DISCLAIMER: "Inuyasha" and all characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi,
except, of course, for Melissa.
~~~~~~^~~~^~~~~~~
"Kagome! Don't eat your food so quickly!" Her mother scolded.
Sota and Grandpa looked on in amazement as they watched the girl consume her rice with great speed.
"But, mom-", Kagome replied with her mouth full, "she'll be here any minute and I've got to be ready."
Kagome's mother sighed. "Well let's hope she doesn't get here too soon or she'll see what a pig you're being." Grandpa commented. Kagome frowned and Sota laughed.
Just then, from outside, a car could be heard pulling up. Kagome almost knocked her bowl off the table as she sprung to her feet.
"She's here!" Her voice rang as she ran outside. The car door slammed shut and a girl's voice replied, "Thank you, sir.
As the car pulled away, a young girl with three suitcases, stood shyly. She had big blue eyes and chestnut colored hair that came down to her shoulders. She was wearing a dark purple top with elbow length sleeves, and jean capris pants with low heeled sandals. On her right wrist was a bracelet linked with tiny pink hearts.
Kagome smiled warmly, "Hi! You must be Melissa! I'm Kagome."
The young girl smiled, "Hello, Kagome! It's very nice to finally meet you."
"Can I help you with your bags?" A small voice came from the house.
"Oh, hello! Um, sure, if you'd like."
"This is Sota, my younger brother." Kagome introduced the two.
"Nice to make your acquaintance, Sota, I'm-"
"Melissa! I know." The young boy replied cheerfully as he took the smallest of the three suitcases. Melissa giggled and Kagome showed her the way to the house's front door. Meanwhile, on the roof, a figure quickly disappeared to the other side of the house.
After being introduced to Kagome's mother and grandfather, Kagome could not wait to whisk the girl away from Grandpa's raving about his ancient paper spells. Kagome showed Melissa to her room where they both sat on the bed to chat.
"So, tell me! What's America like?" Kagome asked curiously.
"Oh, well it's very nice there, in fact it's not quite that different from here. Like Tokyo, there are large buildings and many people in New York City. It's all hustle and bustle and everyone is always in a rush to get somewhere."
Kagome smiled, "Tell me about it." Melissa paused suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked.
Melissa rose from the bed cautiously, "I thought-I thought I saw something."
Kagome's eyes widened and before Melissa could reach the window, she sprung in front of her.
"You saw something? Oh, it was probably just a bird! There are a lot of those around here." Kagome replied quickly but nervously.
Melissa looked on puzzled. "Girls! Supper's ready!" Kagome's mother suddenly called from downstairs.
"Uh, we'll be right there mom!" Kagome shouted. "We'd better wash up." Kagome informed. "You go ahead, the bathroom's to the left. I'll be right there."
"You sure?" Melissa asked.
"Yes, go ahead. I'll be right there."
"Okay..." Melissa replied as she glanced out the window and then exited the room.
Kagome sighed a breath of relief but her face formed into an angry expression. She spun around to the window and flung it open. "I know you're out there!" She shouted. Kagome scanned the entire yard until a full head of silver hair hung down from the roof above. Kagome folded her arms and stepped back as Inuyasha perched himself on her windowsill.
"What?" He asked as if he hadn't realized why she sounded so irritated.
"That's all you have to say? What are you doing here?!" Kagome shouted.
"Jeez, calm down!" Inuyasha retorted.
"Why should I calm down? She saw you!"
"No, she didn't." Inuyasha contradicted as he put his hands behind his head.
"Yes, she did! Well...some of you any way. And you still haven't answered my question, why are you here?!"
Inuyasha groaned, "I came to get you! Why else would I be here? Are you coming or not?"
"I can't! Haven't you noticed? I have a guest!"
"Who is she anyway?" His voice was curious.
Kagome frowned, "What do you care? You're leaving!" Kagome put her hands on his arms and tried to push him out the window.
"HEY!" He shouted. A knock came from the door, "Kagome? Are you all right?" Melissa's voice interrupted.
Kagome's eyes widened and she quickly turned to the door, "Yes! I'm just fine...I'll be there in a minute!" Melissa looked at the door confused. "Now...you have to-" Kagome said as she turned back to the window, but he was already gone. Kagome sighed and shut the window. She walked to the door to meet Melissa.
"You sure you're okay?"
"Oh, don't worry about me! Every thing's fine! Come on, I'm starving!" Kagome waved her hand and then led Melissa down stairs to the kitchen.
"Hey! Where's Kagome?" Shippo inquired. Inuyasha jumped from the well's ledge.
"Well, lets see...if she's not with me, then where could she be? Figure it out!" Shippo folded his tiny arms and grumbled angrily.
"Is something wrong? I thought she'd be returning with you." Miroku asked as Inuyasha walked past him.
"Pft, she's got some friend with her. That's her excuse for not coming!" He complained.
"You know, Inuyasha, you mustn't forget, Kagome does have another life over there." Sango reminded as she walked up to her friends.
"Sango's right, let her enjoy the short time with her friends. Besides, I'm sure she'll show up tomorrow." Miroku agreed.
Inuyasha was not amused, "Yeah, well, she'd better be here. I hate waiting."
The next morning, Kagome offered to show Melissa around Tokyo. The two girls took their bikes and visited all sorts of temples, buildings, museums and parks. They even stopped by Kagome's school.
"It's so pretty here! You've got such a nice home." Melissa commented.
Kagome smiled, "Thanks! Yeah, it is a pretty nice place to live." If only I spent more time here. I'm always running off to the other world with Inuyasha, Kagome thought.
"Hey, how about some ice cream?" Melissa suggested.
"That sounds great! I'll race ya there!" Kagome challenged.
Melissa laughed, "You're on!"
The sun was setting as the two friends arrived home. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted!" Kagome said.
"Oh, I am too. But I had a great time! Thanks."
"No problem." Kagome replied. Melissa began to walk her bike to the side of the house and Kagome followed. But as she did, her brother was waving at her franticly from the door.
"Sota?" Kagome quickly glanced at Melissa and then ran towards her brother, "What's wrong, Sota?"
But before he could answer the door behind them slid open. "I'll tell ya what's wrong." Inuyasha replied in an unpleasant tone.
"Inuyasha! I told you to leave!"
"What's your problem? Besides, that was yesterday! And I'm not going anywhere until you come with me." Kagome stared at him blankly. Why is he acting so childishly? More so than usual anyway.
"Kagome?" Melissa called.
"Uh! One minute!" Kagome replied nervously. "You have to go! Now!" She hissed.
Inuyasha defiantly folded his arms and leaned up against the house. Just as he said, he wasn't going anywhere. Kagome groaned angrily as she pushed him into the house, "Stall Melissa for me, Sota!"
"Uh..." Sota began to reply but Melissa appeared.
"Hey, Sota. Where'd Kagome go?"
"Why can't you get it through that thick skull of yours that I don't want her to see you!" Kagome shouted at Inuyasha. The two were now in the family room, far from the door.
"You mean to tell me that friend of yours is still here?!"
Kagome frowned, "Of course she's still here! She came from America and she's gonna be here for the entire summer!"
"WHAT?!" Inuyasha howled loudly.
Melissa gasped as she looked towards the house, "What was that?" She asked. Sota looked up from his marbles, with which he was trying to distract her with.
"Uh, nothing! It was probably just a bird."
Melissa looked down at Sota, her face filled with puzzlement. What is it with these people and birds?
"You can't not come for the entire summer! In case you've forgotten, we're lookin' for the jewel shards. And I can't do that without you! You're the only one who can see them!"
"I'm well aware of that, Inuyasha! But I can't just leave Melissa for an entire week!"
"WHY NOT?!" Inuyasha whined.
Kagome slapped her hand onto her face, "Why in the world did I think you would understand?" She mumbled. Just then, the front door slid open. Kagome ran towards the hallway and peeked out from behind the wall, it was Melissa. She had just gotten her shoes off when Kagome ran up to her and grabbed her arm, "Hey! I'm real sorry about leaving you out there but..." Melissa looked up. Inuyasha was standing there, only a few feet away. Kagome's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
"Uh, hi." Melissa said. Inuyasha just stared at her.
"Yeah! Uh, this is my, uh..." Kagome tried to talk.
"Your boyfriend?" Melissa inquired.
Inuyasha's face went beet red and Kagome blushed.
"You weren't in the room, yesterday, were you? 'Cause my friend was in the exact same situation. See, she and her boyfriend weren't supposed to be seeing each other because her parents didn't like him-uh, not that I'm saying Kagome's mom doesn't like you but-" Melissa realized she was just rambling and thought it best to stop.
Inuyasha just stared at her.
"Yeah, could you excuse us for a minute, Melissa? I'm real sorry." Kagome asked.
Melissa nodded, "Sure. Nice meeting you, uh-"
"Inuyasha." He answered.
Melissa smiled, "Inuyasha."
Kagome groaned quietly as she pulled him towards the back of the house.
"She's certainly a lot nicer than you are." Inuyasha remarked. There was a moment of silence until Inuyasha screamed, "OWWWWWWWW!"
"Look. I explained to you about this a while ago; that a girl from another part of the world would be visiting for a student exchange program."
"Yeah? And how was I supposed to know that'd mean you not coming anymore?"
"I'll come! Just not for a while."
"So, I guess some person you just met is more important than friends you've known for three months!" Inuyasha snapped.
"I never said that! And that's not true!"
"Uh, sorry for interrupting...but if you guys need to go somewhere, together, that's just fine. Go ahead, Kagome. I'll be okay." Melissa appeared.
"Oh, Melissa! No..."
"Thanks a bunch, lets go Kagome." Inuyasha took her by the arm and started walking.
"Inuyasha! Stop! I can't leave!"
"She just said it'd be okay! Now come on." Kagome ripped her arm from his grasp.
"Fine! If you don't want to come back now...then...don't come back ever again!" Inuyasha was furious. He quickly disappeared back into the temple. Kagome was stunned and Melissa put her hand to her mouth, she felt terribly guilty.
"Go after him." Melissa told Kagome. The two girls were sitting under a tree. Kagome had her face resting in her hands.
"What for? He won't listen. Inuyasha is as stubborn as a mule and as selfish as a cat." Kagome's cat was up in the tree, looking fairly unhappy at that comment. "No offense, Boyo." Kagome added.
Melissa looked down towards the ground, "I'm real sorry, Kagome. I didn't mean for you guys to get into an argument."
Kagome looked up, "No! None of this is your fault! We always get into fights."
"I guess that's to be expected in a relationship, huh?"
"Wha-? No! Inuyasha and I are not boyfriend and girlfriend. Believe me, if I had a boyfriend he'd be the total opposite of Inuyasha."
"Oh." Melissa replied. "Still, he really did seem to care about you. I mean he did make such a big fuss about you going with him. And I hope I'm not being too nosy, but where were you supposed to go anyway? To a play or something? Inuyasha looked all dressed up, like he was wearing a costume. With that long white hair and those dog ears, his costume looked incredibly realistic." Kagome was surprised Melissa had made such a statement. It was good enough to believe!
"Uh, yeah! We're doing a play. But, I suppose I'm out of it now." Kagome sighed sadly. Melissa sat quietly not knowing what to say. It was bad enough she thought she had caused the feud. Both girls finally decided to head back to the house. Kagome followed behind and then stopped, to look at the temple that housed the well.
"Not again." Sango said as she looked up at Inuyasha who was pouting in a tree.
"Give it some time. They'll come around." Miroku assured her.
"Yeah, but this time it's different." Shippo chimed in. "Shippo! Where have you been?" Sango asked.
"I followed Inuyasha down the well."
"You're lucky he didn't catch you." Miroku informed the small fox child.
"What do you mean, 'this one is different'?" Sango questioned.
"Kagome didn't want to leave with Inuyasha 'cause she has a friend from...I think she said, 'A-mer-ika'."
"'America'? Where's that?" Miroku was puzzled.
Shippo shrugged, "Don't ask me. I'm only telling you what I heard. Anyway, Inuyasha refused to leave without Kagome and Kagome refused to leave her friend. When Inuyasha tried to take her, she still refused and he got real angry."
"What else is new." Miroku stated.
"So, what happened, Shippo?" Sango wanted to know.
"Well, when Kagome refused, Inuyasha told her to never come back again. I hate him!" Shippo replied with his voice full of detestation. Sango and Miroku exchanged nervous glances.
"He must have been extremely upset to have said such a thing." Sango concluded.
"Yeah, just think of how Kagome must feel now!" Shippo added.
"Where are you going, Miroku?" Sango asked when the monk stood up and began to walk away.
"I'm going to try and talk some sense into him. My efforts will more than likely be futile, but there's no harm in trying."
"Oh, yes there is." Shippo corrected.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku called. He had reached the tree where the hanyou was sitting in.
"What do you want?!" Inuyasha shouted back.
"We need to talk."
"There's nothin' to talk about, go away."
"How could you say such a thing to Kagome?"
Inuyasha's eyes flashed opened and he jumped down to the ground. "How do you know what I said to her? You didn't follow me did you?!" Inuyasha's enraged stare then turned towards Shippo who cowered in fear behind Sango.
"Why you..." Inuyasha growled as he began to go after him. But Miroku placed his staff over Inuyasha's legs, causing him to trip. "Why the hell did you do that for?!" He hollered angrily.
"Because you need to stop acting like a child and we need to start talking." Inuyasha sprung to his feet.
"I ain't got nothin' to say to you!"
"You sure had plenty to say to Kagome. Think of how she must feel now. If you won't talk to me...you sure need to go and talk to her."
"Look, monk! I don't need you tellin' me where I should go, what I should do or what I should say! Now leave me the hell alone!" With that, Inuyasha disappeared. Miroku shook his head and sighed. Sango and Shippo looked on. They were not at all surprised but they were disappointed.
That night, Kagome lay awake in her bed. She just couldn't sleep. All she could think about was Inuyasha and what he had told her. "Fine! If you don't want to come back now...then...don't come back ever again!" Kagome turned on her side. Melissa was sound asleep on a futon a few feet away. Kagome sighed and closed her eyes. Did he really mean it? He's never said anything like that to me before. Ah, who am I kidding? I shouldn't be so worried. I'm his little "jewel detector". He needs me for that. He'll be back to beg me to go with him. And I won't go.
The moon slowly peered from behind the mist of clouds in the night sky above as Inuyasha raced through the fields of tall grass. He leapt incredibly high in the air and landed on a tree branch. He looked down and there was the well. Maybe Miroku's right for once. I guess I should go back and...uh, apologize. But she probably won't even listen to me. She's as stubborn as a mule! Forget this! I didn't do anything wrong! She's the one that turned her back, not me! The hanyou firmly decided and folded his arms angrily.
Kagome was still awake, thoughts continued to race within her mind, making it impossible for her to drift off to sleep. Kagome gasped and sat straight up in her bed. She looked around her room. It was dark and the only light shining into the room came from the moon. Kagome looked over to her window; its curtains were blowing gently in the breeze. She lifted the sheets off of her and approached the window. Nothing. The land outside was consumed in the darkness of the night. Only the top of the trees were catching the moon's light as they swayed in the breeze. Kagome sighed sadly, she had hoped it was him. Kagome turned to walk back to her bed but she jumped back in fright.
"Is something wrong, Kagome?" Melissa asked quietly. She was sitting straight up, wide-awake.
Kagome put her hand to her chest, "Oh, no. Nothing's wrong. I just can't sleep."
"Thinking about him?" Melissa asked.
Kagome let out a breath of air, "I wish I wasn't." She sat on her bed and looked down.
"You like him...don't you?" Melissa inquired.
Kagome blushed. Fortunately, though, since it was dark, her friend couldn't see. "I don't know how I feel, exactly. I just wish he wasn't so cold to me all the time."
Just outside, Inuyasha could hear everything. He was sitting right on the edge of the roof, above the window. He had obviously changed his mind about coming back. He looked down, as though he felt guilty.
"Perhaps, he acts that way to hide how he really feels. Guys tend to do that. I bet he's just afraid to admit it."
Kagome looked up at Melissa, "You really think so? But you don't know Inuyasha. He isn't afraid of anything...I mean with all the fighting dem-" Kagome cupped her hands over her mouth.
Melissa frowned, "Fighting? Fighting what?" Inuyasha groaned, Why does she have to have such a big mouth! He thought.
Kagome waved her hands, "Oh, it's nothing. You know how guys are! They like to fight. Inuyasha is always getting into them with kids at school." Inuyasha slapped his hand over his face.
"Oh." Melissa replied.
"Well, I guess we had better try to get some sleep, huh?" Kagome said trying to end the nerve-racking conversation.
Melissa nodded, "Yeah, it is late. Good night, Kagome. Thing's will be better tomorrow."
"Good night, Melissa. Yeah, tomorrow." Both girls returned to bed.
The tiny clock that sat on Kagome's desk read 2:00 AM, when her window slowly began to slide open. Kagome stirred in her bed; she had finally fallen asleep an hour earlier. Inuyasha stuck his head in, first seeing Melissa, and then Kagome in her bed. He quietly set a foot down on the floor and then the other one, but it made the floor creek loudly as it did. Inuyasha cringed, he hoped they hadn't heard him. After making sure they weren't awake, he crept over to Kagome's bed and stared down at her. She was sleeping peacefully. He knelt down on the floor with great care, as not to make a sound. "I'm- sorry, Kagome. I'm sorry, all right?" Inuyasha sighed. His words weren't doing any good, but they had come so easily since he knew she could not hear them. He finally decided he had better wake her and get the apology over with. But before he could touch her arm, she whispered, "Inuyasha?" Her eyes slowly opened and when his face became visible, she slowly sat up. Inuyasha looked at her.
"Look...I came to say-well, I came because..." Kagome blinked. Is he actually going to apologize? She thought. Inuyasha turned around to make sure Melissa was still asleep. He turned back to Kagome.
"Did...you come to say you're sorry?" Her voice sounded so innocent. Inuyasha took a deep breath and exhaled, then he looked down to the floor. Kagome looked at him, she knew this was tough for him to do. How weird it was that he could fight and kill demons with ease, but for him to utter a small apology was incredibly difficult.
"Yes." He finally breathed.
Kagome folded her arms and closed her eyes, "Good. I'm waiting."
An angry expression came over his face, "Why must you make everything so hard for me?!"
"SHHHHH! She'll hear you!" Kagome exclaimed as she placed her hand over Inuyasha's mouth. He quickly pushed it away.
"Can we please continue this outside?" Kagome asked.
"Fine." He retorted.
Once outside, Inuyasha wasted no time in continuing, "And that's another thing! I can't understand why you've given such importance to a stranger."
"She is not a stranger! Melissa and I are friends."
"Oh! Well, laddie da!" Inuyasha said as he turned his back.
Kagome squinted her eyes at him, "I get it! You're jealous, aren't you?"
"Oh, give me a break!"
"No! You're jealous! It's 'cause I'm spending all my time with someone else other than you!"
Inuyasha spun around, "You've got it so wrong! I want the shards! That' s all. And you were fine with that until she showed up. You left me flat so you could hang around with someone else! But I'm not jealous!"
Kagome looked down to the ground, Inuyasha was right. She hadn't thought of it from his perspective. She had been helping him all this time. And now, since somebody new came along, she had been with them instead. Kagome kicked the ground, "You're right." Inuyasha lifted an eyebrow. He hadn't expected to hear that. "I shouldn't have just dropped you. But what about Melissa? You've gotta understand. She's in a new world. I'm the only one who can show her around. Just like you did for me." Inuyasha blinked. He wouldn't admit it, of course, but she was right.
"I still need for you to come with me. Even if it's only for a few days. Can't you just tell her you have to take care of something dire?" He still persisted, but at least he was being nice about it.
Kagome sighed, "I don't want to lie to her." "Too late for that." I hate it when he's right, she thought.
The next morning, Melissa arose early but when she looked at Kagome's bed, she wasn't there. "Kagome?" She said as she opened the bedroom door. The door to the bathroom slid open.
"Hey! You're up. Good morning." Kagome replied.
"Oh, there you are. Good morning. Did you get any sleep last night?" Kagome hadn't fallen asleep after Inuyasha left and she was pretty tired.
"Yeah, finally caught some z's." Kagome lied.
"That's good, I'm gonna get dressed."
"Okay!" Kagome replied happily, but she held an expression of guilt on her face.
"What do you mean you're going back? Kagome! You can't!" Kagome's mother exclaimed. She was in the kitchen holding a pitcher of orange juice. Sota was seated at the table. Grandpa had gone to sweep the outside. Kagome stood in the kitchen entrance.
"Try telling Inuyasha that! Besides, I can't just leave him he needs my help. He actually admitted that...sort of."
"But what about Melissa?" Sota inquired, as he took a mouthful of his cereal.
"What about me?" Melissa asked as she appeared behind Kagome. Kagome stepped back in surprise.
"Uh, well, I need to talk to you." Kagome answered. Her mother eyed Kagome accusingly, but said nothing.
"Sure." Melissa replied.
Once the two were outside, Kagome began to explain to Melissa. "I really need to go and help out a friend for a few days. So, that means I won't be here."
"Oh, no! What happened? Are they all right?"
"Oh, yeah! They're okay. It's just they requested my help and I need to go to them. It's kinda personal. Will you be okay here?"
"Uh, of course. I understand."
Kagome smiled. She was pretty relieved Melissa hadn't made a big deal out of it.
"I can't believe you're actually going to leave that poor girl here all by herself." Kagome's mother complained as her daughter stocked her yellow bag with food. Just then, Melissa was entering the house. She heard the two talking.
"She won't be here by herself! She's got you guys. I'll only be gone for a few days, mom. I'll be back in no time." Kagome stood up. "Just please don't tell her where I'm really going."
Her mother sighed, "Of course not."
"Bye, mom. Love you." Kagome kissed her mother and ran off outside. Melissa had hidden herself on the steps and as soon as Kagome's mother left the kitchen, she exited the house after Kagome.
"See ya, Grandpa!" Kagome waved as she ran towards the temple.
Grandpa shook his head, "Off to see that dog boy again are you?" But he waved anyway.
Melissa cautiously followed Kagome, making sure Grandpa would not see her. As she approached the temple, she saw its door slam shut. What? Why is Kagome going in there? Melissa wondered. Curiosity welled within her, as she wondered why her friend did not want her to know where she was headed. Melissa carefully, but slowly, made her way up the steps of the temple.
"Melissa!" From inside the house, Kagome's mother was calling from the bottom of the stairs. When Sota came down instead, Kagome's mother questioned her son of the girl's whereabouts.
"She's not in Kagome's room." He replied.
His mother frowned, "Well, then where could she be?" Sota shrugged his shoulders.
Inside the temple, Kagome had just jumped down the well. Melissa now stood outside the door and when a bright light shown from inside, she was more than taken back. Frightened something bad had happened, Melissa thrust open the doors. But the room before her had gone dark, except for the light that began to lower into the well.
"Kagome?!"
~~~~~~^~~~^~~~~~~
"Kagome! Don't eat your food so quickly!" Her mother scolded.
Sota and Grandpa looked on in amazement as they watched the girl consume her rice with great speed.
"But, mom-", Kagome replied with her mouth full, "she'll be here any minute and I've got to be ready."
Kagome's mother sighed. "Well let's hope she doesn't get here too soon or she'll see what a pig you're being." Grandpa commented. Kagome frowned and Sota laughed.
Just then, from outside, a car could be heard pulling up. Kagome almost knocked her bowl off the table as she sprung to her feet.
"She's here!" Her voice rang as she ran outside. The car door slammed shut and a girl's voice replied, "Thank you, sir.
As the car pulled away, a young girl with three suitcases, stood shyly. She had big blue eyes and chestnut colored hair that came down to her shoulders. She was wearing a dark purple top with elbow length sleeves, and jean capris pants with low heeled sandals. On her right wrist was a bracelet linked with tiny pink hearts.
Kagome smiled warmly, "Hi! You must be Melissa! I'm Kagome."
The young girl smiled, "Hello, Kagome! It's very nice to finally meet you."
"Can I help you with your bags?" A small voice came from the house.
"Oh, hello! Um, sure, if you'd like."
"This is Sota, my younger brother." Kagome introduced the two.
"Nice to make your acquaintance, Sota, I'm-"
"Melissa! I know." The young boy replied cheerfully as he took the smallest of the three suitcases. Melissa giggled and Kagome showed her the way to the house's front door. Meanwhile, on the roof, a figure quickly disappeared to the other side of the house.
After being introduced to Kagome's mother and grandfather, Kagome could not wait to whisk the girl away from Grandpa's raving about his ancient paper spells. Kagome showed Melissa to her room where they both sat on the bed to chat.
"So, tell me! What's America like?" Kagome asked curiously.
"Oh, well it's very nice there, in fact it's not quite that different from here. Like Tokyo, there are large buildings and many people in New York City. It's all hustle and bustle and everyone is always in a rush to get somewhere."
Kagome smiled, "Tell me about it." Melissa paused suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked.
Melissa rose from the bed cautiously, "I thought-I thought I saw something."
Kagome's eyes widened and before Melissa could reach the window, she sprung in front of her.
"You saw something? Oh, it was probably just a bird! There are a lot of those around here." Kagome replied quickly but nervously.
Melissa looked on puzzled. "Girls! Supper's ready!" Kagome's mother suddenly called from downstairs.
"Uh, we'll be right there mom!" Kagome shouted. "We'd better wash up." Kagome informed. "You go ahead, the bathroom's to the left. I'll be right there."
"You sure?" Melissa asked.
"Yes, go ahead. I'll be right there."
"Okay..." Melissa replied as she glanced out the window and then exited the room.
Kagome sighed a breath of relief but her face formed into an angry expression. She spun around to the window and flung it open. "I know you're out there!" She shouted. Kagome scanned the entire yard until a full head of silver hair hung down from the roof above. Kagome folded her arms and stepped back as Inuyasha perched himself on her windowsill.
"What?" He asked as if he hadn't realized why she sounded so irritated.
"That's all you have to say? What are you doing here?!" Kagome shouted.
"Jeez, calm down!" Inuyasha retorted.
"Why should I calm down? She saw you!"
"No, she didn't." Inuyasha contradicted as he put his hands behind his head.
"Yes, she did! Well...some of you any way. And you still haven't answered my question, why are you here?!"
Inuyasha groaned, "I came to get you! Why else would I be here? Are you coming or not?"
"I can't! Haven't you noticed? I have a guest!"
"Who is she anyway?" His voice was curious.
Kagome frowned, "What do you care? You're leaving!" Kagome put her hands on his arms and tried to push him out the window.
"HEY!" He shouted. A knock came from the door, "Kagome? Are you all right?" Melissa's voice interrupted.
Kagome's eyes widened and she quickly turned to the door, "Yes! I'm just fine...I'll be there in a minute!" Melissa looked at the door confused. "Now...you have to-" Kagome said as she turned back to the window, but he was already gone. Kagome sighed and shut the window. She walked to the door to meet Melissa.
"You sure you're okay?"
"Oh, don't worry about me! Every thing's fine! Come on, I'm starving!" Kagome waved her hand and then led Melissa down stairs to the kitchen.
"Hey! Where's Kagome?" Shippo inquired. Inuyasha jumped from the well's ledge.
"Well, lets see...if she's not with me, then where could she be? Figure it out!" Shippo folded his tiny arms and grumbled angrily.
"Is something wrong? I thought she'd be returning with you." Miroku asked as Inuyasha walked past him.
"Pft, she's got some friend with her. That's her excuse for not coming!" He complained.
"You know, Inuyasha, you mustn't forget, Kagome does have another life over there." Sango reminded as she walked up to her friends.
"Sango's right, let her enjoy the short time with her friends. Besides, I'm sure she'll show up tomorrow." Miroku agreed.
Inuyasha was not amused, "Yeah, well, she'd better be here. I hate waiting."
The next morning, Kagome offered to show Melissa around Tokyo. The two girls took their bikes and visited all sorts of temples, buildings, museums and parks. They even stopped by Kagome's school.
"It's so pretty here! You've got such a nice home." Melissa commented.
Kagome smiled, "Thanks! Yeah, it is a pretty nice place to live." If only I spent more time here. I'm always running off to the other world with Inuyasha, Kagome thought.
"Hey, how about some ice cream?" Melissa suggested.
"That sounds great! I'll race ya there!" Kagome challenged.
Melissa laughed, "You're on!"
The sun was setting as the two friends arrived home. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted!" Kagome said.
"Oh, I am too. But I had a great time! Thanks."
"No problem." Kagome replied. Melissa began to walk her bike to the side of the house and Kagome followed. But as she did, her brother was waving at her franticly from the door.
"Sota?" Kagome quickly glanced at Melissa and then ran towards her brother, "What's wrong, Sota?"
But before he could answer the door behind them slid open. "I'll tell ya what's wrong." Inuyasha replied in an unpleasant tone.
"Inuyasha! I told you to leave!"
"What's your problem? Besides, that was yesterday! And I'm not going anywhere until you come with me." Kagome stared at him blankly. Why is he acting so childishly? More so than usual anyway.
"Kagome?" Melissa called.
"Uh! One minute!" Kagome replied nervously. "You have to go! Now!" She hissed.
Inuyasha defiantly folded his arms and leaned up against the house. Just as he said, he wasn't going anywhere. Kagome groaned angrily as she pushed him into the house, "Stall Melissa for me, Sota!"
"Uh..." Sota began to reply but Melissa appeared.
"Hey, Sota. Where'd Kagome go?"
"Why can't you get it through that thick skull of yours that I don't want her to see you!" Kagome shouted at Inuyasha. The two were now in the family room, far from the door.
"You mean to tell me that friend of yours is still here?!"
Kagome frowned, "Of course she's still here! She came from America and she's gonna be here for the entire summer!"
"WHAT?!" Inuyasha howled loudly.
Melissa gasped as she looked towards the house, "What was that?" She asked. Sota looked up from his marbles, with which he was trying to distract her with.
"Uh, nothing! It was probably just a bird."
Melissa looked down at Sota, her face filled with puzzlement. What is it with these people and birds?
"You can't not come for the entire summer! In case you've forgotten, we're lookin' for the jewel shards. And I can't do that without you! You're the only one who can see them!"
"I'm well aware of that, Inuyasha! But I can't just leave Melissa for an entire week!"
"WHY NOT?!" Inuyasha whined.
Kagome slapped her hand onto her face, "Why in the world did I think you would understand?" She mumbled. Just then, the front door slid open. Kagome ran towards the hallway and peeked out from behind the wall, it was Melissa. She had just gotten her shoes off when Kagome ran up to her and grabbed her arm, "Hey! I'm real sorry about leaving you out there but..." Melissa looked up. Inuyasha was standing there, only a few feet away. Kagome's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
"Uh, hi." Melissa said. Inuyasha just stared at her.
"Yeah! Uh, this is my, uh..." Kagome tried to talk.
"Your boyfriend?" Melissa inquired.
Inuyasha's face went beet red and Kagome blushed.
"You weren't in the room, yesterday, were you? 'Cause my friend was in the exact same situation. See, she and her boyfriend weren't supposed to be seeing each other because her parents didn't like him-uh, not that I'm saying Kagome's mom doesn't like you but-" Melissa realized she was just rambling and thought it best to stop.
Inuyasha just stared at her.
"Yeah, could you excuse us for a minute, Melissa? I'm real sorry." Kagome asked.
Melissa nodded, "Sure. Nice meeting you, uh-"
"Inuyasha." He answered.
Melissa smiled, "Inuyasha."
Kagome groaned quietly as she pulled him towards the back of the house.
"She's certainly a lot nicer than you are." Inuyasha remarked. There was a moment of silence until Inuyasha screamed, "OWWWWWWWW!"
"Look. I explained to you about this a while ago; that a girl from another part of the world would be visiting for a student exchange program."
"Yeah? And how was I supposed to know that'd mean you not coming anymore?"
"I'll come! Just not for a while."
"So, I guess some person you just met is more important than friends you've known for three months!" Inuyasha snapped.
"I never said that! And that's not true!"
"Uh, sorry for interrupting...but if you guys need to go somewhere, together, that's just fine. Go ahead, Kagome. I'll be okay." Melissa appeared.
"Oh, Melissa! No..."
"Thanks a bunch, lets go Kagome." Inuyasha took her by the arm and started walking.
"Inuyasha! Stop! I can't leave!"
"She just said it'd be okay! Now come on." Kagome ripped her arm from his grasp.
"Fine! If you don't want to come back now...then...don't come back ever again!" Inuyasha was furious. He quickly disappeared back into the temple. Kagome was stunned and Melissa put her hand to her mouth, she felt terribly guilty.
"Go after him." Melissa told Kagome. The two girls were sitting under a tree. Kagome had her face resting in her hands.
"What for? He won't listen. Inuyasha is as stubborn as a mule and as selfish as a cat." Kagome's cat was up in the tree, looking fairly unhappy at that comment. "No offense, Boyo." Kagome added.
Melissa looked down towards the ground, "I'm real sorry, Kagome. I didn't mean for you guys to get into an argument."
Kagome looked up, "No! None of this is your fault! We always get into fights."
"I guess that's to be expected in a relationship, huh?"
"Wha-? No! Inuyasha and I are not boyfriend and girlfriend. Believe me, if I had a boyfriend he'd be the total opposite of Inuyasha."
"Oh." Melissa replied. "Still, he really did seem to care about you. I mean he did make such a big fuss about you going with him. And I hope I'm not being too nosy, but where were you supposed to go anyway? To a play or something? Inuyasha looked all dressed up, like he was wearing a costume. With that long white hair and those dog ears, his costume looked incredibly realistic." Kagome was surprised Melissa had made such a statement. It was good enough to believe!
"Uh, yeah! We're doing a play. But, I suppose I'm out of it now." Kagome sighed sadly. Melissa sat quietly not knowing what to say. It was bad enough she thought she had caused the feud. Both girls finally decided to head back to the house. Kagome followed behind and then stopped, to look at the temple that housed the well.
"Not again." Sango said as she looked up at Inuyasha who was pouting in a tree.
"Give it some time. They'll come around." Miroku assured her.
"Yeah, but this time it's different." Shippo chimed in. "Shippo! Where have you been?" Sango asked.
"I followed Inuyasha down the well."
"You're lucky he didn't catch you." Miroku informed the small fox child.
"What do you mean, 'this one is different'?" Sango questioned.
"Kagome didn't want to leave with Inuyasha 'cause she has a friend from...I think she said, 'A-mer-ika'."
"'America'? Where's that?" Miroku was puzzled.
Shippo shrugged, "Don't ask me. I'm only telling you what I heard. Anyway, Inuyasha refused to leave without Kagome and Kagome refused to leave her friend. When Inuyasha tried to take her, she still refused and he got real angry."
"What else is new." Miroku stated.
"So, what happened, Shippo?" Sango wanted to know.
"Well, when Kagome refused, Inuyasha told her to never come back again. I hate him!" Shippo replied with his voice full of detestation. Sango and Miroku exchanged nervous glances.
"He must have been extremely upset to have said such a thing." Sango concluded.
"Yeah, just think of how Kagome must feel now!" Shippo added.
"Where are you going, Miroku?" Sango asked when the monk stood up and began to walk away.
"I'm going to try and talk some sense into him. My efforts will more than likely be futile, but there's no harm in trying."
"Oh, yes there is." Shippo corrected.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku called. He had reached the tree where the hanyou was sitting in.
"What do you want?!" Inuyasha shouted back.
"We need to talk."
"There's nothin' to talk about, go away."
"How could you say such a thing to Kagome?"
Inuyasha's eyes flashed opened and he jumped down to the ground. "How do you know what I said to her? You didn't follow me did you?!" Inuyasha's enraged stare then turned towards Shippo who cowered in fear behind Sango.
"Why you..." Inuyasha growled as he began to go after him. But Miroku placed his staff over Inuyasha's legs, causing him to trip. "Why the hell did you do that for?!" He hollered angrily.
"Because you need to stop acting like a child and we need to start talking." Inuyasha sprung to his feet.
"I ain't got nothin' to say to you!"
"You sure had plenty to say to Kagome. Think of how she must feel now. If you won't talk to me...you sure need to go and talk to her."
"Look, monk! I don't need you tellin' me where I should go, what I should do or what I should say! Now leave me the hell alone!" With that, Inuyasha disappeared. Miroku shook his head and sighed. Sango and Shippo looked on. They were not at all surprised but they were disappointed.
That night, Kagome lay awake in her bed. She just couldn't sleep. All she could think about was Inuyasha and what he had told her. "Fine! If you don't want to come back now...then...don't come back ever again!" Kagome turned on her side. Melissa was sound asleep on a futon a few feet away. Kagome sighed and closed her eyes. Did he really mean it? He's never said anything like that to me before. Ah, who am I kidding? I shouldn't be so worried. I'm his little "jewel detector". He needs me for that. He'll be back to beg me to go with him. And I won't go.
The moon slowly peered from behind the mist of clouds in the night sky above as Inuyasha raced through the fields of tall grass. He leapt incredibly high in the air and landed on a tree branch. He looked down and there was the well. Maybe Miroku's right for once. I guess I should go back and...uh, apologize. But she probably won't even listen to me. She's as stubborn as a mule! Forget this! I didn't do anything wrong! She's the one that turned her back, not me! The hanyou firmly decided and folded his arms angrily.
Kagome was still awake, thoughts continued to race within her mind, making it impossible for her to drift off to sleep. Kagome gasped and sat straight up in her bed. She looked around her room. It was dark and the only light shining into the room came from the moon. Kagome looked over to her window; its curtains were blowing gently in the breeze. She lifted the sheets off of her and approached the window. Nothing. The land outside was consumed in the darkness of the night. Only the top of the trees were catching the moon's light as they swayed in the breeze. Kagome sighed sadly, she had hoped it was him. Kagome turned to walk back to her bed but she jumped back in fright.
"Is something wrong, Kagome?" Melissa asked quietly. She was sitting straight up, wide-awake.
Kagome put her hand to her chest, "Oh, no. Nothing's wrong. I just can't sleep."
"Thinking about him?" Melissa asked.
Kagome let out a breath of air, "I wish I wasn't." She sat on her bed and looked down.
"You like him...don't you?" Melissa inquired.
Kagome blushed. Fortunately, though, since it was dark, her friend couldn't see. "I don't know how I feel, exactly. I just wish he wasn't so cold to me all the time."
Just outside, Inuyasha could hear everything. He was sitting right on the edge of the roof, above the window. He had obviously changed his mind about coming back. He looked down, as though he felt guilty.
"Perhaps, he acts that way to hide how he really feels. Guys tend to do that. I bet he's just afraid to admit it."
Kagome looked up at Melissa, "You really think so? But you don't know Inuyasha. He isn't afraid of anything...I mean with all the fighting dem-" Kagome cupped her hands over her mouth.
Melissa frowned, "Fighting? Fighting what?" Inuyasha groaned, Why does she have to have such a big mouth! He thought.
Kagome waved her hands, "Oh, it's nothing. You know how guys are! They like to fight. Inuyasha is always getting into them with kids at school." Inuyasha slapped his hand over his face.
"Oh." Melissa replied.
"Well, I guess we had better try to get some sleep, huh?" Kagome said trying to end the nerve-racking conversation.
Melissa nodded, "Yeah, it is late. Good night, Kagome. Thing's will be better tomorrow."
"Good night, Melissa. Yeah, tomorrow." Both girls returned to bed.
The tiny clock that sat on Kagome's desk read 2:00 AM, when her window slowly began to slide open. Kagome stirred in her bed; she had finally fallen asleep an hour earlier. Inuyasha stuck his head in, first seeing Melissa, and then Kagome in her bed. He quietly set a foot down on the floor and then the other one, but it made the floor creek loudly as it did. Inuyasha cringed, he hoped they hadn't heard him. After making sure they weren't awake, he crept over to Kagome's bed and stared down at her. She was sleeping peacefully. He knelt down on the floor with great care, as not to make a sound. "I'm- sorry, Kagome. I'm sorry, all right?" Inuyasha sighed. His words weren't doing any good, but they had come so easily since he knew she could not hear them. He finally decided he had better wake her and get the apology over with. But before he could touch her arm, she whispered, "Inuyasha?" Her eyes slowly opened and when his face became visible, she slowly sat up. Inuyasha looked at her.
"Look...I came to say-well, I came because..." Kagome blinked. Is he actually going to apologize? She thought. Inuyasha turned around to make sure Melissa was still asleep. He turned back to Kagome.
"Did...you come to say you're sorry?" Her voice sounded so innocent. Inuyasha took a deep breath and exhaled, then he looked down to the floor. Kagome looked at him, she knew this was tough for him to do. How weird it was that he could fight and kill demons with ease, but for him to utter a small apology was incredibly difficult.
"Yes." He finally breathed.
Kagome folded her arms and closed her eyes, "Good. I'm waiting."
An angry expression came over his face, "Why must you make everything so hard for me?!"
"SHHHHH! She'll hear you!" Kagome exclaimed as she placed her hand over Inuyasha's mouth. He quickly pushed it away.
"Can we please continue this outside?" Kagome asked.
"Fine." He retorted.
Once outside, Inuyasha wasted no time in continuing, "And that's another thing! I can't understand why you've given such importance to a stranger."
"She is not a stranger! Melissa and I are friends."
"Oh! Well, laddie da!" Inuyasha said as he turned his back.
Kagome squinted her eyes at him, "I get it! You're jealous, aren't you?"
"Oh, give me a break!"
"No! You're jealous! It's 'cause I'm spending all my time with someone else other than you!"
Inuyasha spun around, "You've got it so wrong! I want the shards! That' s all. And you were fine with that until she showed up. You left me flat so you could hang around with someone else! But I'm not jealous!"
Kagome looked down to the ground, Inuyasha was right. She hadn't thought of it from his perspective. She had been helping him all this time. And now, since somebody new came along, she had been with them instead. Kagome kicked the ground, "You're right." Inuyasha lifted an eyebrow. He hadn't expected to hear that. "I shouldn't have just dropped you. But what about Melissa? You've gotta understand. She's in a new world. I'm the only one who can show her around. Just like you did for me." Inuyasha blinked. He wouldn't admit it, of course, but she was right.
"I still need for you to come with me. Even if it's only for a few days. Can't you just tell her you have to take care of something dire?" He still persisted, but at least he was being nice about it.
Kagome sighed, "I don't want to lie to her." "Too late for that." I hate it when he's right, she thought.
The next morning, Melissa arose early but when she looked at Kagome's bed, she wasn't there. "Kagome?" She said as she opened the bedroom door. The door to the bathroom slid open.
"Hey! You're up. Good morning." Kagome replied.
"Oh, there you are. Good morning. Did you get any sleep last night?" Kagome hadn't fallen asleep after Inuyasha left and she was pretty tired.
"Yeah, finally caught some z's." Kagome lied.
"That's good, I'm gonna get dressed."
"Okay!" Kagome replied happily, but she held an expression of guilt on her face.
"What do you mean you're going back? Kagome! You can't!" Kagome's mother exclaimed. She was in the kitchen holding a pitcher of orange juice. Sota was seated at the table. Grandpa had gone to sweep the outside. Kagome stood in the kitchen entrance.
"Try telling Inuyasha that! Besides, I can't just leave him he needs my help. He actually admitted that...sort of."
"But what about Melissa?" Sota inquired, as he took a mouthful of his cereal.
"What about me?" Melissa asked as she appeared behind Kagome. Kagome stepped back in surprise.
"Uh, well, I need to talk to you." Kagome answered. Her mother eyed Kagome accusingly, but said nothing.
"Sure." Melissa replied.
Once the two were outside, Kagome began to explain to Melissa. "I really need to go and help out a friend for a few days. So, that means I won't be here."
"Oh, no! What happened? Are they all right?"
"Oh, yeah! They're okay. It's just they requested my help and I need to go to them. It's kinda personal. Will you be okay here?"
"Uh, of course. I understand."
Kagome smiled. She was pretty relieved Melissa hadn't made a big deal out of it.
"I can't believe you're actually going to leave that poor girl here all by herself." Kagome's mother complained as her daughter stocked her yellow bag with food. Just then, Melissa was entering the house. She heard the two talking.
"She won't be here by herself! She's got you guys. I'll only be gone for a few days, mom. I'll be back in no time." Kagome stood up. "Just please don't tell her where I'm really going."
Her mother sighed, "Of course not."
"Bye, mom. Love you." Kagome kissed her mother and ran off outside. Melissa had hidden herself on the steps and as soon as Kagome's mother left the kitchen, she exited the house after Kagome.
"See ya, Grandpa!" Kagome waved as she ran towards the temple.
Grandpa shook his head, "Off to see that dog boy again are you?" But he waved anyway.
Melissa cautiously followed Kagome, making sure Grandpa would not see her. As she approached the temple, she saw its door slam shut. What? Why is Kagome going in there? Melissa wondered. Curiosity welled within her, as she wondered why her friend did not want her to know where she was headed. Melissa carefully, but slowly, made her way up the steps of the temple.
"Melissa!" From inside the house, Kagome's mother was calling from the bottom of the stairs. When Sota came down instead, Kagome's mother questioned her son of the girl's whereabouts.
"She's not in Kagome's room." He replied.
His mother frowned, "Well, then where could she be?" Sota shrugged his shoulders.
Inside the temple, Kagome had just jumped down the well. Melissa now stood outside the door and when a bright light shown from inside, she was more than taken back. Frightened something bad had happened, Melissa thrust open the doors. But the room before her had gone dark, except for the light that began to lower into the well.
"Kagome?!"