Disclaimer: I do not own any of InuYasha's characters or the story.

Announcement! I edited a bit of chapter 1, just a heads up.

Terrible Memories and a Broken Promise

Kagome

I was eating my lunch at our table. Miroku was talking about a story in Animal science that was so funny he had everyone's attention. At lease…almost everyone's. My attention was far off. Today was my birthday, my eighteenth to be exact. Not exactly the best day of my life either. It's the ten year anniversary of my family's death.

Ten Years Ago

I had just turned in my math homework for my teacher when the bell rung. I quickly grabbed my notebook and pencil and ran to my cubby. It had my name on it and was covered with unicorns and fairies. I pulled out my Sailor Moon back pack placed all my stuff in it, and then I threw it on my back. I noticed InuYasha's cubby was right beside mine so I figured that I'd grab his Pokémon back pack while I was here.

Now it's time to get InuYasha and head for the bus. I walked over to my table again I see that my best friend InuYasha had fallen asleep. Very soundly too. After he turned in his paper, he fell right to sleep. I giggled as I started to poke him, "InuYashaaaa? InuYashaaaa? InuYasha!" I said louder, poking him in his tickle spot.

He jumped up and fell out of his desk, "What? Whoa! Owy!" He yelled when he landed on his face. He sat back up and rubbed his nose to glare at me, "What did you do that for, Kagome?"

I just laughed and handed him his back pack, "School's over, InuYasha, time to go and catch the bus. Come on, you said you would come to my house for my birthday."

He grumbled in annoyance when he put the straps on his shoulders, "How long did your mom and say I could stay over?" He asked, catching up to me.

"Since it isn't a school night, you can stay over until your parent's get off work." I said grinning.

"Hard to believe that you're eight now. Geez, girly, you are so old, birthday gir!" He said sticking his tongue out as we made it to the bus parking lot.

I laughed, "If I'm old, than that makes you ancient because your birthday was three months ago. So, nah nah! Nah nah nah!" I taunted hopping on the bus.

He just rolled his eyes and sat next to me on the bus. "What do you think my family's making for us?" I asked staring out the window.

"If I would guess, it would probably be some of your mother's famous sushi, a cake, and RAMEN!" He said excitedly clapping his hands.

I rolled my eyes, "What is it with you and ramen?"

"It's awesome and you know it! Don't deny the delicious taste of ramen!" He said pking my shoulder.

I sighed and then straightened up as I recognized my street. "Woops, this is our stop. Come on!" I said and grabbed his hand to get off the bus.

"You two kids have good day now. And happy birthday, little lady!" Said the bus driver as we got off.

"Thank you!" I said waving as the bus drove off.

"How did he know it was your birthday?" InuYasha asked.

I shrugged, "Beats me." And then a blaring of sirens started to burn my ears! "What the…?" InuYasha and I both looked up to see a fire truck speeding down Wilson Way. "That's my street!" I yelled as I started to run after it.

"Kagome wait! You don't know what it could be!" InuYasha yelled from behind me.

Please be okay! Mom, Dad, Sota! Please don't be hurt! My thoughts were interrupted when I saw smoke and flames. And the image became clearer and clearer as I got closer and closer. Once the source of the fire finally came into focus, I screamed.

There it was. My house, my home, burning as it was being consumed by flames. I saw many people surrounding it. Neighbors, firefighters with hoses, and policemen. InuYasha caught up to me and gasped, "Oh no!" But I could barely register anything. I was watching my house burn down. "Mom? Dad?" I heard InuYasha ask.

I turned my head in time to a beautiful woman with long black hair run towards us and pull me into her arms, "Kagome, InuYasha, are you two alright?" His mother Izayoi asked.

"We're fine, mother." InuYasha said.

"We came as soon as we got the call." I heard his father InuTaisho say.

I leaned out of Izayoi's arms and looked around, and then realized, "Where's Mom and Dad? And Sota?" I asked looking back up at her.

She didn't answer, she just looked at me with so much dread I almost died on the spot. "NO!" I broke out of her arms and ran to the house.

"Kagome, no!" InuTaisho shouted.

"Mom! Dad! Sota!" I yelled darting under all of the people getting closer to the house. I ran under a fireman and ran faster to the house.

"Kid, stop! Don't go in there!" He shouted, but I ignored him. "Someone grab her!"

I was already running up the porch steps. I was almost at the door, and then… a long strong arm wrapped around my chest and pulled me backwards and lifted me up into the air. I looked up to see that it was InuYasha's older brother Sesshomaru who had pulled away. I struggled in his grasp. "NO! Let me go! Stop it! I have to save them! We can't leave them there!" The higher we went, the smaller the house seemed to become.

Then all of a sudden…BOOM! A huge explosion came out of the house. "NOOOO!" I yelled reaching my hand toward the burning house. That was when I realized that I was crying.

When Sesshomaru finally landed, he held me close to his chest. I couldn't stop my tears from falling down my face. I was sniffling against his shirt as he stroked my hair, "I'm sorry, Kagome." He whispered. Sesshomaru was really nice to me, like the older brother I never had. But his words meant nothing at the moment.

I stayed in his arms for the next two ours as everybody around was being questioned. There were reporters and cameramen everywhere! I couldn't get over it. I tried to block them out though. I was too tired and too depressed to think of anything else. InuYasha was sitting next Sesshomaru while stroking my arm. InuTaisho and Izayoi were standing next to us talking about how this must have happened.

"Excuse me!" I heard a woman ask from behind me. Sesshomaru's arms tightened and he cradled my head closer. "May we have a word with the girl?" So it was a news lady.

"I think it would be best if you leave her be. She's had a very difficult day, as you can imagine." I heard InuTaisho say with a growl.

"But this could be the best cover story! Come on, it'll be quick! Hey, John, zoom in on the girl there. Hey, Kagome! Tell us, how does it feel to loose your family to such a horrible accident? What is it that you're feeling right now?" She asked as I could feel the microphone behind my head.

"Leave her alone!" I hear someone yell and then heard the mike break. I turned my head to see InuYasha as angry as ever and glaring at the reporter. "She just lost her family! How would you feel?"

"Mam, I suggest you leave." InuTaisho said with an edge to his voice.

More voices of protest went on before I clutched harder onto Sesshomaru's shirt. "Mom, Dad, and Sota. They're all gone!" I whimpered.

"Oh, Kagome." I heard Izayoi say behind us.

"How did this happen, Father?" I heard Sesshomaru ask.

"I'm not sure." Said the powerful deep voice, "I received a call an hour ago saying 'Come to the Higurashi residence at once!' and then the line went dead."

I started getting sleepy. It was getting harder to keep my eyes open. I felt someone stroke my hair and then murmur, "I think we should go home. Kagome has been through too much and she needs a place to stay for a while until the law can find a living family member for her." It was Izayoi.

"I think you're right, my dear. Come, let's go home." InuTaisho agreed.

"Giver her to me, Sesshomaru." Izayoi requested. I felt him nod against my neck and I could feel myself being lifted up and then being placed in the woman's arms. Her lips pressed against my forehead and murmur, "Try to sleep, Kagome dear. You'll need it." After that was said, I let my eyes close completely, and then everything else was hazy.

I don't know how long I'd been sleeping. All I knew was that I was being lifted up stairs, having my shoes taken off, being placed in a bed, and then having the covers go up to my chin. I opened my eyes a little, "Try to stay asleep, Kagome." She murmured and wiped some hair from my face.

"I don't want to have nightmares." I whimpered.

She nodded in understanding, "I know, honey. That's why I'm going to give this to you. It's a pill that will help you go into a deep sleep, so you won't dream. All you have to do is drink it with some water and wait for it to take effect." With that being said, she gently placed a glass of water and small pink pill on the bedside table. "Just take it with your water whenever you're ready to sleep." I nodded and then turned to the side. "I'll leave you, alone." She said before turning off the light and leaving the room.

More tears filled my eyes and I started crying again. Why? Why me? What did I do to deserve this? I lost my family. I clutched the pillow to my chest and cried harder. Oh, Mom, Dad, Sota…I'm so sorry!

There was a knock on the door and I sat up, quickly wiping my eyes, "Come in." I said with a shaky voice.

The door opened and a familiar silver head and dog ears poked in to the room, "Hey, Kagome." He said.

I looked at him, "Hey, InuYasha. What are you doing here?"

He shuffled his feet before walking up to the bed and held out a small box, "I know you're upset, Kagome. But I wanna give you this. Happy Birthday."

I looked down at the small box, "For me?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. When I saw this, I knew it would be the best present for you."

I smiled a small smile and took the box into my hands. I gently unwrapped the ribbon and then tool off the lid. My breath caught. Inside of the little box was a small pendant in the shape of a heart. I took it out of the box and examined it. "Open it." He said.

And with shaky fingers, I did as he said. When I opened it I gasped. Inside of it one side was a picture of InuYasha and I took a month ago. We were smiling and holding victory signs with our hands (Japanese have it as victory instead of peace). On the other side was an engraving. It said 'Best friends stick together no matter what.' I clutched it to my chest and felt more tears come down my cheeks, "Oh, InuYasha. I love it. Thank you so much!"

He brought me into his arms in a bone crushing hug. "I'm sorry that this all happened on your birthday, Kagome. That's why, starting now, every birthday of yours from now on you and I are going to do something fun together. I don't care if the most awesomest thing is happening, even if I have a girlfriend, you and I are going to make it a day for just you and me! I promise you this."

I hugged him back and cried into his shoulder, "Thank you, InuYasha."

Present

"Kagome? Kagooomeee?" Someone asked me.

I shook out my daze, "Huh?" I asked as I noticed that it was Sango who was shaking me.

"Do you want your presents now?" She asked grinning and held up a gift bag. Everyone else laughed and then held out their own present towards me.

I started laughing and then nodded, "Sure, who's first?"

"ME!" Sango yelled and put the bag in my hand.

"Alright, Sango. Let's see what's inside." I shifted my hand around inside the bag and then I caught something hard and rectangular. "Hmm." I pulled it out and gasped. "You didn't!" I yelled at her.

"Oh yes I did!" She replied proudly.

"Oh my gosh! The Twilight Graphic Novel Part 1, how did you get this?" I asked looking at the animated Bella on the cover.

"I managed to grab it before Borders closed down." She replied grinning.

I smiled back, "Thank you so much!" I said giving her a hug.

"My turn!" Yelled Miroku tossing over a small box in pink wrapping paper.

I eyed it wearily, "There better not be anything perverted in here, Miroku, or you are in serious trouble!" I warned.

He raised his hands in defense, "I sweat that there is nothing perverted in it whatsoever."

I sighed and then gently unwrapped it. Little by little, a picture was forming under the wrapper. When it was completely unsheathed my eyes became wide. I held up two DVD's in my hand. "I can't believe that you actually got me Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army!"

He grinned and stretched his arms above his head. "It's true, I am special that way."

Koga rolled his eyes and then handed me a card, "Sorry I didn't get you an actual gift, Kagome." He said with a hint of worry.

I shrugged as I gently opened the card, "Don't worry about it. I don't mind. It's the fact that you care, that's what makes it an awesome present." I took out the card and saw that it had an adorable kitten on it, "Awww! It's a kitty!" I said before opening it. I read out loud, "Dear, Kagome. Ayame and I haven't known you for very long, but you've when the three of us met, it was like we've been best friends forever. We're both really glad to have met you, and hope that you have a happy birthday! XOXOXOXO." I raised a brow at him.

"The XO's were Ayame's idea!" He said waving his hands in front of him.

Ayame just grinned and kissed him on the cheek, "Yep indeedy!" She said and he blushed.

I just laughed and noticed something green inside of it. I took it out and noticed that it was a twenty dollar bill and I gasped, "You did not give me money!" I growled.

"We went halfsies!" Ayame said smiling.

"I am going to kill you both!" I yelled blushing.

"You can do that after you open my present." She said handing me a small box.

I shook my head and opened the little latch. My breath caught as I saw the jewel shine brightly, "Ayame it's beautiful!" I said exasperated.

She nodded, "Since your birthday is in September, I figured that I get something with a sapphire on it. So I got you this bracelet. It also matches your eyes."

I sighed and then put the chain in place around my wrist, "Thank you so much, Ayame, I love it. Thanks all of you! You guys are such great friends."

"It's what we're here for!" They yelled and I laughed.

Once again, for the rest of the day I avoided InuYasha as much as possible. I wonder what we're gonna do this year. I'll just wait for a text from him and go to our meadow. Our meadow was a place we discovered when we were kids. We made a promise to each other that it was our spot. And no one else was aloud inside. If I had a boyfriend, I couldn't bring him. If InuYasha had a girlfriend, he couldn't bring her either. That's just the way we agreed it to be.

But what if InuYasha broke his promise and brought Kikyo over? A thought haunted me as I put the key into ignition. No. He wouldn't ever go against our promise. Would he? I shook the thought out of my head and drove off.

Once I reached the parking that was about ten minutes away from the meadow, I put it in park and got out. There was a trail in some bushes that lead straight to the meadow. InuYasha and I had discovered it when we were about seven years old. Our parents felt like having a picnic and we wondered off. We used bread crumbs to find our way back just like Handsel and Gretel (spell check?). When we found it, we played there the entire time. And as we got older, we came less and less. But we always came together. Except this time, when I need him most.

I finally reached the meadow and smiled. It was filled with many different kinds of flowers, it was so beautiful. It was as if it went on forever and ever with its beauty. The grass was so high, when we were little we couldn't even see each other when we stood up. I sighed as I sat down on the ground and then lied down. I just like to lay there and feel the cool breeze through my hair. Maybe he's planning a surprise?

I heard a little girly giggle in the distance and I froze. I slowly stood up, be stayed low enough where no one could see me above the tall grass. The giggling got louder as it got closer, and then I could hear a man chuckle. As I got closer I began to recognize the sounds.

When I finally realized who it was, I froze. No!

Out came Kikyo wearing her favorite skimpy out favorite the bushes and was wiggling her hips. "I love it when you bring me here, InuYasha!" She said spinning around.

Some more rustling came from the bushes and until I saw my, who I thought was my best friend, come out with a wide grin. "And I love bringing you here." He said and then wrapped his arms around her waist.

"When did you find this place again?" She asked rubbing her breasts against his chest.

He cocked his head to the side, "Not long after you asked me out."

What? InuYasha what are you doing? I though frantically as I felt tears fill my eyes.

"When I found it I knew it would be perfect for us. Our meadow." He said and then gave a long lingering kiss. I almost lost it right there. Seeing him kiss her broke my heart in two.

She pulled away after a minute and pouted, "InuYasha, you've been distracted all day. What's the matter my, Inu poo?"

He sighed, "I've been thinking about something I promised to Kagome."

I froze on the spot, "What about that slut?" She demanded.

He sighed, "Nothing important, babe. She was talking about making up to bailing on her last night for fulfilling my promise."

"What was the promise?" She asked with an edge and I became anxious.

He shrugged, "I have no idea." Tears left my eyes and I had to cover my mouth to prevent a sob from escaping my lips. He just grinned and murmured, "Who cares anyway?"

"Aren't you worried you might woose her twust?" She asked in a baby voice.

He shook his head, "Nah, not really. I'm sure she'll get over it. Besides when I have you, I don't need her trust or her friendship. So like I said, who cares?"

I couldn't take it anymore, I quickly got up and ran back up the trail. Not caring if they heard or saw me. It obviously doesn't matter if they're doing this to me and have no consideration of my feelings. How could you, InuYasha? I barley made it to the bushes when I heard, "Kagome!"

I new it was him, bit I kept running and running until I made it to my car. I unlocked the door, put the key in, and then drove off. As I drove home, I couldn't stop crying. How could you do this to me InuYasha? I thought you cared about me! You traitor!"