Author's note: I'm back!!!! Oh by the way, last chapter only Inu Yasha and Kagome are at the lake srry sweatdrops this is a mir/sang story too though but they get a chapter to themselves don't worry.

Chapter two: a mysterious rival

Kagome and Inu Yasha stared blankly at the shadowy figure in front of them. Inu Yasha searched his eyes, trying to look for some memory or reason as to why the figure had claimed to be meeting him again. Confused, Kagome took turns staring first at the figure, then Inu Yasha and back again. We meet again? She thought to herself. She had thought Inu Yasha had told her everything about his past rivals, but she had never remembered this figure and, judging by the quizzical look in Inu Yasha's eyes, neither did he.

"who are you?" shouted Inu Yasha, "show yourself coward!"

As if in reply, the figure walked out of the shadows, revealing himself to be a young human man about their age, he had short jet black hair and was fairly handsome, considering the malicious look of anger that inhabited his face. "I'm surprised you don't remember me Inu Yasha" said the boy, "After all we used to be best friends."

Best friends? Thought Kagome but how, a best friend could never stare at their best friend with hateful eyes. She turned to look at Inu Yasha, a spark of remembrance in his amber eyes.

"Kyoto..." he whispered, barely loud enough for Kagome to hear.

Kyoto? She wondered so it's true, if Inu Yasha remembers him, they must have been friends, but what happened? Why do they look at each other with hateful stares?

Inu Yasha snickered "so, you came to bear another false statement against me eh? What is it this time?"

"I make no false statements" said Kyoto, "You make false testimonies."

"you'll never believe me will you Kyoto," said Inu Yasha, a faint tone of pain in his voice.

"No" said Kyoto, "I will never again believe your lies!" he lunged toward Inu Yasha, a hidden sword in his hand.

"Still playing with toy swords?" said Inu Yasha as he dodged and instinctively went in front of Kagome to protect her.

"still loving and protecting humans?" said Kyoto as he again lunged for Inu Yasha, "just like your pitiful old man."

"don't bring my family into this Kyoto!" Inu Yasha yelled angrily as he picked up the confused and blushing Kagome and landed on a tree branch, "stay here Kagome, you'll be safer."

"Stop wasting your time with human girls you pathetic hanyou!" yelled Kyoto, "they will never love you in return!!!!"

Inu Yasha seemed stunned and hurt at first, as though he couldn't believe what Kyoto was saying, but the hurt quickly turned to rage as he pulled out his tetsusaiga and lunged for Kyoto. "you'll pay for that Kyoto!!!"

Instead of going on to fight Inu Yasha, Kyoto turned and ran shouting "no, Inu Yasha, You shall pay for what you did to my family!!" as he went further and further into the forest.

Inu Yasha stood there, anger in his eyes, he turned to Kagome who was still sitting there on the branch. He went to her picked her up and they went home together, neither speaking a word.

Once they had caught up with Miroku, Shippo and Sango at Kaede's hut they began to eat. It was strangely quiet and Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kaede exchanged curious stares as if asking each other if they knew what had happened.

Kagome turned to look at Inu Yasha, who was sitting in the corner, eating quietly, it made her want to cry to see him so sad and knew that his earlier conversation with Kyoto had gotten to him

Stop wasting your time with human girls! Kyoto had said They will never love you in return Inu yasha could not explain the pain he had felt when Kyoto had said that. He knew Kyoto knew that love and fear of rejection were his only weaknesses, but was it true? Even if Inu Yasha confessed his love for Kagome, would she love him in return? Inu Yasha growled to himself, how could he think such thoughts, Kagome would never not love someone, she was too kindhearted. He turned to look at her, only to find her looking at him as well. He knew that she must be wondering what was bothering him so much and didn't even want to pretend that she didn't know something was bothering him. He walked over to her and whispered in her ear "come with me" obediently she got up without question and the two of them ventured into the forest, leaving the confused Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kaede even more confused.

"what do you think they are talking about?" said Sango, who was always eager to know about her friends' lives.

"Probably something important" said Kaede.

"I wish there was a way we could listen to their conversation," said Shippo.

"there is, said Miroku slyly, "eavesdropping."

They all agreed and ran off after Inu Yasha and Kagome.

Inu Yasha and Kagome sat near the Goshinboku tree, "what is it that you wanted to talk to me about Inu Yasha" Kagome said.

"well I know you're wondering about me and Kyoto right?" he replied.

"yes, I am" said Kagome, sympathy in her chocolate brown eyes.

"well then I'll tell you..." said Inu Yasha

author's note: sorry about the rushed cliffhanger ending but this is thanksgiving and its dinner time, I'll try to update as soon as I can