Hello my lovely readers! Thanksgiving is this week, and I can't wait :) I'm spending it with my fiance's family at our church and then driving over to hang out with my family for awhile! And my fiance and I are gonna TRY to go shopping on black friday but who knows how that will work out...me waking up at 4 am? Ha.

Well here is chapter 15...I can't believe the story is this far along! So glad I kept up with it thanks to all of you who review :)

Chapter 15: Aftermath

Kagome absentmindedly rubbed her hands along her shivering arms, which were covered in goosebumps. A cool breeze swept past her and caused another round of chills to go up her spine. The sky was covered in beautiful stars, but she couldn't enjoy their light. Not when she was constantly having to wipe stray tears from her eyes.

It wasn't fair. Why had InuYasha embarrassed her like that in front of everyone? And who was that girl he had been kissing? She couldn't decide whether she was more angry or more hurt. Even if they weren't exactly a couple, they had come together...common courtesy is that you don't make out with someone else while your date is gone for five minutes.

Kagome leaned back against the brick wall of the school and sighed. InuYasha was her ride home, and now she was stuck out here until further notice. She tried to ignore the image of him and the other girl kissing but it was so hard. Their lips locked, bodies pressed together, her shimmering lavender dress...

Wait. Kagome furrowed her brow. Lavender dress? She looked down at her own dress, the one she had bought the week before. They were definitely similiar...and if memory served, the girl had also been wearing a black mask. But why had the girl's outfit so closely resembled her own? It didn't make sense.

Before she could dwell on the thought of it any longer, the gym doors pushed open and music coarsed out into the open night. Everything was the same inside, but out here Kagome felt like a mess. She wondered if InuYasha even noticed her absense.

Looking up, her eyes met a pair of sky blue ones, and Koga knelt down beside her. He placed a hand gently on her arm.

"Hey. Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.

The door pushed open again and Ayame stepped out, her teeth chattering in the cold night air. She looked annoyed.

"I'm fine," Kagome said, trying to smile but knowing it came across as more of a grimace. "It was really...hot in there. I needed some fresh air."

Koga sighed. "We both know that's not true." When Kagome didn't respond, he added, "I saw what happened. That bastard is gonna pay come Monday morning."

"No," Kagome said, her voice suddenly pleading as she looked Koga in the eye. "Please don't do anything Koga. I said I'm fine. I just want to go home."

Koga looked unconvinced but he finally nodded slowly and got to his feet. "I'll take you home then. Just let me bring the car around." He fished around in the pocket of his tux for his keys.

"Wait," Kagome said. "I don't want to ruin your night. I'm sure Ayame isn't ready to leave yet." Kagome looked uneasily at the girl behind Koga, who wouldn't meet her gaze.

"You're okay with it, aren't you, Ayame?" Koga asked, turning to her.

"Sure," Ayame mumbled.

"It's fine then. I'll be right back." Koga headed into the parking lot to get his car, leaving the two girls alone in silence.

Kagome peeked at Ayame out of the corner of her eye. She felt terrible about spoiling her date with Koga, especially after their conversation last week. So she sucked in a deep breath and mustered up the courage to say, "I'm sorry."

Ayame gave her a surprised look. "Why?"

"I didn't think Koga would insist on taking me home. I know I've ruined your night with him." She bit her lip and twirled a strand of hair. "So I'm sorry."

Ayame crossed her arms and shrugged, looking up at the stars. "It's not your fault. He's a gentleman. He would have offered to take anyone home after...that." She coughed.

"Still. I just wanted to apologize."

A car came around the corner and pulled up to the curb. Koga stepped out and went around to open the passanger side door. Kagome got to her feet and brushed her dress off, then grabbed her purse and took a few steps toward the car. She paused suddenly and turned around to face Ayame.

"Don't give up on Koga," she said, but not loud enough for Koga to hear. "He'll come around and realize you've always been the girl for him. It just takes some guys longer than others." She smiled. "Give it time."

Ayame stared at her as Kagome continued toward the car and got in, grateful for the heater blowing on her frozen toes and face. Ayame followed suit and climbed in as well, and Koga slid behind the wheel and put the car into drive.

As they were turning onto the main street, Kagome glanced one last time at the school, wondering what InuYasha was doing right now. She forced herself not to think about it and sat back in her seat, closing her eyes and realizing just how exhausted she was.

It wasn't long before Koga turned into a neighborhood, which Kagome assumed to be Ayame's. He stopped in front of a big white house with a cute picket fence, and Ayame put her hand on the door handle. She pulled at her dress as if debating what she should say, and then finally settled with a mumbled, "Thanks for the ride." before opening her door.

Kagome couldn't resist. "Koga!" she said sternly, turning the boy beside her, and causing Ayame to stop. "You need to walk her to the door. She's your date! Be a gentleman."

Koga and Ayame both stared at her in surprise, and neither said a word at first. Finally, Koga nodded and got out of the car. "I'll be right back," he told Kagome before shutting his door and heading up the stairs to the house.

Ayame was still paused in her seat. She swallowed and looked at the floor. "Thank you," she whispered.

"It was the least I could do."

Ayame stepped out of the car and turned to shut her door. But before she did, she looked at Kagome. "I don't know if this helps at all, but the girl InuYasha was kissing looked just like you. I think he thought it was you, actually." She was quiet a moment, as if wondering whether to continue. "And then she pulled away and took her mask off. It was his old girlfriend, Kikyo. I don't know if you've heard of her. But he looked really surprised and upset."

Kagome was gaping at Ayame in shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Kikyo? InuYasha had been kissing Kikyo?

"I'm sorry about what happened though," Ayame was still saying. "I hope everything works out. Good night."

She closed her door and walked up the steps as well. Kagome stared at the dashboard in disbelief. It couldn't be true. It just couldn't. Her situation had gone from bad to worse. And she lived with him! She couldn't avoid him forever...facing him was inevitable.

Kagome suddenly slapped a hand over her mouth. Ugh. Koga was taking her home. She hadn't told him where 'home' was yet, and forgot to mention the simple fact that she lived with her date. Did Koga know where InuYasha lived? Even if he didn't, there was big sign at the bottom of the temple that said Takahashi Temple. It was kinda hard to miss.

The driver side door opened just then and Koga slipped in once more, smiling at her. He turned the key in the ignition and the car came to life again.

"So," he said, turning his head to look at her. "Where to?"

xXxXx

Kagome waved to Koga as he pulled back out into the road and drove off down the street. Breathing a sigh of relief, she turned around and headed back towards the steps leading to her real home. She had asked him to drop her off at the house next to her own, and prayed he didn't recognize the area. He hadn't.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you to the door?" he had asked.

"I'm sure," Kagome had smiled reassuringly. "I'll be fine. Thanks for the ride."

He had still looked unconvinced but let her get out of the car and head up the sidewalk. Now she dragged her feet up the long flight of steps to the temple and wished she hadn't worn heels. Could the night get any worse?

When she finally reached the front door and let herself in, she dropped her purse and shoes in the closet, not bothering to remove her things from her purse. She slowly walked into the kitchen and dropped into a chair at the table. The light above the stove flickered, casting an eerie glow around the kitchen.

"Why am I so stupid?" she asked herself out loud, sighing deeply and putting her head in her hands. Her head ached and her feet throbbed, and all she wanted to do was go soak in the bathtub alone.

"Miss Higurashi," a deep voice came from behind her, causing Kagome to yelp and nearly jump out of her skin. She whirled around to find herself face to face with InuYasha's father. He was standing at the open refrigerator, a wine bottle in his hand and a taken back look on his face.

"I'm sorry," he said, setting the bottle back in the fridge and closing in. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"N-No, it's not your fault," Kagome stammered, feeling her cheeks heating up. She had been in such a daze she hadn't even noticed him in the kitchen. "I didn't know you were home."

"I got back earlier," Mr. Takahashi informed her, eyeing his glass of wine on the counter. "I flew back a few hours earlier than usual to see my son off to the dance."

"I see."

The older man picked up his wine glass and carefully took a seat across from Kagome. He was quiet for a few moments before taking a sip and then looking at her. "Where is InuYasha? You two still went together I take it?"

"We did," Kagome said softly, swallowing. "But I was ready to come home so I got a ride with a friend. He's still at the dance."

"Oh," Taisho replied. "Is everything...alright between you and him?"

Kagome didn't say anything.

"If there's one thing I know about my son, it's his behavior," the man sighed, leaning back in his chair. "He can be so inconsiderate and stubborn sometimes. I don't know what to do with him." He raised two fingers to his temple and pressed them there, looking stressed.

Kagome studied InuYasha's father for a minute. He was still handsome, and probably had many ladies falling over themselves to date him. But he was still single after ten years, and seemed to only focus on his business. He and InuYasha never seemed to speak, and InuYasha never seemed to speak about him either. Their relationship seemed...broken, like something that had fallen apart but could be put back together.

Sucking in a breath, Kagome bit her thumbnail. "I mean no disrespect sir, but I don't think you know your son as well as you think you do," she said cautiously, chosing her words carefully. "He can be inconsiderate and stubborn, but in the last couple of months I've seen him change. He's kinder...sweeter. I think if you took the chance to really know him, you would be proud of the man he's becoming."

Taisho stared openly at her, making her suddenly feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. Was she out of line? Had she just offended him? Maybe saying that was the wrong decision after all. Mumbling a quick good night, Kagome hastily got up from her seat and hurried from the kitchen, up the stairs, and into her bathroom. She locked the door and sank onto the toliet seat, covering her face.

That was probably one of the most embarrassing moments of her life. And why on earth had she defended InuYasha after what he had just done? She really was stupid.

Sighing, Kagome stripped off her stained dress and drew a bath, letting the hot water run over her cold fingers. She would just relax and forget the events of the night, which proved easier said than done. As she lay in the tub, the image of InuYasha and Kikyo kissing kept creeping into her mind. Nothing she could do would make it go away anytime soon. She splashed water on her face and finally got out of the bath to wrap herself in a fluffy robe.

Practically collapsing onto her bed, Kagome crawled under the covers and buried herself deep into their warm protection. She would forget Kikyo. She would forget tonight. And she would forget InuYasha...although the whole living situation might prove that difficult.

It was moments like these that made her miss her parents even more than she could bare. Her mother's comforting hug...her father's kind advice...why did they have to die? Why? Despite her best efforts, Kagome finally broke down, allowing herself to weep until her pillow was soaked with tears. Her body shook with sobs and her nose ran freely.

And when she heard a soft knock at her door and InuYasha whispering her name, she blocked him out and tried to forget the world.

xXxXx

Morning came eventually, after what seemed a lifetime. Ironically, the sun was shining and she could hear birds chirping through her window. The clock read 9:00, which was too early for a Sunday, so she laid in bed for as long as she could stand. She ignored two calls from Sango and one from Rin, telling herself she would call them back later.

Finally pushing herself up and getting out of her cozy bed, Kagome felt a pain in her neck and realized she had probably slept on it wrong. When she reached her bathroom mirror and glanced into it, she was disheartened to see her face was swollen and her eyes were still red. You look awful, she told herself, squirting toothpaste onto her toothbrush.

When her stomach began to growl loudly, Kagome knew she would have to face the inevitable. Slowly turning the knob on her door and venturing out into the hallway, she walked down the stairs and hoped that maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't be in the kitchen.

No such luck.

"Kagome," InuYasha said immediately, standing from his seat at the table and looking at her. There was a pot of coffee in the corner that looked a couple hours old, and the mug in front of him looked untouched.

"I don't want to talk," she told him, walking over to the pot because she had nothing else to do. She reached for a mug and poured herself a good amount.

"I know. But just hear me out okay?"

"Why?" she snapped, frowning at him. "So you can give me your excuses?"

"No," InuYasha said defensively. "So I can give you the truth."

Kagome didn't reply at first, just took a sip of her coffee before setting it on the counter and realizing she didn't even like coffee. So why had she poured herself some?

"I need to call Sango back," she finally mumbled, starting towards the hallway.

"Wait." InuYasha grasped her arm and gave her a pleading look, his amber eyes reflecting the same flickering light above the stove she had seen last night. Kagome stared at the place where he was touching her, wanting to run away and yet run into his arms.

He released his grip on her and stood back. "Please. Just let me explain."

She hesitated, knowing she shouldn't give him the time of day. But her heart ached and she wanted so desperately to believe in him.

"Five minutes," she said, sinking into a chair across from him.

InuYasha looked relieved and sat back down. "I know you saw me and Kikyo," he began, looking serious. "But I want you to know I didn't plan on kissing her. She just came up to me and kissed me, out of nowhere. I didn't know how to react. I thought it was you at first." He looked embarrassed. "She looked just like you...it was so weird. And then Hojo was calling our names and saying we won and I couldn't even ask Kikyo why she showed up because I was being pushed onto the stage."

"We won?" Kagome asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. Except you were nowhere to be found so the runner-up had to take your place. I got to be crowned prince with Yura, who now thinks were this golden couple because we slow danced to one song."

Kagome couldn't hold back a giggle.

"That's not the point though," InuYasha said. "The point is, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I wish I could go back and change it but I can't. I just want you to forgive me." His eyes met hers and held her gaze. "Please Kagome."

Kagome bit her lip, feeling even more torn than ever. His story seemed valid, and even Ayame had told her something similiar, but had he really not known it was Kikyo? Or was there still something between them? A spark? Was she back for good?

"I just need time to think," Kagome told him, looking down. "Can you let me have that?"

InuYasha looked disappointed but nodded. "Yes."

Standing from the table, Kagome left the kitchen and grabbed her coat by the front door. She would call Sango on her way out. Her voicemail had said Kagome could come by whenever she needed to. And right now, she needed to.

xXxXx

Kagome had spent the day at Sango's, but it was her cousin's birthday and their whole family was going out to dinner. So around 4:00, Kagome said goodbye and Sango promised they would talk more the next day. Walking home, Kagome let her thoughts wander and her skin soak up the final rays of the sun. Luckily there was still another couple hours of light.

When she reached the top of the temple steps, she stopped and looked around. She hadn't looked around the temple since she was a little girl. And she didn't feel like going inside the house yet. So, shoving her hands in her pockets, Kagome wandered off towards the back side of the temple.

She recognized a few storehouses here and there, an old well, and stone steps leading to a garden that had been left unattended since Izayoi's passing. But it was when she came to another familiar place that she stopped in her tracks.

The sacred tree. It had been a special place to her back then, and as she gazed up at it, she realized it was still a special place to her now as well. She slowly approached it, and placed a hand on its ancient bark. So many memories...

It was the place where she first met InuYasha.

"Why don't you go outside and find my son?" Izayoi said kindly, handing a six-year-old Kagome a snickerdoodle. "He's always playing in the old storehouses."

"Okay!" Kagome said cheerfully, running out of the house.

"Be careful!" she heard her mother call out behind her.

Kagome was eager to have a friend to play with while her parents and their new friends, the Takahashi's, had a boring meeting. She searched and searched everywhere on the grounds but didn't see a little boy anywhere. She was beginning to get tired and frustrated.

She came upon the biggest tree she had ever seen and stared up at its branches in awe. It was so beautiful and old. Suddenly, she heard a sniffle. At first she thought it was her imagination, but then she heard it again. It was coming from behind the tree. Peeking behind it, she was startled to see a little boy sitting on the ground, looking upset.

"What happened to you?" she asked curiously, tilting her head.

The boy jumped up in surprise and backed against the tree. "Who are you?" he asked, his long silver hair catching in the breeze.

"My names Kagome," Kagome smiled, extending her hand. Mother had taught her it was polite to shake someones hand.

But the little boy simply stared at her hand. "What are you doing here?"

"My parents are meeting with yours. You're Mrs. Takahashi's son right?"

The boy nodded slowly. "Yeah. I'm InuYasha."

"Nice to meet you InuYasha!" Kagome grinned, showing missing front teeth. "Wanna play hide n seek?"

InuYasha seemed to brighten at this. "Sure. But I have to go get a band aid first." He showed her his knee, which was scraped up pretty bad. "I slipped and fell," he admitted sheepishly.

"Oh, no problem." Kagome knelt down in front of it and pulled two band aids out of the pocket of her dress. She smoothed one over the scrape, and then the other for extra protection. She patted it and gave him a satisfied look. "There you go."

He stared at the band aids. "You carry band aids with you?"

"Mama always makes me when I go outside to play." Kagome shrugged. "Now come on!"

"Excuse me."

Kagome shook herself out of the memory and looked up to see a girl in front of her, looking amused. It was someone she didn't recognize, but felt like she should know. Her head felt clouded from the remembrance of something so long ago, but she tried to focus on the present.

"May I help you?"

"Yes," the girl replied, smiling. It was actually more of a smirk. "Are you Kagome Higurashi?"

Kagome stepped away from the tree slightly and nodded. The girl before her had long black hair and deep violet eyes. She wore a form fitting black dress and flats.

"I thought so." The girl extended her hand, reminding Kagome of the flashback she had just had. "Nice to meet you. I'm Kikyo. I believe you've heard of me?"

Kagome's mouth fell open, which only caused Kikyo to smile wider. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

xXxXx

And so the drama begins...again! Haha review please :) I ALMOST reached 150 last time! So closeee!