How Can I Not Love You

(A/N: This chapter is based on the song How Can I Not Love You by Joy Enriquez. I do not own Inuyasha's characters!)

Kagome was back in school, trying to finish up her last math exam. She was busy concentrating on her test, and didn't notice the bell has rang.

"Pencils down Ms. Higurashi!" exclaimed her teacher. Kagome quickly slammed her pencil on the desk and stood up.

"Finished!" she snapped back. She gathered her things and left the classroom. Just as she was off the school's grounds, Hojo walked up behind her. Kagome sighed and smiled before stopping and turning around.

"Hey Hojo," she said. Hojo smiles his sweet smile.

"Hey Kagome. I haven't seen you in a while, and I was worried how your health was," he replied. He handed Kagome a small container full of soup. Kagome smiles and takes the soup and carefully puts it in her back pack.

"Thanks Hojo. You're really sweet and always taking care of me," she says. Hojo nods and walks up to Kagome.

"I was wondering if maybe we can hang out sometime when you're feeling better?" he asks, hoping this time she would say yes, and not turn him down like so many other times Kagome has previously before. Kagome hesitates. Inuyasha suddenly popped into her mind.

"Sorry Hojo, but I've already had other plans for tonight," she said quickly.

Cannot touch. Cannot hold. Cannot be together. Cannot love. Cannot kiss. Cannot have each other. Must be strong, and we must let go. Cannot say what our hearts must know. How can I not love you? What do I tell my heart? When do I not want you here in my arms? How does one waltz away from all of the memories, how do I not miss you when you are gone?

"Kagome, who's the other guy?" he asked. Kagome stood completely still, in shock. Did Kagome really expect to keep Inuyasha a secret forever? Kagome never thought Hojo would think there was another man in her life, however; Hojo has been wanting to take Kagome on a date for a real long time, yet she keeps pushing him away because of her feelings for Inuyasha.

"Hojo, how did you..why do you think there's someone else?" she asks back, swallowing nervously. Hojo stood closer to Kagome, making her back up against the fence.

"Kagome, I'm not stupid. Nice, understanding, and caring for you all this time because I am worried about you made me realize that I really do care about you. But for the past few months, maybe years, you've never taken up the chance to maybe go on a single date with me," Hojo explained. Kagome looked into his eyes, as he looked for the truth in hers. Kagome opened her mouth to say something, but Hojo held up his hand letting her know that he wasn't finished. Kagome closed her mouth and listened to Hojo.

"I don't like to be played as a fool, Kagome. If you have been seeing someone else this entire time that I've been chasing you, it would've been nice for you to tell me, as a friend that I expected you to be, that you're interested in someone else, and have been all this time. So tell me, who is the other guy?" he asks again. Kagome has never realized Hojo felt this way. The thought of Hojo wanting to really be with her never crossed Kagome's mind. Kagome looked away from his eyes, ashamed that she has played with his feelings that way.

Cannot feel. Cannot share. Sweet and tender moments. Cannot feel, how we feel. Must pretend its over. Must be brave, and we must go on. Must not say, what we've known all along. How can I not love you? What do I tell my heart? When do I not want you here in my arms. How does one waltz away from all of the memories, how do I not miss you when you are gone? How Can I not love you?

"I'm so sorry Hojo. I didn't know you felt that way about me..."she whispered before looking up into his eyes, noticing the tears. Hojo was trying to hold them back. Kagome reached up to touch his face, but Hojo flinched as if it'd hurt.

"I love you Kagome, but I don't like to share. If you are happy with the other guy, then I wish you guys both happiness and luck for as long that you guys are together. If I have to let you go, then I will," whispered Hojo, looking away from Kagome. Kagome's heart started to beat hard against her chest like it was going to break through. Her eyes began to burn as she tried not to cry. She was afraid of losing him forever, friend and everything in between.

"His name's Inuyasha.."she answered. Hojo gave her a puzzled look. Kagome suddenly wrapped her arms around Hojo, afraid to let go, "Please Hojo, I don't want to lose you as a friend. You're one of the few that I can call a friend and love me as much as you do...please don't throw that away," she pleaded. Hojo closed his eyes and let the tears fall as he returned the embrace.

"I'll never leave you Kagome. I couldn't do that to you or myself. I'll always be there no matter what. Sick or heart broken," he vowed in her ear. Kagome smiled against his chest, relaxing in his arms.

"I didn't think you would want to be with me, only as a friend, that's why I never tried to make it more than that," she said quietly. Hojo pulled Kagome away enough to look in her eyes.

"You are sadly mistaken Kagome. Not a day goes by when I think about being with you, seeing you smile, hearing your voice, missing you when you're not at school. Now someone else has that privilege," he said. Kagome had a faint smile on her lips, and nodded.

"You're a great friend Hojo, and I love you for it," she replied back. Hojo reached up and moved the few strands away from her face before placing a small kiss on her forehead.

"I hope he doesn't hurt you Kagome. You're too special for some guy to break your heart and leave you," he said. Kagome tilted her head.

"That's when I come to you," she whispered back with a small smile. Hojo smiled back the same, and pulled her back into her arms. Kagome and Hojo, hand in hand, walked back to Kagome's house. Hojo gave her one more hug and watched as she walked into her house. He wiped one last tear away, and started to head back towards his house.

How can I not love you when you are gone?