A/N: A little plot bunny that was running around. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha!

Chapter 1

"You never loved me, did you?"

As Kagome uttered those words, she was struck by a sense of relief. She had been trying to say them for a long time now but every time she had wanted to do so something else always came up. And really, for a long time, she hadn't wanted to admit it to herself. She told herself that of course he loved her; he was her boyfriend for goodness sake's! He wouldn't be with her if his heart lay elsewhere and yet, as she glanced up at Inuyasha's honey gold eyes, she could see that he was torn. Torn between what? Kagome already knew the answer and that's why she was so angry.

"How can you say that?! Of course I love you!" Inuyasha responded angrily, his hands waving in the air, but his declaration lacked the feeling that had permeated it before. Kagome sighed and closed her eyes in sadness; she had been right. Smoothing out her green school skirt and sitting down on their bench in the park, she decided that enough was enough. She was done. She knew that Inuyasha didn't love her, or at least, not like he loved Kikyo.

And there was the main issue of their argument. It was the basis for nearly all their arguments. Inuyasha and Kikyo had been an item for quite some time, since middle school, so for a long time Kagome had no hope of him ever looking at her. She thought she was silly for liking another girl's boyfriend but she thought it didn't matter. It was just a harmless crush anyway.

At least, it had been until Inuyasha and Kikyo broke up at the beginning of junior year. Kagome hadn't really paid attention to the gossip, but she had heard that the break-up had been bad. She still harbored feelings for Inuyasha, feelings that had grown into something more tangible, but she settled on being a secret admirer. Then, as fate would have it, they began to be thrown together for projects and steadily Kagome fell more and more head over heels with him.

After a wistful six months, he asked her out. She said yes. Their relationship blossomed from there, but then Kikyo began to show up and butt her way between them. Time and time again, Inuyasha blew her off to go help with whatever new problem Kikyo came up with to keep Inuyasha closer.

She tried to be understanding. She tried to be patient and good-hearted. He was her first boyfriend, after all, so she went along with it, but then the arguments started. They were small petty arguments at first, but then they started to blow up for seemingly no reason at all. When she couldn't keep her feelings to herself, she would yell at him and then he'd yell at her; by the end of their argument, she was usually in tears and he was usually tripping over himself in his effort apologize.

But this was different. Kagome was not naïve. Maybe she had been, at first, but after a year, she was tired of it, sick of it, to be honest. Senior year was coming to an end now and the stress for college exams was killing her. Why was she still dealing with his crap?

"No, no you don't, Inuyasha." Just saying those words brought tears to her eyes, but she would not cry. Not in front of him, at least. "You were lonely without Kikyo, so I was a good substitute. Doesn't hurt that we sort of resemble each other either, huh?"

Inuyasha sounded hurt. "Kagome, that's not—"

She cut him off. "I didn't want to do this, to make you choose between us so I'm going to make this easy." She stood up, a new resolve settling in with her courage. "I'm done. We're done. I don't want to keep going like this. It was wonderful," Kagome had to swallow a lump here. ". . . while it lasted but it's gotten to the point that all we do is argue about Kikyo."

Inuyasha cut her off by grabbing her by her hands. "Kagome, you were never a replacement for Kikyo. It's just, I made a promise to her when we were kids that I would always be there for her and—"

"You have to keep it," Kagome smiled sadly, knowing this line of argument well. "Well, don't let me stop you." Tearing her hands away, she grabbed her school bag and turned away. Again, Inuyasha grabbed her wrist.

"No, Kagome, you can't do this. I need you." His eyes were full of hurt and sincerity, but Kagome couldn't help but notice that he hadn't said love. She didn't doubt that he cared for her, but Kagome loved him and the difference would make them suffer more than they needed to. Feeling a bit of compassion, she turned back to him and laid a hand against his cheek.

"Trust me, Inuyasha, this will be better for us in the long run." She gave him another sad smile. "We'll only hurt each other if we keep going like this." With that, she gave him one final kiss on the cheek and walked away from him. She didn't look back and she didn't plan to.

About 10 yeasr later

Kagome smiled as she got off the bus and stepped on the concrete sidewalk. She was finally home. She felt like it had been a lifetime since she had been a young, and carefree teen. Once she had graduated high school, she had been accepted to a prestigious college far from her hometown. With the money she had saved from her meager earnings as a baby sitter and the scholarships she had been able to accumulate, she left with her dreams in one hand and determination in the other. Her heart, though, she had left at home.

The raven-haired woman sighed and shook her head. She wasn't going to waste precious vacation time wishing for miracles like she was still a foolish, lovesick teenager. She was here to see her family and spend time with old friends from school. Just then, a buzz in her pocket alerted her to a text. She took out her phone and tapped the icon to read it. She grinned. It was from Sango.

Are you here yet? I'm at your mom's house! We'll go for drinks after lunch, right?

Kagome shook her head. Some things just hadn't changed. Knowing her friend never liked to miss happy hour, she texted her reply, that yes, they could get drinks later. She pocketed her phone and began making her way down the street. For today, she would forget all of her problems and have fun. She was home, after all.

"So how's work been? It's been a while since you last visited." Sango sipped her drink as she glanced at her friend. She smiled at what she saw. Gone was the shy, self-conscious young girl of years past. Now, Kagome was confident and carried herself that way.

"It's been busy." Kagome took a swig of her own drink. "I've been traveling a lot, planning buildings and all that. Architecture is fun, but it does fill up my time."

Sango raised an eyebrow. "But not enough to damage your love life, right?"

"That's what you really wanted to know about, isn't it?" Kagome giggled.

"Well what do you expect?" Sango laughed and put her drink down. "Last time you spoke with me, you told me you were getting pretty serious with someone." She giggled. "I couldn't help but pass the information onto to Inuyasha. I even hinted that wedding bells were near."

"Sango!" Kagome hissed, wondering why in the world Sango would do such a thing. She thought that Sango had gotten over her grudge against Inuyasha after high school, but by the smug look on her face, she certainly still held on to it. "Why would you even do that? He doesn't care about what I do. We broke up in high school," Kagome tried to emphasize her point, but Sango was having none of it.

"Well, Inuyasha might act like he doesn't give a damn, but he loves you, even if he didn't figure that out until later." She sipped her drink again. "Serves him right. He was stupid to have pushed you away."

Kagome sighed and shook her head. "He never loved me, Sango. Besides, I thought he married Kikyo a while back?" It pained her to say it (and she hated to admit that it did hurt) but she wasn't going to waste time arguing with Sango. He obviously had moved on.

Sango snorted. "Yeah, but they got divorced within the month. It was really messy. Reminded me of their first break-up."

The raven haired woman ignored the pointed look Sango sent her away and changed the subject. "Well, I'm not with the guy I told you about. It ended about a week ago." She sighed.

Sango almost spit her drink. "What?! Are you serious? I thought things were going well!"

"They were," Kagome looked down at her drink. "But that was the problem. Kouga was a nice guy, one of the best boyfriends I've ever had, but I was never really happy. I cared about him a lot, but I didn't love him." She paused and looked at her friend, a pained expression on her face. "I couldn't do that to him. I couldn't hurt him like I'd been hurt. It wouldn't have been fair. So I ended it."

"And that's why you're here, isn't it?" Sango laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry it didn't work out Kagome."

Kagome shrugged. "It was for the best."

Sensing Kagome's dismissal of the topic, Sango stood up, downed the rest of her drink and gave her best friend a big smile. "Well, I can't let you just wallow in your misery. Let's go do some shopping!"

Before she could protest, Kagome was being yanked out of her seat and out the door, Sango's cheerfulness doing its job of helping her feel better. They sped off to the nearest mall and Kagome felt herself relax into the usual run-downs with Sango on fashion. She giggled, she laughed, she tried on daring clothes—all of it served to lift her spirits.

"Kagome, you should try this one on!" Sango yanked a little red number from off the rack and pushed it into her friend's face. "No guy would be able to take their eyes off of you if you wore this!"

The raven haired had the decency to blush as she fingered the material and saw how sheer and scant it was. "Sango, this is more your style. You know," She then sent her friend a knowing glance. "Perhaps Miroku would like to see something like this on you, hmm?"

Tables turned, it was Sango's turn to blush. "I-I don't know."

Kagome laughed and put the dress back. "Oh but wouldn't you?"

Sango's reply was interrupted when a familiar, yet unwelcome voice, came from behind them. "Why, Kagome, it's been so long since I last saw you!"

Kagome froze, knowing immediately who the deceptively sweet, sugary voice belonged to. Why, why did she have to run into her in her first week back? Tokyo was a big city for crying out loud! Gathering her courage, she turned around, a smile plastered on her face for show. She wasn't going to let Kikyo see her vulnerable in any way.

"Hi Kikyo, long time no see." She managed to say those words sincerely.

"Not enough time, if you ask me," came Sango's murmured protest. Kagome shook her head lightly at her friend, a signal if there ever was one to just play it cool.

Kikyo gave Kagome a once over, a smirk on her face as she assessed her. Obviously, she still thought meanly of her and Kagome almost huffed. They were adults for goodness sake. If she still acted as if what they wore gave any weight to who they were, she'd smack her. "I see you're shopping…a good idea, if you ask me." Her lips curled in mockery and the raven haired girl rolled her eyes.

Sango was about to give Kikyo a piece of her mind, but Kagome beat her to it. She narrowed her eyes at her old rival. "Look, Kikyo, we're not in highs cool anymore. If you have a problem with what I wear, I don't give a damn about it. You're the one wasting your time talking to me if that's all you had to sAY." With that, she turned around, determined not to give her the time of day. She didn't have to acknowledge her if she didn't want to.

A hand yanked on her arm, causing her to turn back and almost fall. Kagome was surprised that Kikyo almost looked livid. "You bitch! How dare you talk to me that way?!"

"Oh look who's talking!" Sango grabbed Kikyo's hand and threw it off. "You're the one who came up to us and started talking to Kagome in the first place!" She huffed. "You're just bitter. Get over yourself."

Kikyo didn't back off and ignored Sango's outburst. "You ruined my life! Before you, Inuyasha's heart belonged to me! Me!" She was shouting at this point and other shoppers began to look over in concern. "But ever since he started hanging out with you, he changed! It's all your fault."

Kagome hated this. The blame, the pointing fingers—Kikyo sincerely believed she was the cause of her break up with Inuyasha. In the back of her mind, she'd always feared that maybe she had been the cause, but even then, he'd made his choice. The pain echoed in a numbing way. She steeled herself; this conversation was going to end.

"Whatever you think happened, Kikyo, he chose you at the end." Kagome held her head high. "What happened after that, was all your making. Now if you'll excuse me," Gathering her things, she turned away, dragging Sango after her out into the common corridors of the mall, heading somewhere, anywhere where she wouldn't have to see Kikyo.

Finally, somewhere on the other side of the mall, they sat at a bench. Kagome dropped herself onto it in relief, suddenly feeling very heavy. She rested her head in her hands as Sango rubbed her back soothingly.

"Oh, Kagome, I'm sorry. This trip was supposed to be helpful," She pouted and then threw her hand up in exasperation. "But instead you get accosted by the queen bitch herself!" She huffed, mimicking her friend's position. "I'm sorry for what she said."

Kagome lifted up her head. "I wasn't surprised she thinks that way. But I don't want to talk about it anymore. The past is in the past." She gave her friend a tentative smile. "And we still have lots of shopping to do."

Sango beamed. "You're such a strong person, Kagome." Picking up her things, she began to lead the way. "Let's go!"

Kicking off her shoes, Kagome sighed in relief to finally be home. She plopped down on her couch, content to finally rest. It was late, so most of her family was upstairs preparing for bed. Her mother was cleaning up the kitchen and preparing what she would need for dinner the next day.

Kagome sank deeper in the couch as she thought about her shopping trip. Her encounter with Kikyo kept popping back into her head. She groaned and covered her face with a pillow, to swallow up her frustrated scream. Seriously, was her high school drama ever gonna leave her in peace?

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Sango.

Just a heads up—Inuyasha is looking for you and has been asking around for your number. Don't know how he knew you were here. Ayame is trying to throw him off the trail but you know how determined Inuyasha is…

The raven haired woman shook her head. Apparently, the past was not going to let her rest. Did she want to see Inuyasha? Half of her didn't, but the other half of her was curious. Why was he looking for her? Hadn't he moved on? Yes, he'd divorced Kikyo, but surely that didn't mean he had any feelings toward her. Even if Kagome still stupidly carried a torch for her first love, it didn't mean anything should change. She was fine the way she was—without Inuyasha. Still, it would probably be best if she just faced all of this head on, just so that she could be done with it.

Give him my number. If he wants to talk, we'll talk.

She didn't have to wait long for a reply.

Are you sure? You don't have to see him ya know. Douche can sit on the sidelines if you ask me.

Kagome chuckled. There was a reason Sango was her best friend.

Yes, I'm sure. I'm going to set the record straight.

She sent that and Sango's talented thumbs replied almost instantaneously.

Oooh, good idea. Tell me how it goes!

She smiled.

Will do!

About half an hour later, while laying on her bed and dozing slightly, her phone buzzed again. It was a call from a number she didn't have saved. Sitting up, she answered, knowing who it had to be.

"Hello," She winced a little at how tired she sounded.

"Kagome! Oh—um, it's Inuyasha." The voice sounded nervous. Kagome lifted an eyebrow. This was new. "I'm sorry to call so late, but, um—"

Kagome cut him off, her only desire being to end the awkward phone call as soon as possible. "Look, Inuyasha, I know you want to talk. How about we meet at the park at noon? The old bench, if that's good with you?"

"Yeah, that'd be perfect!" Inuyasha sounded relieved to her ears. Her lips curled in an amused smile at what his expression must have looked like. "It's a date!"

"No, it's not a date." She rolled her eyes. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to bed. Goodnight." She promptly ended the phone call without bothering to listen to his reply. Hmph, he shouldn't have assumed so quickly. Kagome wasn't that easy to win over anyhow. She yawned as she settled back into bed. She'd think about it in the morning.

"What! You're actually going to hear him out? I thought you said that you were going to set the record straight!" Sango nearly shouted at her friend. Really, how she let that two timing bastard back into her life so easily. The birds hiding in the trees around the shrine flew away from the dangerous sound of her voice.

"I just want to be over all of this!" Kagome shouted back, just as indignant she was. "What did you want me to do?"

"Rip his heart out and walk all over it!"

The look she gave her was a mixture of horror and fury. "Sango, I would never do something like that!"

Her best friend glared. "Well, that's exactly what he did to you. I'd say return the favor." She huffed as she crossed her arms, looking pointedly away.

The other girl shook her head. "Sango, you know that's not me—I could never do that to him."

Suddenly, Sango whirled around to peirce her friend with a determined look. "You still love him, don't you?"

"Now, Sango that's not—"

"Don't you tell me that it's not important. You are and that's why you want to see him again." Sango softened as she took Kagome's hand. "It's just—I don't want to see you hurt the way you did before. It was heartbreaking to watch."

Kagome patted the hand holding hers. "I know, but I'm older and wiser—more experienced." She winked and giggled. "I'll admit, I still love Inuyasha, but don't believe for a second that it's gonna be easy to win me over after everything that's happened." She was confident as she continued to speak. "If he wants to be with me, then he'll have to prove it."

Sango sighed, resigned to the idea. "As long as both of you are serious, I guess I can look over my grudge. But," She wagged a finger at Kagome. "I better not hear of you sleeping with him before he's proven he's worth his salt!"

"Sango!" Kagome was scandalized. "That's none of your business!"

"So you would sleep with him sooner rather than later, eh?"

Kagome's ear went red in embarrassment and the conversation continued to flow back and forth in this way until she looked at her watch. "Oh no, I have to go or I'll be late!"

Sango snorted. "Keep him waiting."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, Sango, you're such a sweet person."

Her best friend had no problem giving her the best smile she could muster. "Aw, you know me, all sweet."

Kagome laughed as she bounded down her shrine stair, excited and nervous and otherwise feeling like her heart would jump out of her rib cage. She had to admit, it was going to be hard not to cave in to Inuyasha but she was determined to make him work for it.

Since when had she decided to let him back in her life? Kagome mulled it over as she slowed her pace to enter the park. At first, she had been determined to leave him behind, but obviously it didn't work. She wanted to be happy and although she hated to admit it, being with Inuyasha made her happy. Well. he didn't have to know that.

Inuyasha came into view, perched on the bench, but he was turned away from her. She paused and took a deep breath. She would be calm, cool and collected. No need to let him see how much she loved him. She'd make it worth the ride.

With determination, she set on jumping the first hurdle; talking to the man himself.

A/N: At first, this was originally going to be a one-shot, but after re-reading this, I got so many fun ideas. It'll be a short chapter story, but I love toying with the idea of Kagome making Inuyasha work to prove that he indeed is serious about his feelings. Independent!Kagome is my favorite type to write.

I'm currently working on another story I'm going to post soon, so updates to this one might be sporadic but they'll come.

Please, let me know what you think!

~Daichi