[AN: There's a few things you should know before reading this. One, this is based off the American version of the show. Two, I'm using information found online for specific dates – birthdays for example may not be correct. Three, I'm excluding certain episodes that would have brought the show to a final conclusion – such as Kagome and Inuyasha getting married and defeating Naraku. It's all just for fun so try to enjoy it. If my experience on this site has taught me anything it's that facts are not necessarily important with fan fiction. Anyway, I hope you like the story.]

Perhaps it was that time of year again. Kagome could never forget her time in feudal Japan. The lessons she had learned; battles she had fought … the things she had done for the jewel shards. She always looked back on her time there during her birthday. She set aside that day to be alone and remember the friendships she had left behind. It was important for her to remember why she had chosen a life in her own time because forgetting would only bring her back to the well to assist in things that were not her place.

The world had changed in the ten years she had been away. She was nearly thirty now. She had her own business – an archery range where she taught and trained. She had an apartment in the city, away from the Higurashi shrine and away from temptation. She also had … Hojo. Kagome had not made that choice lightly. It was only years after completing school that she met Hojo again and they began a relationship. She wouldn't call him her boyfriend, she wouldn't live with him, and had never had any notion of being his. Although she had to admit to feeling something for him, it was not enough.

On this Autumn day Kagome walked home from work, taking time to stop at a local park. She watched as the leaves fell from the trees in brilliant colors and thought about her first time falling through the well. She remembered it was abnormally warm that time of year. Deep in thought she wandered over to a park bench to sit down. There was a field with children playing not far off and she watched them absently. She thought about Shippo now. He was just a child when she met him, and she wondered how he had changed over the year. "Probably not much." She muttered to herself, remembering the lifespan of demons.

"Hideo!" A woman's voice called through her thoughts. "Stop that."

Kagome looked to the mother of a young boy pulling him up from the grass. She looked like a woman of wealth and that made Kagome wonder why she was in the park that day. Her son cried and struggled against her hand.

"Hideo, I told you not to play in the dirt. That kimono cost a fortune, don't you dare ruin it."

The boy looked strangely familiar. He had long black hair, uncharacteristic for a boy. The kimono he wore was bright red but suited him somehow. Kagome had to smile at his stubborn attitude, pushing at his mother's hand to continue playing. It reminded her of Inuyasha, perhaps when he was a human, perhaps all the time. Deciding it was rude to be watching to intently she stood from her seat and continued on her way through the park, and then home.

She arrived to her dark apartment and locked the door behind her. After flicking on the light she heard a man's voice say … "Surprise."

Kagome spun, shocked that there was someone in her home, to see Hojo standing in front of her. A small smile was on his face and he hugged her quickly.

"I'm sorry. I know how you feel about your birthday being celebrated on the day. It was the only way I could really surprise you."

Hojo pulled back and handed her a gift. Before she could respond he walked her into the kitchen and sat her down at the table. There was a platter, much more than was needed for just two people. Sensing that he had been nervous about how she was going to react, Kagome did her best to put on a good attitude.

"Well I am certainly surprised." She said with a smile. "There's so much food! I don't think I could eat all this."

Hojo relaxed and sat down with her. "Happy birthday Kagome." He said, taking her hand in his.

A few hours had passed and dinner had ended. It had helped Kagome to put on a happy attitude for Hojo, it even made her feel a bit more like herself. During her dinner they had laughed and carried on. They joked about work, Hojo worked at his mother's shop and enjoyed it immensely. Kagome would comment on her best students, how they were getting better than her and soon they would be teaching the class. As the night came to a close and Kagome cleaned the dishes, Hojo exited the bathroom and came out to the kitchen. He noticed the gift he had given Kagome was sitting on the table unopened.

"Aren't you going to open your gift?" He asked, picking up the small tote-bag. Kagome turned to look from the sink.

"After I'm done the dishes silly." She smiled and continued with her work. In reality, she didn't want to open the gift today. After Hojo left she would open the gift, admire the thought behind it, and put it away. It wasn't that she didn't like the gifts he gave her, they just revolved around her health. She wasn't 'sick' anymore, but Hojo was constantly concerned about her.

"Kagome." Hojo said her name so seriously she thought he had been hurt. She turned around to face Hojo, hands still dripping from the dishes.

Hojo's face bore no emotion. He held the tote-bag in one hand and stared at it.

"I know you do not like spending your birthday with people. I appreciate you making the best of it, as I knew you would because you are so kind hearted."

As he spoke he opened the bag and retrieved the gift box. It was a jewelry box and small enough for Kagome to know exactly what it was. She opened her mouth to speak but he stopped her.

"I love you Kagome. I'm willing to wait for you to love me in return."

Hojo opened the box to show a diamond ring.

"I want to marry you Kagome. You don't have to answer me tonight – in fact I would prefer you didn't. I want you to think about it and take your time."

Hojo set the box on the table and left the apartment without another word. Kagome could feel her hands grow cold and itchy from the soap. She felt anxious about the ring, about Hojo's offer, … about the answer she knew she would give.

She could not – no she would not marry Hojo.

Kagome slumped against the counters and sighed. She wished she felt something more for Hojo. He seemed so perfect for her, besides who else could she choose?

"There you are." Came a voice from the balcony. "Do you know how long it took me to track you down."

Kagome looked to the balcony and gasped. She hadn't seen that face in so long, and yet it looked practically the same. Same white hair, same steely eyes, same scowl. All she could do, all she could say way his name.

"Inuyasha?"