This Time Around

A/N: This is not my first time writing fan fiction, however it is my first time writing about the series Inuyasha, as well my first time submitting my work to . I am between professions before I graduate (even though I'm young and shouldn't worry about it for probably another year) but both ideas I have for after graduation involve writing, something I'd like to do more often for fun. Creatively writing these stories should strengthen my skills and help me out in the long run. I fell in love with the series as well as the love between Inuyasha and Kagome, and I'd like to go in depth on how I perceive the feelings these two share for each other, mainly on Inuyasha's end for this story haha. A lot of my inspiration for writing comes from the music I listen to, so I will post the top three songs I listened to while writing each chapter with the release of the chapter after that one. This will give you an idea of the vibe I wanted to set for the story. Tell me what you think! I'm not sure how often I will release chapters, I'd like for people to get a feel of my writing first haha, but most likely a week apart or possibly sooner if it's well-liked. Thanks, hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha… *sigh*.

Chapter One: Kagome

The sun had never shined so bright in Feudal Japan, or so it seemed that way to Inuyasha. The grass swayed in the wind with graceful shifts, the birds sang their sweet songs, and if just for a moment, the universe seemed to be at peace. Most would believe it was just a nice day, but he knew this could only mean one thing... Kagome was back. The anxious hanyou started down the familiar path to the Bone Eaters well with his band of friends consisting of Miroku, the flirtatious monk, Sango, the fierce demon slayer along with Kirara, her fury two-tailed companion, and last but not least Shippou, the young fox demon who with his fox magic, managed to get on every single one of Inuyasha's nerves.

The Bone Eaters well was the passageway between Kagome's world and their own, separated by 500 years; only Inuyasha and Kagome were able to pass through it. Inuyasha often ventured to Kagome's time to bring her back when she was late, and he was just about to do exactly that when he had picked up her scent, and came to the conclusion that she had made it back on her own. "She should've been back hours ago. Man am I gonna let her have it!" The hanyou spoke to himself. "What could she have possibly been doing? We have work to do!"

But all of his friends, and even Inuyasha deep down knew he just didn't like being away from Kagome, even in the short time she'd traveled to her era to restock supplies; none of them did. His tough guy act and intimidating exterior fooled no one, it almost became completely unnecessary since he couldn't even convince himself anymore. The hanyou had a huge soft spot underneath that remained dormant for many years; that is, until Kagome came along. 'Man, can she ever get to me.'

Miroku had taken notice to Inuyasha's clear display of thought, taking the perfect opportunity to mess with his friend. 'It can't helped,' Miroku sighed. 'He's such an easy target.'

"Say, Inuyasha. Kagome should be back by now, don't you think?"

Inuyasha knew what he was up to and chose to ignore his antics. The monk grinned, he would not give up so easily.

"Perhaps she's been back for some time now, and Koga beat you to it."

Despite trying to block out the monk's tricks, Inuyasha cringed at the mention of Kouga's name. How he hated the way that mangy wolf looked at HIS Kagome. Although he had never officially called her "HIS Kagome" to anyone but himself, he found comfort in the idea of it.

Sango and Shippo had caught on to Miroku's game, and followed his lead. "You might be right Miroku, I thought I sensed his presence this way not too long ago. He may have already made off with her, I mean, since he's so fast," Sango added, all three of them holding back their urge to laugh. "Koga sure is determined when it comes to Kagome, and better mannered," Shippo snorted; they knew they were really pushing hanyou's buttons, and Inuyasha had had enough of their tricks. "Keh. I would've smelled his horrid stench by now. And besides, Kagome would never wander off with anyone, especially not him, before running it by me first. And not even then would I allow it," he barked. He would not fall prey to their attempt to get a rise out of him, and thus turned back to his thoughts.

'I know it's safer there, but I need you here with me Kagome, selfish as that may be.'

Inuyasha began to quicken his pace, so lost in his own head that he didn't even notice he was a few paces from the well; and that he had lost his friends back down the path from walking so fast. He closed the gap between him and the ancient passageway, shot his head down, and checked for her attendance, or lack there of. After looking around once more, the hanyou lifted his head and frantically branched out his search in all directions for her figure among the trees. 'Maybe I was just imagining her scent.'

This often happened when Kagome went home. The false sensing of her presence would birth from Inuyasha's inability to think of something other than the girl in times that she was away. It was almost unhealthy, but he didn't care. Declaring defeat, the hanyou turned on his heels to backtrack to his friends, momentarily oblivious to that fact that the beautiful, young miko now stood directly in front of him, a sweet smile playing on her lips. Oh how he'd missed seeing that adorable face. "I'm back Inuyasha, did you miss me?" Kagome giggled.

The hanyou was taken aback for a moment as he gazed upon the girl, taking in her every detail from her dark, free flowing hair to her sweet fluorescent scent, enveloping himself in her presence.

"The only thing I've been missin' is hunting for the jewel shards, which we can't do when you take so damn long to get back!" He spoke, appearing to be in an agitated mood but far from it.

'Glad to see you're back Kagome, you have no idea how much I missed you.'

The words he longed to say floated through his mind, the things we could never admit when she was around.

"Hey! I had to go back and get as much stuff as I could!" she protested.

"Yeah I'm sure THAT'S what you were doing the whole 3 days you were gone."

The usual arguing was interrupted by their friends now catching up to the two. "Kagome Kagome!" Shippo jumped into the miko's arms, with Sango, Miroku and Kirara following after. "Aw Shippo, I missed you too." She gave him a warm smile as she looked down on his cute little features. Kagome was a mother-like figure to the kitsune, as well as a sister to Sango and dear friend to Miroku. They all hated when she left, but still not more so than Inuyasha.

"Hey Sango, Miroku! I brought you all something, hopefully this'll put you in a better mood Inuyasha…"

The girl reached into her bright yellow backpack which looked just about ready to explode. Kagome, after rummaging around for a moment or two, proceeded to pull out a single chocolate bar for Shippou, homemade lunches for Sango and Miroku, and what had to be at least 12 instant ramen packages for Inuyasha. The hanyou's eyes lit up as he saw them all laid out in front of him, one by one. Truth be told, he missed this almost as much as he missed Kagome… Almost.

The group sat down on the blanket Kagome had placed on the grass and enjoyed the delicacies now in front of them. Of course, it wouldn't be their usual gathering if not for the familiar bickering between Inuyasha and Shippo, as well as the loud sharp noise that rang through the entire forest after Sango violently smacked Miroku for making a move. Kagome sat back and sighed, followed by a smile. Some would find the travelers strange and out of the ordinary, but she wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
The breeze gently danced with her locks as she watched her friends. Alas, the miko never really understood just how much she meant to these 5 travelers. She automatically boosted the spirits of everyone around her, especially Inuyasha. She was his strength in battle, his weakness in love, and everything in between.

'I'm not letting her go back for more than a day next time unless I'm right there with her,' the hanyou decided.

With all that was going on, she really was the ray of sunshine to this dark era.

Once everyone had finished, the miko discarded of all the scraps, packed up her blanket, and they were ready to head out. "C'mon Kagome, we don't got all day!" Inuyasha hollered, bending down as a motion for her to climb on his back. "Here, I'll take your bag, Looks too heavy for a weak human like you to be carrying."

'I can carry it Kagome, no need to bother yourself with it.'

'I'd argue with him for calling me a weakling but it really is heavy...' Kagome sighed and handed her bag to the strong hanyou, then climbed onto his back without another word, enjoying the comfort of being so close together; a feeling they both appreciated. The travelers once again set out in search for the Shikon jewel shards that were now scattered all throughout the land.

It was Kagome who was responsible for shattering the jewel in an attempt to free it from a demon's clutches. At the time, it had been only Inuyasha and herself, when she thought she was a mere shard detector in his eyes. But they had both grown so much on their adventures and experiences, separate and together. He vowed to protect Kagome ever since that day at his father's gravesite, and while they had their moments of jealousy and anger, the two were stronger than ever. The miko smiled to herself as she replayed the memories they shared. She leaned into Inuyasha's back, and tucked her chin into the safety of his neck. The hanyou noticed the sudden warmth the miko was giving off, which only made him even more grateful that Kagome was once again by his side.

'I missed you, I missed this...'

The words simultaneously flowed through the two's minds, although Inuyasha's feelings never met his tongue. He always had a hard time expressing his feelings, especially around Kagome.

'Damn, how can she make so nervous without even trying?'

But it was obvious.

It was her beauty; insie and out. Each time he caught her warm brown eyes in a gaze he felt like he was drowning in them, making it that much harder to select the right words. Inuyasha had only outspoken these kinds of feelings to one person, and that was Kikyo, the priestess who had once protected the Shikon jewel. He believed that she was the only one who had truly accepted him as a hanyou besides his mother, and he promised to become human for her; something Inuyasha was disgusted with but agreed to for Kikyo's sake. She was beautiful and strong, and he loved watching her day in and day out. However, they were torn apart by the evil and twisted Naraku, a hanyou like Inuyasha, hell bent on using the jewel for his own dark intentions. Naraku's heart, the one of the grotesque Onigumo, yearned for the priestess and his jealousy drove him into devising a plan to rid the world of Inuyasha so that he may have Kikyo all for himself. He had pitted the two lovers against each other, ultimately ending in Kikyo shooting her sacred arrow right above Inuyasha's heart, sealing him to the Sacred Tree of Ages for 50 years before she died herself. It was Kagome who broke the spell when she stumbled upon their time, freeing Inuyasha from the tree, and eventually from the pain.

At first the hanyou mistook the young girl for Kikyo herself, as she sat there staring up at him from her spot on the ground below. But after really seeing Kagome, there was no confusion. She was always so warm and kind, mending the wounds left in his heart, something Kikyo could not do. The two miko's looked deathly similar, but they were so different in spirit.

It was clear to him now that what he shared with Kikyo was in the past, no matter how long it had taken to move forward.

Inuyasha would often go see Kikyo, much to Kagome's dismay. He cursed himself each time he took a step towards resurrected priestess, knowing full well how much it made Kagome's heart ache. He himself wasn't sure why he was always so drawn to see her if she was near. All her understood was that it wasn't right.

When Kikyo had been brought back from the dead in a false body, she had possessed some of Kagome's soul, but her own hatred tainted the little bit that she had. The miko grew cold, and revealed the true difference between Kagome and herself when she tried to take Kagome's life in the illusionary death.

Inuyasha raced through the forest after freeing Miroku from the roots eager to finish him off. "Kagome! Where are you?!" Inuyasha yelled through the trees.

The roots had caused some kind of horrible vision in the minds of whoever became ensnared. He himself had dreamt of the incident between him and Kikyo 50 years ago, when she shot her arrow above his heart; a wound that lingered even after it healed. While in the illusion, he had been holding Kikyo in his arms, but the feeling didn't please him. It didn't take long before he realized there was someone else who belonged in his arms, something else he needed to protect: Kagome.

Without any hesitation, he had broken free of the vines and was on his way to find her. Darting through the eerie forest, he could still feel Kikyo's presence, no matter how hard he tried to shake it off. 'She wouldn't cause this… Would she?' he wondered.

As he debated the thought, he had caught Kagome's scent, and moments later she had come into his view. She was lying on top of the roots but was not entangled.

'She broke away?'

Inuyasha was relieved she was okay, and dove down into the giant hole in the earth. "Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, running to her side. He examined her for injuries but only came across the fresh cut placed on her right cheek. Even this was enough to rile him up, but overall she hadn't suffered anything serious.

There were still so many unanswered questions.

"Kagome, those roots caused some kind of illusion, seems like you got away from it away okay though," the hanyou's relief clear in his voice.

'That's my girl.'

"Uh… Uh huh," was all Kagome could mutter. Something was off with her demeanor, but he knew she would tell him when she was ready. He picked the girl up in his arms and leapt out of the crevice. Upon landing they were greeted by none other than Kikyo herself, sending chills through both Inuyasha and Kagome's spine. "Huh?" The inu blurted out, clearly in disbelief. He looked to the priestess in front of them and then down at Kagome, noticing the jewel shards around the young girl's neck were now in Kikyo's possession. "Kikyo! Those are Kagome's jewel shards!" The hanyou once again looked to the girl below him, instantly taking notice to her trembling and heavy breathing as she looked up to the miko a few feet away, shaking in fear. "Ka-Kagome?"

'What does this mean? Did Kikyo…? No… Kagome...'

Seeing Kagome this way made his heart sink, and the words were now being forced out of his mouth. "You did it! Don't tell me it was you?!" Inuyasha's disgust and confusion rang in each word. 'How could she do something like that to…' He grew more agitated as the thought continued.

"What's the matter Inuyasha? Tell me, why is it I feel you are unhappy to know I'm well?" Kikyo spoke with a sly expression plastered on her face.

He snapped.

"ANSWER ME! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?"

'Kagome has never done anything but help or care for you Kikyo, so why the hostility? I just don't get it!'

"I tried to kill her. What is it that you plan to do about it? Will you kill me?" The dead priestess questioned him. Inuyasha could feel his rage spilling out as she spoke such cold words. "Tell me, when Naraku had you under his spell, what was it you thought about?" Kikyo laughed to herself in such a dark manner, for she had already known the answer to this question. "Now, could you have said that if you were going to kill me?!" Her sinister laugh continuing as she referred to the words Inuyasha had declared to her.

"I… I swear I'll always protect you…"

The hanyou knew these words all too well, and they burned inside of his mind. But he had promised to protect the Kikyo he'd known and loved; not the frozen and barren one stuck in his current field of view.

'This woman, this priestess before me, is no longer the old Kikyo.'

"Embracing death together, now that is a day I will look forward to," the miko spoke down to the hanyou has her soul collectors carried her away from the now infuriated and hurt Inuyasha. He turned back to face Kagome, who sat uncontrollably shaking by his feet. Seeing her in this condition of emotional confusion and pain was heart wrenching, especially since he wasn't even sure how to help her.

'Kagome… Please. Tell me what happened, I'm here. Forever and always.'

"Kagome, tell me what she did to you." Inuyasha spoke through clenched teeth. He was now looking at the ground because he couldn't stand to look at her the way she was. It hurt too much.

"She took the jewel shards from me. I'm sorry…" the young girl said quietly. This only pushed him further.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT! DID KIKYO REALLY TRY TO…"

"THEN DON'T ASK ME!"

Inuyasha's anger subsided as he was cut off by the miko, and it was then he knew.
Kikyo had spoken the truth.

Inuyasha shook his head at the foul memory of his former lover, still sickened by her actions. It was after that time he knew he could never return to Kikyo's side as they once were. She had crossed a major line, and while he still cared for the priestess, he knew in his heart all he could do for her now was exact his revenge on Naraku, so that she may rest at ease.

'It was also then I realized how different Kagome and Kikyo really are. Kagome is so warm, so kind at heart. She would never do something as dishonorable as Kikyo did. Never.'

He cocked his head back for the sun to share its light with his handsome features.

'Kagome is Kagome, nobody else. And I wouldn't want it any other way.'