Disclaimer: I do not own the cute, fuzzy ears that are on top of the hanyou head (the head I also do not own)

Author's Notes: I remember writing this story in a very depressed state of mind. It's interesting to revise it so many years later with a different frame of thought. This is the sad version of this story (for the happy version go read the next chapter) but I think that it ends on a very hopeful note. As always, read and review!

Remembering One Summer Day

Ending #1

The summer sky consisted of a vast array of colors swirling around the setting sun. It was exactly sunset now, long after his reverie had begun. Inuyasha hadn't even realized how long he had been staring at it until the flurry of colors reached his senses.

His pupils were slits as he went over his thoughts. Their hunt for the shards of the Shikon-No-Tama had been getting ever more successful. Several new jewel shards had been added to their quickly growing collection. It would only be a matter of time before the only shards left to hunt were the ones in Naraku's possession. He knew that when that time came the shards would not be given up quietly or without a fight. He knew it would be a battle to the death.

A resounding smack could be heard for miles around. It was a sign that a certain monk had gotten too close to a blushing demon hunter. Shippou, he knew, was out with Kaede – picking herbs for the scratches and bruises that were part of running around in feudal Japan. At least one young miko's bruises also came from hopping in and out of time-travel inducing wells.

Death. He'd never really considered the death of any of his companions. No matter how dangerous their journeys got, the possibility of one of them dying had just never crossed his mind. Knowing he was there to protect him made it seem a needless worry. But now the fear was painfully real.

Sometimes the dread consumed him so much that he found it painful to look at her. But in certain moments, like the one that was occurring that summer day looking at her was all he wanted to do.

The dim light formed a halo around her swirling raven hair. As the breeze from her run settled down so did her hair – all over her face. He snorted and moved towards her. Even after he had moved the hair from her face his thumb idly stroked her cheek. She blushed under his heated gaze and in an attempt to break the silence she sat down promptly on the hillside grass.

"Inuyasha…" She began uncomfortably.

"Kagome…" He wasn't quite sure where to began.

Instead he knelt down in front of her and slowly placed his head onto the girl's lap. The sun had fully set now and his hair became the color of the incoming night. Her hands brushed his hair away this time, clearing the path for her to stare into his amethyst eyes. They both knew that they would give anything for that one moment to go on forever. But the day had grown old and her own time, her own life was calling her back into the well. She smiled sadly and he understood.

They got up and made their way towards the portal that would send her away, at least for now. Just as she was about to jump in he reached out and took hold of her hand. There were no words. Instead he gave her hand a light squeeze and leaned in just close enough to catch her scent. Suddenly the desire overcame him and he pressed his lips fervently against hers. She was so soft, so warm, so sweet.

It was only a split second but that kiss, that day – he knew, would remain with them forever. For now she had to return to her own time. Gently he leaned in and whispered something into her ear. He didn't have to look at her to know she was smiling.

Hesitantly he loosened his grip on her and moved away. He wasn't quite the same stubborn half demon that Kagome had encountered all those years ago. Soon enough their quest would be over and she would go back to her own time forever. He wouldn't fight it. He would not try to stop her. He knew it now. She knew it now. How they felt. That was enough.

"It's over, it's finally over."

It was winter of that same year and the heat of the summer was long gone. The cold air carried the scent of death around the battle field. A fallen monk, an unmoving fox demon, the crumpled form of a dead demon hunter, a motionless human girl and finally the rotting corpse of a slain Naraku formed a grotesque carpet on that same hill from so long ago. The only living creatures left were two, full, dog demons. One seemed to remove himself from the whole scene – waiting patiently. The other moved towards the lifeless human girl.

Once again he knelt down and let his head rest on her lap. Half a year ago he had expected to have to let her go for good. But not like this, never like this. He would have preferred to lose her to time than to death.

One more time he was forced to move away from her…to let her go. Blinded by pain he began to follow his brother into the safety of the Western Lands. But after only after a few paces he turned around and caught sight of the setting sun again. The tears fell and he found himself remembering that summer day from so long ago. He couldn't stop himself from repeating the words he had whispered to her then.

"I love you Kagome."

Silently he vowed to remember that summer day for as long as it would take. That day when he had realized that he had truly fallen for the girl from the future. The day he had known he would wait for her forever. Until they met again.

Author's Note: Aah. Tragedy and angst. My forte! If you want the warm and fluffy ending go ahead and move along to the next chapter.