"Oh, Miroku, she's adorable!"

Sango's eyes gazed at the tiny form in her hands with unbridled adoration. She beamed down at the fur-ball as she cooed, "you're such a little cutie, yes you are."

Miroku grinned widely, pleased at himself for getting back in her good graces. Earlier, he was driving around thinking about what he could do to be on a speaking basis with his favorite girl again. He knew that he couldn't just get her something typical and materialistic like jewelry, because she was never the type of girl to squeal over things like that.

For the entire day, he was shifting through multiple possible ideas in his head, and not one of the ideas seemed good enough. Then, imagine his surprise, when he hauled himself home, and found a litter of kitten in his bedroom. They weren't just kittens either, they were neko-youkai. Apparently, his mother's friend had ancestors that were great demon slayers in the feudal ages, and for years, the same neko-youkai that her ancestor's kept in the feudal times, stayed by her family up to the present times.

All the kittens were cute, but one in particular, stuck out to him. Ruby eyes and dark pupils; fine, cream colored fur, and the tiniest of the entire litter. The kitten looked strikingly familiar for some reason. Only when he recalled an ancient painting hanging in Sango's bedroom, did he figure out why the kitten looked so familiar. The painting was of an ancestor of hers, a demon slayer, the same ancestor that Sango was named after, and alongside the woman in the painting was a small neko-youkai. The neko-youkai in the painting was nearly identical to the one he found sitting on his bed. He almost salivated at his luck. The tiny kitten would be a perfect gift for his Sango.

And how right he was.

"Thank you Miroku, I love Kirara!" She stepped towards him to press a light kiss on his cheek.

He raised a brow. "Kirara?"

Sango nodded as she cuddled the kitten. "That was the name of my ancestor's companion, and she looks so much like the neko-youkai next to my ancestor in the painting, so I figured that Kirara would be a good name for her. Dontcha think so Miro?" Her russet eyes twinkled merrily, and his heart immediately sped up at the sight of her elation.

"Yes, I agree." He slung in arm around her shoulder, placing a kiss of his own on her cheek.

An endearing blush swept across her cheeks, and he had a sudden urge to kiss her until all oxygen escaped them both.

Sango was having similar thoughts, and it only enhanced the heat that covered her face. She cleared her throat. "So, Kags should be showing up in a couple hours. We planned to hang out here at my place and watch scary movies. Are you gonna stick around?"

It was slightly disappointing for him that he couldn't have her all to himself, but he nodded nonetheless. Her presence was absent for a whole week, and now he needed to spoil himself with her company to make up for it. "Of course I'll stick around, maybe I should invite Inuyasha, those two haven't spent any time together for weeks."

Sango laughed before humming in agreement. "Good idea, they're probably both sulking too!" Her brows furrowed, "I wonder what happened to have them both stop talking for so long. Usually, whenever they get into an argument, the sulking barely even lasts a day!"

Miroku shrugged as he fished out his cell phone to dial Inuyasha's number. "Who knows? But they're going to talk tonight." Then, he winked teasingly, "Plus, I can have you all to myself."

Sango's blush magnified even further as she smacked his arm playfully.

Miroku only continued smiling pleasantly. An indescribable feeling of total bliss always curled up inside of him when he had Sango in his arms. Nothing could ever stifle his mirth when he held her.

Kagome's stare was accusing as her eyes met with Sango's, who briskly looked away after sticking out her tongue. There, in the very same room, was the person she'd been avoiding for weeks. Kagome's teeth gnashed together, as she dropped the junk food on the coffee table, and took the only empty spot left... right next to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's eyes widened a fraction when Kagome's nectarous scent wafted in the air. Although, he shouldn't have been surprised since he knew beforehand that she was joining them, it still managed to startle him. His eyes took in her petite build, and the charming way her obsidian hair curled at the ends. For weeks, he hadn't spent anytime with her, not even during school. Of course, he still kept an eye on her from a distance. After all, he couldn't have any guys trying to worm their way to her. Most guys still knew better than to try anything, but there were still a stupid few who thought that his absence meant that they could plant themselves near her; and he thoroughly enjoyed showing them how wrong they were too.

Kagome sat in complete stillness. Questions were swirling around in her mind. How should she act? Would he bring up what happened in her bedroom? Was he still with that college woman?

...Did he miss her as much as she missed him?

"Oi! Dummy! You think you can come in here without even giving me a hug?"

Kagome attempted to glare at him in indignation, but she couldn't prevent her lips from sliding up into a smile. "Shut up Inu."

His heart jumped a bit when her arms wounded around his neck, and her small body pressed against his. He nuzzled his nose into her hair, inhaling her scent. Gods, he missed her.

Miroku winked at Sango and she flashed him a knowing smile. Yep, they were good.

Three horror films later, two empty gallons of ice cream, and a dozen donuts eaten; the foursome were lounging around in the living room.

Sango was curled against Miroku, her new kitten nestled next to her, and giggling buoyantly. Kagome was now strewn across Inuyasha's lap with pop corn spread around them messily from their mini food fight.

"Aww, look Miroku! Kirara's sleeping." Sango kissed the tip of Kirara's ears, a content smile etched on her face.

"Why dontcha let her rest and we can spend some time alone together? I think I'm getting jealous of her now." He pouted while her cheeks colored again.

Simultaneously, they stood, taking hold of eachother's hands as they made their way upstairs.

A smirk flirted on Inuyasha's lips as he watched them leave. Kagome punched his arm lightly. "Stop with the face, pervert! You know that Sango and Miroku never went any further than kissing and heavy 'petting'."

"Well, that might change tonight."

Kagome's face instantly heated up. "You don't think they'd actually do that while we're still here... right?"

Inuyasha laughed at her obvious embarrassment. It should have been illegal for someone to be so damn cute! "Relax Kagome, if they do end up doing something, I'll distract you from the noises." He wiggled his brows suggestively, and his laughter only increased when her cheeks deepened to a darker scarlet. He loved to mess with Kagome, just to watch her get all flustered. It was probably his favorite past-time.

Kagome's eyes narrowed as she stuck her tongue out at him. "Stupid."

He ruffled her hair, smiling down at her fondly. "It's okay kiddo."

"Kiddo?" She gasped in mock offense, "hey mister, just 'cause I don't turn 18 until later on this year doesn't mean I'm a kid."

"You're a cute kid though babe," he said with an impish grin.

She just huffed, picking up a handful of popcorn and aiming them at specific spots. Two at his twitching ears, one at his wrinkled nose, and two more at each cheek. She cheered and giggled when a few pieces hit her target.

Happy, she was unbelievably happy at the moment, and although she would never admit it; being away from Inuyasha for too long always made her feel lonely. She was accustomed to seeing him daily in the fifteen years she'd known him, so just a day without his presence was foreign. Two weeks without her half-demon had taken a toll on her, and in his absence, she found that she longed for their playful bickering.

"Kagome," he growled warningly, and she hastily scrambled out of his lap. "You do know that I'll have to get you back for that, dontcha?"

She was already backing away, readying herself to dash off, and hide. Her running would be in vain, she was aware of that, he was a half demon after all; he was gifted with super-natural speed, but it was always fun to try to get away. It was a game of theirs. She ran, he chased, and eventually she was caught. She was his prey and he was the hunter.

Shrieking with laughter, she scampered away. He watched her for a second as she whizzed around in delight. Her long hair trailed after her and he listened as her limitless laughter followed.

1...

He counted slowly, trying to give her a proper head start.

2...

Adrenaline was already pumping in his veins in anticipation. Their cat-and-mouse game was always a favorite of his.

3...!

He prowled around the - now - silent room a bit, listening intently for any movement. A smirk flitted across his face as his ear caught a badly suppressed giggle. He strolled over to the sound. Any minute she'd try and run again. 1..2..

Kagome was in a fit of laughter by now as she tried to speed away from her hiding spot. She didn't make it far, before his arms locked her in place. "Gotcha," his breath tickled her skin and she quivered in his arms.

Suddenly, he nipped her ear.

He didn't plan to, he hadn't meant to; but the way her body molded against his so perfectly, and the way her scent spiked with something so deliciously when he caught her, reeled him in. When a gasp escaped her lips, and she unconsciously pressed herself closer to him, he couldn't stop. He wasn't even sure if he tried to stop. His lips kissed the delicate appendage before finding its way down her arched neck.

Then, just as his lips lowered to place a kiss on the nacreous flesh of her neck...

…..Ring

…..Ring

…..Ring

She nearly groaned in frustration; she wasn't sure what she was so frustrated over, whether it was for the interruption, or for almost crossing the line between friends and something-more again. Willing her heart to slow down, she peeled herself away from the half-demon. She noted, as he flushed, that atleast he had the decency to be bashful.

"Kaguya?"

Great, so it was that woman again. Did she make it a hobby to interrupt them? Again, she was bombarded with questions, and again, she was torn between feeling grateful or irritated at the interruption.

"No, I'm not busy."

Kagome almost snorted. Not busy? He sure seemed busy when he was all over her. Again.

Inuyasha's eyes met with Kagome's in a fleeting stare. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Why the hell did he do something so stupid again? "Yeah... sure, I'll pick you up." He needed a quick fix for his aching groin anyway, and Kaguya would definitely ease away the pain.

Disappointment flooded her senses. He was leaving. Again. He was leaving her to meet with this Kaguya woman. Again. Why the hell were there so many 'again's anyway?

"Kagome?"

She nodded with an inquisitive brow.

He stuffed his hands in his jean pockets, an intense feeling of guilt coiling inside of him. Lately, she'd been damn near irresistible to him, and he wasn't sure why. She was always attractive to him, but hadn't his romantic feelings for her already subsided? That was the main reason for their break-up after all. After two years in puppy love, he was ready to move on, and he was sure that she was too. So, when their last year of junior high winded down, and they readied themselves to enter highschool; they made a mutual agreement to break up.

She bit her bottom lip, tucking a stray strand of raven behind her ear. "It's okay Inuyasha, don't worry about me, you can leave."

Her eyes shimmered sweetly, and her lips lifted into a pretty smile.

Fuck. His urges were split into wanting to maim himself for leaving her, or jumping her and finishing what he started.

Inuyasha nodded, giving her a confident smirk. "I'll see you later then?"

After she smiled and nodded, he spun on his heels, and left her alone in the kitchen.

Funny, she thought. He said something along the same lines the last time, too. She flipped her hair back, standing at the distant click of the door; then, she sauntered over to the living room, and picked up a bag of chips.

"Meow."

Kagome smiled at the kitten as it jumped into her lap. Miroku sure knew how to give gifts, didn't he? The little thing was the most adorable kitten she'd ever seen. If only Inuyasha was as thoughtful...

She popped a chip into her mouth, stroking the kitten's smooth fur with a sigh.

I'll see you later then.

Why did she feel like this was just the beginning?

A/N: Sorry, late update, 'lots of school work this week. I try to update only when I have the next chapter finished already.

So, I hope you guys liked this chapter.

Please tell me what your thoughts are so far with how the story is going. (: