A/N Okay, okay I'm back and due to popular opinion, the story stays. Enjoy!

Dedicated to my loving boyfriend, Adam. Who helped me the brain-storm this chapter. I love you sweetheart!

Disclaimer: Nope, haven't found one yet...but I caught a Kirara doll! Does that count?

SPOILER WARNING! If you haven't seen movies one or two, there are some minor spoilers in this chapter!

Chapter 2: Of Memories Past

"Inuyasha?"

Kagome blinked back tears as she stared above her. "Is that you, Inuyasha?" Her eyes widened as the shadow overhead shimmered and became translucent. She gasped as it disappeared; the pounding in her heart increased as she used unknown strength to pull herself from the bone-eater's well.

The feeling of youkai energy was gone from her heart, almost as if it was never there. Looking around frantically, she caught no sign of youkai or hanyou. Stupid Kagome. Her head drooped as new tears hit her knee and the ground below her feet. You should have known better. All that studying has seriously disrupted your brain.

With a heartbroken sigh, she forced herself to stand and she began her lonely trek towards Kaede's village.

How could she have done that? Its been at least a week since she last left the feudal era to return to her own time, if Inuyasha was really there, he would have practically dragged her from her room.

Kagome smiled sadly. She hadn't felt this lonely walking from the well since the first time she came to this era. As she passed the Goshinboku, her eyes swelled with burning tears as she gazed on the bare spot where Inuyasha hung from an arrow for fifty years. Slowly, she slid her bag from her back and walked to the old tree.

Climbing up to the patch of smooth wood, she remembered her hanyou the way she first seen him. He looked as if he was sleeping; a deep and peaceful sleep it was too. For he was sealed under the spell of her previous incarnation, Kikyo. After the two feel into a deadly trap set by the evil demon, Naraku, The powerful miko shot the hanyou through the heart after he stole the shikon no tama from the shrine where it rested. Alas, directly following the sealing of Inuyasha Kikyo died from the wounds she received from Naraku whom was disguised as her beloved Inuyasha.

Kagome smiled sadly as she remembered reaching up and stroking one of the cute ears that stuck up from the top of the half-demon's head. Rubbing her hand against the smooth wood of the Goshinboku offered her a little comfort and she glanced at the puncture wound in the trunk of the tree that was pierced by that sealing arrow all those years ago. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she recalled the timecouresty overtook her common sense and she stuck her finger in that hole. The shaft of the arrow was gone; however, the stone arrowhead was not. Inuyasha nearly flipped when he smelt her blood and rushed to her side. Kagome's heart sped up when Inuyasha took her injured hand in his and lick her wound clean. She was really touched that day when he took the time to make sure she was okay and not mutilating herself anymore.

Bringing her hand to her chest, she smiled when a warm sensation filled her heart. Looking once more at the tree, she carefully made her way back to the path and retrieved her bag. Not looking behind her, she continued her path to the village.

The farmers working the rice fields stopped their work long enough to wave and call out to her in a pleasant greeting. Being polite, the young miko returned their gestures; but soon her mind took her back again-to the time when she ran down this very same path in sheer terror.

It was just after sunset, and the village suddenly came under attack by an awful demon who called herself Mistress Centipede. In a brave act, Kagome took the one thing the demon desired: the shikon no tama. She sensed something from the woods calling her and towards it she ran. That was she screamed for helpwhen Inuyasha awoke from his sleep. Kagome smiled, back then he was only after the jewel and he even turned on her after he destroyed the centipede demon. Thinking back to that day, Kagome can't believe that she thoughthe was going to kill her. Now, she had complete trust for the hanyou who stole her heart away...at least he did.

Until he ran off.

She wiped a tear from her eye and decided it might be best if the others didn't see her in this fashion: puffy bags under her red eyes from her last crying fit before she left home. Spotting an old tree stump just on the outside of the village, she sat down on it and started dapping her dry eyes with a damp cloth.

This is beyond ridiculous. Kagome thought as she rubbed her eyes. I thought we had finally broken through and been completely honest with each other...I thought...he loved me... The girl's shoulders trembled as more sobs escaped her mouth. She brought her fingers to her lips as another memory entered her mind, calming her of her sorrow.

Kagome stood helpless, her arms spread and tied to a stake behind her. In front of her, Inuyasha fought against his inner youkai self. But, it was a losing battle, and as the witch before him laughed, the image in the mirror she was holding was rapidly becoming Inuyasha: as a human. Once the image was completely human, Inuyasha's youkai would burst through and he would be a mindless killer: seeking death and chaos everywhere. And there would be no hope in bringing him back to his hanyou form. Tears flowed down Kagome's cheeks as she watched, unable to get to her hanyou who needed her desperately.

Then suddenly, she was free! The bonds that held her wrists were gone and without a second thought, she ran to her love's side. Gripping the red cloth of his fire-rat hoari she called his name. Above her, his silver hair lashed out in all directions and his eyes were pure white: he did not respond to her calls. Tears formed in her eyes as she pleaded for him to return to her.

All of her emotions raced through her, and she knew what it would take to bring him back. Forcing back her fear for him, she gathered all her courage and took his lips with hers. It was a tense moment, but shortly the squirming half-demon stopped thrashing about. His movements became more gentle as he slowly returned the kiss. Carefully his arms embraced the girl and he held her as tenderly as if he was holding a glass figurine. Slowly, the pair parted, and they both looked in the other's eyes. And smiled.

God that felt so right! Kagome wrapped her arms around her slender body; suddenly feeling more alone than before. The urge to get up and start pacing crossed her mind: a restless moment.

Inuyasha wouldn't just leave me, he wouldn't! Would he? I thought we were beginning to connect on a deeper level. What would make him just up and leave?

The thought struck her just as if a bolt of lightning shot from the sky and hit her square in the heart. "Kikyo."

The nightmarish reality slowly crept up on her. Inuyasha went to see Kikyo... The disturbing image resurfaced of the time when she found herself running late and hurrying back to the feudal era. It was dark when she climbed out of the damp well. Looking up, the ghostly white forms of Kikyo's soul collectors streaked across the sky.

"Kikyo." Kagome muttered to herself as she ran to follow where the demons were leading her. Stopping abruptly and hiding herself behind a tree, she witnessed Inuyasha's promise to protect Kikyo from the clutches of Naraku.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as he held the undead miko in a loving embrace. Knees failing her, she sat on the ground behind the tree.

But the worst part of all...

was the way...

he looked at her...

She couldn't take it. The remorse in his eyes that said things between the two would never be the same. So instead of hearing with her ears what his eyes said, she turned like a coward...

and ran away.

Kagome stopped in her pacing and sat down on the ground. Hard. She ignored the pain in her rear as she realized her worst fear may have come true.

She went with him. That clay bitch! She took him with her! She pulled her knees closer to her body and sobbed.

Would she ever see her cute hanyou again? A feeling of hopelessness overtook her and left her an empty shell.

Until a cry filled the small village, making the birds leave the safety of the trees and the children stop momentary in their innocent games. Kagome looked up as the sound from Kaede's hut made everyone around look towards the sound's origin.

"INUYASHA YOU JERK!"

Kagome blinked. "That was Shippou's voice." She wiped the tears from her face. "It sounds like he is yelling at Inuyasha! That must mean...!" She hurriedly grabbed her bag and ran to the old miko's hut.

INUYASHA IS BACK!

Ends Chapter 2

Animelover231: Thanks for those kind words! It means alot to me!

tashachan28: Yeah, for some reason, the first chapters of all my stories are always short. But usually they get longer as I go. Continuing on I go!

bettychan: Well, I'm not planning on deleting this story. As long as I know people are reading and enjoying my stories I don't feel as if my works are just wasting space. looks for hiding place And uh...it'll be a few more chapters until I unveil where Inuyasha is. Probably eating ramen somewhere, maybe? lol

And to everyone else! Please review and tell me what you think! Just push that little button down there! Please?

THAT MEANS YOU TOO ADAM! Don't make me go over there again! ...oh wait...please make me go over there again! Don't make me pout...over the computer...'cause I will!

Later allz!

Sailor Saturn-Star