InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Your Eyes ❯ We Used To Be Friends ( Chapter 6 )

A/N: Wow…I've been absent for a while… I'm sorry guys!! It wasn't my intention to leave this story without an update for so long. I went on a mini-vacation… just something to get out. Anyway, a HUGE thank you to all my reviewers!!! Cookies and brownies all around! I would like to respond to one review in particular… ahem, in my defense…well, actually I have no defense. What can I say? It actually does annoy me to insert lyrics into my chapters, it just breaks apart the flow of things but I did it in hopes of carrying my point across better. Let you guys see why I chose that particular song for that particular instance. So now… I'll only insert lyrics where I see it fit… everyone can just look up the lyrics on google! :D Anyway, thank you again… and here we go!!

 

Disclaimer: I don't own… you can't sue… deal?

 

`'Thoughts

 

“”Speaking (Do I really need to keep reminding you?) :]

 

 

Chpt. 6 We Used To Be Friends

 

“Kagome, honey, are you alright?”

 

“Hmm?” Kagome absent-mindedly answered, continuing her assault on the food before her with her chopsticks.

 

“You've hardly touched your dinner, is everything alright?” Miori questioned, continuing to gaze at her daughter.

 

“Oh, yes. Yes, everything is fine.” Kagome smiled tightly. `Everything is just freakin' fantastic…'

 

“Oh, by the way dear, Sango called while you were out.” Miori got up from her place at the table, empty dish in hand as she walked over to the sink.

 

“Yeah?” Kagome continued to poke at her food.

 

“Yes, she said that Inuyasha and Shippou would be dropping by later to pick you up for a night out.” Kagome's mother smiled cheerfully.

 

The raven-haired girl immediately ceased her movements as the newly acquired information registered. “A… night out? T-t-tonight?”

 

“Yes! Well, she wasn't specific on what you all would be doing but I'm sure you'll have a great time. Doesn't that sound lovely? All five of you together again, it's absolutely wonderful!” Miori gushed as she turned to face her daughter who had suddenly gone pale.

 

`Oh…shit.' Kagome jumped out of her chair and rushed upstairs, slamming the bathroom door behind her as she emptied the contents of her stomach into the toilet.

 

“Oooh, look how excited she is!” Kagome's mother clapped her hands together, oblivious to her daughter's ill state.

 

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

Kagome lied face-up on her bed, idly staring at the white ceiling above her. `Oh great… just when I thought I was free…'

 

It had been a close call for Kagome. Too close. Inuyasha had almost discovered the truth about the ring… Actually, if it hadn't been for Miroku's good timing and prying eyes, she would've sung like a love-stricken canary. No pun intended. Just imagining how furious the hanyou would've been was enough to make Kagome shudder.

 

`What if he had found out?'

 

A quick image of Inuyasha looking disappointed invaded the young girl's thoughts, her heart slightly aching as amber eyes flashed with hurt. Sure, he would've been upset, angry that she had kept the ring from him, not to mention her conversation with Kikyou… but most of all, he would've been inwardly hurt that she hadn't trusted him enough to say something. The solid fact that he really had almost found out made Kagome's stomach churn.

 

“Fa…miliar?” Kagome nervously faltered, unconsciously leaning away from the hanyou's offending hand.

 

“Is this…” he narrowed his eyes for a closer inspection of the ring, the light of the sun reflecting off the cool steel between his thumb and index finger. “Kagome… where di-”

 

“Inuyasha! Oi, Inuyasha! Kikyou is loo…king…” violet eyes danced in amusement as Miroku stepped out of the Shrine, his previous reason for searching out the half-demon forgotten as he eyed the cozy couple beneath the shady tree. “…Forgive me, am I interrupting somethi-”

 

Inuyasha suddenly bolted out of Kagome's comfortable lap as if he had been burned, cursing silently as a scowl marred his face.

 

The hanyou and the young miko had always been very close and comfortable with each other. The two of them shared a strong bond built on trust, friendship, acceptance and to a certain level… understanding. When all else failed, when no one else was there… they had each other, or at least… they did. But as easy-going and carefree as the hanyou became with Kagome, he always despised being caught in private displays of affection with her. She was the only one who had accepted him as he was, the only who didn't care what he was but rather who.

 

“Keh!” Inuyasha's scowl deepened, crossing his arms over his chest in annoyance as he retorted sharply. “You weren't interrupting nothing. Whaddaya want?”

 

Behind Inuyasha, Miroku could see Kagome's flushed figure shoving something into her green shirt, frantically muttering incoherent curses under her breath.

 

“Yes, of course not…” Miroku reverted his gaze back upon the hanyou, slightly arching a dark brow as a small smile played on his lips.

 

“Need something, asshole? Or you just came to check me out?” Inuyasha jeered, brows furrowing together as a pout twisted his face.

 

“Uh… oh yes. Kikyou is looking for you inside, she wishes to discuss…”

 

Miroku trailed off as the pouting hanyou shoved his way past him and entered the Shrine, slamming the glass door behind him for good measure.

 

“Tch. Such a temper.” The dark-haired man commented as he came to sit beside a very relieved Kagome.

 

“Well… you know how he gets sometimes,” Kagome weakly smiled.

 

“Indeed. But, if I may point out… he did look very content in your presence.” Miroku grinned. He always enjoyed walking in on Inuyasha and Kagome. Afterwards one always had her head in the sky and the other his head up his ass. It was truly amusing.

 

Kagome sighed, “I bet…” `Only too content to get away from it…'

 

Knowing he was pushing his luck, Miroku decided to venture further into his previous comment. “Come now, Kid. He didn't even notice me standing at the door… Hah! Good sense of smell my ass. Ahem… but my point is, he gets so comfortable in your presence that he even forgets to stay alert. He's always so hostile, reserved…pouty, at least you can assuage his constant state of paranoia.

 

She vaguely smiled at this. Inuyasha was always so guarded. He always tried to push people away, sadly though… the small group of friends and family never took his insults or bad mood to heart, and somehow Kagome knew he was grateful for it.

 

The young miko knew Miroku was only trying to cheer her up but it really didn't matter… she was still pleased to know that the half-demon could `relax' around her and that she hadn't gotten caught with the ring.

 

Or…had she?

 

“Kagome! Inuyasha and Shippou are here!” Miori's voice came from downstairs.

 

Kagome immediately jumped off her bed, straightening out her attire as she gave herself the once-over in her mirror. Jeans, a blue t-shirt and a light jacket, it was simple…not that Inuyasha would've cared anyway.

 

“Coming!” the young girl called back, pausing in her doorway to inhale deeply. `You can do this.'

 

As Kagome headed for the stairs a sudden surge of bile rose in her throat, her stomach churning as she ran the opposite direction towards the bathroom. `Oh god.. I can't do this.'

 

After a few minutes of deep breathing and a couple of splashes of cool water on her face, Kagome was ready to face her friends. She made no effort to pick up her pace as she dragged her feet down every step.

 

It had been almost three years since all five of them had `hung out' together. Since they had all grown up everyone always seemed to have other things to attend to, places to be, a life to manage. There was never anymore time to just sit around and reminisce, catch up and just enjoy each other's company.

 

“Keh! Took you long enough.” The hanyou gruffly scoffed, idly scratching his ear as Kagome descended the stairs.

 

“What the idiot means is `hello, how are you?'” Shippou quipped as he playfully nudged Inuyasha.

 

“Sorry,” was all Kagome could mutter as she came to stand next to them.

 

From the looks of it, the hanyou was still slightly irritated about yesterday's incident… he was being more of an asshole than usual. Suddenly Kagome felt quite uneasy again, her pseudo sense of apathy about the entire event quickly dissipating as Inuyasha threw open the door and stomped his merry little way down the Shrine steps. If ever a time descending those steps felt like walking towards hell, it was this awful night, as serene as it may have been.

 

The entire walk down was taken in silence, Shippou and Kagome quietly sneaking glances at each other before returning their attention back to the ground, Inuyasha leading the way as they all neared his red 1970 Chevelle SS 454.

 

Luckily, Kagome had somewhat learned her lesson, silly girl… Inuyasha was apparently still fairly upset about yesterday's incident…so he didn't need to keel over in complete rage about the ring. The stupid, silver, faintly intriguing ring… After the close call with the hanyou, Kagome had made damn sure to stash the small band away. Mentally wincing, she hoped that he had forgotten the whole `ring ordeal', carelessly tossing the incident aside as unimportant.

 

Kagome had hidden the silver halo in a small, round jewelry box. She mentally praised herself for her location of choice… no one would ever suspect to look inside her closet, behind the large mounds of clothes, underneath a few shoe boxes, beneath a loose floorboard, inside a shabby, old, yellow backpack. It was perfect. But… what if the hanyou did remember? Waiting patiently for the proper time to inquire her about it? Though, `proper' wasn't really Inuyasha's thing...

 

Kagome suddenly winced.

 

What if he decided to blow up in front of everyone, yelling and cursing? It was bad enough that Inuyasha would find out but if everyone else was led on…. Then she would feel his royal wrath for sure. His job was supposed to be a secret…The entire Assemblage was supposed to be a secret. He would definitely despise her and wholly realize that he had made the better choice. Kikyou would've never messed up, never slip, never lie to him. But that's what separated the two girls…wasn't it? Kagome wasn't Kikyou. Kagome would lie to him.

 

`Man… this sucks.'

 

“Foxtrot, you're sittin' in the back.” The hanyou commanded, pulling the car keys out of his pocket.

 

“What, why?”

 

“ `Cause I fucking said so, that's why.” Inuyasha jeered, jarring the car door open with a swift pull.

 

Kagome stood there bemused, unsure if she had heard him correctly. `Does he want me to sit up front? Oh god… why? Does he know?! I bet he found out, that's why he's mad!'

 

Inuyasha and Shippou just starred at the raven-haired girl as different masks of emotion tried her face on for size before a look between fear and embarrassment froze on her face. Shippou shot the half-demon a quizzical look before opening the door to the back seat.

 

“Oi, Kagome!” Inuyasha started as he slide into the driver's seat, leaning over the passenger seat to push the door open, “ you gonna get in or just stand there all night?”

 

Quickly snapping out of her stupor, Kagome got into the car, closing the door as Inuyasha stuck the key into the ignition, the car starting with a loud roar.

 

The car ride to Sango's was taken in silence, a heavy stiffness filtering the car's ambiance. Inuyasha could sense the anxiety radiating off the young girl, almost like fire scorching his skin. She never noticed his perplexed glances as she was too entranced with watching the world blur by in a mesh of darkness, the yellow street lights flashing in her eyes like lightning. What was the matter with her? Had he upset her in someway? Was all this about yesterday? Was she angry?

 

Golden orbs saw Shippou quirk a brow in a `what-did-you-do?' manner through the rear-view mirror and Inuyasha subtly shrugged at the silent question. Hell if he knew… usually the inu-hanyou didn't give a shit if one of his friends was angry with him. They had a problem? Tough! But whenever Kagome was upset with him he always felt like a complete jackass. `Damn… what did I do?'

 

He inwardly groaned at the thought of having to confront her about it. He was never good at handling problems delicately, if at all… and especially with women. Already feeling the cloud of guilt forming over his head, he gave an audible growl. Too much shit was going on for him to deal with something so trivial like this. Kagome hardly got angry with him or lost her patience, that meant… he must've committed something bastardly.

 

A sudden scowl contorted his features as he muttered a string of curses under his breath. `Fuck, what the hell did I fucking do now?'

 

Two pairs of eyes were trained on the hanyou as he continued muttering, emerald pools dancing with amusement and chocolate orbs shining with new found fear. Kagome shifted uncomfortably in her seat. `Oh crap… he really is mad!'

 

Kagome's anxiety had now tripled, unknowingly increasing the hanyou's displeasure.

 

Shippou just leaned back against the car seat, raising his arms and clasping his hands behind his head. At this point the tension in the automobile had become almost tangible, a heavy cloud polluting the atmosphere, suffocating, draining, quite frankly… unnerving.

 

The kitsune light-heartedly shook his head, unaffected by the growing apprehension in the car. Staring out the left window of the back seat, he watched the bright head lights of other cars zoom by. `I could really go for a soda right now…'

 

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

“So… what's new guys?” Sango asked, a rather puzzled look marring her face.

 

Once hopping into the back seat of Inuyasha's Chevelle, Sango had been met with fake smiles and awkward `heys'. She had been thrilled about spending time with everyone; they hadn't had a reunion like this for quite some time. Not to mention the small fact that a certain violet-eyed pervert would be included in this `outing'.

 

“Nothing at all,” Shippou smiled sheepishly beside her.

 

“Okay…” Sango eyed Inuyasha, “So what are we doing tonight?”

 

“Keh! Whatever the hell we feel like doing, what didja think?”

 

“Of course, my bad..” the girl answered dryly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. `Hm… someone's a bit pissy today…'

 

The remainder of the trip was fairly quiet, only a few short exchanges between Sango and Shippou. Clearly, they were off to a great night…

 

“Uh… you do know that we're at your apartment, right?” Sango looked out of her window.

 

“So insightful,” the hanyou gave a half-hearted applause, “ what else can you point out, captain obvious?”

 

“Har, har, har. Gee, you're just an excited puppy tonight, aren't you?” Sango stepped out of the car, slamming the door behind her dramatically.

 

“Dogboy's just p.m.s-ing,”Shippou laughed, brushing a few auburn wisps out of his eyes.

 

“Hey! Shut the hell up!” the hanyou scowled, sneaking a quick glance at Kagome as she came to stand beside him.

 

She was fidgeting with the jacket in her hands like mad, obviously still on edge or upset. It was really bothering him, he couldn't stand her discomfort… especially when he didn't know how to ease it.

 

Sighing heavily, Inuyasha stomped his way up the staircase that led to his apartment, hell bent on rousing other tenants out of their sleep. He didn't have the patience to be courteous tonight, not that he ever was…

 

“What's eating him?” Sango rolled her eyes at the ascending half-demon.

 

“Uh… p.m.s?” Kagome lightly shrugged, a nervous smile twisting the corners of her lips.

 

“Hmm…” the tall girl grabbed Kagome by the elbow, dragging her up the same steps the hanyou had taken.

 

“Just like old times…” Shippou sighed nostalgically as he followed after the girls. He was still skeptical about Inuyasha's bad mood and wondered if it had to do with Kagome's uneasiness. She had seemed rather jittery…

 

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

“Pepperoni!”

 

“Olive!”

 

“Pepperoni, dammit!”

 

“Oliv-oh for the love of Christ… Inuyasha! Does that honestly look like a pepperoni slice?” Sango haughtily questioned, pointing at the round image drawn on a white board set in the middle of the living room.

 

“Bitch, why would it be an olive? I hate olives! Clearly the Kid had a pepperoni in mind!” Inuyasha planted a fist on his hip.

 

“Did not! Kagome… tell this idiot that I'm right and that I win!”

 

“It looks like a bowl.”

 

Three pairs of eyes turned to look at Shippou. He idly tossed a few chips into his mouth as he shifted in the leather recliner.

 

“A bowl? How the hell do you figure?” Inuyasha raised a dark brow.

 

“Well…ok, it looks more like the top view of a bowl,” the kitsune reasoned.

 

“That's crap!” the hanyou stomped his foot, involuntarily causing Kagome to jump. Though her anxiousness had lessened, she still seemed a bit uncomfortable.

 

“You just don't see outside the box,” Shippou made a square shape in the air with his hands.

 

“Well… I see that you should stay inside it.”

 

A sudden knock at the door drew everyone's attention as the doorknob turned and the door jerked open.

 

“Good evening all,” Miroku flashed a wide smile as he entered the apartment.

 

“Who's with you?” Inuyasha questioned immediately. Two other scents had assailed his nose making him growl as recognition settled in.

 

“Hey everyone!” Rin bounded in, a bubbly smile plastered on her face.

 

“No..” Inuyasha ground out.

 

“Guess who I ran into on the street?” Miroku innocently smiled, lifting his hands up defensively as he shrugged.

 

“No..” the hanyou's scowl deepened.

 

“We took the liberty of bringing you provisions, little brother.” Sesshoumaru's stoic figure appeared in the doorway, a couple of pizza boxes under one arm.

 

“Sesshoumaru!” everyone greeted, raising a hand in salutation.

 

“We found Miroku leaving the adult video store. He asked if we'd like to come along for a night of fun! Isn't that great?!” Rin chirped, situating herself on one of the leather couches.

 

Flat expressions met Miroku as he cleared his throat awkwardly. `Oh man…'

 

“We were just playing our own rendition of charades!” Sango quickly spoke up, “ Me vs. Inuyasha.”

 

“Oooh, sounds fun! Which team am I on?” Rin eagerly questioned.

 

“Join my team! …You'll lose with Inuyasha.” Sango stated sardonically, motioning Rin to come stand beside her.

 

“I'll go with Sango also, Inuyasha is too narrow minded.” Shippou jeered as he walked over to join the two girls.

 

“Guess Sesshoumaru and I get stuck with the dog.” Miroku grinned, patting Inuyasha's shoulder affectionately.

 

“Fuck you,” Inuyasha spat, amber eyes settling on the one person who hadn't said a word all night. Mind you, they were playing charades… but come on…

 

“What about the Kid?” Inuyasha motioned with his head towards a very quiet Kagome.

 

“Huh? Oh, it's okay.. I'll just sit and-”

 

“She'll be on my team since apparently… I don't count for much, “ Inuyasha stuck out his tongue, grabbing Kagome's arm and dragging her to stand beside him.

 

“Good luck, Kagome…” Sango rolled up her sleeves, a hard look of determination glimmering in her dark eyes.

 

“She ain't gonna need luck, she's got-”

 

“Inuyasha, silence.” Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes as he set the pizzas down on the kitchen counter. Inuyasha only pouted and crossed his arms over his chest disdainfully.

 

“Anyway, back to our previous match… Kagome who was right?” Sango beamed, already set on celebrating her first victory.

 

“No one.”

 

Everyone's eyes fell on the white board in the middle of the room. Confused expressions slowly replaced blank stares as everyone's gaze settled back on Kagome.

 

“Come again?” Sango's brows furrowed.

 

“No one answered correctly…” Kagome calmly stated.

 

“Wait. What was your answer again, Dogboy?” Rin's muffled question came as she shrugged out of her red sweater.

“A pepperoni…”

 

“It's an olive!” Sango countered, stomping her foot for emphasis.

 

“Maybe it's an orange?” Miroku interjected, tilting his head as to analyze the drawing.

 

“It's just a ball…” Kagome sighed, uncomfortably shifting her feet. Why did everyone always overanalyze…

 

More blank stares.

 

“Naturally…” Sesshoumaru stated, his bored expression never wavering.

 

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

The rest of the night went on in comic relief. The entire group of friends hadn't reunited in so long, the chance to reminisce was gladly exhausted to it's fullest. They laughed, ate, fought and relived old memories. Jokes long buried under time were dug up and old, blurry pictures were passed around. Time seemed to stop as they recalled the simpler days of youth captured forever in photographs of birthdays, parties, The Shikon Order, incidents long before time had taken it's toll, and they had all carved new moments in their life without each other…

 

Throughout the night, Inuyasha had noticed Kagome loosen up, laughing, smiling, joking around as if nothing had changed at all. Maybe she hadn't been mad at him after all? A small sigh of relief escaped his lips at the thought of no longer having to confront Kagome. He was never good with confrontation of any kind, or problems, or girl problems, or girls in general. No, no, no, and never.

 

After a while, the three girls had broken away to sit around the kitchen table and gossip, giggling and squealing as usual…

 

The men had resigned themselves to drinking a couple of beers and laughing over their own sick jokes, old stories, and new relationships… or lack there of. Miroku being the only bachelor left among them, and would probably remain one… ass-grabbing his happy little way into death.

 

As Shippou and Sesshoumaru continued their heated discussion about politics, Inuyasha couldn't help but tune out. He always had to deal with politics of some sort in his line of work… he was tired of it. Instead, his attention was drawn towards the smallest shimmer of light reflecting off of Shippou's wedding band. Good for Shippou. He had found love and comfort in a hanyou named Shiori. He hadn't cared about her bloodline or family, color or race,… only the feelings she ignited within him. They had been a perfect match, regardless of what they were… or weren't. Inuyasha had begun to regard Shippou with more respect since the kitsune married Shiori. Or well, at least with some respect anyway…

 

“So how is the lovely lady, Inuyasha?” Miroku inquired, taking a small swig of beer. Apparently their last discussion had ended… now it was all eyes on him.

 

“Hm? Oh, Kikyou's fine. She couldn't make it today…” Inuyasha answered distractedly, never averting his gaze from Shippou's ring.

 

`A ring… something. There was something about a ring…'

 

“How you have managed to capture the attention of a woman is beyond my comprehension.” Sesshoumaru opened another bottle of beer with a slight pop.

 

`A silver ring…right? Damn! What about a ring?…' Inuyasha unknowingly worried his bottom lip between his teeth as he flipped his older brother off.

 

“Yes, well Inuyasha is lucky. Kikyou is quite the beauty.” Miroku smiled charmingly, half expecting the hanyou to call him on his change of tone.

 

`Something about a ring… but what?'

 

Suddenly a fit of giggles resounded throughout the room, a ringing crescendo as the girls continued laughing. But… one voice rose above the rest, drifting towards him, his ears slightly twitching from the noise.

 

`Kagome…' Inuyasha's amber eyes widened in realization.

 

“The ring…” the hanyou mumbled, eyes blazing like wild fires. `The fucking ring….'

 

“Pardon?” Miroku spoke, shrugging as Shippou gave him a curious look.

 

Suddenly Inuyasha rapidly blinked, clearing away his thoughts as he stood up from his seat on the couch. His eyes were now trained on a certain raven-haired girl as he made his way towards the girls sitting around the table, hell bent on getting some answers. Now!

Before he could reach Kagome; however, a loud knock captured his attention. It was coming from the front door. Who the hell needed to bother him now? He was so close to getting answers! The girls fell quiet as the knocking continued.

 

Shippou and Miroku quickly stood up, exchanging knowing glances as they watched Inuyasha go for the door. Already agitated as hell, the half-demon didn't even bother looking into the peephole; he just jarred the door open, anger quickly replacing his previous agitation.

 

“Oh.. fucking hell…”

 

“Evenin' dog-turd.”

 

“What the hell do you want?” Inuyasha spat, a low growl forming in his throat.

 

Icy eyes glared at him before the ookami demon crossed his arms over his chest defensively, “ You got alotta nerve. We're all working our asses off back there and here you are partying it up? You son of a bit-”

 

“Inuyasha, who is it?” Sango called from her place in the kitchen.

 

“Death!” He called back, narrowing his eyes at Kouga.

 

“What do they want?” Sango ignored his previous response, rolling her eyes.

 

“You, apparently.” He shot back before pinning the demon with a glower. “This is my time off so you can go fuck yourself.”

“Tch. Oh.. yo Foxtrot! Pervert! Sesshoumaru!” Kouga greeted over Inuyasha's shoulder.

 

Miroku and Shippou regarded him with small nods before directing their attention to Sesshoumaru with quizzical expressions.

 

“None of your concern…” Sesshoumaru waved nonchalantly from his place on the couch. The two just shrugged and reclaimed their previous seats. Miroku on the couch and Shippou on the recliner.

 

Before Inuyasha could slam the door on Kouga's face, three girls appeared behind him, trying to get a look over the hanyou at the apparent stranger.

 

“Who's he?” Rin questioned, standing on tiptoes to get a better look at the demon.

 

“He was just leaving.” Inuyasha stated dryly, getting ready to shut the door.

 

“Maybe… your friend would like to stay?” Kagome remarked timidly as she looked over Inuyasha's right shoulder, a small hand firmly clamped on his shoulder for support.

A small wave of nostalgia hit Inuyasha as Kagome's familiar scent assailed his nose. Despite the perfumed aromas from the other girls, the hanyou could always discern Kagome's natural, calming scent. Some of the tension eased off his form but he was still unhappy that she, of all people, would ask the jerk to stay.

 

“What? Kagome he's not my frie-”

 

“I'd love too,” Kouga shot Kagome a sly smirk.

 

“No way!”

 

Ignoring the hanyou's complaints, the ookami youkai pushed his way past Inuyasha and into the apartment.

 

“Come now, Inuyasha, poor Kouga. He deserves some time off as well.” Miroku argued, taking a lazy swig of his beer. His fifth beer… Even drunk, Miroku knew how to royally piss off the hanyou…

 

“Thanks lecher,” Kouga grinned. Miroku just lifted his hand in acknowledgement.

 

Inuyasha closed the door before curtly brushing past Kouga to sit back on the couch, his previous search for answers forgotten completely. `Bastard…'

 

“So.. uh… who are you again?” Sango asked as she sat down on the floor, leaning against Miroku's legs, earning herself a small smile from the tipsy pervert. Rin followed suit, situating herself on the armrest of the couch next to her fiancée. Kagome just stood there, dumbfounded and lost. Who was this guy? Did he work with Inuyasha? Was he also part of The Assemblage? Did he know about her?!

 

“How rude of me,” Kouga bowed before locking his eyes with Kagome's. “The name's Riyoma Kouga.”

 

An involuntary blush dusted Kagome's cheeks as she graced him with a shy smile, “I'm Higurashi Kagome.

 

Kouga only smiled as he took one of her hands and placed a kiss on the top of it, “honored.”

 

No one missed the exchange between Kagome and Kouga or the threatening growl that escaped Inuyasha as he watched the ookami's blatant display of affection. `Asshole.. he doesn't even know her!'

 

Sango quietly smiled to herself as she saw Kagome's blush deepen. She was having mixed feelings about the whole situation now… Inuyasha and Kikyou, Inuyasha and Kagome, Kagome and Kouga… who the hell was Kouga anyway? Miroku and … her?

 

“A-hem” Miroku cleared his throat loudly in an attempt to steer everyone's attention towards himself. “Well Kouga… now that you've met Kagome,” Miroku emphasized as his eyes twinkled mischievously, “ I'd like to introduce Nakamura Sango and Saito Rin.”

 

Miroku hadn't missed Kagome's flushed expression either. Sure… Kouga was an arrogant asshole and an egocentric bastard… but at least he knew how to treat a woman, more so than a certain thickheaded hanyou. If Kouga fancied Kagome, by all means she was fair game… `This might even bend the proud hanyou…' he inwardly praised himself for such an observation.

 

“Nice to meet you, Kouga.” Rin chirped, flashing him a bright smile. Sesshoumaru didn't fail to notice this and quickly dragged Rin into his lap before securing his arms around her. The inu-youkai may not have had anything to fret about but that didn't mean Kouga wouldn't try something. Rin just sighed happily, taking Sesshoumaru's action as a display of tenderly affection.

 

“So…oh! It's even now! Let's play another game of charades, yeah?” Sango cheered enthusiastically. Though they had played fifteen games, and she had won thirteen to two, the tall girl never passed up an opportunity to humiliate the hanyou… or Miroku. Mostly Miroku…

 

“What do you say, Kouga? Up for a few rounds of `Intense Charades'?” Shippou teased.

 

“Uh…”

 

“Keh! He's too fucking proud to play that game.” Inuyasha chided, a slight smirk forming at the corners of his lips.

 

Kouga only shot the hanyou an icy glare before turning back to Shippou. “Whose team am I on?”

 

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

 

A ghost of a smile played on Kagome's lips as she snuggled into the warmth of her bed. The night had gone on quite differently than she had envisioned. After a couple more rounds of charades ending in a landslide victory twenty-five to five, the small group of friends had decided to pop into the DVD player an old favorite, A Nightmare On Elm Street.

 

Things from there had gone remotely uneventful. Miroku and Sango unknowingly flirting, Sesshoumaru and Rin…. doing their own thing…. Shippou, Kouga and Inuyasha mildly arguing about scare tactics… and Kagome, watching the happy circle of friends play out their antics.

 

`Kouga…' Kagome didn't know what it was about the guy, but he sure was captivating. She couldn't help but blush slightly at his random compliments and subtle winks. It's not that she liked him… but he at least paid her more attention than Inuyasha ever did.

 

Idly playing with the silver ring once again around her neck, Kagome decided it was better if she didn't dwell on Inuyasha and Kouga. She was just relieved that the hanyou had never found out or bothered inquiring her about the ring.

 

“Stupid ring….” She mumbled as she began drifting off into an unconscious bliss.

 

“Oh... I don't think it's that stupid.”

 

That voice. Kagome immediately snapped her eyes open at the familiarity of the voice. She sat up in bed only to be met with an old shadow; a silhouette of a person she wished wouldn't be back to bother her… She cringed as red eyes flashed like lightning in the dark room.

 

“Hello, Kagome…”

 

 

 

A/N: The end. No, not really… but alas, another cliffy! I'm sorry!!! Anyway, I know what you all are thinking and I'm just going to say it,… yes it basically is a chapter filler. But don't throw your fruit yet, it's good for you, eat it. I kind of wanted to show the relationships between the characters aforementioned. Keep in mind, they grew up together and the only reason things have changed is because of well… hormones, lives, tension… etc. To be honest, small parts of this story are from personal experience… but I'll get into that next chapter, maybe.. Anyway, I'll just shut up now. Please, Read and Review!!!

We Used to be Friends: by The Dandy Warhols