A/n: What is with this? I need more reviews people! I hear all the time that people love the story and they're always adding me to thier favorite's list, but it sucks if no one says anything! Well, I suppose I can only blame myself for taking so long to update this amazing story. But rest assure. None of my stories were ever completed without atleast 200 reviews. And seeing how I like this story the most, I want some major reviews for this chapter b/c after you read it, you will be either mad or in shock but not disappointed.

Chapter 8 Winter Wonderland...

In the past, I had witnessed, and took part of many things with my father being such a rich man. We dined in places people only dreamt of. Slept in palaces of luxury, and drank ourselves to death in the fountain of our spoiledness. But Sango's home...it was Paradise. And when I say paradise, I mean it was litterally on top of the world. We were staying in the garden of Eden, right infront of Heaven's gate...But everything has a price, and even in the Garden of Eden...there lies a serpant. And the downfall of this paradise begins as all of them begin. All one needs for evil to take over is for good men to do nothing, lies to be in planted, then along comes a spider...

The house was pretty quiet for the most part. Sango had gone to brunch with her parents, Kikyou insisted that her and Inuyasha take a romantic trip the ice skating rink. So that left Kagome alone, decorating the tree.

She was about to put final touches on when a young teen came racing through the door on his cell phone. He had shoulder length hair, and a nice easy going face. He had on his hockey unionform, dropping the equipment into the floor.

'This must be Kohaku.' Kagome thought. The night they had arrived, he had spent the night over his friend's house so she hadn't gotten the chance to meet him. He was a younger Sango. 'Cute.' Kagome quipped to herself.

"What am I going to do man? Christmas is just a few days away and I haven't the money for anything!" he panicked. He paused when he spotted Kagome. "Um...let me call you back." Kohaku said hanging up the phone .

"Hi, I'm Kagome." Kagome greeted, extending her hand. Kohaku shook it, almost breathless. "You're beautiful." it slipped out. He quickly let go of her hand, trying to hide his crimson face.

"Well thank you." she said. Kohaku looked extremely nervous. Kagome couldn't help but tease him. "You don't have to worry. We're not going to get married."

"Wouldn't mind." Kohaku muttered to himself looking away. Kagome laughed to herself, thinking how pathetic it must be for a 16 year old to be the only one to think she's attractive. She wasn't too sure about Inuyasha.

"Well, where is everyone?" Kohaku asked looking around the house.

"Sango's out with you all's mom and dad. Inuyasha is out pleasing his girlfriend, and I'm here, decorating the tree. I'm sorry your parents stuck you with a complete stranger." Kagome apologized.

"I don't mind. It's typical. My parents are so stuck on Sango, they barely notice me anyway." Kohaku shrugged it off, but Kagome was too smart for that. She had a feeling that Sango's returning wasn't something Kohaku wanted.

"S-so, you play hockey?" Kagome tried changing the subject. Kohaku nodded with glare at his hockey equipment. "It's a good winter sport until soccer season."

She noticed that Kohaku didn't sound to excited to talk about sports. With Souta, that's all he wanted to talk about. Soccer and video games, video games and soccer. "But something tells me that's not where your interests are." she told him, her attention back on the decorations for the tree.

Kohaku smirked, flopping down on he couch. "I like hockey, but lately all I've wanted to do was music." He immediately stopped talking, knowing how girls liked to talk about feelings and all that crap.

Kagome just gave a casual head nod. "Yeah, I know whatcha mean. You get tired of expressing yourself in aggression and anger. Sometimes you just want to flow." she said softly, thinking on her own life.

-------------

Was I ready to be calm? At the time I wasn't sure. My agression had gotten me so far, so fast. But sometimes I also felt like it was holding me back. From my song, from my journey, from peace, from love..from Inuyasha...These thoughts wondered in my mind for some time, long before I knew what real joy was. Real peace. Real friendship. It was a hard lesson to learn, And I learnt it well.

-------------

"Yeah! Exactly!" Kohaku said in surprise. "Do you play?" Kagome shook her head no. "I just write alot." Kohaku's smile faded. "Oh."

For some reason, Kagome felt bad. Here was someone who spent most of the time, trying to impress his parents whom dote on Sango, and when he thinks he's finally found someone to relate to, she quickly shuts him out.

Changing her mind, Kagome headed over to the piano over in corner. "One song." she told him. Kohaku brightened. "Sure."

"How good are you with inprov?" She asked him. Kohaku smirked. "I don't like to brag but...okay, I secretly took piano classes before hockey practice for three years."

"You've really been into music like that?" Kagome asked impressed. "Yes. It's only thing that I've stuck with. Or that has stuck with me. So, just sing and I'll...try to catch the rhythm." Kohaku instructed.

Kagome smiled. "Okay." She started to sing the song she had been working in on the way over here.

and it's one more day in paradise
one
more day in paradise

as darkness quickly steals the light
that shined
within her eyes
she slowly swallows all her fear
and soothes her mind with
lies
well all she wants and all she needs
are reasons to survive
a day
in which the sun will take
her artificial light... her light

and it's
one more day in paradise
one more day in paradise
it's one more day in
paradise
one last chance to feel alright... alright


one more day in paradise
one more day in paradise
it's one more day in
paradise
one last chance to feel alright... alright


once upon a year gone
by
she saw herself give in
every time she closed her eyes
she saw what
could have been

"You're amazing." Kagome told Kohaku whose jaw had dropped. "Wow! You're great. You have a gift."

"No I don't. It's just words." Kagome told him. "So, I heard you have a little presant problem." Kohaku turned from her ashamed. "Yeah, I don't have money this year because I spent all my money on guitar and piano practice."

"Well, maybe I can help." Kagome offered, but Kohaku quickly stood up. "No!" he said quickly. "Its rude to borrow a guest's money and I wouldn't feel right taking money from Sango's friend. Especially you."

"Okay," Kagome understood. He still had his pride. "Well, if you need me, or just want to chill, talk, or...jam...then I'm around." Kohaku nodded as he was about leave, he turned back her. "Will you keep the music thing between us?"

"I will if you will." Kagome promised. Kohaku smiled, running up stairs with his stuff.

--------------------LATER ON...------------------

After everyone was home, there was an evening of tension. Kagome was ignoring Kikyou's antics while Inuyasha was ignoring her. Sango was ready to stab Kikyou and Inuyasha was playing referee. All the while, Kohaku had a dreamy gaze at Kagome.

Toshio wispered to his wife, "What's going on?" After they went to check on the food together. Shinju cut him a glance. As if her husband could be anymore clueless!

"Well, Kikyou is jealous of Kagome, but I have no idea why. Inuyasha has hardly glanced at Kagome all night. That is unless, Kagome's said something to upset him. You know how men's egos are. Well, our Sango is a little irritated by Kikyou's teasing and Kohaku...well I don't know how he fits in but he's being strange. Try to keep up honey." She said taking the chocolate back into the living room.

"Okay kids, drink up." Shinju gave everyone mugs of hot chocolate.

"Let's play a game. Worse Christmas stories. Whoever has the worst story wins." Toshio said.

Sango and Kohak groaned. "This game sucks dad!" Kohaku whined. Sango nodded in agreement. "It sucks because dad always wins."

"No, let's play. " Kikyou encouraged, throwing Kagome a dirty look. Inuyasha smirked, kissing her on the neck. Sango rolled her eyes. Kagome sighed. Kohaku was ready to punch Inuyasha,

"Well then Kikyou, you first." Toshio said.

"Okay. Well, every year my family takes a trip to Paris for Christmas. But two years ago, our flight canceled and we spent a night in the airport hotel." Kikyou explained. Toshio just stared.

Kikyou looked around the group who seemed to be waiting on something. "What? That was the end."

Kohaku gave Sango a look on the sly, his expression screaming, 'IS SHE SERIOUS?' Sango's look revealed. 'Yes unfortuantely.' Inuyasha was a bit embarrassed to have to claim Kikyou as a girlfriend in that moment. She was the only person who could make a complete ass of herself and not notice because of her arrogance.

Sango decided to save the game and go next. "Well, when I was 13, dad had gotten mom these beautiful earrings for christmas. I was so jealous. On Christmas day, we went skating. Well I hit a weak spot in the ice and fell into the water. Well, I had lost the earrings to say the least. And I never told...mom.." she trailed off looking at her mother.

Shinju's anger subsided after a moment. "Well there goes my story. That same christmas I was scared my daughter would die from hypothermia and I lost my favorite earrings. You're grounded!"

"Mom I'm 20!" Sango screached. Shinju shook her head stubbornly. "I don't care. You're grounded." Kohaku burst into laughter and broke the ice. Toshio chuckled softly.

"Who's next? Inuyasha, how about you?" Toshio asked.

Inuyasha's smile faded. " When I was ten my mom found out she had cancer. She died Christmas morning. End of story." he sipped on his hot chocolate.

Shinju appeared to be sad, remembering Izayoi being so full of laughter and beauty before she got sick. That's how she wanted everyone to remember. But Inuyasha could only remember her suffering. It was a shame. Toshio took his wife's hand. "Okay Kohaku."

Kohaku sighed. "My worse Christmas was when I had a cold, and missed my hockey championship." His parents looked at him stangely. " I don't remember that Kohaku." Shinju said, making a face like she was trying hard to remember. Toshio frowned. "I can't recall either son."

" That's because you two were at Sango's Karake's tournament. Figures." Kohaku spat out that last part accidently. He wished he could take it back because his parents looked so guilty. Turning to Kagome, he smiled. "Your turn."

Everyone's attention was on Kagome. Kagome never felt so out of place. "Well..." she started, but stopped, glancing at Inuyasha who seemed the least bit interested in her story. He was focused on Kikyou's neck.

"Go on." Sango encouraged, cutting an evil look to Kikyou. Kagome gave her a soft smile. "Okay."

"Well...my worst christmas was months after I woke up from a coma to find my family gone. And I had recieved a ticket for Tokyo. I took it. Ended up on the street. And on Christmas Eve...was my first time I ever sold myself." Kagome told the truth. And by the look on everyone's face, she wished she hadn't. She should have lied.

Inuyasha had stopped necking in the middle of her story, watching her intently. Kikyou saw the look he gave her and rolled her eyes. "She's lying!" she blurted out.

Kagome, for the first time ever, smiled at Kikyou. "Yes, I was lying. My worst christmas the year I got clothes instead of my favorite barbie doll."

"Told you. You know it's really ashame you have to make up stories to steal the spot light from Inuyasha." Kikyou called her out. Shinju cleared her throat. "Well...this game sucks." she commented trying to sound cool.

"Well Inuyasha, since you won, you get the pleasure of opening the first christmas gift on Christmas Eve." Toshio said cheerfully.

"Uh huh." Inuyasha stated, not taking his eyes off Kagome. 'Was she serious?' She had to be. How much could one person handle?

The doorbell sounded, taking him out of his trance. Kohaku went to answer it, revealing, "Miroku?!" Kagome gasped.

"Kagome?" Miroku asked.

----------

My heart stopped. Literally stopped. Miroku. The only friend I had that understood a fraction of my pain. What could be said? What? I knew something was going to come out in the open. But the question was what. Memories came flooding back The secrets we kept, the jokes we told. Stroles through the park, hanging out under the dock during the summer. The distance that had grown between us. I was slowly revealing myself piece by piece, and now, I was going to exposed. How could I explain my knowing him? Would we even connect? Was the love for this man still in my heart? Or had I traded it away along with my mother's death, my father's neglegacne and my brother's distance, for the one thing that destroyed my me...drugs.

----------

"Kagome is that you?" Miroku asked running to her, falling to the floor, embracing her in a tight hug. He kissed her on the side of her temple as if she were his child. Kagome hugged him back fiercly. He felt so comfortable. So real.

"Oh my god." She wispered. Miroku took a moment before breaking the hug, staring boldly into her eyes. His look told her that she had alot of explaining to do.

Kagome sighed, glancing at a very heated Sango. Her parents were a bit confused, Kohaku looked jealous. Kikyou was a bit confused, but her nonchalance covered everything. But nothing could match Inuyasha's rage. She was afraid if anyone touched him, he'd explode.

"Sango, " Miroku said, standing him and Kagome up, "This is the girl. The one I was telling you about." Sango's features softened. "Really? This is her...but how?" Miroku sighed. "Long story short, after the incident, I came to the hospital and they had said she was gone. I ran to her home and the maid said that she had taken the ticket to Tokyo. I never saw her again...till now."

Sango nodded, not wanting to exspose Kagome's life. Inuyasha was confused. What was the incident? And who the hell was Miroku to Kagome? Why does this bother him so much?

"Well how about we go eat, and then we can all take a ride on the nature trail just before sunset." Shinju suggested desperately. Toshio smiled, kissing his wife on the cheek. "Good idea."

---

After dinner, they walked down to the stables. Sango chatted and flirted with Miroku, Inuyasha was zoned out, ignoring a chattery Kikyou. Kohaku decided to stay in. Only Kagome knew why. He had wanted to work on his music.

Toshio handed out the horses, and it uncannily matched everyone's personality. He gave Kagome her horse last. "Here you go dear. This one's name is Hisoka. He's a little shy and won't go fast."

Kagome examined th horse. He was a pretty brown one but her heart was set on the one in the far side of the corner. It was all black, looking absolutely magnificent. "What's his name?" She asked.

Toshio glanced back at the black horse. "His name's Raiden. He used to be wild but Shinju saved him from being put down. We don't ride him much. He's temper mental."

"May I?" Kagome asked never taking her eyes off the horse whose golden eyes seemed so inviting.

Toshio shook his head no. "He may get out of hand. I don't trust anyone riding him but me."

Kagome glanced behind her to see everyone watching her. "I can handle him." She walked up to the horse, and he jumped up naying wildly. He came back down and Kagome grabbed the reigns, calming him with sweet nothings.

Toshio raised a brow. "That's odd." Miroku came behind him. "What's odd?" "Usually, Raiden hates strangers. He barely likes me. " he told him. Miroku smirked. "She has that affect on everyone."

Kagome mounted Raiden, riding him out the stable, with lightning speed. Sango laughed. "Well let's go! Kagome can't have all the fun!"

They all raced after her.

---

Miroku caught up to Kagome first, who was just in awe at the landscape. "It's beautiful up here. " she told him.

"Where have you been? What happened to you?" Miroku asked her. Kagome glanced at him. "In hell."

As they trailed, Kagome explained her journey after Kouga and in Tokyo. She told him how Inuyasha had saved her and how he knew nothing of who she really was.

"Your father would want to see you." Miroku told her. Kagome rolled her eyes. "He's the one who gave me the plane ticket."

"And the others don't know?" Miroku asked. He couldn't believe his best friend had gone through so much turmoil by herself.

"And they're not going to. Miroku, I can't...I can't and I won't." Kagome almost cried. Miroku stopped both horses. "You shouldn't have to carry this burden alone. You don't have to. Not anymore."

"Miroku, we're not children anymore. We're two very differet people with very different lives." Kagome felt herself shutting him out by force of habbit. "You'd better get back to Sango and enjoy her smiles. Don't waste your time with me. " she took off leaving him in the snow.

---

Kagome trotted along with Raiden who seemed content going with whatever speed she chose. What she wasn't counting on, was the wolf who came behind her. "Oh no.." she whispered. She tried to keep going until two more came into view. "Shit." she cursed.

When one of the wolves tried to bite at Raiden's legs, The horse jumped. "HA!" she pulled the reigns, and Raiden took off. She dashed across the raging river, getting soaked. Raiden was going rampid, running off the trail. "Calm down!"

But he didn't seem to hear her. "Raiden, easy boy!" She tried again, trying to pay attention but the wind was getting strong.

Raiden ran right into a clearing to the ocean. For a split second, it was absolutely beautiful to see the Sky of pure orange greenish yellow. One hell of a sunset. Until the cliff. Raiden came to an ubrupt hault, but Kagome didn't. She had an iron grip on the reigns, giving an earth shattering scream as she flew over the cliff, holding on for dear life.

"

--

Miroku heard the scream first. "Kagome.." he whispered. Toshio looked to a worried Shinju. Howling wolves could be heard in the distance. "Oh my goodness!" she covered her mouth.

Inuyasha wasted no time, taking off, with Miroku and Sango right behind him. Toshio instructed Kikyou and Shinju to head back to the barn before it got too late. He raced after his daughter and her friends. Some christmas vacation.

---

Toshio ran up on the gang, fighting off wolves. He spotted her daughter first, kicking wolf ass. She always made him proud. "That's my girl." he wispered. Sango spotted her dad. "We can't fight them all dad!"

Toshio immediately jumped in, taking out his riffle, shooting them one by one. More arrived. Toshio screamed to Inuyasha. "You and Miroku go find Kagome! Me and Sango will finish up here!"

They both nodded and left. Half way through the woods, Miroku and Inuyasha heard Sango scream. " Go on, I'm going back to help." He turned to go back then paused. "Inuyasha..."

Inuyasha read his expression and just nodded. He took off into the sunset while Miroku went back for his girlfriend.

-----

"Oh come on Raiden, back up!" Kagome pleaded. Her dry tears only made things worse with the wind. Not knowing how else to soothe him, she did the only thing that would keep her sane. She sang; Voice shivering and all.

'C-chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack F-frost nipping at your nose

Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir

And folks d-dressed up like Eskimos.

To her amazement, Raiden started to slowly back up as her gentle voice calmed him into his senses. The horse must have noticed she was on the brink of life and death, because when a piece of the cliff broke off, he steadily tried to go faster. Kagome continued to sing.

Everybody knows a turkey

and some m-mistletoe

Help to make the season bright

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep t-tonight.

They know that S-santa's on his way

He's loaded lots of toys

and goodies on his sleigh

And every mother's child is gonna s-spy

To see if reindeer

really know how to fly.

Inuyasha ran up on Kagome hanging off the edge and his heart stopped. "Kagome!" he called to her but she looked at him, shaking her head no. She was busy singing...to the horse? But he saw horse backing up, so he let her finish. She was almost back on top of the cliff.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase

T-to kids from one to ninety-two

Although it's been said

many times, many ways

Merry Christmas to you.

When she was back on top and out of danger, Raiden nudged her and she giggled. "G-good horse" she studdered, petting him. Inuyasha dropped to his knees, holding Kagome in his arms. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, j-just c-cold...about what I s-said on the b-boat. Inuyasha..." she started but Inuyasha cut her off. With a kiss.

He was delirious with need as he kissed her ferociously. Intwining his hand in her soft hair, he wrapped the other arm around her waist, never wanting to let her go. Kagome returned the kiss with as much intensity as she could, feeling the heat between the two of them sparking off. Inuyasha trailed kisses down to her neck, almost completely on top of her. This was all he wanted to do, ever since Sango's party. Ever since their first kiss. They both knew neither had experienced anything like this before. It scared them.

The spell was broken when Kagome heard someone called her name from a distance. 'Not now Miroku...MIROKU!' Inuyasha must have heard him too, because they sprang apart seconds before Miroku entered the clearing, both trying to catch their breath.

"Are you alright?" Miroku asked jumping off his horse. Kagome nodded, never taking her eyes off Inuyasha who was standing and headin g back to his horse. Pretty soon he was riding off.

"What happened?" Miroku exchanged glances between Kagome and Inuyasha's fleeting body. Kagome shook her head. "N-nothing...The horse saved my life." Miroku glanced at Raiden. "Good horse. And hear I'm thinking Inuyasha was the hero."

"N-no. He plays the villan." Kagome muttered. "Come on. They're probably worried to death. And we need to get you out of these wet clothes." Miroku said helping her up. They mounted the horses and headed back to the stables.

----

Miroku helped Kagome cross over the threshold. Everyone was on edge, relief spreading through their expressions at seeing her alive. Honestly, Kagome couldn't imagine anyone would miss her. Kikyou certainly looked appeared disappointed.

Shinju burst into a fit of tears, hugging her. "Oh thank goodness. I was so worried! I told Toshio that horse was uncontrolable!"

Kagome patted the woman softly on the back, feeling guilty for having her worry. "No, the horse saved my life. The wolves just scared him is all."

Sango came over, taking Kagome's hand. "You must be freezing. Come up stairs with me." She led Kagome upstairs to her bedroom.

Kagome was in awe at the room's splender. There was a beautiful midnight canopy surrounded in scarlet red sheers. There was a fire place in the corner, setting off a beautiful cozy atmosphere. The balroom balcony was closed, but anyone could see why this was the best room in the house. There was a spectacular view of the ocean. It reminded her of Princess Jasmine's room off Aladdin. Expensive china dolls were plastered on different mantels, and a fairytale dollhouse in the corner. Japanese Caligraphy on anything name brand.

Sango closed the door, immediately beginning to ask the question that had been tormenting her all day. Kagome glanced at a distraught Sango and shook her head. "No." she said.

"No what?" Sango said.

"No. Me and Miroku have nothing going on. He's an old friend. Nothing more. So don't lose any sleep over weather or not I'm fucking him." Kagome said with a smirk.

Sango visibly relaxed. She had been torturing herself over it all day. When Miroku came to the door, he went right to Kagome. Then again on the riding trail, he rode side by side with Kagome, as if she didn't exsist. Miroku said they were friends, but what kind of friends. She'd find out tonight.

"This room is beautiful." Kagome finally said walking around the room, taking in the magificent sight.

"It used to be my room, before I moved out. I loved disney movies, so I had the room redesigned to match Princess Jasmine's." Sango said shyly.

"I was thinking the exact same thing. But...why are we here?" Kagome asked. "This is your room for the remainder of the vacation. It's my way of thanking you for having some class." Sango explained with a soft smile.

"Having class? I don't understand." Kagome was completely confused. She had done nothing to deserve this honor.

Sango shrugged. " I really appreciate you not going off on Kikyou. Me and Inuyasha both knew you could have shut her up with that mouth of yours. My parents don't approve of confrontation and I know we aren't the best of friends but, I'd like to think you did that out of respect for my family. "

Kagome nodded gracefully. "Thank you. My boarding school teacher once said, "Men only date two kinds of women; Ones with class or ones with beauty." She said I don't have beauty, so I'd have to work on gaining some class."

Sango nodded in return, turning to leave. She paused at the door before walking out. "She's wrong about you, ya know. I think you have a little bit of both." she gave a wink and disappeared behind the closing door.

Not too much later, another knock came on the door. Kagome got up from writing in her journal and answered it, figuring it was Sango. "Really Sango, I'm..." she lost her words.

Inuyasha was standing in her doorway.

The garden of Eden has many demons. Some good, some bad, but all with purpose. As I stood there watching him watch me, I knew I wouldn't be satified unless I followed him. Like Alice following the white rabbit down the hole. Only, I didn't want to go home. I wanted to stay in wonderland. That is until I knew I had been bitten, by a serpant.

A/n: stay tuned. It only gets better. The song in the chapter was Paradise by Vanessa Carlton.