Chapter 3

"Is there any purpose for me to meet your friends?" Inuyasha 'hmphed' again while folding his arms.

Kagome kept her attention on the road. "Well, they work at a market in town." As if that made more sense.

"I'm not following you." Inuyasha said, still a little peeved that he's not getting answers.

"You can't stay with me if you're going to be constantly wearing the same clothes." She gestured towards the wooden carts that were coming into view. "And my friends are working at the market today." She smiled. Again, strained.

"Fine." Inuyasha watched as Kagome kept her focus forward and trained on what was in front of her; her eyes darting to multiple places at once. I wonder what she's looking for.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha didn't even have time to blink as a girl came running over towards Kagome and wrapping her in a huge hug. "You came!" The girl looked over at Inuyasha, standing a safe distance away. "And you brought company?"

Inuyasha saw how the girl started to shift herself between the two so that Kagome was at a greater distance from him. "This is my friend, Inuyasha." Kagome looked over to Inuyasha and motioned to the girl. "And this is Sango."

The girl, Sango, held out her hand; waiting for him to shake it. He took it and noticed that her grip was firm but repressed. She holds a lot of strength. No doubt about it.

"This guy can't even shake a girl's hand properly. Too wimpy." She let his hand go and shrugged. "I guess he's no threat." And with that, she focused on Kagome again. "I have to get back to work, but please come by. I'm sure we can" she looked over at Inuyasha again. "help you with anything you need." Her eyes underlying a hidden threat as she turned and walked away.

"Looks like you got Sango's approval." Kagome smiled while patting Inuyasha on the back.

Inuyasha wondered if Kagome was blind. "Oh yeah! She likes me about as much as a fish out of water." Shoulders slumping, Inuyasha hoped that was the only friend he was supposed to be meeting.

"C'mon. Let's find you some clothes." She looped her arm through his and tugged him through the bustling people.

…..

After some, surprisingly, short time, Inuyasha was set for a good two weeks. Shopping for clothes had always been a chore, but Kagome didn't pressure, rush, or nag him anytime he picked something up or set it down, only to pick it up again.

"Does this satisfy you?" He held up the bag.

"I don't know." She shrugged and looked up to the sky. That doesn't look too good. Kagome thought.

"Miss Kagome!" They both turned to see a man, dressed in robes and standing outside the restaurant across the street from where they were, waving them over.

"Miroku!" Kagome walked over, with Inuyasha tailing behind, and gave him a gentle hug.

"No matter how cold it gets, I'm always thankful for your warm hugs, Miss Kagome." The man stated. Soon after, he peered over her shoulder to see Inuyasha taking in the moment. "I assume you're the friend Sango has been telling me about." At that Miroku gave his hand, and Inuyasha took it cautiously.

They don't even seem to be bothered that I'm part demon. Inuyasha marveled. Has Kagome told them the situation already?

"Miroku, Inuyasha. Inuyasha, Miroku." Kagome smiled between them.

"And what brings you to the market today?" Miroku inquired.

Kagome pointed to Inuyasha who held up the bag of clothes in response.

"I see." Miroku scratched at his face. "But it's a rather odd day for you to pick coming here." He glanced at Kagome only to be met with a momentary glare, which turned into a smile. "None the less, I'm glad you came today!" He tried quickly. At Inuyasha's questioning look, he dismissed him with a wave.

After glancing at the sky again Kagome tugged on Inuyasha's sleeve. "I think we should be headed home now." Her tight smile showing again. Inuyasha could do nothing but nod. What's eatin her?

His questions were partially answered as he heard the rumble in the sky, graying clouds rolling in like a herd of horses over the ocean front. He could feel Kagome's grip on his sleeve tighten. So she's not completely fearless after all.

"What's the matter? Afraid of a little thunder?" Inuyasha smirked. He thought he had a leg up on her, but quickly regretted those words as soon as he saw her turn and face him with a utterly defeated and scared look in her eyes. "What's wrong?" He couldn't even get an answer out of her before she took off running, leaving him behind with Miroku.

He meant to run after her but felt a hand stop him. "What are you doing?"

"It's always been like this. She'll get mad if you try to meddle." His expression full of previous knowledge. "If you want to help, the best thing to do is wait for her to come to you." With that, the young man went inside to return to his duties.

Why didn't she say anything sooner? Inuyasha looked out towards the street that Kagome ran through, feeling a strong atmosphere, and saw Sango coming his way. Just my luck. She probably thinks I had something to do with it.

"You!" She came face to face with him, pointing a slender finger at his chest.

"What?"

"Why didn't you chase after her?"

"I thought that wasn't an option." Inuyasha retorted blandly.

"Who in the world told you that?" Sango almost exploded.

Inuyasha pointed his thumb to the restaurant behind him. Sango just sighed and hit her face in frustration. "It's only because Miroku is an idiot. He tried to cheer up Kagome but only did it so that he could hit on her and started to womanize her." She said this as if she knew. Inuyasha could only guess.

After a moment, Inuyasha took Sango's words and started to make his way back towards the house. Then the sky wept.

…

I'm EXTREMELY sorry for such a late update. Life just got too…hectic. School has been steadily killing me with assignments, projects, tests, lab work, and now volunteer work on top of my job. (-_-) Hopefully I can post more now that the holidays are right around the corner. (^_^)

~With Love,

Hoku-lele