InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Under the Cherry Tree ❯ Part One: The Beginning and...the End? ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: Here's a cute, short, side story. I got this idea out of a relationship book I read a while back. Yes, I'm lacking that much of a life. It's a really good one, anyway. Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris. I recommend it.

 

This story looks incredibly long, but it's a lot of dialogue, so the pages are kind of a screwed up measurement to go by. There's only going to be 2 chapters of this story, both really long. Here's part one:

 

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Under the Cherry Tree

 

Part 1: The Beginning and…the End?

 

I guess this spot will do. Inuyasha thought.

 

He stood alone in the front yard of a large house. It was dark outside, about three a.m. There wasn't a street lamp except at the end of the street, but that was at least six houses away. It was almost pitch black where he stood. Inuyasha looked back over his shoulder and all around to make sure no one was around. In his right hand, he carried a shovel and in the left, a metal box wrapped in plastic bags.

 

He lifted the shovel up into the air and stuck it into the wet earth, setting the box down beside him. He dug a shovel full of dirt out and set it carefully, trying not to break it so that it would be that much easier to put back. He dropped the shovel into the ground again.

 

CLANK!

 

Metal against rock. The sound echoed down the street and throughout the neighborhood. His ears twitched at the loud sound. He froze. Great… he thought, at this rate I'll wake the entire neighborhood.

 

He pulled the shovel down and dropped flat to the ground and waited for all hell to break loose. He shuddered at the thought of waking someone inside Kagome's house. What if her grandpa heard? What if he came out to investigate the sound in the front yard? He would too…

 

He tried not to think about it. How on earth could he explain himself? How could a 19-year-old guy explain to his ex-girlfriend's grandpa what he was doing digging a hole in their front yard at 3 in the morning? He glanced at all the windows in the house. None of them seemed to be stirring. He took a second glance at Kagome's window. She's sleeping in there… he thought stupidly.

 

After a few minutes had passed and there was no sign of living people, Inuyasha stood back up and brushed himself off and picking the shovel back up. He had to be more careful. He dug a few more shovelfuls of dirt from the front lawn. Finally it was large enough and he dropped the box inside. He took the clumps of dirt from the bottom of the hole and lifted them into a plastic bag so that no trace of excess dirt would be left. Then he set the remaining dirt back into the ground, setting the grass neatly on top. Perfect.

 

Kagome lived in a large neighborhood, and one of the nicest in Tokyo. Inuyasha carried his bag and shovel back out to his truck that waited at the end of the street. He had parked several houses down in order to prevent from being seen. In all actuality, he probably could have gotten away with parking right out in front. The yard was huge and even a pick-up could easily go without being heard from the inside of the house where Kagome slept. But Inuyasha did not want to take his chances.

 

He turned once more to look back at the house, releasing a heavy sigh.

 

“Goodbye, Kagome.”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Kagome stepped out of the car. She was carrying a backpack and wearing her school uniform. She hadn't changed since school had got out earlier that day. She looked up at the large building. Taking this after-school program hadn't been her idea, but her grandpa's. He said it would be a good chance for her to skip ahead in school and get better grades and get into a better high school. It lasted from then, the last week of school, through the end of the summer. Kagome wasn't exactly excited about missing so much of her summer. In fact, she was half dreading the extra school time, but she also figured she might as well make the best of it. She was only fourteen then.

 

“Bye, mama!” she called, walking into the building. Her mom waved to her from the car before driving away.

 

Once inside, she took a seat towards the back of the classroom. There weren't many left. She looked around, not really recognizing many of the kids in the class. She had seen some of them before, but most of them were complete strangers. Some were much older than her, in fact, she was probably one of the youngest in the class. She looked up at the door as a kid walked in that looked about her age. He had silver hair and dog ears. An older boy followed him in, he also had silver hair. The younger one said something that appeared to be harsh to the older one, probably his brother, then walked away. Kagome watched as he made his way to her, sitting in the only empty seat next to her.

 

“Hi!” His voice was bubbling with friendliness, “I'm Inuyasha!”

 

“Ano…hi,” Kagome replied.

 

“Are you here for the class?”

 

Kagome looked at him with an expression that read Yeah! What do you think?? “Um, yeah. You?” Stupid! Of course he is!

 

Inuyasha nodded. “What's your name?”

 

“Kagome Higurashi.”

 

“Can I call you Kagome?”

 

“I guess.”

 

“Hi, Kagome! It's nice to meet you!”

 

“Nice to meet you too…” Okay, stay away from this one. She mentally noted.

 

Inuyasha smiled. Great! Sesshomaru was right…I can make friends. She's even cute! Maybe this class won't be so bad after all.

 

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The summer was coming to a close. It was the last session of summer-school. Kagome sat ever so impatiently in the desk. Inuyasha had sat behind her today. Ninety percent of the time he managed to find a seat in her general vicinity. No matter what she did, he always sat next to her. He was cute and all, but he drove her crazy.

 

The bell was so close to ringing. The last few minutes seemed like small eternities. Kagome wanted out of there more than anything. She had one week left before school started again and she was going to make the most of it.

 

BRRRIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGG!!!

 

Yay! Kagome grabbed her backpack and flew out the door faster than lighting. She couldn't wait to go home and call up her friends to do something with her. There were so many things to do to! Which one?? The mall? Movies? Amusement Park? The…

 

“Hey, Kagome!” Inuyasha called out, interrupting her thoughts.

 

Oh, man!! Where are you, Mom!

 

At that instant, her mother pulled into the parking lot. Kagome yanked the door open and jumped in.

 

“Hey, Mom! Let's go!”

 

“That boy's talking to you, sweetie.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes and rolled down the window. “Hey. What?”

 

He walked up to the car window. “Hey. What are you doing next week?”

 

“I'm…ano…busy.”

 

“Oh. Well, just in case you change your plans,” Inuyasha reached in his backpack and pulled out a slip of paper. “I want you to come to Disney Land Tokyo with us. It's my fifteenth birthday party. A whole bunch of my friends are coming and it'd be cool if you could show up.”

 

Disney Land Tokyo!!! How did he manage that!?! “Me and my friends have some plans, actually,” she lied.

 

“Oh. Well they can come too. Whatever.” He handed her four tickets.

 

“I…” Kagome stuttered.

 

“Of course she'll be there!” Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed suddenly. “Won't you, Kagome?”

 

She sighed. “Yeah, I guess. Thank you.”

 

He nodded and shrugged. “No big. See ya there.”

 

Kagome rolled up the window and the car rolled out of the parking lot. Inuyasha watched her leave.

 

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Kagome had never been to Disney Land Tokyo before. In fact, she hardly even seen it before. She was getting dressed and was actually getting excited. Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi were on their way over. They had gladly accept the invite. What 14-year-old girl doesn't want to go to Disneyland??

 

“You ready, Kagome? Your friends are here,” her mom called from downstairs.

 

“Yeah. I'm coming.”

 

Kagome grabbed her purse and ran downstairs. Her friends waited at the foot of the stairs. They were all dressed up, more so than she was.

 

“Kagome!”

 

“We're so excited!”

 

“Are we going to meet him?”

 

“Who?” Kagome inquired.

 

“The guy that invited you!”

 

“And us!”

 

“This is so cool!”

 

Her friends always seemed to over-dramatize any event. This was not different.

 

Mrs. Higurashi got the car keys. “Are you girls ready to leave?” They all nodded enthusiastically, piling into the car, Kagome in the passenger seat. Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi didn't seem to stop talking the whole ride there. With little tad-bits of “I heard so-and-so was going to be there.” ,“This boy's cute” and “that boy's cute.”

 

When they finally arrive, Kagome's mom dropped them off and the front. They got through with the ticket's Inuyasha had give

n Kagome last week, and with a little looking, they found the pavilion where Inuyasha's party was. A lady, Kagome guessed it was his mom, was setting out napkins and silverware. She looked up and saw the four girls and smiled.

 

“You must be the girls Inuyasha told me about. Which one of you is Kagome?”

 

Kagome slowly raised her hand. So slow, that Ayumi reached over and raised it into the air for her, smiling.

 

The lady went on. “I'm Iyazoi, Inuyasha's mother. He and his friends went to get the cake from the front. You may wait here, if you like.”

 

Kagome and her friends walked over and sat down at the table. Kagome sighed as her friends started giggling again.

 

This is going to be a LONG day… Kagome thought.

 

X_X_X

 

Kagome threw her last ball at the stack of cans, missing again. Her aim was horrible. Inuyasha laughed out loud.

 

“It's not funny!” she protested, “It's harder than it looks.” And I really wanted one of those cute stuffed dogs.

 

“Here,” Inuyasha said, handing the person behind the counter another dollar. “Let me try.”

 

Kagome stepped back as Inuyasha picked up a ball. She looked around them, half in panic. Where had her friends gone? Suddenly, her and Inuyasha were alone. Oh great! What do you guys always flake on me like this!

 

She was snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of cans crashing down. She looked over to see that Inuyasha had hit them on his first try. He pointed to a stuffed dog and the guy handed it to him. He turned around and handed it to Kagome. “There ya go.”

 

She took the dog. It was fluffy and white with pointy ears. It somewhat reminded her of Inuyasha. Once she got over that fact, though, she thought it was a cute dog. “Thank you,” she said, still a little surprised. She'd never won anything at a fair or anything before, and she was really excited to finally have a prize to take home. “Thank you!” she said, a little more sincerity in her voice.

 

It was the first time all day she had actually looked at him. His face was a little red from the sunburn he'd earned himself that day, and he had a Mickey Mouse hat on his head. Kagome laughed because it just covered up his dog ears with funnier looking mouse ones. The sun was lower in the sky now, and the party would be over soon.

 

“There anything else you want to do?” he asked.

 

She was taken aback by his request. “Umm…I really wanted one of those Mickey Mouse cups you can buy at the concession stands, but I spent most of my money and I'm half a dollar short. That's about all, though.”

 

Inuyasha laughed, and he saw one of the stands not far behind her. He reached in his pocket. He didn't have and change, so he pulled out a dollar and gave it to her. “There. Now you can.”

 

She smiled a sincere smile at him. The first one he'd ever seen. All her smiles usually said “Thanks, but no thanks.” Or “I fell bad for you so I'll smile to make you feel better.”

 

Kagome took the dollar and walked over the stand, purchasing the cute cup full of a raspberry slushie. The first sip was like heaven. Inuyasha smiled at her pleased expression. She walked back to him, slushie in one hand, puppy in the other.

 

“You ready to go back, now? Your mom will probably be here soon.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Kagome had no clue where they had been, but Inuyasha seemed to find his way back to the table without a problem. Most of the kids were already back and helping Iyazoi clean up. From the table the parking lot was visible, and some of the kids' parents began showing up. The boys said goodbye and thank you to Inuyasha and his mom, leaving with their party favors. Kagome's mom was the last to show up.

 

“There's my mom,” she said, picking up her stuff. Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka gathered their things and began walking out to the car. Inuyasha made eye contact with his mom and smiled then ran after Kagome, walking her to the car.

 

“Thanks for coming, Kagome,” he said when they'd finally arrived.

 

She smiled. “Yeah. It was fun.” She had opened the car door, but had not set down all her things. Inuyasha tried to think of something else to do…

 

Idea!

 

He took the Mickey Mouse hat from his head and set it down on Kagome's. “Here. You can have it.”

 

She smiled at him again. “Thank you, Inuyasha.”

 

His name from her lips somehow put butterflies in his stomach. He'd never heard her say it before. She waved as best she could with her arms full, and then jumped in the car. All of Kagome's friends waved goodbye as they drove away. Inuyasha walked back into the park.

 

At first it was quiet in the car, until suddenly Eri busted out. “KAGOME HAS A BOYFRIEND!!!”

 

All the girls started giggling uncontrollably.

 

“I do not!” Kagome exclaimed.

 

Kagome's mom suddenly caught interest.

 

“She does so,” Yuka said.

 

“Yup,” Ayumi agreed, “she spent the whole day with him!”

 

“I did not!”

 

“Is this the nice boy that invited you to the party?” he mom asked.

 

“Yeah…but he's not my boyfriend!”

 

“Aww, come on, Kagome! He was so nice to you! He must like you! That makes him your boyfriend!”

 

“It does not. I don't have a boyfriend.”

 

Kagome's mom chuckled at their girliness. Kagome sat back in her chair, holding tight to the white dog Inuyasha had won her. Her mom looked at her smiling, but seeing she was really getting upset, told the other girls to settle down and leave her alone. They sat back in their seats and their giggling subsided. Kagome turned back and stuck her tongue out.

 

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Kagome stood in front of the full length mirror on the back of her bed room door. She loved the new uniform. Today was her first day in high school, and she was excited. She had done her hair, and applied her make-up that she had only just begun wearing. Her uniform consisted of a green skirt, white, long-sleeve top with a green collar and red bow in the front. It was so much better than her old Jr. High uniform.

 

“Let's go, Kagome! You don't want to be late!”

 

“Hai!!”

 

She grabbed her bag and ran downstairs. Sota, her little brother, and her mom were waiting in the kitchen.

 

“Okay. I'm ready.”

 

“It's about time,” Sota said sarcastically.

 

Her grandpa ran in, carrying an antique something-or-other. “Here, Kagome! You mustn't forget this!”

 

“What is it, Grandpa?”

 

“It's an ancient shell passed down for generations. It's meant to bring good luck. You can use it today.”

 

Kagome squatted down, handing the shell to her cat. “Here, Buyo. Eat.”

 

The cat happily took the shell from Kagome's hand. Her grandpa fainted in disbelief. Kagome's mom finished cleaning the dishes from breakfast and washed her hands. She picked up a near by towel to dry her hands off.

 

“Have a good day in High School, Kagome.”

 

Kagome smiled. “Kay!” She grabbed the last piece of toast from the stove and walked out the door. The High School wasn't very far off, but Kagome preferred to ride her bicycle. When she arrived, she locked her bike onto the chain link fence and walked into the strange school building. Fortunately, the first face she saw a familiar one.

 

“Hey, Kagome!”

 

“Why, hello Hojo. Glad to see you!”

 

“Yeah! You made it into high school, too!”

 

She nodded. “M hm, looks like all that extra schooling paid off big time.”

 

“Well, I'll see you around,” Hojo said, waving to her as he entered the building. She waved back, but was too overwhelmed to speak as she entered the building. It was huge! She had no idea the high school was this big, it looked so much smaller from the outside. She remembered her schedule in her backpack, and reached back to pull it out.

 

First class: Biology. Room C 206

 

Where was that? She had no idea. Oh man! I hope I don't get lost on the first day!!

 

“You lost?”

 

Kagome jumped at the sudden voice. She looked up and was met by a pair of amber eyes. “Oh! Inuyasha! You scared me!”

 

“Sorry bout that.”

 

“You're in my high school!”

 

“Yeah? I am? Well, what do ya know.”

 

“How'd you get here?” she asked, still a bit surprised.

 

“Passed the entrance exams. And you?”

 

“Same. Though, I'm not quite sure how to get to my first class.”

 

“Well, let me see.” He took her schedule and looked over it. “Cool. Biology is my first class too!”

 

“Oh…” she wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or glad.

 

“Come on, I'll show you where it is.”

 

Inuyasha started walking off, and Kagome ran to catch up. He went upstairs and down a couple of hallways. By the end of it all, Kagome was a bit dizzy to be honest. Oh yeah right…like I'm gonna find this room again…

 

She walked in to find an average classroom with about thirty kids. She saw two empty desks next to each other and sat down in one of them. But all of a sudden, Inuyasha was gone. She glanced around and saw him sitting on the other side of the room talking to some friends. A wave of slight disappointment washed over her. Wasn't he supposed to sit with her? Oh wait…no. I don't want him to sit with me. Right?

 

“Hello, beautiful,” a deep voice came from behind Kagome.

 

She jumped, turning around to face another guy. He had greenish blue eyes and long black hair. Youkai? Oh yeah…

 

“Name's Koga. May I ask your name? Or perhaps angels have no names, just beautiful faces.”

 

Kagome's eye twitched. Okay…CHEEZY! Not to mention I'm sure I've heard that somewhere before…

 

Koga reached out grabbed on of Kagome's hands.

 

“EE…” she squeaked.

 

“I'm so glad I get to sit and gaze on your beauty this year…”

 

Don't get used to it, bud. Man! This year's gonna be horrible! Stupid little…

 

“Hey fleabag!”

 

Koga's ears perked and he turned his head to face a silver-headed hanyou full of rage. From that angle, Inuyasha looked almost ready to kill. His claws were flexed. Koga dropped Kagome's hand almost immediately.

 

“You wanna pick on someone go find someone remotely in your league. Leave Kagome alone.” His voice was deep and serious. He reached down and grabbed Kagome's arm and her backpack, pulling her out of the desk and escorting her to the other side of the room. He kicked some guy out of a seat diagonal from where he sat, sitting Kagome down there. He said not a word, just returned to his seat. Kagome watched him, and when they made eye contact, he smiled at her.

 

Okay, she thought, turning around in her seat, it's not going to be as bad of a year as I thought.

 

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The phone rang.

 

Kagome lifted her head off the pillow of her bed and reached for the television remote. Her TV sat on a table at the end of her bed. She found the remote and switched it to mute before picking up the phone on her nightstand.

 

“Moshi Moshi?”

 

“Kagome? It's Inuyasha.”

 

“Hey!” she chirped, sitting up. “What's goin' on?” She looked at her alarm clock. 10:55. “It's late. Are you alright?”

 

“Yeah, I'm fine.” His voice didn't sound very convincing..

 

“Okay…what happened?”

 

“It's over.”

 

“Oh, really? That was fast.” She chuckled. “How did she take it?”

 

“No. Um, she dumped me.”

 

Kagome almost dropped the phone. “She what??”

 

“She dumped me.”

 

“Dumped you?” She almost laughed…there was a surprise. “Well then, are you okay?”

 

“Yeah…but the Junior Prom is next week and now I don't have a date.”

 

“Well, that's depressing.”

 

“Yeah.” He gave a long pause. “That's why I was calling…You see, Kikyo kinda revoked her date to the prom with me. You don't happen to have a date, do you?”

 

“Well, I wasn't really planning on going.”

 

“Oh…Well, Kagome, you wanna go with me?”

 

“No,” she answered flatly.

 

“Wha…!?!?!?! Why not!!”

 

“Cuz you don't really want to go with me.”

 

“Wha… Yeah I do!!”

 

“No you don't. You just want a date.”

 

“Well, yeah - but - Oh, come on!!”

 

“You'll be fine. Go by yourself.”

 

“Since when does the football captain go alone??”

 

“I'd say now.”

 

“No way! I can't go by myself! I'd be a laughing stock!”

 

“What about all those other girls who are crazy about you, I'm sure one of them would love to go.” Kagome laughed at her suggestion.

 

“No way! I'd die before I'd take one of those girls!”

 

“But you'd have a date.”

 

“But I'd die.”

 

“Then stop complaining.”

 

“Come on! Please go with me!!”

 

“No can do!”

 

“KAGO -”

 

Beep!

 

She hung up the phone. She giggled at herself. She loved messing with him like that. He never seemed to get the clue that she didn't like being the backup. True, he was one of her best friends, but she refused to let him just use her as a date whenever he needed it, no matter how popular he was.

 

The phone rang again. Caller ID?? Inuyasha.

 

“Moshi Moshi.”

 

Inuyasha inhaled deeply. “Kagome! I'm madly in love you; please go to the prom with…”

 

Beep!

 

“Idiot,” she murmured, handing up the phone.

 

“Kagome?” The door to her room opened and her mom stepped in. “Who was that one the phone?”

 

“Oh, It was just Inuyasha.”

 

Her mom nodded. “How's he doing? I haven't seen him in a while.”

 

“Him and Kikyo broke up.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah,” Kagome said, indifferently.

 

“So who's he going to the junior prom with?” (Her mom was one of those really involved kind.)

 

She chuckled. “I dunno. He wanted to go with me…”

 

“Really?”

 

Kagome nodded.

 

Her mom set a hand on Kagome's knee. “Now, sweetheart, I want you to be careful. I don't want you rushing into a relationship that you're not ready for.”

 

Kagome pushed her mom's hand off her knee. “Relax, mom! It's nothing like that! He just wanted a date! Besides, I'm dating Hojo, remember? Me and Inuyasha are just friends! Don't worry!”

 

“But, didn't he just say that..” her mom stopped.

 

“Just say what?”

 

“Well, I heard the phone rang so I picked it up, but you had just answered and…”

 

Kagome laughed. “Oh, that. He was just joking around. I'm telling you. Don't worry!”

 

Her mom put her hand on Kagome's cheek. “Alright, sweetie. I trust you.” She kissed her head. “Sleep good, okay?”

 

“Okay. Night, mom. Love you.”

 

Her mom stood up, turning out the light. “Good night, sweetie.” She started to walk out, but turned around. “Oh, and you said Inuyasha was looking for a part-time job, right?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Well, Grandpa said he could use some help around the shrine. If Inuyasha's interested, I'm sure Grandpa would love to have him.”

 

Kagome smiled. “Alright, thanks.” Yeah right, like I want my grandpa in charge of Inuyasha…that would be wonderful. Poor guy! Grandpa would give him such a hard time. Kagome didn't think about it much more before she fell asleep.

 

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His tux was freshly pressed. Not a spot of white showed on the black coat. Nice. I look nice.

 

It appeared as though his job at the Higurashi Shrine had paid off; it was the most expensive thing he had ever worn! His silver hair contrasted with the black, but it looked good. He had a splash of red in the carnation he wore under his left shoulder. He picked up a single velvet rose off his dresser, a blue ribbon around the stem. The red was his favorite color, the blue hers. He looked back in the mirror one more time, fixing his collar, rolling his shoulders, and running his hand over the top of his hair. It was his Senior Prom, and he had to look good.

 

His midnight blue truck waited in the driveway. Most of the guys with his kind of money had sports cars, but Inuyasha was completely content with the pick-up. After all, she liked it too. He laid the rose in the passenger seat as he lifted himself into the driver's, looking into the rear view mirror, fixing his hair again. He started the car and pulled out into the street. The drive was only a few minutes, but the closer he got the more the butterflies fluttered in his stomach. Why was he so nervous? This wasn't like him.

 

There it was. Her house. He stopped out on the street and got out. The walk to the front door seemed to last for miles. He reached for the doorbell, hesitating only slightly.

 

X_X_X

 

Her dress was long and flowing. It was a bright blue, silver and blue beads swirled down the entirety of the dress, poofing out at the bottom. It was strapless, something she had never worn before. Her hand bag matched perfectly, the beads hanging from the edges. She couldn't stop gazing at herself in the mirror. After all, the night had to be perfect; it was her senior prom. She heard the doorbell ring and the butterflies flew all over her body. I'm crazy! I shouldn't be nervous.

 

The door opened downstairs. She listened intently.

 

“Why, hello part-timer.” Her grandpa's voice.

 

“Hello, boss. Is Kagome ready?”

 

“Kagome!” he called up, “Date's here!”

 

She looked at herself in the mirror. The earrings! The earrings look terrible! She pulled the blue danglies from her ears and grabbed some silver chains with a star on the end of each, slipping them through the holes. There. That's better.

 

“Kagome??”

 

“Coming!” she called. She opened her hand bag, digging through it, making sure she had everything. Lipstick? Check. Cell Phone? Check. ID?

 

“Kagome!”

 

“I'm coming!!”

 

“Women…” Grandpa said walking away, leaving the boy standing at the door.

 

Kagome looked all over her room. We're going to be late!!! She was defiantly panicking at that point. Where was her Student ID?? She couldn't get in without one! There! She found it sitting on her bed. She stuffed it in the purse and walked out of her room, coming out onto the balcony at the top of the stairs. There he was.

 

X_X_X

 

Inuyasha's breath caught in his chest. Who was that?? That wasn't the girl he'd been friends with for so many years, was it? He had yet to move, speak, or take his eyes off of her as she came down the stairs. She reached the ground floor, still approaching the speechless hanyou.

 

“Good evening, Inuyasha,” she said quietly. Damn, he looks good. He gave half a smile, but made no reply. “What's wrong?” she asked, sounding a little concerned. “Do you not like it??” She looked down at her dress.

 

Inuyasha mouthed a “no! no!” but no voice came out. He closed his eyes and cleared his throat, bringing his senses together. Let's start over… “No, you look…” he paused and looked at her again. He spoke like he was surprised to be saying it, “…beautiful.”

 

She blushed. It was so strange to hear him say that to her. She had refused him the year before, but things were so much different now. She was sure that this time it wasn't a last minute I-need-a-date situation. In fact, she had been wanting to go to prom with him for quite some time. This time, she was sure that they both wanted nothing more than to be there -

 

Together.

 

He held out his arm.

 

Kagome took it gratefully.

 

X_X_X

 

Prom that night was wonderful. Kagome had never had more fun, or enjoyed being with Inuyasha so much in her life. They had not gone as boyfriend and girlfriend, only as friends, which relieved a load of pressure, and they were able to be themselves and truly enjoy the evening. Inuyasha won Prom King that night, which was a surprise to no one. He was by far the most popular guy at school. Kagome didn't expect to win Prom Queen, but she was a little agitated that Kikyo won it. For the prom king and queen pictures, Kikyo held Inuyasha's hand and they had to spend much of the evening together.

 

Grrr…stupid girl… she thought. Wait - was she jealous?? Well that was new. She had never been jealous of Inuyasha before. He had dated countless girls since they had become friends, and she had even dated a little, too. Neither of them had ever been jealous before, so what was the big deal now? Every time another flash went off, Kagome's jealousy raised just a little bit more. They looked so happy together, and they were ex-boyfriend and girlfriend, after all.

 

After the picture taking session had ended, Inuyasha exited the stage and looked around for his princess. He was taken by surprise with he appeared out of the crowd and was instantly embracing him. Kagome hugged him tight. He looked down at her, a “what the heck are you doing” expression on his face. It soon softened.

 

“Inuyasha…I'm so glad,” she paused, breathing him in. “I'm so glad to be here with you.”

 

He was still a bit surprised. She's really glad? He had never heard Kagome say anything that nice to him before. The nicest thing she had ever said was “yes” when he had asked her to prom. Was she serious? A cruel joke? He put one arm around the girl.

 

“Well, I'm glad to be here, too,” he said, not really meaning it at first. But she didn't let go of him, just buried her face into his chest. Then he realized that she was totally serious. He wrapped his other arm around her, holding her close. “With you,” he whispered.

 

She smiled, the butterflies ceasing to leave her stomach alone.

 

Then, Amuro Namie's song “Four Seasons” began playing over the sound of the crowd in the room. Inuyasha pried Kagome from around him and led her onto the dance floor. She had never been that much of a dancer, but Inuyasha led and she followed beautifully. She didn't think she had ever been happier in her whole life.

 

How did my feelings change so suddenly? She thought. This is Inuyasha I'm dancing with!! Somehow, though, that thought didn't bother her as much as she thought it would. I'm so nervous…a few weeks ago this would have been no big deal! Now all of a sudden - His touch…I feel like I'm melting all over. My head against his chest…I can hear his heart beating. Our hands…are mine shaking?! Kami, I hope not. I want…I want to stay like this forever. Could I be…falling in love with him??

 

Her hands are shaking. Is she that nervous? I hope I'm not doing something insanely wrong. How come she's so nervous?? This isn't like her. But somehow, this feels so right. I've wanted this since the day I met Kagome. And still… The words of the song rang in his head. “Four Seasons with your love…” Yes. Four Seasons…Kagome, I want to stay like this forever…Is it possible?? Have I fallen in love with her??

 

They danced throughout the end of the song, and into the next seven.

 

X_X_X

 

The midnight-blue truck stopped in front of the driveway. It was well past midnight. Inuyasha and Kagome sat through an awkward silence in the car. She looked at her rose, and though she made no expression, inside, she was bubbling over with joy for the best gift she had ever got. Inuyasha looked at her, and opened his door and got out. I'm such an idiot… He walked to her side and opened the door. She gave him a strange look.

 

“Why, Thank you, Inuyasha!” she beamed, stepping out of the truck. He once again offered her his arm and walked her to the front door. She didn't open it.

 

He released her arm, but instead took her hand in his. Her stomach fluttered again as he took her other hand and leaned back against the wall of the porch. He just gazed into her eyes. She jolted her eyes down the ground after a second, her cheeks beginning to turn pink. He squeezed one of her hands. She barely had time to look up before he pulled her in and kissed her. At first, surprise over took her and she almost pulled away, but a few seconds and she melted into the kiss. Inuyasha didn't want to let go. He didn't want the evening to end. He began to deepen the kiss when Kagome suddenly pulled away. She didn't let go of his hands, not wanting to leave either. She laid her forehead against his.

 

“Kagome..”

 

She released her hold on one of his hands and lifted two fingers to his lips. “Shh…You'll ruin it.”

 

He smiled, dropping her hands and pulling her in close to him, holding her tightly. She returned the embrace. Truly, the night had been perfect. After at least fifteen more minutes, Kagome finally went inside and Inuyasha left.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

The remainder of their third year in high school flew by. Word got out of Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship all over the school. Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka found it the most ironic and hilarious thing they had ever heard. Kagome still didn't quite understand the way her friends thought.

 

They had no classes together that year, but they begin to write letters, not emails, mind you, but old fashioned letters to each other. To anyone else, it might have seemed cheesy, but Kagome loved nothing more than checking the mail or even in her backpack sometimes, a letter from Inuyasha telling her how much she meant to him. Some letters were only a few sentences. “Thinking about you…you mean the world to me.” These material notes were little reminders of their blossoming romance.

 

Inuyasha and Kagome spent every waking moment of their summer together as well. He took her everywhere, spoiled her with small gifts of every kind. A lot of their time, though, they spent at Kagome's house. Inuyasha didn't much like living alone with his older brother, so he would often go to Kagome's place and help out around the house. Mrs. Higurashi was even becoming quite fond of him. She and Grandpa, however, continued to keep a close eye on the couple, making sure they never ended up doing something they would regret later. They also knew that their future plans would conflict, something they weren't sure if Inuyasha or Kagome had thought to consider.

 

Inuyasha had been accepted into a university in Kyoto. No big deal, right? He was still relatively close to home. Kagome, however, had been accepted by her dream college in America. She'd wanted to go there for years, and she had more sense to throw her dream out because of a boy. Right?

 

It was nearing the first semester of college, and when Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship had done nothing but grow over the past few months, her grandpa knew it was time to intervene. Inuyasha was still working for him at the shrine, and so he took that chance to have a talk with the boy…

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

“Yes, sir?”

 

“You and Kagome…You've grown quite close, haven't you?”

 

Inuyasha smiled. “Yes, sir.”

 

“Well, I, as any other intelligent person, have an eye for a growing relationship that could potentially lead to something as serious as…marriage.” The word seemed hard to pull out from his gut.

 

Inuyasha gulped. He didn't exactly know where this conversation was heading.

“Let me tell you now that I think you are a fine young man. You are hardworking, diligent, and you have a bright future.”

 

“Thank you, sir.”

 

“However, I also know that long distance relationships, especially one of such great distance can be like poison to, even a strong relationship such as yours. Kagome has her mind set on going to American for four years, and your heart is set in Kyoto. Now I'm not saying that it isn't possible, but four years apart is certainly a long time. If you believe that you can handle a relationship that serious, then I have no right to stop you. I do not want to see either of you hurt because of a four year long distance relationship. I care for you like a grandson, and I want you to make what you believe is the best choice. For you and for Kagome. Who knows, after four years and you both come home, you may find that your feelings have never died and you can start again. If not, then perhaps you were never meant to be together.” He paused and waited for Inuyasha to reply. When the hanyou didn't reply, he said, “What I'm saying is that, I think it would be best to end your relationship with my granddaughter until you have both returned home from college. Please consider everything I have told you, and I hope you make the best decision.” He patted Inuyasha on the back and walked away.

 

Inuyasha stood dumbfounded for a second, but his brain was processing all the information that Kagome's Grandpa had just given him, and he realized one thing: he was right. Inuyasha knew he wasn't ready for that serious of a relationship, he was only eighteen, after all! He and Kagome needed to both go to college and start a life alone before they needed to look for a life together.

 

Inuyasha thought it over, and went to Kagome. It was difficult, but they made the decision to end the “us” part of their relationship. Kagome left that semester to America, and Inuyasha went to college in Kyoto.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

 

Kagome still received an occasional phone call from Inuyasha. She was thrilled to death when her cell phone rang “Four Seasons.” (That was the ring it rang whenever Inuyasha called, for all you not-so-quick people. Haha! JK!) He called to check up on her to see how she was doing and so forth. They were back to being friends again. Inuyasha also continued writing letters, and she continued writing back. The plan worked for a while. They never saw each other, but they kept in contact. Had there feelings for each other died? Not at all. In fact, by the time spring rolled around, Inuyasha was doubting himself every time he picked up the phone to call her. It suddenly began to hurt him that he couldn't see her. He had a picture of her in his wallet, and he caught himself getting it out simply to look that photo. How was she? Was she enjoying herself? Did she miss him as much as he missed her?

 

Absolutely.

 

Kagome caught herself thinking about him during school. She hadn't dated any of the nice boys she had met. To her, her heart still belonged to Inuyasha. She felt nothing would change that.

 

Finally, Inuyasha couldn't take it anymore. It was a rainy night when he drove to the airport. Anyone would have thought he was crazy for doing it, but he left after his last class on Friday morning and headed to the airport. He didn't know exactly how to get a plane ticket, he'd never done it before, but he knew he had to. He boarded a 747 and flew non stop to America. It took some tracking down, but by Saturday at noon, he had found out where Kagome was staying.

 

X_X_X

 

It was on the third floor of the apartment complex. The complex was exclusively for college students who were staying off campus. He found the room, room 328. He had no idea what he was doing. He knocked.

 

The door slid open to the point where a small chain held it almost closed. An eye glanced out at the hanyou. Then it shut. It had not been Kagome. Oh CRAP, do I have the wrong place?!?

 

Suddenly the door swung all the way open and a one hundred-percent shocked Kagome stood in the door way.

 

“Inuyasha…What are you…”

 

“Shut up,” he said, pulling her into him. He held her so tight she didn't think she could breathe. But before she knew it, tears filled her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around him as well.

 

Her roommate turned off the TV and exited the room, giving them some privacy.

 

Kagome began sobbing, holding her face into his neck. “Oh, Inuyasha…I missed you so much.”

 

Inuyasha didn't say anything. No words he could say could express how he was feeling right then. He held her there, wishing to never let go. He couldn't do it anymore. He couldn't pretend not to have feelings for her. “Kagome…” he whispered into her ear. “I love you.” He pulled her closer. “Oh, I love you so much.”

 

A tear rolled down Kagome's face as she smiled. She knew. “I love you, too.”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

They knew it would be hard, but they wanted to stay together more than anything. They began a long distance relationship behind Kagome's family's back. They talked on the phone almost every night and Inuyasha snuck away and visited whenever he could. Kagome couldn't afford to fly home but on holidays, so Inuyasha managed to do most of the traveling. Their secret love lasted through the next year into the first semester of their second year. Christmas was approaching and Kagome was coming home for nearly a month. They knew it would be hard, but they had to keep their relationship a secret until after they both finished college. Inuyasha picked Kagome up at the airport when she arrived. She even told her parents her flight was landing an hour later than it did so that she and Inuyasha could spend that hour together. But inevitably, the time came for her to return home.

 

X_X_X

 

“Mama! Grandpa! Sota! I'm home!!” she called as she entered the front door. She was met by an array of hugs and kisses from all her family members. They were glad to see her home; it had been nearly a year.

 

“Sota, can you help me get my baggage up to my room? I still have a room, don't I?” she half joked. “I need to go call my roommate. She wanted to make sure I arrived back safe.”

 

“Okay, dear,” her mother said, “Just come down in a bit for supper.”

 

Sota helped his sister carry her things up and set them in her bed room. She looked around. “It's just as I remember it.” She glanced over and saw Buyo sitting lazily on the bed. “Well, hello, Buyo!” she exclaimed, picking up the cat and hugging it. It meowed and jumped down, leaving the room.

 

Sota smiled at his sister. “Have you enjoyed America?”

 

She nodded. “Yeah. Oh! And I brought you something.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a small box, giving it to her brother. It was a PS2 game. “You said you couldn't find this one anywhere, right? I saw it in a store a few weeks ago and I had to get it for you.”

 

“Gee, thanks, sis!” he said, giving her a hug. “You're accent's funny. You need to come home more often.”

 

Kagome laughed at his comment. All her friends in America were telling her the same thing, that she had a funny accent. At least she was getting used to speaking English, now it had messed up her Japanese.

 

Sota left the room to try out his new game, not shutting the door behind him.

 

Kagome pulled out her cell phone and dialed her friend's number. It rang, then someone picked up.

 

“Hello??”

 

“Hey, Sango! It's Kagome.”

 

“Hey! You're in Japan, I guess.”

 

“Yeah…”

 

Mrs. Higurashi walked down the hall to get Sota's dirty laundry. She heard part of Kagome's phone conversation that caught her attention.

 

“Inuyasha??...Yeah I've seen him. He met me at the airport…No they don't know. I'd be butchered alive if my grandpa knew we were back together…No…Yeah, we'll tell them eventually…Oh, okay. I'll talk to you later…Merry Christmas!...Bye.”

 

Kagome hung up the phone, looking up to see her mother standing in the door.

 

“That your roommate?”

 

Kagome nodded. “Sango.”

 

“What were you talking about?”

 

“An over the break…project.”

 

“Sounded more like Inuyasha to me.”

 

Kagome gulped.

 

They had been caught.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

This time…I know that I cannot pursue something that is not reasonable. I must forget Kagome, go one without her. If our paths cross again, then we can take that chance to start over. It's too much risk to keep going like this. We can't. I've promised Kagome's family that I will let her live her own life without interfering, and this time I won't go back on that promise. It will be hard, but I must be strong enough for her. I must erase what it left of what we had.

 

“Kagome, can I have your letters?” he asked.

 

It was raining outside, but Inuyasha had come to Kagome's house nonetheless.

 

“Letters?”

 

“The ones I wrote you. Can I have them?”

 

“Well then…can I have yours?”

 

Inuyasha shook his head. “I'm going to get rid of them. Please, it's for the best, just let me have them before you leave tomorrow.” Inuyasha's voice was weak and desperate. Kagome hated hearing him sound like that. She ran upstairs and opened a drawer of her desk. All of the letters lay inside. She gathered them, trying not to cry.

 

“Here,” she said, handing them over. Inuyasha's hand was shaking as he took them. He stuffed them inside his jacket to keep them dry. He nodded. “Have fun at school.”

 

She didn't reply, but started crying.

 

“Don't…”

 

She threw her arms around him. “Please, Inuyasha! Please don't do this! I…”

 

Inuyasha hugged her back, but did not let it last long. He withdrew and began walking away.

 

She watched him leave, tears flowing.

 

“Goodbye, Inuyasha.”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

It had stopped raining several hours ago. Inuyasha was watching the clock. It was two thirty. He went out in his garage and found an empty old tackle box, taking it up to his room. He put Kagome's letters in them, and opening up his desk drawer, pulled out another stack of letters and placed them inside. There was one more, one that had yet to be sealed in an envelope. He found the paper on his bed, folding it and sticking it in an envelope. He wrote Kagome's name on the outside and set it on top of the other letters, closing and locking the box.

 

X_X_X

 

That was what Inuyasha was doing at three in the morning in Kagome's front yard. He knew he couldn't let the past ruin their potential for a future. He didn't want the letters gone forever, but here he would never see them again, God willing. He left Kagome's house that night in the lowest place on Earth.

 

“Goodbye, Kagome.”

 

He got in the truck and sat there, thinking. He dropped his head until it hit the top of the steering wheel. A tear rolled down his cheek. That was the hardest thing he had ever done. He started the ignition. Could he go anywhere? He started moving, and without really thinking about it, turned his truck around and drove past Kagome's house one last time.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: There ya have it. Man, that's a horrible place to stop, but it's late. The next chappy will be up soon! Don't worry!