Author's Notes: Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, I know I did. Well here's chapter three.Yeah, that's all I have to say for now.

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Inuyasha; in fact I don't any of the Inuyasha characters. But one day.

The Story of Two

Chapter Three

Deeper

The flames licked her back. Cold sweat invaded her body. She was drenched in sweat and fear. Her heart pounded loudly, eyes watered as she tried to see. It was dark and smoke covered the whole house. Pieces of wood would fall now and then, along with the little sparks of flames. She leaned against the wall, trying to avoid the dangerous debris.

Her breathing was raspy and dry. It was so hard to see. "Mama? Souta? Grandpa? Where are you?" She coughed violently. The heat grew, yet it didn't help her chills or cold sweat disappear.

Her head that had a dull ache now was fiercely pounding. She felt dizzy, and she couldn't see. Somewhere she heard a cold mirthless laugh. Then everything blacked.

Kagome woke up. She was covered in sweat and her gasping for air. She was having her nightmares again. She put a hand to her heart, it was racing fast.

She got out of bed and headed towards her bathroom. Her hand ran along the wall feeling for the light switch. Her hand ran along two bumps, she absentmindedly flicked on the first bumps. Bright fluorescent lights flashed upon her eyes.

Kagome shaded her eyes with her hands and slowly poked open one eye. Adjusting to the light she turned on the sink water and put two hands under the running water. She splashed the cold water in her face and then looked in the mirror.

Her face looked scared, even now under the bright lights she could see fear etched into her face. Her mouth slightly parted. She stared into the mirror. She looked into her eyes. 'Kagome it was years ago. It's all in the past now. It's all in the past now.' she turned off the faucet and grabbed a small towel and dried her face.

She headed out of the bathroom and opened the doors to her private balcony. She sat in her ivy green wicker chair and looked at the city below her. It was illuminated in bright lights, even though it was night Tokyo was very much awake.

She shivered unable to erase the images of her dream. She hugged her legs and buried her face into her arms and cried softly. Her past would not let her forget, she couldn't forget about it. She would never be able to forget about it.

Lost in her own miserable world for the moment, she cried helplessly. It wasn't fair, but then again life was never fair.



Sango stepped into the penthouse quietly and locked the door behind her. She peeled off her shawl and set it on the table and looked around. In the living room she could see Ayumi and Suki sprawled out on the couch sleeping. While Ayumi seemed to be making louder noises than the TV. Her snores could be easily heard across the kitchen.

Sango set her keys on the counter and went into the living room and picked the remote off the floor. She pressed OFF on the remote and the TV went black. She then grabbed a blanket that was on the couch and pulled one over Ayumi.

She then pulled out a second blanket and settled it over Suki's petite body. Sango looked at the two girls and smiled whispering "Goodnight" and headed into her own room off to slumber land.



Kagome woke up smelling sizzling sausages and eggs. She was still on the balcony, she had fallen asleep crying. Her stomach growled she realized she didn't eat anything yesterday but lunch with her boss. Her appetite got the better of her and headed towards the kitchen.

Sango hummed quietly and watched the egg sizzled in grease on the frying pan. Sango knew she would get in trouble for fattening the models but she was in a good mood.

No she was in an exceptionally great mood. Sango flipped the egg over, when she heard someone entering the kitchen. It was Kagome. She had dark circles under her eyes, and the cheerful smile that she had every morning seemed to have disappeared.

Sango used the spatula to pick up the done egg and set it on the plate next to the toast and the sausages.

"Hey, how's it going?" Sango set the plate in front of Kagome. Kagome looked at her Sango and flashed an obvious fake smile. "Good just drained from this week that's all." Kagome shifted uneasily in her seat and looked down at the food.

Sango looked at Kagome in question. She knew Kagome was hiding something. "Kagome come on you and I both know you're not fine. Tell me, I'm your best friend after all." Kagome looked at Sango; there were tears in the corner of her eyes.

Kagome's voice trembled as she spoke. "Sango I had the nightmare again. I thought they would be gone by now.I.I thought it was behind me now, why are they happening again?"

Sango placed her hands over Kagome and sat down next to her. She looked into Kagome's eyes "Kagome don't worry about it, it's all in the past. You haven't done anything wrong, it wasn't your fault. Kagome it wasn't your fault."

Kagome shook her head and closed her eyes. Sango was right, it wasn't her fault.



Inuyasha typed the last memo on his document. The week had gone by slowly. He pressed the intercom. "Kikyo what are the plans for tomorrow?" There was a moment's pause then "You have a meeting with the president of Tokyo Tower Records and then you're having dinner with The Women of the World Modeling Agency Vice President. She wants to discuss her plans with you for the next charity, since you are the main sponsor."

Inuyasha pressed the button to respond back. "Thanks that's all I needed to know." He let go of the button and got up out of his chair. He was free today. No meetings, no more papers to write up, and no conferences he had to attend to today. He was free.

Inuyasha grabbed his coat and headed out of his office. He looked over at Kikyo and gave her his usual head nod to let her know he was done for the day. Kikyo nodded back and went back to typing on her computer while speaking into her headset.

Inuyasha threw his keys in the air and caught it while waiting for the elevator doors to open. He stepped inside the elevator casually and pressed the bottom floor button and stood back. The elevator was mirrored on the inside. Inuyasha stared blankly at the mirrored wall. He sighed. He swore he was getting older by the minute.

He stepped out of the elevator and decided to pay Miroku a visit.

He stepped out of the car, crunching the leaves that settled in the street. He looked around as if someone was following him. Seeing that everything was clear he headed inside.

Miroku sat in the lounge chairs, fingers on his lips and deep in thought. He lifted his head up and looked at Inuyasha acknowledging his presence.

Inuyasha sat in the red chair across from Miroku. He faced Miroku and then said "I got a call a day ago. It was him."

Miroku looked shock. "What did he want?"

"He told me to stay away from Kagome Higurashi. I don't know why though. You have a buddy that works in the CIA right?"

"Yeah.I do, should I call him right now?" Inuyasha shook his head yes. "Find out everything you can about her." Miroku grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed the number.



Kagome walked into the Vice President's office. It was white and decked out with the finest technology money could buy. She saw no one was in the room at the moment and sat down on the white chair that faced the front of the desk. She gulped quietly and looked at the desk.

There she was with her arms around a long wavy black haired man. They looked happy together. The man in the picture some how had made Kagome uneasy. Kagome then turned around and faced the person who cleared her throat.

It was Kagura; she walked in and sat behind the desk and the smiled coolly at Kagome. It made Kagome more uncomfortable.

"You're probably wondering why you're here right? Well it seems you being our top model here will be taking over the charity project that we the company has been working on. You see my husband is not doing so well and I am taking a sick leave to take care of him."

"But I don't know anything about the funds and charities the agency does here. I'm not trained to handle that area I'm just a model."

Kagura uncrossed her hands and then reached out to and clasped it on to Kagome's hands. Kagome tried her best to not flinch. Kagura's hands were ice cold. "I have every faith in you that you can do this Miss Higurashi. Don't worry there will be people to help you out and it's not really all that hard work like it seems to be. In fact I think you will enjoy it."

Kagura then let go of her hands and took out a schedule from her bag. "You see Miss Higurashi this is what you'll be doing for the next week. The basics are discussing, and planning. Mr. Taichi will be helping you with that of course."

Kagome looked at Kagura in disbelief. "Mr. Taichi? Isn't he." Kagura gave a little laugh and said "Yes he is he owns everything that is Inu-Tech related. He's the main sponsor for this charity. After all they as much as us need to have a good title. The more we sponsor the better the media receives us."

"But surely someone who's had experience with this could do it. A secretary or someone else perhaps?"

"No you misunderstood; you see we need someone that is a big name to this agency; in order to do this charity. That way our supporters will easily see what kind of agency we are. That even the models want to help. Now do you see it Miss Higurashi, a pretty face like yours stands out far more than a secretary or whoever that works here. We are trying to promote this agency out west more. Since we are small time over there."

Kagome shook her head showing that she understood.

Kagura stood up and handed her the brochure and the thick packet and said "Here read this, it has everything in it. The date, place, time, setting, what where, and why's." She led Kagome out to the door and said "Best of luck, don't let us down, Miss Higurashi." Then closed the door.

Kagura turned her back to the door and speed dialed a number on her cell phone. "Phase One ready" she said into the phone and hung up. 'The plan was coming along nicely.' Kagura laughed quietly to herself.



Kagome sat down at the five star restaurant table. She was nervous. It wasn't like the usual butterflies in her stomach; it was more like a stomach ulcer.

'This is ridiculous, it's just Inuyasha.' Thought Kagome. Then out of the blue he appeared.

Inuyasha pointed at Kagome and said "What are you doing here? You're not the vice president of Women of the World Agency?"

Kagome looked into his eyes and said "There's been a change of plans." Inuyasha gulped as he sat down. 'This is not good. What if he sees me with her?' I don't want her to get hurt.'

Inuyasha saw that Kagome looked just as nervous as he did. "Look I'm sorry, I shouldn't have thrown questions at you like that, and I guess I wasn't planning on seeing you so soon."

Kagome stared at him and said meekly. "I guess I felt that way too when the VP of the agency had told me I was to work with you for a week. I mean we barely know each other." She glanced down at the table, cheeks red.

Inuyasha mentally smacked himself on the head. 'I can't believe I left her wondering this whole time.' He smiled and then said "Well let's get to it then shall we?"

Kagome smiled back. 'Maybe it'll be just fine.'

After discussing the topic and eating, both were finished for the day but not ready to leave each other's presence.

Kagome tucked her hair back uneasily. She glanced at him. He stared outside the window. His face was calm; it was a totally different and nice look that Kagome had never seen before.

"Look Mr. Taichi." "You can call me Inuyasha you know. You don't have to be so formal." He whispered.

"Okay Inuyasha why didn't you ever call? Was it just a spur of the moment that night? Was I just a game that you were planning to score?" She had whispered too, but to Inuyasha it was heard loud and clear.

"No.I never meant to hurt you I was.There's no excuse really. I'm not good at this whole dating thing." He looked back at her. Kagome could see the hurt in his eyes. He had never meant to hurt her.

"Then what are we? Are we a couple or are we.Friends?" Kagome hoped it wasn't the other option.

Inuyasha ran his hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. "What do you want it to be?"

Not expecting this to turn on her she looked away.

Her heart was beating fast again. And the smell of him wouldn't leave out of her head. It was happening again. "I.I.I don't know?" she said quietly.

Inuyasha got out of his seat and then went over to her. He extended his hand out. "Let's talk somewhere more private." Kagome took his hand and shook her head.



Sango laughed as Miroku did another funny impersonation. They were leaving the movie theater Sango put weaved her fingers with Miroku's. He gripped her fingers softly and looked at her.

The way her face looked when she laughed was priceless. It was absolute pure joy. It was madness how she could change him around.

The urges to grab women's butts gone. The hentai thoughts, well almost gone. When he was with Sango he felt like himself. And he liked that. He liked it a lot.

Sango stopped laughing. "So Mr. Kameyama, what's next." Miroku shrugged carelessly a 'I don't know?'

Sango punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Hey come on you said you had the whole date planned out!" Miroku smiled and said "Stop being so feisty! I know just what to do come on." He ran leaving Sango there confused.

Suddenly she 'heyed' him and chased after him.



Kagome was sitting down on Inuyasha's couch. He handed her a cup of tea and then sat down.

She was in his house again. But this time it was to talk. She took a small sip and set it down on the glass coffee table.

Inuyasha talked first. "The only reason I wanted to talk to you in private is.Well you see.Someone called me and he warned me to stay away from you. I didn't know why, so I went to my friend Miroku for help. You see Miroku is friends with some people in the government. I told him to do a check up on you. I found a file that said your family died in a fire accident."

Kagome's insides had turned to ice. She shook her head in disbelief. "Who.Who was it?"

Inuyasha looked at her. "It was Naraku."

Kagome for the second time in front of Inuyasha fainted.

Inuyasha shook Kagome. Nothing, she was out cold. He looked at her. There was something that just made him so attracted to her. Something.

Carefully Inuyasha ran his hand through her hair unable to resist. It was soft and silky, and it smelled good. Then he touched her face. Her skin was soft and smooth. She was beautiful and flawless.

He sat there looking at her. He didn't know it but he did care for her more than he thought.



Miroku lifted his hands from her eyes and said "Open.now!" Sango fluttered her eyes opened and gasped. She was inside the club and saw that it was decorated just for her.

Right where she was standing she saw a small table draped in red, set with food and a bottle of wine with several candles too. She put her hands together and looked at Miroku in awe.

"It's so sweet of you Miroku. Did you cook all this?" said Sango indicating the food. Miroku shook his head. Delighted that Sango was happy, this had made him happy.

He pulled out her chair "Come on! Sit down, let's eat." Sango took her seat.

Miroku sat across from her and locked his eyes with hers. Sango paused at unfolding her napkin, staring back at his eyes. She tilted her head slightly and smiled.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" She lifted her hand up to her face, checking for anything.

Then Miroku reached out and pulled her hand away from her face. "No there's nothing wrong with your face. I was just trying to memorize it."

Sango stared at Miroku. She didn't understand. Every man she had dated she never felt so.So completed, as one. But when she was with Miroku he made her day. It seemed rushed but she was willingly to go deeper. To know about this man that seemed to make her feel so special. She put her hand to her heart. It was all she could do to make her heart from flying away in happiness. Also not to get her heart too carried away. She had been hurt by men like him before. But still, Miroku was different, right?

She picked up her glass. It was her turn to dedicate a toast. "To us and more to come." Miroku lifted his glass and softly clinked it against hers and said "I hope so."

Together they ate their dinner, each telling about themselves. Just enjoying the fact that they were together in each other's company. Just enjoying their time together.



Kagome woke up and saw she was still in Inuyasha's house. Her head was spinning and she laid back down. Inuyasha stepped into the room with a wet cloth and gently placed it over her head.

Kagome shifted her head so she faced Inuyasha. "Thank you". Inuyasha sat down on the ground next to the couch Kagome was lying down on. "No problem. Are you okay now?"

"I'm just a little dizzy that's all." Kagome paused trying to think of what would be wise to say next. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "So how much do you know?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "Enough to know what happened and that Naraku was involved." Kagome looked away. Tears were forming in her eyes. She wanted to forget about Naraku and the nightmare she had so often.

Inuyasha placed his hands on top of hers. "All I know is that he both caused us pain Kagome. And I know you've try to put it behind you, but sometimes it won't go away. Did you know that he is out on parole now?"

Kagome immediately sat up. Her eyes were wide and filled with fear. The wet cloth that was on her head was now on the ground. "No! No.He can't.Not after all he did. Inuyasha he can't be a free man. He's the reason for my misery. He's the reason I used to cry myself to sleep every night. He's the one that haunts my nightmares. He." Kagome stopped and gripped his hands tightly.

Inuyasha could feel the tenseness. He sat on the couch with her and pulled her into an embrace. He understood how it felt to lose a loved one to him. He held her to help her, to help him.

Kagome buried her face deeper into his chest. Her tears blinding everything. She was scared, the man that killed her family was supposed to be behind bars for life. She felt safe every night knowing he was in prison; rotting away. Now.She wasn't sure anymore.

"He's out there; he probably knows where I live." Inuyasha pulled her away so he could look into her eyes.

His heart broke when he saw her so scared. "Remember when I said I would protect you?" Kagome shook her head remembering. Inuyasha grabbed her shoulders and looked squarely in the eye. "I won't let him ever hurt you again Kagome and that's a promise."

He brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away her tears. Kagome stopped moving. She wasn't sure if her head was making her see things. But.Inuyasha's head came closer. And closer. And then his nose gently brushed past hers. She could feel his warm breath and then his lips touched her lips.

He was kissing her. And she was kissing him back. It was a slow kiss. But for the first time Kagome felt safe and content with this man. She put her arms around her neck, because right then and there everything seemed just right and perfect.



Ayumi and Suki was sitting in their room lying in their bunk beds thinking.Suki had the top bunk, while Ayumi's was on the bottom. "Ayumi do you know how lucky we are to have friends like Kagome and Sango?"

"Umm.Really lucky?" Ayumi guessed. Suki looked at the ceiling. It was covered in pictures of her and her friends. Pictures of good times and memories. Suki played around with her lock of hair. "Yeah, I mean look at Kagome. She would do anything for us. Yet I feel so guilty sometimes."

Ayumi flipped over on her back and looked at the mattress above her. "Why do you feel guilty Suki?"

"Because here Kagome is our friend, she helped us get great jobs, always made us feel at home. While Sango made us nice clothes, taught us how to sew and cook properly. Well I can do all that now. And us? We've done so little Ayumi. We owe her and Sango big time. That's why we need to do something."

Ayumi's eyes widened. "I know what we can do. We could help them out with their fears. You know Kagome has that fear of that Naruka guy and Sango is afraid of giving her heart away." Suki's head hung down from the bunk and stared at Ayumi in utter surprise.

"That's the first brilliant thing you have said so far Ayumi!" Ayumi smiled widely and said "Thanks for the compliment see I can be smart at times." Suki lied back down on her bed. She had just the plan too.

AN: Sorry the chapter is short. But the fourth will be longer and good. I promise! Oh yeah don't forget to review, review, and did I mention review?