DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS OF INUYASHA!

CHAPTER 1

Clawed fingers dug into the windowsill as golden eyes widened at the sight before them. Those unworldly orbs blinked slowly as the owner tried to process exactly what it was he was viewing. Sweat sheened a perfectly unlined forehead and the late afternoon breeze was welcomed as it helped to cool skin that had suddenly become overheated. Ever so slightly, a wicked grin curved the full lips of the man at the window as he overcame his initial shock and decided to enjoy the show…

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Kagome Higurashi stretched slightly on the beach towel that she had placed in her backyard and basked in the sensation of the warm sun caressing her body. Under large sunglasses, her eyes were closed as she drifted in and out of a light sleep. Earlier on, she had removed her bikini top and now reclined on the towel in a miniscule scrap of white that barely covered the essentials. She had no fear of being discovered however, as one of the reasons why she had purchased her beloved home was because of it's isolation – only one other house stood nearby and for the three years that she had been living here, no one else had shown even the slightest interest in purchasing a place so far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Thinking back on her decision to move out into the country, her normally sensual mouth twisted bitterly. It was amazing how her life could have changed so drastically within the space of a year….twelve months…from soaring through the heights of Heaven, to writhing in the depths of Hell. And she had one person to blame for it all….one person who she thought had loved her for who she was, not what she represented.

She sighed as she pillowed her head on her arms, the heat of the sun soaking into the muscles of her exposed back. Her mind began to drift, back to the painful memories of the past that up to today, she was unable to set herself free from.

*Four Years Ago*

'Of course I mean it, Sango,' Kagome laughed as she maneuvered through the throngs of people on the busy sidewalk. She rolled her eyes at the pigeons lined up on the telephone wires overhead and smiled as she noticed how clear the sky was. Today was going to be a beautiful day.

She was trying to convince her best friend that she would not be setting her up that night. It was Sango's 30th birthday and the older girl had freaked earlier that week when the fact that the big 3-0 was actually almost upon her. Kagome had been there to witness the entire episode and her lips twitched as she recalled Sango draped dramatically across the living room sofa, her lithe body clad in nothing but a lacy bra and boyshorts, bemoaning the fact that she was getting old and that she could already see her boobs starting to sag in depression.

At twenty eight, Kagome didn't understand the terror of turning thirty….she was perfectly happy with her life. She had a killer job, great friends, she was beautiful and intelligent and while she didn't have, or want, a steady boyfriend, she did date a couple of guys off and on. Her attention turned back to the conversation as she heard her name called. 'Sorry Sango, can you repeat? I missed that last sentence.' Her lips curved in a smile. 'Sure thing hon, I'll be at your apartment at 10pm on the dot and we'll turn this town upside down!' Unfortunately for Kagome, she was so engrossed in making arrangements with her friend, that she was completely unaware that the traffic light had turned red, just as she was about to step off the pavement.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist and jerked her back, just as the first car passed directly over the spot where she was standing less than a second ago, horn blaring. Kagome gasped in shock and raised stunned chocolate brown eyes to her savior. Her breath caught again at the sight of the tall, handsome man holding her, his long silver hair and predatory golden eyes making her feel weak inside.

'Are you okay?' he asked, in a low, smooth voice that had her snapping her mouth shut in case she began to drool.

'Y-yes. I am,' she stuttered. 'Thanks to you, that is.'

He grinned at her and she caught a flash of fangs before they were once more concealed. 'It was my pleasure.' He released her waist and nodded at the phone that she still had gripped in her left hand. 'I think I can hear your friend yelling your name though.'

"Hmmmmm? Ohmigosh! Sango!' Kagome exclaimed. She placed the phone by her ear and tried to calm her frantic friend. By the time she had finished explaining what had occurred, her rescuer had vanished into the distance.