Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from InuYasha or this fanfic.

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Kagome knelt in the charred remains of her childhood home and fought back tears. Remnants of metal littered the burned-out structure along with glass and smoldering rubble, with puffs of smoke still curling into the heavy August air. But it was the sight of soot-covered bits of her mother's china that left her nearly unable to breathe. It was gone. Everything was gone, and she had no idea what to do next, or where to go from here.

She picked up a small shard of what was once a teacup, remembering her mother sipping from it on cool mornings under the pergola in the backyard. Oh, mama.

Knowing her mother would want her to be strong, she wiped away her tears and continued to search for anything salvageable in the mess, but there was little to be found. Her family was truly lost to her now, except in memory.

The rumble of an engine and the crunch of tires on the gravel drive turned her focus, alerting her that she wasn't alone. She didn't recognize the sleek sports car that pulled up, and had no idea who the visitor or visitors were. She dropped the china shard and rubbed her sooty hands on her jeans as she waited expectantly. She was desperate for any distraction.

The driver's door swung open, and she gasped as two furry white ears emerged on top of the head of her once best friend and childhood love. It had been almost nine years since she'd seen him last.

"InuYasha!"

The man in question stepped away from the car, taking in the woman before him and the burned shell of a house behind her. Of all the scenarios he had imagined for their reunion, this was definitely not on the list.

"Damn, what happened, Kagome?"

The genuine concern in his voice brought her to near tears, but she fought them back. The memory of their parting was still clear in her mind.

"It burned," she said, and felt only a bit of shame at the bite in her voice.

"Yeah, I can see that wench," he said, softly. "Where's your family?"

Kagome turned abruptly from him, her arms going to circle her middle in a clearly defensive gesture. She radiated pain.

InuYasha felt his heart stutter. "Oh, no. Not this way. Kagome-"

"They weren't here," she told him. "They…they've been gone a long time."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

Dragging in great deep breaths, trying to brace herself to talk about that afternoon again Kagome turned back to face him. "They were killed in a car accident six years ago."

"All of them?" he whispered.

She nodded. "Mama was taking Grandpa to the doctor. She was going to drop Sota off at soccer practice on the way. They were going through an intersection and an eighteen wheeler on the cross road didn't stop."

InuYasha whined, remembering the sweet smile of her mother and how she always had some treat or other ready for him when he came over; her little brother, always begging for him to play video games and practice with the soccer ball, and her crotchety old grandfather who complained of every ailment under the sun but loved nothing better than a good game of Go. He hadn't been here for her then, she had been alone. He bit back another whine.

"Wench, Kagome-"He started to step into the ruins of her house, but she held up a hand, straightening her spine.

"What are you doing here, InuYasha?" The last she had seen of him, he had been moving to Tokyo with his mother. She had later heard that he'd taken his place alongside his half-brother in the family company.

He sighed. "We're opening a US branch in Baltimore, and I'm here to head it up. I thought I'd stop in and see you."

She frowned. "Why?"

They had parted with heated words and hurt feelings, and at the time she had wished never to see him again. There had been many occasions since then that she had regretted that wish. Now that he actually stood before her though she had no idea what to say, or feel.

InuYasha ran a hand through his silky white hair. "I had too, Gome. I couldn't leave things the way they were between us."

She raised an ebony brow. "It's been nine years, InuYasha. It must not have bothered you that much."

He lowered his ears, taking the rebuke because he was unwilling to argue with her under the circumstances.

"Well, I'm here now," he said quietly. "Do you have someplace to stay?"

Kagome shifted nervously. He sharpened his gaze on her. "Kagome?"

She sighed. "No, not at the moment. I'll probably get a hotel room for a few nights." But how she would afford it was beyond her. Of course, she wouldn't have light or water bills for a while, so….

"The hell you will!" he barked. "Look, are you done here?"

She eyed him warily, but nodded.

"Then come on, I know of a place you can stay." And he went to open the passenger door.

He's as arrogant and bossy as ever, she thought. "InuYasha, why are you doing this?"

Again he ran his hand through his hair. He'd only planned on stopping in, saying 'hi' and maybe taking her out for a bite to eat or coffee. He had wanted to talk to her, make things right between them. Of course, he wanted a great deal more than that, but he figured too much time had passed. He was willing to settle for an amicable but platonic reunion. However, after he'd pulled up and seen the devastation of her home and her smoke smudged face looking so exhausted and lost he couldn't turn away.

"We were friends once, right?" he asked. Maybe more, but he didn't say that. She nodded.

"It was stupid, what happened." He held up a hand to forestall her reply. "And a lot of it was my fault, I admit."

She settled, but watched him with more than a hint of bitterness. It didn't go by InuYasha, but he was determined to steer her in a more positive direction.

"I came by today to talk to you, and to apologize," he told her.

Her brow went up. InuYasha, apologize?

"And I will, formally and repeatedly," he promised. "But right now you need a safe place to go. Have you eaten anything this morning?" He knew she hadn't slept, could see it in the dark shadows under her eye, in the scent of weariness that clung to her.

"N-no." She hadn't left her home since returning last night to find it in flames. Where would she have gone? Sango and Miroku had moved to down to Richmond, Rin was in on-campus housing at Maryland U, she had no family in the area, and her other friends and coworkers had no room for her, even for a few nights.

At the mention of food, her stomach gave an impressive rumble. His ear twitched in her direction at the sound.

"Well then, come with me. We'll get you something to eat, a shower and some rest. After that, you can decide what to do from there." He gestured to the car in encouragement.

Swallowing her pride, Kagome silently agreed. How was it that InuYasha Takahashi was always playing her hero? She might have been annoyed, but now she was too damn tired and sad to care. She gave one last glance at the broken china at her feet, brushed away a tear and obediently climbed into the car.

"Buckle up," InuYasha told her, and firmly shut her door before going around to slide into the driver's seat. He could barely contain a growl of satisfaction, seeing her in his car, knowing that she was coming with him.

He had never been one to refuse a beneficial opportunity, and he saw one in the current situation. There was a chance for more between them and he intended to take full advantage of it.

The engine started with a low purr, and he carefully backed out of her drive and carried her away.

I'm here now, Kagome. Everything is going to be all right.

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So, what do you think? Remember, this is a different world than the manga/anime. IY didn't grow up alone, threatened, fighting. He's mature and sure of his place in the world. Kagome is also grown, but with a harder life. Basically, the roles have been reversed. He's the pursuer and she the reluctant focus.

Also, we'll hear more about their painful past in future chapters.

Please review!