Disclaimer – Still don't know why you think I would own all this, but just so you know…I don't.

Dedication - Um, well. My work, because my muse has just come alive here. This place is where I finished chapter 11 & just rocked 12.

Chapter Thirteen – Well…This is Awkward

Authors Note – So this is the chapter where I decided to up the rating from T to M. Some of the plot points I had decided on early-on should have prompted me to raise the rating already, but decided to not do any rating changes until I was actually getting ready to write those chapters. This chapter will feature abuse and mild adult themes (more implied than anything), I apologize if that deters any of you from wanting to continue reading but it is an important piece of the puzzle and that scene will have ripples and echoes that cause things in later chapters. I couldn't not put it in. If you don't want to read it, I understand. I have sectioned off that content with 'Ooo' so when you see that divider next (Obviously, not this first one) that is where the story will get morally skewed, and then when there is another of the dividers you are safe to keep reading the safer content. I will try my best to always section off abusive, sexual or other M-rated themes in the future. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy the chapter!

Ooo

"I don't understand why you agreed to this." Kagome grumbled as she brushed her teeth. Inuyasha, who was already completely ready for their date-of-horror, had drug her office chair across the floor and was positioned in the entry way to her bathroom.

Shrugging, he picked a piece of lint off the shoulder of his red long-sleeved button-up shirt and said "Well, Miroku and I had originally come up with the idea of involving this exact boyfriend if Kikyo went crazy…so maybe getting to know him won't be that bad of an idea."

Kagome spit her mouthful of tooth paste out and rinsed her mouth before replying "And what if he is just as crazy as she is? It was her idea for us to go to dinner with him, plus he is dating Kikyo…there must be something wrong with him. Nobody can like that level of crazy."

Inuyasha watched Kagome through the mirror as she did her make-up. She was wearing a knee-length black dress with a respectable but still alluring V-neck and slits up either side of her leg. The straps were an inch thick across her shoulders but plunged down to come back together at the base of her back, revealing the entire expanse of silky white skin below her shoulder blades. She used a little black eye-liner and some red lipstick for make-up and then pinned half of her hair up.

As she went to pass Inuyasha to go into the bedroom for the heels she had worn to school the previous day, he grabbed her around her waist and said "You look beautiful tonight, regardless of what happens, this made it worth it." He ran his fingers down the middle of her back all the way down to where the dress covered her skin again.

Kagome blushed "Thank-you," She brushed past him into the room and held onto the pole of her canopy as she stepped into the heels. Turning to look at Inuyasha she asked "Are you ready for this?"

Inuyasha nodded "Yea, let's get going, I don't want to be late."

That day at school Kikyo almost completely avoided them, even Inuyasha, which was strange. Kagome just couldn't understand what her motive was, her angle. Though they all agreed there had to be one.

As Inuyasha and Kagome walked down the stairs she said "Sango doesn't think Kikyo has this huge master plan in place, that she isn't that smart. That most of her tantrums have been just that, tantrums. She reacts impulsively, without thinking. Tonight was a spur of the moment thing for her to decide, so I don't see there being any long-lasting repercussions."

Inuyasha nodded in agreement "She is probably right, which I guess is why I am not too worried about it. Sure, I have to spend my evening around Kikyo and her boyfriend but…well I wanted to get to know the guy, and honestly it is worth it to see you in that dress."

Kagome smacked his arm playfully "One track mind." She mumbled as they reached the ground floor.

Inuyasha nodded his head "Sometimes." As he grabbed her black double-button trench-coat from the coat hanger by the door and slipped it on for her, Inutashio came in from a random room off the main hall. Kagome was surprised to see him wearing a pair of basketball shorts and t-shirt, looking very disheveled.

Inuyasha snorted "Have a good work out dad?"

The older man took a drink from his water bottle as he walked down the hall towards them "Yes I did actually." He looked them both over and smiled tightly "You both look wonderful this evening, I'm sure you'll have fun?"

Inuyasha shook his head "Doubt it, but we'll see."

The older man walked up to them and placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder, causing her to look up at him in surprise "Kagome…be careful with Kikyo." That was the first time the girl had ever heard him even mention Kikyo's name. He must know all about her and her crazy then, which made sense – he knew everything.

Kagome patted his hand with her own "I will. I promise." She beamed at him.

Inuyasha shrugged into his own leather jacket and opened the door saying "Seriously dad, tonight is more of a recon mission. We'll be fine." He took Kagome's hand and together they left the house.

"Recon mission?" Kagome repeated, laughing "I hope that isn't the theme of most of our dates."

Inuyasha opened the garage door and grinned at her "Well, it most certainly would be entertaining…but no. Tonight is a fluke, I don't want to have to put up with this any longer, trust me."

As he opened the door for her, Kagome pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth and said "I do trust you, let's just get through tonight." She climbed into the car and Inuyasha came around his side and got in. Moments later they were driving through the dark streets heading for the restaurant.

They had put some upbeat music on, hoping to keep the negativity of the night away, and Kagome was tapping her feet along with the beat and singing along "Oh well I guess were gonna find out, let's see how far we've come. Let's see how far we've come!"

"Say your good-byes if you got someone you can say good-bye to!" Inuyasha sang along as well, drumming along with the quick tempo on the steering wheel.

Kagome laughed happily, Inuyasha was holding her hand on the center console and they were singing along to the radio together both rather badly actually, but they didn't care and were having fun. It was perfection.

"Let's see how far we've come! Let's see how far we've come! Let's see how far we've come!" As the song ended, very dramatically, they were both laughing themselves silly. Despite how they were about to spend the rest of their evening, they had this moment right here together.

Inuyasha shook his head at their similar silly antics, smiling. He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers softly, never taking his eyes off the road. Kagome smiled at him, sure with other people he was really gruff and could be mean, but not with her. He was a completely different person with her, and it was a shame that because of Kikyo this kind side of him had been kept down for so long.

She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb, smiling at him as he drove. He was so handsome, and kind – god she was lucky. Shaking her head at her thought process she thought about how tonight was going to go, what if Inuyasha and Sango were right and tonight would be fine? She worried the inside of her lip, hoping that was the case but doubting it all the same.

"Hey, Kagome, we're here." Inuyasha's voice caught her attention and she looked up at the building they were parked in front of. It was beautiful in its simplicity. A two story building of black stone, gold accents and lights positioned just-so to light it up in an almost magical way. She was finally getting excited about this evening.

As her boyfriend opened her door for her, she noticed the white car that belonged to Sango parked across the street. The large black Cadillac that Kikyo had gotten out of the other day was nowhere to be seen, though she doubted that meant much; given that there were parking lots surrounding the building. She figured they were the last ones to arrive. Slipping her arm through Inuyasha's, she heard him ask "Are you ready?"

Kagome shrugged "I don't know."

Inuyasha kissed her cheek "Me either, let's do it. " He led them through the front door where the hostess smiled brightly at them.

"Table for two?" She asked, reaching for a pair of menus

Inuyasha shook his head "No we are meeting a few other people here, I believe the reservation was under Kikyo?"

An odd look passed over the woman's face and she nodded "Of course. Right this way." She led them through the building and when they got back to the back of the room she opened a pair of double doors to a private room where the other four were waiting for them.

The four at the table looked up, their conversations cut off by the newest arrival. As the waitress got them situated, handed them menus and took drink orders Kagome looked around the table.

Sango looked beautiful in her white dress. It had long sleeves that were tight, like a second skin. The collar was high. All around the top of the dress from just above her breasts up was fine white lace. Lightly showing her neck, chest, shoulders and back. The dress fell to her knees and were matched with white heels. It was a gloriously beautiful dress.

Where Sango looked elegant and Kagome looked classically sexy, Kikyo had to dress down right provocatively. Her dress was a shrieking red shade that she probably couldn't even bend down in without showing her backside. The thin straps were off-the-shoulder revealing much more of her cleavage than was necessary, or appropriate for this sort of a location.

The men sitting beside each of the women were dressed nice though. Miroku wore khakis and a deep green shirt with long sleeves. The man sitting beside Kikyo, who must be Naraku, wore dark denim jeans and a black button up shirt. He had long black hair tied back into a pony-tail. When Kagome was finally seated, what surprised her the most were the man's red eyes. Nobody had told her that he was a demon, though demon he clearly was.

Aside from a parting glance, he hadn't even looked at Kagome. No, his eyes were leveled directly at Inuyasha. An odd look in his eyes.

When Inuyasha caught the glare of the other man he frowned, confused. He lifted his menu to start looking at the food but could still feel the stare of the older man.

As if she couldn't notice the mounting tension in the room Kikyo said "Inuyasha, Kagome let me introduce you to my boyfriend, Naraku." She spoke in a slightly whiny Betty-Boop voice, which was different than her day-to-day voice and very annoying.

Kagome smiled slightly and held her hand out, given that she sat directly next to the man "Pleased to meet you, Naraku."

Now the man took his eyes off the half demon and they traveled slowly over Kagome's form. He smirked "Pleasure is all mine." Instead of shaking her hand, as she expected, he took it and kissed it.

Kagome tensed a little, and could hear a light growl come from Inuyasha but she kicked him under the table, warning him to be quite.

The demon turned his eyes to Inuyasha and said "Inuyasha, half-breed, dog demon – correct?"

Inuyasha sat up straight, Kagome was beginning to see the comparison of half and full demons, and of just demonic types, were very common. He cleared his throat and said "Yea, you're right. My father is a demon, my mother a human."

Naraku nodded, but didn't reply.

Kikyo went on, in that annoying voice she was using "Naraku is so great, he offered to pick up the tab tonight! Isn't that fantastic?" She wrapped herself around his arm and hung there, looking up at him "His daddy comes from old money, so my baby is loaded." She winked at Kagome "it's fun aint it?"

Kagome bristled, but Inuyasha spoke smoothly "I know I enjoy being with someone who is on my level financially." He slipped an arm around Kagome's shoulders and went on "At least I know she likes me for more than my money." He kissed her hair softly.

Kikyo frowned "What?"

Kagome lifted her water glass, going for carelessly casual "Oh, didn't they tell you?" She took a sip "I own 45% of Inuyasha's father's company."

Both Sango and Miroku glanced their way in surprise, this was news to them "Really?" Miroku asked.

Inuyasha nodded "One hell of an inheritance I'd say."

Kagome's smile was slightly sad but she said "I never told you guys? Really? Huh…my bad. Musta slipped my mind."

Sango snorted "Sure, your millionaire status just slipped your mind,"

Kagome laughed "Hardly, I own the company but can't collect from it or have any actual rights to it for another 2 years."

Kikyo looked like she had just tasted something sour, but was unable to respond because of the waitress's arrival "Hello!" She said happily, obviously excited about the prospect of a large tip "My name is Beka and I will be your server this evening. Our special this evening is the Prime Rib served with garlic and cheddar mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and your choice of either a side salad or our soup of the day which is garden basil and tomato. Can I start you off with some appetizers?"

Kagome glanced at Inuyasha "Wanna share the artichoke and cheese dip and bread?"

Inuyasha made a face "Artichoke? Gross. I was thinking mussels."

Kagome nodded "Those are good too-"

Sango piped in "I'll share the dip with you Kagome, let the boys eat their sea-food." Miroku nodded in agreement.

Naraku added then, speaking to the waitress "Two orders of the artichoke dip, extra bread please, and one of the garlic and white wine mussels."

The woman wrote it down before saying "Alright, I will get those started right away." She turned and left their private room, shutting the door behind her.

Kagome ran her finger around the rim of her water glass, drawing a low hum from the crystal facets. Inuyasha watched her with a content smile on his lips.

Kikyo in turn watched him with a dark look on her face. Before the silence could get any more awkward, Sango cleared her throat and said "So, Kikyo…this was your idea to get together tonight?"

Kikyo shrugged "Like I said, none of you have met Naraku yet and I hardly know Kagome, who is apparently not going anywhere, so I figured it is a good time to get to know everyone." She sipped her water.

Naraku crossed his arms over his chest and looked around the room, his eyes found Inuyasha and he said "So, do you relate more to humans or demons Inuyasha? As a half-breed I would assume you are somewhat on the fence about it."

The young man narrowed his eyes "I don't try to relate more with one group over the other. I have friends, and enemies, on both sides of that fence. I never try to alienate either group. That's the great thing about being half and half, I have similarities to both."

Kagome smiled brightly at his words, they were well thought out, polite but unwavering.

Naraku snorted, arching an eyebrow "The great thing about being half and half? There is nothing great about being a diluted half-breed."

Kagome, who was sitting directly between the two demons, felt Inuyasha tense beside her and she reached over to take his hand. Steadying him. She leveled her eyes at Naraku, her stare so intense he glanced at her. Surprise colored his face when he saw the anger in her dark eyes "There is nothing wrong with Inuyasha being a half-demon, his mother and father loved each other and so they had Inuyasha – that is that. He is here because of true love, there is nothing diluted about that."

Naraku looked down his nose at Kagome and smirked "Normally human women are meek and shy in the presence of a full demon, but you aren't. Interesting."

There was something in the way that he looked at her that caused a shock of fear to rock her core, but she never averted her eyes. "Being meek isn't who I am, especially in the face of idiotic thoughts."

Inuyasha touched her shoulder "Kagome, don't bother. Naraku here must be a purist."

Kagome glanced at her boyfriend "What?"

Sango cleared her throat and said "A purist, demons who believe that the demonic species are superior that humans, and that by no-means should the two intermingle."

Kagome looked back at Naraku, disgusted "So, like a Nazi or something? You realize you are dating a human right?"

Naraku leaned forward, causing Kagome to sit up straight and Inuyasha to shift closer to her, "Meek, and shy. Subservient." Kagome figured he had to be talking about the traits Kikyo showed that made him willing to date her.

Kikyo scoffed "It isn't like I'm planning on having his kids or anything,"

Miroku spoke up then "Kikyo, are you trying to say you agree with this warped thought? You have fawned over Inuyasha since day fucking one, and now you are trying to say he is somehow less than a full demon?"

Kikyo didn't respond, but Naraku looked down at her with a glare causing her to shrink.

Kagome pushed her chair back and stood gracefully "Sorry everyone, but I don't think I am going to be able to remain for dinner – I suddenly have lost my appetite."

Inuyasha stood with her and nodded "Yea, thanks for the introductions Kikyo. This was a really enlightening evening." He glared at her and she looked down.

Sango and Miroku stood as well and the latter spoke "Thanks for showing your true colors Kikyo. Now we know just how terrible you are."

Sango crossed her arms and stared at her cousin, who simply stared at the floor "Kikyo, look at me."

The other female looked up through her lashes at her cousin, but looked back down at the hard look she was getting.

"Kikyo, unfortunately you are family so I still have to see you all the time, but know this. You better stay the hell away from us, don't look at us. Don't talk to us, don't fucking think about us. Got it?" She turned and walked briskly over to the door, the rest following.

As she left the banquet hall, Kagome glanced over her shoulder at the pair left sitting. Kikyo hadn't removed her eyes from the floor and Naraku was staring at the door, at her, with a sinister look that caused her to quickly slip out of the room and shut the door hard behind her.

The waitress was on her way towards them, a tray of food in her hands. She stared at them in surprise as they walked towards the door. Kagome paused beside her and smiled before drawing a twenty out of her purse "Sorry, but we have to be leaving. You were a wonderful waitress." She passed the woman the money and with another smile, she ran to catch up with the others as they left the building.

Out on the sidewalk Sango laced her fingers behind her head and shook it back and forth, disbelief on her face "I can't fucking believe her…" She said.

Inuyasha draped his arm around Kagome and said "Don't sweat it Sango, I get it all the time." He shrugged and Kagome looked up at him with a frown.

"Inuyasha," Kagome said softly "Just because it happens doesn't mean it is any less messed up. We're allowed to be upset by this."

Inuyasha gave her a half smile and said "Hey, guys. Look, we're all dressed nice. Let's go get some food somewhere else, anywhere. On me."

Sango glanced his way and shook her head again, dropping her arms "Inuyasha how can you be so calm right now?"

He smiled at her "Because I just had three of the most awesome people jump to my defense, which pretty much overshadows the other shit."

Sango smiled and came up to Inuyasha and hugged both him and Kagome, Miroku followed suit and there the four of them were – dressed to the nines, standing on a sidewalk having a big group hug.

Ooo

Naraku had thrown money down onto the table and stood, rage evident on his face. Kikyo stood slowly beside him, watching him "Are we leaving?" She asked, dropping the whiny little girl voice.

Naraku turned his red stare onto her, his calm from before was completely gone and rage burned in his eyes "Yes, we are leaving right now. Come on." He grabbed her arm and took her from the private room and through the restaurant, though they didn't exit through the main entrance. Their Cadillac was parked in the rear of the building, and that was where he took her.

Kikyo remained silent until they were in the car and Naraku was driving. He attended school in Berkley, but he also owned a home in the heart of San Francisco. "Why are you so angry?" She said eventually, scowling at him.

Naraku glared at her "Fawning over a half-breed? Is that what tonight was about, to parade me in front of some disgusting half demon to make him jealous?"

Kikyo crossed her arms "I have the better boyfriend, is wanting to show that off so wrong? He just started dating that Kagome bitch, and I wanted to show them how stupid their relationship is."

Naraku slowed near the front gate of his house and as he punched in the code on the electric keypad he said, without looking at Kikyo "Text your uncle or your grandmother and tell them that you are staying at a friend's tonight."

Kikyo quickly did as she was told and Naraku pulled the vehicle in front of the house and parked. Turning off the engine he climbed out and started walking up to the door. Kikyo was hot on his trail, excited to be staying over, knowing what it meant.

Once they were inside the house, which was an impressive abode, and Naraku had the door locked he turned to Kikyo and without warning he grabbed her around the throat and rammed her against the solid wooden door "You are a worthless slut Kikyo, trailing after a dirty hanyou like a fan girl. You think you deserve to be with someone like me? When that is what interests you?"

"N-no Naraku, he doesn't interest me! You do! Only you, I swear!" She trembled, but it wasn't fear that lit up her eyes and Naraku knew it. He had known the second he met her that Kikyo was a weak willed woman who wanted, needed, to be dominated. He was only too happy to oblige.

"You disgust me." He released her and crossed his arms over his chest "To think I was sharing my bed with someone like you, a hanyou lover." Seeing the fear and hardly disguised excitement on her face, he smirked "At least you have the good graces to be afraid of me, unlike that half-breed's girlfriend, she stood up to me." He smiled in that very creepy way of his.

Kikyo narrowed her eyes "You are thinking about Kagome?!" She screeched at him.

Naraku's eyes zeroed in on Kikyo and he slapped her, hard. She cried out and he shoved her away from him "Yes, you dumb bitch, I was thinking about her. I was thinking about all of the things I would like to do to her. See how she likes being with a real demon instead of a worthless half-breed."

"Are you serious right now?" Anger was warring with other emotions right now, and it was evident on her face.

Naraku came over to her, in a very different mood all of a sudden. He caressed the cheek he had just struck with a light claw touch "Such a jealous girl." He whispered, his claw running down her jaw to her neck and down to the front of her dress. He drug his claw through the red material like it was nothing. Ripped in half the dress fell to the floor leaving the woman in nothing but her heels.

Kikyo shivered, her exposed skin cool "I thought you didn't want me here?" She asked.

"You can leave any time you wish," the demon crooned, his lips tracing the path his claw had just followed. Kikyo shivered again, from an entirely different sensation.

"I-I think I'll stay."

Naraku chuckled and stood straight, his hand going around her throat again. He pushed her up against the wall "You like having a man dominate you, don't you? You weak little human."

Kikyo pressed her lips together and nodded "I like being with you Naraku."

Growling, Naraku spun her around so she was pressed against the wall facing away from him "Good."

Ooo

Laughter rang through the restaurant, leading back to the quartet that sat in the corner. They were receiving some very odd looks just then.

"Who decided we should go to Taco Bell again?" Sango asked around her burrito.

Miroku sipped his coke and said "I wanted Mexican food, and then Kagome said she had seen one just up the street. So here we are."

Kagome giggled "We look like idiots."

Inuyasha kissed her hair "You look wonderful."

Miroku and Sango shared a glance and then both went "Aww!"

Kagome picked up some discarded lettuce and threw it at them "Shut up!"

Inuyasha chuckled "We are a tad overdressed," He looked around the room at the few people in their regular street clothes who kept glancing at the group sitting in the corner booth.

"This is fun though," Sango said with a smile, propping her chin up in her palm "And, well we don't have to worry about Kikyo anymore. I didn't think she would dive off the deep end like this, but well…" She shrugged, sipping her drink.

Miroku patted her on the shoulder "Don't feel bad, we can't all be held responsible for our family."

Sango nodded and sighed "Wow today was long."

Kagome nodded her agreement "Yup, and chances are tomorrow will be longer still but hey you know what, we'll survive it."

Sango lifted her Taco Bell cup and said "I'll drink to that!" The other three lifted their paper cups high and lightly smacked them together "Cheers!" More laughter followed.

Once all their food was done and their conversation began to lull Inuyasha said "Well, I'm ready to go home."

Sango nodded her head "I agree, I want to get out of this dress."

Miroku grinned "I can help with that."

Sango narrowed her eyes "What was that? You are walking home?"

Miroku laughed, but didn't respond.

As they dumped their trash and went outside, Sango hugged Kagome and said "Thank you Kagome, for putting up with Kikyo and for being so awesome to Inuyasha. It makes me happy knowing he is well taken care of."

Kagome returned the hug and said "No problem, see you tomorrow in Study Hall."

She and Miroku waved to each other and the two pairs got into their own cars before each heading down the road. When Sango started to turn at a stoplight, she beeped the horn at them and Inuyasha returned it.

In the car, Kagome sighed and leaned back against the seat, letting her eyes close "Today has been long," She said sounding wearier that she had just moments before.

"Are you ok? With everything I mean?" Inuyasha asked, glancing at her before looking back to the road.

Kagome nodded and reached out to take his hand "Of course I am, are you?"

Inuyasha simply shrugged.

Kagome kissed his hand and said "I think you are fantastic, and that wouldn't change if you were human or full demon or a quarter demon…you are great either way."

Inuyasha looked her way and smiled. He stopped at the next light and leaned over to kiss her

Just then, her cell phone rang and she frowned before picking it up and looking at the caller ID. A large grin crossed her face as she answered it "Yuka?"

Inuyasha's ears twitched, he wasn't trying to eavesdrop but it was a physical impossibility not to hear what the woman on the other end of the line said, and Kagome had to know that by now. He tried really hard to focus on the road before him, and to not hear her conversation.

"Not just me!" The voice on the other end laughed.

"Eri here!" A second voice chimed in.

"And of course Ayumi!" The third girl laughed.

Kagome laughed out loud, and Inuyasha loved how happy she looked "Oh my gosh! Hi you guys!" Kagome grinned at Inuyasha and covered the mouth piece saying softly "I haven't talked to them more than some texting here and there since I left." Her face fell "Oh my god…I haven't told them about you yet." She grinned sheepishly.

"Kagome are you there?"

"Huh? Oh yea, sorry I'm here. How are you guys?"

"Us? How are we doing? No, no everything is the same here – though Hojo is nearly crying every day because you aren't here."

Inuyasha's ears flicked in her direction and she smiled, taking his hand and kissing his fingers with a meaningful look.

"We want to know what is going on with you, in America! How is it? Any cute boys?" The girl's voices and questions were overlapping at this point.

Kagome laughed "Everything is fine here, I love my new place. Mr. Takashi has been very kind to me, and accommodating about everything. The school is different, but I'm adjusting. They bumped me up a grade here, so I am actually going to graduate early."

"What? You are going to graduate before us? That is so not fair!"

"Well, they offered it and I couldn't say no. It made more sense too, especially because Inuyasha is a junior and all of his friends so it helps that I'm not alone."

There was a pause before one of the girls said "Inuyasha? Is that the son?!"

Kagome winced "Um, yes?"

A loud squeal was heard from all three girls and Kagome pulled the phone away from her ear "Oh. My. God! Tell us all about him! Is he nice to you? Is he good looking? Come on Kagome, don't hold out on us!"

Kagome laughed at her friends, Inuyasha was grinning at her from the driver seat as they neared the house "Oh, Inuyasha. He is great. A perfect gentleman." She looked at the mentioned half demon as she spoke "We bickered at first when I got here, adjusting I guess, but he has been fantastic. His friends are nice too."

"Aww! That is so great, is he cute?" Her friends were relentless.

"Very."

More squealing was heard "You have to send us a picture!"

They were driving up the long driveway towards the house now "Ok, lemme get one and I will sent it to you guys ok? Call me right back when you get it." She hung up as Inuyasha opened her door.

He looked a little, down "You didn't tell them about us?" He sounded hurt.

Kagome grinned at him "I know my friends, I knew they would ask for a picture and I figured showing them was better than telling them."

Inuyasha quickly perked up at that and slipped a hand around her waist in the garage and said "Oh, photo op? Snap away." He said as he kissed her.

Kagome giggled and tried to get her phone to the camera while she kissed him, it was a task. A few pictures later they broke apart both smiling.

Kagome flipped through them and found one that to her was perfectly imperfect. Both of them were laughing, large grins on their mouths. His nose was brushed against hers and their lips were barely touching. She smiled at it for a moment before showing him "This one?"

Inuyasha took her phone and looked at it "Yea…that one." He smiled at her and returned the phone.

"It is about to get super crazy on the other end of this phone, I'm gonna go to my room – you don't need me to tell your dad about dinner." She rolled her eyes "Plus I wanna get out of this dress."

Inuyasha grinned and approached her as they entered the house "I can help with that."

Kagome scowled playfully, smacking him "No you can't. Go. Talk to your dad." She turned and went up the stairs.

Inuyasha simply watched her walk away, a grin on his face.

Ooo

There. Picture sent. Damage done.

It took oh, all 2.6 seconds for her phone to blow up.

Not wanting to damage her hearing she put it on speaker phone and set the phone on her bed as she undressed.

Not even getting a chance to say hello, her friends were practically screaming at her a bunch of incoherent nonsense that made her laugh as she slipped out of the heels, dropping a few inches lower to the hard wood floor.

"Oh my god! Kagome!" They were finally starting to use real words! Good for them.

"Are you two kissing in that picture?!" Kagome just laughed as she unzipped her dress, which was a task to do alone. Damn, maybe having Inuyasha at least start the zipper would have been a good idea.

"Huh?" She asked "Oh, yes. Yes we are."

More screaming. God these girls were going to have no voice by the end of the night.

"Kagome! How could you not tell us about this?! When did it happen? You've only been there like a week!"

Finally managing to shimmy out of the dress Kagome grabbed a pair of baggy pajama pants and a tank-top saying "I didn't want to just text you guys and say 'hey I got a boyfriend!' and we haven't talked. Plus this is very new. Like, 3 days in."

"Aww! He is so cute too! You look so happy Kagome!" One of the girls sounded on the verge of tears.

"He is very good looking, I won't lie…and he does make me happy. Very happy." She sighed as she pulled off her jewelry, smiling as she thought of the half demon downstairs and totally missing what her friends were saying.

"-ou aren't gonna come home now?"

"Wait, what?" She asked confused.

"I said, does this mean you aren't gonna come home now?" Her friends sounded fearful.

"Oh. Oh, gosh I don't even know. Right now I am just focusing on school and on Souta – I haven't thought that far ahead. I mean, I had but I guess this does change things a bit." She mumbled trying to think quickly "I don't know right now. We seriously just started dating; we didn't get married or anything. Right now, nothing has officially changed but we'll see." Could she leave Inuyasha now? She wasn't sure.

"Oh…well let us know will you? Oh my god – you guys haven't-?"

Kagome cut her off "Eri! What part of we have been together for three days didn't make sense to you? Three days, he's kissed me, that is it." She failed to mention that he kissed her, a lot. A lot, a lot. And that she loved it, every single minute of it.

"Oh, good."

Kagome laughed "Why aren't you guys in school?" She asked looking at the clock; it was just after 8:30 in the evening meaning it was 1:30 there.

"Oh, early release for something. I can't remember. That is why we called you. Finally our schedules lined up and good thing!" There was more laughter on the other line.

Now that her clothing, shoes and jewelry were removed and properly put away, and her make-up was removed and her curled hair was tied back, almost giving her a cheerleader look, Kagome flopped onto her bed and picked up the phone taking it off speaker "I agree, it is good to talk to you guys."

"I cannot believe you go and get a boyfriend without us being there to tell you if he is good for you Kagome!" One of them chastised playfully.

Kagome grinned "Oh, trust me you guys. Inuyasha is so good for me it is insane. We both have baggage that makes relationships hard, and neither of us cares about the others. We work really well."

"He is 17, how does he have baggage?"

Sighing deeply Kagome launched into the tale of Kikyo "Well…"

Ooo

Inuyasha could not get the grin off his face as he walked into his dad's study; the older man was in one of the larger chairs with a book in his hands. He closed the book and looked up at his son with a smile of his own, seeing his son look so…happy "Good dinner?"

"Huh? Oh, no dinner was a disaster. The four of us went to Taco Bell instead." He didn't have to elaborate who the four were, his dad would know.

"O…k, then what has you looking so happy?"

"Kagome, she is just…" He shook his head, not able to put into words how amazing she was. Between her defensive nature at dinner, to the way she talked to her friends, to the way she kissed him. She was perfect.

"Ah, Kagome. Where is she?"

"Up in her room, in the car some of her friends from Japan called her. My god those girls are loud and hilarious. Kagome knows just how to handle them too; it was a treat to watch. She hadn't told them about us yet, so she took the phone upstairs to save our ears from all the squealing." He chuckled and took the seat on the other side of the small end table.

"So that is what I just heard." Inutashio mumbled as he glanced at his ceiling.

Inuyasha looked up, unable to hear anything from where he sat. His father's hearing better even than his "Yea, probably."

His father removed his reading glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose "So dinner, how was it a disaster."

Inuyasha sighed and rubbed his face "Her boyfriend is a fucking nut job dad, excuse my language but he is some kind of full demon and is like, really dominate over Kikyo. She was all meek and agreeable. It was weird, plus he is a purist."

Inutashio sighed and shook his head "Despite living in modern times, they are everywhere."

"The best part though was Kagome; she was like a pit bull on this guy the second he started in on me. She didn't let him say a thing after his initial comments. Then told everyone she was leaving, saying she lost her appetite." He chuckled "Naturally, we all followed. Even Sango and Miroku were defending me."

"You have good friends, son." Inutashio said with a smile "A good girlfriend as well." He said pointedly.

"Yea, I know I do. I am pretty damn lucky. Anyways, just wanted to fill you in. I'm gonna go get changed and see if Kagome is off the phone."

Ooo

"That is so terrible!" One of the girls chimed in as Kagome finished her story.

"How can people be like that?"

Kagome sighed, laying on her back and staring up at the canopy of her bed "I don't know. I mean, Inuyasha is so great too ya know. He is so kind, and thoughtful." She sighed happily this time.

"Aww…" Three collective voices said.

"He is ok with me too, I mean with what is going on. He took me to see Souta the other day and came in the room with him and everything. He just, really cares about me and what I am going through but doesn't judge me on it. It is so nice."

"That is so great Kagome, we are so happy for you."

"Oh, crap, my mom is calling me – I have to go guys!" Eri's voice sounded "I miss you Kagome, stay in touch. Bye!"

Kagome smiled "Bye Eri, take care!" There was a click as her line disconnected.

Just then there was knock on her door and she looked up. Covering the mouth piece she said "Come in!" the door revealed Inuyasha, dressed down for the evening like her. She smiled at him and he came and crawled onto her bed to sit with her.

He lay back against her pillows and she settled in against his chest, his arm around her "You guys need to come visit this summer, when school lets out ok? Come meet everyone here."

"We would love that Kagome, we totally wanna meet your new boyfriend – he sounds totally dreamy."

Inuyasha grinned down at Kagome who laughed "He really is. Listen guys, it's been a long night and it is getting late. I'm gonna go, talk to you soon?"

"Of course! We love you Kagome, have fun! Bye!"

"We really miss you Kags, love you! Bye!"

"Bye you guys love you too!" She hung up and set her phone on the end table before looking up at Inuyasha.

The half demon just arched a silver eyebrow at her "Dreamy?"

She laughed and smacked him "What? You are!"

He smiled and cupped her cheek, drawing her in for a kiss. Kagome happily met his lips with hers.

For a moment the kiss was like any other, sweet and shy but then, slowly, something shifted. Inuyasha's hand found the back of her neck and she grabbed a fistful of his shirt. Their bodies pressing close. Hesitantly, Inuyasha opened his mouth to deepen the kiss and after a moment, Kagome shyly gave him entrance. It was a different experience, but not a bad one. His tongue rubbed against hers and she found that playing right back was fun, exciting.

Inuyasha groaned into the kiss and moved so he was over her, his knees and elbows holding the most of his weight off of her frame. Kagome was surprised to feel him settle on top of her, her heart began beating like crazy and her hands went up around his neck. It was her own throaty moan that broke the spell for her, hearing her sounds of want scared her and she broke the kiss quickly "In-Inuyasha." She said breathlessly "Wait,"

He stilled instantly, the perfect gentlemen indeed "What?" He asked, breathing just as hard as her.

"We-we can't do this." She blushed at how heated they had gotten.

Inuyasha sighed deeply, hanging his head "Yea, I know…I'm sorry I just got really caught up in the moment." He shifted off of her and sat up on the bed.

Kagome sat up as well, pressing her lips together shyly "I'm sorry, I should have stopped it sooner…"

Inuyasha glanced at her with a smile "Don't apologize Kagome, we agreed to take this slow. I just need to remember that sometimes," He gave her a sheepish look and then cleared his throat "Listen, I uh I need to go take a shower. Then I should probably get to bed, you need sleep too."

Kagome blushed bright red at what he meant by needing a shower, she had never known she would be the one to have that sort of effect on a guy. She nodded "Yea, ok. See you bright and early!"

Inuyasha laughed and kissed her forehead, not trusting himself to kiss her lips right now. "Goodnight Kagome."

"Goodnight Inuyasha."

With that he left the room and Kagome flopped back on her bed. Yea, as if she could sleep now!

!

I decided to end it on a cute/funny note after how craptastic a time I had writing this chapter. That scene with Kikyo & Naraku literally had me cringing away from writing. My muse literally went and hid under my bed. I had to write a random one-shot about everyone that was silly and happy to get it to come out. It is almost done so I may publish that soon. Hope you enjoyed. R&R – I need to know you guys are still reading!