A/N: This will be the last chapter for this story. I am discontinueing this story in order to start my own novel doujinshi of this. Once again thanks to my dear sister/best friend Len for helping.

Chapter 23

As the group of friends waited for the waiter to show, Sango and Kagome talked about everyday things plus some work issues. As for Miroku and InuYasha they just simply sat and listen, sometimes they butted in and teased the girls. Well Miroku would tease them, InuYasha just decided it would be best to stay low. After all he knew little about most of what they talked about. 'Dammit, once again here I am...I'll never fit into these conversations. Damn Miroku, he doesn't even work with us and still he no problem joining in.' The more InuYasha thought about fitting into the conversation, the more he felt somewhat glad he didn't. It was always like this for him and one of the many reasons he stayed to himself. A dark shadow in the far corner of the room caught his attention through his brown coloured contact lenses. The figure looked familiar, but the scent of wolf or Kikyo was not there. With a shrug of his shoulders he went back to listening to his friends.

Miroku had noticed his friends stares and quietly questioned him on it. "Something wrong InuYasha? I saw you looking off into far the corner." Even though he asked, Miroku was fairly sure he knew what the problem was. It had been quite awhile since Kouga or Kikyo had caused trouble and InuYasha knew they would meet again. He had told his friend that the next time Kouga would be a dead wolf if he came near Kagome ever again. Plus there was Kikyo, InuYasha wanted her locked away and never allowed freedom. Miroku couldn't disagree with his friend's feelings, after all Kagome was almost killed by the two.

"It was nothing Miroku, after all I didn't smell wolf." Still something didn't feel right to him, for now though he would keep his eyes and ears focused just in case thought.

It was at this time the waiter had arrived. And all eyes and ears were on him, as he told them the specials and what drinks were available. "Welcome to L'Osier, my name is Hector and I'll be your waiter this evening. Now for starters what can I get you all to drink?" Miroku motioned for the girls to start, and with a smile Sango asked for a glass of their finest wine. Kagome looked at her friend as if saying, seriously wine and then what's afterwards? "I have a beautiful white wine that should fit your liking. And for you?" He moved closer to Kagome which didn't go unnoticed by InuYasha. He gave a small growl causing the waiter to glance down at him with a raised eyebrow. InuYasha looked like a predator examining his prey, but this didn't seem to bother the waiter either. "Is something wrong sir? You look rather displeased about something." The waiter was almost smiling as he asked the question making InuYasha even more furious with hate.

"Yeah I'll tell you what's wrong you..." InuYasha stopped short when her heard Sango clear her throat. Glancing over he saw her giving him the death stare. Swallowing his next line of words, InuYasha simply looked away from the group. 'Damn bastard, eyeing Kagome up like she's his for the enjoyment.' He thought, just before he was about to get up and leave. It was then he felt a hand take his, stopping him from leaving. Looking up he saw Kagome giving him a smile, as her hand lightly squeezed his. His mind was blank after that and he was sure his cheeks were a little red from embarrassment. In that moment all he could think about was her and how beautiful she looked in that damn dress.

"I'll have a glass of water." Kagome told Hector, all while keeping her eyes on InuYasha's red face. "My boyfriend would also like a glass of water too, if I'm correct, right dearest?" He simply nodded yes as he slowly set back down again, still unable to find his words. He was still thinking about her smile and how she was squeezing his hand to even realize that Kagome had called him her boyfriend. Eyes still basically undressing Kagome, Hector took the orders rather slowly before moving to Miroku. As Miroku gave his order Kagome released InuYasha's hand, his face still holding that 'what the hell just happened look.' Kagome's face now turning somewhat red it's self now, after realizing what she just said herself. With the drinks now ordered the waiter left and told them he'd return soon to take their orders for their meals.

With a smart ass grin Miroku asked. "So Kagome, your boy friend huh? So when did this happen, last I heard you and InuYasha had a big fight? Looks like the make up sex was quite remarkable, and here I thought those walls around your heart would never fall, InuYasha." Miroku said, before slapping the back of InuYasha's shoulder laughing. "You know InuYasha, I personally enjoy kissing and making up, and we are in a French restaurant you know. Why not give your girlfriend a nice French kiss." Now Kagome felt like hiding under the table, she forgot about Miroku taking her words as fotter to start something. And not only that now InuYasha was back on track after Miroku slapped him.

"What hell are you talking about, you damn idiot? I'm not French so why in the hell would kiss like one? And me and Kagome are not a thing, she's jus..." Looking from Miroku to Kagome he froze when he saw the look on Kagome's face. With a growl he rethought his words. "S-She's just a girlfriend what's the big ass deal! And no we didn't have sex you perverted bastard!" Both Kagome and Sango looked at each other, neither one sure what was going on. This didn't go unnoticed by the somewhat angry hanyou. "What?! So I said it, she's a girl and my friend. You people act like I just proposed to her or something." Even InuYasha felt the pressure of his words now, the one thing he never wanted to let happen was slowly happening. 'I'm...I'm losing myself to her I can't escape this. Kagome has been through so much and seeing her in that dress earlier was proof of my feelings for her.' InuYasha wasn't angry at Kagome and as he began thinking about all of this, he was mostly angry at himself for letting this woman into his heart. 'Why am I allowing myself this it will only end just like with...' Shaking his head InuYasha cleared his mind of the past and the first woman he loved and out lived.

It was at this time the waiter had returned and asked for everyone's order. Moving close Hector once again started eyeing up Kagome causing an angry InuYasha to growl his warning. "My order is you stepping away from my girl you bastard!" To his friend's they saw their waiter as a human, but InuYasha had picked up Hector's scent earlier. In fact the scent of demons in the area had been increasing. It was starting to worry him now. Hector gave InuYasha a glare, before he continued on with taking orders. To InuYasha Hector's glare wasn't serious, more of weaker threat from an idiot.

Ignoring the hanyou for now, Hector continued on with taking orders. Kagome gave her order first. She decided the Barigoule of spring vegetables that looked amazing in the picture shown on the menu. Sango was next, getting the Pique quenelles. And of course Miroku ordered big and gave his best French accent while ordering. "I'll have the honey glazed roast pork with apples." While saying the glazed part Miroku winked at Sango, causing her to roll her eyes.

"Damn show off, you act so smart Miroku. I'd be ashamed to kiss my girl with a mouth that resembles your ass." InuYasha actually chuckled after saying his joke. However his mood turned sour as he once again tried to read the menu in front of him. The waiter now turning his attention on InuYasha, who was growing angry still trying to figure out what the menu said. "How in the hell do you read this damn thing Kagome?" InuYasha asked, trying to pronounce the French words like Miroku did a few moments ago. "The hell with this shit, just bring me ramen noodles and I'll be happy." The waiter only raised an eyebrow to his request. "Yeah and why the look now you idiot?"

Hector held his temper once more and explained to the growling hanyou, why he couldn't get Ramen. "I am sorry sir, but this is a very fancy restaurant and we only have the most elegant foods and on our menu. Please choose from the menu sir."

Giving the menu a toss across the table InuYasha cursed. "Damn! So you call these words that only a stuck up bastard like you and my so called friend over there can read and understand, elegant food?" Giving InuYasha an elbow to his ribs, Kagome quietly told him to stop being rude. He growled under his breath at her words. 'Damn woman, always butting in on my fun.'

With her hand now placed on his arm Kagome quieted the grumbling hanyou. "He'll have the ultimate pot roast, please." Kagome told the waiter. With the orders now complete Hector gathered the menus and left, after telling the group of friends they could use the dance floor while they waited. Leaning close, Kagome decided to question InuYasha on his order of noodles. "InuYasha why on earth would you try and get those ridiculous noodles here? You knew this was a fancy restaurant, and we're here to have fun and dine like a fancy couple." With a shrug of his shoulders InuYasha simply looked in the other direction, she followed his gaze that brought her attention to few couples dancing. Kagome sighed, as she watched the couples. How she longed to have a happy relationship, someone caring and who would treat her like a princess. Well maybe not a princess, but to just feel...loved..

Picking up on her friend's depressed look, Sango leaned over and hugged Kagome tightly. As her best friend, Sango knew this look all to well. Ever since all the craziness with Kouga, Kagome hadn't been herself. Even as bad as things were with Kouga, Kagome still had some light in her eyes to shine through. Now they seemed dull, Sango had hoped just maybe InuYasha would be the one for Kagome, but lately she started giving up hope on the idea. Kagome told her his words in the hospital, it broke poor Kagome's heart to tell he best friend the news of him rejecting her. Kagome why don't you at Miroku go dance for a little bit, it might help get your mind off things."

Kagome blushed at her friend's words. "I'm not sure Sango, Miroku is your date not mine. I couldn't possibly go dancing while you sit here with Mr. Grumpy." Still Sango kept pushing the issue until Kagome finally gave in. Miroku knew what Sango was up to and hoped she'd have better luck with InuYasha.

Holding out his hand Miroku smiled at Kagome. "Come we have a few minutes before our meals arrive. I promise I won't bite, I save that for Sango." Kagome giggles at Miroku's little joke and fixed her dress a little before leaving.

Sango watched as the two left and found InuYasha's expression priceless. Leaning close on her elbows she smiled. "Does it bother you a little to see her with Miroku? You know there's no shame in having feelings for someone InuYasha."

Turning in the other direction InuYasha simply. "Keh!" He knew what Sango was trying to do and just like the day in the hospital with Miroku, he was ready to pour his water over Sango this time.
"I don't give a damn what Kagome does with another man or beast. I already watched one woman I love die before me. I refuse to suffer the same heartache again!" His voice grew louder then he wanted, causing a few shares.

Placing a hand on his arm Sango tried again. "InuYasha you and I both know Kagome isn't herself, the light that once glowed in her eyes is fading more everyday." She looked towards Miroku and her best friend as they slow danced and smiled. "Even though you'll out live her that means nothing. You're only thinking about you right now InuYasha and that you'll suffering will be great. At least allow her some happiness for now, even if you don't want to love her please accept her and give her something to allow the light to return."

InuYasha looked at Miroku and Kagome and saw her laughing for the first time in along time. Even he had to admit Sango's words were true and a part of him wanted to keep Kagome smiling like she was now. "I can't promise anything Sango, but I'll try to keep her smiling at least a little longer." InuYasha would never let on that he was slowly falling in love with Kagome, not even to himself. The desires he was feeling for her on this night were at their strongest and what scared him the most was. 'I want her, I can't hide it much longer, if I make it through this night with out taking her. Well let's just say I might need ten ice cold showers after this date if not before.' His thoughts left him, as Miroku and Kagome returned both InuYasha and Sango smiled. At least they had reached an understanding.

Upon her return Kagome was a bit surprised when InuYasha stood and directed her to the seat and help her sit. With a shy smile she thanked him, then spotted the smile plastered on Sango's face. He only acknowledged Sango and once again took his seat. It was at this time the food arrived and as InuYasha ate his mind raced, his talk with Sango had helped some. Still he feared letting Kagome truly into heart, the pain he felt losing one was enough now to suffer again meant the same fate. 'I can't deny these desires to want to touch, hold her and worst of all to take her completely as mine. There's a part of me that what's to hear her call my name as I make love to over and over again.' Without knowing it InuYasha had finished eating long before the other's, most likely because he was thinking about devouring her as his meal.

"Wow InuYasha, you really did like the roast didn't you?" Kagome was amazed by how fast he ate his meal. "Sorry I'm not a very fast eater, InuYasha." InuYasha blushed a little still having his mind in the gutter at her words of being fast. "I think I'll pass on dessert this time, what about you Sango?"

After finishing her last bite and after cleaning around her lips with a napkin, Sango replied. "Well after eating all of this I think I'll pass this time too."

Miroku smiled "Oh, well, it's a shame since French gastronomy is particularly brilliant about deliciously orgasmic desserts." He glanced at InuYasha, then to Kagome. "But who knows… There's always another place to degust some of la petite mort later." He said in a low whisper. InuYasha and Kagome glanced at Miroku, InuYasha's cryptic expression turned into a curious one when he saw Kagome blushing.

Sango cleared her throat and grabbed Miroku's arm. "I would love to have an after dinner dance with my date." Sango nudged Miroku giving him a grin. Of course he returned her smile with a light roll of his tongue making a slight growl. Both Sango and Kagome giggled at his silly sexy side. "Come on show off let's go dance a little before it gets to late."

Miroku chuckled as she lead him away from the table with her arm through his. "Now, now my dear Sango. Surely you know I keep my wild side in check till after we return home." She yanked his arm for his comment, also knowing more fun was yet to come.

Kagome smiled as she watched her her friends leave. Then as she watched them Kagome started talking. "It's hard to believe they've become so close, I remember the day Miroku came in looking for a job." Kagome gave a small chuckle as she thought about that day. "I gave her such a hard time about him and that they'd make a great pair. Hard to believe they've been dating ever since they met in the hospital. I guess at least something good came out that mess."

His gaze went to her at the mention of the hospital and the hell he watched her suffer through. His face held a mixture of emotions, but mostly he felt off. His eyes fell on her bare shoulders and slowly a part of him was imagining him kissing them. 'Damn this feeling of desire and need. It's never bothered me like this before.' He heard her say his name and quickly his mind went back to reality.

"InuYasha, is something wrong? You seem distant." I'm sorry if this night was a complete waste of your time. I was hoping you and Miroku could've had some time to catch up on old times." Kagome saw InuYasha's face turn away from her and a deep feeling of sadness came to her. "I know you say he's not really a friend, but I know you two have a friendship of some kind."

Her words were correct, Miroku was the closest thing to a friend and a person he knew he could trust. Still to hear another say it made him angry. However the night wasn't a complete waste of time, seeing her in that dress even now had him almost hard. 'Damn these weird feelings of love, it wasn't like this before.' He went for his fang necklace as he thought, but then remembered. 'That's right it's gone, all thanks to that bastard Sesshomaru.' InuYasha was starting to wonder if it was a good idea to toss the sword now that he thought about it. Still he knew weapons were not allowed in these times and even if the sword helped hold his beast from emerging. It would be useless if he continued carry it. In the background he still heard Kagome talking and decided the only way to shut her up was to dance with her. With a growl he cursed taking her hand and pulling her from the chair.