InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Surf, Sun and Slippers! ❯ The Set Up ( Chapter 15 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: So…I lied. It wasn't a week until the update because I wasn't happy where the chapter ended. So the bad news was you had to wait longer. The good news is, because of that this chapter is like 6 pages longer :p Thanks everyone for being so patient with me! College is back and it's completely eating my life, well it and work. So I might be updating a little less frequently but it shouldn't ever be longer than a month, and I'd never abandon a story ;) On to the people I love! Aka my reviewer thank you's:

Lexbubble: haha I'm glad you weren't disappointed. Yea I had this really great mental image going on for that scene of all of them piled into Kagome's bed and the total chaos because of it haha. I love scenes like that, don't ask me why ;p Ah the Kikyou drama, you should like this chapter then :D Thanks so much for your reviews! GinaCat: Um yea duh, Ice cream is the ULTIMATE comfort food. Seriously, it's amazing :D Thanks for the review! Tiffany: Thanks so much for all the kind words! I'm happy you're liking my story and hope you continue to just as much :D Zackzman: Holy crap a review that didn't include- wait no, I won't even say it. It'll jinx my next one! Jk heh…and another chapter you shall be granted then :P Thanks!

Hey you, the one who's reviewing me, yea. I adore you. Oh and please read the bottom A/N, thanks! Laurell~

------------------------------------------------------------- ---

Way too much ice cream later Kagome had stopped her sniffling and explaining and Sango was giving her that same soft look.

“I'm so sorry Kagome, he really might have a good reason we don't know yet though. You should give him the chance to explain himself.”

“Ugh, I don't even want to right now!” She fumed crossing her arms. She knew it was a childish thing to say but she couldn't help it.

“Well I didn't say right now, maybe tomorrow or something I don't know. He probably deserves to be ignored for a little while though. Just don't let it spoil your time here Kagome, we do leave soon…” Sango winced not liking to remind her friend of this fact, but it was just that, a fact.

“No, I know. But I wouldn't want to leave angry either…I'll just talk to him later once the urge to beat him with a pipe subsides.”

“Good decision,” Sango laughed giving her friend a quick hug and standing up to put what was left of their ice cream back in the fridge. “It's safe for you to come out now!” She yelled down the hall to Miroku. He slowly opened his bedroom door and peeked out finally walking into the living room to give Kagome an anxious look.

“Oh I'm fine now. Don't worry yourself I won't make you uncomfortable with anymore crying.”

“Whew,” he sighed sitting down on the couch and flipping on the TV. Before Kagome had realized it the afternoon had quickly settled into dusk and the sun was setting outside their windows. `How quick time seems to go here.' She thought with a frown.

There was a knock on the door and Kagome tensed looking at it fearfully. Sango walked over looking through the peep hole. “If that's him…” Kagome warned but she stopped her.

“It's not.” She opened the door smiling at Kouga scuffing a reef sandal on their door step, wearing a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a dark green tee. His long hair was tied back; as usual, in a pony tail.

“Hey,” he said a little sheepishly. “Could I come in?”

“Yea,” Sango smiled moving to let him through and shutting the door behind him.

“Are you alone?” Kagome grumbled her legs folded up under her on the couch where she was clutching a pillow rather aggressively.

“Yea I am. Could we maybe go outside and talk?” Sighing she agreed putting down the pillow and following him out to their balcony closing the glass sliding door and taking a seat.

“So what's up?” She said casually with a forced smile.

“I'm really sorry for what I said today and…I knew you probably didn't want to talk to Inu so I was taking a chance you would maybe let me explain.” He smiled and Kagome sighed but made no move to stop him.

“I didn't know you were with him-”

“Well that much is obvious.” She snapped but then blushed quieting. “I'm sorry, I'm just a bit mad, didn't mean to take it out on you.”

“Its fine, I deserve it. Anyways I was just joking about calling that girl his girlfriend. The truth is it's his ex girlfriend, but they're still very close because of how they broke up. Kikyou and Inu dated in high school but she got into drugs really heavily and broke up with Inu when he kept trying to stop her.”

“He and I both graduated and met up through surfing and have been traveling around together after that and he didn't hear from Kikyou for a few months. But she called him eventually and broke down saying she needed help and didn't know what to do. Inuyasha convinced her to go to rehab and went with her helping her for every step along the way. It's just the kind of person he is I guess.”

“Whenever we were back at the mainland he always had to go visit her, so I joked with him a lot that he still wasn't over her. Truthfully I've never thought he was until…well just recently. You're the first girl he's even given a chance since, and he's had plenty of chances. Just saying,” He held up his hands when Kagome gave him a quick glare but stayed silent. “So anyways…she's finally getting out and I guess he's sort of like a sponsor to her now. That's why she was calling, and I really was only joking with him about the girlfriend comment…they aren't together. You can even ask Shippou, he knows the whole story too.”

Kagome stayed quiet watching the sky fade into dark colors while Kouga spoke listening to him and trying to absorb everything. So she was an ex he was still very involved with, but not romantically. Even with the little time she had known Inuyasha it seemed likely for him to do something like that. He had always been so kind and caring with her after all…

“I'm really the first girl he's ...um hung out with, since her?”

“Yea, I guess he got kind of worried and didn't think any new girls would understand his relationship with her. Shippou and I barely do and we know him better than anyone. As much as it kills me to say it though, he's a really good guy. And I haven't seen him this happy in awhile, I don't want you to leave and not speak to him just because something stupid I fucked up in saying.”

“So it was just a misunderstanding?”

“Hope so.” Kouga smiled patting her hand lightly. Kagome looked up at him, there was nothing but sincerity in his eyes.

“Jeeze now I feel bad for over reacting!” She wailed suddenly surprising him. Kouga laughed sitting back in his chair relieved.

“That'll be the last of Inuyasha's problems. You should see how mad he got at me after that.” Kagome smiled a little to herself. `He was mad, because he upset me…' For some reason it made her feel kind of good, knowing he really did care.

“Well I should get back and make sure he hasn't destroyed the house or anything.” Kouga smiled standing up.

“Thank you for coming, I feel a lot better knowing that I'm not just a fling.”

“No, you're a lot more than that to him, even if he doesn't know it himself yet.” Kouga chuckled and she walked him out giving him a quick hug at the door. Sango eyed her warily from the couch with Miroku as she closed it waving goodbye to Kouga.

“So..?” She said slowly. Kagome sighed flopping down in the large chair next to the sofa. It was big enough to easily fit two probably so she had no problem putting her legs under her and draping herself over the arm of it, suddenly feeling very exhausted after everything.

“It was his ex girlfriend, not current girlfriend. They've got the crazy history and are still friends, in a nutshell at least. Kouga screwed up, felt really bad, etc etc.”

“Told you, you should have heard him out.”

“Yea, yea, yea,” Kagome mumbled sticking her tongue out at Sango. Miroku stayed quiet still not daring to speak up in this situation, he was smarter than that.

“So will we be seeing them tomorrow maybe?” Sango ventured to ask. Kagome yawned loudly into her hand closing her eyes sleepily.

“I don't know. I'm not planning anything special. We'll just go to Po'ipu Beach as planned and see where it goes from there.” Sango stirred to say something else before Miroku stopped her resting his hand lightly on her leg. Kagome was already half asleep and probably in no mood to keep discussing it.

“But…” She worried her bottom lip.

“Don't worry so much,” Miroku smiled. “Everything will work out just as it should.” Sango nodded cuddling into his chest and resting there while they finished watching TV together.

By the time Miroku turned it off Kagome was resting heavily and he gently scooped her up out of the chair holding her to his chest protectively. Sango smiled as he carried her into her room tucking her under the covers and gave her a chaste kiss on the top of her head. Kagome smiled softly snuggling into her pillow.

Shutting her bedroom door Sango turned walking into her room before a hand jerked her to a halt on her arm. “And where do you think you're going?” Miroku grinned.

Sango smirked at him. “To bed,” she said calmly.

“Not in there you're not, and not by yourself.”

“Miro!” Sango squeaked and her voice quickly drifted away from Kagome's bedroom door. In her sleep Kagome hugged onto her pillow tighter just barely whispering “Inu…”

--------------------------------------------------------

“Ok!” Kagome clapped her hands gathering up her group with a huge smile on her face. Her `group' consisted of Miroku giving her a very flat look and Sango blushing a little at a few of the people walking past and staring. “I've done quite a bit of research so listen up everyone! We want to have a safe and fun day today and I'll tell us how!”

“Kagome…for the last time…You are not a tour guide.” She shushed Miroku easily ignoring his comment.

“As you can see the beautiful Po'ipu Beach is a very popular spot! It's divided by this sand bar into two sides. One the left we have safe calm waters for swimming and on the right we have choppier ones with good snorkeling and surfing!” Kagome directed her hands back and forth like a flight attendant. “So what should we do first?”

“Have you stop acting like an idiot?” Sango volunteered and Kagome glared at her.

Miroku groaned. “Let's just move away from here quickly. I think she's starting to gather a crowd who think she really is a guide.” Kagome pouted while the two of them drug her off to the left calmer side of the beach for the time being.

The white sand was soft with some rocks scattered on the edges and through it and shady areas offered by clumps of palm trees. Unlike most of the other spots they had visited so far this beach was packed with tons of surfers, people swimming and snorkeling and unfortunately for Sango; lots of girls in bikinis.

“This is certainly the busiest beach we've been to.” Sango mumbled glaring at a group of girls laying out and giggling nearby.

“Well Po'ipu is the major beach on the South Shore; I guess it's to be expected. It's not so bad thoug-” Three surfers walked by them boards under their arms and one of them winked at Kagome. “I take that back, this is a terrible beach and a horrible idea. We should leave immediately!” Kagome squeaked when Miroku stopped her tirade and attempt to bolt by shoving her down on her towel.

“Not every surfer is Inuyasha, and there's nothing wrong with us being around other tourists.”

“Yea, I bet…” Sango muttered cynically. Miroku looked genuinely hurt giving her a pout before a well tanned local girl walked past giving him a flirty wave.

“Don't!” Kagome pounced on Sango's tense form. “Murder is still illegal in Hawaii last time I checked!”

“Oh what, I'm just being friendly!” Miroku whined.

“Yea well keep it to yourself!” Kagome hissed at him trying to wave off Sango's anger. She crossed her arms most likely glaring still behind her large sunglasses.

Miroku continued pouting but promised to stay on his best behavior for once, to Kagome's immense relief.

--------------------------------------------------

After tanning for long enough that she had taken a small nap and needed more sunscreen. Kagome noticed Sango and Miroku back from their swim and sitting on a towel together near her. She sat up yawning and lifted her sunglasses to rub her eyes.

“I wasn't asleep long was I?” Kagome asked digging into her bag for her sunscreen.

“No. Only thirty minutes at the most.”

“Good, I don't need a burn but I just couldn't resist a nice nap in the sun. I swear I'm catching up on my sleep depravation from the last four years in two weeks.” She giggled finishing rubbing the sun block on her arms and shoulders and handing the bottle back to Sango who automatically sat behind her and held her hand out for it.

“That's exactly what a senior trip is for.” Miroku said grinning a bit too long at Sango rubbing Kagome's back. Kagome glared at him and he looked away feigning innocence.

“I can't believe we'll be going to college this fall. Living in our own apartment together, it's going to be amazing.”

“You're starting to sound like me.” Kagome teased.

“Guess I really have been friends with you too long.” She smiled patting Kagome's back when she pouted at her. “Just kidding. Everything is just going to be so different starting this year.”

“Now that I'm not getting smacked so much I'm especially looking forward to it.” Miroku remarked from where he was leaned back on his elbows.

“I bet you are.” Kagome said flatly giving him a bored look. She rolled her eyes when he licked his lips to elaborate his point making Sango blush slightly. `At least I finally got my embarrassed babbling under control.' Sango thought with an internal sigh at her perverted boyfriend.

“Jeeze, should we try and find a third roommate since you two will be practically sharing a room?” Sango sputtered incoherently behind her; she had mostly gotten that under control.

“No way! I'm still going to need my space and privacy and I'm NOT sharing a closet!” Kagome busted out laughing at her most important reason.

“I was only joking Sango. Real good housewife she's going to make, huh Miro?”

Miroku shrugged. “I love her anyways,” and Sango continued blushing silently this time.

Miroku had been proclaiming his `love' to her probably for a solid year now, but only recently it felt like she had really started to take notice. Or rather, really started to think he was being serious. The beach felt much smaller and hotter suddenly.

“I'm going to go for a quick dip!” She squeaked standing up and basically bolting for the ocean.

“There she goes again.” Miroku sighed and slumped.

“Don't let it get you down. Sango's coming around, just give her time and don't screw up.” Kagome patted his shoulder comfortingly. “Considering who you chose to fall in love with you've got your work cut out for you Miro.”

“Choice had nothing to do with it,” Miroku said quietly but smiled all the same.

“So…” Kagome dug her toes into the hot sand. “What do you think of Inu? From you know- a guy's perspective.”

Miroku sighed. “Don't do this to me, you're setting me up,” He whined.

“I'm not! I really want to know!”

“Ugh. Well I'm not just a guy. I'm your guy best friend so I'm biased. That being said he's great, fantastic, I'd marry him myself if it were legal. Etc, etc; BUT-”

“But…”

“I think you're playing with fire.” Kagome sighed and wiggled her feet out of the beach.

“I'm not looking forward to seeing you get hurt.” Miroku added as an afterthought, like he had planned on not even saying it but somehow it had worked its way out in the silence.

“I'll be fine. I'm a big girl, and we're just friends.” Miroku didn't say anything more, but Kagome could practically hear his thoughts from the way his eyebrows lowered and the corners of his lips tugged down just barely.

`Please don't give me that look, there's too much sympathy in it Miro,' Kagome thought sadly, protectively hiding her eyes behind her large sunglasses.

“Hey! Are you guys getting hungry yet? I know I am.” Sango said suddenly back and much closer than Kagome had noticed.

“Oh, um yea!” She managed out. Sango gave her a slightly odd look before shrugging. “Let's go get the cooler then.”

The group had been proactive for once packing a small picnic of sandwiches, sodas and some fresh fruits they had picked up at a stand off Koloa Road along the way. So they took advantage of the picnic tables in the park near the beach and had a nice lunch in the shade. One advantage they all agreed was worth the crowds.

After everyone was done swimming and snorkling they washed out their gear in the shower packing it away in their dive bags and loaded back up in the jeep for the short drive home.

“Are we still going to the Beach House tonight for dinner?” Sango asked from the front seat. Kagome as usual was perched in the middle of the back seat thoroughly enjoying the afternoon breeze through her damp hair.

“Yep, we've got reservations at seven, should be a perfect time to watch the sunset from the restaurant. They say it's the best restaurant on the island to watch it from, and right across from our hotel. Who would have thought?”

Kagome could hardly wait, the guide she had found the restaurant in boasted it's impressive Island cuisine and the spectacular view of the water and sunset on the south shore from its outside tables. Digging through her purse she checked her cell phone out of habit seeing that it still didn't have any missed calls. She couldn't help frowning a little. `Oh well I'll call him after dinner, maybe we can get together then.'

------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------

“I don't think I'm going to ever eat again.” Kagome giggled leaning back in her comfortable chair and letting her gaze drift back out to the still ocean. Just as anticipated the sun had melted into the glassy blue Pacific while she ate the most amazing macadamia nut crusted mahi-mahi she had ever tasted.

“How is your fire-roasted 'Ahi Miro?” Sango asked.

“Amazing! Want to try a bite?”

“I would but I just don't have the room,” She laughed and Kagome nodded in agreement.

“Damn and I was really hoping to try the coconut-butter mochi for dessert.” Miroku sighed putting his napkin on his plate to prevent him from eating anymore.

“We'll just have to come back again then.”

“Now that I would not mind one bit.” The three friends all completely content by their wonderful meals and the warm breeze rolling off the sea sighed in unison.

“Oh god Sango, we still have to fit into our bikinis tomorrow.”

“Please don't say that word right now Kagome.”

------------------------------------------------------------- ------------

After paying for their meals and still wearing one of the only real outfits she had brought that wasn't made for getting wet; a short white sundress that tied around her neck, Kagome was coerced into going for a walk on the beach with her friends.

“Come on I don't want to be a third wheel!” She whined.

“You won't be! Now take off those heels.” Sango ordered so Kagome sighed and gave in. She smiled at the cool sand under her feet; she had to admit it felt much nicer than the high heels she had strapped herself into for dinner that were currently dangling in her hand.

But she had wanted her fancy dinner and was quite pleased overall, and as nice as the beach was at dusk she was impatient to get back to her room and call Inuyasha to apologize.

She heard Miroku speaking and was woken out of her thoughts and staring at the sand. Then she realized what he just said and immediately froze.

“Oh my gosh, Shippou, Kouga and Inuyasha! Why whatever are you all doing here??”

“Wow! What a nice surprise!” Sango continued in their very obviously fake shock. Kagome groaned and had the urge to slap her palm to her forehead.

“What a crazy coincide-”

“Oh for the love of god stop! I'm not that stupid you guys!” She said blushing and staring down at her bare feet uneasily.

“Yea we're sorry Kagome you're right. But you see Inu is so…” Kouga laughed.

“HEY!” Inuyasha barked looking miserable where he and his two friends were sitting in front of a small bonfire they had dug out in the sand.

“It's just too nice a night to refuse a beach bonfire, don't you think Kagome?” Sango said sweetly nudging her with her elbow and grinning a bit too much. Kagome sighed.

“Come on Inu.” She marched over to the sputtering surfer and pulled him up by the arm. “Let's just get this over with, hopefully away from our very noisy and evil friends.” Kagome said loud enough for them to hear and giving Sango and Miroku another firm glare. They both smiled obliviously and waved.

“Good luck!” Kouga shouted but was immediately smacked by Shippou.

“Would you shut up, you're the one that got him into that mess!” He hissed.

Kagome and Inuyasha walked in silence, at first she was only planning to step away from the group but before she realized it they had fallen into step and were looking at the rock wall signaling the end of the beach. No where else to go she sat down on one of the flatter large rocks and broke the ice.

“So how did they convince you to come down here?”

“They didn't really, just sort of threw me in the van and pinned me down on the drive over. I quit fighting after awhile.” Kagome giggled and Inuyasha arched his eyebrow in surprise still hunched over and brooding, taking a seat next to her. “I thought you were mad at me?” He asked a little anxiously and licked his lips.

“I was…but then Kouga explained everything and now I just can't be.”

“Oh god what do you mean `explained'? You do realize he's basically socially retarded? I don't like the idea of him speaking on my behalf at all,” Inuyasha groaned dramatically.

“Well you should be thanking him, he's the only reason I'm here now. Well that and our friends are scheming jerks.”

“Not the word I would have used but sure. So…” he dug one of his heels into the sand. “What did he say exactly?”

“He told me about Kikyou, I'm really sorry Inuyasha. I shouldn't have jumped to such a conclusion and I really overreacted. I just sort of panicked at the thought of it, because you know, we really don't know each other that well. At least anything outside of here.”

“I wouldn't lie to you; I just didn't want to bring something like that up, didn't think it seemed necessary with you only visiting and all. You're really not mad though?”

“Of course not. She's your ex, so I'm sure you still care about her and want to see her happy. But if you say you're not in love with her anymore then I believe you.” She left out the part where Kouga had said he was the first girl he had pursued since then, she wasn't sure how he would have reacted to something that personal having been shared with her. But couldn't help how hard her heart was beating for what he was going to say next.

“I'm not in love with her still. I just…I couldn't ever push her out of my life, even though most of the people who know our history think I'm crazy for not doing just that.” Kagome smiled taking one of his hands in hers.

“I don't think you're crazy, I just think you have a really big heart. I can't be angry at you for that when it's one of the best things about you.” Even in the dark she could see the light blush that dashed across his cheeks and she smiled all the more because of it. Then before she could talk herself out of it leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

“I'm glad that's over with.” Kagome said burying herself in his warm shirt when he hugged her tightly.

“Me too.”

“Hey look at that, he's in one piece!” Shippou joked when Kagome and Inuyasha walked back up; hand in hand they all noted. Inuyasha flipped them off before settling down on the empty blanket with Kagome at his side. She shivered from the breeze coming off the ocean and the night chill and he quickly wrapped a warm arm around her bare shoulders.

Kagome missed the joke Kouga had told being lost in the soft way Inuyasha was rubbing his hand on her arm. Sango laughed from where she was happily snuggled against Miroku, Shippou leaned back in the sand smiling, Kouga gave her a quick wink smirking and Inuyasha took that moment to quickly kiss her on the temple. Kagome sighed. For that moment at least, everything was perfect again.

------------------------------------------------------------- -------------

A/N: See that wasn't so bad right? All resolved again in one chapter, but time is of the essence Kagome…If you've been keeping track, she's got 4 days left. :) And if anyone would like to see any pictures of the places mentioned in this chapter check out the photobucket I linked you to last chapter. Anyways, shameless plug alert everyone!

http://laurell-chan.deviantart.com

I finally broke down and got a deviant art account. I'm totally new to this so please excuse the mostly blank page but if anyone has one message me! I'd love to be friends with some of my readers :D Or if you would just like to check out some of my struggles with photoshop aka my art hehe it can be found there. Have a good weekend everyone!

Disclaimer: Inuyasha owns me.