This isn't a twist per say, but it sets up the big one. Remember, Kagome doesn't have many friends now that those three are studying abroad. And after the whole Kouga thing, she has trouble with relationships period.

Hope you like.

Any questions about anything, don't hesitate to ask!

Ja ne!

~Sabichan~

"every morning I would see her waiting at the stop

Some times she'd shopped and she would show me what she'd bought...."

**I POV**

"You won't believe what I just bought for six dollars!" She exclaimed happily.

"I can see it wasn't breakfast." I teased. She was empty handed today. Well, except for the coffee.

"I didn't feel like it this morning. Sorry." She replied somewhat sheepishly.

"Hey, as long as you brought this, I'm a happy man." I reassured. Her face immediately brightened.

"Well come and see what I got!" Shaking my head, I sat down next to her and took the cup from her hands. She fumbled with a plastic bag for a moment and I caught a glimpse of blue material. Her eyes flashed with even more girlish excitement as she turned to me suddenly.

"Wait! close your eyes first!"

"Kagome...." I tried to sound annoyed, but she was so damn chipper. I sighed and shut my eyes. I felt her waving her hand in front of my face, trying to confirm whether I was peeking or not. After a moment or so, she stood in front of me and I could hear the bag rustling.

"Ok! You can look now." I opened my eyes and found her holding a midnight blue dress in front of her. It was sleeveless and almost indecently short...or maybe it was just the way she was holding it.

"Do you like it?" I nodded almost dumbly. It gave my imagination quite the workout, picturing just how she'd look wearing it. And my what a wonderful image it was...

"Really? It's my birthday present to myself. I got it from the thrift store." She informed me as she folded it and placed it back in the bag. She sat down again and snatched the coffee from my hand.

"You got yourself a measly six dollar present?"

"Yeah, I mean it's gorgeous! I was debating on it, since it was originally ten, but I talked the lady down to six."

I had to smile. She was so pleased with herself and her face was beaming.

"I guess I'll have to really try if I want you to like my present more than the dress."

"No, you won't have to try at all."

"Huh?"

"Nope. I already know what you're going to give me for my birthday."

"Is that so? Well please do not hesitate to inform me."

"You're taking me to dinner at your restaurant. Why else do you think I bought the dress?"

I stared at her, not sure whether to start laughing or pass out. She had to be kidding.

"You want me to...you really...huh?"

She cocked her head in curiosity. If I wasn't in such a state of confusion, I would have reveled in how cute she looked.

"Inuyasha, what's wrong? Did you not want to...take me?"

I struggled to put my thoughts in some sort of order. Was she in some strange roundabout way asking me out? Was I supposed to do something or say something sweet? Why on earth did she want me to take her there!?

"I um...well.. why there?" I finally choked out.

The innocent look on her face calmed my fears when she answered.

"I just wanted to meet your friends. You know I don't really...have anyone but you."

I swear I heard those words for hours afterwards, echoing in my ears. I never knew how much it would affect me when she finally admitted how close we had become over such a short period of time. 'Me...'

`....I don't really...have anyone but you'

`...anyone but you...'

I smiled and began to regain my composure. I felt a warm rush of confidence.

"Am I your only friend Kagome?"

She darted a glance away nervously.

"Well, I mean I know Kanna...but she's really just someone I work with...and then there is Hojo...but he creeps me out. And then....well that's it really. I don't talk to anyone else outside of class...I guess I really don't have any other friends if you think about it." She looked so sad. It pained me to see it.

I built myself up and bit my lip nervously. Then I slid my arm around her. I felt her body tense slightly, then relax as I dared to pull her a little closer to me. I spoke low.

"Well then as your friend, I won`t stand for that. I'll take you and you can meet my `family`, and I know they're just gonna love you. I can already tell you and Sango are gonna hit it off right away."

She met my eyes with an uncertain, but undeniable happiness.

"You don't mind?"

"No, it'll be great. Trust me."

She nodded as her smile grew. Then, unexpectedly, she laid her head on my shoulder and whispered a very faint

"Thanks..."

I'm glad she couldn't see my face. I was beet red. Not just with the fact that this was Kagome so close to me. It was also that aside from the traumatizing Kikyo incident, and hugs from Sango, this was the closest I'd been to a girl in my entire life-and I was embarrassed by that mere fact.

I felt her shift next to me and I snapped out of my thoughts. I realized that yes, this was the closest I'd been, so why the hell was I dwelling on it? Feeling the flush leave my face, I took a deep breath and took in as much of the experience as possible.

A few wisps of her bangs brushed against my cheek and I couldn't help but inhale deeply again. She had a warm, clean scent. It was soothing and exciting the same time. She must have just washed her hair the night before, since the scent of strawberries held a such strong presence in the air. This wasn't the first time I'd noticed how nice she smelled. I'd just never been close enough to fully enjoy it.

And she was so warm. So very warm. I closed my eyes and sighed inwardly.

So far, this was the greatest day of my life.

`So far...'

*At the Fukai Mori*

"Look I just need some advice ok? Can we just stop with the insults for one minute and be serious."

Miroku cocked his head to the side curiously and smiled.

"You're nervous aren't you?"

"Yes, what? do you want a fucking award or something?"

I glared at him fighting the urge to throttle him. I had come in to the restaurant and dragged him directly into the back storeroom. Then I had filled him in with the situation on Kagome and her birthday present. Being the pervert he is, he asked if I had got a good feel from when she hugged me goodbye this morning.

Now he just stared at me with a calmness I'd only seen Faye possess. That thoughtful gaze was really starting to get on my nerves though. Finally after a moment or two of me grinding my teeth, he spoke.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha."

"Huh?!" My mouth dropped open. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I said I'm sorry." His face remained solemn and I couldn't find a trace of amusement in his eyes. Uh-oh. This was going to be a heart to heart that I really hadn't planned on having today.

"What for?"

"For not respecting how much this means to you. I didn't realize you liked this girl so much...Are you...Do you think you're falling in love with her?"

The question shocked me that my mind went completely blank. He chuckled understandingly, patting my shoulder.

"Maybe I should ask you some other time. I have a feeling though, a very strong one, that she likes you more than even she realizes. I don't think she wanted to come here to get to know us. She wants to get to know you. Past the bus stop."

"So...how do I do this? Miroku, you know I'm not good at these kind of things."

"I'm going to give you the only advice I know you can handle. Inuyasha, you need to just be yourself."

I glared flatly at him.

"That`s... it?" He nodded.

"Perhaps I should better explain. What I mean is you need to drop this act. This rude, `I am an island' ,smart mouthing bullshit. I've known you forever, and I know who you really are. You're vulnerable, you're intelligent, and you can be a gentleman when you want to be. I don't want to sound all funny about it, but you can be a sweet guy. Just look at the way you handle your mother."

I glanced away and at the walls, anywhere but his face. Finally, I gave up sighing, and dropped down on one of the extra chairs next to me. I buried my face in my hands.

"You've had a hell of a life Inuyasha. Nothing has ever been easy for you. We've all watched every hope you've had, every dream, crushed, forgotten. After Shoji disappeared, the Inuyasha I grew up with did too. It's been hard to be your friend at times, because you never let me in. You just take care of everything on your own, like that's the only choice you have. You act like your life is already over, and I can tell you that hasn't even fucking started. You're too damn scared to let it. And I can't stand it anymore, I'll be honest. I'm tired of seeing you be so alone." his voice rising a little at the end.

He took the seat next to me and rested his hand on my shoulder.

"I'll tell you what to do, my friend. You go home tonight and you sort this out. If Shiori is crying, let her fucking cry. She will whether you comfort her or not. You spend some time alone and you think about yourself. About what you want to do with your life, about who you want to be. Just think about you. God dammit be selfish for once! Then think about this girl. Think about her smiling and then think about what you can do to make her smile. Work from there, Inu-whether you realize it or not, she's depending on you. As far as I can tell, Kagome is just as alone as you are. I think the answer for the both of you lies in each other."

Suddenly he stood and walked to the door. I glanced up as he began to leave.

"Well I can hear my darling Sango's voice out there, so I think I'll go say good morning." He smiled evilly. I knew exactly what saying "good morning" implied. Just before he closed the door behind him, I called out.

"Miroku?" He peeked his head back in.

"Yes?"

"You should listen to yourself someday, you know." He nodded and then glanced over his shoulder. He turned back with yet an even more devilish smile.

"Right you are. But she's wearing a skirt-thus today is not that day."

**K POV**

*at the dining plaza*

"You don't think I was too forward do you? I mean I'll admit, I still don't know him as well as I'd like to."

"This is a good chance to do just that. You did just fine, Kagome."

I smiled at the girl beside me. Though her quiet and down to business demeanor had put me off at first, Kanna had come to be my favorite co-worker. I filled her in every afternoon about my mornings with Inuyasha. She was a great listener, and she made it clear just how much she cared about what I was saying.

It was our lunch break, and we sat outside on the steps beside the dining plaza. She came out everyday for her cigarette break and a bottle of orange juice. She always said one would eventually cancel the other out, and she would just deal with the consequences. I usually joined her in an attempt to get away from Bill trying to read my palm. That man had an unhealthy interest in the occult.

I sighed and rested my head against the handrail behind me.

"Kagome, you like him don't you?" She asked suddenly.

"Huh?" I jerked my head back up at her question.

"You like him."

"Well he's my friend, of course I do."

"You know what I mean." She said with a knowing smile. She had me cornered. I nervously played with my fingernails, trying to avoid her eyes.

"He is really cute. He's just...he's just like me. We talk the same way, we act the same way. We argue all the time about the stupidest things and I have so much fun with him. I...I guess I do like him...But..."

"But what?"

"I'm...I don't know if I'm ready for a relationship. I'm still not quite over the last one...It almost ruined my whole life, Kanna."

"Kagome...you know if you're not ready, then you don't have to start anything with anyone. It's up to you. But you can't deny that there's something special about this guy. And if you hadn't gone through the whole ordeal before this, well...you would've never met him."

I met her thoughtful gaze and it began to sink in just how right she was. Inuyasha wasn't expecting a relationship with me, Hell I didn't even know if he wanted one. He was just fine with being my friend. Fate had somehow thrown us together, now it was up to us to sort out what we would do with that.

"Thanks, Kanna...you're the best."

"I know..." She said as she put out her cigarette.

We giggled and stood to go back inside to work.

I reopened my register and pulled out my calculus book. I had a big test nest week, and there was no way I was gonna not ace it.

"Kagome! You're back from your lunch already?" I glanced up at the voice.

"Oh Hi Hojo. Yeah, um I just came back in."

Inwardly I grimaced. Hojo had begun asking me out the first day I had met him. Which had been my second week of school, and I had needed some help with my math homework. I had decided to make good use of the school's resource and went to the tutoring lab. There I had seen him, sitting behind a desk, smiling brightly and somewhat idiotically. A smile that had only widened when I had told him what I needed help with. He turned out to be a math major, and my savior.

Of course my opinion of him had done a complete turnaround when he had asked me what I was doing later. I knew right away where he was going with that. So I said I had to work. He then of course asked where I worked. I had told him and the very next day, he came for a little visit.

Then the next day.

Then the next.

See the trend here?

Well each time he came in, he'd ask what I was doing after work or later on the weekend. The whole "Shrine Duties" bit came in handy when I explained just how "busy" I would be. Of course he had now started asking if he could come visit me at the shrine so I could show him around. I hadn't known what to say to that. So I had asked Inuyasha about it. His advice to tell him I was already seeing someone had worked pretty damn well, though it had pained me to see the look of

heartbreak in the poor boys eyes. Did he really want to date me that bad?

Obviously yes, because he bounced back within seconds, smiling that bright and comically naive smile, saying that didn't mean we couldn't be friends.

I had agreed, mainly because he tutored me for free. Yeah, I was using him, but it's not like he didn't get anything out of it! He got to be my "friend".

`What a bitch I've become....'

Now I looked at him, a stack of books in his arms.

"Well I just wanted to say hi. I've got to run, I have to study for this test in organic chemistry!"

I stared blankly at him as I realized just how excited he was to study for his test.

"Well you have a good time Hojo. See you tomorrow?"

"You know it! Goodbye Kagome!"

I gave him a little wave as he walked away.

I sighed as he disappeared out the door.

"Poor fool..." I muttered.

I had to admit, he was a nice guy. He was sweet and so helpful, very modest, and extremely intelligent. He was quite a catch, as my mother would say. So why didn't I want to go out with him?

I mentally shrugged. I had no idea why I said no. I just didn't want to. It just didn't feel right. Like I would be leading him on.

"Miss? Are you open here?" A timid voice asked from my right. I turned and gave my friendliest smile.

"Yes I am! How can I help you?"

tbc…

Does this qualify as a cliffy? I don't think so, but yet another bad way to end a chapter. Unsatisfying. It's just that I did't write this story by posting chapters, I kinda just well...wrote it with a bunch of **'s breaking up the points of view. So I'm chapter-rizing them as I go. Please bear with me, I want to get the good part as much as you do!

So Kagome's gonna meet the Houshi's huh?

This should be interesting....

So at this point, Inu and Kag like each other, but are afraid to make any sort of move. Their friendship is still tender, and needs to grow stronger before anything can happen between them...

But as in many friendships between males and females, as the bonds of friendship grow stronger, so does the sexual tension...OHH!! Sabichan love sexual tension!!!