InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Another High School Fanfic ❯ Surprise Party ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Surprise Party

Aoi’s POV

Even after all the relationship drama at the Halloween “Social” everyone still had fun and for that I was glad. Of course Hana and I spilt the prize money (which was 40000 yen by the way) and we treated everybody to IHOP after we left. One thing is for sure though…seeing everybody, Kagome and Inuyasha (yeah I didn’t miss that)…Sango and Miroku…and Sesshomaru and Hana (although I didn’t technically see them together)…it made me realize that I had to do all that I could to help them. I was the only one that had a good relationship and that made me feel bad. So…even though I didn’t how just yet…I was going to help everybody get their messes straight. I wasn’t a miracle worker but I was going to figure something out.

Anyway two weeks had passed and it was now November 17th. In about a week and a half Hana and I would officially be 16! The sad part was that we still didn’t know what we were going to do. We thought about hanging out somewhere with Kagome and the others but we didn’t even have an idea of where we would go. Everyone seemed to be acting suspicious lately and we thought they were planning something but we weren’t entirely sure. But even in our uncertainty we knew for sure our 16th birthday would be the best.

Kagome’s POV

With Aoi and Hana’s birthday drawing near, Sango, Miroku, and I had to make sure everything was set and ready. Only thing was, since the Halloween party Sango and Miroku seemed even more distant than before. I was shocked when Sango told me that she had officially broken up with Miroku. It surprised me, even though I kinda saw it coming…and with us working together, our meetings from that point were always filled with awkward moments. But everyone still did his or her part. Miroku talked to his dad and got the ‘okay’ to rent the place out for the party. He also hired a DJ (to play music of course when the band wasn’t playing). Sango talked to Bankotsu, who had talked to his band, and was more than happy to play at the party (and free of charge!). I had already bought the decorations and invitations and I talked to Hana’s friend Chiyo at the sweet shop about getting them a cake. She said she’d make one herself, especially for them. I was also responsible for getting the refreshments. Now, somehow, I don’t know if Miroku said something to him or not, but Inuyasha found out about our little plan and volunteered to help. I was hesitant but before I could say anything Sango said yes, only on the condition that he didn’t tell Kikyo. When he asked why, I told him simply that Hana and Aoi really didn’t get along with her and wouldn’t have wanted her coming. He still didn’t completely understand, being as dense as he was, but still promised he wouldn’t say anything to her. After thinking of what he could do, I gave him the job of scheduling an appointment at the spa for Hana and Aoi and getting them a limo as a ‘temporary diversion’ from the surprise. At the first meeting he attended he said he had another idea but wouldn’t even tell us. I wondered what it was. I just hoped that it wasn’t anything too outrageous.

Anyway, we all decided to send out the invitations about a week before the party. After going through the invitation list we decided to invite: Koga, Ayame (she insisted on coming if Koga was going to be there), Chiyo, Kazuke, Kazuya, Sesshomaru, Kyo, Hojo (I had introduced him to the girls a little while back); Nana, Rita, Daisuke, Motoki and Aya (friends from Hana’s old school); Rei, Choji, Yuhi, and Sakura (four of Aoi’s cousins who lived in the area) and a few other people that Hana and Aoi knew in the drama club, on the soccer team, in the chorus and in some of their classes. In all we had about 40 people coming.

I had to admit; even if it wasn’t my birthday I was still excited. I knew that the twins would love what we had planned for them. And you know what? They deserved it…
Other than Sango (and even Miroku and Inuyasha) Hana and Aoi had been the most wonderful friends I had ever met in my entire life. They were always there for me when I needed them. They would give me a ride or lunch money when I needed it and they were always there to comfort me when I got depressed (or as the twins like to put it, ‘emo’) over the whole Inuyasha thing. And not just that, they always made me laugh and I could talk to them about pretty much anything. So I guess it was at the point where they weren’t just my friends, they were my best friends. And best friends, of course, deserved the best.

Sesshomaru’s POV

Since the Halloween party, most of my thoughts had been centered on one thing, or rather one person…Hana. From what she said I now knew for sure…that she did love me and that only made things more complicated. I figured it probably had a lot to do with when I kissed her. I really shouldn’t have but…I couldn’t help myself. It was an impulse driven by my true desires. I wanted to tell her the truth…but a relationship with her would cost me my whole reputation. But even I began to wonder…were my reputation and my pride worth losing her over? Was Aoi right? Was that a shallow reason to hide my true feelings for her?

…Anyway…the 17th was the day I was scheduled to have Rin and she told me she wanted to go to the skating rink. I said that was fine. Maybe taking her out would help me take my mind off of Hana…

Hana’s POV

While in school, for some reason all I could think about was ice-skating. When I thought about it, I realized I actually hadn’t been skating since my school got bombed. I normally went at least twice a week but I had been so busy lately. So, I decided to ask Aoi if she would like to go with me after school.
“Me no want to go!” Aoi said talking like a child.
“But why not?” I asked.
“Hana, do you realize that skating does in fact count as ‘physical activity’? And physical activity for me, besides Dance Dance Revolution, is a definite ‘no-no’.”
“But Aoi, it’ll be so much fun-!”
“Oh no, it’ll be so much fun for you-,” she said pointing at me. “I don’t even know how to ice skate, if I went with you I’d just fall on my butt fifty times and everyone would laugh at me and I’d be embarrassed.”
Aoi could be such a pessimist.
“You won’t embarrass yourself,” I said trying to reassure her, “There will be plenty of people there like you who can’t skate either. Besides, they have these walker-things for beginners, you hold onto them while you’re skating so that you don’t fall.”
Aoi gave me a ‘you’ve gotta be kidding’ look, “I know what you’re talking about, I’ve only seen little kids using those, I don’t wanna look like a little kid!”
I forgot she could be really difficult too.
“Oh come on, they are not just for little kids. But even if you don’t want to use them, you can just hold onto me. And you can pull and push and drag me along with you when you fall!”
“…Oh so now you’re saying I am gonna fall?”
“Can you just say ‘yes’?!” I said giving up on arguing with her.
She thought about it for a moment and then she finally decided to come along with me after school (but only if I let her hold on to me like I said she could).

After School…

Aoi was whimpering like a dog the whole time we were driving to the ice rink. After I’d had enough I decided to ask her, “What’s wrong? I thought you said you wanted to go!”
“I’m starting to change my mind.” She said.
“Well it’s too late now, we’re almost there.”
“I know, I know, but still…”
“Turn left.” I instructed.
Aoi switched on the signal and turned left.
“You know Aoi, you’re lucky.”
“What do you mean?” She asked looking at me for a quick second and then looking back at the road.
I sighed and said, “Well, out of everyone in our little group, you’re the only one who isn’t having ‘trouble in love’.”
Aoi started to look upset.
“What’s wrong? What did I do?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she sighed. “It’s just…I don’t get it. I mean, do you want me to have ‘trouble in love’ as you put it? Because unless you haven’t noticed, you say that a lot…what you just said now that is…”
“No! I just…I don’t know…I’m sorry.” I said bowing my head down.
“No don’t apologize, maybe I just took it too seriously…I know I tend to do that so…”Aoi said.
“Well-the reason why I said that just now was because I was kinda-sorta thinking about Sesshomaru, and how hopeless the thought of us being together is. Eventually my train of thought led up to me saying that.”
“Oh come on Hana! It is not hopeless, I told you that already! He likes you but he’s just too bold to admit it.”
I really did appreciate the fact that she was going through all of this trouble just to convince me that Sesshomaru really did like me (which of course he didn’t), but it just really wasn’t settling with me.
“No matter how hard I try I just can’t get him out of my mind. Maybe skating will clear my head for a while,” I said as we approached the building where the skating rink was. “I mean come on-this is one of the last places where we’d find Sesshomaru, ya know?”
Aoi nodded her head ‘yes’ as she put the car in ‘park’. I exited the car with my skates in hand, ready to go, but Aoi continued to sit in the driver’s seat.
“What are you doing? Get out!”
Aoi looked at me with a pitiful look on her face, “Oh no sweetie I think I’m gonna stay here, have fun!”
I walked over to her door, pulled it open and yanked her out. “You’re coming and you’re gonna have fun, dammit!” I said slamming the door shut. I pulled her along with me by her hair until she was able to cooperate.

Aoi’s POV

My head hurt so bad after Hana had practically pulled all of my hair out trying to make me do this…this…this skating thing. She went up to the…the skate person and got some rental skates for me in my size (because obviously I didn’t own any). I put them on and I felt like my feet had been replaced with cinderblocks, not such a wonderful feeling.
“You’re just not used to it, you’ll be okay.” Hana told me.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what you said when we played soccer in PE that time, and I had to keep up with everyone else cuz they moved faster than I did. My legs hurt for days.”
“This is totally different!” She assured me. “Come on!”
With our skates on, when we walked to the ice we looked like penguins…well I looked like a penguin, Hana walked like a normal person. But anyway, when I got to the ice, I froze (pun not intended).
“Aoi, you’ve been trying to talk me out of making you do this since earlier today, when are you going to realize that you’re going to skate eventually?”
“Oh, can’t we just sit down for a minute and then we can get on the ice?”
It was terrible frustrating Hana so much, but I appreciated her kindness in letting me sit down.
“Ah, this is fun!” I said.
“We’re not doing anything!” Hana replied.
“I know, that’s the point!” I said. “You know what I want? Some hot…”
Had I not seen Fluffy-kun and his cute little protégé sitting ten feet away from us, I might have finished my sentence. I nudged Hana and pointed her in the direction in which I was looking so she could see what I saw.
“Aoi?” Hana said.
“Yeah?”
“Irony’s a bitch, you know that?”
“Oh yeah...”

Hana’s POV

I said that because, of course due to sweet irony, Sesshomaru had to be at the skating rink where I was, not to mention one of the last places you would even catch Sesshomaru (but when I saw Rin, it seemed a little more believable). And I bet it only happened because I said, ‘it would be one of the last places we’d find him’ (with emphasis on the ‘last’ and everything).
What I would have done, had I had any type of luck that day, was get Aoi and have us play ‘Let’s avoid him the whole time’. However, this plan didn’t work because Rin saw us before we could escape.
“Look Sesshomaru-sama! It’s Hana! And there’s a girl with her who looks just like her!” Rin yelled.
Aoi turned to me and said, well thought technically, How does that little girl know your name?
I didn’t really want to explain to her about Rin, I still had to keep my promise to Sesshomaru and I just didn’t think it was the right time for explanations.
I’ll tell you later…
Rin ran towards me and when she reached me she hugged my legs as hard as she could.
“I missed you Hana-san!” she said.
Oh, she called me Hana-san, she is too cute!
“I missed you too, sweetie!” I said.
Just then Rin turned around and waved Sesshomaru over to us, he got up and started walking in our direction.
Great… I thought.
As he headed our way Rin looked up at me and said "Hey Hana-san! I heard your birthday's coming up!"
"Yes it is." I said.
"I'm going to get you something reeeaalllyyy nice."
When Sesshomaru was within reaching distance Rin looked at him and said "Sesshomaru-sama, you're going to get her something too, right?"
He glanced at me and said "Yes. I suppose I will."
"Good! Um, Hana-san?" she said looking back at me.
"Hai Rin-chan?"
"Will you skate with me please?" I nodded and said "Sure...if it’s okay with Sesshomaru."
She looked at him, made the cutest little pout and said "Can she Sesshomaru-sama?"
He nodded.
"Yay!" Just as we was about to go on the ice I looked at Aoi and she waved me away saying, "Go ahead. Have fun without me."
I shook my head and said "Alright, you got lucky this time but next time you are definitely getting on the ice."
The last thing I heard her say was "If you say so..."

Sesshomaru's POV

As Hana guided Rin onto the ice I sat on a bench to watch them. So much for ‘getting her out of my mind’...
Being left with Aoi, I guessed that she would interrogate me again. And that's exactly what she did.
"I hope you're happy." she said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, I don't know exactly what happened at the Halloween thing but since then Hana’s given up on you."
I sighed and said "That's good...she should."
Aoi shook her head and said "I really don't get you...it's obvious you love a lot but you won't be with her for the stupidest reasons."
"My reasons are not stupid."
"Oh really? If I had a relationship with Hana it would ruin my reputation." she said mimicking my voice. "Screw that Sesshomaru! When your reputation dies to nothing Hana would still be there."
"It's not just my reputation." I said getting irritated.
"Then what else is it?" she asked with her hands on her hips.
"You should know...if we go together...the ASF will literally hunt her down."
"That's one of your reasons? What about all that crap you said about protecting her?"
"I did say that but even I can't be with her 24/7. That's why it’s good if she gives up on me...the ASF will leave her alone."
Aoi got quiet. She finally sat down and began taking off her skates. "I see...I guess I should give up on convincing you then. I mean since you're just so sure you two would be better off without each other..."
I sighed in relief, thinking she would finally leave the touchy subject alone. But she didn't.
"But I won't." she continued. "Because I love Hana too much…and I want her to be happy…So until I can convince you I'm going to pester you about it for a long time." "You cannot be serious." I said rolling my eyes.
She grinned and said "Oh I am very serious. And I- Ooh that was flippin’ sweet!"
I looked to see what she was talking about. It was Hana and she was gliding over the ice doing several things from twirls, spins, and mid-air jumps. Rin was not to far from her, clapping and cheering. I had to agree, she was amazing.
Hana...she was such a beautiful girl...always smiling and laughing. Always there for her friends...always loyal...always optimistic…always uplifted…
...And always in my heart...

A week later...

Sango's POV

After weeks of planning and hard work, the day had finally come. Kagome and I had set up the decorations (which included streamers, a big poster that said "Happy Birthday Twins!", balloons, table clothes, etc), Miroku and his dad had put up the alcoholic drinks as promised, and Inuyasha had the limo ready to pick the girls up from their houses and take them to the spa and then to the party. A little after we started setting up, Bankotsu and his band, known as Banryu, arrived and began setting up their guitars, mikes, drums, and so on (but they wouldn't actually be appearing until a little after Hana and Aoi arrived). When all this was done everyone helped carry in the refreshments (which included packs of soda, several bags of chips, assorted rice balls, and wingette platters). We had different tables set for the cake, the refreshments, and the gifts. When Chiyo arrived we all gasped in amazement. It was a big, no, huge cake, one side with Hana’s name and the other with Aoi’s. At the very top it said “Otanjoubiomedetou Gozaimasu” and in the middle, “Futago”. It had white and purple frosting and sprinkles.
“It’s looks delicious!” Kagome said.
“Thanks. And also, I made Aoi’s half chocolate and Hana’s vanilla. So you know, it fits their tastes.” Chiyo said, obviously taking great pride in her work.
“That’s great. Just put it on that table over there.” I said pointing to one of the empty tables.
“Okey dokey!” she said.
While she was doing that Kagome turned to me and said “Alright, so we have the decorations set up, the cake is here, and Bankotsu’s band is good to go for their performance. Are we missing anything?”
I thought for a moment and said “Nope. Other than our gifts in the car, all we need to do is wait for the guests to arrive. Oh yeah, is the DJ set up?” I asked.
Kagome gasped and said “Oh that’s right! I’ve got to give him the list of the girls’ favorite songs! Ah while I do that you go get the gifts!”
Kagome suddenly dashed off. I just shook my head and laughed to myself. All day that girl had been acting like a chicken with its head cut off. While she went to get the list I went on to get the gifts.

Hana’s POV

After much deliberation, Aoi and I decided to spend a day together just hanging out (since we didn’t have money like that to do something big). Since it was my birthday I decided to wear my favorite outfit, a long lavender shirt with violet butterfly graphics, matching jeans with purple butterflies, and purple heels. Just as I finished getting ready I heard a car horn outside. I automatically figured it was Aoi. When I looked out the window I gasped when I saw a black Hummer limo parked in the driveway. I quickly grabbed my purse and ran outside. Just as I got outside Aoi peeked her head out of the sunroof. “Hey girlie!” she said waving at me with a smile.
“Hey! What’s with the limo?”
“The driver said that Inuyasha sent it for us and he treated us to a day at the spa!” she said happily.
“Really?! Man, that’s sweet! We owe him a very big hug!”
“Yep we do! Now get your booty in here!” She said waving me over to the limo.
“Yes ma’am!”
I ran to the limo as Aoi sat back down inside. When I got in, I noticed that Aoi was wearing her favorite outfit too: a light blue, long sleeved, off the shoulder top with a lace-jean miniskirt. Like me, she was wearing heels, except hers weren’t as high and they were blue.
“Girl you’re wearing a miniskirt as cold as it is outside?!” I asked her.
She looked at me, smiled and said, “I read your mind earlier and heard you thinking that you were going to wear your favorite outfit, so I wanted to wear mine too! Besides, I might be cold…” she pointed down to her outfit, “But I look cute do I not?!”
“Yes you do!”
As we headed to the spa we laughed and talked and sipped sodas that were left out for us.

When we got there, everyone treated us like we were royalty. Our visit started off with massages and boy, was it awesome! Well…I thought it was awesome, Aoi kept complaining about how she felt like was being molested. We then got escorted to a little mud bath area that was reserved especially for us. At first we thought it would be gross, but it was actually very relaxing. Except for when Aoi kept making ‘mud balls’ and tried to hit me with them.
“Where’s your inner child?” She would say every time I would look at her like she was crazy.
“She’s back in the massage room where you were being ‘molested’.” I would reply.
After the mud bath, we were lead to the sauna. While we were in there, we talked about our little spa experience so far.
“It’s so effing HOT!” Aoi complained.
“Aoi, come on, it’s a sauna…man I can’t remember a time I’ve ever felt this relaxed.” I said with a sigh.
“Yeah, it’s okay I guess.” Aoi said.
“Aw what’s wrong Aoi? Still feeling violated?”
“Shut up!” she said fanning herself like it was really going to help. “But really though, this was kinda fun. I think I wanna do this again!”
“Same here.”

Meanwhile…

Kagome’s POV

In about an hour, the guests would start arriving. We had received word that the girls had been taken to the spa and were enjoying themselves (one more than the other). After making sure everything was set up, everyone, including myself, went back home to change clothes and get all nice for the party. When I finished getting ready I went back to the club to once again make sure everything was alright. I did realize that I was overdoing it a bit, but I couldn’t help myself. I was frantic because this was the first party, or event for that matter, that I had ever organized. So of course, it was only natural that I tried my best to make sure everything went well.

An hour later…

As planned, the guests starting arriving at around 8:00 p.m. The security guard was at the door checking everyone’s invitations and then when they got inside Sango and I instructed them where to put their gifts. The DJ already had music playing and some people immediately went to the dance floor. When it reached about 8:35 I told everyone to hide and told the DJ to turn the music off. The girls would be arriving soon…

Aoi’s POV

After we left the spa, I asked the driver where we were going but he wouldn’t say. When he finally stopped and let us out of the limo Hana and I were surprised to see that we were in front of Miroku’s dad’s club, known as Kazana. “What are we doing here?” Hana and I asked.
“I can’t say. I’m afraid you’ll have to go inside to see.” The driver said.
“Okay…” we said.
As we got close to the entrance, we noticed the lights were off. “Is this place even open?” Hana asked.
“Doesn’t look like it.” I said but when I pushed the door, it opened. We walked inside and were suddenly surprised when the lights flashed on and people jumped out screaming “OTANJOUBIOMEDETOU GOZAIMASU!” Spotlights shined on us and I’m sure at that moment we looked like we had won a million yen. It was kinda like how it was at the Halloween ‘Social’, feeling famous and all. “Hey everybody! Hana and Aoi have arrived! Happy Birthday girls! It’s your sweet 16!” the DJ said. He then turned on some music. Everyone began clapping and cheering and then two of our friends came up to us and adorned each of us with sashes saying, “Happy Sweet 16!” a tiara, and gave us each a bouquet of roses.
“Aww! This is so nice!” I said.
“I know!” Hana said in agreement. “Hey, who do you think set this up?”
I shrugged my shoulders. Whoever did do it though, really outdid themselves.
“It was Kagome. And Miroku, Inuyasha and I helped out.” Sango said magically appearing behind us without either of us noticing.
Both Hana and I jumped. “Sango! You scared the crap outta us…but we’re still happy to see you!”
“Yeah, did Kagome really set this entire thing up just for us?”
Sango nodded her head. “She worked really hard on it.”
“We can tell!” Hana said. We looked around and saw loads of food, bright neon lights, all of our guests partying and having fun. The DJ was at the very front; currently he was playing ‘Step You’ by Ayumi Hamasaki, one of my favorite songs.
“Did Kagome give the DJ a list of songs to play too?” I asked.
“Yup.” Sango said nodding. “Hey, you guys like my bracelet?” Sango was wearing a silver bracelet that said ‘VIP’.
“Oh that’s cute! So you, Miroku, Kagome and Inuyasha all have those?” I asked.
“Well, not Inuyasha, he wouldn’t wear it cuz it looked to ‘feminine’ to him.”
Figures…but Kagome really made up this whole thing? Oh she is just so sweet! I thought.
“Hey, look who arrived!” Miroku said magically appearing like Sango had. Hana and I both gave him a big hug, “Thanks for letting us have our party here!” we said at the same time.
“Of course! Anything for my favorite twins…” He said, hugging us back and moving his hands further and further down our bodies.
“Miroku, not today please?” I asked swatting his hand away. “Besides Miroku, you don’t know any twins other than us, do you?”
“Well no, but that means that you two are automatically my favorites now doesn’t it?” He said putting his hands behind his back. “Oh yeah girls, I wanted to let you know that even though this is a nightclub, you don’t have to worry about anyone getting drunk. All the alcoholic drinks were put away.”
“Sweet…” Hana said nodding.
“Yup, nothin’ but juice, soda, and water for everyone. However…” He leaned closer to us. “Since you’re the birthday girls, I think I can sneak some sake from out of the cellar for you two…”
POP
Sango had slapped Miroku upside the head as usual. “Oww…” Miroku said.
“Don’t be such a baby! That’s what you get for trying to get the twins tipsy on their birthday.” Sango said folding her arms.
She then turned to us and said, “You two should go find Kagome. She’s the one who you should be thanking.”
With that, she walked away pulling Miroku by his ear.
Hana and I exchanged glances and shrugged our shoulders.

“Kagome, Kagome, Oh where could she be?”
We’d been searching for at least a half an hour and for some reason, couldn’t find Kagome anywhere.
“This is frustrating…” Hana said.
Just then we felt someone press two really cold sodas onto our faces.
“What the f-!” I turned around to see Kagome smiling and holding two sodas for Hana and me.
“Kagome!!!” Hana and I both glomped her, causing her to stumble a bit, but then she regained her posture.
“Happy Birthday!” She said.
“Arigatou Gozaimasu!” We said simultaneously.
“Oh, Dooitashimashite, anything for my new best friends!”
“Really though,” Hana said. “All of this that you did, you got a DJ and everything! How much did this cost you? No, how much is it gonna cost us?”
Kagome giggled, “You don’t seriously think I want you two to pay me back for this? You’re crazy! And don’t worry about how much it cost! Oh and forget the DJ…”
Kagome then turned to Aoi and winked, “Wait ‘til you see who we’ve got performing here tonight!”
“OH! Who is it? Who?” Aoi asked anxiously.
“I’m not telling you! You’ll just have to wait and see…I think they should be coming on in a little while…”

Hana’s POV

I won’t lie. It was kinda funny watching Aoi move around impatiently. I was excited about the “surprise” band too but I wasn’t as anxious as she was. “Oh! I wish she would tell us who’s performing!” she said jittering.
“Me too but just be patient. She said they’d be here in a little while.” I said trying to calm her down.
“But I don’t want to wait a little while…” she whined.
I began thinking of things to get Aoi’s mind off of the band and suddenly got an idea. I grabbed her hand and said “C’mon let’s dance for a little bit!”
“But…”
“Oh c’mon! We gotta let loose! We’re officially 16!” I said pulling her to the dance floor. “You know what? You’re right!”
When we got to the dance floor we began to move to the beats of Break It Off (by Sean Paul and Rihanna). Before we knew it, everyone had given us some space and was cheering for us as we danced. It was so fun. Aoi and I did a whole bunch of paired up moves like bumping hips and swinging each other across the floor.
“Go Aoi!” I heard my cousin Choji shout.
Suddenly, just when we were really getting into the music, it stopped. Everyone got quiet (some whispered among themselves) as Kagome suddenly walked to the mike on the stage. “Hey everybody! It’s time for our guest stars to appear!” she said in a cheery voice.
Everyone cheered and Aoi grabbed my arm. “It’s time Hana! Who do you think it is? Bi Rain? Do As Infinity?” she asked excitedly and anxiously.
“I dunno, I dunno!” I said in the same tone.
“Alright in order for our guests to appear everyone must count down from 5! Ready? Go!”
The lights suddenly dimmed and Aoi and I, along with everyone else continued to count down.
“Shi!”
The stage suddenly became filled with smoke. We continued to wait…
“San! Nii Ichi!”
The stage suddenly brightened and Aoi and I gasped. We, along with almost everyone else in the club, screamed when they saw who it was. “Give it up for Banryu!” Kagome said giving up the mike. Bankotsu took the mike and smiled down at us.
“Hey everybody! Before we start I just want to wish Aoi and Hana a Happy Birthday!” Everyone cheered again and then they began playing.

Aoi’s POV

When I saw who was performing, I automatically thought, This is so much better then Bi Rain or anybody else! I had never seen him perform before and I was automatically taken away by the sound of his voice. Banryu opened up with a song called Midnight Hour, which was very good. They then went on with the songs Gravity, Black Rain, and Heart of Ice. The rumors I heard about them were true, they effing rocked! Every song seemed to move me in some way and I found myself rocking to the beats. During the songs, Hana and I had moved to the front of the crowd so we could have a better view. After the end of Heart of Ice Bankotsu looked almost directly at me and said “Alright ya’ll these last two songs we’re about to do are dedicated to a very special girl in the audience.” Most of the people knew who he was talking about and either smiled at me or nudged me. I just smiled and blushed. Bankotsu and his band then started to play on a very upbeat tone. “This first song is called…Love at First Sight.”

Hey baby girl
How ya doin now
You caught my eye
Oh yes you did
Now I’m starin at ya
Can’t look away
You got my attention

It all started with a glance
It’s amazing
Then you took me with your smile
Drove me crazy
Never knew you’d be the one
I’m wild now
Suddenly taken…
By love at first sight

As he sang the song, I couldn’t help but remember the first time we met. The first time we gazed into each other’s eyes. He was right. It really was love at first sight. We probably didn’t admit at first but…we couldn’t deny it for too long.

Oh what’s this now?
This strange feeling
I never felt it before (never felt it before)
Got me smiling like I won some money
But it’s even better
Cuz I found my honey

It all started with a glance
It’s amazing
Then you took me with your smile
Drove me crazy
Never knew you’d be the one
I’m wild now
Suddenly taken…
By love at first sight

Oh baby girl
You don’t know
what ya doin to me
I’m going outta my mind (oh outta my mind)
Call me looney if you want
Don’t really care about it
I’m just crazy in love!

It all started with a glance
It’s amazing
Then you took me with your smile
Drove me crazy
Never knew you’d be the one
I’m wild now
Suddenly taken…
By love at first sight

When he ended the song everyone clapped and cheered, including myself. The next song started with a slow beat and Bankotsu spoke into the mike with a deep, sensual tone that literally drove me wild. “This song…means a lot to me. I wrote it the day after our first date…because I seriously wonder if Aoi knew how much of an impact she had on my life. It’s called What it Feels to Love.” When he said my name, I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat. With every passing moment…I loved him more and more.

Couldn’t focus
Couldn’t remember the time
So alone
Didn’t know where to go
Until…
I saw your face
I never knew such grace
Never knew you were even real
you smiled at me
you made me believe
that anything was possible

I was tormented then
Now I’m finally free from
The guilt of my past
You made me feel new
It’s all thanks to you
That I know what it feels to love

You held my hand
Didn’t want you to let go
It seemed so innocent at first
You made me your friend
I thought that’d be the end
Until you told me you were in love
My heart felt crushed
Because I loved you so much
Until I found that it was me

I was tormented then
Now I finally know
That there’s no reason to look back
What I have with me now
Is better then anything else
And it’s all because…

I was digging my own grave
I saw no reason to live
I was dying inside
And couldn’t hide from the pain
I couldn’t see clearly through the rain

Then you came upon me
Held me close
Dried my tears
Now I don’t feel afraid
You cleansed my soul, oh yeah
You made it okay

I was tormented then
Until I found you
Now I know I can win
Your heart belongs to me
And mines belongs to you
Now my dream came true
Now I know it feels…
Now I know it’s real…
I finally believe in love…

While he was singing the song I didn’t even realize I had been crying. Suddenly, when the song ended, Bankotsu put down his guitar, jumped off the stage and hugged me. He wiped away my tears and whispered in my ear “I really do love you…and I admit I’m still dealing with some things but I’m gonna change and I’m going to put an end to it all…just for you.” Still caught up in the moment, all I could say was “Okay…”
Everyone in the crowd awed, clapped, and cheered. This really was the best birthday ever (and it wasn’t even over yet). When Bankotsu broke away from the embrace someone handed him something from the stage and he handed it to me. It was a CD of his band’s songs, and a Katana cell phone with a bracelet wrapped around it. I gasped and said “You got this for me?”
“Yep.” He said giving me a brief kiss on the lips. “And my number is the first one in there. Oh yeah and look at the bracelet.” I did so and I saw that the charms on it said “B&A 4 Lyfe”. There was also little hearts on it. This time I kissed him and said “Oh thank you Kotsu-chan!”

Hana’s POV

I don’t know if it was because Aoi was crying, or if I was still caught up in the words of the song, or if I was upset because I didn’t have someone to love me like that…but I cried too. When I walked away to wipe my face I saw him…Sesshomaru…I turned away, thinking nothing of it. He’s just here to drop off Rin’s gift. I thought. When I went into the VIP room to get myself together…I didn’t know he followed me…until I turned around and bumped into him.
“What are you doing?!” I asked. “You scared me half to death!”
“I needed to talk to you away from everyone else. So when I saw you walk away, I decided to follow you.”
I rolled my eyes, “You needed to talk to me alone? Like last time? Please spare me…”
I was about to walk past him out of the room, but he extended his arm out in front of me so that I couldn’t walk past him.
“I don’t have time for this, I’m a guest of honor and I need to get back out there…”“There are a lot of people out there; no one will notice that you’re missing. Besides, you have a twin sister. Who will be able to tell the difference?”
I just shook my head in amazement. If I had to sit through one more ‘Pity me, for I am an emotionally confused fool’ speech, I thought I would hang myself. However, it was very obvious that I wasn’t gonna be able to get out of that room anytime soon so I just invited Sesshomaru to sit on the couch with me so that he could say whatever he needed to say.
“Okay, now I’m sure you’re tired of these conversations in which I talk about how I’m unsure of my feelings towards you…”
“Ha…no bullshit, what’s your point?” I asked.
“My point is that you don’t have to listen to that anymore…”
Suddenly interested in what he had to say, I sat up. “Go on…”
He ran his fingers through his hair in that oh-so-sexy way before he started talking, “Well I think beating around the bush will make it harder than it really needs to be so I’m just going to tell you directly…”
He looked at me for a moment with his gorgeous eyes, “I’m in love with you, Hana.”
“Wha-What?!”
“It’s true, and I’m sure of it now.”
“But then what-what was your deal before-?” I was about to continue, but Sesshomaru put his hand up to stop me from talking.
“I was unsure before because…I have a reputation to uphold, not only for my status but for my race. I thought, ‘if people knew that I was in love with a human, what would they think?’”
Hana looked absolutely disgusted, “That is so…!”“Shallow? Selfish? I know. I didn’t realize this until your sister and I had a little heart-to-heart.” He laughed for a second and then continued talking, “Your sister is very persistent. Every opportunity she got, she would approach me and try to convince me to change my mind about you. And I guess it ended up working after all.”
He then took my hand and held it in his, “I realized, I’ve never cared about what people thought about me. So if someone thinks I’m soft for loving a human girl…who the hell cares?”
I was waiting for someone to wake me up from my dream, I couldn’t believe what Sesshomaru was telling me was real.
“And then I thought about those girls…my crazy stalkers. I figured that if we did end up together, they would give you hell for the rest of your existence. But then I realized, there’s nothing that can’t be handled without some setting straight. You see, after realizing these things I decided that I never had a reason to not tell you my feelings because…despite any obstacles that might appear, it shouldn’t change how you feel about the woman you love.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a black velvet box wrapped with white ribbon, “Happy Birthday, by the way.”
He handed it over to me and I took it. I slowly took the ribbon off of the box and opened it. And I must say, what I saw literally took my breath away.

It was a necklace with a solid gold chain and a charm with the kanji sign for ‘love’ encrusted in diamonds, real diamonds.
“A-Arigatou…” I stuttered.
“That’s from both Rin and me. She insisted that we go look for a present for you, so we went in search for one. We passed by the jewelry store and saw that necklace on display. Rin thought it was ‘pretty’ and said that that was what she wanted to get you. When I saw the necklace I immediately thought of you, so I bought it and we decided that the present would be from both of us. Do you like it?”
All I could do was mouth, “Wow…”
“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’. Here, let me put that on for you…”
He latched the necklace for me and then we just sat for a second.
“You know Hana; you’re the only person who ever took their time to actually talk to me. Not to mention you’re smart-and caring-and not to mention beautiful. And when you promised to keep Rin a secret, you actually followed through with it, unlike most people would have. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever met a person like you.”
Still in disbelief of what was happening, I hung my head low so that I wouldn’t have to look Sesshomaru in the face. However this didn’t work because he then grabbed my face and forced me to look directly at him.
“Hana…I understand that I made you go through a lot emotionally. So if you don’t feel the same way anymore I understand. But honestly tell me, do you love me?”
I honestly don’t know why it took me so long to answer but, eventually I was able to mutter out… “Yes…I do…”
By then we were sitting right next to each other.
“I think maybe we should start over…from that day at the park.” He said looking at me.
I nodded, “Yeah, I think so too.”
I remember looking into each others’ eyes and moving closer and closer until our lips finally touched. It was much better than the time at the park, which at that moment, seemed an eternity away. Our moment of ecstasy lasted even longer than before since Rin wasn’t around. I still wasn’t absolutely positive that I wasn’t dreaming. I prayed that I wasn’t. And if I was, I prayed that I could stay in that dream forever.

Sesshomaru’s POV

As we shared that kiss, that deep romantic kiss, I began to feel something I had never truly experienced before…happiness. Of course, I was happy with Rin (though I never really showed it) but this…was a different kind of happiness. For the longest time, I couldn’t understand why my father stayed with Inuyasha’s mother, why he loved her so much. But being with Hana, holding her in my arms, I finally figured out why. It was because she made him happy. She made him feel something he had never felt before. She gave him something no other person could give him. Something unexplainable and irreplaceable….that’s exactly how it was with Hana.

When we finally broke away from the kiss, I noticed there were tears in Hana’s eyes.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” I asked.
“You baka…it’s because I’m happy.” She said smiling, wiping away the tears.
I smiled too. I see…so she feels it too…
“Look, before we leave this room, there’s something I want to set straight.” I said seriously
“What’s that?”
“I don’t want you calling me your boyfriend.”
“Huh? Why?” she asked confused.
“Because, I think both of us can agree that our feelings for each other run too deep for us to have a simple boyfriend, girlfriend relationship.”
Realizing what I meant, she smiled again and said “Oh…yeah I agree. Heh…you don’t take anything lightly, do you?”
“No I don’t.”
She just shook her head and laid it against my chest. I ran my fingers through her hair as we sat there in silence, simply enjoying being together finally. I listened to her soft breathing as she listened intently to my heartbeat. After a few minutes Hana broke the silence with the question “So…if I’m not your girlfriend…then what does that make me?”
I gently grabbed her face, as I did before. “My woman…” I whispered. I kissed her again but this time we were interrupted by a knock on the door. Hana answered “Yes? Who is it?”
“It’s me, Aoi! I was wondering if you were okay. You suddenly disappeared. Someone told me that they saw you over here, so I decided to come over here and check.”
“Oh I’m fine…I just…needed a moment to myself.”
“Oh okay…well don’t take too long! You’re missing one hell of a party!”
Hana laughed and said “Okay I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Kay!”
I sighed and said “Well you should head on out there.”
“Yeah…but I want you to come with me.”
“Why?”
She stood up and said “I want everyone to see me and my man…”
I stood up and grabbed her hand. “Well let’s go.”

Earlier…

Sango’s POV

When I saw Hana walk away, I tried to follow her, but then lost her. After about ten minutes or so I saw her and Sesshomaru kissing in the VIP room, through a crack in the door. Of course, I was surprised at first…then happy… and then… well…sad. I didn’t want to feel that way, but seeing Aoi and Hana with the men of their dreams…with the ones they loved…I couldn’t help but feel a bit heartache. Damn that Miroku…I thought. Before I met him, I was tough and didn’t need anybody (well except Kagome). Then he came into my life and swept me off of my feet…only to place me back down and do the same with so many other girls.

I sighed, not wanting to watch anymore, and carefully closed the door so they didn’t notice. Just as I walked away I bumped into someone. I looked up to see none other than Miroku himself. I groaned and thought Irony really is a bitch…
“Sango! You’re just the person I was looking for!” he said.
I pushed him away and said “I don’t feel like dealing with you right now, okay?”
He grabbed my hand and said “Chotto matte, please!”
I glared at him and said “Wait for what? For you to break my heart again? For another one of your lame excuses? I already told you it was over!” I tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let go.
“I know what you said…but if you’d just let me explain…”
I looked at him with a blank face and said “Talk.”
He sighed and said “I know I did you wrong…I know I broke your heart…and for that I truly am sorry. Ever since the Halloween dance I’ve been doing some serious thinking. I know I told you that messing with other women was just a bad habit…but I realized I had to decide…were my bad habits worth losing you over? The answer was simple: no. I love you too much, whether you realize it or not, so whether you say yes or no to what I’m about to ask, that won’t change, ever.”
I sighed and said “This really isn’t the time….can’t this wait until later?”
“No I have to ask you this now. I’m always saying I’m a man…but it’s time for me to start acting like one.”
He suddenly got on one knee, still holding my hand. I gasped and said “M-Miroku…what are you doing?”
He pulled something out of his pocket and said “I’m not screwing up another chance to be with you…I’m going to make it right….”
Just then he placed a diamond ring on my finger. “I love you Sango…and there really is no one else I’d rather be with…so…will you marry me?”
Tears unexpectedly began to fall but I wiped them away and said “B-but…don’t you think it’s too early?”
He shrugged and said “Well yeah…we can get married after high school…but I wanted to ask you now…So…will you?”
More tears came but I let them fall. I nodded and said happily “Yes! I will!”
He came off his knee and kissed me like he never did before.

Aoi’s POV

I was having so much fun at my party, with the dancing and the music and everything I was having a blast! (Kazuya had insisted on having a wet t-shirt contest, but I quickly said ‘no!’)
But I was wondering what happened to my partner-in-crime, the other birthday girl. She said she needed a ‘moment’, but we were supposed to be having fun together.
I started looking for her and after about five minutes I spotted her through the crowd…holding hands with Sesshomaru!
Aha! So my plan worked after all…I thought.
“Yay me!” I clapped.
That was my plan. I had talked to Sesshomaru and convinced him to follow Hana when she was by herself, and tell her how he really felt. The persuasion process went a little something like this:
“Come on, Sesshy! This is your perfect chance! It would make Hana really happy on her birthday…” I said.
“I already told you not to call me…those types of names. And also, I don’t think I’m going to. What if I get…what’s that word…?”
“Rejected?”
“That’s it.”
“I don’t think you’ll get rejected, but even if you do…how bad could it be? Come on!”
“I-e.”
I put my hands on my hips, “Did you just say ‘no’ to me? Bad doggie! Do I need to get my spray bottle?”
I noticed that Sesshy-kins was getting angry so I decided to sprint in the opposite direction.
From what I saw though, it looked as if my ‘advice’ had worked.
Finally, those two are together…now only two more couples to go. Miroku and Sango and…
But then I saw Miroku and Sango not too far away holding hands too…
“What the hell? Is this hookup night or something?” I asked out loud.
“Oh well, now they’re back together…that’s one more couple to go…”
Ironically enough, at that moment Kagome appeared right beside me. “’Sup?”
“Hey there, lady!” I said smiling at her.
“It’s almost time for you guys to stuff your faces with birthday cake! Where’s the other twin?”
I pointed her over in the direction where Hana and Sesshomaru were workin’ the PDA’s (that’s Public Displays of Affection) for all they were worth.
“Hana and Sesshomaru got together? That’s so cool…”
I sensed Emo-Kagome emerging and even though I don’t think I should’ve asked, my curious side got the better of me, “Do you know where Inuyasha is?”
Kagome rubbed her eyes with the sleeve of her green sweater, “He left a little while ago, he said that he got a call from Kikyo and he had to leave.”
BULLSHIT! That trick is workin’ my last nerve for real…Kagome needs to steal her in her face…
“Aoi-chan?” Kagome said.
“What’s up?”
“Are you okay? Your eye was twitching just now.”
“Oh, um, I’m fine…”
Oops. “So, how about that cake?”
Kagome perked up and said, “I was about to say the same thing-!”
No you weren’t… “Well what are we waiting for? Get up there and make that announcement so I can eat my carbs!”
“Yes ma’am!” Kagome rushed up to the front and onto the stage. She signaled for the DJ to turn the music down so that she could make her announcement.
“Okay you all, go over to that table where you see the very conspicuous-looking cake so that we can all sing cliché songs and watch as our favorite twins stuff their faces with pastries and sugary dairy products!”
Everyone went “Whoo!” and rushed over to the cake. I took my precious time, just because I could, and because it was funny watching all of those people rushing to get cake (like they were gonna get any).
When I finally joined the mob, I pushed my way to the front where I found Hana already standing.
Hey, she thought, having fun?
I nodded, I don’t think I need to ask you though…I saw your new boo…but they’re about to start so I’ll talk to you about it later…
“Okay you guys, ichi - nii- san….GO!”
The crowd broke out into a chorus of a very off-key ‘Happy Birthday’. When they were done, Hana and I blew out our prospective candles (I blew out the eight candles on my side and Hana blew out the eight candles on her side). We got our forks and were just about to dive into our delicious cake, but then Kagome reminded us that we had to share…which made us upset and pouty-faced.
Anyway, once the cake and ice cream and the works were distributed amongst the masses, Hana and I were standing off somewhere stuffing our faces and having a ‘serious’ discussion.
“This is the best birthday ever! My Sesshy-chan told me he loved me!” Hana said dreamily.
“Oh, so now he’s Sesshy-chan?” I said laughing.
“Well,” Hana said scooping green tea ice cream into her mouth. “The nickname hasn’t exactly been confirmed yet but, I think it flows well!”
I snickered.
We’ll just see how much he likes that nickname… “Where’s your ‘sweetie’ anyway?”
“Oh he said he had to leave, but before he left, he told me to tell you ‘thank you’.” She said confused. “What’s up with that?”
Ah, so Wishbone does appreciate what I did… “Mm, I have no idea.” I don’t think Hana was reading my mind, because if she was, she would’ve been asking me a million questions. But I wasn’t gonna complain, I just kept the conversation going.
“I’m not sure if you noticed but, Sango and Miroku made up too!”
“For real?! That’s great! This is like, hookup night or something!”
“Ha, I said the same thing…Hey, I know I keep saying this, but this cake is bangin’!” I said about to take another bite of cake. But before I could, someone behind me picked me up and spun me around.
“Who…? Oh hey, sweetie!”
“I know you wanna give me some of your cake…” Bankotsu said putting me down and then putting his arm on my shoulder.
I laughed at him and said, “I know you shoulda got some cake earlier!”
He made a pouty face.
“Oh, poor baby, you really want some cake?” I said.
He nodded, I put some cake on my fork and was about to feed it to him, but then I put it in my mouth instead.
“Oh see, that was mean…” He said, “But so is this…”
He took the rest of my cake and stuffed it in his mouth.
“Kotsu-chan! That was so mean!” I said hitting him in the arm.
He swallowed and said, “That’s what you get.”

Hana’s POV

I was laughing at Aoi getting her cake jacked when our lovely MC Kagome, made yet another announcement.
“I’m back everyone! This time I’m forcing you guys against your will to go outside…”
“For what?” I yelled at Kagome.
She turned to me and yelled in the mike, “You’ll see-when you go outside!”

Everyone filed outside to see the surprise that was in store. When nothing happened, everyone started whispering amongst themselves.
“What’s goin’ on?”
“What’s the big surprise?”
“Wait for it, wait for it…” Kagome said.
Pop, pop…
Everyone looked up to see fireworks popping in the night sky.
“Ooh…” I said sounding like a child.
“Pretty pretty shiny shiny…” Hana said.
You need help, I thought, but I continued to look at the fireworks with fascination.
Rainbow colored sparks popped in the sky. I noticed that they were spelling something…
Happy…Birthday…Hana…and…Aoi …
“That’s so cute!” We said at the same time.
‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘and’ were written in different colors, while our names were written in our favorite colors (Aoi’s name in blue, and my name in purple).

When the show was over, it signaled the end of party. Guests were leaving and people were cleaning up, after Kagome (one of the only people left) helped Aoi and I get our buttload of presents into our awaiting limo, we said our goodbyes and left. The first house we went to was Aoi’s. When the limo driver pulled up in front of her house, Aoi noticed something…
“My car’s not there…”
“Huh?” I said.
We both got out of the limo for closer inspection, and we realized what happened to Aoi’s car…it had been replaced by a brand new one!
Before, Aoi had been driving her aunt’s old car. It wasn’t a bad car but…it was nothing like its replacement! It was a sapphire blue sports car with black leather interior. Attached to the steering wheel was a red ribbon with a note taped to it.
Aoi took the note and read it out loud:
Aoi,
I hope you like your birthday present from me to you! I thought it would be appropriate since your old enough to drive (legally) now! *wink, wink*
Love, Aunt Risa.

Aoi grinned like an idiot, hopped into the driver’s seat of the car and honked the horn.
“Thank you, Auntie!!!”