were going to choke!"
"Feh, what other way would I eat ramen?" he shrugged and turned his attention back on his meal.
Kagome shook and head and placed her spoon down in exchange for her tea cup. Taking a sip Kagome said, "this tea is really nice, I should find out where they get it."
"If I recall correctly you have enough tea for the army to have a tea party," Inuyasha said.
"I do not," Kagome protested.
"Everyday for a year."
Kagome blinked and then when his meaning dawned on her she smacked him.
"Hey!" he shouted holding his bowl of ramen protectively. "What it you might have spilled my ramen!"
Snorting in contempt Kagome picked up her spoon again. "I highly doubt that. And I do not have that much tea. You're exaggerating."
"A little," Inuyasha admitted. "But not by much."
"Puuuulease," Kagome drawled. "You can never have too much tea."
"I think you already have like twenty kinds!" Inuyasha said.
"That's not a lot!" Kagome said. "I'll eventually use it all up."
"Sure by the time you're Kaede's age," Inuyasha said attacking his food again.
"You really are a pig Inuyasha," Kagome said eying him.
Beltching loudly as his finished Inuyasha smirked and leaned back against his chair, "yeah I know."
"Do you have the time?" Kagome asked.
"We've still got forty minutes till we have to meet Sango," Inuyasha said lazily closing his eyes.
Looking down at her ramen Kagome realised that she was quite full. "Do you want to finish the rest of my ramen?"
"You're full?" Inuyasha said incredulously.
"Yeah," Kagome said. "they were pretty big bowls."
"Well if you're sure," Inuyasha said.
"Positive," Kagome reassured him.
"Pass it my way then," he said and moved his bowl to the side to make room for Kagome's which he dug into with an amazing appetite.
"I'm excited to see Sango's wedding dress," Kagome said.
"Whatever it is it'll look amazing if Ayame designed it," Inuyasha said with his mouthful.
"Yeah, that's why I can't wait to see it. Poor Miroku he doesn't get to see Sango in the wedding dress until she walks down the aisle," Kagome said.
"Ha sucker," Inuyasha grinned slurping the last of the noodles with great relish.
The look of satisfaction that crossed Inuyasha's face, whether over getting to see Sango in her wedding dress before Miroku or just the fact that he had finished Kagome's ramen, was impossible not to laugh at. "Inuyasha," Kagome laughed. "I swear you look just like a cat that got the cream."
"Or the lucky person who got an extra half bowl of ramen," he said smugly. Looking around he turned back to her. "Well you ready to head out?"
"Yep," Kagome said. "But don't we need to pay?"
"We pay up at the front," Inuyasha said pushing back his chair and standing up.
"Wait a sec," Kagome said grabbing a napkin as she stood up. "You have something on your cheek." Her fingers were an inch away from Inuyasha's cheek when she realized what she was doing and she snapped her hand back blushing. "Here," she said embarrassedly handing him the napkin.
"Oh," Inuyasha said taking the napkin and rubbing a speck of ramen off his cheek. "Thanks."
"No problem," Kagome said grabbing her blazer and purse and followed him to the front.
"Nine dollars and forty-nine cents please," the little oriental lady at the front said punching it into a very ancient calculator.
"Handing her a twenty," Inuyasha smiled. "Here you go Mrs. Wong, keep the change. Soup was amazing as always."
"Thank you sir," the little old lady said bowing her head in gratitude.
"How's your son doing?" Inuyasha asked.
"He's doing very well, top of his class and heading off to University in the fall," Mrs. Wong beamed.
"Hope that goes well," Inuyasha said. "I'll stop by again soon."
"Who's your lady friend?" The woman asked looking past Inuyasha to Kagome.
"This is Kagome," Inuyasha said.
"Hi," Kagome said shaking the woman's hand. "Inuyasha was right you make the best ramen I've ever tasted."
The woman's expression softened into a smile after that, "finally you've found your senses I see and hooked yourself a decent girl. That last girlfriend you brought here was pretty trashy. It's nice to meet you Kagome, I hope to see you soon."
Inuyasha and Kagome each flushed crimson and Kagome stuttered, "we're not dating," they stuttered out in unison.
"We're just friends," Inuyasha said.
"Old friends," Kagome repeated.
"Nothing going on between us," Inuyasha blurted out.
"Nothing at all!"
"Oh," Mrs. Wong said "my mistake. I apologize."
"Well I'll see you again soon Mrs. Wong," Inuyasha said hurriedly and made a beeline to the door.
"Yes," Kagome murmured eyes on the floor. "See you."
Giggling the little old lady turned back to her magazine and said to herself, "they might say there's nothing going on but by the way they reacted I'd say there's definitely something cooking and I'm not talking about my ramen."
Stepping out into the sunlight Kagome sighed heavily and tried to stop blushing, looking over at Inuyasha she noticed his cheeks were just as red.
"Talk about embarrassing," Kagome said finding it extremely difficult to look him in the face.
"Sorry about that," Inuyasha said.
"S'okay," Kagome muttered. "So how do you propose we get to Ayame's?"
"Why don't we walk," Inuyasha said. "If I recall correctly it's not too far away."
"How far of a walk are we talking about?" Kagome asked matching her pace to his brisk one.
"Twenty-five, thirty minutes," Inuyasha said shrugging.
"Sounds good," Kagome replied. "I could do with the exercise."
"Yeah, I've been pretty sluggish these days too," Inuyasha agreed.
"You don't really need to work out that much," Kagome pouted. "You're not fat in the least bit you're pure muscle."
"It's not a matter of my weight, it's more of a life style choice," Inuyasha said. "If I just stopped going to the gym eventually all the muscle I worked so hard to build would disappear. Going to the gym doesn't only keep me fit it also keeps my heart in shape. Trust me there are a lot of slightly overweight people who are healthier than any stick thin model. You can't judge a person as healthy by what they look like, not every think person if healthy."
"That true," Kagome admitted. "Lots of my co-workers are twigs and yet they eat MacDonald's ever day, they can't be healthy."
"No," Inuyasha said looking over at Kagome who was looking guiltily at her stomach. "Kagome?"
"Yes?" Kagome said looking up quickly.
"You know you're not fat right?" Inuyasha said averting his gaze. The fact that she had forgiven him for what he had done to her, made him feel all the more guilty for what he had done to her. Now he felt obligated to fix her self-esteem.
"Of course I do," Kagome said a little to fast for him to believe her.
"Because you're not," Inuyasha said.
Kagome turned her head away unsure of what to say. What did he want her to say to that? The walked in silence and what Inuyasha said sunk further into Kagome. What was he doing say that! What was he trying to do?
Inuyasha kept his gaze in front of him trying not to let his lips twitch into a smile as he saw her eyes flicker his way, then blush and look away.
"You know what," Inuyasha said breaking the silence as he spied an ice cream store ahead. "I feel like ice cream, you want to get some?"
"Sure," Kagome forced herself to say. He must be testing her….if she said no he'd give her a lecture on how she wasn't fact but if she ate it then maybe he'd let the subject drop.
Inuyasha smiled smugly at his own ingeniousness. His plan had worked! AHA!
"But this time I'm paying," Kagome said.
"Not it's okay I'll treat," Inuyasha replied.
"You paid for lunch," Kagome argued. "I'll pay for the ice cream It's only fair!"
"I paid for your ramen because I ate more than half of it!" Inuyasha countered.
"I still could have paid for it," Kagome said. "So either I pay for the ice cream or I don't have any!"
"Spoiled brat," Inuyasha growled.
"Chauvinistic pig," Kagome huffed. "Just because you're the guy doesn't mean you have to pay for everything! This is the 21st century!"
"Just what are you insinuating!" Inuyasha asked menacingly as he held open the door for her.
"I'm not-" Kagome started to say but was cut off as a loud eruption happened. She and Inuyasha stood stunned and hundreds of balloons and streamers cascaded down on them and realised that the large eruption had been all the employees shouting "Congratulations!"
"Uhhh," Kagome said blinking.
"Uhhhh?" Inuyasha echoed.
"What exactly's going on?" Kagome asked hesitantly.
"You two are our 100th and 101th customers!" the manager said enthusiastically pumping Kagome's arm since she had been the one who had entered first.
"And what exactly does that mean?" Inuyasha asked bewildered.
"That the little lady gets free ice cream for a year!" The man said happily.
Kagome looked at Inuyasha and shrugged. "Thank you," she said slowly still getting over the shock.
"What's your name if you don't mind me asking?" the manager asked.
"Kagome, Kagome Higurashi," she said and then shrieked as she caught sight of a photographer. "Oh my gosh! Please tell me you didn't take a picture of me looking like that!"
"Yep," the photographer said. "Great shot too miss, I know you're thinking you look horrible but you don't! Honestly! You just look surprised!"
Grinning weakly Kagome asked, "may I see the picture?"
"Certainly," the photographer replied bringing the camera over. After evaluating the picture Kagome reluctantly came to the conclusion that she didn't look that bad at all, sure her mouth was open in surprise, but all in all it wasn't that terrible.
Peering over her shoulder Inuyasha grinned, he looked pretty good too, in a chivalrous sort of way as he held the door open for a surprised Kagome. "Pretty good shot," he complimented the photographer. "Mind if I get a copy?"
"Sure," the photographer replied. "Would you like one as well Miss Higu- Higur-"
"Higurashi," Kagome said smiling she was used to people stumbling over her name.
Forcing a certificate into one hand and taking her other hand in a firm hand shake, the manager said smiling broadly. "Smile!" As the photographer moved to take the shot Kagome smiled sweetly.
The photographer paused and looked up, "sir I want to get you in there as well, no need to exclude the boyfriend!"
"Who me?" Inuyasha asked horrified. "Oh I'm not her boyfriend!"
"Oh I'm sorry my mistake," the photographer said. "Would you kindly move out of the shot then."
"Of course," Inuyasha said and noticed that Kagome's smile fell for a moment and then returned.
He wondered as they took the picture and as he gazed at Kagome why her smile had fallen at him not being in the picture. When Kagome and the manager broke apart Inuyasha walked over.
"Well I guess you got to let me pay," Kagome grinned.
"I guess so," Inuyasha replied returning her smile.
Unable to break the force that compelled her to continue to look Inuyasha in the eyes Kagome said, "well we should probably decided on what flavours we want if we want to make it to Ayame's studio on time."
"Yeah," Inuyasha said drawing back and walking over to the ice cream counter and surveyed the various flavours. Walking down the aisle of ice cream Kagome felt the familiar feeling of being overwhelmed by all the flavours! Everything looked so good! The chocolate brownie looked good, and so did the creamsicle and raspberry cheesecake, and then there were all the classics like vanilla, cookie-dough, tiger tail and chocolate chip mint! Oh the choices! Finally making up her mind Kagome said, "may I please have a double scoop of raspberry cheesecake in a waffle cone?"
"Certainly," the manager said personally serving her.
"And I'll have tiger tail," Inuyasha requested.
"Oh I was debating about having that one too," Kagome said.
"I know I saw you moaning over it," Inuyasha said.
"I was not moaning!" Kagome protested indignantly.
"Were too!"
"Was not!" Kagome said accepting her ice cream cone from the manager. "Maybe I shouldn't treat you for that comment."
"Fine by me," Inuyasha shrugged. "You're the one who was insisting on treating when we walked in." Accepting his ice cream from the manager as well Inuyasha walked over to the door and mocking held it open for her.
"Why thank you," Kagome said treading on his foot as she passed, unfortunately though he didn't so much as even flinch. Walking past her Kagome ran to catch up and as she did she was hit with a pang of nostalgia. For a brief moment she was once again her childhood self chasing after Inuyasha who wanted nothing to do with her. Freezing, Kagome recalled the promise she had made as a broken hearted child: that she would never again chase after a man who didn't love her.
Looking over his shoulder Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "Just what do you think you're doing just standing there? Get a move on, we don't have all day you know."
Clenching her eyes shut Kagome proceeded to make her way over to him. "Sorry 'bout that," she muttered. "Don't know what came over me there."
Beginning to walk again Inuyasha licked his ice cream cone thoughtfully. "I wonder what colour of dress Kagome'll wear?" he thought. "Defiantly not white or black, maybe green...or blue…don't think Ayame would make a pink dress unless Sango requested it…Ayame's favourite colour is purple…..maybe that's what the bridesmaids' will be wearing…"
"Why can't you just wear a black suit and tie?" Kagome asked.
"Hmm?" Inuyasha said, he felt guilty for not paying any attention to her, but then again he shouldn't be. She had purposely stepped on his foot!
"I mean, well, any old suit would do wouldn't it? Why'd you need one from Ayame?"
"So I don't look better then Miroku I suppose," Inuyasha said with a smirk. noticing Kagome's disapproving smile he went on, "well what type of suits do you expect Miroku to have? I don't think he owns anything designed by Armani."
"True," Kagome admitted. "So uniformity is your guess then?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha shrugged. "Doesn't really matter that much to me. How's your ice cream? Mine's pretty good."
"Same here," Kagome said. "You want to try some?"
Inuyasha raised his eyebrow that strongly reminded Kagome of Sesshomaru. "And risk getting your cooties? No way."
Kagome couldn't help herself from snorting at that. "Cooties?" she managed to choke out through her giggles holding her stomach she was laughing so hard. "Did I hear you say cooties?"
Sighing exasperatedly Inuyasha said sullenly, "yes I did say cooties."
"Please tell me that you still don't worry about things like cooties!" Kagome giggled. "I mean like come on! You've exchange saliva and heaven only knows what else with, from the sounds of it, tons of women and you still talk about cooties?" Grinning mischievously Kagome leaned over and licked his ice cream. "Yum, tiger tail; one of my all time favourites."
"Hey!" exclaimed Inuyasha, snatching his cream away too late. "Just what do you think you're doing! That's mine!" Looking down grumpily at his ice cream he went on, 'and you've just contaminated it!"
"Contaminated it!" Kagome said with mock horror. "Oh no!"
"Don't play innocent with me," Inuyasha growled. "You know I hate sharing food with other people!"
"Whoops," Kagome said. "That little tidbit just completely slipped my mind."
"Damn right it did," Inuyasha grumbled knowing perfectly well that she hadn't forgotten.
"Come on Inuyasha, it won't kill you," Kagome said nudging him with her elbow. "Here you can have some of mine if it'll make you feel better."
Inuyasha recoiled as her ice cream cone was shoved in front of his nose. "Not a chance," he said wrinkling his nose.
"Oh Inuyasha," Kagome sighed rolling her eyes. "Haven't you every shared supper on a date? Ordered a romantic spaghetti dinner or something like that?"
"Nope," Inuyasha said. "I hate all that romantic crap."
"Oh," Kagome murmured completely deflating, "I guess you would, wouldn't you? Most guys these days hate romantic stuff. And then the one's who don't are completely wrong for you and…."
"And what?" Inuyasha asked curiously.
"And us girls are left in the dust," Kagome finished.
"Wowah," Inuyasha said. "Don't give me that I was left behind mumbo-jumbo. From what you've told me, you're the one who's been doing the leaving. You left Kouga and Bankotsu because they were jerks, not that I blame you, you leave Naraku because he was abusive and you left that Homo guy because he was a bad kisser."
"His name's Hojo," Kagome corrected blushing. "And I didn't break up with him just because he was a ba, just because he was that!"
"Okay you left that 'Hojo' guy because he was too perfect and a bad kisser," Inuyasha said. "If you as me, I think you're just not ready to settle down yet."
"Of course I am!" Kagome protested. "I want to settle down, and have a family eventually. I want a boyfriend who loves me more than he loves himself, his car or abusing me! That's not so much to ask for! I would like my boyfriend to give me flowers on Valentine's Day and take long romantic walks in the park with me."
"Maybe it is," Inuyasha shrugged. "I have a horrible memory for things like Valentine's day, anniversaries, birthdays. Most guys do, simple as that."
"But what can't you guys do that for us?" Kagome said with a sad smile. "That's my question. If you loved a girl, like how Miroku loves Sango, I don't see why you would remember special days."
"I suppose if I loved a girl enough maybe," Inuyasha said. "Don't really stay with 'em long enough to worry about stuff like that."
"Oh yeah," Kagome paused. "Have you ever thought of a long term relationship?"
"No," Inuyasha said looking suspiciously at her. She looked so pretty right now with the wind lightly blowing through her hair.
"Liar," his conscience whispered. "Liar, liar, pants on FIRE!"
Taking a deep breath to calm himself Inuyasha forced himself not to look down. Lucky for him Kagome changed the subject.
"How far away are we?"
"Uhhh, not far," Inuyasha said. "Just another two blocks."
"Oh that's good," Kagome replied. "So the offer's still open if you want a lick."
His head still in the gutter Inuyasha's eyes snapped open and he looked over at her. "Pardon me?"
"You know you want some," Kagome said holding her ice cream in front of his nose. "It's really yummy."
Looking down at the ice cream Inuyasha's first instinct was to refuse but the look in her eyes…..he wasn't quite sure what it was but he wasn't able to resist. Relenting Inuyasha took a lick. Kagome saw his eyes light up as he did.
"See it's not all slimy with girl cooties if that's what you were thinking," she took a lick of her ice cream cone. "Pretty good flavour hey?"
"Yeah, yummy," Inuyasha said eying her ice cream hungrily. "Hey look at that cool piece of art!"
"Where?" Kagome asked whirling around. Taking advantage of her distraction Inuyasha took a large bite out of her ice cream. "Hey!"
"What you told me to have some," Inuyasha grinned through a mouthful of ice cream.
"Exactly key word there being so-" Kagome broke off, crying out as she was shoved brutally to the cement as a man grabbed her purse and ran off.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha said rushing to her side. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine," Kagome muttered. "But that guy's got my purse."
"Wait right here!" Inuyasha said jumping to his feet. No one hurt his Kagome and got away with it! Breaking into a sprint, Inuyasha was thankful of all those visits to the gym. Where as he was hardly breaking a sweat the other man, though a good block in front of him, was beginning to show obvious signs of tiring. Pushing himself fast Inuyasha, dogged pedestrians. He was gaining on the thief and once he got there, the man would pay for hurting his Kagome. It wasn't until after Inuyasha caught up with the man, punched him unconscious and called the police to come pick the man up that Inuyasha realised that the entire time he had been chasing the man he had been referring to Kagome as "his". Looking down at Kagome's purse he wished he could get back to her but he couldn't just leave the man here, he might get away. Kicking the man's leg in anger Inuyasha growled menacingly.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked hobbling over on what appeared to be an injured ankle.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha said rushing over to her and putting his arm around her. "I thought I told you to stay put!"
"You did," Kagome agreed. "But I didn't listen."
"Idiot," Inuyasha said but with fondness rather than real anger. Looking down at her ankle he asked. "Now what have you done to you're ankle?"
"Nothing serious I hope," Kagome said cheerfully. "Just fell weird because of my high heels, that's all."
"Can you walk?" Inuyasha asked.
"Of course," Kagome said smiling. "I'm doing this sort of stuff all the time you know how clumsy I am."
"You've got that right." Putting her purse into her hands Inuyasha said, "here's your purse."
Kagome just stared at it for a moment, "you actually got it back?"
"Duh," Inuyasha said. "How else would you be holding it right now."
"You put yourself in danger all because of a purse?" Kagome murmured and looked up at him. "What is he'd had a gun! Or a knife! You could have died and all over a silly purse!"
"Oh come on now," Inuyasha muttered. "Don't get all sentimental on me. Just say thank you and leave it at that. No need to bring all that mushy stuff into the equation."
Kagome looked at him thoughtfully for a moment her shinning eyes proof of her gratefulness. "Thank you," she said looking down and then up past his shoulder as police sirens because audible.
"About time they got here," Inuyasha muttered darkly.
A police car pulled up alongside the curb and a police officer opened the door and got out. "Is this the man that stole your purse miss?"
"Yes officer," Kagome said meekly.
"Are you the person who phone the police," the officer asked Inuyasha.
"Yeah, and now that you're here, we've got to go," Inuyasha said.
"You'll need to answer some questions first," the officer stated pulling out a little book to write what they said down.
"There's not much to say, the guy grabbed Kagome's purse, pushed her to the ground and then took off. I chased after him, punched him unconscious and then called you. No we're late and we'd appreciate it if you'd let us leave. Here's my card if you need to contact me for anymore information," handing the officer Inuyasha waited for the recognition.
"Mr Inuyasha?" the police officer stated and then upon recognizing the name immediately bowed. "Of course sir, if we have any further questions we will contact you."
"Thank you," Inuyasha said and watched the police officer load the unconscious man into the back seat of the police car and drive off. Turning back to Kagome he said, "come on if we don't hurry we're going to be late and then I think Sango might kill us."
"Yep," Kagome said and began to walk. But before a minute had passed Inuyasha knew that Kagome had been lying about her ankle by the funny way she was walking. Putting his arm around her waist he said, "here lean on me if it makes it any better."
"I'm okay I really am," Kagome insisted.
"You've got two choices," Inuyasha said firmly. "Either you lean your weight on me and off your foot or I carry you, your choice."
Kagome frowned, "what happened to the US being a free country?"
"You've still got a choice," Inuyasha said secretly hoping she'd choose the second. "And we don't have all day so make up your mind."
"I take the first," Kagome said wrapping an arm around his waist to support herself. "I could only imagine what Sango's say if I showed up in your arms."
They walked in silence, or in Kagome's case hobbled, until they reached Ayame's store. "She's renovated since I was last here," Kagome said as they walked in. "It looks nice."
"Thank you," Ayame said coming over from the counter. "How may I help yo- Inuyasha!"
Squealing with delight the red head threw herself at Inuyasha hugging him. "You look great! I seems like forever since I last saw you."
Turning to Kagome she planted one hand firmly on her hip and said, "and as you Kagome! How dare you not have seen me in this long!"
"Ayame," Kagome said flashing her ever so deadly puppy eyes. "Please forgive me my dearest, most valued, extremely gorgeous looking friend."
"That gorgeous part won you some brownie points," Ayame said thoughtfully tapping her chin. "Oh alright I'll forgive you, but only on one condition."
"Which is?" Kagome asked unlinking her arm from Inuyasha's waist as she prepared for Ayame's infamous bear hug.
"You squeal in delight when I show you the master piece I have created for you to wear!" Ayame exclaimed crushing her friend in a hug.
"I've missed you so much Ayame," Kagome said when the bubbly girl let go.
"Me too," Ayame said and looking over at Inuyasha raising one of her perfectly sculpted eyebrows asked, "now what have you done to yourself this time."
"Just injured my ankle," Kagome said. "And by injured," she went on giving Inuyasha the dirtiest look she could. "I mean hurt the tiniest iota. This baka however insisted carrying me all the way here."
"And rightly so, you've got to heal up fast or you won't be able to walk down the aisle with Sango and I! What happened," Ayame asked leading Inuyasha and Kagome to a pair of chairs when Kagome sat in with a sigh of relief.
"Some guy jacked my purse and to escape pushed me to the ground," Kagome said. "Of all the days to wear high heels."
"He got your purse!" Ayame exclaimed outraged. "What did he look like we'll phone and report him!"
"Oh don't worry Inuyasha ran the guy down and got it back," Kagome sighed.
"Good boy," Ayame said giving Inuyasha am approving nod. "Well I'm glad for that. But onto big and better news, I hear you're moving back here! Is it true?"
"Yep," Kagome said. "It's true, packed all my stuff up just the other day and the majority of everything flew out with me."
"Wonderful," Ayame said giving her friend another hug, this one somewhat less painful. "I'm so excited! If you ever need a place to stay my home is always open."
"Me too," Kagome replied. "I can't wait, I'm going to finally open my own store and everything!"
"Of absolutely fab!" Ayame exclaimed! "Are you serious! You're finally going to do it!"
"Yep," Kagome beamed proudly. "After all these years my dream's finally coming together."
"This is just wonderful!" Ayame exclaimed jumping up and down delightedly.
"And why is that?" Inuyasha asked.
"Only because the place next door just went out of business!" Ayame squealed. "If you bought it we could blast the wall down and-"
"Ayame before you get started on planning everything out, I hate to say this but, I need the store to be mine," Kagome said hoping her friend wouldn't take it the wrong way. "I mean I'd love to be right next to you but…"
"No need to go further," Ayame said. "I completely understand, you're right this store is gonna be your baby! And I am ashamed that I dared to dream of encroach on your territory."
"Thank you for understanding," Kagome replied taking Ayame's hand in her own and looking into her friend's emerald eyes. A sudden feeling of nostalgia overtook her and she threw her arms around Ayame and hugged her again. "I can't believe it's been so long," she whispered.
"Oh hush," Ayame said patting her friends head. "Yes you were stupid to move away but now that you're moving back everything'll right itself out."
"Ahem," Inuyasha said coughing loudly. "Ahem!"
Giggling the two girls separated and looked over at the silver haired man who was blushing as red as a cherry. "Sorry Inuyasha sweetie," Ayame cooed walking over and giving him a pat on the cheek. "I forgot you hate all PDA's"
"PDA's?" Inuyasha retorted. 'What the f-" he stopped suddenly at the look Ayame gave him. "I mean what in the world does that mean?"
"It means," Ayame smiled. "Public displays of affection." Walking down behind her counter Ayame said, "oh and thank you for being a dear and remembering I hate it when people swear."
"How could I possibly forget," Inuyasha muttered as she bent down to find something. "Last time you washed my mouth out with soap!"
Kagome couldn't help herself and burst out laughing at the look on Inuyasha's face as he recalled the vile incident.
"Of course I did," Ayame giggled. "You have quite a potty-mouth at times Inuyasha."
"You've got that right," Kagome assured her. "Speaking of foul mouthed men, how are you doing with Kouga's?"
"It's been cured," a masculine voice said entering from the back of the building.
"Kouga!" Kagome exclaimed. "I didn't realize you were here!"
"I was in the back and heard Ayame squeal to much for it to be normal customers so I came to investigate and what a happy discovery it is," Kouga said smoothly embracing her in a hug that made Inuyasha growl.
Releasing Kagome, Kouga turned to Inuyasha and grinned. "Dog-breath! didn't see you there sorry. What's new?"
"Nice to see you too Kouga," Inuyasha growled trying to keep his temper under control seeing the glint in Ayame's eyes as she rose from behind the desk.
"Kouga!" she bellowed causing him to jump. "I thought I told you to be pleasant!"
Kouga, Kagome and Inuyasha all recoiled from Ayame and Kagome was amazed at how such a relatively tiny woman could so closely resemble a sabre-tooth tiger!
"Sorry sweetie," Kouga smiled recovery from his momentary shock.
"Just don't let it happen again," Ayame threatened.
A tiny bell sounded from the front of the store and all four looked over just in time to see Miroku and Sango walk through the front door.
"Sango!" Ayame cried rapturously dashing over to embrace her friend in a hug. "I've been dying! What took you so long! My masterpiece is ready and I've been dying to see it on you!"
"Ayame," Sango said smiling fondly. "I can't wait either, I'm dying with anticipation so why don't we get started right away and then we can send the men on their way!"
"Sounds like an excellent plan," Ayame replied clasping her hands together. Grabbing Miroku with a brief, "nice to see you too Miroku honey," Ayame rounded Inuyasha, Kouga and Miroku up, placed a different suit in each ones hands and practically shoved each one into a personal change room.
"Kagome," Sango said walking over. "Glad to see you made it here without problems. Have you been here long?"
"No," Kagome said hugging her friend. "Only about five minutes, and from the looks of it we won't be here much longer if Ayame's got her way."
"Oh she's just impatient to see me in her "masterpiece"," Sango replied. "I kind of feel bad, I know she's been slaving over it ever since I told her I was getting married. I've barely spoken to her since she showed me the design for the dress and I approved it."
"She loves her work," Kagome said. "Nothing makes Ayame happier than making a beautiful dress."
"You've got that right," Ayame said. "Just wait until you see it, by far the most beautiful dress I have ever created."
"I don't doubt it," Sango said. "If it's anything like what you showed me it'll be gorgeous."
"Well it should be," Ayame humphed. "You helped design it!"
"No I didn't!" Sango exclaimed. "I just told you what I had envisioned it looking like."
"Exactly!" Ayame said triumphantly. "You gave me the dream, I merely made it!"
"Ayame," Kagome laughed. "You don't give yourself nearly enough credit!"
"Well?" Kouga coughed emerging from the change room. "What do you think? Am I gorgeous or what!"
All three girls scoffed at his arrogance, watching him twirl in front of them wearing a black tuxedo that fit him to a 't'.
Ayame made a sound in the back of he throat and stood. Walking over to him she felt the shoulders and had him reach out, bend down and sit in a chair before she was satisfied that it actually fit him. "That'll do," she said and allowed him to change back into his everyday clothes.
"I don't know how you live with that vanity," Kagome said as she sat back down.
"Sometimes I wonder the same thing," Ayame whispered and then shrugged. "But you can't help who you love."
"True," Sango agreed. "So what are we going to do with the guys after they're done?"
"Let them go to the bar down the street," Ayame said. "Well except for Inuyasha. I'm going to keep him here with us so he and Kouga don't start another fight. That's the last thing we need before the wedding: the man of honour having a black eye."
"You've got that right," Kagome muttered just as Inuyasha and Miroku emerged simultaneously from their change rooms.
"Well?" Miroku asked twirling. "Good?"
"Bend," Ayame ordered rising to her feet once more.
Miroku bent.
"Reach your arms out."
Miroku obliged once again.
"Sit," Ayame pointed to the chair.
Miroku sat.
"Hmmmm," Ayame said crossing to him. "Is it too tight anywhere?"
"A touch in the neck," Miroku admitted.
"Well that's easily remedied," Ayame replied and shooed him back into the change room. "Inuyasha your turn over here."
Inuyasha walked over and Ayame nearly screamed. "Oh my gosh! Inuyasha! That thing's hideous on you!"
Both Kagome and Sango looked at each other at that statement. From where they were standing the tux looked just fine. More than fine if the truth be told.
"It's a little tight in the chest and shoulders if that's what you're referring to," Inuyasha mumbled.
Feeling the fabric, Ayame nodded, "a little short in the pants as well. But you're defiantly right, I'm going to have to fix this up tonight. You've got even more muscle now than you did last time I saw you. Flex." Obliging her Inuyasha flexed his bicep and let Ayame feel his muscles. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed and then lowered her voice. "Don't ever tell Kouga I said this but you've got even more than he does!"
Inuyasha smirked at that and then asked if he could go change which Ayame nodded her ascent. "Well now that was the nicest set of muscles I've ever seen," Ayame murmured.
"No kidding," Sango agreed.
"I say," Ayame muttered. "If I were single I would be all over him like a wolf on a steak."
"Lovely imagery," Kagome groaned covering her face.
"The two of you should hook up Kagome," Ayame said looking up thoughtfully tapping a perfectly manicured fingernail against her chin completely oblivious to the cutting motion Sango was making against her throat. "Yes I could totally see the two of you getting together. What do you say Sango?"
"Ummm Ayame," Sango coughed. "I um- I kind of forgot to tell you but- I should have before we got here but- I forgot."
"Forgot to tell me what?" Ayame asked the thoughtful expression leaving her face.
"Well Kagome and Inuyasha don't get along very well together," Sango spat out very quickly. "You see…." she faltered looking over Kagome unsure of what she should say. Blushing furiously and finding herself unable to meet her friends eyes, though not for the reason Sango believed, Kagome looked down at her feet.
"You see," Sango went on, "Inuyasha and Kagome grew up together."
"Oh really, talk about freaky!" Ayame said. "Small world."
"Umm, well you see Inuyasha was the one who insulted Kagome so much as a child. It was his insults that lead to her…." Sango trailed off unable to say the rest.
Ayame's jaw dropped and then her hands flew to her mouth in horror as if by putting them there she could rewind time and take her previous words back. "Oh my gosh," she finally managed to squeak out past her tight throat. "Kagome I am so sorry. I- I had no idea! In fact I still can't really comprehend what Sango just said but….oh Kagome it was Inuyasha!"
Meekly Kagome nodded not moving her gaze from her feet. Through the corner of her eye she felt Ayame sink heavily into the chair next to her.
"It took them a couple of days to come to a truce of sorts," Sango went on. "It'll last only until Miroku and I leave on our honeymoon."
Hearing those words Kagome felt as if her stomach was suddenly filled with lead. She had forgotten that after Sango and Miroku left things would go back to the way they had be. Realizing just how soon the wedding would come to an end made Kagome want to cry.
"Kagome I'm really sorry," Ayame said.
"It's okay," Kagome replied softly.
"What's wrong Kagome?" Kouga asked shaking his bangs out of his eyes. "You look flushed."
"I'm fine," Kagome grumbled hating the way everyone including Inuyasha and Miroku who appeared just in time to see her embarrassment.
"What'd you say to her Kouga," Inuyasha demanded furiously rounding on the handsome man who was peering at Kagome intently.
"Me! I didn't do anything!" Kouga protested. "I just asked what was wrong!"
"Her ankle," Inuyasha growled. "Nothing else."
"Her ankle!" Miroku exclaimed. "Kagome have you in some way hurt your ankle?"
"I'm perfectly fine," Kagome snapped standing up to prove her point.
"Kagome what did you do to your ankle?" Sango questioned confused.
"It just a little sore is all," Kagome said gritting her teeth, not only was her ankle hurting from putting weight on it but she was beginning to get one mother of a head ache.
Sensing Kagome's growing annoyance Ayame clapped her hands loudly. "Okay! Hello!" she said loudly to get everyone's attention and once every pair of eyes were focused on her she proceeded to say, "I'm sure everyone's concerned about Kagome but if she says she's fine, and I must insist Kouga and Miroku that you leave so we can get on with the dress fittings!"
"What about Inuyasha!" Miroku piped up as Ayame placed a hand on both Kouga and his backs and firmly pushed them in the direction of the door.
"He's staying with us so I can get his opinion!" Ayame said.
"Why don't I stay!" Kouga protested. "I'm the model and have way better fashion sense than mutt-face over there!"
"If you stay the two of you will end up fighting and I will not tolerate that in my store; so out!" Ayame said opening the door and shoving both of them through it. "Both of you OUT!"
Shrugging as the door was slammed in their faces Kouga and Miroku headed off. Flipping the sign on the door over so it read "closed", Ayame sighed heavily and headed back over to Kagome.
"Well thank heavens they're out of the way," Ayame grinned.
"You've got that right!" Kagome agreed massaging her temples. "I was beginning to get a head ache."
"Kagome, I know when you're lying so don't even think of telling me you're fine," Sango said forcing her to sit back down. "Now tell me what did you do to your ankle."
"Nothing that you need to concern yourself over Sango," Kagome said weakly.
"Nothing my ass," Sango muttered turning to Inuyasha she demanded him to tell her what had happened. One he did, she turned her most evil stare on Kagome, "Nothing? You call that nothing!"
"I just don't want you worrying about me when you're supposed to be happy," Kagome argued. "And it doesn't hurt that bad."
"Kagome just because I'm getting married doesn't mean I care any less about you!" Sango exclaimed throwing her arms around Kagome's neck. "Nothing's going to change once I'm married is it! I don't want you to ever keep secrets from me, not even if it's the day of my wedding!" Sango let her friend go and looked her in the eye. "Tell me you'll never keep secrets from me!"
"I promise," Kagome said. "I just don't want you to look back and think I was trying to be the center of attention or something like that, first not even knowing about the wedding and you postponing everything, and then how I decided to move back here, and now a twisted ankle; I don't want to steal your spotlight's all. I's your wedding."
"Sweet as that sounds, I don't want you to keep secrets. They're not healthy Kagome, you've already got enough bottled up inside, last time you kept everything bottled up I wasn't even aware that you turned anorexic!" Sango exclaimed tears coming to her eyes. "I don't ever want something like that to happen again because you were too afraid to tell me something!"
"Sango's right Kagome," Ayame said sitting down on Kagome's other side and giving her a hug. "We're your friends, even though you've been living wherever you were, and we deserve to know these kind of things. If your upset or in pain just tell us!"
Pressing her lips together to stop herself from crying Kagome nodded and put one arm around Sango and the other around Ayame and hugged them as best as she could. "Friends together, friends forever," Kagome sang their old friendship motto.
"Forever friends," both Sango and Ayame repeated.
"Wow, talk about awkward," Inuyasha grumbled trying to hide his flushed face.
"Sorry Inu-hun," Ayame said flashing her most charming smile. Looking at Sango, Ayame couldn't help but grin as she said, "let the fun begin!"
Leaping to her feet she dashed into the back room and emerged seconds later wheeling in a mannequin dressed in the most gorgeous dress either Sango or Kagome had ever seen. It was white as snow and looked as if it had come out of a fairytale. It was a sleeveless dress that was tight fitting until it reached the hips and then fell to the ground in soft folds like water. The back was a corset lace up in the shape of a V and the train on was nearly three meters long. Coming out from the top of the train in a triangle, Ayame had placed lace overtop the fabric and had studded it with tiny pearls. Tiny diamond like jewels glinted everywhere making the dress glitter the way fresh snow does on a sunny day. Sitting on top of the mannequins head was a veil so beautiful that Kagome could hardly believe it actually existed. The veil was attached to a chain real lilies as white and as perfect as the dress.
"Oh my gosh," Sango breathed.
"Oh Ayame!" Kagome gasped. "It's gorgeous."
"I know!" Ayame said without modesty. "It's my baby! My masterpiece!"
"Oh Ayame!" Sango said throwing her arms around her friend. "It so beautiful! It's even more beautiful than I ever imagined in my dreams. I'm going to feel like I'm stepping out of a fairy tale!"
"Well stop gazing at it! Try it on!" Ayame urged.
"Will it fit in the change room?" Sango asked hesitantly running her fingers down the mannequin's arm.
"Good point," Ayame conceded. Whirling around to Inuyasha she pointed a finger at the change rooms and said. "You! get in the change room and don't come out until I tell you to. Got that?"
"Yeh, Sheez, no need to be so bossy Ayame," Inuyasha grumbled trundling off and closing the door to one of the three change rooms behind him. "I wouldn't have looked anyways; I'm not some pervert like Miroku."
Giggling, Ayame ran to let the blinds in the store windows down and then dashed back to help Sango and Kagome remove the dress from the mannequin.
"Oh here," she snapped. "You don't have to be quite so gentle with it. It's fabric not glass!"
"I'm just so afraid I'll ruin all your hard work Ayame," Kagome replied. "And to be quite honest I'm still in awe. You have to swear that if I ever get married you'll do my wedding dress too!"
"As if you could stop me," Ayame chortled finally succeeding in removing the dress. Handing it to Sango so she could step into it, Ayame went on. "So the dress has some advantages, and some disadvantages that you should know about in advance Sango."
"Like not being able to breathe," Sango gasped as Ayame began to lace the back up.
"Well it is meant to be form fitting until it hits the waist," Ayame murmured quickly finishing the lacing up and hurrying around to look at the front. "How tight?"
"Around here," Sango gasped pointing towards her belly. "It's not umbearable, but I do want to be able to say my vows in a normal voice."
After a quick moment of assessment she asked, "it is a bit snug I'll admit. But it shouldn't be!" Ayame gave the fabric a quick tug in confusion. "There should have been way more than this! Sango just how much junk food have you been eating!"
"Ayame!" Kagome screeched.
"Sorry," Ayame muttered but it was quite clear that she was still confused because she circled the dress once more and then returned to the "trouble spot".
Suddenly Kagome and Sango gasped at the same moment and looked at each other.
"You don't think…" Kagome said.
"I think maybe…." Sango said.
"What!" Ayame said looking back and forth between the two of them.
"Oh my gosh in all the excitement of seeing the dress I didn't tell you!" Sango exclaimed.
"Didn't tell me what?" Ayame demanded eyes narrowing dangerously. If there was one thing she hated more than anything was being left out of the loop.
"I'm so sorry!" Sango apologised. "It just completely slipped my mind! I didn't want to say it in front of Kouga so I was going to wait-"
"Stop blabbering and just tell me Sango," Ayame growled tapping her foot.
"I'm pregnant!" Sango said without so much as a pause.
"You're what!" Ayame exclaimed eyes lighting up with shock. "You're pregnant!" Ayame flung her arms around her friend screaming triumphantly, "Sango you're pregnant! You're pregnant! I want to tell the world!"
Bursting out of the change room Inuyasha whirled around, "what's wrong! What happened!"
"Sango just told Ayame that she's pregnant," Kagome explained grinning at her friend's reaction.
"Oh is that all," Inuyasha said rolling his eyes.
"Is that all?" Ayame exclaimed. "Inuyasha you party-pooper this calls for celebration!"
"Feh!" Inuyasha said sitting down. "What is it with you women and getting pregnant?"
Flicking her wrist in disgust Ayame muttering "ignorant male," and turned back to Sango eyes shinning with happiness. "Sango you have to promise me you'll let me make your baby clothes!"
Sweat-dropping Sango nodded and when Ayame began jumping around the room for joy she whispered behind her hand to Kagome, "I didn't know she made children's clothes."
"Well technically I don't, but I've been thinking for a while about starting," Ayame said missing the guilty looks Sango and Kagome flashed each other. "So yes that would defiantly explain the growth around your normally very flat tummy! For a second there I thought I had made some mistake measuring because I couldn't figure out where that extra inch or so had come from."
"So you think that's it then?" Sango asked.
"Of course," Ayame said. "When I asked about the sugar I was just joking!"
"Will it be to hard to fix?" Sango questioned.
"Oh no not really," Ayame replied.
"That's a relief," Sango said.
"Sooooo," Ayame went on drawing the "o" sound out. "Now that we've got that all sorted out I've got some things to tell you about this dress. Firstly to make it as gorgeous as it is I had to make some decisions."
"Which are," Kagome prompted.
"Weight wise it's quite heavy."
"Not a problem, Sango's strong she won't have any issues with that. What else?"
"Nothing really," Ayame said. "The only other thing is that due to that lovely train that I absolutely adore, the dress would make dancing very difficult."
"That's true," Sango said looking back at the train.
"So I made two dresses," Ayame said and cut both Kagome and Sango off before they could protest. "The second dress is basically identical minus the train."
"Oh Ayame," Sango said. "You really didn't need to do that."
"Tish tosh of course I needed to. I couldn't let you not be able to dance on your wedding night so I made one you could dance in. Now let's see about the veil." Reverently lifting the item off the model Ayame placed it upon Sango's head as a pope would place a crown upon a king. "There," she said settling it into place. "It also has pins so it'll stay in your hair but I'll save that for the actually wedding day. What do you think?"
"I think it's gorgeous Ayame," Sango sighed looking in the mirror. "It's everything I ever wished."
"Just wait you haven't seen my newest add on," Ayame said rushing over to the front counter. And returned holding what looked like two strips of lace. "I had just finished working on them when Kagome and Inuyasha entered. They're a new addition so if you don't like them just say so, but I thought the fit with the whole fairytale theme."
"What are they?" Kagome asked taking one and holding it up.
"They're a sleeve of sorts," Ayame said lifting one of Sango's arms up and sliding the fabric on. "Sort of like one of those fancy gloves women used to wear but without the glove."
"Oh my gosh Ayame they're beautiful," Sango gasped looking down at her arm. The lace tube completely transformed her arm, no long was it just an arm it was a piece of art! The sleeve was made out of very fine thin lace with plenty of space to see the flesh beneath it extended from the middle of her upper arm to her wrist where it tapered to a point along the top of her hand ending right above her middle finger.
"Oh my gosh those are so cool Ayame!" Kagome exclaimed looking at the "sleeve" she was holding with awe.
"You're right they are right out of a fairytale," Sango said. "I feel like Cinderella!"
Hearing those words Kagome grinned smugly trying not to let it show as she handed Ayame the sleeve. If Sango felt like Cinderalla now just wait until she tried the glass slippers on! She was going to love them!
"What are you all giggling about?" Inuyasha demanded from the chairs.
"Oh my gosh!" Ayame ran in front of Sango to block her from Inuyasha's view. "I completely forgot you were out here Inuyasha! You didn't see did you!"
"No," Inuyasha replied with a heavy sigh. "My eyes are closed and I'm just wondering if you're almost done?"
Looking at Kagome and Sango, Ayame shrugged and said, "actually we are. Open your eyes and tell us what you think."
Removing his hand from over his eyes Inuyasha looked at Sango and let himself grin. Giving a long slow whistle he said, "Sango if Miroku was here I think he would have died out of happiness you look so good. Ayame you should make dresses for the Oscar's I can't believe those celebrities haven't discovered you yet."
"Awww, that's so sweet of you," Ayame blushed.
"You really like it Inuyasha?" Sango asked looking down self consciously. "Do you think Miroku'll like it?"
"Yep to both questions," Inuyasha replied. "Not to say he wouldn't like you even more out of it but- hey!"
"Sango put the other shoe down!" Ayame ordered after Sango flung her shoe, the only available missile in reaching distance, with deadly accuracy hitting Inuyasha square in the face.
"Good shot Sango," Kagome complimented. "He deserved that one."
Glaring evilly in Inuyasha's direction Sango contemplated throwing the other shoe despite Ayame's order but decided against it, you didn't mess with Ayame when she used that tone.
"Okay, Sango before Inuyasha makes anymore wise cracks that make you want to kill him let's get you out of that dress. I'll fix it up tonight and have it ready for tomorrow, sound good?"
"Sounds great," Sango smiled. 'Thanks a million Ayame you have no idea how much this dress means to me."
"Well now you get to choose what Kagome and I'll be wearing. I've got a couple dresses that would work wonderfully but the final choice is up to you," Ayame replied.
"Up to her!" Inuyasha yelled. "If Sango's got the final say what was the point of keeping me here!"
"So you could provide a male opinion," Ayame said smoothly bringing out a clothes rack on wheels containing various dress in every pastel colour imaginable. "I ruled out white, black, and all dark colours I hope that was ok?"
"I wouldn't have wanted any of those colours anyway," was Sango's reply.
"Good, now do you want Kagome and I wearing matching colours? Or different ones?"
"The same I think," Sango answered after a moment of debating between the two choices.
"Any colour preferences?"
"Not yellow, green, orange or red."
"Hmmmm," Ayame said putting a finger to her lips. "What style are you thinking of poofy or slim?"
"Defiantly slim," Sango replied and smiled as both Ayame and Kagome breathed sighs of relief. "What did you guys think I'd make my two best friends dress up like cupcakes?"
"Well I was hoping not," Kagome admitted.
Walking over to the dress racks Ayame began pulling random dresses off and deposited them on a nearby table. "So that rules all of these ones out."
"Nothing to glittery either," Sango went on. "And I'd like the dresses to have a bit of a flare at the bottom."
"Okay," Ayame said and eliminated two other dresses. "Well that leaves 20 or so, any other specifications?"
"Umm not any that I can think of," Sango murmured. "Sorry to be picky."
"No problemo," was Ayame's response. "So Inuyasha you just stay out and Sango you just sit next to him and Kagome and I'll try the remaining dresses on and you can decide from them."
"Kagome what dress size are you?"
"Eight," Kagome said reluctantly biting her lip.
"Perfect! We're the same size!" Ayame chuckled and winked. "That way you can't complain about being fat because I'm the same size!"Grinning at her carefree hand Kagome took the dresses Ayame handed her and headed into the change room. "Sky blue one first," Ayame shouted over the change room door.
Once Kagome managed to struggle into the dress and zip the back up she called to Ayame and asked her if she was ready. When Ayame confirmed that she was ready as well they exited and walked over to Sango. Ayame twirled with perfect grace while Kagome just stood self-consciously looking into the mirror wishing she had Ayame's grace and ease.
"It's pretty but…." Sango trailed off.
"Not this one then," Ayame headed back to the change room.
And so Kagome and Ayame changed dresses this time into a pretty turquoise one but Sango wasn't fond of that one either. After the third dress Kagome fell into the swing of things and soon she was even enjoying herself. Making jokes about pretending to be models she and Ayame began to get more and more wild as they walked down the same hallway to wear Sango and Inuyasha. Ayame was close to collapsing from laughter the first time Kagome tripped over the hem of her dress but as fate would have it she tripped the following dress. The number of dresses remaining began to dwindle and still Sango hadn't seen one she really liked but contrary to being upset that her friend couldn't find one she liked Ayame became more and more elated. To her finding the right dress had turned into a treasure hunt!
Soon there were only ten dresses left and then eight, but on eight Sango squealed in delight as Kagome and Ayame emerged wearing two fairly bright pink dresses that reminded Kagome strongly of the dress Sandra Bullock had worn in the movie Two Weeks notice.
"Those are so pretty!" Sango exclaimed.
Inuyasha nodded reluctantly, "yeah those are the best ones yet but…..I just don't know. I don't think that colour works with Ayame's red hair…"
"True," Sango admitted. "The colours kind of clash; what colour do you think would work with both Ayame and Kagome's hair?"
"I don't know," Inuyasha said slowly. "But I don't think pink's it. And you didn't like any of the blue dresses. Purple maybe?"
"Ewww, purple? Uh I don't think so! Plus Ayame already said she took all the bright flashy colours out."
"I'm not talking about Barney purple," Inuyasha said searching his mind for where he had seem that pretty purple colour. Finally he remembered it had been Kagome's pretty shampoo bottle and said, "Kagome what would you call the colour of that shampoo bottle I found in my shower?"
"Umm lilac?" Kagome said hesitantly.
"Yes that's it, lilac. Ayame you're always wearing it aren't you?" Inuyasha asked.
"Well I guess," Ayame replied.
"Lilac would definitely work on Ayame," Sango agreed. "But I'd have to see it on Kagome."
"I actually don't have any lilac dresses ready," Ayame said.
"Oh don't give me that Ayame," Inuyasha retorted. "Lilac's your favourite colour, I will eat my shoe if you don't have address somewhere."
"Well I do have one lilac dress," Ayame said. "I've been working on it for a while now it's still in the work room though. I'm not sure if it's quite what you described though Sango."
"But if you only have one, I won't insist," Sango replied. "You've already got enough on your hands with my wedding dress."
"Oh it's relatively easy to make a second dress if you like it," Ayame explained. "It's got a bit of a plunging um neck-line but I could always do something with lace…" she walked out of the room muttering ideas to herself only to call out. "I'll need ten minutes or so to make the dress wearable so Kagome you just keep trying dresses on."
Sighing as Kagome grabbed yet another dress off the rack he composed himself. Good thing Sango had been the one to make up her mind, he'd thought everyone of the dresses had looked amazing on Kagome even if they weren't what Sango wanted for her wedding. Kagome tried on five more dresses in the time frame it took Ayame to return holding a dress almost the identical colour of Kagome's shampoo bottle. Slouching down in the chair and closing his eyes he listened to Sango declare that the colour would be perfect and Kagome coo over the "cut" whatever that meant. The thing he did for Ayame, he almost kind of wished Kouga had been the one to stay behind. Like come on! Just what was Ayame thinking when she chose him to stay behind, Kouga was the model! "But if Kouga was here he would have been the one to see Kagome in that gorgeous periwinkle dress she had tried on with that amazing slit up the side going all the way up revealing one of Kagome's beautifully sculpted leg with each step.
Groaning in what the females in the room mistook for boredom, he put his head in his hands; a picture of utter defeat because that was what he was: defeated. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't stop thinking about Kagome. He had wondered at first if he was ill because every time he saw her in yet another beautiful dress he felt like he was about to make a huge speech. For heaven's sake he thought that saying about wanting most what we can't have is right! Hearing a loud cough in front of him he looked up wearily and instantly his jaw dropped.
His eyes wouldn't have been able to move if a bomb had gone off in the street outside, and why you might ask. Because Kagome was standing in front of him wearing the most gorgeous dress he had ever seen a women wear. It was a lilac halter top that, as Ayame had warned, a plunging neckline stopping just an inch above the space that would be smack dab between her two beautiful breasts. The dress was tight but not so tight it was embarrassingly so. It hugged her every curve until the middle of her thigh and then spread out until it reached the ground and pooled.
"I'll take it you approve," Kagome smile mischievously taking in his dropped jaw and shocked eyes and twirled around experimentally revealing a large bow of sorts that bended in with a very small train at the back.
"I think Inuyasha's eyes about to fall out of his head Ayame," Sango joked.
"That tells us the dress with be a huge success, but I'm not crazy about the neckline a bit to fancy for a bridesmaid. We wouldn't want Kagome distracting from you and my masterpiece."
"True," Sango grinned. "But I must say I love the dress, colour, style, everything! Well, except for the neckline that is."
"I was thinking, Kagome would you mind tearing yourself away from Inuyasha and coming over hear?" Ayame called.
"If he'll let me," Kagome teased and walked very carefully over so that none of the pins she had seen sticking in random places would poke her.
"Now I was thinking of using some of the lace I used in your dress but I could dye it a slightly lighter colour than the dress and use that to bring the neckline up a bit. What do you think?"
"I think it would work perfectly and you'd look great in it too," Sango said. "And for a bouquet then we could do an arrangement of lilac, irises, baby's breath, and something other white flower I think."
"That would be very pretty Sango," Ayame agreed and then squealed and did a little victory dance. "It'll be so perfect!"
"Okay I think I'm going to go change," Kagome said biting her lip and grinning at the same time. Turning around she headed back to the change room aware than Inuyasha's gaze followed her each step of the way. She'd never admit it but she had been pleased by his reaction to the dress. Nothing gave you confidence like a man staring at you with his jaw open in awe.
Once she had changed back into her comfy normal clothes she emerged holding the dress carefully because she had already been pricked taking it off. "Here you go Ayame," she said handing the dress over carefully.
"Thanks. I'll just go put this in my office and I'll be back and we can choose hairstyles and jewellery and stuff!"
"Well if we're going to do that, why don't we let Inuyasha make his escape," Kagome suggested. "We don't really need him here for that."
"Well I guess," Sango said reluctantly but she made no protest when Inuyasha realizing he was free to escape made a wild dash for the door before anyone could change their minds.
Giggling Kagome plopped herself down on the floor and asked, "so what are we going to find first?"
"Shoes I think," Sango decided.
"Shoes," Kagome gulped. "Umm why do you need shoes?"
"Kagome does this have anything to do with why my favourite heels went missing?" Sango demanded tapping her foot.
"Of course not!" Kagome grinned weakly looking up. "Why are your heels missing?"
"Yep," Sango's mouth twitched and suddenly she burst out laughing. "Oh give up I already know you took them! I couldn't find them last night, and I knew right away you must have taken them."
"Fine," Kagome admitted grudgingly. "But I'm not saying why. You've just got to trust me."
"I'd trust you with my life," Sango said plopping down and handing Kagome a hairstyle magazine. "You think I'd have a problem trusting you with my heels? You just better have taken good care of them, their my favourites. I assume you wanted to dress up for Inuyasha?"
"Look good for Inuyasha! I never!" Kagome spluttered. "You're accusing me of stealing your shoes to look good for Inuyasha I can't believe you!" She raised the magazine fully intending on giving Sango a good whack across the head to knock some sense into her, when Ayame neatly took the magazine from her and lay down between them.
"Thanks Kagome," she said turning the first page open. "So I take it we're doing hairstyles first?"
"Yeah," Sango flashing a grin Kagome's way. "Yep we're doing hair first."
Giggling the three girls settled down and began to pour through the magazines Sango had picked up.
To be continued…
Author's Note: well there you go I feel exhausted that was my longest chapter yet 38 pages. I'm sorry about the long update I had a terrible case of writers block so it took a while to get rid of it but once I did the ideas just kept pouring. I hope you all like this chapters I was so delighted by all the reviews I got, I actually made 100! I was so happy and I'd like to let you know all those people who e-mailed me recently pushed me to keep working and hurry the update…soooooooooo if you want fast updates review! I also thought I'd explain why it takes so long to update (this one was longer than normal) so you guys understand. I'm not normally in the habit of making excuses but you see I have a computer time limit (a form of torture inflicted by my mother who believes I'm going to get fat if I spend as much time as I was one the computer) of two hours a day including homework so I have to do homework that requires the computer first and then I use what ever excess I have on my stories. I currently have five so if any body wants to check them out I would be delighted. wink wink
well ta ta for now and please review! I also appologize if there's any spelling errors!
Shamanic Destiny