Hey Minna!

Thanks for being patient about the updates, but I'm finally home!! Grr! It's monday! Who shops on a Monday night? Nobody that's who!!

Well, this is the continuation of Friday, A few POV shifts, always denoted. I really wanted to draw a picture of Shiori's and Kagome's dresses, but haven't found the time, but I may take a hint from DelKaiden and find a picture to demonstrate. I have to say that's a damn good idea, wish I'd thought of it!

I'd like to note that Miroku's driving was inspired by my crazy older brother. It was quite a ride, when he used to take me to school seven in the morning at about eighty five mph on residential streets. Never needed coffee till he moved away!

Carrie, sorry I meant to answer your question earlier, but as you will soon see, Kouga does indeed make another appearance. And what an appearance it will be =P

So read on, and enjoy!

Ja ne!

~Sabichan~

**I POV**

I flinched as we narrowly avoided the merging car. That was close...

"Miroku, slow the fuck down!! You're going way too fucking fast!!"

He really was. The cars around us were a blur, and I was holding on for dear life. He, on the other hand, was calm and collected, hardly even paying attention to the honks of the cars he cut off or almost hit.

"Now Inu, which one of us here has his license?"

"Both of us, dumbshit. I just don't drive cuz I don't have a fucking car."

"Yar! So technically, this be my ship, and any mutiny won't be tolerated." He said in a really cheesy pirate voice

"It's Mushin's car. Not your `ship'. In fact this is Mushin's classic Cadillac, the one that cost him more than you're worth. This is definitely not your fucking `ship'!"

"Oh, stop yer belly achin, ya landlubber. We be here."

He suddenly stopped the car. I pried myself out of the passenger side and led the way up to my apartment. In an unspoken challenge we raced each other up the stairs, accidentally passing my floor. So we raced back down. Then one more time back up. I won.

"It's not fair, you have a home court advantage!"

"That's what you say about everything."

"Well it's true." He pouted. I shook my head and began to unlock the door to the apartment. I could tell he was doing his best to put me at ease, to get all my nervous energy out of my system. That's why I love the guy so much. He knows just what to do to calm me down.

"Mom? You still here?" I called into the dark room. I saw a light coming from down the hallway and her voice drifting out to us.

"Is Shiori singing?!" He whispered loudly. I could see his eyes were wide with disbelief in the dim apartment. So I turned on the light and he cursed at me, rubbing his eyes.

"Yeah...she's been like this since Tuesday."

"So...weird...." He kept rubbing his eyes as he sat down on the couch. I heard the TV turn on as I walked towards my mother's room. I knocked lightly on the door.

"Mom?"

"Inu? You're home? Well, good come inside here, I want your opinion."

I mentally braced myself and opened the door. She stood there in the middle of the room, before her floor-length mirror.

My jaw dropped.

"What do you think, honey?" She asked nervously smiling.

I was at a loss for words. She looked incredible. I almost couldn't believe it was my own mother. She looked so...wow.

She wore a light green strapless satin dress, that poofed out at the bottom, with matching gloves. Her hair has pulled up the crown and curled down her back. She had a dark green tulle shawl draped over her shoulders. I heard footsteps behind me.

"Inu, you should hu- OH MY GOD, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR MOTHER?"

"Hi Miroku, sweetie. Tell me, how do I look?"

Miroku's expression matched mine perfectly.

"I'm gonna take the slack jaws as a good response. Well, I'm leaving in a minute, Naraku is on his way here to pick me up. But before I go, Inu, Miroku, don't be too loud tonight, just try and keep it down. And if I come home and find any mess, I will be severely pissed off."

Miroku looked at me in utter confusion, then a look of suspicion crossed his face.

"Inu? Are you going to seduce me tonight?"

I punched him in the shoulder in annoyance.

"Of course not. I have standards..." My mother laughed and I had to smile. She never found my sarcasm funny. But now, things had done a complete turnaround.

"Have fun tonight , boys. If Sango comes over tonight, tell her she can sleep in my bed if she needs to. I don't want her driving after she's been drinking. And Miroku, if she does sleep in here, and you so much as touch the doorknob, I'll have your head for it."

He gulped exaggeratedly and nodded. I noticed a limo pull up outside as I looked out the window behind my mother.

"Your chariot awaits." I muttered as enthusiastically as I could. She smoothed her dress over and gave herself another once over in the mirror. Then she grabbed her purse and ran out of the room, saying her goodbyes.

"Goodnight, and be good. I'll won't be home too late I promise. Oh and Inu?"

"Yeah?"

"Love you." She smiled and I smiled back. It had been a long time since I'd heard those words.

"Love you, too. Mom. Have a good time."

She shut the door behind her and I heard her heels clicking as she walked down the stairs. We rushed over to the window and stealthily peeked outside. Naraku was walking up the sidewalk to the front door of the complex and was about to buzz when it opened.

"Wow, she sure got down fast."

"I think she got down faster than I could have." I whispered.

Naraku's face lit up when he saw her and he took her hand and kissed the top. I had to suppress a growl. Then he hooked his arm in hers and they walked to the limo together The chauffer opened the back door and they both got in. We stayed there until they drove away.

"Should I do that when we pick up Kagome? I mean I am your chauffer tonight."

"Can I call you Jeeves?"

"No. But you can call me Jasper."

"No dice. I gotta take a shower, go and wait in the front, ok?" I said as I walked

towards the bathroom.

"Certainly, Sir." He feigned an English accent. I stopped and stared at him.

"You're really bad at accents. I mean you really suck."

"We'll see what Miss Kagome thinks. I'll bet she'll like my impressions." He pouted. I laughed as I walked away.

"Miroku, she's gonna tear you apart..."

**K POV**

<At Higurashi Shrine>

"Wow sis, you actually look decent."

I threw my shoe towards where he stood in my doorway. Then instantly regretted it.

"Hey give me that back!" I called as he picked it up and ran off with it.

"Come and get -ooohfff!!"

He had smack into my grandfather and had bounced off his chest to the ground. Calmly, Grandfather stooped down and retrieved my shoe. I walked over and took it from him, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you Gramps."

"Anything for my angel."

The he grabbed Souta by his collar and dragged him to his feet.

"Souta, leave your sister alone, it's her birthday you know."

"I was just giving her my present. I thought she looked a little chubby, so I wanted her to get some exercise. Is that so wrong?"

"SOUTA!"

"Ah! Help, she's gonna kill me!!"

He held fast to Souta's collar as I ran back to where they stood. I gave Souta a good punch to his stomach and then stormed back into my room, feeling much better.

"And that was ME giving Kagome her present."

I took a deep calming breath once Grandpa had dragged Souta downstairs with him. I smoothed my dress over as I looked in the mirror. `Gods, I love this dress...'

I had never had much of an opportunity to dress up in the past few years. Not since my relationship with Kouga. With him, I always had to "look my best" since I accompanied him to every social event imaginable. I never knew there were so many charity balls in this town! I had tried my best to fit into the socialite scene, but I always felt somewhat our of place. I wasn't used to all the extravagance-I grew up on a shrine where simplicity was a part of my daily life.

Unfortunately, I didn't have much of a choice as time went on. Once he had me trapped, I was practically glued to his arm for every event, only allowed to smile and look pretty. No one there ever seemed to notice when that smile faded or the blank look in my eyes. No one seemed to care.

I felt myself trembling as I thought back to the night Kouga had come to the shrine. That same possessive glimmer in his eyes, that same menacing attitude that made my knees weak from fear. What would have happened had Souta not come outside that night? What would he have done to me?

He still ruled my life. No matter what I would do, he would always control me in some way. My fear gave him that power. He would never give up, never let me live in peace, or ever....love another man.

I began to think about Inuyasha. About how different he was from anyone I had ever met. He was a mystery.

He was so funny, so outspoken. He was so sweet at times. and he listened-oh what a good listener he was! He never interrupted and watched me the entire time I spoke. He made it obvious that he was hanging on every word.

I imagined him looking at me, with those deep golden eyes. Those eyes had begun to haunt my dreams, their intensity was so overwhelming. I had never seen eyes of that color before. Or hair like that on someone his age.

'Come to think of it, he was rather...unique looking. But in a good way. `A very ,very good way...'

I had kissed him today. Well not "kissed' kissed him, I only got his cheek. But I had surprised myself. I hadn't been that close to someone in so long! I found myself wondering what he would've done if I had just aimed a little more to the left, right for his lips.

I blushed, and tried to shake the thought from my head. But it wouldn't leave. I just kept thinking about what his lips would feel like against mine. How soft they would be, what he would taste like. I imagined his hands clasping the sides of my face as he deepened that kiss, then pulling my body flush against his. How he would suddenly bite my bottom lip so hard that he drew blood, and his hands would roughly trace the curves of my body. How he would pull away and I would find myself in the arms of my worst nightmare.

"No." I suddenly whispered. I wrapped my arms around myself, and began to visibly tremble once more.

How wonderful that daydream had been, until HE had once again found a way into my head. Sighing, I sat down on my bed, my shoulder slumping in defeat.

"Kouga wins again." I muttered.

"Kagome!" I heard my mother call me from downstairs. `Inuyasha must be here.'

"Coming!"

I heard the slight shake in my voice. I had been nervous before my little daydream, so now I was even more on edge. Instinctively, I focused on that energy and began to meditate. I could hear my father's voice in my head then, guiding me through the process.

"Just imagine yourself in the one place you feel most at peace-like right here, beneath the God Tree. Now, see that this place has become only black and white. There is so much shadow here, so much darkness! Why is this so? Your fears, your uncertainties, your doubts-all of these things have cast these shadows, made this darkness, they have drained the color from your world. But Kagome, this is your mind. In here, this is your world, and you control what goes on here. Banish this fear, overcome your uncertainties, quell your doubts. Feel happiness, feel safety and security. Feel love, Kagome. Watch as the color slips back into your world, watch the grass become green and greener, watch the sky become blue and bluer, watch your world come back to life-come back to how it was meant to be. Feel at peace, Kagome-you are no longer afraid..."

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Opening my eyes, I smiled faintly. I glanced upwards and whispered

"Thanks Dad."

I stood and walked out to the stair way.

**I POV**

"Couldn't I have just waited in the car?"

"Why the hell are you nervous?"

"I hadn't realized I was gonna have to meet her parents-"

"Parent." I emphasized.

"-Parent, and I'm just no good with them. You know that Inu! I mean, Sango's parents hate me!"

"They sure do!" I exclaimed with a laugh. He stopped at the top of the steps, and turned to glare at me as I made my way up.

"That's not funny."

"Hey, I'm just saying, I can't blame them. I mean you grope their daughter every chance you get! Face it Miroku, you're a fucking per- I mean, hell of a friend for coming with me. Hey Souta!"

I quickly countered as I saw her brother approach behind Miroku. He spun around, his eyes alight in pure joy.

"Hey! You're not a parent! Inu why didn't you tell me she had an older brother?"

"Actually I'm her younger brother, but whatever. Who are you?" He asked cordially, seemingly happy with the mistake.

"Miroku, I'm Inuyasha's very best friend."

"Good to meet ya. And good to see you again Inu! Be careful, Kagome's throwing punches, she's a real brat on her birthday."

"I'll make sure to tell her that." I said. His eyes widened then and he waved his arms in front of him.

"NO! Please, don't, she'll kill me I swear to you she will!"

Miroku grinned evilly and put his arm around Souta's shoulders to comfort him.

"Well we're willing to keep such information silent if you're willing to do me-us a little favor."

"Anything!" He grinned only wider as I groaned in annoyance.

"Miroku, leave the kid alone. I'm not gonna say anything-she hits really hard!"

"Ah, you won't, but this is my first time meeting miss Kagome, and her mother mind you, and I just feel I should be represented fairly, so as to hmmm-shall we say discredit any rumors you may hear about me. Inu seems to have a bad opinion of my charm, calling me a pervert and such, all out of jealously mind you..."

I gave a bitter laugh and turned away.

"What do you want me to do?" He lowered his head to Souta's ear and muttered in a low voice.

"Tell your mom you like me best and that Inu's an asshole. Trust me, you won't really be lying."

"Miroku! Cut it out or I'm gonna ...tell Hitomi here how nice it is to be back."

`Whew! that was close.'

She had just kind of snuck up behind the other two.

"I thought I heard your voice out here. Souta, you didn't tell me! That was your whole job! Well, anyway come inside...boys. Umm Hi there." She nodded to Miroku. He snapped to attention and let go of Souta to walk over to here. He took her hand with a big smile.

"Pardon my rudeness! I'm Miroku, Inu's best friend. My, if Kagome is half as lovely as you are, this may have proved a happier occasion that I had planned."

"I like him best Mom!" the kid suddenly added. She smiled sweetly.

"I'm Hitomi. So I assume Inu brought you to be my son's date tonight?"

"Huh?!" they both yelled in unison. They glanced at each other in disgust and shook their heads profusely.

"NO way!"

"Mom! Gross!"

She chuckled and withdrew her hand from Miroku's grasp.

"Well I mean, I come out here to see some strange boy hugging my son, then Souta tells me he likes him best. What am I to think?" I laughed with her at their expense as they stood as far apart as possible.

"Alright, Hitomi, you've had your fun..."

"Come in boys, I'll call Kagome right now."

She walked in ahead of us as Miroku and Souta shot each other sour looks. This was good.

"Kagome!!" She yelled leaning on the banister.

"Coming!" We heard Kagome's faint voice call from upstairs. She turned back and suddenly noticed what I was holding in my hands.

"Oh are those for Kagome? That's so sweet of you Inuyasha!"

She referred to the handful of white roses I was tightly clutching in my hand. I had decided last minute to pick some more, since she reacted so...nicely this morning. `Miroku did tell me to do things to make her smile...'

I blushed as Hitomi oowwed and awwed over them. Movement from the top of the stairs caught my eye and I looked up.

She stood tall and gracefully at the landing, a light smile gracing her lips and was looking directly at me.

Everything around me disappeared and time seemed to slow down as she made her decent, eyes locked directly on mine. She looked...heavenly...

Her hair was pulled back from her face and curled behind her. She was wearing the blue dress she had bought from the thrift store, and I couldn't help but swallow nervously as my eyes trailed appreciatively over her body. The top of the dress dipped low but modest, and the satin fabric hugged her slim waist. The skirt flared out slightly, and ended at her mid-thigh, showing off her long legs that were molded to perfection by the blue heeled sandals she wore. I was vaguely aware of the flash of light going off next to me.

She smiled brightly as she caught sight of the flowers I held.

"Oh you brought me more? Thank you!" She wrapped her arms around me like she had in the morning and another flash went off. I realized someone was taking pictures, and also that I had been rendered completely speechless. I returned the embrace to the best of my ability and once again muttered out my brilliant reply of "Happy Birthday."

She pulled back and smiled at me. Then glancing to her left, cocked her head in curiosity in her classic fashion.

"Who's this guy?" Miroku rushed forward and took her hand like he had Hitomi's.

"Pardon my rudeness! I am Miroku and may I-" A look of recognition came over her face.

"Ohh! You're the per-"

"I Like Him Best!" Souta quickly blurted out. We all turned to look at him and he cast his eyes to the floor, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. I heard my friend let out a relieved sigh next to me. Kagome glanced at me and I arched my eyebrow-somehow she caught on.

"I mean you're the perfect gentlemen, no wonder you too are so close! ha ha, anyways, we should go! Bye Mom, Souta, oh, someone please put these in water, thanks and-" She grabbed my hand and began to lead me outside after placing the flowers in her mother hands when she stopped mid-sentence. "Hey. Where's grandpa?"

"He said something about trying to remember where he hid your birthday present. Last I saw he was getting a shovel and flashlight." Souta shrugged. She shook her head and grabbed her purse from the table, then continued walking, dragging me along. I looked back and waved goodbye to her family only to see Miroku holding one of the roses next to Hitomi's face. Probably feeding her some more of his charm. `Sigh, what a perv-even hitting on a mom.'

"You know I can walk perfectly well on my own."

"oh yeah.." she stopped at the top of the stone staircase and turned to face me. I finally got a hold of myself and smiled.

"You...look really nice tonight." My eyes darted from hers to the ground and then back. I could feel my face heating.

"Not so bad yourself." She said softly. Her look was warm and sincere. I gave in to the blush then. I was glad Miroku and I were the same size. I had borrowed his charcoal gray suit and wore a red dress shirt underneath. He tried to make me wear a tie, but I thought it was just overdoing it. After a five minute argument, I agreed to leave it, but only loosely tied. I actually felt kind of attractive for once. Well okay...for the first time ever.

"Yeah, well I thought I should at least make some kind of effort..." I muttered trailing off.

"Well you look good. Thanks again for the flowers, I don't know how you knew white roses were my favorite." I stared at her blankly.

"Actually I didn't. They were convenient." She giggled.

"That's the Inuyasha I know! You were too quiet in there!" I began to feel more at

ease.

"Well I was kinda worried having Miroku with me, did you know he's hitting on your mom right now?"

"WHAT?!"

"My ears are ringing! Is someone talking about me?" He asked suddenly appearing beside me. "Ah, Kagome, I fear our introduction was cut somewhat short, but may I just say how lovely you look tonight. No wonder my friend here comes to work in such a good mood!" I saw her blush as he placed a kiss on the top of her hand.

I felt something just then. Something I'd never felt about anyone as far as I can remember. Especially not towards Miroku.

I felt jealous, and possessive. Like some long buried instinct had suddenly made it's debut. Just the sight of his hand on hers, him looking at her like that...made me want to put his lights out.

I felt a pang of shock run through me. I'd just thought of hurting my life long best friend because he had touched Kagome. Simply touched her.

But no matter how surprised I was at myself, the anger didn't go away.

That's when she spoke.

"Oh I bet you say that to all the girls....in fact I'm positive you do! I'll be watching you, Miroku!"

I watched his face drop in surprise as I laughed. She started down the stairs and I rushed to catch up to her. That feeling had left the second I'd see his reaction. I felt better now. A lot better...

"Hey Jasper, get a move on!"

tbc…

Kagome's memory is of her father's training. I took the liberty of assuming he was the priest in the family, and trained his daughter to be a miko, so sorry if it kind of seems like a stretch. Really, though you should try meditating like that, it's very relaxing. To explain why Inu doesn't drive, he has a license and such, but remember he supports himself and his mother, so he's not all that rich. We'll say they're comfortable. And as much as he hates taking the bus, he doesn't really feel inclined to do anything to change that. He does drive occasionally though, but not often.

The part about Kouga is to show you just how scared Kagome still is of him. Hey, he's strong, he can be a scary guy.

And no that was not Kouga's only reappearance...I'm insulted you even insinuated such a thing!! How dare You!!

Anywho, onto the next chapter!!