A/N: That's right, kiddies! I'm back with a vengeance! I figure, update my two ongoing projects before jumping into my BRAND NEW SUPER PROJECT (cough cough), a new mini-series called Behind the Scenes. Also, a throw over to the fabulous people of the Inuyasha Fan Guild -- This story along with Wish Fulfillment have been nominated. Cross your fingers for me folks! Okay, it's been a while, I know, but this chapter was DEFINITELY worth it. Make sure your laces are tied and your hair product is at hand for re-applying, because you are about to be blown away worse than a vehicle in MI:3! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I don't own any song lyrics used in this chapter either -- they belong to their respective writers/singers. I do own a blank tape that I use to record episodes of The Colbert Report, a stash of yaoi on my hard drive big enough to rival that of most websites, and my Riku costume ready for the Anime Next con in Seacacus!


Unknown

Chapter 5


There was a brave young man in a far away land,

Though he had a noble heart, he had a demon's soul,

So he wandered the wide world in search of a home,

A true home in the heart of another...


"Happy birthday to you," they sang, walking into the room with a small cake.

"Happy birthday to you." She grinned, eyes and smile brighter than the candles adoring the small baked good.

"Happy birthday, dear Sango." Three young boys wearing pointy hats with sugar on the brain bounced in their chairs as they sang, blowing noise makers at one another. They could almost taste the icing already.

"Happy birthday to you."

Kaori, party hat atop her head, placed the cake down on the small kitchen table with a smile. "There you go, birthday girl."

"Thank you so much, Mrs. H." Sango beamed a smile at her best friend's mother. Her eyes sparkled almost as much as the tiara sitting atop her long brown hair, which was also streaked with blue, green, and pink at the moment. "It looks fabulous." Sango eyed the small two-layer devil's food cake as if it were made of gold. Vanilla frosting ached to be eaten. Purple gel, which spelled out "Happy Birthday Sango", was smudged a little on the S from where a tiny finger had sampled the wears. There were only ten candles on the cake, but it made Sango feel giddy anyway. Today was the big day. She was eighteen now.

What do I wish? she thought quietly, eyes darting from the cake to those sitting around her at the table. Kagome to her right, wearing a kind of gold Mardi Gras mask and laughing at something Shippou had done. All three of the Higurashi boys licked their lips and whacked each other with paper plates. Kagura sat to Sango's left, but she had opted to go without hat. Her usual smirk was in place as she watched the sibling antics with an amused ruby gaze. Kaori Higurashi sat at the opposite end of the table, holding a knife at the ready to serve up the pastry.

Her mother and step-father were still at work, but would be attending her actual birthday party that night. Her other step-sisters were not interested in Sango's birthday at all, but they would also be at the party that night.

It didn't really matter to Sango. Her family was sitting around her right now.

What do I wish for? she thought again, sucking in a huge breath of air.

I wish everyone could stay this happy forever.

She blew.

Flames flickered, sputtered, and died. All but one candle in the very center of the cake which stubbornly remained lit. Sango stared at that flickering fire for a moment or two as everyone 'aww'-ed around her. Then she blew that one out too.

"Cake time!" Souta declared, smacking his lips. "It sure looks good."

"Manners, Souta," his mother reprimanded. "Sango gets the first piece."

The cake was evenly divided and everyone dug in.

"It's wonderful, Mrs. Higurashi," Kagura said to her neighbor with a smile.

"Thank you, Kagura. I'm glad you could come to the party this year." It was an unofficial habit for Sango to spend her birthday in the Higurashi home until her formal party. Aya Hart always went all out with her party planning, whether or not Sango wanted it. This year, the wealthy business woman rented out the Serpentine dance club for Sango's party.

This was the first year Kagura had accepted the invitation to have birthday dinner and cake at the Higurashi home; she was glad that she had come.

"Momma," Kagome raved, "this cake is fabulous." When she smiled, chocolate covered the front of her teeth.

"You're all very good liars," Kaori laughed.

"Well, I like it," Sango said. There was a smudge of frosting on her upper lip that she seemed to be unaware of. "And that's all that matters."

"Very true," the other party-goers agreed. Thus they ate merrily and laughed at one another, and then drank a half-gallon of milk between them.

"Is it presents time?" Kohaku asked, looking from Sango to his mother. He looked eagerly toward the small mound of gifts sitting on the kitchen counter, across the room.

"If it's alright with Sango," Kaori agreed.

The birthday girl snorted. "You think I'd say no?" Confirmation given, the twelve-year-old bolted out of his seat. He skidded across the tile floor on his socks, knocking into the counter. Grabbing up his present, he turned and skated back to the table. He thrust the gift into her open hands, blushing fiercely, and returned to his seat. "Thank you, Kohaku," Sango said, smiling coyly. Of course, the flirtation was lost on the pre-teen, but Kagome and Kagura both rolled their eyes. Inside the awkwardly wrapped parcel was a homemade CD.

"It's just a bunch of random stuff that I thought you'd like," he offered.

"Aw, thanks, squirt!" She wanted to pop it into her player then and there.

"My turn!" Souta declared, following his brother's actions of skating into the kitchen counter before returning with a present. He had bought her a cheap spiral notebook that he had decorated with stickers and Markers to say "Sango's Songs". Shippou was not very far behind, a hand-drawn card clutched in his fists. Cheap presents to most people, things that anyone could have thought of and made. It was a rule among the Higurashi family that all birthday presents had to be found or made. Cheap things to most people, but to Sango, they meant more than any of the expensive electronics her mother would probably have bought.

"Thank you so much, boys," Sango said, grinning and getting up to kiss each one on the cheek. They all batted at her and laughed, or squealed about cooties, but she just smiled anyway.

"Okay," Kagome announced. She walked to the counter and returned with a large, brightly colored box. "This one is from me."

Sango grinned like the devil and tore at the paper once she returned to her seat. A huge white box stared back at her. When she threw off the lid, Sango was left with a denim garment covered in tissue paper. "Oh man!" she breathed, standing up to pull it out of the box. It was a fitted trench coat with a six-button bodice which opened at the waist to fall back around her ankles. All of it was stitched together with two-inch squares of denim, the frayed outlines face up on the outside of the coat to make a checkered design. "This is so cool!"

"I've been working on it for a while," Kagome admitted. Her face colored a little to show her pride in the work.

"She used all of our old jeans," Souta piped up.

Kaori chuckled. "Better than throwing them away."

"They were beyond mending," Kagome admitted. "But the denim was still good. And I had all your measurements...do you like it?"

"I love it," Sango assured her. With flourish, she wrapped the coat around herself, pulling on the sleeves and buttoning up the chest. As expected, it fit her like a glove. "This is so badass. I feel like a member of Organization 13!"

"Oh God," Kagura whined. "Please don't make Kingdom Hearts references."

"But it's true," her step-sister laughed. "I'm tempted to dye my hair red and play with fire."

"Don't do anything rash," Kaori sighed. "But I do have to say that the coat is lovely on you."

"Isn't it?" She twirled once before throwing her arms around Kagome. "Thank you, thank you, bestest girl."

Kagome giggled and hugged her back. "Anything for you, girlfriend."

"Hate to break up the lovely moment," Kagura said, flashing a glance at a nearby clock, "but we've got to be at the Serpentine in half an hour."

"Ah, I've got to go change!" Sango said, breaking away. "My outfit does not match my new coat."

"Sango,you don't have to--"

"Of course I have to wear it," she interrupted. "It's badass, and that's my rule." She gave another round of kisses and hugs to the boys, and Kaori. "Thank you everyone. Best party ever."

"Aw, Momma, can't we go to the party too?" Kohaku asked, turning the puppy eyes on his mother.

"When you're older," was the reply. She grinned at the girls. "Have fun, dears."

"I won't be too late, Mom," Kagome promised. Kaori waved as the boys grumbled.

"This year's gala promises to be the biggest blow-out yet," Kagura commented as they trekked across the lawns. "Aya's been raving about it for weeks."

"Granted, I was not consulted," Sango said with a smile. "But I still expect to have some fun. I was able to readjust the guest list when I saw it on Mom's desk."

"Sesshomaru thanks you in advance for his invitation," Kagura smirked.

"Yeah, I doubt the pair of you will make it out of the parking lot," Kagome teased.

"Either that or they'll wander into one of the closets," Sango added.

"I'll have the two of you know that we do a lot more than simply make out all over the place," Kagura seethed.

"But everything the pair of you get into eventually leads you to making out," Sango pointed out.

Kagura stopped in her walking. "Well, actually...you're right."

"I think now is the time we should start worrying about her innocence," Kagome said to Sango as they entered the house.

"What innocence?" the other girl scoffed.

"I think she's talking about my virginity," Kagura said flatly.

"Oh. Don't you mean your non-existent virginity?"

"Precisely."

Kagome sighed. "I regret saying anything."

"Ah, poor little Kagome and her virgin ears." Sango slung her arms around her friend. "You want us to cover your ears when we talk about condoms?"

Kagome pushed her off. "No, thank you."

"Come now," Kagura stated with a shake of her head and a flick of her hand through her hair, "Kagome can't have dated a man for over three years and not given him anything for it." Kagome only turned red and hung her head. "You mean to say you haven't?" Kagome only shrunk further inward. "Color me shocked."

"I don't know," the youngest girl burst out. "It just never seemed like the right time or place...and...and..."

"The right guy?" Sango offered with a knowing smile.

"Shut it," Kagome said with a meaningful finger point. "Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean I can't whack you one."

Sango held up her hands in defeat. "Okay, okay. Let's go change and take off."

"I'm good to go," Kagura commented.

"Me too--" Kagome began to say as Sango grabbed her elbow and dragged her up the stairs. "What?"

"You are not going to my birthday party in faded jeans and a patched sweater. We're going to raid my closet and find you something fantastic."

"But Sango--"

"No buts. My party, my rules."

Kagome sighed heavily and let herself be pulled into the spacious bedroom that belonged to Sango. Posters from her favorite movies lined the walls except for one piece of wall space that was reserved for pictures of her ever-changing favorite band. This week's happened to be Panic! At The Disco. Sango's bed was actually round instead of square, and sat in the center of the room. Sango's dresser was simple dark wood without much adoring it apart from an oval vanity mirror and a large framed picture of her father sitting on the very center of it beside her hair brush.

The closet took up half of the left wall and she promptly threw it open upon their entering. Kagome threw herself across the bed, instead, and hugged a hug plushie of Spiderman to her chest.

"What are you making me wear?" the reclining female asked.

"Nothing too daring," Sango assured her. She grabbed at a modest black skirt and a white peasant top -- clothes her mother insisted on buying even though Sango would never wear them. "I think I have an extra pair of fishnets in my drawer too."

"I don't think I have the legs for it."

"Kagome--"

"Plus, I don't have shoes for that kind of outfit."

:"I have boots you can borrow. They might be a little big, but they'll fit."

"Why do you feel the need to embarrass me?"

"There was a time, if you can remember, when you were more daring than me."

Kagome bristled. "I was nothing of the kind." Sango only smiled and threw the clothing at her friend. "If it was anyone but you..." The ex-cheerleader growled.

"Loving me is a curse and a blessing," the musician laughed, pulling off her new coat. "I think this blue tank top will do. What do you think of the bottom, denim mini or black skort?"

"Won't you be cold with no pants?" Kagome asked, thinking the same thing on herself as she pulled the fishnets on to her legs.

"We won't be outside very long. Plus, I have sheer tights I'll wear under them."

"I'd go black skort," Kagome advised. "Too much denim takes away from the coat. And that skort makes your legs look longer."

"Thank you pocket fashion guide."

"That's what I'm here for."

Kagura knocked on the door quickly before entering. "You two almost ready?"

"Just about," Kagome replied, lacing up a borrowed boot.

"You look nice, Kags," she commented with an appraising look.

"I am thankful my mother will never see me like this."

"It's party time!" Sango announced. She struck a warrior's pose with her denim armor and her multi-colored hair her banner of war. "Let's hit the road."

The three girls piled into Kagura's Sundance and headed toward the other side of town. "Did your Mom invite half the school again this year?" Kagome asked from the backseat, where she was braiding her hair.

"Yeah. Half of them can't stand me. It's hysterical."

"I expect your motor-head friends will be attending," Kagura commented as she drove, a sardonic smile on her pretty face.

"Naturally."

"Oh great," Kagome sighed.

"No one says you have to socialize with Grimm," Sango pointed out. "Though the pair of you could make nice considering it's my birthday."

"I still don't understand why you didn't let me invite Hojo," Kagome pouted.

"This is my party, and it's for my friends."

"Yes, including the half that barely know you."

"Kagome--"

"I know, I know...your hatred of my boyfriend has been clear since day one." She forced a smile then. "Let's just forget it for tonight and have a good time."

Sango smiled apologetically and Kagura heaved a sigh. "Well, my dears, it seems we have arrived."

The Serpentine was hopping, as expected. The three were admitted with a stamp on their hands and after they checked their coats at the door, they walked into a world of strobe lights and streamers. Balloons hung from the ceiling and littered the floor. Up on the DJ stand was Deigo, headphones on and busy at work changing from track to track. He looked up when they entered and waved. "Welcome, welcome," he called into a microphone. "It seems out birthday girl has arrived!"

There were some people already there -- a handful of dancing students from their school and the children of some of the Harts' co-workers. The Harts themselves all came to the doorway to greet Sango with affection and well-wishes. Kagome and Kagura laughed as she was swept away towards a large table with a cake and presents piled on it.

"Wanna hit the Juice bar?" Kagome asked her friend.

"Sure," Kagura replied. "I have a feeling we're not going to see Sango for a while."

"You're probably right."

"Traitors," Sango cursed them as her mother led her away. With a forced smile she tried to pay attention to introductions and important names of clients' children. In a lot of ways, big birthday parties for the girls in their family was just a way to socially include a lot of her mother's clients and impress her co-workers. Still, Sango got a lot of awesome gifts and a kick-ass party for her and her friends to enjoy, so it never really bothered her.

After a few minutes of boring chit chat, her step-father grabbed her elbow and steered her away from the table. "I'm kidnapping the birthday girl," he laughed at the finely dressed people. Once they were out of earshot, he whispered to Sango, "Looks like you needed a rescue."

"Oh, God, thank you," she sighed.

"I noticed a few shady characters come in. Friends of yours?" He eyed her in a knowing way, an amused smile quirking his lips.

"Were they in trench coats and sunglasses?"

"Yup."

"That's Grimm and Demon," she grinned. "I have shop class with them. We've become really good friends this year."

"Ah, then they have to be good people."

Sango grinned. "They really are."

"The Higurashis' throw you a good party?"

"Wonderful, as usual."

Jared Hart nodded and slung an arm around his step-daughter.

It was common in most faerie tales that a step-parent turn out to be a heartless and horrible person, but such was not the case in the relationship of Sango St. John and Jared Hart. They were pals. Jared had known right from the start how close Sango had been with her real father, and his death had hurt her deeply. Instead of trying to take that place, he had only offered Sango the opportunity to be his friend. In a lot of ways, Sango felt closer to her step-father than to her mother.

"How about taking a turn around the dance floor with your rhythm-less step-dad?"

"Why Mr. Hart, I would adore it!"

Deigo put on a fast-paced techno song, and the arriving guests all jumped into the fray of the dance. Music pounded, lights flashed, and everyone laughed, having a great time.

"Looks like your dad is going to attempt to keep up with Sango," Kagome giggled from where she sat at the bar beside Kagura. She sipped her carrot juice happily.

"Oh, man, this is going to be good," Kagura snickered. "Dad can't dance to save his life."

"Sounds like Hojo."

"I like a man who can move many parts of his body," Kagura said suggestively. "Including his feet."

"I take it Sesshomaru can do this." Kagome shook her head and smiled.

"Of course. He is a man talented in many things."

"Enough with the sexual innuendo."

Kagura laughed harder and watched the door for the arrival of her boyfriend, and when he did appear, she grinned at her companion. "This is my cue," she said, downing the last of her drink. "I'll catch you later."

"Have fun," Kagome laughed with a wave. Kagura went up to Sesshomaru, grabbing him by the front of his shirt toward a shady corner, and then they disappeared from Kagome's view. As she watched them, it was hard to squash that jolt of envy inside her. It had been a long, long time she since had been that enthusiastic to see her boyfriend.

"You look lonely over here," a boy commented, sitting in the now vacant seat.

"Hi, Miroku," Kagome said with a smile. Swiveling around she was met with the familiar grin of the local demon. He was dressed in his finest black, and had freshly re-dyed the red streak in his hair so that it shone brightly against the dark of mass of his black hair. "Did you get all dressed up for Sango?"

"I could say the same for you." Violet eyes scanned over her unusual outfit and he whistled. "You're quite a number when you try, babe."

Kagome blushed dully and pushed him in the shoulder. "Stop flattering me."

"Yeah, Demon," Inuyasha piped up, take the seat on the other side of Kagome. "She's taken." Kagome turned a venomous glance over at Inuyasha and almost sputtered on her juice. Now, if there was a "number" in the room, it was him. Honestly, it should be illegal for that boy to wear leather pants, or tee-shirts that tight, or smile so suggestively.

Oh hell, she was blushing. She couldn't think of a come-back. Look away. Look away!

"Hey guys!"

Thank God for Sango. Kagome flashed her most brilliant smile at her best friend. "Hey, San. You have fun with Jared?"

"We cut a little rug," the birthday girl replied, shaking her hips some. "I'm happy you guys could come." She punched Miroku in the arm and slung an arm around Inuyasha's shoulders for a minute. "Come, drink and be merry."

"We're drinking," Inuyasha said, lifting his drink.

"And being merry," Miroku added, grabbing Kagome around the waist. She squealed and elbowed him while laughing.

"Keep it up," Sango commanded with a grin. "I've got to make the rounds, so I'll be back in a few." She turned and headed back into the crowd, her coat flapping around her heels.

"I've never seen her wear that before," Miroku commented, tilting his head as he watched her go. "Looks fab on her."

"You think so?" Kagome asked. "I think so too."

"Eh, it's just a coat," Inuyasha commented, leaning back on to the bar. "It's not all that great."

Kagome looked over at him. "It's not?"

He looked back at her in surprise. She seemed to actual expect his opinion on this, but it was hard to say. Her expression was unreadable. All he could do was shrug. "I dunno. Not really my taste."

"Oh," was all she said. Kagome stared into her drink for a second. Why did it bother her? What Inuyasha thought about her work shouldn't mean anything because he didn't mean anything. But if his opinion didn't mean anything, why did it hurt? Because it did, it hurt. And suddenly, Kagome couldn't breathe. She didn't want to sit there, so close to him. She needed to get away.

Deigo began playing a new track and Kagome grabbed Miroku by the hand. "I love this song. Dance with me, Miroku?"

"Uh, sure," he replied, putting his drink down on the bar. "See ya later, Grimm."

Kagome dragged him off without a backward glance, and that irked Inuyasha more than he would have liked. He would never admit how he had changed his clothes three times before coming just to find something that might prompt a reaction from her, and that the wide-eyed look on her face when she looked at him had made the entire process worth it. Inuyasha would never admit to another living person the fact that he was afraid he really was starting to like Kagome Higurashi. It was a bad place to be. He watched her dance around on the floor with his best friend and sighed, covering his face with a hand to block out the sight of her.

"Grimm?"

Sango was back, so he looked up with a small smile. "Hm?"

"You feeling okay?" She peered at him with concern in her pretty eyes.

Inuyasha was going to tell her that everything was fine, but he didn't want to lie. Everything wasn't fine; he wasn't feeling ok. "I don't know."

She plunked down in the vacant stool and peered at him intently. "You can talk to me about anything, you know. I swear I won't tell anyone."

"It's your day, go be a social butterfly," Inuyasha said with a smile, waving his hand toward the party.

"If you need someone to talk to, my party is right here," she replied.

He looked at her for a long moment and shook his head. "You're a wonderful person, you know that?"

Sango shrugged and kicked her legs out in front of her. "I try." She tossed him a wink and a smile. "So tell me what's up."

"Just your common variety angst sessions," he sighed. "Boy likes girl scenario."

"Oh," she said with a nod. "I get it. So what's the deal? She not like you or something?"

"I don't know," he said honestly. "I mean, it started with me just playing around with her, but now... I don't know how or when, but things changed. And I'm scared as balls."

"Poor Grimm, wounded by Cupid's arrow." She gave him a knowing smile. "We don't happen to be talking about a certain lovely tutor of yours, do we?"

"I'll plead the fifth," Inuyasha scoffed. He turned to look at Sango and she smiled back at him steadily. "You won't tell anyone, right?"

"Cross my heart," she assured him, patting him on the shoulder. "Come dance with me, gorgeous."

"Who am I to turn you down?" He let Sango pull him to his feet and led him off toward the dance floor. "You know, now that I look at it, this is a very nice coat," he told her, tugging on a sleeve.

"You like?" she laughed. "It's a genuine Kagome Original."

Inuyasha blinked in surprise. "She made this?"

"Bitchin', huh? I absolutely love it."

Inuyasha spun Sango once to get a full view, then pulled her back into his arms. "Very nice."

"You too," she purred. Flirting came natural to the pair of them, though neither meant it. They danced quite well between them for a few songs, until a slow one started up. "Mind if I cut out?" she asked innocently. "I want to wrangle Demon into a dance."

"He was with Kagome last I saw him," Inuyasha said, scanning the crowd. "There they are!"

I have seen peace, I have seen pain, resting on the shoulders of your name. Do you see the truth through all their lies? Do you see the world through troubled eyes? And if you want to talk about it anymore, lie here on the floor and cry on my shoulder, I'm a friend.

Sango snuck up behind Kagome, throwing her arms around her friend. Kagome squeaked and spun around. "Don't scare me, brat."

"Sorry," Sango laughed. "Can I cut in?"

"By all means," her friend said, stepping aside.

"My lady," Miroku said, bowing formally before taking Sango's hand in his own. "Shall we?"

"Of course, good sir." And then they waltzed off into the crowd.

"I hear it's bad luck for a woman to be alone on the dance floor," Inuyasha commented as he came up behind her.

Kagome mentally cursed the heavens as she turned and gave him a cold smile. "And what about a man alone on the floor?" she shot back.

"Probably the same," he replied. "Dance with me?"

"I don't think that's a good idea," Kagome said, feeling her pulse quicken.

"It's just a dance," he prodded. "Scared?"

She narrowed her blue eyes at him. "As I have told you before, I'm not scared of you."

Inuyasha held out his hand. "Prove it." Kagome placed her own hand in his.

I have seen birth. I have seen death, lived to see a lover's final breath. Do you see my guilt? Should I feel fright? Is the fire of hesitation burning bright? And if you want to talk about it once again, on you I depend. I'll cry on your shoulder. You're a friend. You and I have lived through many things. I'll hold on to your heart. I wouldn't cry for anything, but don't go tearing your life apart.

"I don't know why I'm doing this," Kagome grumbled as Inuyasha spun her out.

"Because I got to you," he laughed, bringing her back in.

"Don't get a big head. Your annoying me isn't a good thing."

"It's always amusing for me," he replied. Kagome only growled at him. He could feel the hostility rolling off her in waves as he held her in his arms. Hardly romantic, but neither of them seemed to be particularly good at that. "By the way, you did a really good job on Sango's jacket."

That banked her fires. "I thought you didn't like it."

"I got a better look at it close up. I'm a little nearsighted. Have glasses for it when I drive."

Kagome gave him a hard look, but he only smiled at her. Enough to make her feel unsteady on her feet. It really wasn't fair for a guy to be that much of a hottie. "How's Rin?" she asked, hoping a neutral topic would cool her blood.

"What do you mean?"

"She was sick, right?" Kagome shrugged. "She missed Karate."

"Oh, yeah. She's getting better. She was down for the count most of this week, but her spirits are up and her fever is down."

"That's good."

I have seen fear. I have seen faith, seen the look of anger on your face. And if you want to talk about what will be, come and sit with me, and cry on my shoulder. I'm a friend. And if you want to talk about it anymore, lie here on the floor and cry on my shoulder, once again. Cry on my shoulder, I'm a friend.

Kagome couldn't think of anything else to say as she swayed in the arms of a boy who was definitely not her boyfriend. It was unsettling, exciting, and just confusing. So much confusion revolved around her life ever since she'd gotten mixed up with Inuyasha Reaper.

Inuyasha, who was adept at reading people's moods, knew she was brooding over something heavy so he tried not to torture her too much. He almost felt guilty for annoying her in the first place, but he was being yanked around just as much as she was, so they were even in some ways.

When the song ended, Kagome pushed away from him. He didn't try to touch her further. Sango and Miroku came back over, and they danced some more. Eventually they were joined by Kouga and Ayame as well as Jakotsu and Bankotsu -- four of the guests that just happened to appear on the list her mother had made. And the rest of the party passed without much fuss.


Sango skipped down the sidewalk. Her new Ipod was in the pocket of her coat, blaring a song into her ears that she sang along to as she went. The sun was shining above her, melting the snow, but it was still cold enough for her to stay bundled up. Here and there she would hop over a forgotten sled or a mound of ice, all happily overlooked on her way to the video store.

"It's these substandard motels on the, lalalalala, corner of 4th and Freemont Street. Appealing, only because they are just that un-appealing. Any practiced catholic would cross themselves upon entering. The rooms have a hint of asbestos, and maybe just a dash of formaldehyde, and the habit of decomposing right before your very, lalalala, eyes. Along with the people inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy. Inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy."

A few kids were playing around on their front lawns and they stopped their playing to watch the teenager walk down their sidewalk, singing along to music only she could hear. Sango only smiled wider at their stares, her streaked hair shining in the sunlight as it hung freely down her back.

"Tonight's tenants range from a lawyer and a virgin, accessorizing with a rosary tucked inside her lingeire. She's getting a job at the firm come Monday. The missus will stay with the cheating attorney, moonlighting aside, she really needs his money. Oh. What a wonderful caricature of intimacy. Yeah, yeah. And not to mention, the constable, and his proposition for that virgin. Yes, the one the lawyer met with on strictly business as he said to the missus only hours before. Well after he had left, as she was fixing her face in a compact, there was a terrible crash. There was a terrible crash. Between her and the badge, she spilled her purse and her bag, and held a purse of a different kind."

The video store parking lot came into view and Sango jogged the rest of the way. She was in an exceptionally good mood, and decided it would be fun to share it with the hard workers of Starland video. So she threw open the door and walked inside. "Along with the people inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy. Inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy," she sang aloud as she entered.

Kagome jumped from where she sat behind the counter, snapping to attention when her friend burst into song. Ayame and Stasia, who had been working the returns cart, peeked from around the aisles to see what the fuss was. Sango pulled her Ipod out of her pocket and pulled off her coat, tossing it across the counter to Kagome before continuing her dance around the store.

"There are no raindrops on roses or girls in white dresses, it's sleeping with roaches and taking best guesses at the shade of the sheets before all the stains, and a few more of your least favorite things. Raindrops of roses and girls in white dresses, and sleeping with roaches and taking best guesses at the shades of the sheets before all the stains and a few more of your least favorite things. Inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy. Inside, what a wonderful caricature of intimacy. Raindrops of roses and girls in white dresses, and sleeping with roaches and taking best guesses at the shades of the sheets before all the stains and a few more of your least favorite things. Raindrops of roses and girls in white dresses, and the sleeping with the roaches and the taking best guesses at the shades of the sheets before all the stains and a few more of your least favorite things."

She finished her little dance and song with a fabulous bow. All three ladies of the store applauded and laughed.

"Such a pleasant song," Kagome commented.

"I love it," Sango laughed. "It's so angry. Makes you feel something."

"Yeah, makes me feel depressed," Ayame sighed.

"At least it's something," Sango commented. She pulled herself up on to the counter, crossing her legs and bobbing her head to the music still pumping into her ears.

"Nice Ipod," Stasia commented. "Happy belated, by the way."

"Yes, ladies," Sango said with a devious grin, "I am eighteen now. I can vote. I can have sex with men older than me with legal ramification. And I can buy porn!"

"But," Ayame sighed, "you can be arrested and tried as an adult. Especially if it's for statutory rape."

Sango pouted. "B-but...porn."

Everyone giggled and Staisa sighed. "Sorry I couldn't make it to the great bash. I'm sure it was awesome."

"It was a lot of fun, you should've been."

She smiled a shrugged. "I was busy with other stuff."

"I'm guessing it's her man," Ayame said with a nod. "She talks about him all the time, but we never see him. I think she's pulling a "George Glass" on us."

"I am not," Stasia said, batting at Ayame and grinning. "Zach is totally real."

"She likes younger men," Kagome interjected, leaning against the counter with a wistful tone. "Fawning, adoring, easily influenced younger men."

"You know, both of you are this close to me pimp-smacking you."

"Ack, I'm surrounded by girlfriends," Sango said sadly. "Will I never have single friends again?"

"Be glad we're not weepy and lamenting bad relationships," Ayame laughed. "I doubt Miss Panic at the Disco over here would have much patience for that."

"Not especially."

"But Sango's desperately in love," Kagome divulged.

"Kagome!"

"Neither one of them will admit it of course, but they are adorable to watch--"

"That's enough out of you, Higurashi," Sango growled, shoving Kagome. The video store cashier giggled as she fell back into her chair. "You're not one to talk about the love life of others, especially with the amount of foreplay you participate in with Grimm."

"What's this?" Both Stasia and Ayame were hooked, perking.

"This guy she tutors," Sango said with a shrug. "They fight like cats and dogs, and they enjoy it."

Kagome blushed crimson as the reality dawned on her co-workers. "You mean the hottie who came in during the storm?"

Suddenly, both of them leapt upon the counter. "I knew it," Ayame said. "No one can turn down tail that fine."

"I'm not doing anything wrong," Kagome defended. "All we do it argue. And I'm still with Hojo, in case you've all forgotten."

"People can't control who they fall in love with," Stasia rationalized.

"Whoa whoa," Kagome shrieked, bolting to her feet and holding up her hands. "I am not in love with Inuyasha Reaper. I'll admit I find him marginally attractive, and he's not a total asshole, but tolerating the company of a person does not make it love."

"Why are you so fierce in this denial?" Ayame asked like a shrink. "Are you trying to convince us, or yourself?"

"Ok, I've had enough of this conversation," Kagome said, feeling her temper rise fast.

"Kagome--"

"No," she snapped. "I am not talking about this anymore. I'm with Hojo, and there is nothing between me and Inuyasha. End of story. Now get back to work." She stepped out from behind the desk to go do returns herself.

"Wow, she was pissed," Stasia commented, going around to take care of the register.

"She gets sensitive around the subject of cheating," Sango commented, sliding down from the counter. "I shouldn't have teased her so much."

"Is she going to be ok?"

"Kagome runs hot every once in a while, but she'll cool down in a little while." The newly eighteen-year-old retrieved her coat. "Well, I'm off to go flaunt my presents elsewhere."

"Modest, are we?" Ayame asked, heading back to her job.

"Well, when one's mother uses material possessions in place of affection, one tends to revel in what one can get." Sango smiled sweetly and tucked her Ipod back into her pocket. "Have a good day at work, girls."


The room in the back of the library seemed smaller than Kagome remembered when she walked in after school on Monday. Inuyasha was there and waiting for her, feet crossed and propped up on the table as he balanced on the back two legs of his chair. He watched her enter with a steady golden gaze.

"Did you get any of your midterm grades?" she asked to fill the awkward silence that seemed to be bothering only her.

"Yup," he said, still rocking back and forth.

"How did you do?" she prompted.

"91 percent in math," he said. Back and forth. "94 percent in English. 93 percent in History."

Kagome's face lit up. "Really? That's wonderful!"

"My mother will be happy," he said with a shrug. Back and forth.

Now she was starting to get annoyed. "Can you stop that?"

"Why?"

"You should be happy you did so well," she said, placing her belongings down to rub her forehead. "Don't pick a fight with me."

"I'm not," he defended. Back and forth.

"If you do that, you're going to fall."

"No I won't."

"You're acting like a child."

"And you're acting like a mother," he responded.

"Please," she blurted. Inuyasha leaned forward until all four legs of his chair were on the floor. "Thank you."

"You've got to stop trying to take care of everyone," he said.

"What I do has nothing to do with you," Kagome bit out. "I didn't ask for your advice."

"Call it a free-be," he said. "But I understand where you're coming from."

Kagome scoffed. "No, I am sure you don't."

Inuyasha was quiet for a moment, then he shrugged. "My mother got sick when I was twelve." He saw that she was paying attention even though she was looking through a folder. "She'd had problems with her health after I was born, because she had me and Sesshomaru so close together that it took a lot from her body. No one thought she'd have any more children. Rin was a surprise and everyone was excited, and Mom was alright for a while. She got pregnant again when Rin was five, but she had a miscarriage. It screwed up her system. She had to get a hysterectomy, and there were a lot of lasting effects. She's on a lot of medications and is weak to infection, even now."

"I'm sorry," Kagome whispered. She had never known that Mrs. Reaper was so ill. She had only met the woman a handful of times, but she had always appeared healthy and friendly.

"When she first got really bad, I was the one who would walk Rin to the bus stop and make her lunches for school. She was in kindergarten and had no idea why Mom was so sick. Even I didn't really understand it, but I was the one who took care of her too."

"What about your father, and Sesshomaru?"

"Dad had businesses to run, and that always came before us. Sesshomaru helped, but he...he tended to stay closer to Rin more than Mom. I think he was afraid of getting too close to her when she was so sick. And even with an army of doctors, sometimes all she wanted was someone to sit with her and watch television. Or have me tell her about my day at school. Sometimes I'd just read her a book."

Kagome met his gaze and there was a charged moment between them. "Our situations are different," she stated firmly.

"I never said they weren't," he replied.

She snapped then, slamming a book down on the table before getting to her feet. "You are the most frustrating person!"

Inuyasha got to his feet and took a few steps closer to her. He pinned her with a look. All Kagome could do was freeze in place. All she could think was how pretty his eyes were. She had always liked his eyes, from the first day that had really met. She loved the little imperfections to them, the character that added, and the deep-rooted sadness that was like a phantom in his gaze. When he looked at her, she was certain he could see right through all the walls she put up around herself, just like she was sure that no matter what he said or did, she would never have to be scared of him. Everything he was, was right there in his eyes.

"I don't get you," he said, studying her face intently. "One minute you run hot, and then you're cold."

"You're the same way," she said defensively.

"It's different. I'm an idiot." He cocked his head to one side. "You're a coward."

Kagome bristled, her blue eyes sparking angrily as she pulled herself up to her full height. Inuyasha wanted to smile in the face of her anger, simply because she was always the most beautiful when there was fire in her eyes. "I'm not a coward."

"Says the girl who uses her boyfriend as a safety net." He curled his fingers into his palms, ready for the explosion that was sure to come, but he knew that if he didn't open this can of worms he would regret it. He would play his hunch to the end, and if it didn't work out, that was it. But if it worked out as he thought it might, as he felt it could, then it was worth the risk. It was worth any risk.

Kagome broke her eye contact with him. "That has nothing to do with you. And how I treat you has no relation to my boyfriend." She began gathering her possessions, ready to make a run for it. Kagome Higruashi was a strong person who could take many things, but the constant badgering she got from this boy was impossible for her to stand. Maybe she really was a coward.

"It has a lot to do with him," Inuyasha pressed. "You're guilty."

"Guilty? What do I have to be guilty about?" She shoved books into her backpack and zipped it up.

Inuyasha stepped closer, taking hold of her elbow to stop her motions. "It's because you like me."

"What?" Kagome swung around to face him, face a mask of anger.

Inuyasha faced her rage unafraid. "You like me a lot more than you like him, and it makes you feel guilty."

"Aren't we cocky?" she asked with a mocking smile. It was all she could do to cover the wrath that was making her body shake. There was no way she would ever have feelings for someone so egotistical...and ever say it out loud.

"I'm not cocky," he said with a smirk. "I'm insightful."

"Unless you're wrong, which you are."

"I'm not wrong." There was no doubt in his voice or his eyes.

"Why you pompous bas--"

Kagome never finished her comeback, because Inuyasha bent forward and covered her mouth with his own to halt those words. She froze as the blood rushed from her face only to come roaring back. She kept her eyes wide open, and saw that his were closed.

This wasn't a possessive kiss where he brutally took her lips to dominate or consume her. It wasn't a bruising kiss, or one of mistaken passion like those countless sessions in the backseat of Hojo's car at their secret place. This wasn't a goodnight kiss on her front porch, when she was nervous one of her brother's might open the door at any moment. This wasn't like any of the kisses she was used to, and that both thrilled and frightened her.

Inuyasha's lips were warm and gentle against hers, still curved into his beautiful, cocky smirk. His mouth was sweet and dark, completely new. It made the blood pound in her ears. One of those chaste ten-year-old's first love kisses wasn't going to do for her. He had started this. It was all his fault. It was wrong and she knew it, but it was all his fault. It was Inuyasha's own fault that she liked him too much.

She looped her arms around his neck, book bag forgotten in the heat of the moment. Kagome responded timidly at first, unsure of herself. He didn't force, didn't rush. Inuyasha took his time with his inspection. She sighed, opening her mouth as she leaned against him. It was only the need of air that drove them apart.

It took Kagome a moment to recollect her thoughts and fully realize what it was she had just done. The full weight of the situation fell upon her like a stone. She jerked out of Inuyasha's arms and lifted a shaky hand to her lips. Lips that could still taste him.

"Oh God," she whispered, staring at him with a horrified expression.

"Kagome, calm down," he said, holding out his hands to her. He hated that look of fear in her eyes, fear of him. It fed some inner fear of his own, deep down in the pit of his soul.

"I can't do this," she said, shaking her head. "I just can't." Kagome grabbed her bag from the table and took off out of the door, out of the library. He wanted to follow her, but he knew there was no point. She was in flight mode, and he'd never catch her. And in truth, he was too hurt to try and make her feel better. Why did it hurt so much to be rejected like that? Why did it feel like he'd offered her everything and been thrown aside?

It was a bad place to be in, the loving of Kagome Higurashi. They were both fractured people, and it would take a lot of work to make two jagged edges fit together.

Kagome couldn't even think of what that meant as she ran. She ran until it hurt to move, to breathe. She ran until she could no longer taste Inuyasha in her mouth, or smell his scent still clinging to her body. She ran until tears forced themselves from her eyes. What have I done? she asked herself over and over. I'm a cheater.

She had become her father.


A/N: Okay, and thus, the end of Chapter 5. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you stick around for chapter 6. Coming soon!