So far, this story is really ambiguous, but I don't want everything to come out all at once. The suspense is always more fun, I think. I really appreciate any reviews and I would like to see how many people are actually reading and what you guys like and dislike about my story. It's so exciting to check my e-mail and see those review alerts; it's the best. Even if you just want to hi, that great!I'm also taking suggestions, too for the plot, grammar, anything, so you can e-mail me directly or just post a review.

Also, szmadad, that is a good question. I never even thought of this being a reincarnation story! That's a really good idea, but I have a very different plot. It's pretty much a different story that goes along the same lines as the show. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Flashback to the Beginning

Summer came early that year. The sweltering heat had seeped through before spring had even ended. It was unusual for it to be so hot and torrid, but Kagome did not care the last day of school. She had a whole two and a half months to relax after a rigorous year of classes and homework.

She had a whole two and a half months full of summer jobs, boys, and anything and everything she could think of.

She saw him the first week of summer. He was just sitting there, on the park bench, his shaggy black hair hiding his face, his eyes. She didn't really do anything the first time she glanced at him. He was invisible to her as he sat there.

She would visit Sango everyday at the ice cream stand where she worked during the late afternoons and she would talk to her while sucking on a complementary orange popsicle. She didn't really have anything to do, anyway. Her brother was away at camp, her mother was working late everyday; her grandfather was usually busy writing

Three days went by until curiosity began to prick at Kagome. She would look over at him, unsure at what he was looking at under that thick black fringe. He wore a nice white shirt with long khaki pants everyday over his thin and sturdy frame. His posture was straight, his hands would be clasped in his lap. He looked like he came from the good part of town.

He had sat in the same bench, the same spot, the same position, for the past few days for hours at a time, seeming to watch as the glowing sun as it trekked across the burnt blue sky into the dark horizon. Kagome would usually lounge under one of the big red umbrellas of a picnic table, watching the little children play while she listened to music, read, or talked idly to Sango about her boy troubles with Hojo. It was a nice way to start the summer. She had started to develop a brown-gold tan and her summer reading for the next year was almost finished.

Three days went by and Kagome began to get a little bored of her daily activity. Her casual and cursory glances at him did more than prick at her. She wanted to know him for some odd readon and one day, she came up to him shyly, a blunt orange popsicle hanging upside down in her hand, dripping slowly because it was too cold to eat quickly.

She smiled at him that day before saying anything to him. She still wasn't sure if he was looking at her. Unsure of her own motives, she looked back at Sango, who gave her an encouraging smile and a tug at her blindingly white apron. With her best friend the only one keeping watch amidst the soft noise of drowsy bees and laughing children, Kagome sat down beside him and tucked a strand of long, dark hair behind her ear. She stared ahead in front of her, watching the shadows of the leaves sway and glide over the green grass.

"Are you from around here?" Kagome asked, turning to face him. He didn't answer, his face was turned so that she could only see a jagged cheekbone. She smiled again, her unwavering optimism evident to even Sango, who stood a couple of yards away from them.

"No." Kagome almost jumped at the low, deep sound that emanated from him. She watched as he turned toward her and slowly brushed aside his bangs revealing his brown eyes, rich and deep in color. He smiled at her, finally acknowledging her presence. It was a slow, creeping smile with an absence in the show of teeth.

"I haven't seen you around here before. Where do you go to school?" Kagome asked, excited at the prospect of getting to know this mysterious person. She looked at him. His face was smooth and clean, the skin stretched taut over his sharp facial features. The vivid maroon of his eyes contrasted sharply with his raven hair and pale skin. They were set deeply in his face; his brow shadowing them.

"I don't go to school," he replied slowly. He was still smiling, the corners turned upwards like a cat. "I just come down here to sit...although I did not think I would meet someone so lovely," he said. Kagome looked at him to see if he was joking. His smile faded and she saw his eyes were earnest. She blushed and looked away.

She looked back at him, suddenly feeling strange. She noticed the position of the sun, the dwindling number of children in the park, and Sango standing casually by the ice cream stand.

She would remember all the details, more than she would realize, later.

"It was nice to meet you," Kagome looked at him as she stood up. "I have to go home."

He nodded. "Okay. Goodbye."

"I'll see you later," Kagome said. His sly smile returned.

"That is for certain, I hope," he drawled, his voice low. Kagome laughed nervously and began walking away.

She turned around. She had almost forgotten.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name..."

He told her.