Omg, I want to thank everyone for reviewing! You don't know how happy I was when I got all the reviews. Yay. A year has passed and it is now the year 2005. Wow. Omg, have you guys heard about the tsunami in Asia! My heart goes out to them. We are celebrating a new year while they are searching for a shelter. If anybody wants to, try and donate to one of the organizations that are aiding the people there. Kk, thankies.

Oh yeeeeeah, thaaaaaaaanks Sally for reading!!! Happy birthday!!!


HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE ELSE!!!!!!!!

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::Chapter 7::

I reach out with my hand, quiet and unmoving.

'Please?'

The birds twittered excitedly and flew away from my outstretched hand. Disappointed, I lower my arm slightly. Another flock of small birds landed on the slim branch. I straighten my arm again, holding in my breath.

"Tweet?"

A small brown bird landed on my finger. I smile and stroke its soft silky fur. It had lazy dark brown patters twirling down its back, its head had a whitish color with a black mask on it. It chirped and cocked its head, a small chocolate colored eye scrutinizing if I was a good human or not.

I was probably so occupied that I didn't notice the rustling of leaves behind me until it was too late.

"Ka..go..me?"

I turn.

I gasp.

It was Inuyasha.

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((Inuyasha's POV))

That scent... So familiar. So hauntingly sweet. A scent that no other person- ningen or youkai could posses.

Kagome's scent.

In that direction!

I start running. That scent.. in the direction of the Goshinboku tree! Leaves and branches slapped my face as I passed, ivy on the ground clung onto my ankles and attempted to trip me, to slow me down.

'Could it be? After all these years?'

I suddenly erupted into the clearing and I froze upon the scene.

She had her back turned to me, a bird in hand, quietly talking to it until she sensed another presence.

My presence.

From behind, I could visibly see her stiffen. With a flick of her finger she sent the little critter off. Inch by inch, she slowly began to turn.

'Hurry...' I was breathing hard. The thumping of my heart against my chest was loud, loud enough probably that maybe even the girl in front of me could hear.

Her eyes locked with mine.

Topaz colored eyes.

Kagome's eyes.

The long black hair that was strung with pearls, the slim figure that was adorned by a pale lavender colored kimono with a silver sash. Her light peach skin was flushed and glowing.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I blinked hard once, twice, three more times. Her appearance stayed.

Licking my dry lips, I asked.

"Ka..go..me?"

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((Back in Kagome's POV))

'No, no, no!' My head screamed. 'He isn't supposed to be here!'

My heart pounded loudly in my eardrums. Inside my very core, I could feel myself bending under the emotions that threatened to spill.

I shut my eyes just briefly, so I could hold in the tears that wanted to escape. Oh, how much I longed to see him here before me.. and here he is. But I don't want to have to break his heart. If he found out that I was just merely something trapped in the wrong world- the living world.. He would be overwhelmed! As would I for having to break it to him.

"Pardon me?" I said quietly, making my voice a notch lower than it actually was.

"Kagome?" He repeated.

I close my eyes and open them again. He had taken a few steps forward.

I back away until I felt the cool bark of the Goshinboku tree against my backside.

I shake my head. "Excuse me sir, I fear that you are mistaken." Oh, how I wish my voice wouldn't tremble like that.

His eyebrows furrow together and his beautiful golden eyes look confused.

'Why must I lie, why must I lie??' Because I had promised that archrival of mine, that's why... I promised her I wouldn't interfere with her life with Inuyasha. It would be better this way if I just let him believe other things.

'You're lying to him. Wasn't your big thing honesty?'

"I am not the.. Kagome.. that you speak of." His eyes burn into mine. I lower my gaze, afraid that he would be able to read the emotions that was obviously in them.

"Then who are you?" He stepped closer.

"Me? I am..." I stop. I NEED A NAME. "My name is.. Hirohata, Kasumi." I blurt out.

He frowned. "Kasumi.. as in mist?" I flinch at my mistake. Had I unconciously slipped him a clue?

As emotionlessly as possible, I nod.

He took another step. I inhale sharply. He was only about a foot away from myself.

"You remind me of a girl I knew.. a pretty girl that had captured my heart years ago." He whispers softly. My eyes blinked furiously.

"A girl that was so important to me.. that when she left, my heart was torn and tossed into the wind."

"Her name?" I ask, even though I already knew the answer.

"Kagome." His hand reached forward and caressed my cheek.

Time stopped for me right there. It didn't matter, as long as his warm hand was against my face, to have his eyes stare into mine. Oh how much I did misshis touch!

'You still love him?' Nope, I'm completely over him..

He abruptly recoiled from me, eyes averted, face red.

"Gomen. I don't mean to frighten you. Sorry if my forwardness caused you discomfort."

'You're lying to yourself! You love him. You want to run into his arms right now and hug him.'

"No, it's alright." I say quietly. His eyes soften and they began to glaze over with sadness. "Come here." He willingly stepped forward. I wipe at a tear that had fallen out of his eye.

'Inuyasha, Inuyasha...'

He closed his eyes and leaned into my hand.

"You.. Kasumi..... Kagome."

I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't watch him cry any longer over a person he thought was forever gone when she was right in front of him, comforting him.

"Inuyasha, I-" His eyes snapped open.

"How'd you know my name!" He demanded.

"I.. Please understand. I'm-" I was interrupted in my frantic explanation. For the last person I wanted to see hadburst into the clearing.

"Inuyasha, what are you doing her-" She stopped. Her eyes landed on me, and blazed with anger. "INUYASHA, get away from her!" She marched forward and pushed Inuyasha back.


SLAP!

I held my cheek gingerly, staring into her cold eyes. "Kagome, I thought I told you to stay the hell away from him." She grounded out.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha repeated. His gaze held mine.

"I'm sorry," I choke out. My feelings overruled, I let the tears fall. "I'm sorry."

Then I did what I should've done in the verybeginning.

I fled.

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Kk, I'll update soon. One of my New Year's resolutions: To update more often. YAY! Okay, I gotta go, sitting here for this long has caused me great discomfort due to new circumstances. Sorry if this chapter is crappy, I have no time to reread over it right now. K, see that button down there? points at the left hand corner Click on 'Submit a review' and I will see how fast I'll update. Yay!