Chapter Two

Inuyasha was restless, waiting to the barrier to dissolve. He held Kagome's note in his hand, reading her private passage to him over and over. He was trying to drink in the words to find their meaning. He could have it out with her later for keeping huge things like this from him, but for now he just wanted — needed to find her.

'Dear Inuyasha,' It read, her kanji, large and neat, "This note is for you. The other is for all of you: Sango, Miroku, Shippo, but this one…is just for you. I'm needed somewhere, a different time. I knew people whom are close to you and I was sent here to save a life, and keep a death from occurring. They told me, "The wind lies west, and his eyes are red with blood. What you think you do not know, what you know you do not think." I found it. I know the answers to help. I can help everyone… except this. I'll never forget that, I'll never forget you…I love you, Inuyasha, and I'm so sorry you won't remember me when we meet again." Love K-

Inuyasha growled, but quickly silenced when the slayer stirred. He needed this time to think it over, and cope. Grieve. He definitely couldn't do that with the other humans in his group bugging him about it. Inuyasha sighed, getting ready to explain the situation to his stirring comrades.

-IY-

The party was in full swing when Kagome and Sesshomaru entered the ballroom. The ceilings stretched to the sky completing the dome shape of the roof, and a glittering chandelier hung from the peak of the inter-rafters of the dome. It was alight with millions of bright little candles, which shimmered against the gold of the walls.

The two's linked arms held them together as a unit as they began to approach Inu no Tashio. Kagome felt her eyes fill with tears at the thought of seeing him, before quickly masking it under the elegant smile that was carefully taught to all nobility. They approached the Lord, whom of which was involved in a conversation with a certain black haired foe, and with his wife— Inu no Kimi— holding his hand tightly. He quickly responded to the sound of the two's footsteps, which was probably committed to his memory. His pointed ears twitched, and he smirked. Inu no Tashio turned around to face Kagome, and she almost lost that fake smile at his appearance.

Her thoughts swirled.

His silver hair was as long as she remembered it. She could see the silkiness of it, and remember the feel of it beneath her fingers from when she would hold his locks as her and Sesshomaru walked the grounds with him as children. His eyes. Oh sweet Kami, his eyes.

They matched those of the one she missed so dearly. Her dear Inuyasha. But they were distinctly different. These eyes held power, and the grip of the world in their glance. Kagome remembered the first time her eyes had met his. Curled up in that barn, her village burning around her. Her hand gripping her mother's corpse, while she glanced with tear filled eyes around her towards her heat filled demise. The burning building which would soon take her life.

Instead she met him. The large youkai swooped into the house, and pulled her out whilst she screamed for her mother. He looked into her eyes while carrying her back to his troops, he told her stories of those long past.

Inu no Tashio's hand reached out to her and Sesshomaru and she unlinked her arm from his, and took it gently. She bowed and pressed her lips against his sharp claws, and another memory occurred to her.

Kagome's blue eyes flickered up in a defiant stare at the man in front of her. She stomped her foot. "I don't want this!" She shoved him away.

Her thought — memory — touched anothers. Another whose mind was so familiar.

Inu no Tashio stumbled back from the young teen mortal in front of him. Her body was curled in on itself, her arms wrapped around her own waist. "I don't want this." She whispered, so softly it was only heard by him because of what made his immortality a reality. His youkai blood.

"Why did you save me? You should've left me there to die!" She screamed at him, backing away and standing fully. "I don't want this decision to make."

Kagome's eyes flickered up to meet his, the corset which held her physique almost perfectly felt constricting.

"Wonderful memory of ours isn't it?" Inu no Tashio said to her, and she smiled — genuinely — back to him.

"I suppose it is." She said and Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"Father, it is about time we get that mark removed is it not?"

"Oh, Sesshomaru, always rushing to claim everything as yours. Wait a few years — we have all the time in the world." Inu no Kimi smiled at her son, and detangled herself from her husband.

"Kagome, watch him will you? I must go fix my son's suit it's absolutely unfitted at the legs. Hikari!" Inu no Kimi dragged Sesshomaru away, who glanced at Kagome in a mix of dread and annoyance at his mother's nickpicking.

"Yes Kagome, watch me." Inu no Tashio smirked at her, and they stood side to side as a unit, and Inu no Tashio placed his hand on her back, directing her towards the forgotten business partner in front of him.

"Kagome you remember Takai right?" Inu no Tashio said to her and Kagome turned her eyes towards the man in front of her. His hair was black, long, and familiar. His eyes a dark red with a narrowed look that came naturally. His smile was bright, and the villain she knew was hidden under a mask. Narrowing her eyes —while quickly remembering to shield her thoughts— and thought, 'Naraku.'