Chapter 2

"I can't believe we are going to be seniors in college next semester" Ayumi gushed clasping her hands in front of her. Kagome gave a small smile to her friend as they walked down the street.

"One more year and we will be real adults, but let's enjoy our summer break now!" Yuki grinned as she walked between Ayumi and Kagome she linked her arms with the two girls'. Eri giggled beside them.

"We should celebrate with shopping in that new mall that opened last week, and maybe we can go out tonight." She said with a small eyebrow wiggle.

"Eri! Didn't you just go on a date a few days ago? Aren't you seeing that boy?" Yuka asked.

"Ehh, you know how that goes. I need more entertainment. Besides, maybe we will run into someone that Kagome would finally dance with." Eri said with a suggestive smirk.

Kagome let out a sigh and shook her head, with a small smile on her face. This was her life now. It took her a long time after coming back to this time to start feeling even remotely normal. She often dreamt of being with Inuyasha and the rest of her friends in the Feudal Era. But every morning she woke up in her own bed. Her mother gave her so much love and support, and her brother was always checking in on her to make sure she was recovering.

After a few months, Kagome started attending school regularly again, and finished high school with her friends. She wanted to distract herself and keep busy as much as she could, so immediately after graduation she enrolled in college, where she studied History with the concentration of Feudal Japan.

She dedicated most of her free time to the shrine. She practiced using her reiki, read through scrolls, and she taught the visiting children of the shrine's history. She visited the Goshinboku and the well regularly, often having conversations like Inuyasha was standing next to her on the other side. She wanted to tell him how things were going. How she graduated with good grades, how Souta fell in love with Ayumi and how embarrassed he would get every time she spoke to him. How she loved spending time with her grandpa and learning from him. And of course, how much she missed and loved him.

"You know she isn't the dating type, ever since her two-timing boyfriend left her life she doesn't look at any men" Ayumi whispered leaning towards Eri.

"Oh please, Kagome has been rejecting boys since high school. Poor Hojo. He never learns either." Yuka joined the whispers.

"You are all aware I'm right here, right?" Kagome asked rolling her eyes.

"Yes, yes. Let's go to the mall!" Ayumi smiled and dragging the other girls with her.

Kagome came to a halt all of a sudden. Something felt off, like the energies around her shifted. She looked towards her neighborhood and swallowed hard. She has this feeling before. Every once in a while it felt like she could feel him. The number of times she went home from class, hoping Inuyasha came through the well taught her not to raise her hopes up. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Her friends looked at her with confusion, but Kagome forced a smile on her face she continued chatting with them, making plans for the evening.

She jumped slightly when her phone started ringing.

"Souta! What's up?" She asked.

"Oh hey, big sis. What are you doing?" Souta asked with excitement evident in his voice.

"I'm going to the new mall with the girls to shop, why?" Kagome asked suspiciously. The last time Souta sounded like that was when he tried to set a date up for Kagome with Hojo to help Kagome move on. Kagome didn't take that all that well, although she couldn't be angry at him, but after that, the particular tone Souta used made Kagome uneasy every time.

"Oh cool , the one near the high school? We should get lunch together!" He exclaimed.

"Umm, why?" the nagging feeling wouldn't leave Kagome.

"Is it a sin that a brother wants to spend quality time with his older sister? Summer break started, I just want to hang out with you."

"Fine." Kagome sighed. "Let me know when you get there, we can grab something."

"Yay! I will see you soon then! I'm bringing a friend, love you bye!" Souta yelled quickly in one breath, and he hang up before Kagome could comment any further.

"A friend? I swear to God, if he tries to introduce me to someone, I will end him." Kagome growled.

Her friends stared at her and giggled at her anger.

"It could be one of his classmates he is hanging out with. Plus we are there with you so we can save you from any creep" Ayumi said.

They approached the enormous parking lot of the new mall. A line of trees separated each row of parking spaces. A large stone water fountain with intricate design stood in front of the main entrance, and children played in the water. While the mall looked modern, it seemed to be in touch with nature as potted plants and trees surrendered the entire building. Kagome has never seen another shopping center like this. The inside was even more impressive. The mall had 4 floors, and an open design. Standing at the main entrance, you could see the other floors as the glass reeling allowed a clear view. Between the stores benches and potted plants sat.

"Alright, what shall be our first stop? Dresses for tonight, or bikinis for the summer?" Eri asked.

"Dresses!" Yuka yelled and raised her right hand in the air.

"Wait, aren't we meeting my brother and his friend first?" Kagome asked.

"We can leave the store when they get here. The food court shouldn't be too far." Ayumi said as she pulled Kagome into one of the stores on the first floor. They barely started looking through the racks when Kagome stormed out of the store without a word.

She could feel it. It had to be real. But could it? She pushed through a crowd of people, blocking out the concerned shouts of her name from her friends. Her legs couldn't stop moving until she got to the source, even if she wanted them to. That thought was banished as her feet rooted in the ground outside the mall, by the fountain. She stared, with shock evident on her face, at the silver haired man in a gray shirt and blue baseball hat. She couldn't move. The man stared back at her unmoving.

"I-Inu… Inuyasha?" she whispered barely audibly, like she was scared her voice would break the illusion. He looked like her Inuyasha, time hasn't changed him a bit. His ember eyes were boring into hers, searching her soul. His long silver hair fell around his shoulders, and his face held so many emotions. She was sure hers reflected the same. Her eyes started to fill with tears but she made no move to wipe them away.

When she said his name, it was like he broke out of the trance, and he closed the distance between them in just a blink of an eye. He held her close to his chest, just breathing in her scent, relishing in the fact that she was truly in his arms, and he swore in that moment he would never let her go again.

"Kagome" her name was like honey on his tongue. He closed his eyes as tears began to form and he kissed the top of her head. "I'm here now." He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against her lips and embraced her again.

They stood there not caring who was around them, until an angry cough pulled Kagome from her daze. She stared at her brother.

"Souta?"

"Inuyasha-nii, I find Kagome for you and you just leave me behind like that?" he huffed at the older man. Kagome looked between her brother and Inuyasha, until it clicked. Inuyasha was the friend Souta was going to bring.

"Why didn't you just say it on the phone he was here?" She yelled at her brother, her cheeks flushed.

"I was walking back from school when I ran into him. He came to the high school to look for you. I thought it could be a surprise for you. Be happy I didn't bring Taro, he has been asking me to set you up with him non-stop." Souta huffed as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked away from his sister. A slow blush made his way to his face.

"Can you guys let go for 5 seconds? Its starting to make me uncomfortable" Souta said.

"Taro would have died, and no, it will only get more uncomfortable for you" Inuyasha replied with annoyance lacing his voice. Kagome squeaked as he started lifting her up, probably to run back to the shrine with her, when they heard Kagome's name being called.

"Shit" Kagome cursed under her breath, and Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her cussing.

"Let her go! What are you doing you weirdo?" Eri yelled and Inuyasha pinned back his ears under his hat. Who the fuck was this? At his growling, Kagome placed hand on his chest and stepped away from him a bit.

"Eri! Stop! This is Inuyasha." Kagome said as she looked to the ground with a blush. Inuyasha stared at her for a moment. Was she embarrassed being seen with him? The thought left a bad taste in his mouth and he made a whimpering sound he hoped no one could hear.

He could smell Kagome's scent on the group of girls, so he assumed they were together. Her friends stared at them for a moment before realization sat on their face.

"The two-timer boyfriend?" Yuka whispered to Ayumi, who nodded in response.

Boyfriend eh? That's why she felt embarrassed. Inuyasha smirked and put his arm around Kagome's waist, making her blush even more.

"Oookay, now that everyone has joined our party, let's get back to shopping." Eri stated as she went to grab Kagome's hand and pull her back to the stores. Inuyasha growled and tightened his hold on Kagome. Way to ruin his perfect moment. Eri pulled her hand back and stared at the couple in front of them.

"Why don't you guys go back inside? I need to talk with Inuyasha for a bit, we will catch up." Kagome said, not making eye contact with any of the girls.

Before anyone could protest Souta grabbed Ayumi's and Yuka's hand and started pulling them inside. Eri looked at Kagome one more time, it was clear she wanted to say something else, and by the look on her face it wasn't going to be anything nice, but she gave a small nod and headed back as well.

Kagome turned back to Inuyasha, who all of a sudden lifted her up and started running back to the shrine like he originally planned. Kagome squealed and giggled and a small smile graced Inuyasha's face at her sounds.