A/N: This is one very revised version of A Feudal Soap Opera. This was my first fic and for those who read it before I revised it thank you. I know it was a mess which is why I pulled it in the first place. It's back though and much better so enjoy it. I'll put the chapters out as I revise them which should be pretty quickly.

Chapter One: And so it begins

It was a quiet day ordinary in the Feudal era. Well maybe quiet wasn't the word fort it.

"OSUWARI !" screamed Kagome. As usual Inuyasha was making another failed attempt to stop Kagome from returning to her time. It was a reoccurring theme with these two.

"What'd you do that for?" whined Inuyasha. Of course, he knew exactly why, but that did nothing to stop the surge of anger that overtook him. "Are you in that much of a hurry to see that Hobo guy?" he snapped, speaking out of anger.

"His name isn't Hobo it's Hojo and I just might go see him you jerk! At least he appreciates me." and with that Kagome turned on her heels and stormed over to the well. She stuck her tongue out before she swinging her legs over the lip and dropping down."Damn it! She knows we have to find the damned shards." he grunted indignantly crossing his arms. Then with an immature huff, Inuyasha jumped into a nearby tree to sulk. He felt empty when Kagome went to her time. It was as if a gaping void had appeared in his chest. It was as if when she left his heart went with her. He couldn't help being in love with her, but he wouldn't admit that not even to himself.

"Sulking again I see." came a voice from below Inuyasha's tree. Inuyasha glanced down allowing deep growl to rumble in his throat.

"I'M NOT SULKING !" he snapped, grateful for a place to vent his frustrations. "What, I can't sit in my tree monk?"
Miroku sighed. "I'm not saying that Inuyasha." replied the monk, waving his hands dismissively. "By all means go right ahead. Just try not to miss Kagome too much. She will come back, she always does."

"Who said I was missing that wench?" snapped Inuyasha through clenched teeth. Who was that lecher to tell him what he was thinking, what he was feeling? He was only vaguely aware that his anger had everything to do with the truth in his words.

Miroku held up his hands defensively. "Just forget I said anything, Inuyasha." and with that he made his hasty retreat, leaving the hanyou to his sulking.

In the absence of Miroku, Inuyasha fell deep into thought. He stared with unfocused eyes at the horizon. Why do I always feel so.... empty.... when she is gone? He wondered. It's like something is missing, something vital. Could I really be in love with Kagome? Impossible! That can't be it! Or maybe… Damn, why is this so hard to figure out?

His mind generated more questions than answers as he spiraled into depression. Regardless of how he felt he knew it amounted to nothing if she didn't feel the same. This was a bitter sweet realization to say the least.

So what if I do love her, he thought bitterly, she'd never feel the same. He idoly tugged at the rosary around his neck. Suddenly it seemed so much smaller than before. I probably mean nothing to her, just some pet for her to control. He tugged harder realizing he didn't have the strength to move it. Even still, I have to know. Can she love me?

He shook his head hard to shake the thoughts from his mind. He had to apologize to her to start. He had to apologize then go from there. He nodded to himself resolutely and crouched on his branch. With his newfound confidence he jumped from his tree and slipped straight down the well allowing himself to slip through time

Back in Kagome's time she sat on her bed thinking back to the argument she and Inuyasha had just engaged in. Why must we always have to have those arguments stupid every time I want to go home? Does he want those Shikon shards that bad or could he...? Kagome shook her head violently to stop those thoughts from gaining a foot hold. No, that can't be It, he loves Kikyo not me. It has to be the shards. Her mood darkened as she continued to ponder their morbid love triangle. Then suddenly her mother's voice snatched her from her revere.

"Kagome your little friend Hojo is here." called Mrs. Higurashi

"I'll be down in a minute mom." called back Kagome.

There was no point in sitting around worrying about a certain hanyou who doesn't care anything about me when I have someone who does care downstairs, she thought. Who needs Inuyasha? I'll show him. With that she dressed quickly and hurried down to meet Hojo. He beamed brightly when she came into view.

"So where to Hojo?" asked Kagome grateful for the distraction

"I thought you might like to go to the movies with me and then maybe the park?" He smiled a sheepish smile feeling quite unsure of himself. Or a least that's how it appeared to her. "Just for fun, of course. Not like a date or anything!" He explained hurriedly afraid he'd lose this opportunity; he'd gotten this far after all.

"Ok." Kagome smiled a sweet smile at him. It sounded a lot like a date to her, but she decided to let it be. She could use the distraction

"Great." said Hojo. He offered an arm and Kagome took it gracefully.

The two of them walked arm in arm toward the movie theater. Hojo's face was plastered with a goofy smile as he strode down the walkway with Kagome on his arm. Kagome's expression was the picture of determination as she walked along side him. Yes, thought Kagome, this will show Inuyasha I don't need him. The fact that Inuyasha would know nothing about this little outing never seemed to enter into her mental equation.

Hours simply slipped away like minutes, but neither seemed to notice where time had slipped off to. Kagome had been having a nice time. She had seen a good movie and had thoroughly enjoyed their stroll through the park. She now found herself sitting on a bench with Hojo as the sun slipped away in a veil of deep oranges and blues.

"Thanks for a wonderful time Hojo." said Kagome politely. It had been just the distraction she needed, but given the day she had had she was dead asleep on her feet. Something about going from battling demons to a date centuries away takes a lot out of a person.

"You're welcome Kagome." said Hojo cheerfully. That's when he decided to make his move. Awkwardly, he slipped his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer. He'd seen it a dozen times before and so far it played out like all his fantasies had, more or less. He was no longer thinking with his head, but had instead handed over control to a more primitive part of his anatomy. Kagome tensed at the sudden movement, surprised by his daring. What is he thinking, thought Kagome, this is making me a bit uncomfortable. She had never expected Hojo to be so… forward. Just when she turned to him to tell him to let go she found she didn't see him anymore. As she gazed into his eyes she saw Inuyasha smiling down on her holding her. As her imagination went wild she relaxed into Hojo and laid her head on his chest, much to his delight. She laid there content in her delusion, a delusion that would nearly cost her everything.

A/N: Next chapter coming soon. I actually originally was going to have her hallucinations be because she's so tired, but now I'm thinking something a bit more devious.