Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Kagome sat down on her bed. She had done it, she asked Brad to send her to Japan. He had been suspicious and kind of upset that she wanted to leave him so soon after he returned, but she smiled her perfect smile and made a cute puppy dog face, and right when she thought he was going to say yes, he gave her an indefinite "I'll think about it."

She waited patiently, thinking about everything that would happen. She got off of her bed and walked to her desk. In the top left drawer was a wooden music box with a red rose painted on the top. Her father had given it to her when she was a small girl. When the box was opened a delicate song floated out. She never knew the name of the song, but her father always use to hum the melody. The tune was always comforting to her. She picked up the box and placed it on the desk. She sat down, and then slowly, as if frightened to break it, she opened it. That same lovely melody found its way to her ears and she felt as if a warm blanket had been placed around her.

She picked up each item located in the box and placed them on her desk. Each item created a special memory. The prayer beads Miroku gave her for her birthday, a piece of Sangos massive boomerang (It chipped after she gave Miroku a serious beating) a folded up picture Shippo drew of himself and Kagome, a necklace InuYasha gave her, also for her birthday, and few dried flowers from the first bouquet Inuyasha gave her. Then at the bottom of the music box were two Polaroid pictures; one of the whole group, excluding Kagome because she took it, and another one…Kagome almost didn't want to look at it, but she did. It was a picture of her and Inuyasha. He was smirking, at least it wasn't a scowl, and his arm was protectively around her waist, Kagome was grinning and making a peace sign.

Her fingers lingered over the image of her beautiful hanyou. She placed the Polaroid beside the framed picture of her and Brad that sat on her desk. Brad was hugging her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder. There they were, the two men she cared more for then anyone else in the world. They were so different…so…so different.

Her hand went back in the music box and pulled out a pink ball the size of a marble. "And with you, I shall say goodbye."

"I certainly hope not to me." Brad stated as he appeared in her doorway.

"What? Oh no…of course not you." Kagome giggled as she tried to slide everything back in her box without Brad noticing.

Brad walked over and kissed her on the forehead, "Who, might I ask, is this?" Brad asked while pointing at the picture of Kagome and Inuyasha.

Kagome mentally kicked herself for leaving the picture out. "Oh well, that Inuyasha during Halloween. He went as a dog."

"What were you?"

"I wasn't in my costume yet."

"You look so young Kag…yet, so much the same." His voice drifted off. She looked so happy in that picture. He cleared his throat and picked his tone back up. "But I came here for a reason. I decided to send you to Japan. There are just some things I need to know first."

Kagome walked over and sat on the bed and he followed her. She took one of his hands in hers, "Of course, anything you want to know."

His forehead wrinkled in frustration as if he was deciding whether or not to discuss it. It wasn't like he didn't trust Kagome; it was just…going back to Japan. He knew she was going to see her ex boyfriend; that Inuyasha character she met from school, the possessive, jealous, violent man…who she loved. "You're going to see him, aren't you?" His voice cracked out with a tinge of sadness

Oh how badly Kagome wanted to lie. Just to rest her head on his shoulder, avoid his eyes, and tell him what he wanted to hear. She couldn't though. She looked him dead in the eyes and said "Yes."

"Look, Kag. I know you still love him. It's been almost 3 years and you are still hopelessly hooked on him. I just…I don't understand why you have to see him again. I'm scared you'll go back to how you were when I met you. Cold, vulnerable, and so untrusting."

Kagome stared at him speechless. 'Was I really that bad?' She thought, 'Yes, I guess I was.'

"Brad, I understand but…do you see this?" Kagome held out her hand which still grasped the Shikon no Tama. He took it and eyed it carefully as she continued, "That belongs to him…sorta. I have to give it to him."

"Kag, it's a marble!!"

'Ugh! How can I tell him the truth and still keep that time a secret,' she thought, "Well you see, it's a special marble. He had wanted it for sometime, it held some special meaning or something, and well, when I met him I lost it. We spent so long trying to find it. I should have given it to him before I left, but I left so quickly I forgot."

"I don't understand. Why didn't he just take it from you after you found it?" He stated skeptically.

Suddenly a revelation dawned upon Kagome. "Because he loved me." She whispered.

"What?"

"He loved me. That's why he let me hold on to the Shikon no Tama."

"You mean marble?"

"Yeah, yeah. He trusted me with it." She let out a long sigh. All her doubts were laid to rest, she had her proof right there that he loved her. She closed her eyes and smiled, 'When I give this to you Inuyasha, you too can move on.' "So, I just need to return this. That's…all."

"I still don't get what all the excitement is over a marble. A PINK marbles no less!" Kagome laughed at his statement and when Brad saw that, he too let out a relaxed chuckle. "Alright Kag," He sighed as he embraced her, "We'll go to Japan."

"We?" Kagome pulled away and looked at him questioningly.

"Yes, I've never been and I'd like to. Besides, I'm scared." His voice softened.

"Of what?"

"Of losing you."

Kagome kissed him gently and laid her head on his chest. "I'll make you a promise. No matter what…I will come home. I can't promise that I won't fall in love with him again, but I WILL come home."

Brad let out a satisfied sigh. He would let Kagome receive her closure. She could see Inuyasha and give back that funny pink marble, but when it came down to who would have her in the end, Brad would be the one left standing.

He smirked a smirk very much like the hanyou in the picture, 'That's right. I don't know what's in your past, or what you've done to hurt her…or what you've done to make her love you so, but in the end she's coming home…with me.'

*~~~~~* *~~~~~~~~~~~~~* *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

"Kagome hurry up! You're going to miss your flight!!" Bill Taylor shouted up the stairs. Sitting downstairs with him was Brad, who was nervously fidgeting.

"I'm coming! Give me a second!" She shouted back. She sounded irritated which made Brad even more nervous.

'This is going to be a disaster. I can't believe I am taking the only girl I've ever cared for to go see her ex boyfriend! I am so dumb!' Brad was interrupted from his thoughts by Kagome standing in the doorway dragging a large suitcase; Bill was standing besides her holding a smaller one. The amount of luggage wasn't what caught Brad's attention; it was Kagome. She stood there arguing with her step dad about something, but she looked beautiful. Her hair was back in a bun and her plain black shirt only brought focus to her expressive features which were accentuated with rouge. Her white skirt was modest, but gained the affect it craved…attention.

Bill left the room and Kagome looked at Brad. She threw her hands up in the air in a what-can-you-do gesture then let them fall back to her sides. She smiled brightly at him and he remained locked in her gaze for a few speechless moments.

While Brad could only think of how beautiful Kagome looked, she could do nothing but think about Inuyasha. She hadn't slept a wink last night. She felt like a child again who was impatiently waiting to go to a fair, but she couldn't wait any longer. "Okay Brad, would you take these bags out to the car. I have to say bye and I'll be right out." She winked at him and he finally snapped out of his trance.

Kagome made her way to the kitchen, taking in everything in her house. She really did like this place, she just missed he friends. "Mom?" Kagome made it to the kitchen only to find her mom crying at the table. Concern laced Kagomes already sugary voice as she placed a hand on the grieving woman's shoulder.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

Her mother grasped her hands and pulled Kagome in front of her so she could look her daughter in the face. She gazed lovingly at her child. She then stood and hugged her as if grasping for dear life. "I'm so sorry Kagome. How did you ever forgive me?"

"Mom, what are you talking about?"

"I was so selfish. I met Bill and moved us to his home. I dragged you away from your life…both of them. I made you leave love. Now you are leaving me and I'm losing my baby forever." She cried on her daughters shoulder, just as Kagome had done to her many times before.

Kagome's heart went out to the woman. She hugged her more tightly, "Mom…I'm not leaving you. I'm coming back. I don't blame you for anything. I never expected you not to fall in love. I love you and I understand. Bye mom." She kissed Mrs. Taylor's check and walked out.

Brad began driving…and that was it. She was leaving America, chasing her past, her dreams, and her love.

*~~~~~~~~~*                         *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Ugh!!! I meant to have this all written out, all the way to where she meets InuYasha. But it's late and I'm a senior with a curfew! *Shrug* parents. I will have the rest typed out tomorrow…where it was supposed to be, but I just wanna go ahead and post something because I haven't in a few days.

Also, thanks to EVERYONE who gave me your input on what the couples should be. There was quite a majority to Inuyasha and Kag lol. I can't say if I'm going to do that…but I have decided ^^ So read and be surprised.

Again, I'm sorry that Inu and Kag STILL haven't met again! GRRRR they were supposed to but, It's 3 more pages to type and I don't have the time.

Thanks everyone!!!!