The Way I Feel Inside
Chapter Three

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews and PMs. I appreciate them a lot. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. As I mentioned before, the entire story is both written out in my notebooks and typed out on the computer, so I'm able to update quite frequently. The only thing I would hold back for is anticipation... (or if I'm unable to reach a computer.) I'm already considering doing a sequel. I'm not sure if I will yet or not, though. Thanks again for your support.

"Shit! shit, shit, shit, shit..." It continued on and on. The more he read, the faster he said it. Miroku looked over from his bunk to Inuyasha, who was reading his e-mail.

"What is this shit-fest about?" Miroku asked, though he knew already. He set his book down as Inuyasha took a deep breath.

"She can't come. Something came up on Sunday and she can't make it." Miroku sat up.

"Calm down. It's not the end of the world. You can meet her afterward or something, right?"

"No. Sunday was all booked up for her. Besides, the show won't end until late and then we have our fans with backstage passes to meet and her work probably has her working first thing in the morning."

"We don't have any backstage passes for that show. I gave the only two to Sango." Inuyasha calmed down visibly. He shut this computer and set it to the side. He rolled over on his bunk to face the wall. He just laid there silently. If only 2 backstage passes were given out to Sango, how did she get one? That's when it occurred to him. Sango had 2 passes and Kagome received her pass from a friend. Only two passes. Inuyasha felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could work out after all... If they received help from the rock star and front-man of Feudal Era, "Dogboy" Takashi.

"Hello there." A box popped up on her screen as she browsed through a fan site.It was from Inuyasha. She felt a tinge of guilt. They had perfect plans, until she went an ruined it for the both of them.

"Hey. Haven't heard from ya in a while. Thought you were ignoring me." It didn't take long for a reply.

"I tinkered with that thought. lol" Kagome felt the 'lol' was out of place. He probably had considered it.

"I wouldn't have complained if you did."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Take it anyway that you want it." Kagome smiled lightly. This was a little more like their conversations. Of course, they had both serious and goofy conversations. Besides music, they argued about pretty much everything. Their conversations always required sarcasm and wit to keep up. This actually helped her out. It kept her open minded, so she could side all aspects of the thing in question. All angles and perspectives were covered.

"I was just wanting to let you know I'll be extremely busy next week especially. I have work and a side-project of my own going on and it needs to be complete by the time of the concert. Sorry that you can't make it to that." Kagome shook her head and began typing.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing for screwing it all up."

"No, you didn't. Something came up. It happens. Anyways, I probably won't be on a whole lot so don't take it personally if I don't get back to you. I'll do my best."

"I understand."

"I knew you would. I really must be going now."

"Alright. Bye, Inuyasha."

"See ya, Kagome."

"Hey." Sango said, humming lightly as she came into work.

"Hey. How's it looking?" Kagome asked as she clocked in.

"Everything's going great. Only a small shipment today." Kagome laughed. The closer to the date they'd meet again, the more excitement built up in Sango and today was the day. "So, things are still clear for tonight?"

"Yes. I get off around five. Then, I need to go home to get ready and things."

"Alright. We can pick you up if you'd like." Sango offered as she began whistling a tune.

"Sounds like a plan. I'm not sure where we're even going." Kagome said.

"Oh, I'm not sure where it is. Miroku knows about it. It's a place downtown called Butterflies." Kagome groaned.

"Butterflies? If I remember, that place is expensive."

"Miroku said it was on the expensive side, but he said that he was going to pay the bill."

"Oh, I don't know about that. I'll feel kind of odd."

"Seriously, don't even worry about it. He's just got off tour and will blow the money one way or another. I'd rather he do it while we're celebrating than on some new gadget that we really don't need." Kagome laughed. It sounded like they were already married.

"Alright. Break time." Sango stated, looking at the clock. It was around 3 or so. They decided to pick up some coffee from the front of the store instead of going somewhere. After they ordered, they took their beverages and sat down at one of the tables in the little cafe. Kagome pulled a book out. Sango laughed.

"Finally bought the book, huh?"

"Yeah, it's getting more and more suspenseful. I have a hard time putting it down." Kagome said. As she lowered the book, she noticed a man looking in the store from outside. He looked suspicious. He wore some regular jeans with a t-shirt, bur over it was a leather jacket. He wore a very out of place-hat that reminded her of a top hat. Along with the outfit, he had a dark pair of shades. Kagome could feel his gaze upon them. She groaned.

"What is it?" Sango asked.

"Nothing. Just a window shopper." Sango knew what that meant. With a roll of the eyes, she made sure her back was to him, not even looking.

"Let him look. I'm taken." Sango said. She refused to look.

"Yeah, but where does that leave me?" Kagome said and they laughed together at the comment. Kagome went back to reading her book, but felt extremely uncomfortable knowing that he was there. She raised the book to where it blocked her view of him. Sango noticed the gesture.

"Still there I take it." Kagome nodded.

"Hopefully, he got the point now." Sango took another sip of her coffee. After a moment, Kagome lowered her book to see that he wasn't there anymore. She set the book down on the table instead. "What an idiot." Sango was highly amused.

"That goes to show your general view of men. That is, with the exception of one." Kagome took the bait.

"Hey. That same goes for you so no criticism, if you please." Kagome, then, saw the man watching toward them. He was coming up from behind Sango. She didn't have any time to warn Sango and was surprised that the first move he did was hug her from behind. Almost immediately, Sango struck out, knocking the ridiculous hat off of his head, revealing his long, silver hair. Sango turned around, ready to square off with the devil himself, only to completely drop her defense and gasp in surprise.

"What a way to greet an old friend!" The man said, scooping down to pick up his hat. No wonder he's wearing the hat. Kagome thought. The silver hair was a dead give-away. It was 'Dogboy' Takashi of the Feudal Era. He managed to get his hair back up into the confines of the hat once again. By this time, Sango had gotten over the shock.

"I didn't know that you were coming ahead of the rest as well." She moved to hug him, but he put his hands up in defense and took a step back. His eyes squinted in suspicion.

"Wait a minute. What are you planning on doing, lady? First you hit, then you hug?" He paused for a moment. "Actually, that's how your relationship with Miroku worked too." She laughed lightly.

"You can't even compare the two." The rock star smiled. Letting go of his antics, he hugged her. Sango looked around behind him, looking for someone else. He shook his head.
"We've been having problem with the guitar tech we hired for this tour. It was his turn to deal that - Oh, I'm sorry. Who's this?" He asked turning to Kagome.

"Oh, this is Kagome. Kagome, I think you already know who this is." She nodded.

"Of course, the hair gave it away. I'm a big fan of your music." He swallowed. It's her... He didn't realize how he was staring at her. He quickly shook his head and covered it up.

"Sorry. I just dazed out. I forgot about something before I took off this morning. Kagome, is it? Nice to meet you." He noticed the book in her hand and smiled lightly. It was a perfect conversation opener with her. "Aha, good taste in books. I started up that series recently. A good friend of mine got me into them." Kagome smiled.

"Yeah, they're really good, but I'll give you a warning. They get extremely suspenseful."

"So, I've noticed. I was reading before a show and by the time it came to preform, I gotten to an extremely interesting part. The whole shoe I was wondering what would happen next." Sango looked at him, curiously.

"I don't recall you ever reading a book."

"Well, you never were around when I did." He snipped. Kagome shook her head in amusement. You could tell they were good friends by the way they carried on. Sango was about to reply, when she noticed the time.

"Kagome, we're late." Kagome took a look at her watch.

"We're cutting it close, anyways." Sango turned to him.

"It was good to see you again. Though, I can't say that it's been long enough." Inuyasha grinned.

"Actually it has been way too long. Miroku doesn't put up near as good of an argument."

"Are you going to be at dinner?" He nodded.

"Count on it." She smiled, happy that he'd be coming.

"Kagome's going to be coming as well." He turned and looked at her.

"Oh, yeah? Great. I'll see you both tonight, then." They nodded. "Nice meeting you Kagome."

"Nice to meet you too." Inuyasha nodded, turning to Sango.

"Sango, seeing you again is like an evil flashback." She glared at him.

"Get out of here before you're forcibly evicted you from the store." He smirked.

"I'd like to see you try, but since we don't need any further publicity, I'll take my leave." He tipped his hat and walked away. They could see the extra special strut he had. Sango rolled her eyes.

"That man!" Sango said, turning to Kagome.

"Ready?"

As she got ready, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous about the whole situation. The two singers of her favorite band were going to be at dinner tonight. Even though she hadn't been receiving responses, she e-mail Inuyasha everyday. She wasn't able to tell him about being at dinner without giving away Sango's and Miroku's connection, but she did tell him how she met 'Dogboy' Takashi in her bookstore. As she applied her make-up, she heard a knock on the door.

"Hang on a minute!" she called out as she finished applying her eye-liner. That can't be Sango. It's way to early. She darted to the door. She opened it up, revealing her little brother, Souta, luggage and all. "Souta!" She said in surprise, though it was a pleasant surprise. She immediately hugged him. He gave a quick hug back.

"Hey - uh- do you mind if we get out of the hallway?" Kagome laughed lightly and then laughed even harder when she saw his flushed face as she pulled away.

"Sure. Come on in. What're you doing here?" She asked as she helped him with his luggage. They entered her apartment and he used the foot to shut the door behind them.

"Can't a guy come by and say hello?" Kagome gave him a skeptical look.

"Sure, just usually when you drop in to say hello you don't have all your luggage with you." He shrugged.

"OK. Fine. For some reason, Mom and granddad aren't home. I don't have the key to the house anymore and didn't know exactly how long they'd be gone."

"Oh. They probably weren't expecting you so early. Make yourself comfortable around here. You're always welcome." He thanked her and sat down on a recliner. "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm alright." Kagome sat down on the couch.

"So, how's everything going with you?" He leaned back, putting his hands behind his head.

"It's going. Painfully slow, but it is forward progress. I've decided to switch universities."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. Staying there is just to much. There's too many reminders. I can't take anymore so I'm leaving it." Kagome knew he was starting to dwell on the past, so she thought of a way to change his train of thought, renew a dead argument between them.

"So, where are you going to go? Yale or Harvard?" Souta cracked a smile for the first time in quite a while.

"I don't think I'm college material." He said as he did in high school back when they argued about if he should go to college. Kagome smiled. "Actually, I'm going to the one here. I miss home."

"I'm glad to hear that. Maybe we'll see you more than once every couple months." Souta opened his mouth to say something when the telephone rang. "Excuse me." Kagome said as she grabbed the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Kagome." She glanced at the clock. She didn't realize how much time past, but it still wasn't quite time yet.

"Hey, Sango. What's up?"

"I'm running a little bit late. I might be 30 minutes later." Kagome heard someone else over the phone. It was a deeper, masculine voice. Sango whispered something to him that sounded suspiciously like 'Stop that.'

"Well, I just got a little surprise. Souta showed up a few minutes ago. I"m not exactly sure-" Souta cut her off.

"Go ahead with whatever plans you have." Kagome nodded to show that she heard him, but still felt torn between the two. Meanwhile, Sango was speaking with the man on the other end of the phone.

"Bring Souta along, too. The more, the merrier."

"Are you sure?"

"Oh, yeah. It might give him a little pick-me-up." Kagome sighed.

"Thank you for not making me make a choice there. Thank both of you."

"Both?"

"You and Miroku." She heard Sango start to say something, but stop short.

"How did you know? Kagome's mind came across two options. She chose the lesser of the two evils.

"You've never been over 10 minutes late to anything. Something had to keep you preoccupied."

"Kagome! I can't believe the insinuation that came out of your mouth."

"Actually, I didn't insinuate anything so something must be happening. Never underestimate me. Well I better get ready. See you later." She said all in one breath. She hung up before Sango could respond. Kagome smirked lightly.

"If Sango is a little mad at me when she gets here, I deserve whatever's coming to me." Souta nodded.

"That's my big sis." He chuckled a little bit. "All those years of endless bickering trained us both well, didn't it?" She nodded in agreement.

"I'm going to be going out with Sango and a couple of her buddies from high school tonight. She told me to bring you along if you want to come." He looked down.

"No offense, but hanging out with a bunch of girls isn't exactly the most appealing thought to me right now."

"Oh, it's not like that. Her buddies are guys. It's just going to be four of us."

"Oh, so you're going on a date?" He said, looking over at the dress she had hanging over the back of the couch.

"No. Nothing like that. I don't exactly know these guy. I met one of them earlier today, but only know them by reputation."

"Oh..." What the hell is she thinking? Going out with a bunch of guys she don't even know. They may be perverts. "...I guess it could be fun." Kagome smiled, grateful
that he was willing to go. "Is it a fancier type-of place?" She nodded and then the thought donned on her.

"You wouldn't happen to have a suit in your luggage, would you?"

"Actually, That's all my clothes except for a week's worth and I don't intend on wearing a suit to class. I'll be moving the rest of my thing next time I come."

"Oh, I see. What a coincidence, huh?" He nodded. "I'll take my thing to my bedroom so you can take over the bathroom to get ready." She said. He smirked as he grabbed the suitcase he'd need and followed her to the bathroom.

"Too bad that you couldn't have done that a long time ago. We wouldn't have fought so much as kids."

The doorbell rang out once again. Souta looked over his shoulder at the door. "Um, Kagome, are you ready?"

"Almost. Will you get the door for me?" There was a knock at the door.

"Uh... I guess so." He felt a little awkward answering her door, but he did so. A couple stood there.

"Sango?" Souta asked. She turned to him.

"Souta? Oh my goodness. You've grown a bit since I last saw you." He flushed.

"Uh... thanks."

"How're you doing?"

"Alright for now." He then turned to the man with her and stopped short.

"Miroku Hentai?" The man smiled and nodded.

"In the flesh." Sango smacked his shoulder.

"Don't make a spectacle of yourself. My guess is his sister didn't tell him who was coming and he's surprised." Miroku rubbed his shoulder in the spot where she hit him.

"Can't a guy make a joke once in a while?" She just rolled her eyes. Souta just stood there, dumbfounded.

"You could have invited then in, Souta." Kagome said, coming up from behind him.He nodded dumbly, opening the door for them. Sango patted his shoulder as she passed. Miroku held his hand out. Souta shook it.

"Hey, buddy. Thanks." Souta shook himself out of the little daze he was in.

"No problem." He said, closing the door behind them. Sango immediately went over to Kagome, telling her how she looked in the dress and complimenting her. After they got their girlish chit-chat out, Sango turned.

"Miroku, this is Kagome. Kagome, Miroku." She introduced, gesturing to each person as she said their name.

"At long last. I've heard so much about you, Miroku." She said, reaching how her hand to shake his.

"All good things, I hope." He replied, jestingly. Kagome put on a serious face.

"I must speak with you about this super-model business." Kagome said. Miroku laughed.

"Sh... she doesn't know about that." He said, turning to Sango. She rolled her eyes at the both of them. Miroku put an arm around her waist, pulling her to his side.

"And you've met my brother, Souta." The two men nodded at each other.

"Sorry about spacing out." Souta said. "I didn't know that you and Sango were-" He was going to say acquainted until he saw the ring on Sango's finger. "-engaged?" Miroku smiled. Sango did as well, leaning against his sturdy frame.

"Not for too much longer, but yeah. It's kind of a secret right now though. So uh-"

"You're secret's safe with me." Miroku's cell phone went off.

"Excuse me a moment." He said going out to the hallway. Sango rolled her eyes once again.

"That thing is constantly going off." She said.

"The pain of popularity." Kagome offered. Sango shrugged.

"I guess so. But it's getting on my last nerves." Miroku came back in.

"Sorry. We better get going. Uh, 'Dogboy' is already at the restaurant."

"He's on time?" Sango asked. He nodded. "Wow! That's unusual."

"It is odd." Miroku said in agreement.

"Well, I guess we better go. You're ready, Souta?" He just nodded again. Kagome saw the similar expression. He was probably surprised that 'Dogboy' Takashi was the other
guy coming. Kagome grabbed her nearby purse and jacket for the occasion. "Alright. Let's go."