Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing in this story except the personalities I tried to give.
Author's Note:Whoa! okay, I know I took an unexpected leave of absence, but I was kinda hoping for a few more reviews than I got. Oh well, I guess thats what I get, haha. This is another somewhat slow chapter, and I apologize for that, but its what came out when I put my pen to paper lol. I DO promise you will love some of the stuff in the next chapter, and I'm gonna get it ready really soon, But a little pressure from you guys might inspire me to move even faster, lol
Shout outs:
CKannoymous- Hey...if my story makes you happy enough to sound mental....good enough for me, lol. Here it is, hope you like it!
tsukuyomaru-wuver42-okay, okay....your cries for more have been heard and I've decided to answer. Hope you enjoy!
Once again...thanks to all who have made it a favorite: OhSoKrispy77, kostevc96 and all the previously mentioned.
Chapter 20:
A few more days had passed and it felt more and more like I had known everyone my whole life. We hang together whenever they're not working and when they are, the girls and I just sit and talk or go out shopping. There's were only two problems that kept popping up in my mind; will I ever admit my feelings out loud, and what would happen to those feelings when I have to leave and begin school
In just a few short weeks more, I would be returning home to begin University studies and, shortly after that, the boys would begin a new tour. I'd been thinking about staying but other than my own personal feelings, I had no solid reason. And even if I did, once the tour did start, it would be difficult to find any time together.
Anyways, Sessh was off at rehearsal and I was sitting on the couch trying to figure out what to do when Sango comes barging into the house. Noticing her bright smile I can't help but ask "What's got you into such a good mood?'
"Oh, I suppose I'm just so happy because I have finally been approved to take my studies on-line. Therefore, I can stay here all year!"
Trying not to burst her happiness, I smile as honestly as I can, while on the inside I feel like crying. "That's so great! I bet Miroku will be so excited, when are you going to tell him?"
"As soon as he gets home tonight, while we're alone. I wanted you and him to be the first ones to know. What about you, what are you going to do when summer ends?"
Sighing, I lean back into the couch, "That's a good question. As of right now, I'm still planning on heading back home for school."
"What?!" She sits up shocked. "You mean you're not going to stay here with Sesshoumaru?"
"Well, think about it…" I try to defend myself, "the plan was originally for me to stay for the summer, which is almost over." She starts to speak but I cut her off. "Plus, it's too late for me to enroll somewhere else and since I'm planning on being a vet, I can't very well get the hands on experience I need by taking courses on-line."
"What does Sesshoumaru have to say about all of this?"
Looking down at the floor, I sigh again. "I haven't spoken to him about any of this just yet."
She thinks for a bit before speaking again. "You know, I think he'll be supportive, but on the inside he'll struggle to let you go so easily. Do you love him?"
"Well, yeah…I think I do. Why?"
"First of all, you either do or you don't. Second, if you do, you need to tell him before you leave and risk pushing him away." She says as she shakes her head.
"I know, but how can I tell him and then just leave. It just wouldn't make any sense; it's better if he doesn't know how hard it is for me to leave. I don't want him to feel like he has to wait for me. I want him to be free." I say while I wring my hands.
"Kagome, I don't think it works that way. I mean I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching him. You're not that easy to forget." She says as she grabs one of my hands.
I shrug my shoulders, "Well, I hope you're right, but as of now, this is how it's going to be. And don't you dare tell him any of this!"
"Don't tell who what?" Sesshoumaru asks as he walks through the door, casually twirling his drumsticks.
"Umm…don't tell Kouga that we're planning a surprise birthday party for him." I quickly cover up the truth with a convenient lie. "Tomorrow night, here, right after you boys finish practice.
He looks confused. "Today is Tuesday; his birthday is on Thursday, so why are you having the party a day early?"
Sango pipes up beside me, "Because we're planning on celebrating until just past midnight, thus celebrating the start of his twenty-third year."
He nods, "Sounds good, but why did you wait until so late to tell the rest of us?"
"Because I already knew you guys would be free, thanks to your manager, and this way, there was less time for either Miroku or Inuyasha to forget it was a surprise and mention in front of Kouga." I say.
He raises his eyebrow before nodding."Hnn….that makes sense, those two can never keep their mouths shut. I take it you would like to decorate the house for the party?"
"Yep! When you get home tomorrow evening, you won't even be able to recognize the place. Just make sure that you manage to bring Kouga with you, but don't make it too obvious why he's coming over." Sango begins. "Just tell him you boys have all been invited for dinner or something. As for Inuyasha and Miroku, I will have already filled them in on what's going on, so they'll be able to pretend right along with you.
"Sounds like you girls thought of everything."
"More than you'll ever know," I mumble under my breath. He glances at me curiously before silently shrugging it off.
"Well, I'm going to go take a shower. I'll see you in a bit." With that, he gives me a quick kiss and then darts up the stairs.
Sango and I collapse into the couch. "Wow Kagome, who knew you were able to think up such convincing lies so quickly." She says once we hear water running upstairs.
I shrug a bit, "Well it wasn't a complete lie, or he would have known right away." She looks at me unsure until I continue. "He's a demon Sango, they can sense lies. I got away with it because I was thinking of inviting Kouga over for dinner on Thursday to celebrate anyway. Now I have to go out and buy decorations. Will you be sure to tell Miroku, Inuyasha, Kikyo and Ayame about the party?"
"Sure thing. In the mean time," she says as she starts to walk towards the front door, "I seriously suggest you think about talking to Sesshoumaru about leaving."
I smile as she walks down the street, calling after her "I'll think about it." As I turn to shut the door, I think to myself 'and I hope he understands.'
It's now the day of the surpriseparty and after much begging, I managed to convince Sessh to go shopping with me for all of the supplies. I even managed to coerce him into helping me set up banners and other things that were going up too high for me to reach.
Currently Kikyo and I were putting up the last few touches while Sango was in the kitchen kindly whipping up something yummy to eat. Ayame is on her way over and the boys should finish practice and arrive in about twenty minutes.
"Hey girls, I'm here!" Ayame calls from the front door. "Where can I put all of this?"
Confused, I look up from what I'm doing to see her standing there with two bulky bags. "What ya got there?"
"Oh," She shrugs, "presents from me and his family. I've been hiding them for weeks, ever since they were mailed to me so he would have something to open."
"Oh right." I nod, "you can leave them in the living room with the one Sesshoumaru and I got him." After she sets them down she begins to help in any way she can.
Kikyo walks over, "Hey, the boys should be here any minute, don't you think we should hide now or something?"
Sango glances down at her watch, "Oh wow, she's right, let's all get into place."
Not a second later, we hear the boys laughing about their practice on the porch as Sesshoumaru unlocks the door.
"SURPRISE!!!" We all shout and then laugh at Kouga's shocked expression.
Not saying anything, he just stares at us. Then he smiles. "Wow guys, I had no idea this was coming, thank you so much!" Sango, Kikyo and I go up and give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek while the boys just pat him on the back as they walk by.
"You should really thank the girls for setting it all up" Inuyasha says as he sits down on the couch.
"Yeah," Adds Miroku, "Especially Kagome who planned it."
"And didn't tell even us what they were doing until last night." Finishes Sesshoumaru.
"Well, I'm impressed, thank you so much girls, I really wasn't expecting anything." Kouga says as he joins Inuyasha on the couch.
"You're welcome Kouga, now, if you all want to just sit down in the living room, Sango and I will bring out dinner and then Kouga can open all of his presents." I say as I walk towards the kitchen.
"I have presents?!" Kouga shrieks, "Where, from who?!"
Ayame laughs, "Well, most of them are from your family, but some are from us. I had to hide some of them for over a month."
"Sweet!"
We all laugh as we eat and watch Kouga tear into his packages. I had planned on talking to Sesshoumaru tonight, but decide it can wait. The mood was too good to risk right now. I did, however, notice that Sessh kept staring at me as if he was trying to figure out what was going on in my brain…..hopefully he didn't figure it out before I did..
Authors Note:....Okay....I have a secret.....the next chapter will be a chapter that MANY of you are waiting for....but I won't tell you why. I would give cookies to whoever guesses, but I bet most anyone who reviews will probably get it, haha.