Disclaimer: I do not in ANY way own Inuyasha or the characters in the story (except for the ones I've made up). This is a fabrication of my imagination so don't be angry if it doesn't follow the storyline that much.

---------------------------------------- Prologue ----------------------------------------

"Kagomeeeee… I'm tired. Can we stop for tonight," whined the little kitsune as he held on tightly to Kagome's arm. "And I'm really hungry… did you bring anymore of your yummy noodles?" The little fox looked up at Kagome with pleading eyes as she let out a slight giggle. She stopped and placed her tiny companion onto the ground. "I don't see why we can't stop for a little while… does anyone object?"

"I think it would be a good idea as well" chimed Miroku as he found a rock to settle upon. "Besides, I think Sango is tired from carrying around her boomerang all day."

Sango blushed slightly at the sound of her name escaping the monk's lips. Though she'd never admit it she cared deeply for him, even when he was being a pervert. And although the demon exterminator was barely tired from carrying around the Hiraikotsu she did agree with Kagome and Miroku.

"Stopping for the night would be a good idea," she said as she rested the boomerang against a nearby tree trunk. She craned her neck to the side and began to rub her shoulder. "We've been walking almost all day now."

"Well I don't think we should stop," barked Inuyasha. "We still have a lot of the shards to find and we don't want Naraku getting ahead of us. You all are just weak." He crossed his arms defiantly and looked off to the side.

Shippo made a face at the half-demon. "Nyah, you're nothing but a slave driver."

In an instant the fierce half-demon grabbed Shippo and began to pound him over the head "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" He emphasized each word with a hit to the little demon's head.

"Owwwwwww," squealed Shippo as he desperately tried to escape from Inuyasha's grasp. "What did I do now?"

"Inuyasha! Stop being mean to Shippo… he's tired and so am I. Let's stop for tonight, ok?"

Kagome flashed a gentle smile toward him that seemed to melt the icy-cold stare from his eyes. He released the fox tyke without a second thought and sat next to the fire that Miroku had already started. Kagome planted herself next to the abrasive half-demon as she began making everyone's dinner which consisted of ramen noodles and potato chips. Inuyasha looked over toward his comrades. Sango and Miroku seemed to be arguing again, no doubt over his ever wandering eye and roaming hands. Shippo was curled up contentedly next to Kagome as usual. And Kagome…

He watched her with intense eyes, taking in every part of her form. From the way her hair fell around her face to the way she sat on the ground, nothing escaped Inuyasha's ever-watchful eyes. And then there was her scent. It was so gentle and soft… it felt like home.

Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief at the thought of home. He'd spent most of his life on his own, taking care of himself and ONLY himself. But now he found that he worried about others… taking care of others… risking his own life to save theirs.

Especially Kagome.

He'd do anything for that girl though he'd never say it out loud. Slowly, but surely Kagome was breaking down the walls the hanyou had built over the years. He didn't know when it happened or how it happened; only that it did. And it felt nice to finally be able to trust someone enough again… to feel like he belonged somewhere. The last time he felt like that was when he was a child… with her.

"Inuyasha…? Earth to Inuyasha? Are you even listening to me," cried a shrill voice that broke through the dog-demon's reverie.

"What are you screaming about Kagome," he yelled in annoyance.

"I was just wondering if you wanted food you jerk! You didn't have to yell at me…"

Tears began to well up in Kagome's eyes and Inuyasha's heart sank, "Oh no… don't cry. No crying allowed!" He was yelling again.

"Then why did you yell at me," replied Kagome, her own anger rising to the surface. "Do you really hate me that much? And why are you STILL yelling at me?"

"I never said that did I you stupid girl? And I'm not yelling." Inuyasha's tone dropped and his face grew somber all of a sudden, "I was just thinking about something that's all."

Kagome cocked her head to one side as she watched the hanyou intensely. If he was anything he was confusing that much was for sure. She tried desperately to get Inuyasha to open up to her, but it always felt as if he didn't trust her, as if there was a part of him that he was holding back.

"What in the world is that boy thinking," she thought quietly to herself as she hugged her knees close to her chest.

By this time Sango and Miroku had stopped their bickering and focused their attention on the half-demon as well. Even the little youkai was listening intently. All eyes were on Inuyasha and that always made him feel uncomfortable.

"Why are you all staring at me?!" He had begun to scream again.

"Come on Inuyasha, tell us what you were thinking about," prodded Kagome as she inched closer to him, "pleeeeeeeease."

She looked up at him with pleading eyes and nodded her head slowly as if to say "come on you can do it."

"Feh," he thought. "Why are they so interested all of a sudden?" His thoughts were his alone. If he wanted to wallow in his memories then they should let him. What business was it of theirs what he thought of? He crossed his arms defiantly and looked away gruffly.

"Why do you all care anyway?" The screaming had stopped.

Kagome's eyes softened and when she spoke it was gentle. "Because Inuyasha, we're your friends and we want to know what goes on in that crazy mind of yours. Besides, you NEVER talk about yourself, so now it's your turn."

Kagome seemed almost happy at the prospect of hearing about his past. She inched closer to him until her knees were resting alongside his leg. Her hands lay peacefully on his lap as she eagerly awaited Inuyasha to break the silence. Inuyasha looked at Kagome as if she was going to attack him. Sure they had hugged in the past but her touch always seemed to make his stomach whirl. This feeling sent shivers up and down the dog-demon's spine. It was nice. He liked it. And with that he smiled and began to talk.

"Her name… was Akemi."