Chapter Twenty-Nine: Teenage Dreams

"I don't know Kagome," Miroku groaned.

"Oh, why not?!" she demanded with frustration.

"It's just so... cheesy. Will she even like it?"

"You worry too much, trust me."

"I'm not good at this kind of stuff," he complained.

"It was your idea, have faith in it."

"Guess I should finish working the details out then. When are you going with her to find dresses?" he asked.

"Tonight, we're hoping she gets good discounts on them at her job."

He nodded and grew silent just as the two of them found Inuyasha and Sango waiting outside. He smiled at her and greeted her with a hug. Everything with her had suddenly become so natural. With the incident with Bankotsu to add to everything, he wanted to make her happy. He wanted to take her mind off of that, to make her forget.

"So what's the plan for this afternoon?" Sango asked.

"We're going dress hunting," Kagome chimed in.

"Yes, and I've got a few things to take care of," Miroku replied.

Sango easily went along with that, although she would have preferred to stay with Miroku. He kissed her forehead gently and then walked off to his car. As he thought back about everything, he realized he hadn't officially made Sango his girlfriend, although he had referred to her as such recently. He'd have to tie that in to her surprise somehow.

The first place he would be going would be a flower shop. What kind of flowers should he even get her? He didn't have the slightest clue. And he'd need candles, plenty of them. The kind that smelled good. He wanted it all to be perfect, she deserved that much. He was putting plenty of effort into this whole thing. Hopefully it would make up for him being a terrible prom date, he wasn't sure he wanted to be doing too much dancing with his two left feet.

This would be easier if Kagome was there. She had always been a key part of his and Sango's relationship, whether that was a good or bad thing. In this case, he could use a woman's opinion. Still, she felt he could handle this on his own and he had done pretty well for himself so far when it came to being romantic. This would have to score him some points.

Once he got to the flower shop, he looked at the candles they had. There were so many, some sweet, some not so sweet. He took his pick at the scented candles that smelled strongly of strawberries. He practically took the whole selection that was out on display, but he wanted to make sure he had enough. As for the flowers, he had a more difficult time. Should he stick with the traditional red roses or pick something else? After careful consideration, he settled on some beautiful lilies that were dark purple at the bottom and merged into a violet color towards the top.

"Vera Wang Calla Lillies," the woman at the register noted.

"Those are nice for a date, right?" Miroku asked hesitantly.

"They're gorgeous, you look like you've got something big planned."

"Yeah," Miroku smiled. "I'm trying."

"Well, I'll give you a good discount for all you're getting. Things can get pretty expensive," the woman said.

"Thank you," Miroku said.

He paid for his things and smiled one last time at the lady before leaving. He was careful with the flowers as he placed them on the passengers seat and was eager to get home. He had to make sure they didn't lose their value or beauty by tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Kagome was already pushing Sango into a fitting room at the store. This girl was hard to deal with sometimes. Sango honestly was beginning to enjoy this, being a regular teenage girl. And it was nice that they were able to go to a prom even though they were only in the sophomore class. It was a good way to take her mind off of things.

"Kagome," Sango called out.

"Yes?"

"Are you going to spend this much effort on your own dress?" Sango teased.

"I already know what dress I want, thank you very much."

"Why am I not surprised?" Sango joked.

"Oh ha ha ha. You almost done yet?"

"Yeah. Just a sec."

Sango looked herself over in the mirror. The dress was strapless and the color of canary yellow that suited her nicely. The dress held her curves tightly down past her hip and then formed into another design. The bottom half spilled out onto the floor in an elegantly ruffled pattern. Sango opened the door and walked out into the open. Kagome took one look at her and began giggling instantly.

"You look absolutely stunning, breathtaking!"

"Ahh, it isn't too much is it?" Sango asked shyly.

"Its perfect! Miroku will have a HEART ATTACK."

"Maybe I shouldn't get it then," Sango replied warily.

"No, no, its wonderful."

Sango smiled and went back into the dressing room. Then, she would take it. She took it off to put back on the hanger and put on her original clothes. She saw that Kagome had a dress in her arms. One that was silky, long, and emerald green with straps that lace around her back. She would also look magnificent in that. The two were lucky to have made their picks so easily, and before the rush of crazed girls arrived.

Once the two had their dresses paid for, they made their way back to the Higurashi house. Kagome was ecstatic, as she always was. Sango was quietly pleased, hiding how happy she was beneath the surface. She felt so blessed that things were looking up again. Bankotsu had done a terrible thing to her, but she wasn't going to let violence or pain rule her life anymore. She was ready to get past all of that.

"So, I've got to ask," Kagome suddenly said.

"Ask what?"

"How are things with you and Miroku?"

"They're great. Zero problems," Sango replied.

"Are you two a couple yet?"

"Hmm, I don't think so. That hasn't crossed my mind lately. What about you and Inuyasha? I guess he's taking you to prom, right?"

"If he plans on going, hopefully."

Inuyasha always had to be stubborn, but he came through in the end. Once Sango and Kagome got to the house, they put up their dresses in a safe place and sat down to do some studying. But, Sango's mind couldn't reach the school subjects. It was once again on Miroku. They had talked very little about prom, should she ask him officially to be her date? She wasn't so sure if he had any real interest in it.

And then she found herself wondering about someone else. Her father. It had been months since she had left. Clearly she had nothing left to worry about when it came to him. But, she couldn't help it. She was always cautious, thought she didn't let it show. But she felt safe enough at least. Besides the prom dress she had just purchased, she was saving her money quite faithfully. Mrs. Higurashi was very generous, she didn't want Sango out on her own. Still, Sango felt guilty. She would at least need to be making some kind of rent to her.

Sango was always concerned about her future. Because she didn't have either of her parents, she felt that much more worried. For now she stayed with Kagome, but what about later? What about college? She didn't consider herself to be at the top of the class in school, would she be able to get scholarships? This wasn't the time to think of that, but what could she do? She had to keep those things in mind. She was responsible for herself. And she was the only one that would be responsible for herself.

Seriously been forever since I worked on this story. But I'm thinkin the writer's block might be over.