AN: Before I start Chapter 3, I just wanted to thank Tahitianbabe for pointing out that error in my writing. I was writing at two different times and I think my idea changed the second go-around. Thanks for telling me. So, I did fix the boo-boo. It's nothing major, but I just want to make it clear that Kagome plans to stay in the Feudal Era for good, not just for the summer. Sorry if it didn't make sense.

Well, that said, on to Chapter 3!

Chapter 3: Sensing the Past

In the Modern Era, the air was always so thick and smoggy. Inuyasha knew right away when he was in Kagome's time. His nose immediately took in the strange smells of the future. They bothered him, but Kagome's scent was enough to outweigh all the bad smells.

He landed in her well as if he weighed nothing at all. With a grace that only a demon could posses, he jumped out of the well and took another bound out of the house and seemingly flew over the shrine grounds. He landed in a tree just outside Kagome's bedroom. He decided to look in on her first before he made his entrance. She'd already told him about the whole 'privacy in my room' bit. So, he croutched down low and slowly peaked his head in.

Kagome was sitting at her desk, writing on a sheet of paper. Inuyasha recognized this from when she did her homework or studied for tests. But as he looked closer, he saw that it was different. She didn't look frustrated or tired like when she did school work. No, this wasn't the same as that.

She wrote slowly, her eyes holding a sadness as the pen swirled along the paper. He watched her write, and he felt himself get anxious. What is she writing about? He leaned closer, trying to get a good look at the words, but he couldn't read them. Feeling slightly worried and annoyed with himself, he sat back in a huff and waited.

After a few minutes more, Kagome stood up and walked slowly to her bed. Folding the paper, she sat it on top of her pillow. She gave it a light pat before turning and grabbing her backpack at the foot of her bed. Inuyasha recognized it as the one she always took to his time. Deciding this was a good time to make his entrance, he jumped to the window and asked,

"Hey, Kagome, you ready?"

She whirled around, startled. Once she saw him there in the window though, she relaxed significantly. Her eyes looked happy again, and she smiled.

"I am, Inuyasha. I've finished packing all my things."She reached behind her and shifted the pack higher onto her shoulders. "Yup, it feels like enough."

"Good. Let's go then." he replied, stepping into the room.

Kagome nodded. "Right."

They walked down the stairs and out of the house. Inuyasha noted that Kagome's scent held a twinge of sadness to it. He saw how she gazed at the rooms as she walked by them. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but didn't know how. So, he remained quiet and instead thought ahead to that evening.

That monk better have everything ready. Knowing him he'll be sitting around flirting with all the women of the village instead of preparing for tonight.

They reached the well house a minute later. Kagome turned back one last time to look at her house, her home. She squelched the urge to sigh, but instead looked at Inuyasha with a smile. I can't believe I'm going to be in Inuyasha's time for the rest of my life. I hope I can stay with him forever. He caught her expression and blushed.

"What?" He asked angrily.

Kagome shook her head. "It's nothing."

Together, they walked into the tiny well house and soon, with a brilliant blue glow, they were gone. The shrine fell silent, and the wind heaved a sigh. It seemed to say Good-bye, Kagome. The letter lay on her pillow, folded and neat, awaiting the eyes of her family.

OOO

Kagome's eyes squinted into the evening sun, momentarily blinded by the sudden light source. She climbed out of the well behind Inuyasha, looking around at the familair trees and landscape she'd come to know so well. She kicked her legs over the side and sat on the edge, catching her breath. Inuyasha stood beside her, his arms folded as he gazed into the distance. He seemed anxious about something, and he sniffed the air more than once.

What could he be thinking about? Kagome wondered. She frowned in puzzlement.

"Inuyasha?"

His head jerked toward her in surprise. "Yeah?" he asked hurridly. What is he hiding? She thought inwardly.

"I just...I'm glad I'm here." Kagome stated, trying to coax him out of his reverie.

Inuyasha nodded slowly. He wanted to say "Me too", but a part of him, the demon part of him that constantly avoided emotions, refrained. So instead, he opted for his usual response.

"Keh!"

Kagome just shook her head. She didn't want to start a fight so soon. Plus, she would just ask him later, when he wasn't in such a weird mood. Standing up and dusting off her shorts, she began to walk toward the village.

Inuyasha's thoughts were frantic. No! What if Miroku doesn't have everything ready? I can't let her go the village yet! He ran forward and grabbed her wrist. "Kagome, hold on." She turned around, confusion written on her face.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" she asked innocently.

He looked into her eyes, trying hard to think of lie good enough to be believable.

"I...I wanted to stop at the Goshinboku first." Inwardly, he frowned. It sounded lame, but he tried to make his voice genuine when he spoke. He watched her expression, looking for signs of doubt or questioning. He saw none, only slight curiousity.

"How come?" she asked, shouldering her backpack higher.

"Just 'cause, all right!" He turned around to hide his rising blush. He hated to lie to her, but it had to be done, at least until he found out about the situation at the village. He'd have to get close enough to smell it, but not enough so Kagome could see it. The Goshinboku was the perfect spot. He started walking in the direction of the tree, praying she would follow.

When he heard her footsteps catching up behind him, he smiled slightly.

Kagome ran up beside him. He was so quiet! Well, he wasn't usually talkative, but she didn't like it. So, she tried to start a conversation.

"I just love the weather here. It's so peaceful in the forest!" She waved her hand to indicate the trees and shrubbery around her. "But the God Tree is my favorite place in these woods. It's where I first met you."

"I remember..." Inuyasha murmured.

They walked through a thick patch of brush and came out of it into a clearing. In the clearing lay the God Tree, the place where Inuyasha was pinned for fifty years, asleep and alone. He looked at it with neither anger nor happiness. It was a part of his life he tried not to remember, but could never forget. When he awoke, he hadn't expected to see a girl like Kagome standing in front of him. He looked at her as she sat down her pack and stretched her arms. I don't regret it though.

"So, Inuyasha, where's Miroku and Sango? And Shippo?" Kagome asked, walking over to the roots of the tree and sitting on them.

Inuyasha shrugged, trying to by some time while he turned his nose in the direction of the village. He sniffed the air. He smelled people, lots of them. That was normal. He smelled candle wax, and lots of food. Burning fires, oil. He sniffed once more and smelled it: excitement. It hung in the air around the village like a blanket. He smirked. It was ready.

"They're at the village." Inuyasha declared, answering in response to her question. He turned to look at her, motioning for her to come to him. "Let's go."

Kagome grinned. "I've missed them. It's been almost a month since I've been back." She slipped on her pack and stood up, a giddy jump in her step. She didnt stop to think why Inuyasha had taken the detour to the God Tree, or why he was suddenly fine again. She coudl only think of all her friends and how happy she was at the idea of seeing them.

The two of them exited the clearing, leaving the Goshinboku in it's place. The memories of that day, of that time, were incompassed in that tree. The evening's sun was almost behind the hills, but the last rays of light hit the tree trunk in a stunning array of color, but because the couple left a second too late, it was seen only be the creatures of the forest, it's beauty lost to the eyes of man.