Chapter 15: The Party

A/n: Obligatory disclaimer that I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters.

"Hey, why you cryin' by yourself?" Inuyasha asked plopping down beside Kagome. She leaned back against the wall at Kaede's hut.

"I'm happy it's over but I miss my family and I know they're worried. Here I am going to a party. I guess I just feel guilty is all." Kagome said sadly.

"You're family'll be okay. They know you're tough and we'll go visit them first thing tomorrow." Inuyasha promised.

"Okay, thank you Inuyasha." Kagome knew comforting people wasn't Inuyasha's strong suit but she appreciated the effort. She got up and wiped the tears away. Tonight she'd party and tomorrow she'd go see her family.

Her and Sango sat in the hot springs relaxing and washing before the party. They didn't have as long as Kagome would have liked but it was better than nothing. Sango dressed in the red kimono with white flowers she had received and Kagome dressed in the light purple kimono with white and dark purple flowers she had gotten too.

After some stares and compliments from Sesshomaru and Miroku the group made their way to the party. As the guests of honour they were greeted with drinks almost immediately. It was dark when they got there and everyone was already drunk. Kagome bowed as people came up to her offering thanks.

Miroku wasted no time grabbing a drink then pulling Sango to the dance circle. Kikyo didn't grab a drink but she did pull an unwilling Inuyasha into the circle as well. She watched her friends with her a bittersweet smile. For them life was simple now, they'd live out their days as any other normal human would but she didn't know where she'd be tomorrow or next week or next month.

"You are loved her miko." Kagome smiled up at Sesshomaru.

"No, I think people are just happy they don't have to live in fear anymore. We just happened to be the group to give them that, I don't really know many of them."

"Regardless, they respect you."

"Yeah, guess so." They watched the party for a moment. She could tell he wanted to ask something so she stayed quiet for now.

"Where will you go now?"

"I don't know. I'm going back to see my family tomorrow but after that, I'm not sure." Kagome sighed.

"I would like to extend an invitation for you to stay at my castle for the time being." Kagome smiled then looked at her friends and her face dropped slightly. "Your friends may come too."

"Really?" Sesshomaru gave a single nod and she threw her arms around his neck and held him tight. "Thank you." She whispered. "Come on, lets go join the others."

"This Sesshomaru does not wish to be around so many humans. I will wait for you back at the hut."

"Okay." She said hesitantly before he pushed her toward the crowd.

She was handed a drink which Miroku told her was named sake, a rice wine. She took a tentative sip. It wasn't the best thing she'd ever drank but she didn't want to be rude so she drank it anyway.

She joined Miroku and Sango dancing. Sango showed her some of their more traditional moves and she showed Sango some of her moves. She raised her arms and swayed her hips to the music. She heard Sango slap Miroku's cheek and giggled as she stopped dancing.

They were brought another cup of sake. Much to her relief the second one went down easier. She was starting to loosen up and feel better. She could tell Sango was feeling it to because she asked Kagome to show her the dance moves again.

Kagome giggled and raised her arms again. After a few beats Sango followed suit and the two girls got lost in the music. Kagome was feeling warm and fuzzy, it was an odd feeling she's never had before but she couldn't say she didn't like it.

When the song came to a close the girls lowered their arms and looked to Miroku who's jaw was almost on the floor. Kagome laughed but Sango pulled him by the chest to her and kissed him on the lips, hard. Kagome's mouth popped open in shock. Almost as quickly as it happened Sango pulled away and turned to kagome grabbing her hand and pulled her away.

Kagome looked over her shoulder at Miroku who looked like he was about to pass out. As she turned back a guy handed them each a glass before rushing off. Sango finished pulling her over to a fallen tree and sat down.

"Oh Kamis." Sango said. Kagome didn't really know what to say.

"Do you like him?" Sango took a long sip from her cup.

"Yes. No. I don't know." She paused. "Yes."

"Then what's the matter?" She asked gently.

"It's Miroku. The man that tries to sleep with every woman we meet."

"You know, I haven't seen him look at anyone but you this whole night, for most of our recent travels too actually. I think he really likes you."

"You think so?" Sango asked hopefully.

"Yeah, and if you like him too I think you should go for it."

"Yeah, you're right." Sango smiled. Kagome took a sip of her drink and made a scrunched up face.

"Ugh, what is this?"

"It's shochu, it's stronger than the rice wine you had earlier." Sango laughed. Kagome couldn't help but laugh with her before pulling her back to dance.

Sango went back to dancing with Miroku and Inuyasha and Kikyo joined them as well. Kagome danced beside her friends in her own little world. Everyone was in pairs so in her fuzzy mind she didn't see an issue with agreeing to dance with the nice gentle man who came up to her.

Before she knew what happened Inuyasha hoisted her up into his arms. He started to walk back in the direction of their hut.

"Eh! Puh m'down." She slurred. She looked for Sango for help but Miroku was carrying her in a similar fashion. "I juss wanna dance."

"Not with him ya don't. Sesshomaru'd kill yah, or him." Inuyasha said.

"Why'd do tha?" Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"We're demons, Inu demons, we're possessive."

"Oh."

"Yeah, I'll be lucky if he doesn't kill me for carrying you back." Kagome started to wiggle.

"Leh m'down. I cin walk." Inuyasha raised an eyebrow but set her gently on her feet. Almost immediately she started to stumble and just as quickly she was swept back up in his arms.

"I'm gonna die." Inuyasha half mumbled half sighed. Kagome giggled. "Glad you find my death funny" was the last thing she heard Inuyasha say before she smiled, laid her head on his chest and fell asleep.