Disclaimer: Sadly i dont own Inuyasha

Chapter 3 - Dreams of the Past

Instead of rushing her back to the palace, Inuyasha suggested she sleep a bit, and he would just claim it took him longer to find her. Relieved to sleep somewhere besides a dark cell, she laid down beside him, and was instantly asleep.

"Kagome, promise me you will always be mine."

She looked up into the eyes of the man standing in front of her with a ring in his hand. Should she accept? She knew her family would be happy, finally peace between the lands. But she knew she didn't love him. Sure, Kouga was a great friend, but love?

"I…uh…Kouga, I'm just not sure."

"Oh," he replied sadly.

Kagome turned and began to walk away from the crestfallen man. She hated making people upset. She needed someone to talk to right now. It wouldn't be long until her father found out about her refusal, and she knew she would need a friend to talk to after the lecture she was sure to get. She set off in search of Sango. Hopefully the monk wasn't keeping her too busy…

Everyone was aware of Miroku's obvious feelings for Sango, but only Kagome knew that Sango cared for him in return. She wasn't sure why Sango wanted it to be kept secret, but Kagome respected her friend's wishes and kept silent. She finally found the couple beneath the god tree on the shrine grounds behind the palace. They were defiantly busy at the moment, Kagome coughed loudly to announce her presence. Sango immediately jumped from his arms and slapped him across the face.

"How dare you touch me monk!"

Kagome began to laugh at her friend's attempt to cover up what they had been doing. "Sango, it's only me."

"Next time Lady Kagome, please say that first. Maybe I won't get slapped then," stated Miroku while rubbing his cheek. Kagome could see the red handprint there and began to laugh again at the expense of her two friends. They had known each other since they were small children and Miroku used to try to kiss the both of them. Now his eyes were only for Sango, head of the palace protectors. It was rare for a woman to be in charge of this team, but Sango was more than qualified to fight demons.

"Kagome did you want something?" asked Sango.

Kagome snapped out of her trance and remembered why she had been seeking her friend. She stopped laughing and the troubled look returned to her face.

"Kouga proposed," she whispered softly, "And I turned him down."

Sango could tell the Kagome was bothered by hurting her friend. She also knew the importance of this proposal. Kouga was a demon prince, and the two families had hoped the union could strengthen their forces and keep peace between the demons and humans. Sango could only imagine how Kagome's father was going to react. As she opened her mouth to attempt to comfort Kagome, a loud voice could be heard…

"KAGOME!"

"Sleepyhead, we have to get going."

Kagome awoke to Inuyasha shaking her gently. She opened her eyes to find golden ones staring back at her. Had she been dreaming? Why did she suddenly miss the faces she had seen. She felt an ache in her heart at the memory of the girl Sango, and the monk Miroku. She wrapped her arms around Inuyasha and began to cry for the forgotten friends in her dreams.

Confused at her sudden mood change, he wrapped his arms around her hoping to calm her down. What could she have dreamed that would bring her to tears?