It was only half passed five when Sota decided to make his way up to his bedroom. He walked in and softly sat on the corner of his bed. Glancing at his left hand, he began to fiddle with the dull, wooden beads around his wrist. "If only I could remove these.." Turning his hand over he tried to reach for the clasp but was shocked in the process. "This isn't fair. Kagome can release her demon, why can't I?"

Getting up, Sota made his way to his desk. He opened the small drawer to his right and searched inside until he came upon a small scroll. With a sigh, he unrolled the delicate paper that revealed none other than his countdown. +05:120:10:15

"Man, I'm never going to meet her. At least not until I'm... Eighteen." With a sigh, Sota slowly replaced his scroll and once again sat down on his bed. A discussion that he had with his mother a few days before ran through his mind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A few days earlier

"Mom, can I ask you something?" Hesitating, Sota sat at the kitchen table beside his mother.

"Of course, dear. You know you can talk to me about anything." Patting his hand to reassure him.

"Well, I was just wondering why I can't reveal my demon."

With a heavy sigh, his mother replied, "Sweetheart, you're only thirteen. When we made yours and Kagome's charms, your grandfather and I put a seal over the clasps. If either of you tried to remove it before your eighteenth birthdays, you wouldn't be able to."

"But mom, Kagome's eighteen, why hasn't she removed hers? And how come she's so much stronger than me even with her charm on? It's not fair!" Frustration was evident in his voice as he looked down at his charm.

"Sota, you know full well that if Kagome released her demon she would be in great danger. She inherited my Miko powers, though hers seem to be much stronger than mine are, but because of this we couldn't seal all her abilities. We have her demon hidden but she can still tap into her strength. I know it's not fair, but one day you'll too be a powerful demon like your father."

Getting up, she gathered her coffee mug and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Sota with his thoughts.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Present

Sota flopped to his back and stared at the ceiling. "I really hope Kagome's friends can take care of her.."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Unknown location

The sun was only just beginning to set, but the room was already pitch black. Malicious laughter could be heard emanating from the darkness. Naraku reached for his beer as he yet again read over his cursed scroll. "So my sweet Kagome's seal has finally broken?" A wicked smile crept on to his face. Taking a swig, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello dear, remember me?"

"How could I forget you?" A females voice could be heard through his receiver.

"I have a job for you, if you're up for it." Naraku knew damn well she would do anything he asked of her, she always did.

"Of course, love." Her obsession could be heard in her voice. She would do anything for Naraku; she loved him.

"Kagome's seal has broken. Do me a favor and keep a close eye on her for me, won't you?"

"Her?! But Naraku, she stole you from me once! And you want me to get her back for you.." He could hear the sadness in her voice and he became increasingly irritated.

"Now, now, you have nothing to worry about. I'm all yours, I promise." And with that the mystery woman agreed to keep her eye on Kagome leaving Naraku quite pleased.

Placing his phone back down, a smile formed across his lips. "Soon she'll be mine."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

At the movies

"Man, that movie was great!" Inuyasha roared with laughter as he recalled his favorite scenes. "'Now give your dad a goodnight rim job' oh my god!"

"That was probably one of the best movies I've seen in a long time!" Kagome chimed in, wiping the tears from her eyes. Miroku and Sango just nodded in agreement, both lost in their own thoughts.

"I can't believe he held my hand. I still have butterflies in my stomach." Sango blushed slightly at remembering the feeling of her hand in his.

"She let me hold her hand!" Miroku couldn't be happier.

Kagome noticed the gleam in her friends eyes as she glanced at her date. "Hey guys, why don't we go back to one of our houses and hang out a little longer?"

Inuyasha caught on to Kagome's thought and glanced at Miroku who seemed to be begging him with his eyes. "That's a great idea! Why don't we go back to my house? My parents are out of town visiting my brother and his wife anyways." After they all agreed, everyone hopped into Inuyasha's car and drove over to his place.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Wow Inu, your house is huge!" Kagome gasped from the passenger seat as they drove up the long driveway. Never in her life has she seen a more beautiful home.

"Yeah, my dad's some big time movie producer in America." Side glancing at Kagome he couldn't help but smile. "She's so beautiful.." Snapping from his thoughts, he parked the car and everyone piled out. As soon as Inuyasha exited the drivers seat, another man hopped in and drove away from the house.

"Dude, did someone just steal your car?!" Miroku couldn't believe someone would just take a car with them all standing right there.

"No," Inuyasha couldn't help but chuckle, "that's Neko, he parks our cars." Turning around, he led them up the stairs, past the large white columns, and to the front door. Upon opening it, Kagome nearly fainted.

"This place is gorgeous!" Slowly taking a step inside, she took note of the tall white columns similar to the ones outside and dark hardwood floor. Elegant furniture filled each room and the smell of fresh baked cookies made her mouth drool. Just then a small man with a tray of freshly baked cookies rounded the corner.

"Hello master Inuyasha, do you or your companions care for a cookie?"

Inuyasha's eyes grew wide as he snatched the tray from his butlers hands and began to devour the cookies. "Master Inuyasha! Please share those with your companions!"

"Shut it, Myoga. These are mine." Inuyasha made his way to the living room forcing the group to follow him with pure disappointment etched into their faces.

"I didn't want any anyways, jerk." Kagome thought, burning holes in the back of the young hanyous' head.

"Kagome, quit your glarin' and sit down." Inuyasha made his way to his DVD collect and searched the various shelves.

"How did he know?!" She fidgeted with the hem of her dress for a moment before siting down.

Miroku and Sango glanced at each other before awkwardly sitting on the only open piece of furniture, the love seat. Blushing, Sango fixed the collar of her shirt as she was trying to calm herself down. "We're so close."

"Ah! Here we go!" Inuyasha exclaimed, causing his friends to be snapped from their thoughts. Grabbing the DVD off the shelf, Inuyasha walked over to the large home theatre set and placed the disk in the player.

"What're we going to watch?" Sango questioned as she began to relax next to Miroku.

With a smirk, Inuyasha sat down on the opposite side of the couch from Kagome, "you'll see."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kagome's screams could be heard ricocheting through the house. The man before them was being torn in half by cannibals. Without thinking she leapt into Inuyasha's lap and buried her face into his chest.

Surprise was evident on Inuyasha's face as he held the shaking girl. "Gome, it's okay. It's just a movie."

All while Inuyasha was hopelessly trying to comfort his soulmate, Miroku and Sango held each other tightly. Sango was a fierce fighter, nothing scared her not even this silly movie, but she wanted to be close to him. She knew if she showed fear, he'd instantly try to comfort her. "I hope he doesn't catch on. This is nice."

Miroku wasn't a fool. He's grown up with Sango and knew this just wasn't like her. He was a bigger scaredy-cat than she was. "She must really like me if she's pretending to be scared like this. Wow."

Finally the movie was over and the end credits were rolling. Kagome and Sango were still latched on to the guys. Miroku and Inuyasha glanced at each other trying to figure out what to do, neither of them wanted this to end. Finally, Miroku spoke up. "Sango, dear, I think it's time we get home." Softly patting her on the back, she glanced up to look into his eyes. "Her eyes.. They're so caring."

"Kagome, I need to get you home before your mom freaks out." Realizing where she was, Kagome slowly got up from his lap, blushing for dear life.

"Y-yeah, sounds good."