For those of you that do not know what is going on….this is my re-written version of the story. With the help of Birdhummingalong (Partner in crime) I was able to get some creative juices flowing for this story. Not everything has changed, but then again, a lot has changed. I'll let you read and find out. Here is chapter one of Imaginary friend.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with Inuyasha or anything else that refers to Movies, Books, or the like. The only thing that I own is Dai and the story line!

Chapter one

From the time Kagome could remember she had been in an orphanage. Always alone, always an outsider or a freak, yes, freak is what some of the kids often called her. She knew she didn't fit in and it hurt her even more when the other kids bullied her. Finally, when Kagome had turned ten years old, she had gained what none of her tormenters could ever take away, an imaginary friend.

"It's so unfair! Ugh, I just—"

"What's unfair, what's wrong?"

Kagome gasped, sniffling as she looked sharply up at the thick tree branches above her, no one was there, only little bits of sunlight and blue sky peeking out through the shiny leaves. "What—who's there, where are you?" She was so started that she started crying even harder, hiding her face in her tiny hands "Your not going to hurt me like they do are you…" and then tears over took her, as she started heaving with new, wet sobs.

"Uh…" The voice said nothing, as if like a child caught in the act of wrong doing. "No wait, don't cry—I'm not going to hurt you, I would never—look I'm not anywhere, I'm in your head!" he growled as she continued crying, and then sighed, "I'm here to make things better."

"REALLY!" She yelled, now suddenly angry as she glared up at the calm, taunting branches above her. How will you do that? Will you take me away from here, can you even do that? What even are you?" she began to sob even harder, that is, until she realized how gentle the voice sounded as he began to speak to her again.

"No, I can't do any of that, but I can ease your loneliness and pain because…I am here as your friend."

"My" Kagome's eyes widened as her tears dried, and her heart sped up. "My Imaginary Friend? You mean, I have a friend now…" She couldn't believe it, friends were the beings of myth to her. Like princesses, unicorns, and loving parents. She'd read about them in books and seen how cruel others gained them so easily. But a friend…for her? Like touching the stars, this was something she had never thought possible.
"Yes" the voice confirmed.

"I've never had one of those before" she said softly, giving her first timid smile "What's your name?" She then felt a touch of warmth as though her imaginary friend were smiling back.

"Inuyasha."

"Oh, that's a nice name." She paused, wondering how she was to go about this whole friend thing. "So Inuyasha, I can talk to you anytime I want?"

"Uh-huh."

"About anything I want?"

"Uh-huh."

"And you'll talk back?"

"Uh-huh."

"Mumbling 'Uh-huh' isn't really talking back to me you know…" She mentioned with a frown.

She felt him laugh as his words warmed in the spaces of her mind, "Yes, you can talk to me anytime you want, just as long as you visit this tree. And yes, you can confide in me, and I will do my best to help you."

"Good." She smiled, snuggling up against the rough bark, her eye lids drooping with crying induced sleep. "…Then there is just one more thing to settle…"

"What?"

"That's…just it, what you are. I have to decide what you are…"

"But I already told you I am your Imag—"

"Oh, I know what you are." She interrupted, as she shifted to lay her head on her hands. "Your my wonderful..."She thought back to the folklore and stories she'd read, the ones she couldn't keep out of her mind. "Vampire."

He went by the name of Inuyasha and he was her vampire. She never saw him and he always spoke to her in her mind. They shared secrets and dreams, like how she dreamed, just like any orphan, that one day she could have family and friends. And soon, to her delight, Inuyasha started to tell her about his adventures. Their friendship grew and grew, as the warm and happy feelings continued to grow in her. When the day came that Kagome turned thirteen she was going to be adopted. She was so excited that she went to her quiet place to talk to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, are you there?" Kagome asked out loud as she sat down at her favorite tree.

A soft chuckle echoed in her head. "I am always here, I told you that! Why are you so happy, little Choucho?"

Kagome smiled. "There is a family here who wants to adopt me! Isn't that great Inuyasha?"

Kagome could hear him sigh.

"That is great, Kagome. I am happy that you have finally found a family after all of these years. I hope that you are happy with them."

Kagome smiled. If she closed her eyes she could almost see him. Well, most of him that is. Over the years he would never show himself to her but he would show her an image of himself. He would never show his face, but she could see the rest of his body.

"Thank you, Inuyasha. They said that they would come get me tomorrow and that I could have a real birthday!" She said excitedly.

"I am glad to hear you sound this way, Kagome and I hope that it will stay this way."

Kagome frowned. "Inuyasha, what's wrong?" She asked, concerned for the friend she had grown to love.

"Kagome, I am sorry, but I cannot go with you… It is time for you to start living your life."

She gasped. "No, you can't leave me! Why can't you stay with me?" She almost shouted.

Inuyasha appeared in her mind, again not showing his face. "You have a family now, Kagome. You can finally be happy, but do not worry. When you are ready, I will be back for you, my little choucho, and you will become my bride!"

Kagome could almost see his smile through her tears. "Inuyasha, please don't go!"

"Until we meet again, Kagome, remember I am always here for you."

Ten years later

Kagome sat alone at the Goddess Divine book store, a book store her and her best friend Sango own together. She was bent over the counter with her head resting in the palm of her hand. Today was an unusually slow day but to Kagome, she couldn't even tell. Her mind was on the dream she had last night, the same dream she has been having for the past year and a half. It was always about her time in the orphanage right before she was adopted. In the dream she would talk to someone in her mind. It was mind boggling to her. She had no memory of ever talking to someone in her mind and yet in her dream it was as real as if it did happen.

She shook her thoughts away and looked at the clock. 8:30, I wonder if Sango was up, she thought to herself. Kagome was always the first one here because of Sango's schooling.
Sango was Kagome's best friend and confidant. They became friends when Kagome was adopted. They had met at school. Partners in crime and sister at heart, is what Sango said.
Kagome grabbed her phone and decided to text her.

Kagome: Hey are you up?

Sending the text she waited for her friend to reply back. After a few minutes she did.

Sango: Yep, I was waiting for your text!

Kagome smiled. After two years of getting up this early she had unknowingly got Sango into the routine as well.

Kagome: I am at the store. Coffee?

Sango: Be there in five!

Kagome laughed. "Works every time!" She said to herself, putting her phone in her pocket.
"I might as well finish stalking the shelves before Sango gets here!"

And with that she went to work. A few minutes later the front door slammed open, revealing Sango doubled over trying to catch her breath.

"I..*huff*…made it..*huff*!"

Kagome laughed and poured her friend some coffee. "Well, I think that's a record!" She said glancing down at her watch. "Yep, with only a minute to spare!"

Sango groaned and flopped on to her chair. "Kagome, you are way too scary happy in the morning!" She said grudgingly.

Kagome laughed and brought her some coffee. "Here take your medicine and you will feel better," Kagome said and handed her the cup.

Sango stuck her tongue out at her and took a drink. "Oh that is amazing!" She mumbled.

Kagome laughed and got out the paper work from the night before so she could have it ready. Two hours later they opened the store and let everyone in. Kagome wouldn't say that they were extremely popular but they did have a lot of business coming their way. As the day went on the two stayed busy until it was almost eight, closing time!

Sango had already left leaving Kagome to close the store. She closed up shop and began her short walk to her apartment. It was a regular night. Not too cold, but not exactly warm either. She pulled her sweater close. Hopefully tonight would end up with her getting some good sleep for once.