Weeping Willows

By Dragoness

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are the product of the wonderful mind of Rumiko Takahashi . I make no money off this. Only the story is mine.

Note: Thank you everyone for your reviews it is truly wonderful. Also Laila a special thanks to you. You gave me something to think about. Also side note, I don't think Kagome is weak at all. With everything that's thrown at her no matter how many times she breaks down she always manages to get up and keep going, if that isn't strength I don't know what is.

Chapter 6

A Bowling We Will Go

After their talk Kagome decided to take some time to herself. She had been thinking about what Sango said and as much as she hated to admit it Sango was right. She still didn't have to go about it the way she had though.

Then again, would she really have listened if she had done it any other way? No probably not. Admitting that was a big step. Now Kagome felt ready to give things a try. Not necessarily dating but she could at least have friendships with males. She would start by making things right by Sesshomaru.

She felt they ended things on a good note but she was still very embarrassed by her behavior at the beginning.

A couple of weeks later she made up her mind and called Sango. She had made four attempts earlier but always chickened out and ended up talking about something else.

Kagome and Sango were standing outside the bowling alley. "You sure this looks alright," Kagome said feeling a little self conscious.

"You look great," Sango answered in an exasperated tone, "It's just bowling."

Kagome had chosen to wear a black pair of fitted jeans with a beige tunic that was loose but showed off her curves in all the right places.

Just because they were going to be friends didn't mean she wanted to look homely.

"Where are the guys anyway?" Kagome asked looking around the parking lot. Sango pointed to her watch in a reproving manner.

"They are already inside. You are the one that's late. Maybe if you could have figured out what you wanted to wear instead of going through everything in your closet you would have been on time as well," Sango teased.

Kagome huffed and went into the bowling alley. It was easy to spot the tall silver haired male as she walked up. When he met her eyes Kagome had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep down the girlish giggle that wanted to blurt out of her mouth. Seriously, you would think she was some school girl who had never been around a man before. Come on Kagome. Get yourself together, it's an outing not a date. You are just going to be friends. Nothing More.

"Kagome," he said nodding his head in acknowledgement.

"Sesshomaru," Kagome answered trying to sound uninterested.

Miroku then came up to the two grinning. "Hey what about me? I'm feeling awfully left out over here; I think I need a hug," Miroku stated as he looked at Kagome and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"The only thing you need is to keep your mouth shut," Sango said in an irritated tone as she pulled Miroku back to the tables by his ear.

Choosing to ignore the well known antics of Miroku and Sango, Kagome once again turned her attention to Sesshomaru. "I think he just does that so she'll get mad at him and they can have great makeup sex later," Kagome said. Oh My God, please don't tell me I just said that to him.

Not really knowing what to say to such a comment Sesshomaru just nodded and started to walk towards the tables where he had left his beer.

Meanwhile, Kagome was mentally kicking herself. God I am an idiot, what is with me today? It's like I have become this nervous jittery person that doesn't know what to say out of her mouth but can't seem to shut up.

"I am surprised you came up with this. You really don't seem like the bowling type," Kagome said trying to start a halfway decent conversation.

Shesshomaru considered her for a moment before replying. "No, it was not my idea. Sango suggested it and since this… since I have not been to a bowling alley before I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to see what one is like." And to see you again.

Kagome glanced at Sango curiously and she just shook her head answering the silent question. "Miroku thought it would be something different for a change, though I suspect it's just to see the women bending over that made him what to come."

"My darling Sango you wound me with your suspicions," Miroku said in a mock sad tone.

Kagome just smiled and shook her head. Some things would never change.

Through all of this Sesshomaru had been strangely quite. He wasn't necessarily taking part in the conversation but neither did he seem to just be sitting there oblivious. It was obvious to Kagome, who kept sneaking quick peaks at him, that he was paying attention to everything that was going on.

It still bugged her though. Why come out with them to just sit back and watch. If she hadn't heard him speak more than a few sentences before she would have thought him unable to carry on a conversation.

As weird as it was she was only more intrigued instead of being put off by his aloofness. What had happened to him to make him stay separate from everyone? Maybe there was something more there.

Yep, something was definitely wrong with her. Suddenly everyone was having the same problems she was.

After a few hours it was plain for all to see just why they never went bowling. It was fun for a couple of games but Kagome thought it had more to do with the company than the actual bowling.

Since Kagome's house was the closest everyone agreed to go back there. Kagome was the first to arrive so she left the door unlocked for everyone else and then ran to wash her hands. She then went straight to the fridge.

Her house was the one they gathered at most so she kept it stocked it with things her and her friends loved to eat. Quickly she started to get some snacks together for the rest of the group.

Miroku and Sango had a very small apartment, so even though they did their share of hosting Kagome's was the place they were at most. First there was the lack of space for more than three people. When you factored in the old lady next door it was not ideal. She just loved to bang on the wall with her cane if you even so much as sneezed too loud, it was a little much. Why they stayed was beyond her. Sure it was an affordable price for such a nice area, but to have to tiptoe around your own place? Kagome didn't think it was worth it.

Kagome was lost in her own world as she hummed and danced to the imaginary music playing. Rolling her hips in time with the stirring of the vegetable dip she was making she turned and froze, the dip falling to the floor in a big blobby mess.

She was too mortified to even notice her face turning beet red as her embarrassment grew. There, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest stood Sesshomaru. He was grinning, not even trying to hide his amusement as his eyes danced mischievously.

Deciding anger was better than admit she was embarrassed by him catching her acting so silly Kagome stomped her feet and glared at the arrogant male. "You know you could have said something. Most people at least knock before they enter someone's home, have you no manners?" she all but yelled.

"I did knock but I guess whatever music you were listening to was too loud for you to hear me," Sesshomaru teased. "Also I distinctly remember you telling us that you would leave the door open and to just come in. I only knocked out of courtesy."

"Oh," said Kagome feeling even more stupid. Then she remembered his face as he was watching her and her ire rose again. "Hey, yes I said to come on in but that doesn't mean you just stand there and watch me. You could have cleared your throat or something," Kagome said exasperated.

"That wouldn't have been very fun would it?" Sesshomaru said as he came into the kitchen stopping mere inches from Kagome. "Plus," he added as he bent down in a squat until his head was level with her waist, "You looked like you were enjoying yourself. Who am I to stop you."

Kagome again turned beet red but couldn't move. Why he so close was and what was he doing? She wanted to look but he was looking right up at her and she couldn't seem to break the spell he had cast. All she could do was stare into those beautiful golden eyes.

"Huh?" Kagome said dumfounded. She didn't even remember him standing up.

"I said I believe you dropped this," Sesshomaru repeated.

Kagome looked at his hand and realized he had picked up the container of dip she dropped. The rest was still in a glob on the floor.

She looked back into his eyes and took an involuntary step forward. She could feel his breathe on her face and the heat from his body as she was once again lost in those eyes.

She tilted her head up ever so slightly and went to close the distance between them when Sango and Miroku burst through the door laughing. The two stopped immediately and took in the scene before them. They looked back and forth from the blob on the floor, to the container in Sesshomaru's hand, and lastly the close proximity of the two.

Just what was going on? Kagome just looked embarrassed while Sesshomaru looked like he wanted to cover her in whatever that stuff was and eat it off of her.

Raising a questioning eyebrow Sango asked, "Are we disturbing something?"

O.k. tell me what you think. I am trying to show the progression of the two before it gets more serious. The story is MA but the rating is more for the later chapters. Also I am dying to try a lemon give me your opinion on if you think I should do one or not. Till next time.