Chapter 3: The Grand Party AN: The song playing is Christina Perri, A thousand Years. I do not own in any way. But loved the song when writing this scene. Kagome put on the magnificent kimono it was white with the same flower the woman gave her at the market printed on it. It was tight on the bodice and flowed out from there. It made it like she was draped with the fabric because it was made for her. Sango wore a pink kimono much like Kagome's but it was tight down to her hips. Showing off her figure and then it widened out from there making it easier to walk. It had blue green flowers going up the sides of her dress. Shippo looked at the girls and had to hold is breathe. "You guys look beautiful!" Shippo was in a nice looking shirt and pants. "Thank you Shippo." Sango said kindly. Kagome moved over to shippo and combed his hair a bit. "Thank you Shippo. Now go look at yourself. You look very handsome." Kagome had a big smile on her face. She loved Shippo like her own. And he look dapper, and she was very proud. "Ladies, Master…" That was all Tilly got out before she was struck with Kagome's beauty. "You look gorgeous. You both do." 'If master can't get Kagome he wouldn't be put out with Sango' Tilly thought. "Thank you." Both girls said together. "What did your master want?" "Oh, he wanted to know if you were ready to join us." The girls both nodded and headed down to the festivities. _ Inuyasha and Miroku had joined the party awhile ago. Inuyasha had an uneasy feeling about the entire thing. It was like the town was waiting to throw this party. But it made it easier for him to give Kagome his present. This was a great way to get back on her good side. "Where are the girls?" Inuyasha was growing impatient. He had been away from Kagome way too long to ensure her safety. "Uh Inuyasha…" Miroku couldn't finish his sentence. Sango was walking down the staircase that was in at the entrance of the dance hall. She looked beautiful and elegant. Miroku's heart leaped in his mouth and he couldn't form words. That...That was his Sango. She walked down and met up with him. He quickly kissed her cheek and asked if she wanted something to drink. "Yes, but…" She leaned into his ear, she knew Inuyasha could hear her. "We need to get out of here. I think the "master" is after Kagome." She pulled away and had a big smile knowing that people were staring at them. Inuyasha was scared now. 'Where is she?' That's when the crowd gasped. This brought Inuyasha's attention back to the entrance that Sango just emerged. Inuyasha's breathe caught in his throat. Kagome was radiant. He was filled with pride that she was his. But wait, she wasn't. Actually at the moment she was mad at him. He sulked his head down knowing that this wonderful woman that held the stars themself was angry at his behavior made him feel awful. As Kagome walked down the stairs she found his. What ever she was feeling or thinking about the master of this place went out the window. He was looking at her. HE WAS SEEING HER. Not Kagome the jewel detector. Not Kagome the girl that gets in the way. And not Kagome the reincarnation of his past love. He saw her and then she saw him looked down. Kagome felt guilty. She wasn't exactly good about this whole situation. She walked right up to him the crowd tracking her every move. "Inuyasha? What's wrong?" He looked up and stared at her. He made her angry! He treated her like shit this morning! And she is asking if he was ok?! 'Kagome! Why! Why are you so kind to me?!' His inner self was fighting for those answers. "Yea, you look beautiful. That dress is very pretty on you." Kagome's heart sored. It was a lot for him to compliment her. That was a great win for Kagome at that moment. Inuyasha took her hand and kissed the top of it. The group stared at them. 'Smooth friend! If he can keep this up then maybe we could leave without a fight.' Miroku thought. Sango breathed a sigh of relief. Kagome seemed normal again. "Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming to the palace to celebrate the victory of the pest of a demon that has plagued our town for awhile. It has been taken care of thanks to your new found friends, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and the very lovely Kagome. Please eat, drink, and celebrate the night away!" The master finished his speech. Inuyasha did not like his comment that he had to make toward Kagome. A slow song began to play after the group had ate and had mingled with some of the villagers. Inuyasha couldn't stand being separated from Kagome any longer. He grabbed her hand and asked, "Will you dance with me?" Kagome inwardly screamed. She was ecstatic that he wanted to dance with her. Honestly she hand no idea if he could even dance. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. He pulled her in close laying his hand on her waist and guiding her along the dance floor. The crowd stared at the couple in awe. The Master was fuming at the sight. 'SHE IS MINE!' He thought. Inuyasha twirled Kagome making her dress fan out in a beautiful cascade of fabric. Inuyasha then pulled her in close once again. Kagome was in heaven on that dance floor. She so happy and Inuyasha could since it. The crowd joined the couple and Inuyasha walked Kagome off and into the garden area. "I had no idea you could dance!" Kagome said in a very chipper voice. "My mom taught me some before she died. It's not to hard to remember the steps." Kagome was in awe that he opened up that much to her. She was expecting a 'Feh' as a response. "Kagome, now that we are alone, I wanted to talk to you." Inuyasha was nervous. "What is it Inuyasha." Inuyasha pulled out his gift. "I'm sorry for my behavior this past couple of days. I never meant to make you angry. You have always been a loyal and dear friend and I have taken advantage of that. And I am truly sorry for that." "Inuyasha you don't have to apologize. For moments we want to remember we need moments where they aren't perfect. I am sorry." "Now why are you apologizing? You have no need to!" Inuyasha didn't want her to feel bad. He was in the wrong not her. "Because I know I am not the easiest to be around. I can be just as stubborn as you at times. I mean you are more stubborn than me, but I can be that way too." Inuyasha chuckled a bit. Kagome had never heard his laugh. She loved it! "I wanted to give you this as an apology." Inuyasha handed her the little box. "Inuyasha you didn't have to." She carefully unwrapped the paper and opened the box. She gasped. It was perfect. A tear drop jewel that was green and blue with a wonderful design that wrapped around it to secure it in place. The chain was the perfect length were the jewel landed just below her clavicle bone. "Inuyasha it's lovely!" Kagome was in awe of it, of him, and of the night. It was a perfect night! "Turn around, I'll put it on for you." " Thank you." When he finished latching it Kagome turned to face him and gave him a hug. "Really Inuyasha thank you." Inuyasha returned her hug and took in her scent. It was a wonderful combination of mint and vanilla. But there was something that didn't smell right. He started to sniff. Kagome chuckled. "Inuyasha what are you doing?" Inuyasha kept smelling, there in her hair! It was the flower she had gotten in the market. "Kagome, have you parted with that flower since you got it?" Kagome was puzzled by the question. "Yea when I took my bath. Why?" Inuyasha got to thinking. Then it hit him. That woman was staking out women for the master. The flower was a key! That's why he was so interested in Kagome. "Kagome, I promise to give you another flower but may I take that out of your hair." Kagome grabbed it and handed it to him. As soon as the flower hit his hand it browned into a disgusting weed. "What happened?!" "I think the real demon is the master." *Clap, Clap, Clap. Inuyasha moved Kagome behind him as the Master walked closer to the couple. "I miss judged you half breed. You figured it out where most would never. That woman will be mine and there is nothing you can do about it." "Wrong! Kagome will never be yours!" Kagome gripped Inuyasha shirt. "The effects of the flower should have done its job by now. Kagome come my sweet." Inuyasha looked back at Kagome. She wasn't moving. She looked up to him. "NO! No how can that be. Wait that necklace." Kagome looked down at the gift Inuyasha gave her. "Guards! Get the girl and remove that necklace!" Inuyasha moved a hand on Kagome to protect her. "No one is touching her!" Inuyasha reached for the Tetsigua and froze. He didn't bring it because it wouldn't lay right with the new clothes. 'SHIT.' Inuyasha fought off as many of the guards as he could but became overwhelmed and lost sight of Kagome. "Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled. "Hahahaha I told you she would be mine."