Hello all! I would like to start by saying how excited I am to be writing again! I use to write many moons ago under a different pen name. Alas after a few years I can not log back in. But please read and review and let me know what you think! I would like to give an enormous thanks to InuKag4evertogether for being my beta! She is amazing!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters to my dismay. That honor goes to the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi! And viz.

'This means it is what someone is thinking.'

A door was slammed and heavy footsteps marched up a set of stairs. Shortly followed by another slam of a door and a thump there after. As Mrs. Higurashi washed dishes silently, well aware her daughter had returned home. In an all too knowing manner she continued about her work with a small shake of the head and a promise to go up in a bit when the teenager cooled off. While upstairs the troubled spirit died down to a hurt form. It was funny how it started as hurt escalated to anger and found its way straight back to hurt. In the comfort of her room she threw her overstuffed yellow bag against the wall and slid down her door to place her feet straight out with her back rested against the door.

'Stop putting yourself through this. You have to stop.' She thought.

Deciding to run a bath and take advantage of being home before plunging into school work she resigned herself to the simple task. As she let the water run, she turned and faced herself in the mirror. It was on these days she hated the gateway the most. On the days she found herself comparing the most. As she peered at herself she gave into the self loathing and stepped back. She tilted her head to the side and as fresh, new tears stung her eyes, she caught a sharp intake of breath. Raising her hand to her lips to shield herself somehow she saw nothing she wished to see in her reflection. She grasped her arms tightly around herself, holding her arms in place securely around her form. She turned herself away from the cursed object. She slowly submerged her left foot first, into the water, and let the rest of herself be submerged in the inviting warmth. In a brief moment she felt physical comfort and as her body relaxed, she focused on her breathing.

'Just once I wish he knew how it felt.' She thought as she sank her head under the water. She listened to her heart beat in her ears as the water muffled everything else. Slowly she came back up and sighed.

'I know he loves Kikyo and I know he will never stop seeing her. I don't know why I let myself care. It isn't as though it changes anything. I promised to stay by his side and I can't imagine not being there. But I just... can't help feeling this way. I'll never be her and he will never belong to me.'

Resiting what was becoming a personal mantra she turned her head and watched her ink strands dance in the water. Each tendril perfect and free under the clear liquid knowing the second she got out they would all become an entangled, matted mess. She sighed again and went about washing her hair. Trying to focus the simple task to take her mind off of the visage of two people that haunted her thoughts.

Once she was done the raven haired girl traveled down the stairs to visit a face she missed terribly. As she walked into the kitchen she was greeted by a bright smile.

"Kagome dear I'm so glad your home."

"I'm glad to be home Momma."

"How are you? Are you hungry?"

"Not really. But-" She started thinking of how her clothes took such a beating.

"Leave your clothes in the wash basket and I'll have them clean by tomorrow morning. Unless you need them sooner?"

Kagome wondered how her mother always knew what she was about to say or need. She smiled fondly at her mother.

"No that is fine Momma. Thank you. Do you mind if I go for a walk?"

"Of course not dear. But maybe take a sweater?"

"Ok. Thanks Momma."

Kagome kissed her mother on the cheek and left the kitchen. She grabbed a sweater and headed out the door.

'Oh Momma if only you knew how rarely I worry about catching a cold in the feudal era.' She thought but a smile stayed on her lips knowing her mother loved her and feeling guilty for the thought.

As she walked out the door and down the steps she felt the cool breeze and decided she was happy for a sweater. She walked a route she had taken often to the park she spent many a day at. She walked aimlessly occasionally looking up to see other people pass enjoying themselves. Kagome wasn't malicious in any way so she found a strange comfort that at least others were happy. As she went on farther, she payed no attention to anything but the rhythm of her feet. Her eyes were glued to the ground and since it seemed late enough for the park to die down she didn't think twice about what impact that may have. Until the rhythm abruptly stopped and a smack was heard as she collided with something.

""Oi! Watch where you're going will you?!" An agitated voice snapped.

"Hey!" She shot back, "Maybe you should watch!"

The disgruntled pair scrambled to their feet. Ready to shoot another round of insults, when both looked up and relented. Kagome seeing an opening with his silence was ready to pounce when she looked up and saw his face.

"Inu- Inuyasha?" She blurted out knowing her mistake as soon as the words left her.

"Who?" He asked dusting himself off.

"Uh um no one. I'm sorry you, you look like someone I know." She said while looking away trying to hide the blush that tinged her face.

"But much cuter right?" He replied with a cocky grin.

'Woah!' Kagome thought. 'Wasn't expecting that. What nerve!'

"I'm not really in the way of finding boys who knock girls over cute!" Kagome replied indignantly.

"No I don't suppose you are. Well allow me to apologize for that. I certainly didn't wish to cause harm to someone as beautiful as you."

Kagome just blinked at him. She stared at the boy he had an angelic face with long silky black hair, shimmering soft brown eyes, and a resemblance to Inuyasha that would pass him as his twin.

'Could this actually be Inuyasha's reincarnation? Is that even possible?'

"Uh you there?" He waved a hand in front of her face and looked at her quizzically.

"Oh uh yeah. Sorry. In my own world for a second."

"I can see that. Well does the space girl have a name?" He said causally while placing his hands in his pockets waiting for her reply.

"Not if you call her space girl she doesn't." She tolled her eyes. Who did he think he was anyway?

"Ok so then will you settle for beautiful?"

Kagome raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms against her chest.

'Is this guy for real?'

"Yeah it's Kagome." She said as she kept her eyebrow raised and popped her hip to the side showing her scrutiny over his words. The stance didn't seem to affect him.

"Lovely nice to meet you Kagome." He said with a slight bow. " My name is Daiki."

She looked up at him and couldn't stop the smile from tugging at her lips at his sarcasm. She shook her head and kept her gaze on the boy standing in front of her. When it was clear she had nothing to add at this point the dark haired doppelganger raised an eyebrow.

"Soooo" he drawled out "got somewhere to be?"

She shook her head. 'Guess he can't take a hint.'

"No not really just wondering around. Trying to clear my head I guess." She answered honestly.

"Hmm, does one need company on such a venture?" He seemed hopefull.

"I uhm," Kagome looked down and scrunched her face as if she was hoping to find a way to get out of what was coming.

"Excellent while we walk you can tell me why the need for a mind cleanse." He offered her his arm to take as the walked. Which prompted another raised eyebrow and a side ways glance. This time at least he caught the hint.

"And why exactly should I tell you anything?" She asked sarcastically.

Daiki didn't seem thrown off by her attempts to loose him. He just smiled at her and shrugged as he

took a place beside her while motioning with his arm for them to continue forward.

"It really is a long story. And I know that it's silly but you know how some people say they really don't want to talk about it?" She asked

"Mhmm"

"But others take that as a sign they do want to talk about it?" She asked again.

"Yes?" He answered.

"Yeah well I really don't want to talk about it. It isn't a cry for help. Just I guess I'm sick of the subject and I came out to not have to deal with it. Ya know?" She tilted her head and looked at him. His eyes were soft and inviting but they weren't molten orbs. Kagome felt a tinge of guilt as she could almost see those golden eyes looking into her.

'Inuyasha.' She thought.

"Makes enough sense." He admitted. "Well truth is I'd like to keep talking to you, so if I change the subject will that work?"

She shook her head to get the image of the hanyou out. The guilt remained and she didn't know why. Making herself focus on the boy next to her.

'He really is confident with himself isn't he?'

"Sure." Kagome smiled politely. At this point she became less apprehensive and more curious about the boy.

"Got any siblings?"

"Yeah a brother that can be a real pain! But he's Souta and I love him." She laughed.

"Oh yeah well you don't know what it's like to have a sister. Let me tell you there is a reason I'm not home right now." He laughed and it seemed carefree and natural for him.

"Oh I see blame it on the sister. I'm sure she's an angel!" Kagome teased.

"Well she's my sister and I guess I love her too.. especially when I don't have to be around her."

"Ok fair enough." Kagome giggled.

"So then how about pass time activities?"

"Hmm well some you wouldn't believe if I told you." The thought tugged at her heart. Remembering herself she continued. "But other than that you know the usual, studying more than I want to, spending time with friends. You could even say I practice archery."

"That's pretty impressive. Any big plans for the future?"

"Shouldn't you answer the same question before we move on?"

"Well now, you didn't ask me that." He teased. "But pretty much the same. You know minus the vague answer and the archery. But I do spend some time playing soccer with friends."

"You do like to mock me don't you?" She asked fanning indignation.

"Well when it's so easy." He nudged her and winked. "Now then back to future plans?"

"Oh I um," This question was never easy. She really didn't have the answer because she didn't know. And it was all because of a silver haired hanyou."I guess get good grades and go to University. But I've no idea what for. And you?"

"I plan the same. But I plan to be a doctor. I really do like to help people." He said genuinely.

The longer they walked and the more they got to know one another the more Kagome felt her stomach churn. She felt almost sick and she couldn't shake what she had pegged as guilt. But she couldn't figure out why. She was confused and with all the unexpected things to happen in her life this wasn't even a passing thought in her mind. But the more she thought about it the more she wondered why she hadn't considered it a possibility before. If it was true she was a reincarnation then why wouldn't Inuyasha have one? But the thought was tearing her apart. The boy walking with her was sweet and lacked intensity. It seemed he had no guard and had he it must be let down easily. He showed full interest in her. Interest to the point where she didn't doubt for a second that maybe he liked her. It seemed evident and thinking so didn't once make Kagome feel delusional. He wore his emotions and admiration for her on his sleeve and that troubled Kagome even more. As the sun diminished behind the trees and the sweater stopped lending enough warmth she decided she needed to head home and process everything. Almost as if he read her mind he looked up and sighed.

"Guess it's getting pretty late huh?"

Kagome nodded. "I really need to start heading home Momma will worry."

"Would it be ok if I walked you? It is getting late and I would just feel better if I knew you got there in one piece."

"Thanks that would be nice."

As they made the way to the Higurashi shrine Kagome felt as though again her world was being turned on it's side. She felt her belly try to lurch to her throat as her uneasy feelings revolted. She had no idea what to do or think. She ran home today looking for solace and found no answer. To this point now with a pale moon hanging in the sky as she found herself lost and home sick.

"It was very nice meeting you today." The boy said nervously placing his hand behind his head. "Would you mind if I called you sometime?"

Kagome looked at him wide eyed. It was clear the hope on his face and although she saw it coming she was still no more prepared for what to say.

"Uh sure." She smiled the best she could wishing so desperately she hadn't. She found it terrifying how she couldn't find it in her to hurt him by replying any other way.

Kagome knew today was going to affect whatever future she had. She just wasn't exactly sure how yet. And while she was void of how to handle it she knew one thought was clear.

'Inuyasha this is all your fault for running off to see Kikyo.'