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“No way, Sango. Not happening.” Kagome was pacing back and forth, bare feet padding across the carpet of their shared apartment, nervousness seeping into her voice as she called out to her best friend and roommate.
Sango’s head popped around the corner of the hallway, ponytail swaying, a pair of glittery red devil horns shimmering in the dim lights. “You can’t avoid all social events just because Kikyo is going to be there, Kagome.”
“I can try,” she muttered, fidgeting with the halo on her head.
“Kagome.” Sango’s stern voice came from down the hall again.
“And why not?” she frowned, flopping down onto the couch, adjusting the skirt of her own costume. “I just don’t want to ruin the friendship we have because I want to be more than friends.”
Sango moved to stand in front of her, hands firmly on her hips.
“Kagome,” Sango sighed, “ you’ve been looking forward to this costume party at Inuyasha’s for weeks. Are you really not gonna go ?”
Kagome took a deep breath, blowing it out with a huff, her blue eyes meeting Sango’s skeptical hazel ones. “No.”
“Good, because you never know, Kikyo could like you, too.”
Scoffing in disbelief, Kagome looked back down at her hands. “Somehow I doubt that. Have you seen Kikyo? She’s got every guy at our university pining after her.”
“I seem to recall several guys pining after you, too, Kagome and that doesn’t make you any less interested in Kikyo.” Kagome groaned, slumping against the pliant couch cushions.
“Plus,” Sango continued, finding her place on the couch,” I’ve never seen Kikyo return the feelings of any of those guys—” Kagome cut her off.
“Can we please just drop it? I’m going to the party, isn’t that enough?” Her voice was desperate now, pleading with her friend to let it go. Even if the idea of being around Kikyo makes my head spin, she’s still my friend.
“Fine, but I still think you should at least try talking to her as more than friends,” Sango argued, arms crossed defiantly.
Kagome laughed. “Talk about the devil on your shoulder.”
Sango laughed, too.“That’s me. Personal meddling devil at your service.” She gave a half-assed salute and another round of giggles filled the air. “Come on, let’s get going.”
The two women gathered their things and headed for the door. Sango smirked; she would get Kagome to admit her feelings to Kikyo tonight, she decided. She just would need some help, and she knew exactly who to ask.
When they arrived at Inuyasha’s apartment building, Kagome’s heart was thrumming violently in her chest.
“Breathe, Kagome,” Sango’s reassuring voice came from beside her. Heels clicked on the stairs as they made their way up to the door.
“I’m calm, yeah, I’m cool.” Was she trying to convince Sango or herself?
Why did she decide this was a good idea again? Seeing Kikyo during classes was way different than such a social setting.
Right, Sango.
Kagome internally groaned, straightening her white and gold skirt, anything to keep her hands busy and not shaking with anxiety.
In the last three months, her feelings for the older girl had grown tenfold as their friendship blossomed. She’d met Kikyo in her sophomore English class when they partnered for a project. She was kind, quiet, and reassuring, and Kagome felt like she could drown in her honey brown eyes. The only problem? Kagome was 100% positive the feelings she had were one-sided.
Kagome was snapped back to reality when the door to the apartment opened, Miroku, Inuyasha’s roommate, was grinning as he welcomed them into the apartment. “Sango, my dearest, so good to see you.”
Sango rolled her eyes, pushing past the young man. “Yeah, yeah.” Kagome giggled as he followed after her, still trying to woo her, undoubtedly. She realized she was alone now, standing in the doorway, awkwardly fiddling with her fingers.
“Yo, Kagome.” Inuyasha was leaning in the doorframe now, a Scream mask pushed up onto the top of his head. She felt her shoulders relax a little, and smiled at her other friend.
“Hey, Yash” She glanced up and down, taking in the fake blood on his shirt. “Nice costume! I didn’t take you for a horror fan.” He grinned at that, tapping the halo headband balanced atop her head.
“And I didn’t take you for the angelic type.” Kagome swatted his hand away, the tulle of her skirt swishing as she pushed past him into the apartment.
“Me either,” she admitted and then they spoke at the same time, “Sango’s idea.”
They both laughed, joining the group of other partygoers chatting in the main living area.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Inuyasha started. “Sango told me you were a bit apprehensive.”
The sound of his voice seemed to fade as her eyes caught sight of Kikyo. Apparently, Sango wasn’t the only one who thought of wearing a devilish outfit. Kagome watched the two girls mingle, joking about their costume similarity.
Kikyo was the picture of put-together; even with the cute little devil horns adorning her head, her entire person exuded grace. Beautiful black hair, and those warm, honey-colored eyes. She was absolutely perf—
She blinked a few times, realizing she had zoned out watching Kikyo interact with the others.
“Yo, earth to Kagome.” Inuyasha was waving his hand in front of her face, golden eyes twirling with amusement.
“Huh?” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ”Oh, I’m sorry, Yash.”
“Somebody is a bit distracted.” His eyes flicked to the spot where Kikyo stood, taking a selfie now with her ‘devil twin’ Sango. “Could you be more obvious?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Lie.
“You’re a horrible liar, Kagome.”
She let out a huff, and pulled her friend into the nearby kitchen. “Please don’t say anything.”
“I thought you had no idea what I was talking about.” He was smiling wider now.
“Do I have to say it?” she whispered harshly, blue eyes narrowed.
“Hm...” he mocked a thoughtful expression, “Yes.”
“You. Are. The. Worst.” Her teeth ground together in frustration.
“And you are in denial.”
“I am not in denial.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, as Sango drifted into the kitchen behind her.
“Who’s in denial?” Sango’s voice startled Kagome, and she jumped slightly, causing Inuyasha to let out a laugh.
“Our friend here is hopelessly head over he-MMMPH!” Kagome clapped her hand over his mouth, bringing her face close to his.
“She already knows, and could you be any louder?” Even with her hand clamped over his mouth, she could still hear his muffled laugh.
Sango wrapped her arm around Kagome’s shoulders. “Speaking of, Kagome, your ‘friend’ I’m sure would love to see your angel costume. After all, what’s cuter than an angel and devil together?”
Kagome’s blush deepened, and she removed her hand.
“You both suck.” Taking a calming breath, she grabbed a Jell-O shot and downed it. She made ‘I’m-watching-you’ fingers at Inuyasha and Sango,before turning and heading out to chat with Kikyo.
“Good luck,” Sango waved happily, turning to Inuyasha once she was sure Kagome was out of earshot.
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. “I’m assuming you have a plan to get those two alone?”
Sango had a smug smile. “Of course I have a plan, and you’re going to help me.”
He nodded in resolute determination. “Well, duh. Whatcha got in mind?”
Once again Sango’s face was lit up with a mischievous smile. “I’m going to need a glass coke bottle, a board, and a magnet.”
His face morphed with a knowing look. “Oh, you’re evil.”
Sango laughed. “Duh, devil. Remember? Besides, it’s the perfect push in the right direction. Unless we just stand by while those two endlessly pine for each other.”
“We definitely can’t have that,” he grinned, grabbing a coke bottle and downing the rest of the contents, and waving it in front of Sango.
Kagome was flushed as she downed her fifth Jell-O shot; her entire body was heated from the alcohol.
This was a complete bust.
She had tried to take Sango’s advice; she and Kikyo had even taken a cute selfie together as “Angel and Devil”, but outside of that small portion of conversation, she had floundered. Every word that Kikyo said, unfortunately for Kagome, came out of soft pink lips, which she could not stop staring at; which also, surprise, doesn’t make for good conversation.
She had never been this flustered. Maybe the alcohol was having the opposite effect?
So here she was, sitting cross-legged next to Kouga, watching the others talk over the audio of Halloween playing on the flat screen as he droned on about football. Instead of chatting with the one person she wanted to talk with. Does it count as a costume if you’re a wolf demon dressed as a werewolf? she wondered idly, her eyes glazed over.
Kagome refocused as Inuyasha and Sango came back into view. Where had they gone, anyway? Her eyes locked onto the board and bottle in Inuyasha’s hands, and she swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.
They wouldn’t.
Oh, but they would.
“Listen up,” Sango’s voice called out, catching the attention of the people still lingering nearby. “To liven things up, we’ve decided to play Spin the Bottle since no one here is taken.”
Oh, no.
No, no, no.
Was she sweating? Kagome locked eyes with Kikyo; was she hallucinating, or was Kikyo already looking her direction? Kagome blinked, turning her eyes back to Inuyasha, who was now setting the board and bottle up on the table.
“I think the youngest should go first, yes?” Sango chimed in. Most of the room agreed, gathering around the coffee table. Kagome could not speak. Her throat dry, eyes still focused on the bottle.
When she did finally glance up, she once again caught Kikyo’s eyes focused on her.
“So, who's the youngest?” Kouga was next to her; his fuzzy, fur-covered arm tossed over her shoulder, “is it you, Kags?”
“Yeah right, it’s definitely Hojo,” she snorted.
Hojo stood across from them, leaning against the kitchen bar. “Actually, Kagome is two months younger than I am.”
Kagome blinked incredulously. “Really? I can’t believe I didn’t know that.”
“Avoiding going first, hm?” Kouga leaned closer to her face, poking her cheek.
“Watch it, wolfie,” she snapped, swatting his hand. “It’s fine. I’ll go first.”
Kouga laughed, moving his arm from around her and leaning back against the couch, while Inuyasha and Sango watched with amused expressions. Unbeknownst to Kagome, the pair had strategically placed a small piece of metal in the tip of the bottle, and a small magnet under the board.
That magnet also just so happened to be under the board right in front of Kikyo.
“Alright, spin away, my lady.” Miroku wiggled his eyebrows as her shaky hands gripped the bottle, twisting it into a fast spin. She watched the bottle anxiously, glancing between it and Kikyo.
Oh, no.
The bottle was slowing down.
It teetered toward Inuyasha at first; not the worst thing in the world. They could just talk in the closet, if he even made her go in with him. Then it bobbled past Sango and Miroku, twisting to a slow, painful stop.
Right in front of Kikyo.
Holy shit.
Holy shit, shit, shit.
“Oh, uh...” She tuckered a strand of hair behind her ear, sputtering out a string of embarrassing half-words. “We don’t have to go, I mean, if—”
“Oh-ho-hooo,” Kouga’s howling cut her off. “Iconic. The angel and the devil.”
Kagome searched Kikyo’s face, trying to read her emotions. It wasn’t a secret to those there that Kagome wasn’t straight, but she wouldn’t impose her sexuality onto Kikyo just because of some stupid game. But to her surprise, Kikyo seemed collected, a small smile on her face.
“Iconic,” Kikyo repeated, “that’s a good word for it.”
Kagome had to snap her jaw shut, or risk it hanging open forever with shock. Kikyo stood, offering a hand to Kagome. She looked over her shoulder as they headed toward the nearby laundry room and closet.
Sango trailed behind them, a guiding hand on Kagome’s back, ushering them along as the rest of the group chuckled and made smooching noises. She glared back at them, and then at Sango.
Obviously, this was rigged.
Shit-eating was the only way to describe the grin on Inuyasha and Sango’s faces at their successful plan.
“Okay, you guys know the rules: seven minutes only.” Sango pushed them into the smaller room, among the shelves a washer and dryer. “Have fun! “
Kagome opened her mouth to protest, but was greeted by the smacking noise of a closing door, and the click of the lock. Her back bumped against the dryer as she stumbled in, Kikyo’s hand still holding her own.
“I am so sorry, Kikyo.” She dropped her hand, leaning back more on the dryer. She closed her eyes with a huff.
“Why are you sorry?” Her eyes flew open, finding Kikyo slightly closer than before.
“Oh, uhm, well, it’s weird you know,” she chuckled nervously, tucking her hair behind her ears, and turning away from Kikyo, hoisting herself to sit on the dryer top.
“Is it ,though?” Kagome blinked, surprised at Kikyo’s words and smirking expression. She really could drown in those eyes.
“What?”
“Is it weird? Being in here with me?”
“That’s not what I meant..I just, we’re both—and I know that you—” Okay, she was really stumbling now under Kikyo’s steady gaze and smirk. Kagome could feel her cheeks getting hotter.
“You’re pretty adorable when you get flustered.”
Sirens were going off in her brain: was this really happening?
“I just don’t want to put you in a situation where you’re uncomfortable, that’s all. We’re just friends, so I don’t want you to feel weird.” Kagome rambled on and on, keeping her eyes averted from Kikyo. She glanced down at her phone: five minutes left. Had it only been two minutes?
Suddenly, Kikyo was directly in front of her, taking up the space between Kagome’s dangling legs. Her breath caught in her throat, and Kikyo placed a hand over Kagome’s own.
“You know, for someone so smart, you can be pretty clueless.”
“What?” She turned her eyes back to Kikyo, who was only a breath away, brown eyes staring into blue.
Kikyo grinned, thumbing over Kagome’s bottom lip. “Did you honestly believe that with Bankotsu following me around like a puppy, I’d be single still, unless my attention was on someone else?”
Kagome didn’t dare breathe. “I just thought that you were waiting for the right guy.”
“Gross,” Kikyo laughed, the warmth of it tickling at Kagome’s face. “I don’t need a ‘right guy,’ Kagome.”
Kagome understood what Kikyo was saying, but her brain refused to process it. “So this isn’t too weird for you?”
Kikyo cut her off. “Kagome.”
Another moment passed in silence with Kikyo cupping her face. “Just kiss me, idiot.”
In a moment they were pressed together, her face still held in Kikyo’s hands. It took a moment for Kagome to return the action, but when she did, the emotion that suddenly flooded, she put into it. Kikyo’s lips were as soft as they looked, molded perfectly against her own. The kiss was slow, and languid, their bodies flush against each other.
They pulled apart, breathing heavy, foreheads touching.
“Wow,” Kagome breathed, taking in the warmth of Kikyo’s body still molded against her own.
“Iconic,” Kikyo laughed, quoting their friends again as the door rattled open. Kikyo turned, her horn getting caught on Kagome’s angel halo, and when Sango took in their position, she pumped the air.
“Mission successful!” their friend cried, high-fiving Inuyasha in the background. Kagome groaned, letting her forehead bump Kikyo’s again.
“I knew it was a setup.”
Kikyo leaned forward, kissing Kagome’s nose. “I can’t say I mind.”
Kagome slipped off the dryer, lacing her fingers with Kikyo’s and smiling. “Yeah, I suppose I have two devils on my shoulder now, don’t I?”
Kikyo rolled her eyes with a laugh, and they left the closet, hand-in-hand.