Review Responses
phantomoftheflame: lol! Give me Dominic Monaghan any day and I die happy. lol. I've been in love -coughobsessedcough- with the guy for about 3 years now... he plays Merry btw.
shadowww15: well, I hope you continue to enjoy this one. Do you read My Sailor Man? I know this is major self pimpage here but I seriously think its my best one. You should read it.
AyamexKouga: Here be-eth ma update!
xInfernal: I know... those two are so cute!
InugirlSakura: lol, thanks! Sorry I didn't update sooner.
wolfgurl24: Thanks, they're my fave pairing too (if it weren't already obvious by the number of Kou/Aya fics I've written) And look for the appearance of another much loved Inuyasha character this chapter... I don't think there are anymore though...
Kirara980: lol, nice. You'll find out her plan very very VERY soon...
That's it for now! AN to be continued...
"I'll only be gone for the night," Ayame said as she made her way down the stairs with a duffel bag in hand, Rin right behind her. "I'll be back sometime tomorrow afternoon... morning if traffics good, which it rarely is."
"Alright," Rin said with the bright smile that she had been wearing all week, non-stop. "Tell Shippo and Gramps I say hi!" She opened the door for Ayame, as said redhead slipped on her favourite flip-flop.
"Will do," Ayame giggled, giving Rin a two-fingered salute before walking out the door.
Rin waved as her friend headed to her car. Closing the door Rin's smile turned mischievous. "Meeting in the living room!" She yelled so that everyone in the house could hear.
Ayame pulled a Chubba Chubb strawberry vanilla lollipop out the back pocket of her denim capris and unwrapped it before putting it in her mouth. She opened the driver's side door of her car and got in, throwing her overnight bag in the passenger seat. She buckled up her seat and adjusted the rear-view mirror. She started the car before she took out a burned CD from the CD holder next to her and slipped it into the cars CD player.
Ayame backed out of the driveway and started towards the highway, the sounds of The Dirty Glass by Dropkick Murphys filling car as she did so.
Murphy, Murphy darling dear
I long for you now night and day
Your pain was my pleasure, your sorrow my joy
I feel now I've lost you to health and good cheer...
Kagome and Sango looked at Rin quizzically as the brunette tried to contain her excitement. "Alright, I'm sure you're both wondering what is so important that I had to take you away from your busy lives..." Sango snorted while Kagome raised an eyebrow at that comment. "Well, it is my belief that our dear redheaded friend has the hots for a certain blue eyed man..."
"What?" Sango exclaimed, nearly jumping out of her seat. "Ayame likes Kouga? No way! She's still too hung up on Riku to think about another guy."
"I dunno Sango," Kagome cut in. "They have become rather chummy. In fact, I think Kouga might feel the same."
"But Kouga thinks he's in love with you..." Sango stated sceptically.
"Actually, I've noticed that he hasn't really flirted with Kagome or even called her 'his woman' since he met Ayame." Rin informed them.
Sango blinked as she thought over this information. "Are you positive that Ayame like him?" Sango asked.
"She practically admitted it at Fluffy's party when I was talking to her after me and Sesshy got together." Rin nodded.
"Well then," Sango said, dropping her arms in defeat. "What are we going to do?"
"There's only one thing we can do for now." Rin stated.
"Oh?" Kagome said standing up. "What's that?"
"We have to get Kouga to admit his feelings!"
You weren't the first to court me mister you won't be the last
Oh, sure I wasn't honey, I know all about your past
Listen to the big shot with his pager on call
You spent most of those nights in my bathroom stall
(Yeah, you got him high, but you left him low)
Mind your own business, boy, how was I to know
That he was just a fiend and a no-good cheat
Well it's all in the past bitch 'cause now I've got it beat
Darcy, Darcy darling dear,
You left me dying, crying there
In whiskey, gin, and pints of beer
I fell for you my darling dear
Ayame tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she sang along to the song. Her friends never really understood her love for English music. But then again, they hadn't met her until college. She had lived in Canada for 5 years before then. She was quite fluent with Japanese and English. This came in handy when it came to getting a job.
That's what she had been doing the past week since Sesshomaru's party the previous Sunday. She had been going to interviews and handing out applications for jobs all week. She had gone to the places that Kagome, Sango and Rin work at and several other places. She was sure that she had snagged a well paying job at a large local company as a secretary.
Darcy, Darcy darling dear,
You left me dying, crying there
In whiskey, gin, and pints of beer
I fell for you my darling dear
She came to yet another stop. Traffic was horrible. She had hoped that it would have been clear by now, seeing as it was 11 meaning that morning rush hour was over. She sighed. It was gonna be one long trip.
Darcy, Darcy darling dear,
You left me dying, crying there
In whiskey, gin, and pints of beer
I fell for you my darling dear
Kouga was laying on the couch in the living room of the guys house, remote in hand, flicking through the television stations to find something good to watch. He heard the front door open and close, but ignored it, figuring it was just Inuyasha or Miroku. He glanced up, surprised to see Rin enter the room, looking cheery as usual.
"Fluffy won't be home for another hour," He informed her, looking back at the televisions, finally stopping on a station with a soccer game on.
"I see..." Rin trailed off before flopping down on the arm chair adjacent to the couch.
Kouga looked up at her quizzically. "What are you doing?" He asked.
"Waiting for Sess," She stated simply, before putting on a fake hurt look. "Why? Do you not want me here?"
Kouga merely shrugged. "Whatever, make yourself at home."
The two sat (or in Kouga's case, laid) there, an uncomfortable silence falling between them. Kouga watched the soccer game, practically ignoring the fidgeting brunette. Finally, Rin broke the silence.
"Soooo..." She said, drawing Kouga's attention. "How have you been?"
Kouga gave her a funny look. "Alright, I guess." He answered. "You?"
"Oh, I'm good." She nodded, smiling brightly. More silence passed. "Hey, Kouga?"
"Hmmm?" Was Kouga's only response.
"What do think of Ayame?" She asked, trying not to look devious.
Kouga pushed himself up into a comfortable sitting position so he good look at Rin better. "She's alright. Why?"
"Oh, no reason." Rin giggled nervously.
Kouga gave her a suspicious look. "Whatever." He said turning back to his game.
"Just 'alright'?" She asked.
"What?" Kouga turned around to face her again.
"You said she's 'alright.' Is that really all you think about her?" Rin asked a hint of hope in her voice.
"Well, she's fun to hang around..." Kouga added on to his previous comment.
'this is it!' Rin thought excitedly to herself.
"She seems pretty hung up on the ex-boyfriend of hers, though."
"But what if I told you she was over that?" Rin asked, getting excited. "Would you be interested?"
There was a slight pause. "What?" Kouga asked.
Rin gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "Erm... N-nothing!" She stammered, her face turning a bright red. "I... uh... I gotta go. Tell Sess I stopped by!" With that she ran from the room leaving a very confused Kouga in her wake.
"Would you marry me? honey" omedetou ima
Yatto deaeta mahou no kotoba
Totemo sasai na hajimari ga hora
Totemo ookina ai ni kawatteku
Ayame yawned wildly as she looked at her watch. 1 PM. 'Great,' She thought sarcastically to herself. She had planned on being home right about now. Instead she was caught in traffic a half hour away. Ok so the fact that she was running late wasn't the problem but the fact that there was zero movement among the traffic, was definitely a problem.
Tsuyogaru hitomi ya
Chotto bukiyou na kuchi
Yappa BUSAIKU na nakigao
Soredemo anata no rin to shita sugata ni
Zutto akogarete iru ka-
Ayame changed the song. She wasn't in the mood for sappy songs about marriage, as much as she loved Do As Infinity.
Akaku nijimu taiyou wa subete o
Terashite kita ima mo mukashi mo
Kono yuuyami ni egaiteru souzou wa
Hatashite kono te ni oenai mono na no ka?
"This works," She said to herself. Looking out at the traffic, she groaned, her head falling forward onto her hands.
Kouga gave up on watching the soccer game. What Rin had said was stuck in his mind. Would he be interested in Ayame is she weren't still upset over her break-up with that jerk... what was his name... Ryo? No... Riku! Yes! That was it, Riku. Would he want to be with Ayame if she weren't hung up about that Riku character?
He couldn't deny to himself that she was attractive. That was easy to see. And she was funny and certainly not shy and all around good-natured. Yeah, she had many characteristics he liked. Maybe even more than Kagome...
Kouga shook his head at his thoughts as he entered the gym downtown. He wanted to get his frustrations out at the moment so he had decide, what better way to do so than to work out? There was a reason he was in such great shape you know.
After a few stretches, Kouga headed over to the weight machine and started his workout. After nearly an hour of weight lifting he decided to do some running on the treadmill. He started off fast. He was never one for starting slow.
"Haven't you ever heard of pacing yourself?" A female voice called from beside him.
Kouga looked to the side, still running, to see Sango on one of the exercise bikes. She looked like she had been there for hours, sweat soaked her face, some pieces of hair sticking to her forehead.
"Sango? What are you doing here?" Kouga asked.
Sango gave him a could-you-be-more-dense look. "We're at a gym Kouga, what do you think I'm doing here, ordering a pizza?"
Kouga rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah."
"So, what are you here to think about this time?" Sango asked. She and Kouga had one thing in common; they both came to the gym when they wanted to think. She was here now because she wanted to think about the whole Kouga/Ayame situation, she had a feeling that Kouga was here for the same reason.
"Nothing," Kouga stated stubbornly.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain friend of mine, would it?" Sango inquired. "You know, the redhead."
Kouga glared at her suspiciously. "What gives you that idea?" He asked.
"I'll take that as a yes." Sango gave a tired laugh.
"Hey! I didn't say that!" Kouga yelled. "Don't put words in my mouth!"
"Heh, it's ok Kouga. I won't tell her." Sango said reassuringly with a wink. "And just so you know, she's over Riku. There's nothing to get in the way of her going out with you." Laughing at Kouga's dumbfounded expression, Sango waved, heading towards the women's change rooms to shower.
Kouga shook his head. "Women."
"Finally!" Ayame exclaimed as she stepped out of the car, duffel bag in hand. It was not 2:30. She swiftly made her way down the walk way and up the stairs to stand on the porch of the decent sized baby blue and white house her grandfather and younger brother lived in. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.
She could hear movement inside and it wasn't long before the door opened to reveal a redheaded teenage boy. The boy smiled at the sight of his older sister. "Ayame!" He cheered giving her a hug. It had been months since they had last seen each other.
Ayame laughed. "Hey there Shippo," She said.
"Gramps!" Shippo called, letting his sister into the house. "Gramps! Ayame's here!" He looked at said girl and smiled.
Ayame ruffled her sibling's hair. Before turning to the sound of footsteps. "Ayame!" A deep voice came from the hallway. "It's wonderful to see you again," The old man said as he came into view.
Ayame walked up to him and gave the man a bear hug. "It's great to see you too Gramps." She said with a genuine smile.
"Well, come on, let have some tea." Her grandfather ushered toward the kitchen/dining room, Shippo right behind them.
Kagome was sitting at the patio table in the backyard of the girl's house, looking through the latest gossip magazine. Humming silently to herself, she read about the hottest couple in Japan and they're current 'love issues'. A rustling in the bushed next to her caused her to look up from the article to see that Kouga was coming into they're yard through the bushed that separated the two yards.
"Hey Kouga," She said with a smile. 'This is my chance!" She thought to her self.
"Hey Kagome." He said, untangling himself from the bushes. "Is Ayame around?"
'This could be easier than I thought...' She smiled devilishly. "No, she's not here right now, why?" She asked.
"Oh no reason. Just wondering." He said innocently.
Kagome's smirk grew. "Why is there something you want to say to her... or perhaps ask her?" She asked with a sink.
"Uh... No not really," Kouga said, a bit nervous about the look on Kagome's face.
"Oh come on Kouga," Kagome said, standing up and elbowing him in the stomach. "Just admit it."
"Admit what?" Kouga asked.
"That you like Ayame, of course." Kagome laughed, giving him a playful smack on the back.
"I... I what?" He sputtered.
"You heard me," Kagome giggled. "No need to deny it, it's kinda obvious.
In an instant Kouga had her hands clasped in her own. "You know your the only woman for Kagome."
Kagome instantly adopted the fake look of happiness. "Heheh... Kouga, come on..." She pulled her hand out of his. "Don't try to cover it up either. It's ok, I swear I won't tell her."
"There's nothing to tell her," Kouga stated, crossing his arms stubbornly.
"Whatever you say Kouga." She giggled before leaning in. "I'll tell you a secret though, I think she likes you too." She whispered. With a wave Kagome went back inside, leaving Kouga once again dumbfounded.
"What is with you people today?" He asked no one in particular, before heading back to his own house.
Ayame, Shippo and their grandfather sat around the circular table, the later of the group looking at Ayame with curiosity, steaming hot tea in front of each of them. "Well, I'm guessing that you've figured out by now that I didn't just come home to say hi." Ayame started.
"Well, yeah." Shippo said. "I mean you haven't been home in nearly a year. Something must be up." Her grandfather nodded.
"The thing is... I have some news." She stated, looking at her hands as she tried to figure out how to tell them. "About a month ago now... uhm..." She looked at the two in front of her, who were looking right back at her. "Me and Riku broke up." She blurted out.
"What?" Her Grandfather said in shock. "Why?"
"I caught him cheating on me..." Ayame answered quietly.
"What!" Shippo exclaimed jumping out of his seat, nearly knocking the table over while doing so. "I'll kill him! I'll kill that stupid bastard!"
"Shippo!" Ayame said waving her hands in front of her. "It's ok, Shippo, please, calm down." She laughed lightly as the teenager sat down with a small pout, his face showing his angered thoughts though. "I've been living with Rin and Sango and Kagome for the last month now."
Her grandfather looked up at her with a smile that shocked her. "I'm glad you finally came to your senses and left." Ayame blinked at this statement. "That boy was never good for you. I never liked him."
"Me neither," Shippo agreed.
"B-but... you said you loved the guy...The both of you." Ayame stammered, looking at them both incredulously.
"I only said that because you seemed so infatuated with him." Her grandfather said calmly. "I'm just sorry you got hurt." He said putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
Ayame looked back and forth between her two remaining family members then smiled. "Thanks."
Kouga was back in his position on the couch staring at the black television set boredly. There was nothing on, there was nothing to do, and all those conversations he had had with the girls today were weighing heavily on his mind.
Behind Kouga, Sesshomaru sat at the dining room table (they have one of those attached kitchen/dining room/living room) reading the newspaper. The silence however was getting to the silver haired man. Looking over the paper, Sesshomaru glared at the back of Kouga's head. "Are you going to mope around here all night?" He asked.
Kouga snorted but didn't answer.
Sesshomaru put down the paper. He knew what was bothering the man. He had talked to Rin when he got home. Rin had told him all about the conversations that Kouga had had with each of the girls. And he also knew that the girls were right. Kouga liked that redhead. It was obvious. His reaction, if anything, was proof enough. "Will you stop kidding yourself and admit it." Sesshomaru said, sounding as annoyed.
"Not you too..." Kouga said coldly. "Fine! I like her. Ok? Happy? Go tell you girlfriend and her little friends that they were right. Kouga's in love with Ayame. Big flippin' deal."
"Was that so hard?" Sesshomaru asked a small smirk on his lips.
Kouga simply glared at the man. The two men stared at one each other for a minute before Kouga sighed. "I don't know why I'm denying it, alright? I just can't seem to admit it. Not to her friends at least. I guess..." He trailed of, turning back to the television. "I guess I'm just afraid she'll reject me."
"Didn't Kagome tell you that Ayame liked you?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice showing no hint that he cared for the problem at hand, as he resumed reading the newspaper.
Kouga whipped around in his seat. "How the hell did you know about that?"
"I was given a play by play of today's events." Sesshomaru stated boredly. Kouga 'hmphed' and turned back to the television. Sesshomaru sighed. "So are you going to make a move or not?"
"Keh, you're one to talk. How long did it take for you to finally tell Rin how you felt?" Kouga scoffed.
"No one ever told me that she liked me." Sesshomaru stated coldly.
"Oh right, 'cause she wasn't practically jumping up in down in front of you yell... no, more like screaming her undying love for you." Kouga said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Sesshomaru simply glared at him.
Ayame sighed as she pulled off the highway the next morning. "Where was this traffic yesterday?" She asked no one.
Dare mo gami na shitteru
Kese ya shinai kizu wo
Dore ku nai tsuzuku no
Mou iranai yo
Thankfully the distance between her house and the highway was small. She would be there in two minutes tops.
Dare mo gami na matteru
Arasoi no nai hibi wo
Sen jo no heishi tachi
Omoidashite yo
Ima haha no nukumori wo
Kono hageshii na ku
Hiroi sekai ni
Jibun dake no chizu egaite
Namida koraete bokura wa aruite (ie go wo ?)
She sang along to Do As Infinity's Rakuen as she drove through town. Finally reaching the house, she pulled in the driveway and turned off the car. Unbuckling her seatbelt, she grabbed her duffel bag and got out of the car, kicking the door shut. Stretching, she started towards the house.
"Ayame!" A voice, she recognised at Kouga's, came from her left. Ayame had to stop herself from staring and/or drooling. Kouga had been mowing the lawn and was topless, wearing some denim shorts.
"Uh..." She gulped. "Hey" She said with a smile.
Kouga turned odd the mower and walked over to her. "Where were you yesterday? I didn't see you at all." He looked at her duffel bag. "You go somewhere?" Kouga tensed a little, what if she had gone back to Riku...
"Huh?" Ayame said, surprised to see him tense up. She saw him looking at the duffel bag. She laughed. "Oh yeah. I went home for the night. I had to talk to Gramps and my brother, Shippo, about..." She paused. "Some things."
"Like Riku?" Kouga asked solemnly.
Ayame was surprised to hear Kouga mention Riku but shook it off. "Yeah," She laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck. "I figured it was time to tell them about the split. Now that I'm over it, you know?"
Kouga smirked lightly. "Yeah, I guess."
"Anyways, I should be going." Ayame said, laughing. "Gotta go make sure the girls didn't make a mess of things while I was gone. See ya later!" She waved and started to the front door.
Kouga smiled. "See ya."
AN: OMFG! Holy long. Holy Unexpectedly long! I've spent like... all afternoon on this. I started at like... 2 and it's not 7. So you better all have enjoyed this.
Ok lets see if I can remembered teh songs I used... 1) The Dirty Glass by Dropkick Murpheys (scottish punk band, funny as hell song, you should listen to it) 2) Would You Marry Me? (Mahou no Kotoba) by Do As Infinity 3) Shinjitsu no Uta by Do As Infinity and 4) Rakuen by (you guessed it) Do As Infinity... I really like Do As Infinity if you couldn't already tell.
Anywho, the faster the reviews come the fast I update people! so... hit the little blue button and review! Ciao!
(OMFG! According to my Word... this is 8 freaking pages long! O.o OMFG! thats like double what I usually write!)