Hey guys! Sorry its been kind of long since my last chapter! I've been busy with school and work and wedding planning. (I'm getting married in December!) :) But I'm trying to write on a regular basis. So I hope you all enjoy!

KagomeHailzzYeahh - Yes, they will all make an appearance in due time! Just wait :) (except maybe Shippo...I'm trying to figure out how he would fit in. And Bankotsu...but Kikyo and Naraku are going to be in it for sure! lol)

Chapter 6: Surprise Visitor

On Friday afternoon, Kagome came home to find InuYasha's father sitting in the living room on his laptop. She stopped in her tracks and a small, "Oh!" escaped her lips. She quickly covered her mouth as he looked up at her.

"Sorry," she said nervously. "I didn't expect you to be home. I haven't seen you since the day I arrived." She removed her scarf and gloves.

"Yes, sometimes I leave the office early on Fridays," Mr. Takahashi informed her, taking a sip of the drink beside him on the table. "But I do have an early flight tomorrow. To China. So I'm sorry I won't be around again next week. You must think I'm a terrible host."

Kagome waved her hands in front of her. "Not at all! It's so kind of you just to let me stay. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

This caused him to smile a little. "How is InuYasha? Treating you well I hope?"

"Yes," Kagome nodded, glancing at the wall. "He's been very helpful."

After a few more minutes of small talk, Kagome went into the kitchen to start dinner. InuYasha arrived awhile later, and seemed slightly surprised to find his father at home. Kagome announced she was making a special meal since it was the first they were all going to eat together.

"Oh, InuYasha, that reminds me! Could you put the laundry in the dryer for me? Otherwise I won't have anything to sleep in," Kagome called upstairs. A loud grunt was all she got in reply but figured he would do it. He better do it anyway, she thought worriedly to herself, I don't know why I decided to wash all my pajamas in one load.

She considered doing it herself but the oven beeping distracted her, and she hurried back to her cooking. A couple hours later, the three of them sat down to dinner at the dining room table. Mr. Takahashi made attempts at conversation with InuYasha, who seemed uninterested, and eventually they all sat in quiet. After dinner, Kagome cleaned up and decided it was time to get ready for bed. She clicked on the light in the laundry room and suddenly gave a frustrated scream.

InuYasha, passing by, poked his head in. "What's up with you?"

"InuYasha!" Kagome snapped, turning to him in exasperation. "You were supposed to put the laundry in the dryer!"

"Oh," InuYasha said dumbly, backing away slightly. "So that's what you said earlier..."

Kagome turned her gaze back to the wet clothes in the washing machine and sighed. "Now what am I going to wear to bed?" she said quietly, more to herself than to him, transferring the sopping clothes to the dryer.

InuYasha stood in the doorway for a minute, not quite sure what to say. Finally, he said, "Um, I know its not the best thing, but I have some oversized t-shirts if you want. Aren't girls into sleeping in those or something?"

Kagome stared at him and hoped she wasn't blushing. "Um, yeah, I guess they do." She quickly threw in a dryer sheet and slammed the door to the dryer closed, starting it. When the hum of the machine started, she said, "Thanks though. That would be great if I could borrow one."

InuYasha went upstairs and came back with two shirts; one white, one black. "I don't know which color you like..." He help them up.

Kagome tried to stifle a giggle and took the black one. It was kind of cute that he cared about what color she wanted. She went up to her room and changed into it, also wearing some shorts she found in the back of her drawer. When she came back out, InuYasha was going to his room and stopped when he saw her. For a minute, they just stared at one another, before finally Kagome looked at the carpet.

"Thanks again," she practically squeaked, clearing her throat. "I know I must be a sight though." She laughed.

"Whatever," was all InuYasha replied, looking away as well and going into his room.

Kagome looked at his closed door for a minute before shrugging. It probably just weirded him out having a girl wear one of his shirts. Or...did it? She considered this a moment. Had a girl worn his clothes before? She didn't doubt it...

"Stop thinking about it, Kagome," she told herself quietly. "It doesnt matter."

The next morning, she awoke to her phone ringing beside her bed. She clumsily reached for it, dropped it, and finally managed to open it and say a groggy, "Hello?"

"Hey!" Sango trilled on the other end, and Kagome wondered how she could be so cheerful this early on a weekend morning. "I got your number from Rin. You gave it to her in case there was anything for the student council remember?"

"Uh-huh," Kagome replied after a moment, trying to process Sango's words.

"Well, I know its last minute, but would you wanna hang out today? I was thinking we could go to lunch, or the mall, or the park."

Kagome sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. She wasn't doing anything that day so her first thought was yes. But then the word "park" jogged something in her memory, and she remembered InuYasha's date with Shiori in the park today.

"I'd like to hangout," she told her friend, than added, "but not at the park. Let's go somewhere else. It's supposed to snow later too."

She looked out her window and noticed gray skies but no rain or snow yet. She wondered if InuYasha's date was going to go smoothly or not with such unpredictable weather, than mentally scolded herself for even caring.

"Sure, we can go somewhere else. How about we meet in front of the school at three? And decide from there?"

"Sounds good to me!"

"Alright, bye!"

Kagome snapped her phone shut and rolled out of bed. She wouldn't be able to fall back asleep now so she went downstairs to get breakfast ready. To her surprise, InuYasha was already awake and eating a bowl of cereal.

He must be up early to get ready for his date, she thought to herself, grabbing a bowl and spoon as well. There was no point in making breakfast if he was already eating and his father already gone. She poured milk and cereal into the bowl and sat down across from InuYasha.

"Are you excited?" she asked casually, spooning cereal into her mouth.

InuYasha gave her a confused look. "Bout what?"

"Um...your date?"

"Oh. That. Yeah, I guess. I kinda forgot about it."

Kagome paused with her spoon halfway towards her mouth. "But then why are you up so early? For you anyways?"

The silver-haired boy shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."

It was quiet for awhile longer before InuYasha went to go change to meet Shiori. Kagome rinsed out the two bowls, put them away, and was just about to go change herself when the doorbell rang. She looked towards the stairs but saw no sign of InuYasha coming to answer it, so she shrugged and went to go see who it was.

She unlocked the door and opened it.

It was Miroku.

"InuYasha, I came by to-"

He stopped and stared at Kagome. Obviously he was used to InuYasha being the only one home he hadn't even thought about it. Actually, as far as he was concerned InuYasha practically lived here alone. Kagome could feel his eyes surveying her body, and she knew by his raised eyebrow that he found her wearing InuYasha's shirt and some short shorts a very interesting sight.

Neither of them said anything. Kagome's hair was a mess, she had just rolled out of bed, and she was wearing InuYasha's clothes. She shut the door in Miroku's face without a word, then sank to the ground with a moan. InuYasha walked by and then gave her a funny look.

"What are you doing?" he asked, pulling a sweatshirt over his head.

"Miroku's here for you."

InuYasha stopped dead and gave her a wild look. "And you answered the door?"

"Well what else was I supposed to do? You were upstairs!" Kagome cried, throwing her hands up.

"So where is he now?"

"I don't know! Still out there!"

InuYasha walked over to her, picked her up, and then swung the door open. Sure enough, there stood Miroku, looking very amused and curious.

"Heeeello," he said slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "Fun night?"

XxXxX

"I see."

Miroku took another sip of his tea and Kagome asked if he wanted any more. He told her he was fine and set his cup down. Leaning back, he sighed and folded his hands behind his head. InuYasha fidgeted on the couch and kept checking the clock. 11:30.

"You have my sincerest apologies Miss Kagome," Miroku said, looking at her. "I had no idea about your parents, or your situation. InuYasha never said a word." He shot his friend a look.

"What? I don't want people getting the wrong idea okay!" InuYasha huffed, crossing his arms. "You know how they are. Spreading rumors and gossiping. Leave me outta it."

"We just want to keep it a secret for now," Kagome told Miroku quietly, picking at her skirt. She had gone upstairs and changed and felt much better now that they had told Miroku about their situation. He seemed to understand.

"Well, don't worry," Miroku said, flashing her a grin. "Your secret's safe with me!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure it is," InuYasha muttered, getting to his feet. "I gotta go." He looked from Miroku to Kagome and back again. "You, uh...gonna be okay with him?" he asked, a little embarrassed.

"I-"

"Of course she will!" Miroku said happily, scooting closer to Kagome and wrapping one arm around her shoulders. "We'll have lots of fun today, won't we?"

"Um..."

"No way," InuYasha growled, pushing Miroku away from her. "I know how you are. I'm not leavin' you alone with her!"

When they both stared at him, he quickly added, "He's just a lech. He can't be trusted with anyone, especially girls."

"I beg to differ," Miroku said promptly, crossing his arms.

"It's okay," Kagome smiled reassuringly, looking at InuYasha. "I'm going to meet Sango soon. We won't be alone InuYasha."

InuYasha looked slightly relieved but turned his back too quickly for Kagome to tell. "Oh. Well, good. See ya then." And he went out the door.

Kagome chewed on her lip and looked at the carpet.

"You don't want him to go out with Shiori, do you?"

Kagome snapped her head up and looked at Miroku with defensive eyes. "W-What do you mean? Of course I do! She seems really sweet."

Miroku slowly took another sip of tea. "Ah, she may be sweet-and beautiful-but is she the girl for InuYasha? No, I don't think so."

"But then why did you encourage him to go out with her?"

Miroku suddenly sighed and rested his chin in his palm. "Because InuYasha needs a sweet girl. He needs someone who will...soften him up a bit. Someone who will heal his heart."

Kagome was surprised to hear Miroku talking like this, especially about InuYasha. "But why? I mean, I know his mother died a long time ago but..."

Miroku shook his head. "Not because of his mother. Well, that may be part of it, but that's not the whole reason."

Kagome was really puzzled now. "Then what is?"

Just then, Miroku's cell phone went off and he answered it. He talked for a few minutes before snapping the device shut. "I have to go. But if you need me to come back, for any reason, just call." He winked at her, kissed her hand, and left. Just like that. Kagome found herself more confused then before.

She knew he needed softening up, but why did InuYasha need someone to heal his heart?

She had to find out.