Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Life's Little Gifts
Chapter One: Uncertainty

The day was unnaturally bright and alive–much like a pleasant springtime day–for it still being February. The birds were chirping, the grass was green, sakura petals were raining everywhere, and everything was calm, until a loud thump was heard among the beautiful forest.

"Get back here, wench!" yelled an infuriated hanyou. He was running and jumping at an exhilarating pace towards a young woman, who happened to be sprinting towards the very familiar Bone Eater's well. The wind brushed past his silver trestles, making the two triangular ears on top of his head wiggle around in annoyance.

"Like heck I will! I'm going home. H-o-m-e. Home! Got it? And there is NO inhumanly, demonic power in your body, nor in the universe, that will convince me to stay!" the raven-haired beauty yelled back.

"Oh no you don't! Get back he-!"

"SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SSSSSSSIIIIIIITTTTTTT!" she'd had enough. Why can't he just let me go home for a few days? Sheesh! I mean, it's not like I'm not coming back. He's just such an inconsiderate ass!

"Oi, wench! Why'd you do that for?! I just want you to stay," he said, only the last statement softer than before. He saw her surprised face and quickly added, "B-bb-because, uh… we need to look for the Shikon Jewel!" He let out a frustrated sigh. Besides, I never gave you permission. Look at you, trying to be sneaky. Not working, Kagome.

The anger in the air was replaced with tension.

"Oh. Uh, well, I still need to go. Besides we're low on ramen and other stuff. It's not like I'm going to be away to waste your precious time, baka!" she practically yelled back. "Either way," she stubbornly added," this week is really special for me. It's going to be Valentines Day in a few days."

"What the hell is Vailem Times Day?" he asked, scratching one of his fuzzy ears in confusion. "Is it one of those new, weird-ass futuristic holidays? Your era sure is weird…"

She giggled. Sometimes the hanyou could be plain old, well, out-dated. "No, silly! It's a holiday in my time, where you celebrate and appreciate the people you love. It starts on the fourteenth of February when the girls get a gift for the guys. Then a month later the guys return the favor by getting a gift for the girls, which is called White Day. They're special days when you show someone you really care about, how much you really love them. You can buy or make them gifts, but one things for sure: it has to come from the heart."

She felt herself blush after finding herself wishing a certain significant other would share that day with her. Kagome knew it was an impossible and silly thought, as Inuyasha seemed too infatuated with Kikyo to regard her with the same emotions she had for him. She couldn't blame him. She was beautiful! But then again the key word there was was. True, Kikyo was his first love, but she was dead. This new Kikyo was bones, ash, and the small, dark spot of Kagome's soul that was Kikyo's hatred to Inuyasha's supposed betrayal. He knew what Kagome's feelings were towards him, but she guessed she was doomed to watch as him want for something he would never be able to have, just as Kagome wanted, but could never have, him. With those sad thoughts, Kagome sighed and said, "Me, though, I don't care about the gift. Just knowing someone really cares is enough."

"Feh!" he huffed, while turned away from her as to hide his pout. "Fine, wench, you can go. But be warned: if you don't come back within a week, I'll personally come back and get you myself."

"Fair enough. Thanks, Inuyasha!" she fiercely hugged him. And with a giggle, Kagome said, "See? You are a softy at heart."

His boyish features revealed a pink tint, but quickly recovered by pushing her off of him and started to walk away. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Feh! Just hurry up, would you? You're wasting your time, Kagome," Inuyasha said, waving a lazy hand in the air.

"Yes, sir!" Giving him a soldier's wave, Kagome jumped down the well with her trusty yellow bag.

"Feh!" he sighed. Well, I guess I'm going to have to wait for a week now. Great, I could've gone with her, too! Might as well get comfy in the Goshinboku. Inuyasha jumped onto one of the ancient tree's trunks. I wonder if I could possibly be a loved one. As a friend, of course, and nothing more. But I don't understand. What is this feeling I have. Its familiar, but I couldn't possibly be right. I love Kikyo, no matter if she's dead or not. Her body still wanders among us and my love for her hasn't changed. Kagome, well, she's different. She's a great girl, but I couldn't possibly love her. She's attractive, smart, funny, sweet, and I do like her, but she's like my best friend. I love her as my sister, not as my lover. I know how she feels, but I can't return those feelings. I just don't know what to do. As the sun was setting on the earth, the unwavering Inuyasha kept pondering on the girl who jumped into the ancient well hours ago.

Karimeh