Soo...I'm very sad guys :( I hardly got any reviews! It was like the least I've gotten since chapter 7. Was everyone just busy with Thanksgiving? Or are you guys becoming less interested in my story? Ahhh :( I hope I can get to at least 180 this time...

Chapter 16: Doorstep Surprise

Kagome stared at the hand that was being offered to her, refusing to believe that it was really Kikyo who stood before her. This was the same girl who had dated InuYasha for two years. The girl who had kissed him less than 24 hours ago and ruined her night. The girl who had cheated on him and caused him heartache.

Kagome cleared her throat. "No offense, but you understand if I don't feel like shaking your hand..."

Kikyo blinked. She withdrew her hand and placed it behind her back, still smiling. "Of course. How silly of me."

The two girls stood in awkward silence for a few moments, neither knowing what to say. Finally, Kagome tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lip.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, kicking at some dirt on the ground.

"I came to talk to you about the dance," Kikyo stated, her smile seeming to become a smirk. Kagome wondered if it was just a trick of the fading sunshine, and she watched as the leaves of the sacred tree cast shadows along the ground before her, swaying slightly as a light breeze caught them.

"Oh?"

"Yes." Kikyo paused. "I apologize for-"

"Wait," Kagome held up a hand and shook her head. "I don't want to hear your apology, alright?" She crossed her arms, half out of annoyance and half out of cold. "I don't know if I'm ready to forgive you for kissing InuYasha. It was so-"

"Oh, I'm not here to apologize for that," Kikyo said simply, crossing her arms as well. "I was just going to say I'm sorry you ran off so soon before I could speak to you last night. It was a pity, too, you missed a few great songs." She pretended to pout.

"Wha...what?" Kagome stammered, confused. Was she serious?

"But now that I can talk to you, I want you to listen closely." Kikyo took a step towards Kagome, her dark eyes flashing. "I love InuYasha, and he still loves me. I could tell by the way he kissed me last night. And I don't know what it is you think is going on between you two, but it's nothing. I regret leaving him, and I'll make sure he knows that. But I want you to stay out of my way."

Kagome's mouth fell open and she was speechless. Kikyo's smirk had changed to a glare, and she looked dead serious. "I know about your little living situation. I want you to find somewhere else to live, got it?"

"H-How do you know that?" Kagome choked out, wishing her voice wasn't so shaky.

Kikyo snorted. "I have my ways. I only used to come here everyday for a couple years."

The sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, and it would be dark soon. The air was growing more and more chilly by the minute, and Kagome wished she had worn a warmer jacket. Goosehumps crept up her arms and shoulders. Her hands shook.

"Look, my living situation is none of your business, okay?" Kagome retorted, feeling angry. "You're the one that left for so long. InuYasha's life didn't just stop because you were gone."

Kikyo inhaled sharply, looking fierce. "Maybe that's because you swooped in trying to take everything that was once mine. InuYasha. Vice president. You were even voted princess and he was prince. Who nominated you? Did you slip your name into the ballot to make it seem as though you were popular?"

"Of course not!" Kagome resisted the urge to stomp her foot. Kikyo was being ridiculous! "I would never do that. And I was talked into being VP, okay? I didn't know it was your old position until someone told me."

"Well, now that I'm back, everything will go back to how it was," Kikyo informed her proudly. "I will be vice president, or maybe even president. InuYasha will come running back to me. I will be the most popular girl at Tokyo High and you..." Kikyo shrugged. "...will be forgotten."

She took a few more steps towards Kagome, causing the girl to back up into the tree. "I won't have you ruining this for me," Kikyo sneered, jabbing a finger towards her. "You'll pay if you do."

"KIKYO!"

Both girls looked over to see InuYasha hurrying in their direction, looking angry. He inserted himself between them and faced Kikyo, his nostrils flaring.

"What do you think your doing?" he demanded. "Why are you here? To threaten Kagome? What's wrong with you!"

Kagome swallowed and looked at the base of the tree. How had InuYasha seen them over here? And why was he still continuing to come to her rescue?

Kikyo backed up slightly and pouted. "Don't be so mean InuYasha. We were just talking."

"Feh," InuYasha snorted. "You don't 'just talk.' I want you to leave."

"But-"

"Just go!"

"I'll go," Kagome said quietly, stepping around them both and started to walk back towards the main house. "You two can talk...alone."

InuYasha looked shocked. "Kagome..."

Kikyo snickered. "Yes, run along little Kags."

Kagome sighed and shook her head slightly, trying to ignore Kikyo. "I'll put dinner on. See you later InuYasha." She gave a weary smile and turned to go when she felt a hand grasp her own. Looking down in surprise, she saw that it was InuYasha's hand. His expression was pleading.

"Don't go Kagome," he said, looking torn.

She gulped and refused to let them see her cry, so she held back her tears and gently pulled her hand out of his. "Don't stay out here long or you'll catch cold."

And on that note, she turned and left them alone.

xXxXx

InuYasha watched Kagome walk away, wishing he knew what to say to bring her back. But he knew words were futile, so instead he sucked in a deep breath and turned back to the girl he had once loved. She was smiling sweetly at him.

"At least now we can talk in private," she said seductively, inching closer to him.

InuYasha sighed, looking tired. "Whaddya want Kikyo? We haven't spoken in months."

"I know. And I feel terrible." Kikyo gave him a sad look. "But I'm back now. Things can go back to how they were. We can-"

"No." InuYasha frowned and crossed his arms. "We were done a long time ago. I've moved on. I don't want to see you anymore."

"You don't mean that." Kikyo touched his arm gently and he recoiled, looking disgusted.

"Uh, yeah I do. So get off my property before I throw you off!"

The sun had completely set and the lights around the temple were flickering on. Shadows extended across the grass and cement, and one was hiding part of Kikyo's face. But InuYasha could still see her aggitated expression as she raised her eyes to meet his.

"We will be together, you'll see," she whispered menacingly, stalking past him to leave. "You'll come back to me. It's only a matter of time." She looked over her shoulder to blow him a kiss and smirk. "Bye for now, Inu."

InuYasha rolled his eyes and waited for her to disappear from his sight before heading back towards the main house. He never realized how insane she was...sure, she was a little off, but now she was saying he would come back to her? He scoffed at the idea. It was ridiculous.

The house was warm when he stepped inside, and he noticed Kagome had started a fire in the living room. The television was on but no one was watching it. His father was probably in his office down the hall, working on papers or making phone calls. He was leaving for Australia in the morning.

Walking quietly into the kitchen, InuYasha observed Kagome standing at the stove, stirring a steaming pot that smelled delicious. She wore her favorite apron, a light yellow one with little bunnies all over it, as well as fluffy slippers. Her hair was tied back and her cheeks were rosy from standing over the hot stove. It was then that InuYasha realized she had never looked more beautiful then she did at that very moment.

"Hey," he said, keeping his voice lowered so he wouldn't startle her.

She looked over at him and then quickly looked down at the cookbook on the counter next to her. "Hi," was her simple reply.

"Thanks for making the fire," InuYasha said casually, walking over to the fridge to grab a redbull.

"Mhmm."

He opened the drink and took a long sip, trying to think of something to say to break the awkward silence. But what could he say? She was still upset, and he had no clue what was going through her mind. Finally, he set down his redbull and crossed the kitchen to where she stood. Placing one hand on each of her shoulders, he slowly turned her so she was facing him. Looking surprised, she didn't even have time to set down the wooden spoon she was using to stir the soup in the pot.

"Kagome," InuYasha said carefully. "I never meant to hurt you. I didn't know Kikyo was going to kiss me. I'm sorry for ruining your evening..." he trailed off.

The brown eyed girl before him swallowed nervously and tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear. "I know."

"You do?"

She gave him a guilty look and wiggled from his grasp. She went over to the window and stared up at the starry sky, sighing. "Yes. I know you thought it was me." She blushed slightly. "I just haven't been able to get the image of you two kissing out of my head. I guess it's made me avoid you all day. You did date her for awhile...I was just feeling sad. And annoyed. And...jealous." She looked shyly in his direction. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about," InuYasha told her firmly, crossing the kitchen once more to where she stood. "I had no idea you felt that way."

Kagome nodded.

"I kinda understand though," he admitted, looking at the tiled floor. "I felt the same way when you told me you were going out with Koga."

"You did?" Kagome stared at him, surprised.

He nodded.

Kagome smiled a little. "So...where do we go from here then?"

InuYasha looked down at the lovely woman before him, the woman who had melted the ice over his heart, the one who had changed his life so much in the past couple of months. She was all he cared about, all he needed. So he reached up and cupped her chin gently, looking into her soft brown eyes.

"How about we start with this?"

And he leaned down and kissed her.

xXxXx

"And she's been like this all morning?"

"Yep. All morning."

"Maybe we should kick her?"

"Already tried it."

"Pour some water down her shirt?"

"I think she would mangle you."

"Hmmm," Miroku stood with his hand on his chin, deep in thought. "Tug her hair?" he said, out of ideas.

Sango laughed. "Nah, she has to come out of her trance soon."

Kagome was sitting in class the next day staring out the window. All she could think about was the kiss between her and InuYasha the night before. It had been so unexpected, yet she had been wanting it for some time now. Her lips still tingled and she touched her fingers to them, smiling at the memory.

His lips had been so soft, so sweet, yet firm enough to leave her wanting more. When he pulled back, it seemed too soon, but then he had pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. They only parted when the water on the stove bubbled over.

And here she was, sitting in homeroom, not even sure how he felt about it. His father had walked in and eaten dinner with them, and after that she had gone upstairs to her room. Mr. Takahashi had insisted on driving her to school before he left for work, because he felt guilty about not being able to do it more often, and so she hadn't really spoken to InuYasha since the kiss.

Now her friends were ogling her as if something major had happened that she wasn't telling them about. Of course...it had.

"What is it already?" Kagome asked, getting frustrated with their intensive stares.

"It worked!" Sango gasped, playfully slapping Miroku's arm.

"The stare-down usually does," he told her proudly.

"What are you two talking about?" Kagome asked suspiciously, looking from one to the other.

"Why are you spacing out so much this morning?" Sango asked curiously, eyeing her friend. Then she got a worried look. "Are you still upset about the dance?"

Before Kagome could answer, InuYasha walked into the classroom. A hush fell over the room but he seemed to ignore it as he sauntered over to his desk and flopped down. He glanced up at Miroku.

"Hey man, you never texted me back yesterday," he said, leaning back in his chair.

"Oh, uh, sorry," Miroku coughed, glancing at Sango. "I was...busy."

InuYasha took one look at Sango's angry face and shrugged. "Whatever."

Actually, Sango had made Miroku swear he wouldn't hang out with InuYasha for awhile because of what he had just done to Kagome. And Miroku didn't want to get on Sango's bad side...yet. He smiled slightly at the thought of what Sango's bad side looked like.

"Enjoy yourself at the dance?" Sango asked in a snippity voice, turning away before he could answer.

Kagome leaned towards her friends ear, trying to look nonchalant. "Sango, I need to talk to you about something at lunch."

Sango looked at her friend and nodded sympathetically. "I understand. I'm here for you Kagome."

Sighing, Kagome shook her head. "It's nothing bad. It's actually...something good." She smiled a little as her lips tingled.

"Really?" Sango's eyes widened. "What is it?"

"Gotta wait til lunch."

And although Sango begged all morning to know what it was, Kagome kept her word and didn't say anything until the lunch bell rang. They decided to sit outside in the courtyard since the weather was warming up. Spring had finally arrived and the afternoons actually saw some sunlight. Rin met up with them in the lunch line as they were heading out of the cafeteria.

As the three girls walked down the hallway towards the courtyard, Kagome noticed Ayame watching her from where she stood by the lockers. She smiled and waved. "Hey Ayame."

Ayame blinked but waved shyly back. "Hey. Kagome...I was wondering if I could eat with you guys today." She looked a little nervous.

Sango and Rin exchanged a look but Kagome smiled wider and nodded. "Of course. It's okay, right guys?" She looked at her friends, who both agreed. Ayame beamed and followed them out to the benches by their favorite tree.

As they all settled in to eat, Kagome explained the events that had taken place the previous day. Rin and Sango both gaped at her, bits of food falling from their mouths. Ayame simply smiled as if it wasn't news to her.

"But...you...him...together?" Rin stammered, unsure of what to say.

"I'm not exactly sure," Kagome shrugged, taking a bite of her salad. "But usually when someone kisses someone else it means they like them, right?"

"What about Kikyo?" Sango asked. "What are you two going to do about her?"

Kagome looked away. "I don't know yet. But InuYasha definitely doesn't like her anymore."

"That was fast..." Sango mumbled. "Considering how only a few months ago he still loved her according to Shiori."

"Well, people can change," Kagome said. "I just hope she doesn't give us any trouble."

As if on cue, there was a loud burst of laughter as a group of girls walked by. Kagome noticed Yura and was about to look away, uninterested, when she noticed another familiar face as well. She snapped her head back up and let her mouth fall open.

Kikyo was at the center of the giggling group of girls, looking delighted about something and smirking at Kagome when their eyes met. Their laughter faded as they headed into the school, but it still rang in Kagome's ears. She inhaled deeply.

"Kikyo transferred back?" she asked, looking around her.

"Apparently," Rin muttered darkly.

Kagome moaned and buried her face in her hands. That was the last thing she needed...Kikyo knew about her living situation, and there was nothing stopping her from telling the whole school. Kagome just prayed she could think of something first.

xXxXx

The sunshine felt wonderful against Kagome's skin as she walked home from school. She was going to focus on something other than her problems for awhile; maybe bake something or read a good book. Anything to take her mind off of her newest worry.

InuYasha would be home late because he was running an errand - what it was, she had no idea. But she smiled at the thought of seeing him soon, alone, where they could talk. The temple steps were in view and she picked up her pace, wanting to get inside and relax for a bit.

She took them two at a time, and came out slightly breathless when she reached the top. She paused until her heart rate slowed again, then walked towards the house. Oh, it would be so nice to fall back on her bed for a few minutes and just forget stupid Kikyo and her friends and-

Why was there a basket on the doorstep?

Kagome stopped and looked down at the brown wicker basket that was resting in front of the door. Confused, she knelt down to examine it. It looked ordinary enough, but she couldn't tell what was inside by the pile of blankets. Slowly, she reached over and uncovered whatever it was that lay beneath them...

She yelped and jumped back, panic-stricken. It took her a moment to gather her senses, she was so taken aback. A chill ran up her spine, and goosebumps layered her arms, despite the sun shining down on them. What was it doing here? Who had brought it? Why had they left it at this house? Why?

She crept back up to the basket and peered down at it.

Nestled gently inside, breathing calmly and evenly in it's sleep, was a little baby, with striking silver hair. As it blinked open it's eyes, Kagome's throat tightened. Amber eyes. Silver hair.

Who was this baby?

xXxXx

Bet you didn't see that one coming! Let's try to get to 180 reviews ya?

Til next time! xoxox