Nesha: Hello! I'm going to do something different. This is my FIRST shot at an angst type of fic. So, right now I don't know how it'll turn out. I'm doing this fic after my favorite female singer. Her songs inspired me to do this so, I hope you enjoy it!

People, this story takes place in present day 2003, not the past! And everyone is human.

Ages: Inuyasha - 24, Kikyou - 23, Kagome - 16, Kaede - 17, Miroku - 21, Sango - 19, Shippo – 14, Kohaku – 16.

Mariah Chapter 1: "Love Takes Time"

Inuyasha was sitting in the park having a picnic with his friends. It was a beautiful, summer day in Tokyo, and even though he'll never admit it, he liked having them around. But inside he was hurting, something was missing.

Kagome held tight to his arm, smiling and chatting with Sango, Miroku, and Shippo. She looked up and noticed Inuyasha's expression. His eyes seemed... distant.

"Inuyasha," She asked. Inuyasha looked down at her. "What's wrong?"

Inuyasha stared at her. He took in her lovely ivory face, her soft black hair, which was gently blowing in the wind, her cocoa brown eyes, and her full, pink lips. He'd be lying if he said she wasn't beautiful. But looking at her only reminded him of.

"Nothing," he frowned. Kagome looked down and noticed his cup of ramen noodles were untouched. This was strange because, Inuyasha loves ramen.

"You didn't eat your noodles. You're not hungry?" Kagome blinked, looking at her "boyfriend." Inuyasha's frown deepened, but then his face became softer. There was no need to get mad at Kagome. It wasn't her fault because he felt a certain way about a certain someone.

"No." Inuyasha stood. "Look, I'm going for a walk." Before Kagome could reply, he turned around, and walked away from the group. Sango, Shippo, and Kagome blinked, wondering what was going on with him. Miroku remained quiet. He knew what was going on, but he wasn't going to address it to the group. It was clear as crystal that Inuyasha misses Kikyou.

Inuyasha kicked rocks along his path. He dug his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans, frowning. He remembered the day as if it were yesterday.

Flashback

Kagome stood to Inuyasha's right, and Kikyou stood to his left. It was a cold, winter night. Kikyou was wrapped in a red wool coat, which stopped at her ankles. She wore a matching red hat to protect her head and ears against the wind. To keep her hands from freezing, Kikyou had them deep in her coat pockets. Her eyes showed sadness, like… she knew what was going to happen tonight.

Kagome wore a pink coat, and matching pink gloves and earmuffs. Her eyes held a worried expression. Inuyasha could tell she was depressed, but she tried to keep up appearances. She smiled weakly at him, and looked at Kikyou. Kikyou frowned at Kagome. Her expression blamed Kagome for everything that was wrong.

Inuyasha, draped in a thick, black, leather jacket, stared at both of them. Kikyou's eyes were pleading, practically begging him not to go… not to leave her.

"Inuyasha," she cried. "Don't go, don't leave me for her! I love you. I always have, you know that, since we were little kids. You can't let a child come between us!"

Kagome became angry. Sure, she was young, but once Inuyasha sees that she can do whatever Kikyou can do, he won't see her as a child any longer.

"Inuyasha," Kagome screamed. "I am not a child!" Her eyes held tears. They would've poured down, but she blinked them in place. "I love you, too. And I'm not going to let you go!" Kagome smiled on the inside. She always gets what she wants. And what she wanted was Inuyasha. No one ever told her no, and it wasn't about to start now.

"Don't listen to her," Kikyou said. Inuyasha looked at her, so beautiful, yet sad. He remembered the times they shared as children. She was the only one who befriended him. Everyone picked at him and call him names because he was mixed. Kikyou was the only one who'd given him a chance. Before he knew it, they were friends, then lovers… sharing their first kiss, to losing their virginity to each other. He smiled at that thought. He also became accepted in high school. He suddenly became popular, because he was Kikyou's boyfriend. Ruling the school, he remembered being crowned Prom King, and the lovely Kikyou as his Queen. His smile became wider as he remembered they said they'll remain together forever. Ah... high school sweethearts. Those were some good times.

Kagome saw Inuyasha's smile and became worried. He was going to choose her! Not if she could help it! There was still time to turn this around.

Present Day

Inuyasha sat on a rock, staring at the sky. The sun was showing colors of pink and red orange, letting him know that evening was coming soon. How long he'd been away from the group? He didn't know and really didn't give a damn.

He only knew one thing: he missed Kikyou dearly. He made a terrible mistake that night, and he regretted it.

Flashback

"We shared some nice time, Inuyasha." Kagome replied. "I was there for you when she wasn't!" Kagome pointed in Kikyou's direction. Inuyasha held his head down. This was true. During their time in high school, some jealous jerk-off named Naraku turned them against each other. Apparently, he and some of his loser friends set Kikyou and Inuyasha up. They let them think that one was being unfaithful to the other. Kikyou was heated, as well as Inuyasha. So the couple decided to take some time apart from each other.

Depressed and hurt, Inuyasha met Kagome and her friends. The welcomed him with open arm, and reluctantly, he joined them. They shared great times together; going to the movies, hanging out at the mall, and just chilling and having a good time as a group.

Slowly, but surely, and attraction developed between him and Kagome. There was no denying it; Kagome was there when Kikyou thought she betrayed him. For that, he was grateful, but his heart belonged to Kikyou, and Kagome knew that from the beginning. Even though she was young, Kagome was determined to make Inuyasha see that he didn't need Kikyou.

After Inuyasha and Kikyou settled their differences, they became a couple again. They learned the truth about Naraku. He had some sick obsession with Kikyou, and was out to destroy her. Both he and Kikyou made sure Naraku and his friends paid for what they did. in the worst way! They gotten suspended for it, but it was worth it.

Even though he and Kikyou made peace, he still couldn't forget about Kagome. She was the next person who treated him with kindness, besides Kikyou. And her friends welcomed him. He was accepted, not because he was someone's girlfriend, but because they wanted to get to know him, for him!

Inuyasha stared at her. Kagome's eyes filled with water again, but she held them back. Kikyou was about the reply to her statement, but Kagome wasn't finished yet.

"Inuyasha, I know you care for me. All you have to do is give me a chance." Kagome looked down. "I know you and Kikyou had a relationship, but… you and I can build one of our own. And you'll see I can make you happy. I'll stick by you no matter what." Kagome's young face held hopes. Hopes that one day she and he will be together.

Inuyasha looked at Kikyou. She stood there motionless and mute. Kikyou knows him better than anyone else. So she knew what Inuyasha was about to do. Before he could make a move, Kikyou walked towards him and gently kissed him. She looked at him and her facial expression broke his heart. Tears were rolling down her pale cheeks, but because of the cold air, they froze to her face. Her eyes were cloudy, and her lips were in a soft pout.

"Inuyasha-" Kikyou whispered so only he could hear.

"Please try to understand." Inuyasha whispered back.

Present Day

Inuyasha choked back a sob. Kagome was a lovely young girl, and he hoped someday she'll find someone to love her. He'll always love her, but not in the way she wants. But, as much as he tried to ignore it, Kikyou was the one for him. It was like they were destined for each other. She invaded his thoughts and his dreams. He just couldn't get her out of his system. And he didn't want to, his body wouldn't function right. He was told that love takes time to heal, but he knew exactly what would heal him.

Flashback

What were they saying? Kagome couldn't hear their conversation from where she stood. And how dare that bitch kiss him? And right in front of her!

"That Kagome needs me. I-" Inuyasha didn't finish his sentence because Kikyou began screaming at him.

"No, I don't understand," she cried. This time, tears were streaming wildly down her face. "I don't understand why you're leaving me for her!" Kagome heard her loud and clear. "What, I'm not good enough for you? Everything was perfect until she came along! Inuyasha... don't-do-this-to- me. I can't afford to be heartbroken, again."

Inuyasha embraced Kikyou in a hug. For a moment, time stopped. It was just the two of them. Nothing else mattered. Everything was perfect until.

"I owe it to her." Inuyasha whispered in her ear. "She's young and fragile. She wouldn't know how to react if I told her I don't love her." Kikyou softly gasped. "Kikyou, I love you. I always will." He pulled out of their embrace, and walked over to Kagome. She wrapped her arm around him and spoke.

"You made the right choice. I won't let you down." Kagome's eyes held joy. Inuyasha smiled weakly, and they walked into the night. He left Kikyou crying her eyes out.

"I'll never forgive you Inuyasha! Never!"

Present Day

Kikyou wouldn't want anything to do with him. He betrayed her. He left her for another woman. But he tried to make her understand that he owed it to Kagome. He treasured their friendship. And that's what they had- friendship. He recalled the countless of times she asked him to make love to her. Every time she asked, he refused. There was no need to take their friendship to that level. And besides, he couldn't see himself making love to any other woman, except Kikyou. Inuyasha sighed.

Could his life get any worse?

"Feel any better?"

Inuyasha turned around and faced a dark-haired, dark-eyed person. He frowned.

"What do you want?" Inuyasha faced the opposite direction again.

"I know what's wrong," Miroku replied to his back. "I know you're still in love with Kikyou."

"You don't know anything!" Inuyasha never faced him. Miroku walked toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Inuyasha let the hot tears stream down his face. Normally, he wouldn't let anyone see him cry, but his whole attitude was "fuck it." He didn't care anymore.

"What about Kagome," Miroku asked. "Does she know?"

Inuyasha hesitated. Maybe he needed someone to talk to about this. "I've tried to give her hints… that I wanted nothing more than her friendship. I tried to tell her, but she doesn't want to listen. She still believes that I love her."

"Maybe you led her on."

"HOW!" Inuyasha spun around causing Miroku to jump. "I told her I was grateful for her friendship. She was there when Kikyou wasn't, yes, but she knew I had feelings for her!"

"True," Miroku sighed. "But perhaps she thinks you love her because you chose her instead of Kikyou."

"Miroku, you know why I did that!" Inuyasha only told Miroku why he made the decision he made. Instead of receiving the annoying responses he would've received from everyone else, Miroku listened and understood.

"She's your first love," he replied. "You and Kikyou have a special bond. And believe it or not, she loves you, too."

Inuyasha remembered her last words. Even though she told him she'll never forgive him, he knew it he felt it in his heart that Kikyou loved him, too.

"Come on," Miroku said. Inuyasha walked towards him. "Let's get back to the group." They walked in the direction towards their friends, but Inuyasha stopped Miroku.

"I'm going after her," he said.

Miroku stopped in his tracks. "You can't be serious!"

"I am. I'm sick of waiting, wanting, and needing her. I'm going to her place, now!"

"What about Kagome and the rest?" Miroku asked as he quirked an eyebrow.

"Tell them whatever you want, but I'm going to see Kikyou." Inuyasha ran in the opposite direction towards Kikyou's apartment.

Miroku blinked in Inuyasha's direction, but he didn't try to stop him. Inuyasha wanted to be with the one who he loved, and there's nothing wrong with that, is it?

Inuyasha ran until he saw the street. He hailed a taxi, and climbed in. He told the driver the address to Kikyou's apartment. Someone told him that love takes time to heal, but time was running out. Time wasn't on his side, and he needed Kikyou, now!

Nesha: That's the first chapter. Tell me whatcha think! I thought it was kind of sad and sweet. He's going back to his true love. sniffles Go Inuyasha, go… dammit!