The next few days passed without incident. There was no sign of the ghost boy. Kagome tried to recall if she had ever learned his name, but couldn't remember. At night when she had finished brushing her hair and cleaning her teeth she would lay down to sleep. Her hand would unconsciously reach for the photograph beneath her pillow that her mind knew was not there. Her fingers would move to touch the corners of it expecting to glide over the picture's smooth surface. A peaceful sleep was always started with worry at the loss of the precious family photo. She would toss for side to side a few times, stretch an arm under her pillow, then curl into her comforter and fall prey to rest.

Kagome went everyday with her brother and mother to help her grandfather at the shrine. She neglected to ask him about the ghost boy, and kept up her normal chores. She would dust and sweep the house while her mother worked in the storerooms.

On a particularly dreary and sure to be raining day Kagome discovered that she was not feeling quite as well as she knew she should be. No matter where she went, even outdoors, she felt hot. After a quick conversation with her mother Kagome was sent home. Though glad for the rest she was a bit disappointed that she was forced to walk home. The house wasn't far away from the shrine so she, Sota, and her mother walked there every morning. She rounded the corner onto her street and walked quickly to her house. She walked through the lawn and onto the porch, sitting down for a bit of much needed breath-catching.

Through the living room window the ghost boy watched her.

Ask Kagome retrieved the house keys from her pocket she glanced around, looking at the sky and the homes surrounding her own. She slid the small silver key into the doorknob and turned into so she could gain entrance inside. She walked into the house she rushed up the stairs into her bedroom. Not bothering to change she slipped her coat off and fell into a dreamless sleep.

When she awoke it was dark and the night sky could be seen from her bedroom window. The stars were covered by dark clouds so they appeared to be missing. In truth they were resting just beyond the clouds and their darkness.

Kagome slowly sat up and brushed her hair out of her face. It would seem that it possessed a mind of it's own while she was not awake. It stuck out in places here and there but who was she to care? No one was going to see her except her family. Her feet padded across the floor as she crossed the room to her door. As she reached for the doorknob she realized that she couldn't hear anyone else in the house. No sounds of her brother watching television nor any of her mother cooking. That's strange, she thought, they should be home by now.

Shrugging it off as not important, she proceeded down the stairs, through the living room and into the kitchen. She hadn't eaten since breakfast having been sent home before lunch, so needless to say she was hungry. Of course, as she remembered, there was no food. The ghost boy had destroyed everything edible in sight. Her mother had bought a few things since then but nothing that could be eaten for a real meal.

As Kagome had expected, her mother had been curious as to why the house was such a mess that night. Thinking of no explanation Kagome had simply said that someone must have broken in and decided that there was nothing of value to take. She seemed to believe the story well enough and phone the police right after their conversation to report it. Kagome felt bad for lying to her mother, but it wasn't a complete lie by any means. That boy had ruined their home because he refused to leave. In a way that was kind of like breaking in. Now if only he would break out, she had thought irritably.

Seeing as how there was nothing in the kitchen to feed her hungry stomach, Kagome decided to buy something herself. She had a little bit of money so she could at least feed herself. Her mother and brother were one their own. She grabbed her coat from her room, checked the pocket for her cash. Satisfied at the ruffle of paper against her fingertips she headed back downstairs. She reached for the knob to pull open the front door when she heard a voice emit from somewhere behind her. It would seem that was happening a lot lately.

"You shouldn't go out at night." It was the ghost boy. "It isn't safe."

Slowly Kagome turned to face him while sighing. Her plans just went out the window. "Who are you to tell me what to do?" She asked impatiently.

"Inu-Yasha."

"Well Inu-Yasha, I'm not listening to you. It's your fault I have to leave because you destroyed all my food! Or don't you remember?" Her eyes shot daggers into his chest and face. She swore that if she had the power to kill he would be more dead then he was now.

"I said I was sorry what more do you want from me Kagome?"

Kagome's eyes grew large at the mention of her own name. How did he--

"Get that stupid looking off your face, it's depressing. I live here! Of course I know your name, or did you forget?" He smiled smugly at turning her own words against her.

"How could I forget! You've turned every minute I spend in this house into a nightmare!"

"You know," Inu-Yasha said while placing a finger to his lips, feigning thought. "It would be a lot easier for you if you just left."

"No. I don't think I will. Once I figure out how to get rid of you I'm sure things will brighten up!" She was trying to contain her anger, but the feelings kept arriving in her mind and bursting forth from her mouth.

"Good luck with that."

Deciding not to dignify his words with a response she turned promptly and left.

It was dark outside and for a moment Kagome considered heading back into the house. Though only problem with that scenario was that she would be following Inu-Yasha's advice. That was one thing she was not going to do.

"It's gonna be alright." She whispered, trying to assure herself. "The store's only a couple blocks away.

She took a deep breath and gingerly set one foot down after the other. It wasn't so bad, she convinced herself. No one was going to mug her, or stab her…or kidnap her. She was a regular girl walking around at night…in the dark. 'Oh it's useless! I just have to get this over with.'

By the time she reached the corner store she was sure her sanity was two seconds from gone. Every creak she heard, every crunch was someone trying to sneak up behind her. At least that's what she had convinced herself. There were a few people in the store not including the man at the counter. A few guys were looking at the magazine rack, another browsing for a beverage. Kagome made her way to the snack isle and grabbed a couple packs of instant noodles. That would be enough to last her a day or two. She continued down the isle looking for anything else she might need. When she came to the candy rack felt as though she was going to cry. The chocolates were calling out to her and it had been so long. What could it hurt? Quickly she counted the money in her coat pocket. Just the right amount. She grabbed a handful of candy bars and made her way to the counter.

There was only one person in front of her which was probably a good thing. Her arms struggled to hold the candy and ramen. Hadn't this place every heard of baskets? Unfortunately for Kagome she wasn't going to need one. A second after processing her complaint she felt something smack into her and she lurched forward. Everything spilled onto the floor and Kagome landed on top of it.

"Sorry." The girls she'd seen earlier sniggered as they walked away.

Sure you are, Kagome thought.

"Need some help?"

Kagome glanced up and met the eyes of a boy her own age. He held his hand out to her and she accepted it. His hair was short, but in a tasteful kind of way. His eyes were brown like everyone else in Japan, and he wore khaki pants and a light blue shirt. Overall he seemed normal.

"Thanks." Kagome said cheerfully, responding to the smile on his face.

"No problem." The boy said. "My name is Miroku."

"I'm Kagome. I just moved to this part of town. My grandfather owns the shrine a few blocks from here."

"I know it." Miroku replied, his eyes taking in her features as she had taken in his. "So you live there then?"

"No, but that's the reason we moved here. This way we can help him out."

"That's very kind of you. I bet he appreciates it very much."

"Yeah." Kagome said. "Well I better pay for these." She indicated the items scattered about the floor. She and Miroku bent down to retrieve them.

After she had paid for the food she noticed Miroku standing by the doors. He glanced up at her as she walked towards him. "I've decided to accompany you home Kagome. It's too dangerous for a nice girl such as yourself to be walking around at this hour."

"You don't have to." Kagome said modestly. "I'll be fine."

"Oh no I insist. What harm could it possibly do?" His eyes locked with hers and she smiled.

"Not much I suppose. Alright." They left the store together.

The plastic bad containing the items she'd bought slapped against the side of her leg as she walked. Miroku walked beside her. When they reached her home Miroku accompanied her to the door. He held the bag of groceries as she dug the house key from her pocket.

"Good night." Kagome said as she slipped inside.

"Good night." Miroku responded as he turned to leave.

After having cooked the ramen and tucking the precious candy neatly away she readied herself for bed. She brushed her teeth, showered, and combed her hair. With all of her usual ablutions out of the way she was free to rest. There had been a message on the answering machine informing her that her mother and Sota were spending the night at her grandfather's house. Kagome had smiled at the news. There would be no video games tonight! Nothing to stop her from sleeping peacefully…or so she thought.

She slid into the comfort of her bed, and wrapped her new blankets around her. She closed her eyes, hummed a tune she'd heard at the corner store, then turned over as if asleep. However, she was not and it wasn't long before she felt pressure being applied to the end of her bed. It was as if someone was sit-

Her brown eyes locked with golden ones belonging to a certain half-demon ghost she knew. Inu-Yasha.

"So, who's the boy?"

A/N:

I hope that's long enough. I know not much happened, but I did introduce another character. Please tell me what you think. It seems that many people thought if would just be Inu-Yasha and Kagome. Too bad for them it isn't so. What do you all think of Miroku?