Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha

Warning: New MAJOR character…and I think I like him a lot. Uh Oh

*Ding Dong*    the former Mrs. Higurashi set her book down and went to answer the door. "Well hello Brad. How can I help you?" She said in that constantly delightful voice she was known for.

"Hi, Mrs. Taylor. I'm here to see Kagome." A handsome blonde boy about 20 years old stood in the doorway. He twiddled with his thumbs as he sat down on a kitchen chair while Mrs. Taylor turned from him to retrieve her daughter.

Mrs. Taylor lightly tapped on Kagomes' door. Their new home was much larger and it would have been difficult, if even possible for Kagome to hear the doorbell. She waited patiently till Kagome opened the door. "Hey sweetie, Brad's downstairs." Kagomes face lit up, but she tried to maintain an indifferent expression.

"Okay, thanks mom. Tell him I'll be right there." As soon as her mom shut the door, Kagome began jumping up and down in excitement. 3 months, he had been traveling in Europe for the whole summer. She brushed through her hair quickly and reapplied her lipstick then walked down the stairs, cool and poised. That all passed when she saw him…

She couldn't help it, she was too happy. She flung her arms around him in a warm embrace. He chuckled a bit at the pleasant welcome then asked, "Would I be foolish to ask if you missed me?" Kagome laughed. "I brought this back," he said as he handed her a huge stack of papers. The top sheet merely said Isaac and the Golden Crystal Jewel. She placed the papers on the table, and then stared up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. He chuckled again then grabbed her hand. "Come on, you. Let's go for a walk."

Walks with Brad were always pleasant. They met in college in the fall… almost a year earlier. They were in the same English class, and he was immediately intrigued by her. He tried getting her attention, but found all his efforts futile. Finally, out of frustration, she agreed to give him one date. That date turned out to be the best day Kagome Higurashi had had since she moved to North Carolina. Needless to say, many more followed, and for six months, they were inseparable… until he left on a trip for three months. Now he was back and everything could return to normal.

Kagome noted the difference in the weather as they walked. A week earlier, the hazy sky sent down waves of unbearable heat. Now, the sky was clear and blue, and she could feel fall. Summer was dying now, and the real death of nature would begin. Yet for some reason, Kagome didn't mind. This was her favorite time of the year. The smell of the fire burning through chimneys, the way the air felt crisp but not cold, and the way the sky seemed alive. The sun offered comfort as if saying, "Yes, the green is dying, but only so it can live again."

'Yes. I lost love… but only so I could find Brad,' Kagome thought inwardly and subconsciously squeezed his hand. Brad found a bench in the park, offered Kagome a seat, and sat next to her.

"I missed you, y'know," he stated.

"I missed you too. Really, I thought about you all the time." She felt a smile creep upon her lips when he placed his arm around her shoulder. *sigh* It seemed like a shame to ruin such a great moment, but she had to know, so she continued. "What did you think?"

"Hmm? About Europe?"

"No-- I mean yes. Well, I'll ask you that later, but I mean… what did you think of the story?" He released her and looked away, as if in shame. 'Oh goodness! He hated it!' she thought in despair.

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

"That depends on if it's good or not…"

"Kagome… I'm serious. Do you really want to know what I thought?" She sighed a little unsteadily, but nodded her head. "Alright, Kag… It was excellent!" Kagome exhaled, and it was then he realized she had been holding her breath. He laughed and drew her into his arms for a hug. "Haha! Oh honey! I'm sorry. That was a mean joke to play. No, it was really good. Kagome, I didn't know you had such an amazing imagination. Like that sword-- and his full devil brother. Also, the external struggle between that fallen angel, Kifflyn, and her re-born self, Krystle… That on its OWN was genius. And when I found out Nico himself was actually half-breed, and that his angel half was in love with Kifflyn… Well I was surprised, Kag. Someone so evil could be like the hero, Isaac—the connection between the two was perfect. Then, the talking fox, and that crazy couple, Sarah and Michael (the two humans)… I swear, Kag, Michael cracked me up. Who'd have thought a preacher could be so perverted? It was AMAZING!"

Kagome stared, bewildered. Here he sat going through her life like a mere fairy-tale. That was it. Her life summed up in one minute flat. 'Well, at least my life was 'AMAZING'…' she thought.

"I had one problem with it, and it can be easily fixed." Kagome raised an eyebrow, encouraging him to proceed. "The End," he said flatly.

Kagome choked on the words. "The End?"

"Yes. It was so… unrealistic."

"Brad! The whole story's unrealistic!"

"No, that's not what I mean. Krystle and Isaac ending up together. It was too impossible. Even after Nico and Kifflyn were gone, all odds were still against them!"

"Well," Kagome began defensively, "that's what makes it beautiful! The fact that all odds were against them, but they made it work. Love is stronger than anything else."

"I'm not saying it's not beautiful. It WAS beautiful, and it made me want to be home with you. But it just seemed too unachievable."

Kagome's eyes watered up. No. Love is stronger. She and Inuyasha can still be together… right? Who cares about odds? Brad saw the tears and instantly regretted criticizing her story. "Awwh, honey? Kag, come on, I'm sorry. I'm just overly critical. Look, the story's fine. Maybe it would have been possible for the two to be together. What do I know? Regardless of the ending, the story is superb, Kag! Utterly amazing."

He had embraced her while she cried. Then, a thought hit Kagome as she whimpered into his chest. She sat up and immediately ceased crying. 'He's right. It IS impossible. That's why I'm not with him. I changed the ending because it was my last shred of hope. I see now… fate has its way.'

"Brad, do you really think it's impossible?"

"I… er...," he muttered, not wanting to make her cry again.

"Really… Truthfully…"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll change it back to how it did end."

"How it DID end?"

"I mean… how it should've ended." Brad smiled down at her, and she smiled back. With or without Inuyasha, she could be happy. And she WAS lucky. She leaned up and kissed Brad softly and sighed, finally coming to terms with the past… and being happy with the future.

There was one thing she had left to do. With three weeks remaining until school started, she looked at the wealthiest person she knew and smiled sweetly. "I need a favor from you." If he agreed, then Kagome could finally let go of Inuyasha… forever.

*~~~~~~*  *~~~~~*    *~~~~~* End Chapter 3 *~~~~~* *~~~~* *~~~~~~~~*

Ok Everyone…before you HATE me! I'm a huge Inu/Kag fan, but I'm trying to be realistic. There is not way that after 3 years of never believe that she would see him again that Kag would stay single! Before this Brad guy was just going to be a PART of this story…but I kinda like him. So I am gunna go with the poll thing. I need to know if you want her with InuYasha, or Brad!

I already have 2 more chapters written out, so after reading them if you change your minds, you can say so. Now mind you, Kag could end up w/ someone completely different. Just leave me opinions OK! It would help me out TONS!