Author's Notes: Phew, I'll tell you what, physical therapy is extremely difficult when you have a frozen shoulder. And I do, since I wasn't allowed to move my arm for six weeks following the surgery, which meant the joint froze up, and all the muscle in my biceps just sort of faded away. So now, first I have to regain my range of motion, and then I have to rebuild all the muscle mass I used to have. Not fun. But then, it's been made a little easier by the fact that the clinic has a new helper (he's not a therapist yet, but he's in training) who is very cute. Don't get any ideas though, because I'm still under eighteen, and he's like twenty- something. That means, alas, that by the time I'm eighteen, I will have finished therapy. Darn!
Anyway, enough about my life, lets get back to the story, shall we? This chapter has absolutely no action, just reflective thoughts, feelings, and emotions between our favorite pair. It's full of fluff near the end, so just bear with me, those of you who hate sugar. I think I can get away with it, considering I don't put THAT much in my story (at least I don't think I do).
That's all I've got for now. The usual thanks are in order for reviewing, I always appreciate it. And I hope you all continue to enjoy this story. Just to warn you all, however, it is winding down. I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be, but I can say that there won't be that many. You know me, I refuse to drag out a plot any longer then it needs to be. So I suppose, if you need a guess, there will probably be around a total of 22 or 23 chapters, if that tells you anything. I'll shut up now. Enjoy chapter nineteen!


Title: Soldiers in a Timeless Battle

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter: Nineteen

Rating: PG-13 (for language and, at times, sexual implications)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.


Modern Tokyo was all lit up with the lights of the giant skyscrapers, making the stars all but invisible to the naked eye. It was beautiful, in its own way, but to Inuyasha it's beauty didn't even compare to that of his own home on a crisp, clear night.

Unfortunately, he hadn't come back through the well to compare views...he was here, at Kagome's home, to think and be alone. If the mood had been lighter, he probably would have found it funny that he was here, in Kagome's time, without Kagome. But his heart was aching at that point, and frankly, the thought didn't even cross his mind. All he knew...all he wanted...was to be alone, and the only place he could think of was Kagome's time, knowing she wouldn't think to look for him there.

They hadn't spoken for two days, though it wasn't for her lack of trying. He had been hiding in the forest near the village, and had been able to hear her every time she came and sat down by the stream, weeping and softly begging him to come back to her. She looked so sad, so alone without him, and it was all he could do to keep from running back to her and taking her small body up in his arms, assuring her he would never leave her alone again.

He wasn't angry...not with her, anyway. Yes, he had been initially when he'd seen her in the arms of another man, specifically Sukiono, but that had long ago passed. After all, hadn't he told her he trusted her love for him only a week before?

So why was he here, in her time, but without her?

It was something that had been nagging at him ever since Sukiono had appeared and Kagome had lost the baby. He felt like all the tragedy and darkness that had been surrounding them was starting to wear him down, both physically and mentally, and frankly, he'd finally decided he needed some time alone. The only problem was, he couldn't have chosen a worse moment...because Kagome now thought he was furious with her and never coming back. He'd just have to explain everything when he returned...he just didn't know when that would be.

The lights were on inside her house, and Inuyasha could see Mrs. Higurashi through the kitchen window, washing dishes. For some strange reason, he found himself moving toward the front door, even though he thought he didn't want to talk to anyone, and as he turned the knob was instantly greeted with the smells of a cooked meal, complete with brownies. The sound of the television could be heard through the doorway into the living room, and the hanyou assumed Souta and his grandfather had retired to watch some show while Kagome's mother was in cleaning up from their meal.

He had always liked the safety and routine of Kagome's family. Whenever he came, he liked how everything was always the same. Breakfast was always on the table at seven in the morning, dinner at seven at night, followed by bonding time for the men around the television while the women chatted and cleaned up the dishes. And always, at some time or another, there was the smell of fresh cookies, brownies, or cakes.

Inuyasha could almost hear Kagome's voice as she spoke to her mother about some thing only women could find interesting, hearing her laugh at something funny or even see her pout. It made his heart fill with longing, and it was all he could do to walk forward, instead of backwards and through the well...and into her waiting arms.

He shut the door silently, not wanting to cause a disturbance, and walked quickly across the hallway into the kitchen. Mrs. Higurashi didn't see him at first, and as a result she nearly jumped out of her skin when he coughed low and sat down in a chair at the table.

"Inuyasha!" She put a hand over her heart to steady its fast-pace thumping. "I'm sorry, but you frightened me." She put a smile on her face, grabbing a white plate full of chocolate cookies, holding it out to him. "Would you like one? They're fresh...just came out of the oven."

"Actually Mrs. Higurashi," Inuyasha blushed and put a hand behind his neck, rubbing as he tried to cover his embarrassment, "I was, um, hoping I could talk to you."

"To me?" She seemed surprised, but quickly hid it as she nodded and walked over to sit across from him at the table, setting the plate of cookies down in the middle, winking as she did so. "We'll just save these for when we're finished, okay?"

"Sure..." He didn't know exactly what to say, or where to begin. Kagome could talk to her mother so easily, but he didn't have the faintest idea what he should start with.

Mrs. Higurashi, thankfully, had seen his look before, on her daughter's face, and as such saved him from having to make any introductions by sitting back in her chair, crossing her legs, and sighing. "Alright, tell me what's wrong with your relationship at the moment."

"What?" Inuyasha couldn't keep his cheeks from turning slightly red.

"Give me a little credit, Inuyasha," Mrs. Higurashi teased, grabbing a cookie, "After all, I have been dealing with the drama of your relationship with Kagome for over four years now." She chuckled as she recalled the number of times it had been Kagome sitting at the table.

"Oh," he felt slightly better, and even a little more comfortable in the older woman's presence. He could see why Kagome liked to talk to her so much, and ask for her advice. She had a calming presence, and a soothing voice...he hoped that would be what Kagome would become when she was finally a mother. "Well, you see, I kind of, um, saw Kagome hugging another man, and it made me pretty mad. So I ran off, and haven't talked to her since."

"You didn't even let her explain herself?"

He felt ashamed as he shook his head. "No, I guess I only had one thought on my mind at that moment, which was to get away, once I was sure she was safe."

Mrs. Higurashi nodded as she listened. "I see...and who was the boy Kagome was embracing?"

"This guy named Sukiono...Naraku's son...he's our new enemy."

"And Kagome was hugging him?" Mrs. Higurashi couldn't hold back her surprise at that. But Inuyasha just nodded as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Yeah, well, he kind of has a thing for her, Mrs. Higurashi, and I think Kagome feels sorry for him, so she doesn't tell him to stop."

"Is he the one who's kidnapped her so many times?"

"Yes."

"I see..." She went silent for a few minutes, seeming to think as she mindlessly reached for another cookie. Inuyasha chose to follow her example, and munched happily as he listened to her speak once more. "Are you still mad at her, Inuyasha?"

"No."

"Then why haven't you spoken with her? Why are you here now, alone?"

That was the million dollar question, wasn't it? Inuyasha knew why he wanted to be away from her, but at the same time, didn't know if it was right for him to leave her behind, considering the fact that they were married. "I guess I've just needed some time for myself, that's all."

"Time for yourself? Why?"

He shrugged. "I don't know...it's just that..." He went silent.

"Just what?"

"Everything's just so complicated now. I mean, we were hardly married before Sukiono showed up, kidnapping Kagome...twice...and continually coming back for her. And then there's the fact that she was pregnant, and lost the baby because of him, and ever since it's like a light has just died within her, especially since she found out Sango was pregnant." He acquired an apologetic look. "I've never been good at handling other people's emotions, and I don't think I ever will be. I'm just not made that way. So I guess I'm just feeling...well, overwhelmed."

Mrs. Higurashi sighed and nodded her head, indicating she understood what he meant. "Inuyasha, let me tell you something. Every marriage has one or two years that are extremely difficult. I remember one year, right after I was born, when Kagome's father and I did nothing but argue. You would think the baby would have brought us together, but...times were tough, money was tight, work was stressful for him, my father had just moved in with us, and we were both sleep deprived thanks to the new baby. For two years I thought for sure our marriage was going to end...and then, suddenly, it was like the clouds parted, and things got better."

Inuyasha was frowning as he looked at the unfinished cookie in his hands. "But I don't want to spend two years like this. I can barely handle it as it is."

She touched his hand gently, and he met her kind gaze. "I don't think you will have to wait that long for things to get better, Inuyasha."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the relationship you have with Kagome is unique. She's so young, and yet she loves you like she's known you all her life. I loved my husband, to be sure, but at the same time, I don't think our romance was nearly as passionate as yours. And passion, while evil at times, can also be your greatest support and aid."

The hanyou nodded thoughtfully. "Is it, um...bad that I've come here without her?"

"No, not at all. In fact, I admire your maturity by recognizing that you need some time for yourself. I think part of the reason my husband and I had such a rough time is because neither of us gave ourselves a break. We were so convinced that leaving would be worse for the marriage instead of better, that in the end it nearly did cost us our marriage." She sat back again. "Couples need time apart just as much as they need time together...that's just human nature." She winked. "And I know you're half- human, so the same rule applies to you."

He couldn't help but smile at her kindness and positive attitude. It was certainly lifting his spirits. But he still had one more question. "Do you think it's a bad thing that I was so jealous when I saw Kagome with Sukiono? I mean," He looked at his hands, "Shouldn't I trust her enough to know she would never betray me with someone else?"

At that Mrs. Higurashi sighed and closed her eyes, nodding as though replying to some inner thought. "That's the famous unanswerable question, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just that we never know where the line between jealousy and obsession is drawn. I believe, at times, that jealousy can be a good thing, because it tells us that we still feel for someone. For example, part of the reason Kagome discovered she loved you was because she was so bothered whenever you would go off with Kikyou. In other words...she got jealous. By being jealous of Sukiono, you've proven to yourself that you love her just as strongly as you ever did."

"But what does that tell me? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

She sighed. "I can't answer that for you, Inuyasha. You have to figure that one out on your own. But I will give you this much advice." She leaned against her arms on the table, looking straight at him. "Figure out what you were jealous of, and I think you'll have your answer."

"I don't understand..."

"Decide if you were jealous of the idea of Kagome with another man, or if it was the concept of another man holding her that bothered you." Mrs. Higurashi stood up and smiled, taking the plate away to put the cookies into the nearby cookie jar.

Inuyasha remained sitting for a while in silence, brooding, before standing up. "Thanks for listening, I appreciate it."

"Any time."

He glanced about as though looking for something, and then blushed. "Um, would it be alright if I stayed here tonight? In Kagome's room?"

If she was at all surprised by the question she hid it well, because the woman merely nodded and smiled. "Of course. If you need pajamas, just take some from Souta's drawer."

"Sure, thanks." He left the kitchen and headed up the stairs, having no intention of putting on anything other then what he was wearing. He'd be leaving early the next morning anyway, so it didn't really matter.

Kagome's room looked the same as it always did, her bed made up neatly, the pink comforter pulled up underneath her fluffy white pillow, which was surrounded by several stuffed bears and other animals. One in particular caught his attention, a little white dog that looked as though it had been cuddled more then the others since some of its fur was wearing off, its nose partially gone. He picked it up and brought it to his face, inhaling the familiar scent of vanilla and sighing as Kagome's smiling face floated into his mind.

He was glad he'd chosen her room to sleep in that night. After all, even though he needed some space and time for himself, he still missed her. Having her scent surround him, knowing he was in a place that was personal to her, made him feel better.

Standing up, he decided to explore her room a little, since he never really had before. Of course, he knew where her clothes were, and that she did homework at her thing called a desk, but beyond that he didn't really know where she kept anything...or what she kept, for that matter.

Atop a tall dresser he found several perfumes, whose scents were too powerful for his sensitive nose, along with a jewelry box that smelled old, and a large black photo album. Deciding to ignore the jewelry and perfume, he grabbed the large volume and placed it in his lap as he sat down on her floor. On the front it read Kagome's Life In Pictures in beautiful cursive, to which he laughed.

The first few photos were of her when she was very young. But he knew it was her because her eyes were still the same: wide, innocent, and beautiful. Her hair was shorter, and in several pictures she even wore it in pigtails, which made her look an awful lot like Rin for some reason. It only demonstrated that he was right to say Rin would look a lot like Kagome one day (though he still maintained, especially now, that Kagome was still more beautiful).

In the first several pictures of her family, it included not only her mother, grandfather, and Souta, but an older man who looked to be her father, since he had a similar face shape and bone structure to that of Kagome. He was smiling, and looked like he was a kind man. Unfortunately, after the first ten pages or so, he was no longer there.

As the pages continued to turn, Kagome continued to grow. Sometimes she was with her friends, sometimes she was posing with her family before the Goshinboku, there were several sports pictures of her in softball and soccer uniforms, and even one of her wearing a ballet costume (though there was only one of those). She had clearly been an extremely active child, and as she grew, more and more familiar faces began to appear, like Ayumi, Yuka, and Eri, and even (he growled) Hojo.

And then, suddenly, before he knew how far into the pictures he had gone, he found a picture of him. It was the first picture she had ever taken of him, as he was leaning against a tree on a hilltop and gazing out at the horizon, which was colored by the fading sun. He had a pensive look on his face, and his eyes were sad. He remembered having snapped at her when he found out what she had done, complaining that the sound of the camera had hurt his ears, even though it hadn't. Why had he been so cruel to her then?

More pictures surfaced of her time in the past, with first Shippou appearing, looking very young compared to how he looked now, then Miroku, at that time still wearing the beads to conceal his cursed hand, and finally Sango.

There were all sorts of scenes in that photo album. Some were of just Shippou, climbing trees, throwing rocks, or collecting flowers. He was always smiling for the camera and looking just as innocent and happy as ever. Most of the time Miroku was standing and grinning, though one time Kagome managed to snap the camera just as he was groping Sango, and the look on her face that had been captured was priceless. Knowing the couple, Inuyasha could guess what had happened next.

A few times he blushed when he saw some photos Kagome had taken of she, Sango, and Shippou taking baths, splashing each other, and generally playing around. Luckily, she had always managed to stay low enough under the water that nothing improper was showing.

Kaede made several appearances as well, her kind old eyes twinkling in every picture, and even Myouga could barely be spotted jumping up and down, clearly trying to be noticed by the camera.

He smiled as he continued to leaf through the pages, reliving memories and generally feeling a pool of warmth spread from his stomach throughout the rest of his body. He loved the most when Kagome would get in the pictures too, and have all of them together, because for some reason her smile seemed to brighten the scene.

But more then anything, Inuyasha became aware, gradually, of the changes time had wrought on all of them. Shippou was, of course, the most obvious, being a growing child, but even the others had changed as well. Sango looked wary and somewhat melancholy in the beginning, but toward the end her smiles were all genuine, and Miroku seemed to have developed a softer look as time went by, probably from knowing Sango. But the biggest change he noticed...was in himself.

His eyes had looked so sad in the beginning, so lost. He could understand now why Kagome had called his eyes tragically beautiful for so long, because even he could see it. In the first several pictures he had always seemed to be thinking of something else even as the camera snapped, especially in that first picture of him, but towards the end of the album he was smiling more, and he seemed genuinely happy. Had Kagome done that to him, all on her own? He smiled at the thought.

Once he finished flipping through the album, placing it back atop the shelf, he decided to go through a large shelf full of books. The top shelf contained all of Kagome's old text books from school, ranging from history to math to science, and he chose to ignore those. The other three shelves had dozens of novels, some of which he took out to examine more closely. Unfortunately, most of them were romance stories, so he ended up putting them back.

One spine, however, caught his attention, bright blue and severely crinkled. Bending down to grab it, he pulled it forth, noticing how worn out it looked, and realizing she must have read it many times. Romeo and Juliet (A Tragedy), By William Shakespeare.

Inuyasha recognized the title instantly as the play Kagome had been in the year before at the end of school, along with Hojo. He remembered that it was a love story that ended tragically, and he also remembered that he had enjoyed it immensely, though the kissing scenes had bothered him just a bit.

Laying back on her bed, allowing her scent to enfold him, he opened the cover to the first page, which was highlighted in several places which, he guessed after studying it closely, were things that applied to her. It described the opening scene, which he remembered was a fight, and he slowly began to read the lines.

He loved most the part where Romeo met Juliet, so quickly skipped to the scene of the Capulet party. He thought, as he read, about the first time he'd met Kagome, and chuckled to think that their meeting had not exactly been love at first sight, especially not on his part, considering the fact that he had attacked her. But he found the concept nice, all the same, and so read Romeo's lines eagerly.

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright.

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night

As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear-

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear.

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows

As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.

The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,

And touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight.

For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

It was strange that a man such as he, who was not in the least romantic, should find such a play, such words, so intriguing, and yet, Inuyasha had to admit he loved what Romeo was saying about Juliet as much as if it were he himself saying it about Kagome. It was all true, after all. To him, Kagome was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was so wonderful, so kind, that she shone like a star from heaven, causing all others to become invisible.

An idea came to him then, one that made him grin like a fool, and so, without waiting any longer, he hastily finished reading the scene and turned off her light, curling up with his head on her pillow and falling asleep.


The sun was barely making its appearance on the morning as Kagome made her way over to the Goshinboku tree, the frosted grass crunching under her feet with every step she took, the chill morning air taking her breath away in a puff of smoke. But she didn't care. All she knew was that she needed the comfort of the ancient tree, where she and Inuyasha had first met.

It had been three days since he'd disappeared, and Kagome had never felt more desolate then she did now. Could he possibly still be angry with her? Or was it something else? But what else could it be? What else would drive him to stay away from her so long? Obviously it was something important, considering the fact that he had never before been able to leave her alone for nearly so long without her forcing him to stay away.

"Inuyasha, where are you?" She whispered, feeling a solitary tear roll down her cheek as she knelt before the great tree, feeling the wet grass seep through her jeans, causing a shiver to run through her body.

She had wanted to go after him immediately, imploring Miroku to help her, but the monk had surprised her by saying she needed to just give him time to himself. When she'd argued against such an idea, he had continued by insisting that is what he'd made Inuyasha do on the numerous times when she had run away, back to her time, wanting to be alone. And so she had finally relented, waiting, wondering, and worrying.

In a way she knew exactly how he was feeling, and that frightened her. She remembered how hurt she had felt every time she saw him with Kikyou, especially after that one instance when Inuyasha had promised to protect Kikyou always, pulling the woman into his arms and holding her in a way Kagome could only dream of at the time. She remembered the look in his eyes when he saw her, hidden amongst the trees, and how she had run then, faster then she'd ever run before, simply to get away.

"But I came back..." She whispered aloud, as though to assure herself that Inuyasha too, in time, would come back. "But he's not me."

It was true, her beloved hanyou had never been good at overcoming emotional issues, and she feared this might very well push him over the top. It didn't matter that he might still love her; after what happened, his fear could easily push him away forever...a thought she couldn't bear to think of.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," she assured the silence, as though he were sitting right beside her. "I just wanted to help him. Can't you understand that?"

Of course he can, she thought. That's all he wanted to do with Kikyou...he wanted to help her. And she, Kagome, had slapped him down every time he had tried because she was so jealous and afraid of losing him.

"But that was different," She argued aloud with herself. "In the beginning, he did want to go with her, and made that perfectly clear to me. The only reality I knew was that one day he would be gone, with Kikyou...both of them dead together. I wouldn't have been human if I had instantly believed he'd changed his mind. But with Sukiono, I've never gave off any hints that I was in love with him, or wanted to go with him. Haven't I fought tooth and nail to get back to Inuyasha every time?"

Her voice trailed off into silence, and she knew it was a futile argument. It may have sounded logical to her, but that didn't mean that it would be logical to Inuyasha. He was, most likely, doing his own rationalizations somewhere, convincing himself that she had betrayed her. It went back to their conversation a week earlier...did he trust her? She thought he did, after what he'd said and done, but now she wasn't so sure.

"Maybe I shouldn't blame Kikyou so much for having been so easily tricked," She thought aloud. "If Inuyasha had been like this with her, always second- guessing her actions, no wonder she found it so easy to believe he had betrayed her."

But even as the words left her mouth, Kagome felt her eyes open wide in shock at what she had said, and she put a hand over her heart as a few more tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes.

How could she be so cruel as to think that? She would never believe, not even for an instant, that Inuyasha would betray her. He loved her, and she trusted that love. It was he who had the problem. Wasn't it?

Leaning back on her heels, Kagome wondered, for the first time, if perhaps she was the one with the problem. If, just maybe, she was the one having a hard time letting go of the past and trusting in him completely.

No, she decided, that was ridiculous, and yet, if that were true, why was she so worried that he wouldn't come back? Hadn't her mother told her, many times, that all relationships were tested with perils and problems, and that it wasn't always sun and roses between two people?

If I really do trust him, she thought, then I need to believe that he'll come back to me when he's ready.

There it was, simple and obvious. She always begged him to trust in their love, so now it was her turn to prove herself to not be a hypocrite by following her own advice. A smile came to her face at the thought.

Yes, she did trust him. It would be hard waiting, but at the same time, she would, as long as was necessary, for him to return to her, because she had faith that he would. Their love was too strong to be ruined by something as miniscule as her encounter with Sukiono. She just had to believe that.

Finally having a plan, Kagome felt the smile on her face widen slightly as she rose to her feet, looking up in appreciation at the tall branches of the great tree. It always managed to help clear her mind. Here, she had first realized that she loved Inuyasha, and had been able to sort through her roiling emotions regarding him and Kikyou. So it was fitting, in a way, that now she had been sitting in the same spot as she came to realize what she needed to do now.

She was so caught up in the moment, however, that she failed to hear the footsteps behind her, and was startled when strong fingers (familiar fingers) entwined themselves with her own. She felt warm breath on the back of her neck, and dared not move, for fear of waking up from a dream.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:

My lips, two blushing pilgrims ready stand

To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."

The owner of that beautiful voice raised her hand and gently placed his lips against her palm, causing a shiver to run through her body. Her mind sighed, and her heart felt content. Inuyasha...

Turning around, she met his amber eyes, which held both joy and nervousness, to which she smiled in return, glancing down at their clasped hands before touching his cheek with her other palm.

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

Which mannerly devotion shows in this;

For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,

And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

"Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?"

Kagome smiled. "Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."

"O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do:

They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

His face was contorted as he struggled to remember the lines he'd so carefully memorized that morning before returning through the well, and Kagome felt her body tingle at the thought that he had done all that for her. Smiling, she continued, never having forgotten the beautiful language.

"Saints do not move, though grant for prayer's sake."

Inuyasha put a hand on her shoulder, and another around her waist, pulling her close, their bodies on fire at the touch. After all, it had been over a week since they'd really been together, since neither counted the encounter in the woods with Sukiono. And now, as he spoke, Inuyasha's voice was no louder then a husky whisper.

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.

Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purg'd."

He kissed her then, and it was the sweetest, gentlest kiss she had ever known. His lips quivered as though he were nervous, and she, not wanting to break the moment, merely touched the sides of his face with her own hands, her eyes closed in bliss until he finally pulled back, looking to her to continue.

Feeling slightly dizzy, Kagome could barely remember the lines, but somehow managed to part the curtains of haze in her mind. "Then have my lips the sin that they have took?"

"Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg'd.

Give me my sin again."

This time, his kiss was more forceful, but she didn't care, allowing him to press her body against his as though to mold their two forms into one. She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling giddy and expectant of something more to come, and realized that her mother had also been right to say that, even though a fight between two people is never a good thing, at the same time the reconciliation is that much sweeter because of it.

Finally, after several silent, breathless minutes, he pulled away, and Kagome knew she had a stupid grin on her face as she spoke. "You kiss by th' book."

Inuyasha shrugged, unable to remember any more from the play. "I've had some practice." He grinned sheepishly. "Unfortunately, that's all I can remember."

"Oh Inuyasha," Kagome threw her arms around him, laughing as she did so. He acted like it was a bad thing he couldn't remember any more of the play when, in truth, at that moment reciting lines was the furthest thing from her mind.