Wahhh over fifteen reviews! :') I love u guys! (But I think you already know that) Ugh, I'm sorry this chapter is rather disturbingly late. Feel free to ask any questions you have in your reviews!

I WANT NACHOS: sure, I'll use the song! =D Haha cheese puffs with sprinkles? Lol! I have to warn you though- the song will have to come in the later chapters (there's one that I have in mind that would go well with that song). But I promise I will use it so look out for it! ^^

Bitter or Sweet?

Disclaimer: If I owned, I wouldn't be here, would I?

Chapter 6: Princess Dreams and Festivals

When you see my face
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
If you find a man that's worth the damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool you're just as well hope it gives you hell

~All-American Rejects: Gives you Hell

KAGOME'S POV:

I don't know if there's ever been a time when I've been deathly tired. But if so, today puts that time way behind. Because, seriously, I could tell that Rin would be a good instructor, but she's more than that- she's hardcore. "Ri-in!" I complain, "I need to take a break! I'm dying here!"

"Don't be silly, Kags! I'm not going to go easy on you just 'cause you're one of my new friends. Alright, drop and give me thirty! GO!"

Crying out in frustration, I do as she says, because I'm honestly not brave enough to cross Rin. No one in their right mind would be.

A sadistic and purely amused chuckle causes me to snap my head up.

My eyes meet with Inuyasha's evilly glittering golden ones.

"Don't laugh at me, you jerk," I bark at him, and he cocks an eyebrow. "How dare you be pleased by my suffering?"

"Is that the way you should be talking to your savior?"

I bare my teeth at him. "Who's my savior?" I challenge him. Inuyasha rolls his eyes.

"Stop being so damn stubborn, Kaggy," he commands airily. "It's been a week since you started taking these classes- you should be used to it by now. And besides, wasn't it you who was thanking me for signing you up?"

I hold in my growl, because he's right; I had been terribly excited. And don't get me wrong, the exercise is plenty enjoyable to me. But Rin . . .Rin sure is something else.

The class ends soon after, and before I leave, I ask Rin if she knows about the New Year's festival.

She nods. "Oh, you mean the one that's taking place the day after tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Well, if you're not going with anyone yet, do you want to come with me and two of my best friends? Afterwards, we're going to Higurashi Shrine and help out with the services taking place."

Rin considers this. Then she breaks out in a grin. "Will there be any hot guys?" she inquires.

I laugh. "I'm pretty sure."

"Then count me in!"

"Then we'll meet you there at five, okay?"

She grins. "Sounds like a plan."

Inuyasha and I walk in silence to our neighborhood, when he finally asks, "So what'd your mom say about those assholes who beat you up?"

I keep quiet.

"Kagome, you did tell her, didn't you?"

Innocently, I ask, "Did you know that when prey mantises mate, the female devours the male?"

He obviously doesn't fall for it. Dang it. "Kagome!" he snaps.

"Shut up, Yash!" I shout.

He stops in front of me. "Kagome, your mom's a huge part of your life. Don't you think she deserves to know what's going on? Don't tell me you didn't even let her know that I've been taking you to martial arts lessons, either? Look me in the eye when I'm talking to you!"

When I do, he blinks in surprise, and I realize that there are hot tears blurring my vision. I hate crying in front of other people, and it's embarrassing that I'm doing so in front of Inuyasha, but it's not like it's the first time I'd be doing something stupid. "What do you know!" I demand. "What do you know about my mom? I bet you're not even aware of how much my mother suffered because of me and my brother! You don't even know how she gave up all her goals and ambitions just for her 'precious' children- how she let go of everything she loved just for us!"

He opens his mouth to say something, but I ignore him and continue angrily.

"I don't think that she even knows that I know about her dream of one day becoming a world-known cook. She knew I'd feel guilty, so she didn't even consider letting me know. But honestly, how could I not care? I love my mother! It's bad enough that she lost her husband, but it's even worse that I, her only daughter, ripped her hopes away from her! And you expect me to tell her about my trivial problems?"

Inuyasha shakes his head slowly, almost as if disappointed. "Kagome, I think you're taking this the wrong way. I've seen your mom, and she looks happy. Not like she doesn't have a care in the world- well, sometimes-, but like she's genuinely pleased with her life. This is the reason she didn't tell you about her losses- because you're paranoid and because you always feel as if you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, and because you stupidly refuse to accept help from people who love you when you need it the most."

I turn away from him and begin to run.

My legs just keep moving without my consent.

I'm afraid to accept the fact that Inuyasha' right, I know that. But he's just an insensitive jerk . . . but then again, I'm not much better, when it comes down to it.

Once I reach my house, I burst through the door and slam it shut respectively. Knowing that he won't dare come in, because let's face it- he's scared of how excited his mom will get if she hears that he came in here of his own free will.

By the time I walk into my room, my cell phone is buzzing, and I open it up to receive a text:

Kagome, you're more of a coward than I originally thought.

I can't believe you actually ran away from me. Whatever- it's not like you can hide from me forever.

By the way, is there something wrong with your leg? You run funny. Kinda like a monkey.

Blah.

PS: And before you jump to the wrong conclusion, I'm not a stalker. My mom stole my cell and put in your number and email address without my permission. I bet that your mom did the same.

PSS: What's up with calling me 'Yash'? That was creepy-

~IY

Smiling despite myself, I look into my contacts- and he's right again; he's the first on my list. And because I ridiculously like having the last word, I text him back.

Well, you're slower than I originally thought, because I was under the impression that half-demons could stop human girls from running away from them easily.

And I do not run funny, you jerk.

Blah.

Blah, blah, blah.

PS: My mom's going to have to answer some questions the next time I see her.

PSS: It's because Rin always calls you that and it's rubbing off on me- unintentionally.

PSSS: I still think you're a stalker.

~K

Funny how someone as tactless as Inuyasha can cheer my up unconsciously, huh? I wonder if he knows. Surprisingly fast, he replies:

Did you want me to catch you?

Rolling my eyes, I type back- Don't push your luck.

And then I shut my phone, grinning.

-x-

"It's gorgeous!" I breathe, astounded. "I can't believe she gave me this! Oh, Mom, isn't it so pretty?"

"Put it on!" she urges me, just as excited as I am.

So I slip into the *yukata, twirling in front of my mother, who nods appreciatively.

When I had found out about the New Year's festival, Izayoi had given me a rectangular white box, and told me to only open it up on that day, and when I did… a beautiful cotton yukata had been inside. It was creamy pink with a sky blue ribbon tied into an elegant bow at the back, lavender flowers and midnight blue ribbons adorning the front and back.

Grabbing my mom's hands, I pull her out of her chair, I make her dance with me, and soon, we're both laughing, spinning, and whirling around the kitchen and through the living room. Sota, who's playing on his game station, looks up to see us dancing to an unknown beat, and gives us a weird look, but I ignore it.

When I was young, I always imagined myself being a princess, swept up by a knight in shining armor. It was cliché and unoriginal, but to me, that simple kind of happiness and happily ever after would light me up. As I grew up, I discovered that because I wasn't born into royalty, that dream would probably never come true, but since then, I still had a hope- that I would one day find a guy who loved me, someone I love back with all my heart. Then we would get married and have a large family consisting of children, a dog, a cat, and my mama, Gramps, and even Sota.

Being in such a lovely yukata brings all those memories back.

Finally, Mom has to stop, complaining that she's too old to pull off stunts that involve lots of body movement.

She brings me into her bedroom, and after searching blindly through a messy drawer, she brings out a clip with a crystal butterfly with wings that have every color in the rainbow. My mother pulls my hair up, and fifteen minutes later when she's finished, she puts the clip in.

"There," she says, pleased. "Your mother's bloody brilliant, isn't she?"

Bloody brilliant? What the heck? When I look at my reflection, happy tears fill my eyes. "I look like how you did when you were young," I whisper.

"Yes, you do. Now go on and meet up with your friends and have fun."

I rise, but just before I leave, guilt fills my chest. "Mom, um, Inuyasha's signed me up for martial arts. Is that okay?"

She looks startled. "Whatever for?" she wonders.

My heart beats unsteadily. "There was a small incident at school, but Inuyasha saved me, and decided I should learn some self defense."

"What… what kind of incident, Kagome?"

I close my eyes, so I won't have to see the dismay in hers. "Bullies,"

"K-Kagome, I thought you told me-"

"Mom, please don't be angry, but there are some things that I don't have the will to tell you about. I'm sorry. But Inuyasha took care of them. So please don't think about this too much."

"Why are telling me this now? After all these years?"

"Because I finally realized that you had to know; Inuyasha made me realize."

And then I go, putting on my winter jacket and boots.

When I arrive, Sango and Ayame are waiting for me. Sango is in magenta-colored yukata with green designs (with a parka on top), but Ayame is in jeans and a t-shirt (with a thick sweater, gloves, and scarf). "Uh, Ayame, what gives?"

She scowls, "I didn't know I was supposed to come dressed in Japanese attire."

"Well, it is a festival," Sango points out, "and we live in Tokyo, which is in Japan."

She wails, "You guys should've told me to come in my yukata!"

Sango ignores her, something that both she and I are good at. "So, where's that friend of yours that you said would be coming?"

"She should be here soon… Her name's Rin and she's eighteen-years-old. She's really tough, but also fun to be around. I think you two will love her."

"Kagome!" a voice shrieks. Speak of the devil. And that little monster slams into me. "Yay I'm in my yukata! What do you think?" She twirls around. Rin looks very pretty, with her dark hair braided into two, and the pattern on her clothes is orange and white squares, with a purple bow.

Ayame and Sango blink at her.

Rin notices them, and grabbing Sango's right hand and Ayame's left hand, she pumps both of them quickly. "Nice to meet you! I'm Rin! You must be Sango and Ayame, right?"

They nod.

"Well, let's go! I want to win some goldfish!" And then Rin hops off.

Suddenly, Ayame's scowl returns. "I can't believe I'm the only one not in a yukata," she grumbles.

I was right- Sango and Ayame love Rin immediately, and we all have more fun than I had hoped. Unfortunately, none of us are skilled enough to win many prizes, but we do buy various treats and sweets.

"C'mon, let's go watch the fireworks!" Rin grins, pointing to the grassy hills to the left, the most popular spot for fireworks-watching, which happens at the very end of the festival, as well as the dancing that is done between males females.

We watch the couples, a bit enviously.

"I wish I had someone important to me in that way," Rin says wistfully, "but all the guys I've dated don't stay with me for long. They say I'm too immature for my age."

"You'll find someone," Sango comforts. "You're special. In fact, we're all special. We'll all find that someone someday."

The fireworks begin, and we look up, the bright lights exploding in front of our eyes.

When they end, we slowly get up, reluctant to leave.

"Oh my God, we have to go help out at the shrine!" I remember. "We have to run!"

"Kagome, you're late," Gramps admonishes, and I laugh sheepishly.

"Sorry about that, Gramps. So, what can we do?"

"The one with the red hair- you advertise the key chains," he orders, handing her a stack of flyers. "The short one can greet the people who come up the steps. Brown-haired girl, you perform the Japanese fan dance in the middle of the floor."

Sango flushes. "But- I-"

"You don't know how?"

"No, I do, but I'm not very good at performing. And besides, it's freezing!"

"Well you have the figure. If you know how, then please do it."

Then, the three of them scurry off to each of their assignments. Gramps turns to me.

"Kagome, I want you to do the face-painting." He hands me a paint palette and three different sized brushes. "You're good at art, aren't you? You see that stand over there? Just sit on the chair and if a child comes up to you, ask for what kind of picture or design they want, and simply draw it on."

I nod, but two hours later, my hand hurts like hell. I didn't know so many children would be coming to our shrine. Clutching my cramped hand, I get up to ask Grandpa if my friends and I can go home, but just then, a small little orange-haired boy comes up to me, and pulls my sleeve.

"Can I get demon markings on my face?" he asks, and I practically coo at his adorable face and bright blue-green eyes. I even let out a small squeal when I see his fluffy tail. I scoop him up.

"You are too cute!"

He giggles, obviously liking the attention. "You smell good," he says, sounding pleasantly surprised. "And you're pretty, too."

"Aw, you're so sweet! Where're your parents, sweetie?"

"Dead."

I freeze, and study his solemn face, deciding that he's not lying. "T-then, who's with you?"

"What the hell is that wench doing here?"

I should've known.

I note with surprise that Inuyasha's dressed for the occasion as well- he's in a crimson red kimono, contrasting with his silver hair and golden eyes. The little boy blows a raspberry at Inuyasha.

"Why you-!" he growls.

"What're you doing with him, Inuyasha?" I ask.

"My Mom's a daycare teacher," he shrugs, "and this boy is an orphan, so she often looks after him, and when she doesn't, his grandma does."

Sympathy automatically colors my voice. "You poor baby!" I coo. "What's your name?"

"Shippo," he grins, revealing a mouth of tiny fangs, indicating that he's a demon. Even better!

I smile. "Well, you can call me Kagome, Shippo."

"Hey, you runt, stop clinging onto Kagome! You're old enough to walk on your own! And Kagome- don't coddle him so much!"

Shippo holds on tighter. "Why, you jealous?"

He snarls, and I laugh. "Oh, stop it, Inuyasha." I pause. "I told my mom about… you know."

He blinks. "You did?"

"Yes."

"You told her that you're actually a cross dresser? I mean, why else would your chest be so flat?"

I smack him on the head. "Not that, bastard!"

"Then what- Oh... you mean about...?"

I nod, and with Shippo still in my arms, I go up on my toes and kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Thank you. You were right." Blushing, I turn away and set Shippo down on the table to get started on painting.

But my thoughts keep returning to the feel of Inuyasha's skin against my lips.

Damn it. This is bad.

It's not my fault he looks so good in his kimono.

-x-

AN: *- a yukata is a kimono for summer, usually made from cotton, which is mainly used for festivals, fireworks displays, and so on.

And guys, the next chapter is a continuation, so the amazake is coming up! *pinkie swear*

Anyways, it came to my attention that the plot of this story might seem very cliché so far, and you're right- it is. But I have the entire story planned out, and there are some twists, so don't worry.

Also, the "boy-and-girl-who-hate-each-other-are-family-friends' thing isn't as cliché as it seems. That's right- I've been in that situation since I was a child.

But we are never going to fall for each other (we annoy each other too much for that), so Kagome's much luckier than me.

Now for the QUESTION OF THE DAY: What did you guys want to be when you were children? Let me know in your reviews!

Oh, and just before I go, my birthday has just recently passed! Yay for Nyony turning a year older! ^^

Lots of Love,

~Nyony

Ninja beta Daichi: Hey you guys! Don't kill Nyony for the late update! She gave me the chapter on Monday, but I wasn't able to do it until Wednesday!

I loved this chapter and I'm sure you guys just as hard as I did! Everybody, sing Nyony happy birthday! *sings song off-note and gets hit with a tomato* Haha I can sing but my throat is sore

And I had my birthday as well! So I'm a year older too! Nyony and I have bdays close to each other.

ANSWER OF THE DAY: (for the question given)

I always wanted to be an actress! I love to act and I do a production every year at my high school. It's great to be on stage and shine! So, that's a little of inside-of-Daichi's-mind thing. BYE!

(And review for the story! I'll come for you! I swear by Inuyasha-sama!) lol insider!

Nyony: I think you'll make a great actress, Daichi!