Chapter 1

The shards were found and the jewel was whole again. Naraku was defeated and Miroku's 'Wind Tunnel' was gone. Yet the well remained open. I was unsure were to go. Should I return to my time and forget Inu-Yasha and all my friends? Or remain in the feudal era with Inu-Yasha? I couldn't decide. I loved Inu-Yasha. But I loved my friends and family too. Grrrrrr! Why is love so fickle! I could live with Inu-Yasha and visit home during the holidays. Or vice-versa. It would depend on Inu-Yasha and his behavior to the problem.

I left the hut and walked to the well. Inu-Yasha obviously lost me because I heard him yell the usual 'Where is she!' and 'What is she doing there!' phrase. He came running out of the forest. I was sitting on the edge of the well. So many memories were stored in the old wood. Come to think about it, a lot of trees held a lot of my memories with Inu-Yasha. Inu came up to me and looked into my eyes.

"What are you doing here?" his voice was soft, not harsh like it usually would be if I had left unannounced.

"Thinking." Was that all I could say? I didn't even look at him in the eyes. What's wrong with me? I looked up. He was right in my face.

"About leaving?" I could tell he was thinking about me leaving.

"Maybe." I turned away from his face. Now he'll get to see my whole cheek turn red.

"Don't." he put his hands on my shoulders.

One word was all it took to make my heart jump around. I turned to him, tears in my eyes.

"I don't want to leave you, Inu-Yasha. But my mom and grandpa and Sota. Won't they miss me?" my hands were folded together at my chest.

"You can see them during New Years and the holidays. Don't leave me here alone." his head was down.

"Inu-Yasha?" I held a hand to his face. He suddenly lifted his eyes and I felt his head on my shoulder.

"I don't want to never see you again, Kagome." he whispered into my shoulder.

"I won't leave you. I promise. As long as you don't go and get yourself killed." I smiled.

How many times I could see my self in his position. I never thought I would be the one holding him, I mean while we were both in good health.

Night came and Sango, Kirara, and Miroku returned to Sango's village. Shippo and Miyoga went with them too. Kiaede had already left for another village in need of a priestess. It was almost a new moon, so I couldn't see the forest from the hut I was staying in. Inu was rustling around inside, but I continued to look out at the forest. A falling star zipped by and I wished that Inu-Yasha and I would be happy together forever.

"Come on!" Inu-Yasha grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the hut and into the forest.

He stopped at the Sacred Tree, let my hand go, and threw a few blankets on the ground. It

was cold out side and I was wearing my school uniform. I even left my shoes at the hut! I shivered while Inu-Yasha's back was turned but he knew I was cold because he took off his fire rat kimono top and wrapped me up in it. He sat down on the blankets and pulled me down to him. I dropped into his lap and fell off. I was now lying on the blankets. He leaned back and turned over to face me. I turned to look at him. He grabbed my hand and held it.

"Kagome?" he seemed uneasy and nervous.

"Yes?" I moved closer so that only a whisper separated us.

"I really care about you." his face turned red. I closed the gap between us with a kiss.

"I know." I sat up and looked to the sky.

He fell to his stomach and held himself up with his forearms. He inched his way next to me and kissed me back. I, of course, closed my eyes. I let a tear roll down my face. He pulled back and had a frown on his face.

"Kagome? What did I do? Don't cry." He was freaking out.

"It's not you Inu-Yasha. I'm just stressed." I smiled and leaned up to him.

"Oh. What from?" I knew he was giving me sulking look.

"I don't know. Just a weird feeling like I belong here just as much as I belong in my own era." I sighed.

I laughed and he started to get up but I grabbed his shoulders and flipped him over. I pinned him and he looked at me astonished, his arms in the air.

"Wha...?"

He was probably at a loss for words, but the look left his face and he reached up to hold my waist. The kimono fell off my back and I resorted to lying across Inu-Yasha's stomach. My legs were both on the left side of his body and I rested my head over his heart. I was scared. I stroked his shirt, feeling the precision of the weave.

"Kagome?" Inu-Yasha started to stroke my hair. My eyes were closed.

"M."

"I think I want you to stay here with me." he sounded perplexed. My eyes opened and I looked at him.

"Why?"

"I don't want to leave here. Everything good that has happened to me has happened here. In my era." I looked at him. Those eyes. What were they trying to tell me?

"I don't know what you're saying."

"I... I love you, Kagome. More than anything."

"More than Kikiyo?"