Author's Note: I must apologize for a month long wait on this update. However, I have been out of town constantly with a break of a day or two in between each "vacation." (Though one trip was with the FFA for state convention, and another was for my college orientation.) Anyways, I wish for my fingers to fly over keys as I type chapter four. I want this to be posted as soon as possible, and for the story to continue onwards.

Disclaimer: I personally do not own any Inuyasha rights, but I do possess a will to steal the characters and write a fan fiction with them :

Enjoy

Chapter Four:

The door finally swung open to reveal a woman older than both Kagome and Sango. A simple green dress slightly hovered above the floor revealing her bare feet. The normally loose dark red hair was pulled back into a tight French braid giving the appearance of her pointy ears sticking out. Her green eyes immediately sparkled and she smiled widely, revealing all of her fangs, upon the sight of her two friends.

"Sango! Kagome! What a pleasure to see you two. Come in, Come in!" Ayame said, stepping to the side to allow them entrance.

"The pleasure is ours, Ayame. We have not seen each other for a while, and I figured you'd want to know all about the ball last night." Sango told Ayame as she entered the house. She closed the parasol and placed it in the rack next to the door. Upon Ayame's questioning glance at the parasol, Sango briefly explained, "I don't want to get sunburned, and the sun looked rather scorching today. Just look at Kagome's face."

Kagome crossed her arms, turning away and pouting slightly, "Well, I wasn't going to carry some stupid, useless umbrella just for that reason."

"A parasol is a tool, Kagome. It can be neither stupid, nor useless unless the owner makes it so." Sango replied.

Laughing at her two friends, Ayame changed the subject by asking, "Shall we have tea in the garden under the verandah?"

Kagome nodded vigorously, "Of course! Today is way too beautiful to spend indoors!"

Ayame and Sango glanced at each other and nodded, the same thought running through their heads. Kagome, Kagome, always the same.

"I assume both of you know the way, so I'll go prepare the tea." Ayame told them, waving a hand in the direction of the back door, "Luckily I had just put on some water to boil before both of you appeared unannounced, so it shouldn't be too long."

"Sorry for the trouble, Ayame. Thanks for still receiving these unannounced guests." Sango said, eyes twinkling. Kagome nodded her thanks as well, but she already halfway down the hall. "Would you like any help making the tea or carrying anything?"

Ayame shook her head, "Of course not, that's what a tea tray is for. Now, go catch up to Kagome and make yourselves comfortable. No telling what that girl will get into without any supervision."

Sango's smile immediately fell, "Now that you mention it, I better catch up with her. She's already outside. Come quickly, we really must catch up. Its been a few weeks since our last visit." Sango walked down the hall while Ayame giggled, shaking her head in amusement.

Walking into the kitchen, Ayame searched for the matching flower tea set. Finally withdrawing the rarely used tea set, typically the plain white china set was used, but Ayame wanted to do something different for her two friends. Setting up the tea pot, cups and saucers, cream, and sugar bowl on the silver tray. She then placed tea leaves within the strainer and poured hot water into the pot, patiently waiting for it to start seeping before placing the lid on the pot.

Kagome looked around Ayame's garden, and smiled widely. The flowers of the season were in full bloom, and even the other plants were a healthy shade of green. Walking across the verandah, she walked down the steps and onto the gravel path that winded through the garden. Reaching down, she undid her shoes and placed them on the porch. Outside always felt better with bare feet.

Kagome took one step when the door behind her swung close and footsteps were heard. "Kagome, Ayame asked to wait on the verandah for tea with her. We can go through the garden after catching up, but for the moment lets sit down at the table." Sango told her, pulling out one of the white whicker chairs.

Sighing, Kagome turned around and walked towards the table, casually leaving her shoes on the steps. "You're right as always Sango. I wonder if Ayame needs any help with tea." Plopping down onto one of the chairs, Kagome scooted forward and sat with elbows placed firmly on the table, her hands clasped beneath her chin in thought.

"Don't worry about it Kagome, I asked and Ayame denied my help. She should be out shortly though." Sango glanced at the door, and right on cue the door swung open and Ayame stepped out with the tea tray.

"Here we are ladies." Ayame said, placing a cup on a saucer in front of Kagome, Sango, and another in front of her designated chair. "Feel free to serve yourselves."

There were a few moments of silence as the three girls fixed their tea, interrupted only with the sound of tea spoons clinking against the ceramic. Kagome put two spoonfuls of sugar, and then after hesitating, added a third. She also poured a small amount of cream into her tea and then mixed the concoction together.

"Kagome, you really should cut back on all that sugar. It can't be healthy for you." Ayame said, setting her tea spoon gently on the saucer.

Sango picked up her own tea cup and blew a few seconds on the steaming liquid before taking a quick sip, "Delightful, and piping hot as always Ayame."

"No other way to have tea besides hot." Ayame laughed.

Kagome shook her head, "Are we hear to discuss tea temperatures and my sugar habits, or the ball last night?"

"The ball, of course. Small talk is never unwelcome." Sango told Kagome.

"So, how was it?" Ayame asked.

"Terrible." "Extra-Ordinary."

Kagome and Sango glanced at one another before all three started to laugh, "You think anything formal is a waste of time, Kagome. I bet you'd find enjoyment if you were more optimistic about them."

Sango nodded, delicately holding her teacup between both hands, "There were many people, and even Lord Sesshomaru attended."

"Oh, only for the meal though, I suppose." Ayame commented.

"Actually, he stayed the entire night." Kagome told Ayame, crossing her arms and leaning back in the chair, "Most pompous idiot of them all. He insulted me to my face pretty much! There's no way he didn't know I was sitting there, he glanced right at me."

"I doubt it was anything personal, Lord Sesshomaru has never been overly fond of humans." Ayame told them. "Though he has become less prejudiced in recent times."

Sango nodded, "It's only natural for a powerful demon such as Lord Sesshomaru to think he is better than everyone, and to think differently. Anyways, enough about him. I danced all night, and even danced with Miroku twice."

Kagome nearly spit out her tea, "The Pervert!? How could you dance with him twice!?"

"Easy. After you get over his lecherous ways, Miroku can be quite the charmer. He's wise, and he really… listens when you talk to him." Sango smiled before frowning, "Of course, his hands try to go below the waist, and every time that happened, well, you know me."

"His face must have been beet red." Ayame said while laughing, "Sounds like you're quite taken with him Sango."

Biting her lip, Sango nodded slowly, "I don't really know if he likes me back though. He was always looking at other girls when he wasn't dancing with me."

Solemnly nodding, Ayame said, "Of course. So, Kagome, why was the ball so Terrible?"

"I guess the ball wasn't as terrible as normal, I even danced with a man named Kouga. He was the definition of idiot though, so definitely not a man I could remotely love. He didn't come close to intellectually stimulating."

"At least you danced, now that's a first. Did you meet or talk with anyone else?"

Shaking her head, Kagome was quick to reply, "I wish to meet my true love, no need for anyone else. I don't care about fancy parties, galas, or even balls. And of course I'm not looking for Mr. Perfect."

"Remember you must meet Mr. Perfect, and to do that you must mingle with other people." Sighing, Ayame continued, "And that's also what I used to want as well and now look at me. Thirty human years old and unmarried, I'm likely to become an old maid at this rate."

Immediately one to protest, Kagome said, "You mustn't give up Ayame! Someone will surely come along and sweep you off your feet!"

Sango and Ayame shared a small smile with each other before Ayame told Kagome, "I wish to have security now. A man with a secure position in society and a small amount of wealth is all I need to be happy."

"You can't truly be happy though, not unless you marry the man you love!" Kagome said, "Ayame, before you always agreed with me. You said a woman should marry for love! Not for wealth or status, just love."

"I wish for you to fall in love and marry your Mr. Perfect, Kagome."

"You're a demon though, Ayame. You have practically forever to find the Mister Perfect, why are you giving up now?" Kagome asked, looking down into her tea.

"I am far older than I appear, Kagome." Smiling widely, Ayame continued, "You need to worry about yourself rather than others sometimes. My mind is set on what I want, and I only hope I can find a suitable match. And you never know, a rose can blossom almost anywhere. All it needs is a bit of nourishment."

Silence fell upon the tea table, and Kagome moodily drank her tea. That just isn't fair, Ayame shouldn't give up her dream of finding true love. I can't believe she would actually marry a man she will not love.

"I had a delightful time, Ayame. Thank you for having us." Sango said while retrieving her umbrella.

"Yeah, thanks." Kagome said, opening the door and walking out.

Sango looked after her, shaking her head slightly, "Sorry about her, Ayame. She is just so head-strong."

"No worries, if Kagome acted any differently she would not be the Kagome we know and love."

"Truer words were never spoken." Sango sighed, "I sometimes worry about her though. Too much pride and prejudice can be damaging."

"I know, Sango. We all worry." Ayame said. "I hope she will someday realize she carries a ten-foot stick around and beats off anyone who doesn't match her description of Mr. Perfect."

"Careful now, remember? Kagome claims she isn't looking for Mr. Perfect."

Snorting, Ayame said, "Psh, that girl. Doesn't even realize she's created her own image of Mister Perfect."

Kagome stopped and waved at the two standing on the porch while shouting, "Sango! Come on, slow poke!"

Waving at Kagome, Sango turned to Ayame and at last said, "I hope to see you at the next social event, Ayame."

"And I you." The two girls hugged, and Sango walked down the road to Kagome.

Leaning against the door, Ayame waved one last time at the pair of girls before retreating back inside, closing the door with a solid click!

Author's End Note: Oh dear, if anyone sees any mistakes please alert me. I went in and inserted, rearranged, and even deleted pieces throughout this chapter. I've re-read it about twenty times, and I can't shake the feeling I'm missing something… And oh my gosh, I hate repeating words over and over again, and the whole 'Mr. Perfect' was getting on my absolute last nerve. And on the last part of my Author's End Note… I'm going out of town yet again to visit more family. I plan to have fun, and hopefully get some time in for writing.

Well, So long for now