A/N: Sorry for the wait! Like I said before, this story will be updated sporadically. Hope you still enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha

Chapter 4: Borderline

"So… who's the perfect source you mentioned?" Inuyasha nudged Miroku, who was currently busy texting on his phone. They were both leaning against his car and Inuyasha was more than curious when he had seen his friend's face light up. Miroku didn't answer him right away, instead reading the reply he had just received. He turned to his friend and smiled.

"You'll see."

"I don't like the sound of that."

Miroku clapped his friend's back. "Trust me, Inuyasha! When have I ever steered you wrong?" He paused as if realizing something suddenly and frowned. "Actually, don't answer that, just trust me."

Inuyasha gave a long sigh. "Looks like I don't have a choice."

"If you really want to earn Kagome's trust back, you need to understand what she'd been through these past ten years since you dumped her in the park." Miroku gave him a pointed look. "I told you not to, yet you did it anyway."

The silver-haired half demon shoved his hands in his pockets and pressed against the car even more. "There isn't a day that passes that I don't wish to redo that part of my life." He chuckled to himself without mirth. "I was a fool back then, thinking I could juggle both of them in my life, that it wasn't a big deal."

"You weren't the only stupid one." Miroku mimicked his friend's pose. "I think we all were foolish back then and made mistakes that we regret. That doesn't mean that you can't change what's happening now." He took out his notepad and pen and scratched something across the page. Ripping it, he handed it to Inuyasha. "This is where my source would like to meet you. I'm sure they'll be of help."

Inuyasha took the paper and didn't bother to look at it before he stashed it into his pocket. "Thanks, Miroku. I owe you one."

There were some things Inuyasha had been prepared to deal with when deciding to pursue Kagome again. He knew she would be upset, maybe even violent against him. He understood that it might be a while before she even considered him more than just an ex, but he was in it for the long haul. Hell, he had even prepared for a surprise attack by Sango, though there was still no sight of her anywhere (though every so often he had the feeling to check over his shoulder) and yet there was nothing, nothing that could have prepared him for the 'source' Miroku was so confident about.

"Mrs. Higurashi, it's nice to see you again!" Inuyasha gave her his best damn smile while standing on her porch. Her answering smile was just as radiant, but there was a distinct lack of warmth that he could detect immediately.

He was really going to punch Miroku's guts when this was over.

"Do come in, Inuyasha. It's been a while, hasn't it?" She walked elegantly through the hall to the kitchen. "Kagome isn't here right now, so don't worry about her. We're all alone." Her chipper voice was a stark contrast to the chill that had run down Inuyasha's spine. He wasn't too thrilled that there wouldn't be anyone to witness his upcoming slaughter by the matron of the home. He just prayed she wouldn't drag it out for long.

"Yes, it's been some...time." Inuyasha tried to sound casual but was having a hard time. Mrs. Higurashi indicated for him to take a seat.

"I was just cutting up some vegetables for dinner." Inuyasha's nose detected a delectable smell wafting from a pot on the stove. "It's Kagome's favorite. She loves my stew."

He gulped as she brandished a large knife, expertly and efficiently chopping the various vegetables strew about the counter. Nervous couldn't describe the feeling in the pit of his stomach. He figured he had to say something.

"Mrs. Higurashi, I'm—"

"Sorry? A fool?" Mrs. Higurashi turned to him, laying down her knife and crossing her arms in a pose Inuyasha recognized as one Kagome had always given him when she was being serious. "Kagome hasn't been the same since whatever happened between the both of you."

She pierced him with a fierce look and Inuyasha knew that no matter how gentle and docile she looked, Mrs. Higurashi was a mother bear defending her cubs. There could be no other explanation for her demeanor. "As a mother, it was hard to help her understand that she was worth loving when the person she had loved the most had broken her heart for another. I had hoped for a lot of things for the two of you," Mrs. Higurashi paused and sighed. "And then she left and didn't look back. I had hoped that she had moved on, and for a while, I thought she had, but then she came back." She turned away and moved to the stove to stir it. "And now you're here."

"You're right." Inuyasha's voice was quiet. "I was a sorry fool and I realize that now. I only ask for one chance to make things right."

Mrs. Higurashi sighed and lowered the heat on the stove, sitting opposite of him when she was done. She gave him a long look before she spoke. "You realize that only she can give you that chance, correct?"

He gave her a small nod. "I know, but I want to do things right this time."

She was silent for a few more moments before she gave him a small smile. "I always held hope that you'd come back for Kagome. The both of you radiated so much love and were so good for each other. But," she paused, leaning in, "if you hurt her any more than you already have, you will answer to this family."

Inuyasha was quick to nod his assent, relief flooding through him. "Thank you, Mrs. Higurashi."

She smiled at him genuinely. "I understand that you came here hoping to catch up on how Kagome's life has been since she left correct?"

"More or less,"

"Well, then, let's not waste any time. I don't want her to find you here just yet."

This was how Inuyasha spent most of the afternoon. It was nice to finally be able to see the woman he had considered a second mother in his youth and to not feel as guilty as he had before. He told her about his hopes and dreams and she shared what Kagome had done in her life. Then she got to mentioning Kagome's boyfriends and while Inuyasha frowned at the thought, he wasn't going to act as if it wasn't possible. Kagome was a smart, attractive woman and any man would be a fool to let her go. Much like he had been.

"Kouga was her most recent boyfriend and her longest," Inuyasha sat up straighter when he recognized the name. Sango had mentioned in passing that Kagome was close to getting engaged with a man named Kouga. "He was a nice boy, visited a couple of times when he was in town. He has some type of business that has him travel a lot, but he always had time for Kagome." She gave him a pointed look. "Something you should make sure you have too."

"Were they ever engaged?"

"I'm not quite sure, but of all the men she dated after you, she liked him the most." She glanced up at the clock as she finished her statement and gasped. "Oh, you should go quickly! She'll be home any moment." The both of them stood quickly and she walked with him to the door. "You take care, Inuyasha. You have my blessing."

He nodded and smiled. "Thank you."

"Don't go breaking her heart again, young man." She raised an eyebrow at him. "You'll regret it."

"Not planning on it!" Inuyasha waved as he rushed down the steps. While it had started off rough, meeting with Kagome's mother couldn't have gone any smoother. He was glad that Miroku had set it up and was even contemplating letting it go since all the information he was able to get was very helpful. Though Kagome had changed a lot, she remained essentially the same; a fiery, passionate woman with a heart of gold. He still had a chance to convince her they should be together again.

His heart was filled with emotion thinking about how his life, and Kagome's, was about to change.

"Mom, I'm home!" Kagome came in and dropped her key on the table near the door. "Sorry I was out for so long. I had to drop off the yearbook Sango wanted and we didn't realize the time."

"No worries, dear." Her mother poked her head out of the kitchen. "It gave me some time to think."

"Think about what?" Kagome plopped down unknowingly into the seat Inuyasha had just vacated only an hour before. The smell of the food hit her nose and she hummed in anticipation, her mouth instantly watering. "Wow, that smells good."

"It's your favorite, honey." She gave the pot one last stir. "And I was just thinking about Inuyasha. It's been a while since I've seen him."

Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Why the sudden thoughts?"

Her mother just smiled as she placed a bowl in front of her. "I saw your album on the nightstand in your room when I went to gather laundry, you know the one you never got to give to him?"

Kagome froze as she realized that indeed she had left it out. Gosh, why did her mom have to see it? It was almost pathetic that she still held feelings for the idiot who crushed her heart in the first place.

"Oh," Her voice was small and soft. "Guess I forgot to put it back,"

"Dearest," Her mother placed a hand on her chin and raised it so that she was looking at her. "You deserve to be happy, whatever way that may be." She placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead. "If he makes you happy, then follow your heart."

"It's not that easy," Kagome muttered, turning away.

"Good things never come easy." Her mother smiled wisely. "Whatever you choose, I will still be here." With that, she turned and left Kagome alone with her favorite stew. Taking a few bites, she mulled over her mother's words.

Somehow, she knew her life was about to change.

A/N: Again, sorry for the wait. I'm in my senior year at college and it has been a lot harder than I thought it would be. Wrote this chapter to relax and destress. I hoped you guys still want more! And the song is Borderline by Madonna. One of my all time favorites. :)

~Daichi