Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, you'd know because he and Kagome would be making out ever other episode.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. More fluff up ahead And for those of you who have read it, I stole the title of this chapter from A Fine Balance

Summary: Kagome Higurashi lives in an impoverished sector of the human-demon segregated country of Northern Japan. When she gets the chance to escape to peaceful and bountiful Southern Japan, she must seize the opportunity to help out her family. But she never counted on meeting Inuyasha Taisho.

Into the Darkness

Chapter VII: Beautification

"Would you like to go to see a movie tomorrow, Kagome?"

Kagome turned her head towards Sango. They and Miroku and Inuyasha had just come out of the ice cream shop, each of them holding a different flavor of ice cream in a cone. It was Friday after school and they were on the way to spend the afternoon at the park.

"Sure. What movie will we see?"

"I hear they just got that American movie, The Last Samurai out with Japanese subtitles. That Tom Cruise is such a good actor! I haven't seen one of his films recently."

"Okay, sounds fun." She was familiar with cinemas but she had no idea who this To-mu Ku-ru-se was. She decided to leave that question for the morrow. At the moment, she was perfectly content with life. It was a beautiful day, with nary a cloud in the sky. School was over for the week and she was among friends. What more could she ask for?

They arrived at the small park after several more blocks of walking. The park was nothing spectacular. It was a sectioned off little area with green grass and blooming sakura blossom trees. There was a small pond in the middle where several ducks were swimming about. The trees weren't yet in full bloom and the pond was a little dirty, but it was a lot better than any place she'd ever seen in the Goshinboku sector. She shook her head and sighed. Those Southerners took too much for granted.

Kagome took a seat in the shade underneath a nearby tree and her friends followed her example. Quickly, she swiped her tongue at her ice cream as it began to melt onto her fingers. "What time will the movie be?"

Sango tapped a finger to her chin, contemplating the possibilities. "How 'bout I swing by Kaede's place 'round seven o'clock?"

Kagome shrugged. "Okay, it's alright with me."

"Great!" Sango sat down between Miroku and Kagome, the latter scooting a bit to her right to make room for her friend. Unintentionally, it brought her to sit closer to Inuyasha. Well… unintentionally on Kagome's part. Sango and Miroku gave each other knowing looks before chattering to each other about school and other miscellaneous subjects.

Before long, her mind began to drift back to her home and her family. She wondered how they were faring without her there. Her mother had seemed so tired the few months before she left. She worried about her health. How was she holding up, with both herself and a son to take care of? Was she overworking herself? Was she making enough money for food? How many police raids had befallen them? The questions swirled about in her mind and she felt herself slowing falling into a light depression.

She loved her family dearly. Had it been a mistake to leave them?

"Oi… you okay?" Inuyasha nudged her gently.

She looked at him. His face was impassive but his eyes showed concern at the inner turmoil that had been displayed on her face.

Kagome smiled to assure him, "I'm fine, don't worry."

He gave her a dubious look, but left her alone. Her attention was pulled away when Sango gave a small, excited shout.

"Oh, look!" She pointed at a few blue-green birds perched chirping on the budding branches of the cherry blossom tree. "Those are blue love birds and they only come by this park several times a year. They're very friendly!"

Sango dug through her backpack until she pulled out a small bag of left over chips. Ice cream forgotten and left to melt on the grass, she crushed the bag with both fists until the chips were tiny bits and pieces. She upended the bag onto the ground and grabbed Kagome's free hand, sprinkling a handful of crushed chips into her cupped hand. Sango then held Kagome's hand skyward, toward the birds. To Kagome's utter astonishment, the birds fluttered down to grip at her fingers with their little talons. She gave a started gasp, dropping the chips in surprise and the birds flew away from her at the noise.

Sango laughed, "Did I mention they're very bold?" She scooped chip fragments into her own hand and several birds flocked onto her fingers, pecking lightly at the food. Miroku mirrored her moves and he presented quite a comical image when a particularly fat blue love bird nestled comfortably on his head.

Kagome was a bit disheartened that the birds failed to come near her again. They feared she would drop their food again. She pulled back in surprise when a familiar clawed hand presented one of the yellow-breasted birds perched on a finger. She followed up the arm to stare at its owner.

His other hand caught her hand, free of the unfinished ice cream cone, and deposited the bird carefully onto her palm. Inuyasha frowned inwardly at the tingles he felt as the pad of his thumb grazed her skin. She gently enclosed her fingers around the feathery body and stroked its downy head.

"Thanks," she muttered, keeping her eyes on the small bird. It chirped and cocked its head. Its bright, black eyes watched her.

"Keh."

.

.

"Hey, Kaede, I'm back!" Kagome called into the apartment. "My friends and I have decided to see a movie tomorrow, just so you know…"

"Kagome, come quick! I'm in the kitchen."

Worried that something had happened, Kagome rushed into the kitchen to see Kaede in front of the television, watching with furrowed eyebrows and her lips pressed in a thin frown. 

"What is it, Kaede?" She asked.

"Look." The elderly woman pointed to the TV.

Kagome watched speechlessly as a very familiar looking sector was desecrated by the Yu-Hellions. The reporter was telling the story in the background as the destruction continued.

"… Northern Japan's government wishes to clean the nation of the sectors, under the prime minister's order of beautification, demolishing the homes of millions of humans, starting with this area. Head of the Yu-Hellion force in this sector, Dokugasu Naraku, consents…"

Unable to tear her eyes away, she stuttered out a question, though she knew its answer, "W-where…?"

Kaede's eyes were grim, "Goshinboku."

Kagome felt a part of her heart collapse.

A familiar figure ran into view of the camera and Kagome felt a tear slide down her face. She gently traced the face of the young woman, her finger brushing against the television screen. "Momiji…"

The girl, Momiji, was one of Kagome's very best friends before she fled to the South. She was wearing a red tunic with flowing white sleeves and a necklace with a yellow pendant. She had short, brown hair to her ears. A rat Yu-Hellion suddenly appeared behind her and clubbed the back of her head with a thick, wooden mace. She dropped like a rag doll.

All around the girl, shacks were set on fire and men and women alike were screaming. Kagome squeezed her eyes shut. "No more!" She yelled.

Kaede nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, no more." She shut off the television. Gently, she hugged the crying girl. "Will you be okay, child?"

Kagome nodded shakily. She went to her room and didn't come out for the rest of the day.

.

.

Miroku beeped his car horn for the third time outside of Kaede's apartment. It was 6:30. Sango frowned. Why wasn't Kagome coming out?

"I'll just go get her. Maybe she can't hear."

Miroku shrugged, "Okay."

Inuyasha sat in the backseat, his arms crossed. Next to him sat two other girls that Miroku and Sango had invited, Eri and Ayame. He scowled at the girls' endless chattering.

"So if Kagome is coming with us, where is she going to sit?" He asked.

Miroku smirked mischievously. "Why on your lap, of course!"

"What?!" Inuyasha roared. Ayame and Eri giggled at him.

Ayame shoved him playfully, her youkai strength sending him against the car wall. "Well, it wouldn't be proper for a woman to sit on a woman and Miroku is the driver so that leaves just you."

Inuyasha scowled furiously. The girls next to him giggled again.

The car door opened to reveal Kagome.

She quirked an eyebrow at the full car. "Where will I sit?" Kagome asked Sango.

Sango's smirk mirrored Miroku's earlier one. "On Inuyasha's lap, of course!"

"What?!" Kagome blushed.

Sango giggled. "Aw, don't be shy! Sit down already! Or we'll be late to the movies."

With a very red face, Kagome sat down gingerly in Inuyasha's lap.

Miroku looked back at the two of them. "Be sure to tighten that seatbelt now, Inuyasha!" Inuyasha gave him a murderous look that promised retribution. Miroku just cackled and drove off.

After Inuyasha was finished with giving the evil eye to the back of Miroku's head, he turned his attention to Kagome. For some reason, she seemed unusually somber.

"Oi, what's the matter?" He asked her.

She stiffened. "Nothing."

He frowned. "Then why are you so tense?"

"I'm not tense," she replied tensely.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Look, I'm not stupid." He tugged the seatbelt where it strapped across her shoulder. She squeaked and fell against his chest.

And what a nice chest it is… she thought, Urg! Bad mind, bad mind!

"Geroff!" Inuyasha's voice came, a little muffled by her hair. Discreetly, he sniffed at her hair, taking in the lavender smell of her shampoo.

She jerked off his chest. "Hey, you were the one who choked me in the first place!"

"I wasn't choking you!" He retorted.

"Well, it sure felt like I was being choked! It hurts, you know."

"Yeah, well, you're just weak."

And the two of them continued to argue the entire way to the theaters, making Miroku and Sango rethink making Kagome sit on Inuyasha's lap.

.

.

Miroku stepped out of his car, massaging his temples. "Wow, I thought we'd never get here. Those two were driving me crazy!"

"Ditto," Sango stepped next to him.

"Maybe it wasn't such a good idea trying to get them together?" He asked.

She shook her head. "Are you kidding? They already act like an old married couple with their bickering."

Miroku looked over his shoulder to see the two of them continue to argue as Inuyasha helped Kagome out of the car. Ayame and Eri were nearby, plugging their ears. He chuckled. "I guess you're right."

The six of them paid for their tickets quickly and found their seats inside the theater. Miroku maneuvered the seating so that Kagome and Inuyasha sat in the middle with Ayame and Eri on their left and himself with Sango on the right. The second they sat down, Miroku was up again, dragging Sango with them to get snacks.

Kagome frowned crossly, angry at the two conspirators, also known as Miroku and Sango, for suckering her into sitting next to Inuyasha when she wasn't all that happy with him either. Inuyasha could sense the waves of anger rolling off her and shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

The longer he smelt her anger, the more fidgety he became until he blew out a sigh of frustration. Roughly, he took her hand in his and spoke to her, though he kept his eyes on the movie screen. "Look, I'm… sorry okay? Just stop being angry with me."

She stared at their joined hands before nodding numbly. Inuyasha sighed in relief as the anger smell ebbed away. Reluctantly, he retracted his hand as he noticed the two girls on his left watching them.

Miroku and Sango reappeared moments before the previews came. Between the two of them, they had three buckets of popcorn and two drinks. Sango distributed the popcorn but kept the drinks. Miroku snickered. "I'm not blowing all of my money on you guys. You'll have to get your own drinks."

They groaned, but were soon shushed by those around them.

The movie began the six of them settled down. Finally alone with her thoughts, Kagome went back to thinking about Goshinboku… her home. No matter how much Kagome wished for Shikon to be her home, she knew it was not possible. How was her family now? Were they even alive anymore? She choked back a sob, unintentionally drawing Inuyasha's attention to her.

Inuyasha watched her silently as she stared at the movie screen. But he was not fooled. He could tell she was not really watched. What was up with her? She was once again somber.

Kagome suddenly stood up, drawing more eyes to her. She dashed out of the theater.

"What did you do to her?" Sango whispered angrily.

Inuyasha gaped speechless for several moments before he found his voice. "I didn't do anything to her!"

"Well, then find out what's wrong!"

"Why me?"

"Because!"

He was about to tell her to shove off when he saw the other three giving him looks which plainly urged him to go. He gave up. "Fine, fine."

Inuyasha stood up and followed Kagome out of the theater. It took him several minutes to find him and when he did, he was startled. Kagome was curled up on the bench outside the cinema, sobbing with her hands pressed against her eyes.

He stood uncertainly before he approached her. It was getting late, near 7:30 and it was chilly. He shed his red jacket and draped it across Kagome's shoulders.

She looked up at him, surprised. "What are you doing here?" She asked softly. She wiped quickly at her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" He countered.

She looked away, pulling the jacket tighter about her shoulders as the wind picked up.

"You okay?" Inuyasha asked her gently, sitting down next to her. "Why are you crying?"

"I… I can't tell you."

He watched her silently for a moment. "It's okay. But I'll be here if you ever want to talk." He looked at her seriously.

Kagome's heart thumped painfully loudly in her ears. "Thank you."

A comfortable silence settled over them and Inuyasha awkwardly put an arm around her as she shivered again. "Stupid girl," he scolded lightly, "Coming out here and not even bringing a jacket."

She smiled softly and leaned against his warm body. "I'm glad you're always here for me." She whispered so quietly that even Inuyasha's sensitive ears couldn't pick it up.

Botan peeked her head from behind a collapsed shack. The Yu-Hellions seemed to have left for the moment, but she knew they'd be back the next day to clear out the land of the shacks. Her mid-back length, black hair blended well with the night sky, even as her light blue tunic with flowing white sleeves did not. Clutching the star pendant of her necklace for luck, she dashed toward the nearest cover, which happened to be another collapsed shack.

She scanned the land and suddenly gasped when she saw her sister lying on the ground. Botan was at her side immediately.

"Momiji… Momiji!" She shook the fallen girl.

Momiji groaned slightly and her eyes fluttered open. "Wh-what happened? Ooh, my head hurts!"

"We have to get away from here now! It'll be dawn in a couple of hours and the Yu-Hellions will be back!" Botan helped her sister to her feet, supporting her as she nearly collapsed again.

"Where will we go?" Momiji asked, touching the bump on her head gingerly and wincing.

"We'll get away," her sister said, determined, "just like Kagome did."

The short-haired girl sighed, letting her hand drop, and shook her head. "Kagome was detained. She didn't escape!"

"You don't know that! I know she escaped! I don't know how, but I know she escaped. And we'll get away as well!" The black-haired girl replied.

"But where can we go?"

"Somewhere safe… somewhere like… the South!" Botan declared.

Momiji squinted her eyes at her sister and then shook her head. "Now, I know you're crazy!"

"Don't make me knock you out, because I will!" Botan said defensively.

"Look, I'm just saying it's not possible!"

"It is possible! We'll… we'll use our powers!"

"But we've never used our powers before!" Momiji protested.

"It doesn't mean we can't use them! It'll work, sister, it will!"

Momiji relented. "Fine, fine, but if we die, I'm kicking your ass in the next life!"

The two girls giggled and set off, unknowingly following the same path Kagome had used months before.

A/N: Yeah, yeah, I took a helluva lot longer than usual to update, but what about this chapter, eh? It was fluffy AND long! I haven't made a chapter this long in a long time! So shower me with reviews and I'll try to do it again! LOL.

Review Responses (wahh, 16 reviews! Thank you SO much!)

InvisibleRain: Heh, if you thought last chapter was cute, what did you think of this one? Heehee, thank you! I'm glad you like this so much and I'm so sorry to keep you waiting! AnimeBrat: I'm sorry, at the time of last chapter, I wasn't in the middle of finals, but for this chapter, I've just finished finals! And do you know what that means? More chapters! Yes it does! And that means I'll be updating Dr. Do-Youkai too! Hopefully after updating Robotic Beauty. Thanks for reviewing! Corisu Li: Heehee! Your review really made me laugh! I'm sorry for such a delayed update (over a month! 0.0) but I was stressed as it was with finals and projects that those damn teachers thought it would be fun to squeeze into the last month. But it's over now! Thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Gohanzgirl: Thanks! I really hate it when great stories have uber boring first chapters so I tried to make mine interesting! Glad you appreciate it! Dragon Man 180: LOL. I think I will bring them in, but I don't know when. Thanks for waiting and sorry for taking such a long time to get this chapter out! BlackKatt: Thanks! I'm glad you like it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Animeprincess88: Sorry I took so long to update! Was this chapter worth it? Let me know! Eartha: Thank you! Yeah, you're right, it was a little awkward but I don't know what to do with it. Thanks for the constructive criticism! It's greatly appreciated! Starangel4899: Wow! Thanks! Not a fan of fluff gasps how can that be possible?! LOL. Just kidding. Anyway, thanks for the brownie and review! Yum! Moonlight-Miko: Thank you! What did you think of this chapter? Long, eh? LOL. Thanks for the review and sorry for making you wait! DemonKitty: LOL. That's okay! I'm glad you like my stories so much! You're great! Hope I didn't make you wait too long Call Me Shiggy: First off, I love your penname! It's so cute I'm SO sorry I made you wait! I feel bad because I called my month long hiatus for all stories just after you praised me so UU But this chapter was extra long! How about it, eh? LOL. I'm so glad you like me work! It makes me feel all warm and tingly inside! Thanks for the review! a Psychopathic Moron who comes from a galaxy far far way and has come to this stinking planet to rule it!: Thank you! I'm sorry I took so long to update though… Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Blade Redwind: LOL, I totally agree! Thanks for the review and I apologize for taking so long to get this chapter out! It was quite long though, wouldn't you agree? Thanks for taking the time to review! Aznfella: Thanks! Hope I didn't make you wait too long! Doughnuts of Miroku: No problem! I can't wait until I read chapter 3! Your story is quite original if I do say so myself! If you have the time, maybe you can check out this story