Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of the other characters belonging to the InuYasha series.

InuYasha has always been a hard headed hanyou with a rough exterior, molded by his tragic past. But what if everything that has ever happened to him, all the injustices and hard times that have made him who he is, disappeared? With Kagome's help, could he get a second chance to map his own course in life? And just maybe see the world a little differently! R&R Please

My Key

Chapter 5 The Approaching Storm

Rain poured from the night sky. A summer storm had come up from the south and was currently unleashing all its furry on to the world. Huge raindrops pelted the roof, drumming a loud powerful beat as the wind whistled and howled its unrelenting song.

InuYasha sat cross legged on his bed watching out the window as lightning lit up the trees as they swayed violently in the wind and thunder rumbled through the walls of the house. He was still having a hard time sleeping inside but Kagome had insisted he not sleep out in the storm because she was afraid his tree would get hit by lighting or he's get blown away. InuYasha smiled as a particularly loud roll of thunder rippled through the house. For some reason the storm seemed to relax him, it was almost comforting somehow. Leaning back against the wall he closed his eyes trying to get even a few minutes of sleep.

The angry sounds of the storm slowly faded away into the distance. A warm weight slowly descended around him. It brought with it a wonderful feeling of security.

Lightening flashed in the distance illuminating windows along a wall. InuYasha looked around as the room faded into the darkness again. He suddenly felt small and vulnerable as he stared at the strange indistinguishable shadows of the room.

"It's ok InuYasha."

InuYasha's eyes widened in surprise at the sound of the voice. He suddenly realized he was nestled in the warm embrace of familiar arms.

"Mother?" InuYasha asked. The word echoed out into the darkness around him. His voice didn't sound like his own, it sounded more like that of a child's.

"It's ok InuYasha… go back to sleep."

A flash of lightning lit the room again followed a few moments later by a low rumble of thunder.

"There is a storm coming, but don't worry I've got you." His mother's voice came from behind him. Her tone was so calming and smooth, like a feather floating on a gentle breeze. InuYasha just leaned back into her loving warmth, snuggling deeper into the comfort of her arms. InuYasha's mother let out a quiet laugh as she tightened her hold protectively around her son.

Sleep dear darling, Sleep

The world is gone to bed

All creatures have lain down their heads

On pillows of shadows and blankets of stars

You're safe and warm in my arms

Sleep dear darling, Sleep

InuYasha's eyes slowly drifted shut as his mother's song rocked him into a peaceful sleep. Her voice was beautiful, haunting, and sad.

Let time stand still and all troubles I shall cease

Storms or battles never shall you meet

Dream and slumber while safely I keep

Sleep dear darling, Sleep

Warm sun and blue skies with birds soaring high

Happy smiles will greet you when you rise

Forever over you my watch I'll keep

Sleep dear darling, Sleep

A loud creaking sound abruptly shook InuYasha from his sleep. He opened his eyes and lurched forwards from the wall just as another loud crash of thunder shook the house. He was back in Kagome's house, back alone in his room. The warm weight that had been draped around him was gone leaving him feeling suddenly cold. The loving melody of his mother's lullaby now replaced once more by the chaotic song of Mother Nature's fury.

Something shifted by the bedroom door and InuYasha turned his head to see what it was. He was surprised to see Souta peering around his door through the darkness. In the residual fog of his dream InuYasha hadn't noticed him enter the room.

"Souta?" InuYasha asked in a groggy voice. Souta eased his way into the room a little further.

"Sorry … Did I wake you up?" he asked nervously. InuYasha slowly shook his head.

"What are you doing awake?" InuYasha asked. Souta hesitated a moment before opening his mouth to say something but he was cut off as lightening flashed through the windows followed instantly by another clap of thunder so loud it left a ringing in their ears and made Souta jump half a foot into the air. InuYasha glanced from the startled boy to the window and back again. Souta just shuffled back and forth nervously.

"You want to come in?" InuYasha asked. Souta nodded his head eagerly up and down. InuYasha nodded his head motioning for him to come over. Souta quickly shut the bedroom door and ran as quietly as he could across the floor towards InuYasha. InuYasha moved over making room for the younger boy at the head of the bed. Souta jumped up and scooted back to the wall before grabbing the blankets and pulling them up to his chin. InuYasha watched him curiously. Souta looked from the window up to InuYasha meeting his gaze.

"I'm not scared!" Souta said shaking his head.

"Ok." InuYasha answered trying very hard not to smile.

"I just … thought you'd like some company … you know seeing as you don't seem to sleep much." Souta continued trying to sound as confident as he could. This time InuYasha couldn't hold back the smile and quickly looked back towards the window.

"InuYasha can I ask you a question?" Souta said after a moment.

"Um … sure?" InuYasha answered.

"Do you like my sister?"

InuYasha's eyes snapped back to Souta giving him a curious look. Souta just sat silently waiting.

"Of course I like Kagome. Why wouldn't I?" InuYasha asked. Souta rolled his eyes.

"I don't mean 'like' … I mean … you know ... do you 'LIKE like' her!" Souta urged. InuYasha just stared at Souta through the darkness having no idea what to say. Souta shrugged his shoulders and let out a long sigh.

"You know what I mean … I've seen the way you watch her!" he continued with a knowing look.

InuYasha opened his mouth to object but Souta cut him off sensing what he was going to say,

"I'm just saying since I'm basically the man of this house it's my responsibility to look out for my sister." Souta started. InuYasha arched an eyebrow in amusement but said nothing.

"You know … it's my job to make sure Kagome ends up with a nice guy who will take care of her and is fun and is good at video games." Souta continued giving InuYasha a hopeful look. He simple stared back blankly not really sure what Souta was getting at.

"Never mind! You are hopeless!" Souta finally said with a sigh and a wave of his hand.

"Why don't you just go to sleep?" InuYasha said nodding towards the pillows.

"Ok …" Souta answered fighting through another big yawn as he lay down and snuggled into the pillows.

"You know she likes you to …" Souta mumbled as he nodded off.

InuYasha sat silently watching and listening as Souta quickly drifted off to sleep. The storm seemed to have moved off a little bit now and despite the still howling wind, the thunder and lightning were coming less frequently.

InuYasha thought about what Souta had said. Of course he liked Kagome but there was something more to it than that. Since the other evening after visiting Kaiman, InuYasha had been seeing things in a different light. He wasn't waiting anymore. He wasn't waiting for his memory to come back, he wasn't waiting for answers to question he didn't even understand. He was just living day by day, minute by minute, taking what ever came as it came. Even though it had only been a few short weeks since the accident that had erased all his memory, he couldn't imagine Kagome not being by his side. He wanted her there, he needed her there.

InuYasha stole a quick glance out of the corner of his eye towards Souta making sure he was really sound asleep. Then he turned his head training his ears on the wall behind him. He knew Kagome's bed sat directly against the adjoining wall between their rooms and he couldn't help but wonder if the storm was keeping her awake as well. He strained his ears to hear anything through the thin walls but even his keen hearing couldn't pick up any sound.

InuYasha slowly raised his hand towards the wall but stopped. He hesitated feeling very silly but finally with a shake of his head he rapped his knuckles ever so quietly on the wall. Another rumble of thunder sounded as he waited to see if she would respond. A moment later a responding 'tap tap' knocked back making InuYasha grin. Then his ears caught the squeak of mattress springs followed quickly by the soft sound of bare feet tip toeing across the floor. A moment later the door knob on his bedroom door turned and Kagome peered in through the doorway. She smiled as she spotted Souta curled up next to InuYasha.

"I see he found a safe place to spend the night." Kagome whispered with a smile as she stepped into the room. InuYasha couldn't help but stare at Kagome as she made her way towards the end of the bed. The stifling humidity and heat of summer had been broken by the storm but even in the cooler temperature she was just wearing an old loose t-shirt that reached down to her thighs, and light pink shorts that showed off her long lean legs.

"Can I join you two?" Kagome asked still keeping her voice as low as she could so as not to wake her brother. InuYasha nodded his head and watched as Kagome moved towards him. She sat down on the bed and quietly moved to sit next to him. She brought her legs up close to her body and InuYasha couldn't help but notice as her knee leaned against the side of his leg. Even through the thin pajama pants he wore he could feel the gentle warmth of Kagome's skin as she rested against him.

"It was really good of you to let Souta sleep in here tonight."

"Hmm? … oh " InuYasha answered sounding distracted.

"I'm guessing him being here has something to do with the storm." InuYasha asked glancing towards Souta again.

"Ya … He doesn't sleep well through thunderstorms." Kagome answered.

"Why?" InuYasha asked curiously. Kagome didn't answer right away. She bowed her head and started absent mindedly playing with the hem of her shirt. InuYasha could see that whatever the reason it was something that had affected her as well.

"Kagome …?" InuYasha persisted.

"It was on a night very much like this one that our dad was killed." Kagome finally said in a voice that was barely audible. InuYasha fell silent, unsure of what to say.

"It was a car accident. The police officers showed up at our door late in the evening to tell us what had happened. My mom just starting crying, she was completely inconsolable. Souta was barely five years old at the time. I'm not really sure he grasped what was going on but between the strangers in the house and my mom's reaction … I guess he just associates all those awful scary feelings with the storm. He used to crawl into bed with me when he was younger, but in the last couple years he's gotten a lot better. Really bad storms like this one still make him uncomfortable though." Kagome turned her head and looked up at InuYasha who was watching her.

"I think he feels like a storm means someone else is going to disappear." Kagome's voice trailed off as she finished. She couldn't help but think that maybe that was why Souta had chosen InuYasha to run to tonight. Perhaps he felt like InuYasha could be the next person to disappear from his life. Kagome turned her head away from InuYasha again. In the last couple weeks Souta had come to love and idolize InuYasha like a big brother. Kagome couldn't help but smile as she thought about how different InuYasha was from his own older brother. In the Feudal era Sesshomaru was proud and powerful and he hated InuYasha for sharing his father's bloodline. Here InuYasha was also proud and strong but it made him protective of the younger friends he'd made even though there was no relation between them at all. Here blood meant nothing anymore. The concept of being different and being a hanyou no longer had any context at all.

"Kagome … How did you feel when you're dad died?" InuYasha asked. Kagome looked up at InuYasha and realised he was now starring at Tessaiga leaning against the bedpost at the foot of his bed. The small smile that had slipped onto Kagome's lips slowly faded away as she turned her thoughts back to her father. That tragic night was so many years ago now but remembering it still made her heart feel heavy.

"I dunno … I just felt numb at first I guess. It seemed like everything was falling apart around me, I didn't have a clue what to do. It took a few days to sink in that my dad was never coming home again … But I still had mom and Souta and grandpa and all my friends at school … it was hard for a long time but they helped me get through it." Kagome trailed off again. She slowly looked up and noticed InuYasha was starring off into the darkness. A flash of lightning lit up the room and Kagome couldn't help but notice the thoughtful expression in his eyes.

"Are you thinking about your mother?" Kagome asked. InuYasha turned a questioning look towards her.

"You look sad." Kagome said answering InuYasha's silent question. InuYasha let out a long sigh,

"I keep having dreams about my mother from when I was little. I never see her face … I just hear her voice. I had a dream there was a storm and she sang me a song to help me sleep. A lullaby she used to sing to me every night …" InuYasha turned towards the window again.

Her voice was so familiar and comforting … but sad … always sad."

"You never mentioned this before … are you starting to remember more?" Kagome asked leaning forwards. InuYasha shook his head,

"No. They're just dreams. As soon as I wake up … it all disappears again. I can't even remember the words of the song she sung or the sound of her voice." InuYasha paused for a moment before continuing,

"I know I should feel sad … I do feel sad that's she's gone but not the way you described how you felt when your dad went away. I just feel empty … I know I'll never see my mother again but I can't help feel like I'll walk around a corner and see her."

Kagome let out a sad sigh. For her the memory of when her father died was one of the hardest in her life. Despite that she couldn't imagine what if would feel like if it all disappeared and she couldn't remember him at all.

"Kagome … is it weird that I've never even thought about my father until now?" InuYasha asked turning back to Kagome. Kagome smiled,

"No it's not weird." She confessed. She paused for a moment wondering if it would be ok to divulge this little hint into InuYasha's past.

"I'm sorry InuYasha but he died when you were just a baby. He died protecting you and your mother."

"Protecting us from what?" InuYasha asked. Kagome felt a twinge of uncertainty at InuYasha's question. She still often felt conflicted about what she should and shouldn't tell him. She didn't want to risk rousing any of those old traumatic memories she knew were lurking inside his mind, just below the surface.

"Well …" Kagome started,

"Your father was a very powerful demon, one of the greatest ever! There were a lot of other demons that challenged his power. From what I understand you and your mother just got caught in the cross fire one time …" Kagome said. InuYasha didn't look satisfied with that response.

"I'm sorry InuYasha … I know you want to know more. I know this is frustrating … truthfully though I don't know anymore then what I've told you about your parents. It wasn't something you really talked about with me."

"It's ok … for the most part it doesn't bother me that I can't remember anything because I still have no idea what it is I'm missing … but my mother … I just wish I could remember more of her … and what happened to her." InuYasha let out another frustrated sigh as he finished. Kagome sat quietly for a moment watching InuYasha as he disappeared once more into his silent thoughts. Without thinking Kagome reached up and gently rustled InuYasha's hair and swept his bangs back from his eyes. This had become a bit of a habit of hers that she couldn't help. She enjoyed the small yet intimate contact with him that prior to a few weeks ago he would never have let her do.

"I wish there was more I could do InuYasha …" Kagome said as InuYasha turned towards her. He met her eyes. He loved the way she looked at him when she played with his hair. He loved the feel of her fingers as they brushed his face when she drew her hand back. But every time she pulled away he was left with a desire to keep her close, to keep that feeling, to feel more. InuYasha suddenly realised he'd moved his hand to meet Kagome's. His fingers had wrapped around her wrist keeping her from moving away. InuYasha didn't know exactly why he'd suddenly done this now or what he should do next. Kagome just starred silently back at him, nervously wondering what he was thinking.

InuYasha opened his mouth wanting to say something, to explain how she made him feel but it felt as if a large stone had suddenly lodged in his throat. Then his ears noticed a change in the ambient sound of the room. Beneath the constant howl of the wind, the drumming of the rain and the fading rumbles of thunder the steady sound of breathing from someone deep in sleep had suddenly ceased.

InuYasha whipped his head around just in time to see Souta's eyes snap shut again. InuYasha's expression melted into a scowl as he starred at the younger boy pretending to be asleep. Despite Souta's best efforts a smile slipped onto his face and he opened one eye to see InuYasha staring at him.

"Souta go back to sleep!" He said trying to sound menacing but the slightest trace of amusement couldn't help but slip in as he scolded the younger boy for eves dropping. Souta's eyes however slammed shut again and he tried his best to go right back to sleep.

InuYasha looked back to Kagome who was smiling and fighting back the urge to giggle.

"We should all get to bed!" Kagome finally said shaking her head,

"Tomorrow is going to be a busy day!" she added as she leaned away from InuYasha and made to leave.

"Why is that?" InuYasha asked. Kagome turned and looked at him in disbelief.

"We're going to Dr. Williams' party tomorrow night! His niece, I think, is getting married and he's throwing a big barbeque for her. You didn't forget he invited us did you?"

"Oh right … I just forgot it was tomorrow." InuYasha answered as he rubbed his eyes.

"Try and get some sleep … you to Souta!" Kagome said as she got up from the bed and moved back towards the door. As she reached for the door knob and pulled it open she turned back one last time,

"Goodnight." She said with a smile before disappearing.

"Goodnight." InuYasha whispered back. A stifled giggle irrupted from behind InuYasha. Without bothering to turn around InuYasha grabbed a pillow and whipped it around.

"Ow … ok ok I'm asleep!" Souta grumbled. InuYasha just smiled as he continued to stare at the door.

The Following Afternoon

The house seemed eerily quiet after the storm from the night before. The clouds had started to clear by late morning and the sun's radiant heat had already drawn the dampness from the ground. The air however was now thick and humid as the temperature soared. The soft breeze that blew through the leaves in the trees offered no reprieve at all. Even InuYasha who was usually fairly indifferent to the weather was feeling sluggish and sticky in the awful heat, especially now as he stood in front of the mirror in his room. Kagome had laid out some clothes for him to wear to the barbeque they had been invited to. According to Kagome it was customary to "dress up" for these types of occasions. At first glance the new clothes had seemed appealing but now that he was actually wearing them he felt less enthusiastic. The shirt was a deep red colour made from a light material but it was long sleeved and in the humid air it clung to his arms and shoulders uncomfortably.

"InuYasha are you ready?" Kagome's voice asked from the other side of the bedroom door.

"AAaaaa … ya!" InuYasha answered uncertainly. A moment later the door squeaked open and Kagome stepped in. She spotted InuYasha fidgeting in front of his mirror as he tried fruitlessly to readjust his shirt. She couldn't help but giggle as she watched him. Not in a million years could she even have dreamt of seeing InuYasha dressed up like this. The red dress shirt and black pants he wore contrasted dramatically with his white hair making him look very handsome. Kagome cleared her throat as she entered the room.

"Do I really hav…." InuYasha began to ask as he turned towards Kagome but he was suddenly rendered speechless as he laid eyes on her. She was wearing a white strapless dress with a small red and green flower designs. The dress hugged her figure perfectly before elegantly fanning out from her hips and ending just above her knees. Kagome let out a quiet laugh and threw something on InuYasha's bed before making her way towards him.

"Here let me help you with this." Kagome said as she walked up to InuYasha.

"You don't have to do the buttons up all the way!" Kagome laughed as she reached up and undid the top buttons of InuYasha's shirt before casually readjusting his collar and the rosary around his neck.

"Better?" Kagome asked stepping back.

"Ya … thanks." InuYasha answered finding his voice again.

"Those clothes look good on you …" Kagome said with a smile. InuYasha grinned uncertainly as he looked down at himself,

"To be honest I feel a little silly." InuYasha began shifting his shoulders uncomfortably again. Kagome laughed,

"Ya … mom wasn't thinking about the weather when she got you a long sleeve shirt was she!"

InuYasha looked up again watching Kagome. He loved the sound of her laugh. It was always so honest and pure.

"You really do look handsome though!" She added giving him an approving nod as she took a couple steps backwards.

"You look pretty amazing yourself." InuYasha said. Kagome's eyes shifted upwards and met InuYasha's gaze. He was watching her with such an intense gaze she couldn't help but blush.

"I found this for you." Kagome suddenly said breaking eye contact as she moved back towards the bed and grabbed the item she had thrown there. Turning around again she held it up for InuYasha to see. It was a black fedora with a red silk ribbon that matched his shirt.

"For your ears … you know for when we're out walking or whatever … under the circumstances I thought this might look better then you're grubby old baseball hat." She said as she extended her arm towards him. InuYasha took the hat from Kagome's hand and slid his fingers around the rim looking at it appraisingly. It didn't seem like something he would normally wear but all the same he slipped the hat onto his head covering his ears. Raising his head he met Kagome's gaze again.

Kagome just stared in aw for a moment before letting out a quiet 'wow'. Her comment was not missed by InuYasha who smirked knowingly at Kagome causing her to blush again. All the same she still couldn't take her eyes off InuYasha. Standing in the dim shadows of the room, his bright amber eyes peering at her from under the brim of his hat with that sly grin turning up the corner of his mouth, Kagome's heart felt as if it might pound right out of her chest.

"Ok … well I guess we should get going then …" Kagome finally said tarring her eyes from InuYasha and turning back towards the door.

"Kagome wait …" InuYasha said quickly before Kagome could dash out the door. Kagome stopped and turned almost hesitantly back to face InuYasha.

"I was just wondering … um … do I have to wear the shoes?" InuYasha asked pointing towards the dress shoes sitting on his bed. Kagome laughed,

"Ok … how about we compromise. You have to at least wear your sneakers to the party and once we're there maybe you can take them off."

"Deal!" InuYasha answered with a smile. Kagome just rolled her eyes and walked out of the room. InuYasha watched her leave and made to follow after her when Kagome's voice came echoing back through the hallway,

"Don't forget Tessaiga!"

It was InuYasha's turn to roll his eyes as he stopped and turned back towards the bed. He walked to the foot of his bed and reached down for the old sword. Holding it in his hands he looked at it appraisingly. Ever since he'd taken off for an entire day and unintentionally left his sword behind Kagome had been constantly reminding him to take it with him everywhere he went. It wasn't so much that he minded having it with him, in fact he liked carrying it around. He just still couldn't understand why an old sword was so important to Kagome. InuYasha tied Tessaiga to his belt and turned for the door.

Once Kagome's family had finished ooing and awing over the smartly dressed pair, Kagome and InuYasha were finally able to get going to the party. Dr. William's home was not too far from the shrine but in the sweltering heat of the afternoon their pace was a little slower than normal. Their route took them through a park which seemed to be deserted at the moment. The temperature seemed to have driven all the children in doors where it was cooler. Even the birds in the trees seemed content to just sit on their perches, too lazy to whistle even a single note.

InuYasha and Kagome walked side by side in silence. Neither of them seemed to know what to say after the awkward moment that had passed between them in InuYasha's bedroom. Kagome was keeping her head down avoiding meeting InuYasha's eyes again. She couldn't deny what she felt for him. She'd loved him since before the accident but it was a feeling InuYasha could never reciprocate. Their lives on the other side of the well were too complicated to allow them to share such feelings. But now it was solely on Kagome to make sure things didn't become even more complicated. She owed it to InuYasha and to the friends they had left on the other side of the well to not take advantage of this chance to have InuYasha all to herself.

InuYasha stole a quick look sideways at Kagome. She seemed determined to avoid his eye at the moment. It had become increasingly obvious to InuYasha that his feelings for Kagome were becoming stronger and stronger. He felt confused by Kagome and how she seemed to care for him but she didn't reflect the feelings he felt for her. On very rare occasions, like last night before Souta had interfered and just now in the bedroom, InuYasha felt like those feelings were there that they were real. But Kagome seemed determined to ignore them, to bury them and never let him see.

InuYasha turned his head back towards the path they were walking. Sometimes InuYasha forgot that Kagome knew so much more about himself then he did. She had known him before the accident. She had known the real person he was, seen things he had done. InuYasha lifted his hand and looked down at his claws. Had he hurt her? Or someone else? Had he done something so horrible that she couldn't bring herself to allow him to get too close? InuYasha clenched his fist in frustration. He knew Kagome was his gate keeper, the holder of the key, the only one capable of unlocking his forgotten past and yet she kept it firmly locked away. He had to find some way to prove to her that whoever that person was he used to be, it wasn't who he wanted to be anymore.

It took another twenty minutes walking in the dreadful heat before the sound of music and voices began to reach their ears. InuYasha and Kagome now found themselves in a wealthy neighbourhood surrounded by large homes with spreading green lawns and towering old trees. Finding the address the doctor had given Kagome they started up the long driveway filled with expensive cars towards a large white house. InuYasha and Kagome felt somewhat out of place even though they knew they should have expected no less from a doctor so prominent and respected not only in the human world but the demon world as well.

Moving around the house following the sound of the music they made their way into the backyard, a large open green space with a dozen large trees around its perimeter. Each tree was decorated with sparkling white lights running the length of their bows. At one side of the yard under two of the largest trees that stood closer together was a large dance floor that had been laid down for the party. A DJ stood near the edge of the floor playing fast up beat tunes to keep people's feet moving. On the other side of the yard were long tables lined with food and drinks and a large barbeque producing such aromatic smells it was enough to make InuYasha's mouth water. Filling the grass and patio were dozens of people laughing, talking and eating. Kagome and InuYasha spotted one couple moving through the crowd together, the woman wore a short white vale and the man a tall black top hat. Kagome grinned guessing the couple to be the bride and groom to be, their party favours no doubt gifts from her uncle.

A loud shout drew Kagome and InuYasha's attention to the barbeque again,

"Kagome! InuYasha! Welcome!"

Following the sound of the voice they spotted Dr. Williams standing at the grill wearing a black apron and a white chef's hat. He waved at them, a pair of barbeque tongs held firmly in his hand. Kagome smiled and waved back, they were not accustomed to seeing the doctor under such casual circumstances. All at once another voice broke from the chatter of the guests,

"InuYasha you made it!" came Maverick as he suddenly collided with InuYasha's legs.

"Hey!" InuYasha answered as he stumbled back in a moment of surprise.

"Maverick! That's rude!" Sydney called as she too appeared from the crowd.

"Hey Sydney!" Kagome called as their friend approached chasing after the little boy.

"Oh I'm so glad you could come!" Sydney said giving Kagome a hug.

"Of course. With the amount of food InuYasha eats we were not turning down a free barbeque!" Kagome said with a laugh. Sydney laughed as well,

"I'm just glad I finally know someone here." Sydney added giving Kagome a grateful smile.

"InuYasha InuYasha you have to come see. Come on!" Maverick yelled as he grabbed InuYasha's hand and dragged him away from Kagome and Sydney.

"Maverick just give him a minute!" Sydney called after them.

"It's ok." InuYasha answered with a smile as he allowed himself to be dragged away by the youngster. Sydney just rolled her eyes and watched them disappear through the crowd of people.

"Someday I wonder which is worse, InuYasha's influence on Maverick or Maverick's influence on InuYasha!" Sydney laughed as she turned back towards Kagome.

"Come on let go get you something to eat. I hate to admit it but the good doctor can really cook a mean stake on the barbeque." Sydney added before leading Kagome in the direction of the food table.

InuYasha followed Maverick all the way to the far end of the yard where a rather elaborate play structure had been constructed for the children in attendance. Maverick appeared to be the youngest kid there. There were a few other kids around but the majority of the other young people at the party look to be in the mid teens and didn't have much interest in the play structure so Maverick had it almost to himself.

The first thing InuYasha noticed was that most of the guests were demons. Although this shouldn't have been a surprise since Dr. Williams himself was a demon and it would make sense that his family and friends in attendance would also be demons. InuYasha watched Maverick scale the play structure and chased him up and down and around making the little boy laugh. Someone else suddenly laughed making InuYasha look up. His eyes were drawn to a small group of girls standing just off to the side of the structure. At first he wasn't sure if it had been them who had laughed or someone else but they seemed to just be talking amongst each other until one of the girls turned and met InuYasha's gaze. She had black hair and captivatingly blue eyes that hardly seemed real, almost as if looking at a light from the bottom of a crystal clear pool. She was wearing a deep purple dress that was made of some kind of smooth shinny material that clung to her body emphasizing her slim curves and was short enough to be elegant but still show off her long legs. InuYasha turned away avoiding the girl's eye and refocusing his attention on Maverick who was attempting to climb to the very top of the play structure. The tiny hairs on the back of InuYasha's neck began to stand on end as he continued to feel the intense stare of the girl landing on his back and the giggles of her and her friends in his ears. Chancing another quick glance over his shoulder he saw she was now standing facing in his direction, her hands resting casually on her hips and a sly smile on her face which seemed to widen the longer he starred at her.

"Ouch!"

InuYasha's head snapped around as he heard a thud followed by Maverick's voice.

"Hey you ok?" InuYasha asked as he spotted Maverick now sitting on the ground and quickly moved towards him.

"Ya I just slipped." He answered sounding a little embarrassed.

"You look ok." InuYasha said reassuringly as he picked the boy up and helped him brush off some dirt and leaves from his clothes.

"He your little brother?" a voice suddenly said. InuYasha turned his head only to find himself starring at a pair of legs standing next to him. His eyes shot up and he was once again staring into those same startling blue eyes. He shot back to his feet and stepped away from the girl before finding his voice,

"No … no he's just a friend." InuYasha answered. The other girls giggled quietly from behind their friend. The girl gave InuYasha another appraising smile as she looked him up and down clearly enjoying something she was seeing.

"Hi …. My name is Chiyo." She said in a smooth silky voice.

"Hi …" InuYasha answered uncertainly.

"I haven't seen you around before … what's your name?"

"InuYasha …?" his answer sounded like a question which again made the girls giggle.

"Are you here for the bride or the groom?" she asked curiously.

"Um …. The host?" InuYasha answered honestly since had never met either the bride or groom. Maverick looked from InuYasha to the girl and gave her a suspicious glare as she stepped forwards completely disregarding the little boy.

"Are you new around here?" Chiyo asked as she moved closer to InuYasha.

"… Ya ..." InuYasha answered still rather unsure of what exactly this girl wanted from him. This time Chiyo let out an amused laugh as she stepped right up to InuYasha putting her hand on his arm,

"Why don't you let me show you around a bit … introduce you to a few people." She suggested throwing another sly smile in InuYasha's direction.

On the other side of the yard Kagome and Sydney were engaged in conversation with Dr. Williams by the barbeque.

"I have to say when you throw a party you really throw a party!" Kagome said sounding impressed as she savored the delicious food that seemed to appear from everywhere around them on platters and sprawled across the expansive tables.

"My mother taught me to never do anything halfway!" The doctor answered pointing his finger into the air.

"I think she would approve." Sydney answered as she took another sip from her drink.

"I think she would too!" He added with a smile. Kagome laughed as she watched the doctor and Sydney talk. She could see a spark there between them that she wasn't sure even they were aware of yet. The way they talked or even argued always came across as if they were two people with a deep connection.

"Kagome! Kagome!" Maverick's voice suddenly came shouting over the crowd. A moment later the little boy appeared pushing his way through the legs of unsuspecting party goers.

"Maverick!" Sydney shouted in disbelief,

"Don't be so rude! I swear I'm going to send you to reform school if you keep this up!" She continued.

"But it's an emergency!" He exclaimed with a dramatic wave of his arms as he came to a stop in front of Kagome.

"Kagome it's InuYasha!"

"InuYasha? What is it? What's wrong?" Kagome asked sounding concerned.

"He's being attacked!"

"What? What are talking about?" Kagome asked now sounding completely confused as she scanned the crowd. There was no sign of any fight and she couldn't sense any unusual presences anywhere in the vicinity.

"He's being attacked by girls! You have to come save him!" Maverick's genuine concern was the only thing that kept Kagome as well as Sydney from bursting out laughing. Kagome bit her lip as she desperately thought of something to say to the worried young boy.

"I can't say as I blame them. That InuYasha is fine young catch!" The doctor said nodding his head thoughtfully.

"If I didn't think Kagome would kill me I'd be trying to hook him up with my other niece right now!"

Kagome's amused grin faded into a glare as she turned towards the doctor.

"I'm just saying ... if circumstances were different ... very different ..." He added as he felt Kagome's eyes burning holes through his forehead.

"Come on Kagome stop fouling around. You need to come!" Maverick interrupted as he grabbed Kagome's hand and pulled away. As soon as they were out of sight Sydney let out a giggle unable to contain her amusement any longer.

"I don't care what Kagome says or does, I pity any girl who tried to get between her and InuYasha!"

"See!" Maverick said as they finally made their way out of the crowd back towards the play ground. Kagome looked around but she didn't see InuYasha anywhere. She did spot a small group of girls who looked about her age maybe a year or so older. They looking rather annoyed about something. One of the girls with black hair and wearing a purple dress seemed especially put off. Kagome didn't like being judgmental but this girl seemed to radiate a sense of entitlement. She was beautiful and from her clothes it would seem rich as well. Kagome got the impression that nothing was denied her when she wanted it and at the moment something she wanted had slipped out of her fingers.

"Maybe he went to the food tables?" Kagome heard one of other girls mention almost cautiously. The girl in purple said nothing and continued to scan the area as if looking for something.

"Those are the girls!" Maverick said pointing at the group Kagome had been watching.

"Aw I see." Kagome answered making sense of it all now. Apparently InuYasha had caught the eye of this girl but somehow he'd snuck away. Kagome smiled as she tried to picture what InuYasha would be like if a pretty young girl were to suddenly start flirting with him.

Kagome looked around now wondering herself where InuYasha had managed to escape to. She suddenly spotted a pair of white and red sneaker at the base of the tree nearest to the group of girls. With a knowing smile she glanced up and spotted InuYasha white hair through the dense leaves. It took everything she had not to burst out laughing. InuYasha was sitting half way up the tree staring down at the girls who were inching closer and closer. The expression on his face was a hysterical mix of worry and desperation. Kagome looked back down to Maverick who fidgeted nervously next to her as if he were scared the girls were about to find InuYasha.

InuYasha sat as still and as quiet as he possible could as he watched the girl in purple come to a stop right beneath him. He knew she was a demon but he wasn't sure what kind of demon she could be. He only hoped that she didn't have good sense of smell or he was done for. Suddenly InuYasha spotted Kagome marching towards the girls. She discretely stole a quick glance up through the branches catching InuYasha's eye. She wore a cunning smile but InuYasha had no idea what she was planning so he stayed quiet and waited to see what would happen.

"Oh my god, did you see the new guy?" Kagome suddenly said interjecting herself into the group of girls. Kagome was careful to talk directly to the other girls in the group and not make eye contact with the girl dressed in purple. She was clearly the "alpha" of the group and Kagome didn't want to make her think she was a challenger to her position so as not to create doubt or suspicion.

"The guy in the red shirt with the white hair?" One of the girls asked almost desperately.

"Who else? Isn't he just the cutest?" Kagome continued sounding like an aw struck fan girl at a rock concert. She had to fight very hard not to laugh at herself sounding so silly.

"Do you know where he came from?" "I've never seen him around before" the girls asked quickly. One girl couldn't help the dreamy tone that snuck into her voice when she talked about InuYasha earning her a quick silencing glare from the girl dressed in purple.

"I haven't a clue but I hope he's planning on sticking around! That girl he's with on the dance floor is so lucky. I'd love a turn to dance with him!" Kagome said glancing longingly back towards the crowd of dancing people. Kagome could practically hear the other girl's blood boiling will jealousy. A second later she marched off towards the dance floor without a word, the other girls quickly following suit.

Kagome crossed her arms against her chest and leaned against the tree trunk feeling quite pleased with her little acting job. A moment later Kagome heard a familiar rustle as InuYasha jumped down to the lowest branch directly above Kagome.

"Are they gone?" InuYasha asked in a quiet voice.

"Almost." Kagome answered as she watched the girls make their way through the crowd and finally disappear.

"Ok. I think it's safe for you to come down now." Kagome said looking up. InuYasha shook his head no.

"Come on they aren't coming back!" Kagome stated. InuYasha glance quickly towards the crowd, he could still make out the girls standing at the edge of the dance floor searching for him.

"I promise I will protect you from the crazy girls." Kagome laughed as InuYasha refused to budge from his hiding spot. InuYasha shot an annoyed look towards Kagome as he blushed, his cheeks turning nearly the same colour as his shirt.

"I have a better idea." InuYasha finally said as he moved to sit on the branch so his legs were handing down,

"Why don't you join me up here?" He asked as he reached a hand down towards Kagome offering to pull her up. Kagome thought for a moment considering his offer before finally reaching out and placing her hand in his. She watched as his strong fingers wrapped around her own and he gently and almost effortlessly hoisted her up onto the branch next to him. Kagome could feel InuYasha watching her as she made herself comfortable on the branch but she just could bring herself to look him in the eye. She was afraid she would get caught in his gaze and wouldn't be able to escape.

"So how did you know I was up here?" InuYasha asked sounding a little embarrassed.

"Oh your little sidekick came and told me you were being attacked." Kagome laughed. InuYasha closed his eyes and bowed his head,

"I will have to remember to thank him for sending you as my rescuer." InuYasha answered with a very embarrassed sounding laugh.

"I dunno, I think you could have taken them." Kagome said reassuringly.

"Are you kidding me? That one girl with the crazy eyes made me feel like she was going to eat me!" InuYasha said looking worried again as he glanced back in the direction he had last seen her. Kagome burst out laughing.

"Shhhhh!" InuYasha said trying to quiet Kagome.

"I'm sorry InuYasha but this really is hilarious. You the mighty InuYasha hiding in a tree from a bunch of girls." She said continuing to laugh.

"Aww ya!" InuYasha answered not seeing her point. Kagome continued to laugh uncontrollably which brought a smile to InuYasha's face despite the fact she was laughing at him.

Tears flowed down Kagome's face as she tried to stop but she just couldn't. Forgetting she was sitting in a tree she leaned backwards and suddenly felt herself falling as she slipped backwards off the tree branch. Her breath caught in her chest and she barely had a chance to think when all at once she found herself cradled in InuYasha's strong arms. She glanced up to see InuYasha staring down at her. She could feel his chest heaving and his heart pounding as if he'd just been startled.

"Are you ok?" He finally asked. Kagome looked up at the branch she fallen from. He would have had to move fast, even for InuYasha's lightening quick reflexes, for him to have made it to the ground in time to catch her the way he had.

"Ya, I'm fine." Kagome answered still sounding a little shaken as she glanced back into InuYasha's eyes. She felt him tighten his hold on her, he stared back at her with intent. There was something on his mind, something he wanted to say. Finally he opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything something swooped down from the tree above.

"What are you guys doing?" Maverick suddenly said as he hung upside down from the branch they had previously been occupying. Kagome and InuYasha both jumped as the youngster startled them.

"Holy crap, are you trying to give us a heart attack?" Kagome asked as InuYasha let her down from his arms. She couldn't help feel a slight hesitation from InuYasha as if he hadn't wanted to let her go and he gave Maverick a very unaccustomed look of annoyance. Maverick just laughed.

"Come on InuYasha, let's go play some more!" Maverick pleaded as she swung back and forth still hanging upside down.

"Um ..." InuYasha said steeling a quick glance back to Kagome who seemed to be avoiding his eye again.

"Why don't we go back with Kagome to get something to eat?" He suggested.

"Ok ..." Maverick said sounding a little disappointed but he jumped down without a fuss and made his way back towards the barbeque followed by InuYasha and Kagome. Neither of them said anything. It wasn't until they were back with the doctor and Sydney sampling the delicious food that the tension between them eased. By this time the sun was starting to set and the sky was fading into a brilliant kaleidoscope of colours. There seemed to be another storm brewing in the south and the rolling clouds were providing a perfect canvas for the sun's setting light.

"This is so good?" InuYasha said as he dug into a plate full of various barbecued meats and roasted vegetables.

"It's all about the love?" The doctor stated as he moved his hands through the air waving his tongs around as if he wanted to gather all the food up in his hands and kiss it. InuYasha looked at him quizzically.

"You've got to love the food and it comes out in the flavour!" He added with a wide grin.

"He likes to think of himself as a great chef and artist!" Sydney stated giving the doctor a knowing look.

"That's because I am!" He answered staring back at Sydney. Kagome watched the interaction between them and couldn't help but wonder if there wasn't more going on then just a casual friendship between colleagues. She couldn't help but picture them with Maverick as a happy little family. As the thought moved through Kagome's mind she caught the doctor cautiously glancing at Sydney from the corner of his eye. He watched her for a moment before he suddenly seemed to come to a resolution.

"Sydney ..." he said as he took his apron off and laid it over the back of a chair.

"Yes ..?" Sydney answered curiously as she watched him motion for one of the caterers to come take over the grill.

"Would you care to dance?" He asked holding his hand out towards her. Sydney hesitated out of sheer surprise but after a second she smiled and nodded her head.

InuYasha and Kagome watched as they moved off.

"That was so cute!" Kagome said as she watched them. InuYasha remained silent as he watched the doctor twirl Sydney onto the floor and they fell perfectly into the quick rhythm of the song. InuYasha looked down at the girl standing in front of him and he wished he was brave enough to ask her to dance even though he wasn't sure he even knew how to dance. A second later Maverick suddenly popped out from under the table next to Kagome making her jump again.

"May I have this dance?" Maverick asked as he stuck out his hand and bowed so low it looked as if his forehead might touch his knees. Kagome laughed and stared at him for a moment,

"Um ... sure I'd love too!" She finally answered before being pulled out towards the dance floor. Maverick stole a quick look back towards InuYasha giving him a smug smile. InuYasha glared back, 'great now I'm being outdone by a seven year old' InuYasha thought to himself as he put his plate down and took a seat at the nearest table.

The song had a quick and lively beat and he watched as the couples on the floor moved their arms and hips in time to the music. Some of them danced apart, some were so close together he couldn't figure out how they didn't trip over one another. One couple towards the center of the group was dancing quite provocatively. The man was pressed right up behind his partner with her body moving in sync with his own. His hand moved over her hips and up her sides, he leaned in and sensually kissed her neck making her arch her back and lift her chin. The whole thing looked awkward to InuYasha but he couldn't help but wonder what Kagome's body would feel like that close to his own.

His gaze was pulled back to the edge of the dance floor where Kagome and Maverick were dancing together. Kagome had both Maverick's hands in hers and they had made a big loopy circle with their arms as the wiggled and shuffled their feet around. Maverick had a big smile on his face and Kagome was laughing as she watched her adorable partner trying to impress her with his moves.

Suddenly InuYasha's ears twitched and the little hairs on his neck rose up. He felt as if he were being stared and looked around the crowd but no one stood out to him. He looked back towards the dance floor and through all the people he caught site of Chiyo's piercing blue eyes watching him. InuYasha actually felt himself involuntarily shrink under her gaze. He started to panic slightly as she started moving along the edge of the dance floor towards him.

The song was winding down and Kagome laughed as her young dance partner bowed low again. Kagome gave a little curtsy,

"Thank you good sir for the dance. You have some very impressive foot work!" Kagome said with smile. Maverick looked up ready to return the compliment when he caught site of a wide eyed InuYasha staring almost fearful off to one side. Following his gaze Maverick spotted the crazy girl from earlier marching purposefully in three inch heels towards InuYasha.

"Uh Oh!" Maverick said before dashing away through the crowd of legs. Startled Kagome watched him go wondering what he was up to now.

InuYasha watched as Chiyo came closer and closer. She still had that same sly smile that made him feel more than a little uncomfortable. He stood quickly looking for an escape root but he was too late, Chiyo suddenly appeared right in front of him.

"There you are InuYasha, I was wondering what had happened to you." InuYasha didn't really answer, more smiled uncomfortably.

"I was thinking, a few friends and I are heading out of here to go have some real fun, thought you might like to join me?"

'Hell no!' was the first response that came to mind but InuYasha bit his tongue in the hopes he could think of something slightly less rude to say but as Chiyo reached her hand out for his arm again he concerns drained away. InuYasha opened his mouth but before he could utter his rejection Maverick once again appeared out of nowhere. He slid in between InuYasha and Chiyo, pushing her backwards,

"Sorry lady, his dance card is full!" he shouted before shoving InuYasha onto the dance floor leaving Chiyo speechless in his wake.

Kagome laughed as she watched the scene unfold but was distracted as a handsome looking man suddenly stepped in front of her.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked her. Kagome was flattered of course but before she could say a word Maverick appeared with InuYasha dragged closely behind him.

"Beat it buddy, this dance is for these two!" He said without missing a step. He released InuYasha continued on unceremoniously pushing the new comer out of the way and off the dance floor. InuYasha and Kagome both stood utterly baffled by what had just taken place. InuYasha turned towards Kagome,

"I'm sorry I didn't know he was going to … I mean I didn't ask him to do that … I just don't want you to think that … well you know." InuYasha stuttered out but was cut off as the next song started and the floor suddenly became much quieter. It was a slow song this time and the couple around them moved closer together while the single people moved off the floor to make space. Kagome and InuYasha both looked around nervously as the music got louder. InuYasha spotted the doctor and Sydney dancing together. The doctor was holding Sydney close and they both looked as they were enjoying themselves. The doctor looked up and spotted InuYasha and gave him a quick nod of encouragement. InuYasha took a deep breath,

"Kagome would you like to dance?" He said quickly. Kagome froze. Did she want to dance? Of course she did, nothing in the world would make her happier right now but she couldn't help but worry if she would be able to keep her feelings in check.

InuYasha stole another quick look towards the doctor and watched how he held Sydney's hand and placed his arm around her waist. Kagome still hadn't said a word and she looked about as nervous as InuYasha felt. Without a word he reached out towards Kagome hoping beyond all hope that she would take his hand.

Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you

Kagome stared at InuYasha's hand. She couldn't deny what her heart wanted and she stepped forwards and placed her hand in his. Once again his strong fingers wrapped gently around her own and he pulled her closer. Hesitantly InuYasha moved his hand so it rested against Kagome's lower back. Kagome raised her free arm up and placed it on InuYasha's shoulder. InuYasha took a deep breath praying he wouldn't trip over his own feet or Kagome's and started to move. Kagome moved with him one foot and then the other so they were slowing spinning in small circles together. InuYasha let slip a small smile.

"Hey … this isn't so hard!" he said almost triumphantly which made Kagome smile. She looked up and met InuYasha's eyes. Those amazing golden eyes. Every time he looked at her with those eyes she felt as if he were stealing her soul, one little piece at a time. But in this moment, at this time she couldn't look away. She could feel his body so close to hers, she could feel his hands pulling her closer still, she could feel him trying to stay calm as all his focus was on her and only her. She could also feel her own resolve cracking.

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you

InuYasha could hear Kagome's heart pounding in her chest. He wondered whether it was because he was making her uncomfortable or whether it was because she really was as nervous as he was. InuYasha looked around at the couples dancing nearby and watched as they moved together. Another older couple laughed as the man twirled his wife away from himself and then pulled her back in close wrapping her up in his arms. InuYasha looked back towards Kagome who noticed his thoughtful expression. She felt his body shift and wondered what he was up to. Slowly and carefully InuYasha took a slight step backwards and pushed his arm out turned Kagome into a spin. Kagome laughed as she realised what he was doing and moved without resistance before he pulled her back towards him. There timing was not a hundred percent perfect and they ran into each other as they came back together. InuYasha blushed as Kagome's hands landed on his chest and he stumbled forwards but luckily kept his feet beneath him.

Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation, you take all of me now

"Sorry." InuYasha said with a bashful smile. Kagome laughed again,

"Don't be, that was perfect!" Kagome responded making InuYasha laugh in turn.

"If you say so!" InuYasha added as he tried to keep moving to the song.

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you

Without thinking about it Kagome reached up and brushed InuYasha's bangs across his face. InuYasha caught her hand as she pulled away and Kagome found herself captured once more in his eyes. It was just like last night when they were sitting together on InuYasha's bed. The air between them seemed so think they could hardly breathe. There was so much they wanted to say, so much that needed to be said between them.

There's nothing else to lose, there's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world that can change my mind
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
There is nothing else

"Aw look at them!" Sydney said as she spotted InuYasha and Kagome together on the dance floor.

"They really are the cutest non-couple I have ever seen! It's too bad they both love each other so much and yet neither of them realizes it!"

"Oh they know. They know they love each other." The doctor answered. Sydney turned and looked at him,

"They just love each other so much that they're afraid of hurting the other person. They're afraid of the unknown … but one day … probably soon … that fear won't matter anymore. They'll realize their love is worth the fear!"

"Wow … so you're a chef, an artist AND a romantic! Who knew?" Sydney laughed teasingly actually making the doctor blush a little.

Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you

Kagome began nervously playing with the top buttons of InuYasha's shirt as she continued to stare back into his eyes. She would have given anything to know what he was thinking in that moment.

InuYasha felt as if he couldn't breathe. Every one of his senses was single-mindedly focused on Kagome. Her scent was flooding through his nose making his body ache for her. The feeling of her hand against his chest as the material of his shirt moved through her fingers. The sound of her breathing, the look in her eyes, it was all becoming more then he could resist.

InuYasha still had a hold on Kagome's hand, with his free hand his reached up and cupped Kagome's cheek.

Kagome didn't stop him. She couldn't stop him. Her entire body was paralyzed.

InuYasha acted on nothing but instinct as he leaned in, pulled Kagome up to meet him.

His lips met hers in a kiss.

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to

Kagome thought about pushing him away but she couldn't. This is what she had wanted from him for so long.

I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you

InuYasha felt Kagome's warm lips against his. He felt a surge of warmth in his chest. This was not the first time he had kissed her. It was too familiar too amazing for him to have never done this before.

I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go

Kagome threw all caution to the wind as she reached her arms up and wrapped them both around InuYasha's neck begging him not to stop. Wishing that this song could go on and on for all eternity and this moment would never end.

And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you

InuYasha felt a wonderful feeling of relief as Kagome's wrapped her arms around his neck. He had no doubt in his mind now that what he felt for Kagome was real and that she felt the same way about him.

Just hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment
I'm hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment here with you

The song slowly reached its end as the last lyrics faded and the music finally died away. InuYasha and Kagome broke the kiss gasping for air as they fell against each other. InuYasha smiled as the world around him suddenly came back into focus and he remembered where he was and that he was surrounded by people. He briefly spotted the doctor and Sydney staring at them looking somewhat surprised but he didn't have time to think about them right now.

He looked down at Kagome who had her face buried in his chest.

"Kagome … ?" InuYasha asked still sounding a bit overwhelmed. Kagome said nothing. InuYasha ran his hands over her shoulders but she dug her fingers into InuYasha shirt and refused to look up. Then InuYasha heard the last thing he'd expected. A quiet muffled sob … Kagome was crying.

"Kagome?" InuYasha asked again but this time his voice was filled with worry and concern.

"Kagome what's wrong?" He persisted as he tried to pull Kagome away so he could look into her face. All at once Kagome pushed InuYasha away,

"I'm sorry InuYasha." She said before turning and running away leaving InuYasha alone and completely dumbfounded. InuYasha just stood rooted to the floor as he watched Kagome disappear through the crowd of people.

Sydney suddenly appeared next to InuYasha,

"InuYasha what's wrong? What happened?"

"I … I don't know" InuYasha answered after a moment.

"I kissed her …"

"Yes I saw that. What happened after that? Why did Kagome leave?" She asked sounding concerned.

"Nothing … nothing happened after. She just started crying and ran off." InuYasha answered without taking his eyes off the place where Kagome had disappeared. Sydney stood next to InuYasha unsure of what to tell him. InuYasha slowly walked forwards in the direction Kagome had gone.

"InuYasha wait …. Wait!" Sydney said as she struggled to bring InuYasha to a halt.

"InuYasha just give her a moment … she may just need some time to absorb what just happened."

InuYasha fidgeted uneasily.

"InuYasha she loves you …" This brought InuYasha's focus back to her.

"We all know you both love each other … It's just with everything that's happened in the past few weeks Kagome may need some time to sort through what she's feeling."

InuYasha didn't say anything.

Kagome ran. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she raced down the street and into the park. There was still just enough light from the setting sun that she could see clearly but dark clouds were starting to close in from the south and the wind had already picked up making the trees sway back and forth.

Kagome stumbled and fell catching herself against a tree next to the path. Her lungs heaved as she tried to catch her breath.

How could she have been so stupid to let that happen. A dance? A kiss! This couldn't happen between them. It was her responsibility to make sure it didn't. Even if InuYasha couldn't remember he had promised himself to someone else, she did. How could she accept InuYasha's love knowing full well that if his memory came back he would be forced to choose? Kagome couldn't bear the thought of it. Couldn't bear the thought of how selfish and unfair it would be to put InuYasha in that position. She couldn't bare the idea of being left behind.

Kagome turned too continued down the path but suddenly realized InuYasha was standing there in front of her. Her heart stopped in her chest. He just stood still as stone his long white hair waving in the gusting winds, staring at her with a look of confusion on his face. After a moment of unbearable silence InuYasha took a few cautious steps towards Kagome.

"InuYasha … InuYasha please don't." Kagome pleaded. He wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks and put a hand up to stop him from getting too close. InuYasha's faltered in his steps but kept coming until his chest met Kagome's hand. Kagome moved away from him but he kept coming until Kagome's back met the trunk of the tree and they both came to a stop. Kagome closed her eyes, afraid to look InuYasha in face. She felt as InuYasha gently reached up and pulled her hand from his chest and held it tight.

"Kagome please tell me what's wrong?" he pleaded.

Kagome felt the tears brimming in her eyes again.

"I can't" she answered.

"Why not?" he persisted

"BECAUSE YOU CAN'T REMEMBER!" Kagome yelled. InuYasha didn't say anything but he felt a vice closing around his chest.

"Kagome I am begging you … PLEASE tell me what it is I need to remember!"

"I can't ..." Kagome said again in a defeated sounding voice.

"Kagome please …" Kagome shook her head but InuYasha kept right on talking,

"I don't care about the past what I want is right here, right in front of me, right now!" InuYasha continued as he reached out and put his hands on Kagome's shoulders.

Kagome slowly opened her eyes and tilted her head up but still refused to meet InuYasha's gaze,

"How can you know that …" she spoke so quietly that even InuYasha had a hard time making out what she had said over the howling wind and rustling leaves.

"What?" InuYasha asked

"How can you possibly know that?" Kagome yelled over the wind. This time InuYasha was taken back as Kagome's eyes shot up to meet his.

"How can you possible know or even understand what it is you want when you don't even know who you are?" Kagome continued. InuYasha was speechless. Kagome just watched him for a moment before stepping away and from him and starting down the path once more. She hated herself for pushing him away but she had to do it. She had to protect him and herself from the inevitable fallout that would come at the end of this journey.

"Kagome!"

Kagome shut her eyes again trying to tune out InuYasha's voice as he called after her.

"Kagome please stop!"

She kept moving but the sadness in InuYasha's voice made it feel as if her legs were weighed down with concrete.

"Kagome … I know I want you … because I have loved you from the moment I saw you."

Kagome slowly came to a stop.

"In a world that was completely unknown to me … there was you. Always you!" InuYasha continued. Kagome turned slightly to look at InuYasha who was standing in the middle of the path about twelve or thirteen feet away. She noticed for the first time that he was still barefoot and his hat was missing.

"You have always felt so familiar to me." InuYasha began not daring to move an inch in fear Kagome would run again.

"It's true I can't remember who I am ... and I'm starting to believe there are a lot of things I wish I never had to remember. But I know I loved you not just now but before all this happened. I know I did ... because my heart remembers you."

Kagome felt her own heart skip a beat.

"Everything about you seems so familiar Kagome. I may not have fully understood those feelings at first but ... your eyes, your hair, your hands. The way you walk, your voice, your touch. I know all of you."

"InuYasha it's not..." Kagome started to argue but InuYasha abruptly cut her off.

"That wasn't the first time we'd kissed was it?" InuYasha asked. Kagome's words caught in her throat. How could she answer that question? Did she tell the truth? Yes they had kissed before, once. One small kiss in a moment of terrifying desperation never to be repeated again until today. He had kissed 'her' plenty of times though. How could Kagome be sure he was remembering there one time together and not the lifetime he had spent with the woman she was forever being compared to?

"I'm sorry InuYasha ... I just can't do this!" Kagome said as she backed away again.

"Kagome please ..."

"InuYasha please don't follow me!" Kagome ordered before turning and running for home.

InuYasha stayed rooted to the spot where he stood, unable to move as he watched Kagome fade away in the distance.

Kagome dashed up the stairs to the shrine and across the grounds. She ran straight to the well house and flung open the door. Slamming it shut again behind her she jumped down the stairs and practically threw the cover of the well off. Without a seconds hesitation she flung herself over the lip of the old well and fell into the darkness. Landing five hundred years in the past she didn't stop to catch her breath. She scurried up the side of the well, grabbing roots and vines which showered her in dirt before she finally made it over the top. She was fighting tears again as she dashed away across the grass towards Kaede's hut. She needed to talk to Miroku and Sango. They were the only people who could possible understand what she was going through and how she felt.

Still running as fast as she could Kagome skidded through Kaede's door way hoping that Miroku and Sango would be there. She stopped letting her eyes become accustomed to the bright orange light of the fire. She looked around but what she saw made her insides turn to ice. Sango and Miroku both lay stretched out on Kaede's floor. Their eyes were closed and they appeared to be unconscious. Miroku lay on his side, his chest heaving. Sango lay on her back next to him, her brow furrowed in pain. Bloodied rags and bandages lay everywhere on the floor as well as medicine jars and dried herbs.

"Kagome?" a hopeful voice came from behind as Kaede herself suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"Kaede ... what happened?" Kagome asked fearfully.

"Naraku ..." Kaede answered.

It was dark now, the sun had set and the rain had started to fall as InuYasha slowly made his way back towards the shrine. He didn't know what to do. He felt more lost now then he had waking up in that hospital bed so many weeks ago. How could he even show his face to Kagome when he knew she didn't want him around right now. InuYasha shuffled his feet in the muddy ground, he was in no hurry to go into the house. In fact he was considering sleeping outside in his tree despite the weather.

The wind gusted past him pulling him one way and then another. His ears suddenly caught the sound of dull rattling sound and an intermittent whistle he could remember hearing before. Looking up he scanned the grounds for anything that was out of place but everything seemed normal until his gaze fell upon the building Kagome had forbidden him from going near. The door was slightly ajar and the wind was knocking it against the wooden runners and whistling through gap when it hit it at the right angle.

InuYasha hesitated. He knew Kagome had told him to stay away from the building but he was afraid the rain would get into the building and ruin whatever was stored inside. Cautiously InuYasha moved towards the building and made to close the door but stopped.

Maybe the reason Kagome didn't want him in here was because it held something that would make him remember. She was just as afraid as he was of his past. Perhaps that was clouding her judgement. InuYasha hesitated a moment before pulling the door open further and slipping inside. He had to remember something, anything. Good or bad anything could help prove to Kagome and to himself that what he was feeling was real.

InuYasha carefully pushed the door shut all the way and turned to look around. It was very dark but he could still make out shapes and objects. He suddenly got a fresh whiff of Kagome's scent,

"Kagome? Are you in here?" He asked into the darkness. There was no answer. He moved down towards what looked like a table in the middle of the room. As he got closer he realised it was not a table but a well of some sort. Kagome's scent got stronger the closer he got. InuYasha strained his ears to hear anything but it seemed this well was dry. Leaning his head down he could smell Kagome's coming from down the well and he began to worry.

"Kagome are you down there?" He called. Again nothing answer but the echo of his own voice. InuYasha hesitated for a moment. Perhaps she had just come in here to clear her mind ... but then why did she leave the door open? And why was her scent coming from down inside the well. Could she have fallen in? Maybe she was hurt down there!

InuYasha vaulted over the well and fell down through the darkness. He waited for his feet to his bottom but it seemed to take a while. There was a weird sensation in his stomach before his feet suddenly collided with solid ground. InuYasha hands flew out to stop him from falling forwards against the side. His hand met roots and vines growing down the inside and yet he couldn't remember seeing any at the top. He could smell Kagome's scent still but she was nowhere to be seen. A gentle breeze suddenly met his cheek and he looked up.

Stars? How had he gotten outside? And where was the rain or the wind and storm clouds?

InuYasha starred up in complete bewilderment as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.

That's the end of this chapter.

R&R please

Love FireFly

The song is Hanging By A Moment by Lifehouse. I realize it is not really a slow song per say but I love the lyrics so I'm pretending it was for this story.