It was a long week for Kagome. In class, Inuyasha would smile at her and try to cheer her up. He somehow always managed to make her smile. She didn't know or understand how he did it. He just had some power over her, something indefinable and exhilarating. Still, she could see hesitation in his eyes. Like he was debating something serious and waging an internal war. Finally, it was Saturday, the day she was supposed to meet Inuyasha at his apartment to get in a couple hours of work on their project. She stood outside his door nervous and fidgeting. Her eyes lingered on the doorbell and she had to force herself to push it.

"Calm down… It's just studying." She muttered under her breath. When no one came to answer the door her nose wrinkled up in confusion before she gently pressed the doorbell again. This time she could hear slow and heavy footsteps approaching the door. She smiled and slightly adjusted the flouncy light blue blouse she was wearing.

The door opened slowly to a messed-up looking Inuyasha. His red pajama pants were loose and baggy, hanging low on his hips. He had a gray tank on that did little to nothing to hide his muscles from her prying eyes. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw her and his mouth hung open for a short moment before he promptly shut it and stood up straight, pulling up his bottoms a bit as he did so.

"Shit." His voice was low and deep as he ran one hand through his hair. "I forgot you were coming." His golden eyes dashed over to meet hers and they lingered there for a moment, making her blush.

"I can leave if you want." It came out soft. It was clear from the way she spoke that she didn't want to leave, she wanted him to invite her in.

After looking at her for a moment more Inuyasha sighed and his shoulders hunched forward. "Come in… Just, give me a minute ok? I'll meet you in the living room." He looked hurried and dejected as he dashed towards his bedroom.

Kagome walked slowly into the living room. She sat down on the couch and plopped down her backpack before withdrawing her laptop and books to set on the coffee table. She kept finding herself worriedly glancing towards Inuyasha's door. Just what had happened? Why did he look so… So upset? She wouldn't push it… Not unless he said something. She didn't want to pry. After all, this had been a sucky week for her and she knew she would hate it if someone tried to forcefully push their way into her broken heart.

Because that's how Inuyasha looked. He looked like he had a freshly broken heart.

When he joined her on the couch he had on a loose fitting black t-shirt and dark blue jeans. He had brushed his hair out and seemingly splashed some cold water on his face. Still, that didn't hide the way that he just looked… off. Something was clearly wrong. Something had clearly upset him to an immense degree. It was written all over his body, dripping off of his body language. She so desperately wanted to ask, wanted to help, but she bit her tongue and kept quiet.

"Let's get started, huh?"

She smiled up at him and noticed the way his ears were drooped. "Yea, let's get started."

She nudged him gently, playfully, with her elbow. "We've got a lot to get done, friend."

He smirked back at her. "Keh, so what?" His ears perked up slightly and she smiled.

They worked hard for nearly three hours. She explained to him what she had learned in her 'Edo Literature' class and they discussed how it could be applied to their project. They laid out a timeline for what needed to be done by when, especially when it came to the research they had to complete. Neither saw the point in limiting their research. After all, their final was to turn their five page paper into a fifteen page paper. If they got the work out of the way now it would be one less thing to do later. Their talk never wavered from the task at hand. Still, playful and nerves glances were shared between the two. Each trying to make sure the other didn't notice their longing looks. Through their entire time working together Kagome couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Inuyasha. One moment he would be smiling and laughing and the next he would look forlorn. It tugged at her heart.

Finally, when she was putting her books away and Inuyasha was asking if she wanted to stay for some pizza and their usual movie with Miroku and Sango (who would be showing up in another half hour), Kagome worked up the nerve to ask him what was wrong.

"Is everything all right Inuyasha?"

The question was so out of the blue from what they had been talking about that he looked honestly confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Kagome looked down at her hands, "you seem a little down. Did something happen?"

"Oh…" His voice trailed off, as if lost inside a haunting memory. She looked up at him. That forlorn look was back on his face. His eyes were shadowed by his hair and she got the distinct impression that he didn't want her to see the expression on his face in that moment. "Yea, I mean I'm ok, it's just…" He sighed heavily and she found herself gently placing one of her hands on his shoulder. She felt him tense momentarily before his whole body seemed to relax beneath her simple touch. "I broke up with Kikyo last night."

The air between them suddenly became stiff with tension and unsaid things.

"Oh…" It escaped her lips without her permission and she cursed her surprised utterance.

"Things had been falling apart for a long time. You were right Kagome, I deserve to be happy. I just… I couldn't marry her. I tried to talk to her about it, I asked her to wait for me to be ready, but she wanted it now. I kept trying to delay the inevitable. I'd been with her so long…" He trailed off longingly. "But, she is different now. She didn't use to care about public appearance or things like that. Now, like with the arcade, that's the only time she goes out with me. In public. Showing me off. Not because I'm a half-demon, you know…" At that he turned to look at her, his eyes serious. "I still get hate for being what I am, who I am… She always had me put my money before the real me. She had me use my money to make up for my half status." Kagome dug her fingers lightly into his shoulder. She couldn't believe that someone would do that. That Kikyo would have the man she supposedly loved use money to make up for the fact that they were only half. Kagome simply couldn't understand that because she didn't see Inuyasha as half. He simply was who he was, and she liked him exactly like that, money or not. "I had to do it Kagome. I couldn't marry her and…" His eyes met hers and something sparked. Something intense and wonderful ignited between them. "I didn't want her anymore… Not when I…"

His voice faded and they were sitting there, her hand on his shoulder, as their eyes explored each other. They were locked together, analyzing the other, trying to anticipate the others feelings. Kagome's breath was stuck in her throat. She could guess what he was about to say, but couldn't seem to finish.

"I know…" It came out muffled and slow. A hint of passion entangled in her words. His ears perked up, firmly fixed upon the woman in front of him. She removed her hand from his shoulder and it fell into the small space of couch between them. While their eyes were still locked together his hand inched towards hers until his hot skin pressed against the side of her hand. Their hands were touching, just grazing each other, and it was like fire to her. Her whole body was ignited with anticipation and a sudden forbidden need. Electricity danced between them and for a short moment it seemed like there could be more, like something intense was about to happen.

But, of course, it was then that thoughts of Koga decided to invade her brain. She winced and pulled her hand slightly away so they were no longer touching. They were still close together on the couch, the electricity never dissipating between them. She had to face facts, she wasn't going to get over Koga in only a week, and Inuyasha wasn't going to get over Kikyo in simply a night. If they even possibly wanted something together in the future it would never work unless they took the time to get over their pasts. It simply wasn't healthy, or fair to either of them, to dive into something until they had both completely moved on.

"I know… but, I still need some time…" She smiled warmly at him before leaning her head against his shoulder. A moment later she felt his head rest on top of her own and the butterflies in her stomach grew. "We both need some time."

"You're right." His clawed hand moved to rest on top of her knee that was closest to him. She almost thought she felt him smelling her hair and the thought made her blush. His hand tightened slightly around her knee and it sent shivers up through her body. Once again she found herself wondering how much he could sense. "Friends?"

"Friends."

They stayed sitting like that until they heard Sango and Miroku entering the apartment. They separated from each other unwillingly and the heat between them never faded, not even for a moment.

Time passed quickly. Faster than she had thought possible their project's due date was upon them. They gave their presentation and the professor later congratulated them on just how well they had done and that he had thought it was especially well researched. Inuyasha's hand had grazed hers on the way out, his fingers ever-so-slightly dancing across hers, and she didn't pull away. She didn't want to pull away anymore. Time heals all wounds… As cliche as that is, it was true.

About a week after they finished their project they were hanging out at his place, doing homework, when they simply started opening up to each other. The conversation went deep, to the very core of who they were. They had just put down their homework and had turned on the TV. Sango and Miroku were out for the evening so they had the place to themselves. They found comfort in each other's presence. They didn't always need words to communicate. It could just be a simple look, or a fleeting touch, that would tell them all they needed to know. They somehow understood each other without truly knowing each other. That night, the TV show they were watching sparked something. All of a sudden, she didn't know how they got on the topic, but they were talking openly about their childhoods.

"I used to love to run around the shrine and help my Gramps. There is this big tree outside my window and once in a while I would climb up into its branches. I would just sit there and watch the world go by. I liked to pretend that I was a priestess back in the Edo period. That I was there protecting a village. Once, when I was about fourteen, I was exploring every hidden corner of the shrine. I found a well and it was closed off. I thought I heard something deep inside it, like scratching, so I opened it up." Kagome's face scrunched up as she relived the memory. "I was looking over the edge and I don't know how it happened, but I fell in. I fell all the way to the bottom… I landed wrong and broke my ankle. My brother found me a couple hours later. I was a mess. Covered in dirt and I couldn't stop crying. I felt like the walls were pushing in around me. It was so odd, cause I was sure that I had to be somewhere, somewhere important, but that I couldn't get there. That feeling wouldn't go away for weeks."

Inuyasha leaned forward towards her and took one of her hands in his. "Can I see?"

She was startled but she nodded. She lifted her right leg up and bent her knee so that she could lay her ankle across his lap. He pulled up her jeans slightly so that her ankle was exposed. His fingers touched it gently, his claws lightly skimming the surface. Her whole body tingled.

"That must have hurt." His eyes were glued to her leg, soaking up every inch of skin he could see.

With his hand still resting on her exposed ankle she told him about her family. She told him about her Mom, Gramps, and brother. She told him about school and how she always felt like no one else quite understood her. Growing up on a shrine was special, unique, and it gave her experiences that other people didn't or couldn't quite understand. Eventually, she felt him squeeze her ankle slightly before he asked a question.

"What about your Dad? You haven't mentioned him…" The question was probing but innocent. His concern for her was clearly etched across his face. Still, the comment had made her tense up and avert her gaze from him.

"My Dad died."

"Oh… I'm sorry Kagome."

She took a deep breath and turned to face him once again, a smile on her face but tears tingling her eyes. "I was pretty young, Souta was just a baby. It was a car accident. He was driving home and it was raining really hard… He was always a careful driver, but, still, he spun out of control after hydroplaning. He crashed into a light pole and was dead within five minutes." She felt a tear escape her. It was still hard to think about the way he had died. She missed him so much that it tore open her heart to have to confront the memories. Inuyasha put her leg back down and scooted over to her so they were right next to each other. He reached up a hand and gently cupped her cheek before wiping the tear away. He put his hand back in his lap leaving her face electrified. "I don't have many memories of him. I remember him throwing me up in the air. It would make me laugh. I remember him brining me fresh picked flowers from around the shrine. I remember him showing me how to use my first bow…" She drifted off, fading into the memories, until Inuyasha's gentle embrace shook her from her nostalgia. His arms were warm and welcoming. When he pulled back she wished that he would never stop. She wanted to feel that sensation again.

"I didn't have the best childhood…" His voice was low and deep, his eyes once again hidden by his bangs. Her hand reached over and grabbed his. She loved how it felt when their fingers intertwined. "People… well, people don't always like what I am. I never knew my Dad. He died the day I was born. He was a leader, a dog demon, a top business man within the technology industry. It was never clear who did it, but he was found shot dead in his office…" Kagome squeezed his hand tighter. She had no idea that his past was so bad… All she wanted to do was lean forward and hold him. "My Mom… I loved her. She was the most beautiful woman. She was human, of course, and because of that she suffered from the curse that all humans do…" At that he turned to look at her. His eyes were glazed over, but he refused to let any tears fall. His face was serious as their eyes met. "You don't know how weak you are. Humans, so many things, so many little tiny things can kill you. Its over in an instant and then your just gone, it's not like that with demons. My Mom got sick, really sick. I was still young… just seven years old when she died."

Kagome gasped. Her eyes widened and her grip on him tightened. She had to fight back her own tears. Thinking about his pain, about what he had suffered through, pulled at her heart. She wanted to fix it, make it better, but she knew that was impossible. All she could do was comfort him.

"I had to move in with my half-brother Sesshomaru after that. We've never exactly gotten along. My Dad left his Mom to be with mine… Sesshomaru is full demon, like my dad. He took over my Dad's position. Still, and I'm not really sure why, he did take care of me. He was distant and cold but he was always there. I was picked on a lot as a kid, by other demons, by humans… Neither side accepted me because of what I am. Then, I met Miroku in high school and… let's just say he was my first actual friend."

"Inuyasha!" It came out like a moan as she threw her arms around him. "I'm so sorry! I would have been your friend! There's no shame in being a half-demon! You're perfect exactly the way you are." She squeezed him tightly. He froze for a minute at her words before she felt his arms wrap around her as well, his nose digging into her shoulder. They were so close, so intimate… It sent a thrill throughout her. Where his nose gently brushed her neck she couldn't help but wish for more… For a gentle kiss in that same exact spot…

"Keh, silly woman." His voice was gruff, needy. "Only you would think that."

She pulled back and spoke seriously. "No, Miroku and Sango think that too."

He seemed stunned for a minute but quickly recovered. "Guess your right, Ka-Go-Me." He drew out her name making her giggle before he wrapped one arm around her back so her head could lay on top of his shoulder.

They were content to be next to each other. For them, at that time, that was enough.

Within the next few weeks they talked about everything. They would sit together and do their homework at either her place or his. When it was done they would end up sitting together, watching TV, watching a movie, or listening to music. Then, they would simply talk. They would talk about anything on their minds. Usually, it was random stuff. They would debate what music was best, the illogical probabilities of action sequences, the dialogue that seemed too cliche to be realistic. They talked about their goals, their dreams, and what they were getting their degrees in. She told him that her degree was going to be in Feudal Era History with a minor in Anthropology and he told her that his was in Business with a double minor in Information Technology Management and Japanese History. He wanted to join his Dad's business that Sesshomaru now ran. He knew it would be a fight. Sesshomaru wouldn't make it easy on him. But, he wanted to become like his Dad. He wanted to be respectable, he wanted to show that he could be as great as his Dad was. Plus, he wanted to prove to Sesshomaru that he was worthy of their Dad's demon blood. Kagome, on the other hand, wasn't exactly sure what she was going to do after graduation. She told him that until she figured it out she had decided that she would go work on her family's shrine. She felt at peace there… When she would stand by the big tree a wonderful feeling would wash over her. It was intoxicating. The shrine simply called to her and until she figured out exactly what she wanted to be she thought the shrine would be the best place for her. She dreamed of making a difference, of making an impact on the world… And one night she found herself admitting to him that she wanted to have a family one day. It had surprised her, admitting that. Her cheeks had flushed and she had become all nervous… At least until he had admitted to her that he, too, wanted a family one day. He had reached his hand over to grab hers and they both blushed, faces averted. It was only then that he admitted to her, his voice soft, that his dream was to have a family. He wanted someone who loved him for who he was and he wanted to raise a family with them. He wanted to give his children the kind of childhood he never had.

Time went by so fast. Soon, they were signing up for their last semester of classes. The semester was coming to a close so quickly. It was the weekend before finals and Sango and herself were sitting in the living room, laptops open, books scattered all around, when they took a mental break from the stress of their approaching exams.

By then, Sango and Miroku had confessed to each other that they loved each other. It had actually happened the night of the arcade. In the middle of playing air hockey Miroku had simply stopped playing, walked over, and grabbed her hand before kissing it softly. Then, he said, "I can't… I just can't hold it in any longer my dear, lovely, Sango." He looked her dead in the eyes, a smirk on his face, "I love you. Will you bear my children?"

Kagome had spit out her water when Sango told her that.

Apparently, Sango first slapped him across the face before then wrapping him tight in her arms and finally saying, "I love you too."

Sango had just finished telling Kagome about going out with Miroku two nights before. They had shared a quiet, romantic, date at an Italian restaurant. Kagome loved getting to hear Sango's stories. She could see her friend's face come truly alive when she talked about the adventures she shared with Miroku. It was beautiful and amazing the way she would simply glow when she talked about him.

When she finished her story she paused and looked at Kagome, putting down the pencil she had just picked up before speaking. "Do you… Do you like Inuyasha, Kagome?"

Kagome froze, her own pencil falling from her now limp fingers. Before that moment, her feelings towards Inuyasha had never been openly discussed. It was painfully obvious that the two had been growing closer with each passing day, but she had never actually spoken her feelings out loud. It was only then, when Sango asked her that question, that she finally realized that her once constant thoughts of Koga had faded. With time, he had begun to slip from her mind. She wasn't consumed by the pain of their break up anymore. The flashes of memories happened rarely. With a start that made her gasp she noticed that thinking about Koga didn't bring her pain anymore.

She was over Koga.

She. Was. Over. Koga.

Her brain paused after each word, highlighting them as they sunk in. It was significant, this moment. The moment she finally realized that she was completely over her ex. All her feelings of love had faded for him. She no longer loved him…

With a growing smile she met Sango's eyes and spoke the truth, "I like him. I like Inuyasha, a lot."

~ Author's Note ~

I hope your enjoying the story. I have the rest of the story planned out already and I really hope you will enjoy it. Each review encourages me to write more. So, thank you to everyone who has reviewed. It means a lot.

Please, review!

~ FeudalAi