Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or its characters. The plot is based on the movie 21 Grams (with a twist!), starring Naomi Watts and this other guy whose name is currently evading me. He played the gangster-father in Mystic River.

Summary: Kagome has the perfect life until a negligent driver ruins it all.

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That day was all just a series of snapshots. Flashing from one moment to the next, with no memory of what happened in between. Snapshots. Memories. It was one of those days where you wish you could just turn back time and stop something from happening...stay in one moment forever.

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Saturday began as a beautiful morning.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha groaned as he woke up. "Why are you up so early?"

"I'm not up early, you're up late!" Kagome scolded as she pulled back the curtains. "Lazy ass," she muttered.

Inuyasha grinned.

"Are Shinji and Lin up yet?"

"Yes, Inuyasha. They were up about an hour ago," Kagome replied. "Sheesh, even your kids wake up earlier than you do."

"Hey!" the aforementioned lazy ass responded. "Kids have more energy," he sighed into the pillow.

"Well, get up. Remember, you promised to take Lin to the skating rink today. Shinji decided at the last minute that she'd go too."

Inuyasha sat up.

"Why can't you take them?" he asked sullenly.

"Because you promised them. I didn't. I don't make promises I can't keep...unlike you."

"Ouch!" Inuyasha winced. "Okay, okay, I'm up. I'll be down in about fifteen minutes."

"Breakfast's already waiting."

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"Daddy! Daddy!" Lin dashed over and hugged her father as he stepped off the stairs.

Kagome smiled.

"Are you gonna take me and Shinji to the skating rink today?" Lin asked.

"Of course he is, dummy!" Shinji replied. "He promised remember? Little sisters are so stupid."

Lin pouted.

"Daddy, Shinji called me the s--word!" Lin whined. "She said a bad word!"

"Shinji, don't teach your little sister that stuff!" Inuyasha said.

Kagome laughed.

"Okay, you three!" she smiled. "Let's eat breakfast! And then Daddy will take you to the skating rink."

The four sat down like the happy family they were and began to eat.

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Kagome sighed as she watched Inuyasha pull his car out of the driveway.

Might as well get some shopping done, she thought.

Standing in front of the mirror, she ran her fingers through her long, black hair. Pulling out a small tube of dark red lipstick, she frowned. The tip was smudged up as if it had been smashed against something.

Lin...she sighed. And that was my favorite tube of lipstick.

Kagome decided she wouldn't wear lipstick that day. Grabbing her coat, she locked the door behind her and stepped into the garage.

Kagome grinned at the picture in her car. The bright red frame dangled from a curled wire, held to the window by a suction cup. The actual picture was of Inuyasha, Shinji, and Lin, taken last Christmas. Lin was giggling and hugging a huge stuffed bear that Inuyasha had bought her. Shinji pouted slightly at the itchy sweater Kagome's mother had sent her, but looked nonetheless happy with the new ice skates she was holding. And then there was Inuyasha. He was sitting in between both of the girls, with the Christmas tree behind him. His golden eyes glowed as he smiled happily at the camera. He was wearing the sweater that Kagome had bought him. Red. Polo. Kagome sighed. Her wonderful family.

She pulled out of the driveway, closed the garage door, and headed to the supermarket. Tonight was Inuyasha's birthday, and she had something special planned for dinner...and dessert.

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Kagome looked around the meat section. Inuyasha hated fish...that was out of the question. Chicken was okay...but the girls didn't like it. Kagome shuddered when she came to the beef. No way she was eating dead cow.

Dinner is such a difficult decision at our house. Maybe we should just make some ramen. It's Inuyasha's favorite, and I know the girls inherited his "love" for the stuff.

Kagome grinned. Inuyasha's birthday and they would be celebrating over ramen of all things. Maybe she should invite Sango and Miroku over. That would be so nice.

Whipping out her cell phone, Kagome dialed the number and waited patiently for Sango to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Sango! Hey! It's Kagome!" she greeted.

"Oh, yeah, I know. Sorry, Kagome. I'm not used to this 'greet by name because of caller ID thing.'"

Kagome laughed. That was Sango.

"What's up, anyway?" Sango asked, puzzled.

"You wouldn't happen to remember what today was, would you?" Kagome smiled. Of course Sango would know. She did write everything down on her calendar so she wouldn't forget.

"Umm, hang on, let me..." there was a slight pause.

"Checking the calendar?"

"It's Inuyasha's birthday today!" Sango cried. "Oh, sorry, Kagome! I meant to call you! I had it stuck in my head last night...and then Okani decided that he wanted to go to the park, so I had to make Miroku go drop him off... Oh, I knew there was something I was forgetting!"

Kagome laughed again.

"It's okay, Sango! Chill. Listen, can you come by tonight...say...six? I'm planning a birthday dinner. Ramen again."

"At least Inuyasha and the girls will like it."

"No kidding."

After she hung up with Sango, Kagome pushed her cart toward the aisle where Safeway kept ramen.

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Kagome plopped down onto the couch, exhausted.

Ugh, I'm so tired. Maybe I should get some sleep.

Within five minutes, the worn-out woman had drifted into dreamland.

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Kagome yawned and stretched.

How long did I sleep?

She checked the clock on the microwave.

It's three in the afternoon...Why isn't Inuyasha home with the girls? They said they'd be back before two...

Kagome saw her cell phone blinking out of the corner of her eye.

A message...from Inuyasha?

Kagome flipped open her cell phone, and, sure enough, there was a message waiting for her. From Inuyasha's cell phone.

"Hey, Kagome. Listen, we're going to be a little bit late...maybe about half an hour. It's around one right now. Lin wanted to go to the park for a while. I'll be back around...say...two thirty? Lin, no, leave the pigeon alone. Lin! Stop that! (giggling in the background) Okay, sweetheart, I'll see you soon!"

Kagome sighed. They said two-thirty...maybe Lin just wanted to stay a little while longer. She decided to shower and freshen up for the party.

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Kagome stepped out of the steaming bathroom with her robe on. She rummaged through her closet after drying her hair.

What to wear...what to wear...

Kagome decided on a green, sleeveless mock turtleneck, and a pair of regular black slacks. She pinned her elegant black hair into a bun on the top of her head, and secured it with a pair of light green chopsticks. Liking the look, she left the bedroom and went downstairs to wait.

Upon checking the clock once more, she found it was nearing four o'clock. Where was Inuyasha?

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Kagome opened the door cautiously and saw two police officers standing at the door.

"Are you the wife of Inuyasha Takahashi and mother of Shinji Takahashi and Lin Takahashi?"

"Yes," Kagome said, a bit worried. "Who are you?"

"I'm Ikago Omadeshii, and this is my partner, Haku Innoya...We're police officers at the local station...We have some news that may be of importance to you. May we come in?" the officer asked nervously.

"Yes, please, come in. Sit," Kagome motioned the two officers into the living room.

"I'm afraid we have some bad... er... news."

"Is it about Inuyasha? What's wrong with him? What about Lin and Shinji? Are they alright?"

Omadeshii glanced at Innoya.

"I'm afraid they were hit by a negligent driver."

Kagome gasped.

"They were on their way home, I assume, and they were turning a corner when a car drove onto the curb and hit them. I'd say it was approximately...one twenty to one thirty."

"W-well...are they alright? I mean, there's nothing wrong, right? They're okay?" Kagome asked desperately. "Where are they? I have to see them!"

"They're... in the hospital. Unfortunately, the accident is pretty serious."

"How are they? Are they still...alive?" Kagome whispered.

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"Your eldest daughter, Shinji, was killed on contact. Lin was rushed to the hospital...but the doctor's couldn't save her."

Kagome felt numb. This couldn't be happening.

"W-what...what about Inuyasha?" Kagome asked. She had to know.

"He is in critical condition. As far as I know, the doctors are still working on him."

Kagome wanted to burst out crying.

I can't. I have to be strong. I have to. There's...still hope.

"Take me to see Inuyasha, please."

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Kagome walked into Inuyasha's room. There were tubes and pipes everywhere, all connected to clicking and beeping machines. In the middle of the tangle of tubes, lay Inuyasha.

"Oh god..." Kagome whispered.

Kagome turned to face the doctor at her side.

"Will he...be alright?" she trembled.

"He's been stabilized...for now. What you should know is that he's in a coma. We can't do anything right now except for what you see here. It's a fine line for Mr. Takahashi between life and death. Quite frankly, and I'm sorry to say this, there's a slim chance for him to wake up."

Kagome nodded dumbly.

"Can I...stay here for the night?" she asked.

"Of course, I'll have a bed set up and - "

"No, thank you. I'll be fine. There's a chair over there that I can sleep in," Kagome said gratefully. "I want to be with him."

The doctor nodded.

"I'll bring you a blanket later. For now, it's...about five thirty. You might want to get some food from the cafeteria. You can bring it up here, if you want. Just don't make a mess or the nurses will have my head."

Kagome gave a weak smile and a tiny nod.

"Of course, doctor."

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Kagome sat down and pulled out her cell phone.

"Hi...umm...Kagome," Sango laughed. "Caller ID again..."

When Sango did not receive a cheerful laugh in response, she began to worry.

"Kagome? What's wrong? Kagome?"

"Sango, sorry, but I have to cancel the party tonight," Kagome said.

"How come?" Sango asked? "Is something wrong? Did Inuyasha do something?"

Kagome was in tears by now.

"Sango...oh...he's in the hospital! He was with Shinji and Lin...and...and they were hit by a negligent driver...and...oh, god, Sango! My girls are dead! Killed by some idiot! A hit-and-run driver murdered half of my family, Sango! Oh, god..." Kagome sobbed.

"Shhh, shhh," Sango replied over the phone. "It's okay, you can deal with this. You're the strongest girl I know, Kagome. Look, which hospital are you in?"

"Umm...the local one. I don't know the name...we've never had to go to a hospital before...this."

"Okay, Kagome. I'll be right over, okay? Just hang on!"

Kagome sighed as Sango hung up. She stared at Inuyasha's body. He looked...so peaceful.

"Why did this have to happen on your special day? Why did it have to happen at all? Inuyasha...." Kagome broke down. Tears streamed freely down her face, and she grasped Inuyasha's hand. "Hang in there..."

¤ My Corner ¤

Okay, please review this story. I promise I will put up more chapters if you do. SO....review, pretty please!

Second thing: should this be an Inuyasha/Kagome story or a Sesshomaru/Kagome story? I'll base it on the better half of say...the first five to ten reviews.

Ja ne