CHAPTER 1.

She sat crossed legged on the blue suede beanbag, her skin almost as pale a white as the cold wall she was leaning against.

She stared at the ceiling, eyes glazed over, remembering the events of the past year.

_eleven months ago_

Naraku burst into the Higurashi living room, throwing himself between a bloodied Kagome lying on the hard tile floor, and an extremely angry Mr. Higurashi.

"Get away from her!" Naraku yelled, arms spread protectively.

Mr. Higurashi stalked over to him, and grabbed Naraku's chin.

"Why do you protect trash like her, boy? You can do so much better, if you just gave up on her. She's worthless garbage. A waste of space. An abomination..." he whispered.

"Naraku shook his hand off, and stepped towards Kagome, lifted her torso off the floor, and faced her father.

"You're the abomination."

Then there were police sirens, and Sango ran in with Miroku, screaming "Kagome! Kagome!"

Said Kagome opened her eyes weakly, as the police and Sango's father ran in, and hand cuffed her father.

He had frozen when he heard the police cars.

"I'm okay, Sango Chan..." Kagome said, attempting a smile.

Sango broke into sobs, and Naraku hoisted Kagome up into his arms.

"Let's get you to the hospital, Kagome dear." Sango's father said.

"Kay." she replied, as she drifted into dark oblivion.

"You're safe now, Kags." Naraku whispered to her.

"Yeah, we'll protect you now..." Miroku said.

She smiled.

_end flashback_

She smiled again at the memory.

Her best friends.

They always had been, and always will be.

Like her brothers and sister.

Nothing had changed between them.

_nine months ago_

"Um, hey Higurashi!" Inuyasha yelled.

Kagome turned around.

"Yeah? What's up Inuyasha?"

"Um, I...I just...I-I..."

"Yes?" she was curious now.

"?" He blurted, blushing.

She blinked.

"Pick me up at seven thirty. I like Mexican."

She smiled.

_end flashback_

They had broken up four months ago.

_four months ago_

"Kagome."

"Hmm?"

"We… we need to talk."

Oh, this did not sound good.

They walked over to the God tree to the front of the shrine.

"Kagome...I'm sorry, but I like someone else."

She stared blankly.

But when she looked at him properly, she knew his apology was sincere.

He really was torn. He didn't want to hurt her, but he didn't want to lead her on either.

"I'm sorry..." he repeated softly.

"It's alright Inuyasha." she said calmly."Can you tell me who it is?"

"...Kikyou. Kikyou Hikada."

Aah, the new girl.

Kagome smiled.

"It's okay. I think you two would look really good together."

"You're okay with this?" he asked, skeptical. "Me, ending it, just like that?"

"Neither of us would be happy if you struggled to stay faithful, "she stated, smiling.

"And after all, dogs are supposed to be faithful to their masters." she joked.

He laughed.

She laughed.

"So... we can still be friends?"

"I'm ashamed that you even doubted it."

She smiled.

_end flashback_