I gently opened my eyes and automatically felt a harsh headache coming in. I began my daily routine by getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom. I didn't need to look at the time to know that Souta was already playing his video game in the living room.

That boy loved his Call of Duty.

I took a look in the mirror, same old me different day I guess. Don't get me wrong; I didn't have low self-esteem or anything. I just felt like I had a lot of room for improvement. I felt like I could be so much more beautiful than I already was.

"Take that, you bastard!" I heard Souta say.

"Souta!" I shouted.

"Sorry!"

I sighed as I looked at my to do plan on the mirror. With all the things going on in my life, I must have a to do list and I need to be able to remember where I put this to do list.

Today: Refinance house.

I sighed, even on my day off, I still had to work.

I took my shower and did my hair. I decided to keep it business casual when I went to go take to my accountant. I tried to make sure no one knew that a twenty-one year old was in charge of paying the mortgage. It just made things less complicated for me.

Sliding on my black pants and buttoning up my white blouse, I, once again, took a look in the mirror. Maybe I could stop by the make up shop and pick up some lipstick.

Immediately after that thought, I received a pounding headache. I staggered to the bathroom hoping to find some aspirin. I found two bottles of them, thank goodness for the nanny.

I popped two of them and cupped some water in my hands from the sink.

I went downstairs taking my time to not rattle my brain so much. Just as I thought Souta was on our couch, playing his video game. I made the mistake and bought him the Xbox One for his birthday, now he never stays off of it.

"The next time I hear you curse like that again, don't think I won't hesitate to punish you," I warned.

"Oh, come on Kagome!" he whined back to me.

"I mean it Souta. Soon enough, I'll start letting Hitomi beat you up," I teased.

Hitomi was our nanny's daughter. She was a very smart girl and always kept Souta company when I wasn't here. Souta had confined in me about how he had a crush on her, but I asked for him to wait it out until he finished junior high school before he confessed.

"Oh, come on sis! Don't tease me!"

I had to admit Souta was pretty cute when he blushed. I went to the kitchen to see our nanny, Miyako, cooking.

"Good morning, Miyako!" I greeted.

"Good morning, Kagome! Erik called for you not too long ago, I told him you were sleeping and that you had a full schedule to work with today."

"I'll give him a call later, thank you! Say, Miyako may I ask you a question?"

"Of course you may."

"Do you think I look a bit plain?"

"And just where is this coming from?" she said, never taking her eyes off of the stovetop.

I took a sip of the fresh orange juice that Miyako personally prepared; I was ready for her cliché answer.

"You are a beautiful young woman, Kagome. I'm pretty sure Erik and I have told you this before," she said just before calling Souta to the table.

"Yeah, you're right."

It was stupid to ask them. Of course they would think I was beautiful, they're family, they wouldn't tell me the truth even if they wanted to.

"This food is great, Miyako!" Souta muffled.

I smiled. Looking at him being so happy made me feel like all my hard work was well spent. Everything I did for my brother. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Speaking of hard work…

"Thanks, Miyako. Souta, I have to go for a bit but I'll be back. Wanna go catch a movie afterward?"

"Sure, sounds like a good time!" he replied.

I kissed his head and I bid Miyako a goodbye. Our living expenses weren't cheap; it was time to go to work.


By the time I left the accountants office it was close to eight o'clock, the perfect time to see a movie with my brother.

I rang the house phone, silently waiting to hear his voice. I was a half surprised to hear Miyako's voice. She had explained to me how Hitomi and Souta had gone to the movies instead.

I didn't want to admit it, but even though I was happy for Souta, I was a bit envious. I didn't have a life-like Souta. Even when father was alive, I made sure to study and understand as much as I could so that way I could provide for my family when things turned for the worst.

No dates.

No hanging out with friends.

Hell, I didn't even have friends.

It was just Souta, Father, and I.

Then after I graduated high school, it became Souta and I.

I sighed as I hung up and continued on my way. I had absolutely no plans tonight and as much as I wanted to the video rental store was closed.

Suddenly my cell phone began to vibrate, taking a glance I noticed it was Eri. Neither Eri nor Yuka ever messaged me; I opened the message and was pleasantly surprised.

Hey Kagome, wanna come out to this club?

Against my better judgment, I replied back with an affirmative. I needed to do this; I needed to have fun even if it was with the two fakest people I knew.

I decided to stop by one of the high-end designer shops and try and pick out an outfit. I wasn't sure what would suit me and it wasn't like the sales associate were helping me a lot.

I ended up leaving with a dress that I at least thought that I would look good in. I also went to a make up store and was instructed on what to buy and how to use it.

Maybe I would just get Miyako to do it for me.

I made it back home with only forty-five minutes to get ready. I asked Miyako to help me with my hair and make up. I slipped on the black ensemble that the sales associate had recommended. I had to admit, I actually did look good and I hadn't even put on the finishing touches.

I took out my favorite piece of jewelry, my silver diamond embedded cross necklace. It was one of the objects I remember my mother ever giving to me before my father took Souta and I away from her. I placed it on my neck and suddenly it was like I was looking at someone completely different.

I mean usually any girl who wore make up for the first time would say the same, but…this was different for me. It was really weird.

Miyako came upstairs and let me know that Eri and Yuka had arrived. I threw all of my other stuff in my purse and went downstairs to meet up with them.

With their expressions, I couldn't tell if it was a good surprise or a bad one. I thought I looked good.

"Kagome. You clean up pretty nicely. I didn't think you had it in you to look this decent," Yuka snickered.

Ouch, that hurt.

"I try," I replied back.

"Let's get going, I got a hook up for us to get in before everyone else," Eri said.

Either tonight was going to be a complete waste of time or Eri and Yuka were going to try their hardest to get it to be a waste of time.

Line Breaker

Just as Eri had promised, we were able to skip the line. I was a bit amazed at the set up of everything. My eyes had to adjust to the strobe lights and the smell and heat was very uncomfortable.

No Kagome! This is an opportunity just try to enjoy yourself.

Of course, Eri and Yuka disappeared on me and I was left near the bar. I clutched my purse closer to me. This place was very intimidating and I was scared out of my mind.

I put myself in a corner and just hoped that this night wouldn't be so bad. But as I saw people getting up and dancing, I couldn't help but hate this.

Here I was, in this expensive outfit, wearing make up, and in these uncomfortable shoes and I couldn't even have fun!

My nose began to itch and I felt the emotions begin to show on my face. I hated crying. I really, really hated it. But what I really hated the most was crying in public. It was disgusting.

"Here," I heard. I looked up and noticed a familiar face. "I hope you remembered me, Kagome."

I believe she had to be more beautiful than the first time I saw her. I took the tissue she held out for me.

"How could I forget you? You and your friends are the reason I'm here." I replied dabbing my tears.

"Really? Did I force you to come here?"

"Well…no." I replied with a laugh.

"Rin, I can't believe you left me like that!" said her friend.

"Oh Sango, relax. I knew you could handle yourself," Rin smiled.

"That is beside the point!" Sango exclaimed, before taking a look at me. "Holy crap, you're actually here!"

"Um, yeah I guess I am," I said nervously.

"It's great to finally have you back, Kagome! We really missed you!" she said, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh come on! Don't pretend you don't remember us! Why else would you be here?"

"Sango, I think you are misunderstanding the situation. I don't think she remembers us," Rin finally spoke up.

"Nonsense. There's no way that-"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know you guys that well enough for you to be hugging me. I only know you girls as my customers." I explained.

Rin's face was blank, but somehow I can tell she was a bit sad at my statement. Sango was much more vocal of her disappointment.

"If you don't remember us, then why are you here? I don't understand."

"I came with some of my coworkers. But I was actually about to head home in a few minutes," I said with a said smile. Maybe if Souta was still up by the time I got back, he could tell me about his date with Hitomi.

"You can't leave yet! InuYasha hasn't even seen you yet!" Rin declared.

InuYasha? That name sounded so familiar.

"Who is that?" I asked.

The moment I said that, Rin and Sango's face turned into a horrific expression.

"We shouldn't be talking to her." Sango stated. Her face became a blank stare as she turned around walked away. Rin looked my way in sadness while she too followed Sango.

I decided to follow them. Probably not the best idea in a crowded area but I was sure I could do it.

I kept bumping into everyone who was dancing, but I kept pressing on. They were still in my vision; all I had to do was keep up. Finally crossing the dance floor, I made it to the other side; I saw no sign of either of them.

Was I mistaken?

No way. I was sure I was following them; they were not that easy to lose.

"Looking for someone?" a husky voice said in my ear. I turned around in anticipation.

My body froze.

My heart stopped beating.

I thought it was a dream. I thought that everything that happened that night was a really bad dream. But here he was in front of me.

"You're…you're."

"Come with me," he commanded as he grabbed my hand and led me through a hallway.

Somehow, my hand felt so right in his. Why does he make me feel this way? It was uncomfortable, but yet it felt so right to be with him. To feel these things for him, I didn't even know him.

He pulled me into a room with him and locked the door behind him. I pressed myself against the wall, flip-flopping from wanting him to strut to me and kiss me to yelling at him hoping he would turn around and walk out the door.

"I-I came here with people you know. They're probably looking for me now!" I started to say.

"Trust me, Kagome I doubt it. Those girls could give two shits about you."

How dare he look into my eyes and tell me that with a straight face?

"I told those girls that I would give them free VIP treatment if they brought you here. They didn't even bother to ask how I knew you, all they were concerned about was what I could offer them."

I could feel my body shaking. Eri and Yuka…they could have signed off my death certificate and they didn't care.

"Why did you want me here? Why would you bring me here? You say you know everything about me right? Then why would you put me in such an uncomfortable place!" I cried as I covered my face from his gaze.

I was suddenly engulfed in warmth. He was hugging me. Why?

"All I want to do is bring you back. I want the woman I fell in love with to return to me," he whispered on my lips.

"I'm not her. I don't even know you," I whispered back.

"Please don't say that. All you need to do is say my name."

His name.

My mind went to the name Sango had said. Was that his name? What would happen if I said it? Why his name so important?

"Your name? What happens after I say it?"

"I can begin helping you. Return you back to the woman you once were, the woman you want to be."

The woman I once was…what a tempting offer.

"Kiss me." I begged.

His face turned into shock, he began to open his mouth to say something but I stopped him.

I pressed my lips firmly to his while wrapping my arms around him. I felt a wetness slide down my chin. I assumed it was my own tears, but as I opened my eyes. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Why are you crying?" I whimpered, my own tears coming down faster.

He didn't say anything to me; all he did was continue kissing me. Did I bring these emotions out of him?

Did I mean so much to him?

InuYasha.

No girl should ever want to be around someone as much as I want to be around you.


As InuYasha and I came out of the room, we could hear a loud commotion going on in the main hall. While we got closer I noticed that Eri and Yuka were arguing with Sango and Rin.

"How could you say something about your friend?" Sango said angrily.

"Oh please! She's not our friend. She's just our boss," Eri retorted.

"More like a pain in our ass." Yuka added.

They were talking trash about me.

"You should be ashamed of yourselves!" Rin said, standing by Sango.

InuYasha tightened the grip on my hand.

"Excuse me! If you're going to start trouble in my club, I'd suggest you leave," he said, his voice rumbled through my body.

Eri and Yuka looked our way and the disgust on both of their faces. Their anger was no longer on Sango and Rin, it was now directed to me.

"Oh so now that you've gotten your little slut, our agreement doesn't stand?" Yuka started.

"What did you do Kagome? Did you finally stop being such a prude and learn how to please a man?" Eri continued.

I felt my face grow hotter and I was completely embarrassed. I tried to pull my hand away from InuYasha but he wouldn't hold up.

Then there was that sound again. The growling.

Oh don't tell me.

"If I know Kagome, she's not going to say anything to you nor is she going to put her hands on you. However, as Kagome's boyfriend, I will take it upon myself to stick up for her."

Wait what? Did he just call himself-

"Boyfriend! Ha! That plain girl couldn't even snag the senior in high school," Yuka laughed.

I was surprised to hear no one laughing in the crowd. In fact everyone looked like they were looking for a way out. Was something about to happen that I didn't know about?

"I typically don't hit girls. Even if it is for the girl that I care for, but this is why I always bring one of my female friends with me."

"What?"

"Sango!" he shouted.

"On it!"

The music stopped, the crowd quickly ran to the exit, and Sango was attacking Yuka. I couldn't believe my eyes. InuYasha turned down to me and gave me a quick peck; he turned back around and was talking to someone.

Suddenly he heard a scream, Rin was on the floor and some guy was trying to pounce on her.

"Shippo! Get her out of here!" he shouted as he let go of my hand.

Everything literally felt like it was in slow motion; it was as if a piece of my soul had been broken away from me. I wanted to scream for him to come back, but nothing was coming out.

I felt someone grab my arm, pulling me away from him. I never turned my back to him.

"InuYasha! InuYasha!"

He looked at me and gave me the cutest smirk I'd ever seen. He was happy.

Don't ask me how I knew. I just did.

InuYasha was happy that I called his name.

Now if only I could really remember who he was.