DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE INUYASHA CHARACTERS!


CHAPTER FOUR: "The Psycho Hanyou Bartender"

"A White Russian and a shot of whiskey," said a young female customer leaning against the bar. Inuyasha gave her a smile, "Are you sure you're over twenty, missy?" The woman returned Inuyasha's smile with a grin and pulled out her ID card. Inuyasha glanced at it carefully and noticed her eyes had no hint of fear in them, "One White Russian and a shot of whiskey, you said?" The woman nodded and Inuyasha hurried to tend to her.

He gave the woman her drinks and refilled another customer's glass, as ordered. He glanced down at the bottle and realized it was empty when a blonde man with blue eyes made his way into the bar and behind the counter. "It's about time you got here, Mike. I can't handle the bar all by myself on a Friday night," said Inuyasha roughly glancing his way. The man, Mike shrugged and Inuyasha was infuriated. He quickly moved to thrust the empty bottle down on the counter, but it slipped and flew into the crowd of partygoers.

The music seemed to stop when Inuyasha stared at an angry looking man coming his way with the bottle in his hand. He slammed the bottle on the counter, "Did you throw this at me, punk?" Inuyasha furrowed his brow, "And what if I did?" As always, his pride was too much for him to just say sorry. Inuyasha could tell by the mans scent that he was a bat hanyou and smirked, "What are you gonna do about?" Really not a good idea to pick a fight at your work, but then again… this is Inuyasha we're talking about. And, soon enough, the bat hanyou and Inuyasha were on the dance floor beating the living hell out of each other.

Everyone watched in amusement as Inuyasha hit the man in his jaw and the man returned it with a blow to Inuyasha's head. "Inuyasha!" someone yelled through the cheering crowd, "Sit boy!" Inuyasha turned to the voice of Kimi just before he crashed down to the ground. Kimi rushed over to Inuyasha with the reincarnated Sango and helped him up. The reincarnated Miroku held back the bat hanyou and told him he should step outside. The bat hanyou grumbled but left and the reincarnated Miroku turned to him, "Picking fights are we, Inuyasha?" It took Inuyasha a while to realize that he was talking to Miroku's reincarnation, "Well, he had it coming!" They shook their heads at Inuyasha as the crowd started dancing again.

"What took you so long?" said Shippo walking over to them. "Inuyasha got into a fight," said the reincarnated Sango. Inuyasha huffed and Shippo sighed. Shippo wasn't allowed into the bar because he looked younger than twenty and had no ID to say he was twenty. Luckily, the reincarnated gang was over twenty (twenty-one to be exact) so they went to get Inuyasha. "Well, these are the reincarnated Miroku and Sango. But now they go by Makoto and Setsuko," said Kimi happily. You could tell right then how happy everyone was; you could just feel the love. The rest of the night, all they did was talk and catch up. It was almost as if all those years separated by death had never happened. Makoto groped Kimi and Setsuko a couple times and they hit him in response. Inuyasha would say something mean to Shippo and Kimi would say "Sit Boy!" to send him to the ground. Life was good. Inuyasha and Shippo were Shippo were surprised at their cursing and wacky adventures, but they were still glad. They soon got used to their new appearances, for their souls would always be the same. No matter the differences time could bring.

"So, tell us what you know about everyone else," said Kimi as they all chatted over lunch at McDonald's. Inuyasha gave a small laugh, "Kouga's a professional boxer and happily married to Ayame; and my brother owns EA Games." Makoto chuckled, "That's no surprise. Kouga would be a boxer and your brother refuses to be anywhere but the top." Setsuko also laughed and Kimi asked, "What happened to that little girl, Rin?" Inuyasha tried to think back but Shippo answered, "She grew up and got married a long time ago. She's married to a demon though. Some moth demon named… Riku, I think." Then it hit Inuyasha, "Oh, yeah! She's like a model or something now." Shippo gave a slight frown at Inuyasha's short memory span, "Try a Playboy Bunny." Kimi, Setsuko, and Makoto were silent and tried to hold in laughter.

"Well, it's still modeling," said Inuyasha in defense. Shippo rolled his eyes and they couldn't hold in their laughter any longer. Sure, it was sort of disturbing knowing that a little girl you once knew had grown up to be a model for a sexual magazine, but it was funny to know that Inuyasha didn't know the difference between modeling and sexual, nude poses (which there is a difference, mind you). "Whatever you say, Inuyasha," said Shippo shaking his head. Inuyasha huffed and glanced at Kimi. Sure, she was a Goth and pretty depressing… but only to others. Since she is the reincarnation of Kikyou and Kagome (and has their memories), she opens up to them. They're the only ones allowed to know her happy side and that made Inuyasha feel special.

They all stood up to say their good-byes when Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kimi were the only ones left. "I have soccer practice today, so I'll be home by three. Ok, Inuyasha?" asked Shippo as headed the other way. Inuyasha nodded in understanding and began to walk Kimi to her place. "No one to pick you up today?" asked Inuyasha as they crossed the street. Kimi laughed, "No. That day my brother was in town and he wanted to take me home." I should add that Inuyasha didn't bring his car because he wanted to walk Kimi home and he prefers walking than dealing with traffic. Kimi stopped suddenly and Inuyasha turned to her, "What's wrong?"

Kimi looked up at him, "Inuyasha… both of my past lives were in love with you." Inuyasha's eyes widened but he said nothing. Kimi continued, "It must be very awkward for you that I have all their memories." Inuyasha put his hands on her shoulders and looked down into her black eyes. "Inuyasha…" said Kimi softly. "Yes?" Inuyasha replied, almost in a whisper. "Do you still love Kikyou and Kagome?" she asked after a pause. Inuyasha turned away from her and she patiently waited for his answer, "Call me a psycho hanyou bartender…" It would have been funny if they weren't so serious at the moment, but the air was thick with seriousness. Not a moment to be laughing. Kimi's eyes softened with compassion and she gave Inuyasha a hug from behind. Inuyasha was startled at her action, but soon turned around to hug her back.

"Inuyasha…" Kimi said as she closed her eyes. Inuyasha responded with a "Hm?" Kimi whispered into Inuyasha's ear, "They still love you too. Which is why I love you so." Inuyasha breathed in her scent and she picked up his face in her hands and gave him a sweet and tender kiss. Perhaps life does have a pattern…