Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha, even though I'd like to. I hug'em and love'em and lock'em away some place no one else could have'em. Hehehe. Just kidding, he's too great to hide from the world.

A/N – Many thanks to RizuTamaara, tashachan28, littlemscrzy, and moomoogirl1 for your kind reviews of "Every Morning". Here's the next chapter, hope you like it.

The Rain

Chapter 3

While Kagome was occupied with Yuka, Inu Yasha took the opportunity to press Erie about Hojo. "So, you three mentioned some guy named Hojo last night. Who is he?" He picked up the larger gifts and lined them up along the wall.

Erie grinned. "Oh, Hojo, well he's just the hottest guy in school. He's been asking Kagome out since the school year began, but she never seemed interested. She was always blowing him off or making excuses or simply ditching him while they were out." Her grin grew, if that was possible. "Now, we know why. Yuka, Ayumi and I all knew there was something up with her, but we'd never knew exactly what it was until last night."

Inu Yasha had stopped listening to her at 'while they were out'. "You mean, she did go out with him?"

"Yeah, once or twice, but the date didn't last more than fifteen minutes based on what Kagome told us." Erie noticed the very shocked and somewhat depressed look on his face. "Well, you guys broke up once, right? At least Kagome was real mad and upset at you. She pretended it was nothing, but a girl knows these things."

Inu Yasha thought about that for a moment. Kagome got mad at him a lot, so that could be at any point. But she'd also said Kagome had been upset and that they'd broken up. There had been the time he'd sent her back for her own safety, maybe that's when it happened. She'd come back to his time, professing that she had to see him wearing that pretty little sun dress. He felt his cheeks burn a little with the thought of that dress, he'd really liked it. He found himself wishing she'd wear it more often.

"What's wrong, Inu Yasha?" He hadn't noticed when Kagome had entered the room. She was looking at him with a curious expression.

He smiled. She was so cute when she worried about him. "Nothing." He pulled her into a gentle embrace, not caring that they weren't alone. 'It's funny. I used to hate the idea of showing affection in front of others. But these days, I don't really care.'

After the house was spotless and the yard swept, they settled down for Ayumi's breakfast. "Kagome, why haven't you ever brought Inu Yasha to meet us?" Erie asked dreamy eyed.

Kagome nearly chocked on her eggs. She blushed. "Um, he doesn't live around here."

"So, where did you two meet?" Yuka stirred her rice around her bowl.

Kagome's blush deepened. Inu Yasha put a hand on her leg beneath the table. "It's a long story, but we met in the forest near my home."

"Oh, that sounds sooo romantic." Ayumi looked away into space her eyes glazing over. They all jumped as someone knocked at the door.

Kagome glanced at the clock. "Oh, no. I didn't realize how late it was." The kitchen clock said nearly twelve. "That must already be the people with my family's remains." Kagome trembled slightly at the thought. She felt Inu Yasha's hand tighten around hers. She rose to great their visitors and Inu Yasha followed still holding her hand tightly.

"Mrs. Higurashi, we've brought the remains of your family as requested. We are sorry for your loss." The man wore a black suit and tie, and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you, please bring them in." Kagome directed the man to the living room. Kagome trembled slightly as the men passed carrying the urns. There were three, of course, one for each member of her family. The deep sadness that had seemed to drift away in Inu Yasha's embrace the night before returned. Kagome turned and buried her face in his chest a soft sob escaping her.

Yuka and Erie began to clear a space on the main table for Kagome's family. Each urn was decorated with beautiful hand painted porcelain. The men bowed to Inu Yasha as they left, professing their sorrow respectfully. He nodded and thanked them as they left. He stroked Kagome's back, soothingly. "Come on, let's go get dressed."

Ayumi put a hand on Kagome's arm. "Would you like some help?" Kagome nodded slowly and Inu Yasha guided her slowly up the stairs. He stopped at her door, while Ayumi continued inside.

He stroked away her tears. "I hate seeing you like this. I wish there was more I could do."

Kagome looked up with such pain in her eyes. She leaned up and kissed him. "You're doing plenty. I'll be all right." She played with his shirt front. "You'd better get dressed too."

He nodded, leaving her in her friend's care. He found the black kimono where he'd left it and went to the bathroom to change. When he emerged Kagome and Ayumi were standing in the hall. She was dressed in a long black dress with long sleeves. It hugged her form showing off her hourglass figure. She would have been beautiful, if it hadn't been for the torment in her eyes.

Downstairs there was a knock at the door. "I'll go see, who it is." Ayumi left Kagome in her hanyou's care. He watched Ayumi leave. When his gaze came back to Kagome, he found her staring at his feet.

"What is it?"

"We'll have to do something about those."

Inu Yasha groused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you'll have to cover them. In this time people's feet don't get as dirty or as callused as they do in your time. Besides it's going to be close quarters." She looked up at him pleadingly.

He sighed. How could he possibly say no to that look? "Okay, but I'm not wearing those shoe things."

"Of course not." Kagome frowned at her grandfather's bedroom door. "I guess you'll have to wear some of Gramp's socks. Mine would be too small." She moved to the door and slowly opened it. They were greeted by his scent. Kagome felt her eyes water as she went to his dresser and began to dig for a pair of dark socks. As she closed the drawer she noticed the photo on top of the dresser. She picked it up and ran her fingers across the faces. "I never…thought…I'd…." She couldn't finish. Suddenly she was engulfed in warmth, strong arms wrapping around her waist.

"You're not alone, Kagome. I'm right here." He took the photo and set it back in its place. She turned to him, resting her head on his shoulder, letting her mind go blank.

She sighed, at much as she loved being here alone and quiet with him, the day's events were far from over. "Here, put these on. We have guest downstairs."

He smiled softly. It was the first time she'd referred to them as 'we' in that context. It had come out so naturally that he had almost not noticed it. He did as he was requested and they went to see who the newcomer was.

Downstairs three girls were gaping at a young man. He was tall and good looking and had Kagome's clear complexion and bright eyes. He seemed to be relieved when to couple appeared. "Kagome! Is that you? Wow, you look so different. Turned into a young woman, I see. It's so good to see you."

"Suling, it's good of you to come. It has been a long time."

"Yes, I'm sorry we had to see each other under these conditions. I should have come around more often. My father used to chastise me for not coming to family functions."

"It's all right really. But I do need to talk to you. It's very important." She motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen. Inu Yasha caught her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. She shook her head, letting him know she could tell him alone. He nodded and gave her a soft look of concern. She squeezed his hand and went on into the kitchen with Suling.

Inu Yasha suddenly found himself surrounded by three pairs of eyes. "So, Erie said you were asking about Hojo. Surely you can't be jealous of him." Ayumi leaned in close.

Inu Yasha took a step back bumping Yuka slightly. "I think he is jealous." She tapped his shoulder.

Erie grinned. "I don't think you should be. You're much better looking than him."

"And you don't droll over Kagome like he does. I think she finds that a turn off. I know I do." Yuka came around to look him in the face.

"He always follows her around like a lost puppy." Ayumi mused.

Inu Yasha made a slight grunt. They didn't know he was half demon-dog. "I'm not jealous. I was just wondering. She never mentioned the guy and we've known each other for more than a year."

Yuka sighed. "A year, huh, that's strange that's how long Kagome has been getting sick. Wait a minute, maybe she wasn't sick at all."

Erie caught on. "Maybe she was off seeing you."

Inu Yasha blushed. They couldn't possibly understand what he and Kagome had been doing all that time she was out of school. And he wasn't about to explain it. Ayumi grinned. "That's it, isn't it? She's never looked all too sick, when she did come to school. She was with you!" Inu Yasha squirmed. 'This is like being interrogated by three Kagomes!'

In the kitchen, Kagome sat with her cousin. "I need to ask a big favor of you, Suling. I want you to take over the care of the shrine."

"What? But this place has been in your mother's family for years."

"I know, but I don't think she'd mind you taking care of the place."

"Why where will you be?"

"I'm going with Inu Yasha. I can't stay here any more. It would be too hard."

"Inu Yasha, the young man in there? So, where is home for him?"

"Suling, do you believe in magic and fate?"

"I'm a priest. I believe in many things, but I am a realist at heart. Perhaps if you explain what you mean, I could give you a better answer."

Kagome sighed. "The Bone Eaters Well has a passage in it that can take me from this world into another. It connects with Inu Yasha's world, five hundred years in the past. That's why we need someone we can trust to watch this side of the well. Plus I need someone to take care of the place. So many people depend on it."

"You mean that old well has some kind of doorway in it?"

"Yes, but you must keep that a secret. It could cause a lot of problems for us."

Suling blinked at her in disbelief. 'Has she gone mad from all the stress and grief? She's not a child, so I wouldn't think she'd make up stories like this. Maybe she's just kidding.' He grinned. "You almost had me going there."

Kagome's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not joking around here. This is very important. Maybe I was wrong to think you could handle it."

Suling put up his hands to calm her. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were serious. So, you can travel-" He broke off as a yelp came from the living room and a panicked Inu Yasha came running to Kagome's side. He ducked down and half hid on the far side of her chair.

Kagome looked down at him half confused and half amused. "What's going on?"

He clutched his cap and looked up at her meaningfully. "Their crazy, that's what."

The three girls entered, snickering. "Kagome, now we know the truth." Yuka stated matter-a-factly.

"You didn't bring him around because you didn't want to share." Erie rubbed her hands together greedily.

"So you skipped school to go see him! Oh, that's so romantic." Ayumi got that far away look in her eyes again.

Kagome turned beat red for a moment and then flushed with anger. She turned her gaze on Inu Yasha, who stared up with big puppy-dog eyes. "What did they do?" She asked, trying to stay as calm as possible. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak Yuka answered for him.

"He's got a nice butt."

"And nice pecks, too." Erie commented

"And great muscles." Ayumi offered.

A mixture of emotions crossed Kagome's features. 'Poor Inu Yasha, they've been torturing him while I was talking to Suling.' She slipped her arm around his neck, which caused him to lean forward to avoid loosing his cap. "I told you guys last night to leave Inu Yasha alone. Do I really have to repeat myself?" She groaned slightly and rubbed at her temples with her free hand. "I really don't need this right now, not today."

The three girls' faces dropped, remembering the reason they'd come there in the first place. Erie placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "We're sorry, Kagome. We were just trying to lift the mood."

"I'll go get you some advil." Yuka retreated upstairs to the medicine cabnet.

"And I'll make you some tea." Ayumi busied herself with the pot of water and tea bags.

Inu Yasha looked up at her with concern. "Are you feeling bad, Kagome? You could go lay down for a while."

She shook her head which was a very bad idea with a migraine. "I can't the guest will be arriving any time now. I have to greet them."

"I could handle it, if you want to catch a cat nap." Suling offered.

"No, it's my responsibility. They were my family." Kagome closed her eyes and tried to get the pounding in her head to stop. A few moments later Yuka returned with advil and Ayumi poured her a cup of steaming tea. Inu Yasha changed positions so that he could stand behind her chair and rub the knots out of her shoulders.

"I think I'll take a quick walk around the shrine and take in some air before all those people get here." Suling rose without asking anyone's permission began to stroll around the yard. He saw the many graves that lined the far back portion of the yard and the small family plot that was lined with many small markers. Three new markers now showed where the Higurashis would be laid to rest. He sighed at the thought. Sota had been so young. He'd never even met the kid. His aunt he remembered vaguely from his childhood. She'd been a kind woman, full of life and love. Now, his aunt's father had left quite an impression on him at a young age and it was partly because of him, he'd chosen to join the priesthood.

He continued his walk around the grounds. There was a god-tree here, too. The tree had a strange spot bare of bark on it, as if it had been scared by something. Then he came to the mini-shrine, sliding the door open he found the well. He examined it. 'It seems like just an ordinary dry well.' He discovered the rope latter Kagome used to climb out with. 'What an odd thing to have in a well. Maybe she was telling the truth.' He was drawn out of thought by the sound of approaching voices in the yard. 'They're here. I'd better go help Kagome.'

He returned just ahead of the crowd. He was able to give the other just a slight warning before the crowd moved in. Things suddenly began to move quickly in Kagome's eyes. People bowing and saying they were sorry. The priest from a nearby shrine, a family friend as a matter of fact, had agreed to perform the service. He quiet everyone down and began the service. Inu Yasha sat to one side of Kagome, while Suling sat on the other. Behind them were Kagome's friends. The rest of the room was filled with people that Kagome knew well, barely knew, and didn't know at all.

Kagome watched as though in a daze, as the priest spoke and prayed and the room responded in kind. 'This isn't happening. I'm dreaming. It's just a nightmare. That's it! I'll just wake up any time now. Mom will be making breakfast and Sota will be chasing Buyo around and Gramps will be reading the paper. Everything will be normal. I know it will. Maybe I could wake myself up.' She closed her eyes. 'Come on Kagome, wake up, wake up, wake up.' She felt Inu Yasha's hand wrap around hers. She opened her eyes to see him watching her with concern and tenderness. 'It wasn't a dream after all.' She felt the tremor before the silent tears filled her eyes.

Inu Yasha wrapped his arms around her. 'I don't care what these people think. They can all go to hell. I'm going to comfort Kagome no matter what.' He let her sob silently into him, dampening his shirt front. Those around the young couple knew all to well what was happening and had absolutely no problem with the young man comforting the poor girl.

But in the back of the room, where he and his mother had entered unnoticed, Hojo was boiling. 'Look at that guy, he's all over her. If it were me, I'd never dishonor her that way. And why in the world is he wearing a baseball cap at a funeral? That's so disrespectful! Kagome can't possibly have real feelings for that guy. He's probably tricked her somehow, with some sweet words or something.' His fist balled on the mat before him. 'I've been trying to date her for a whole year and suddenly this guy's going to show up and take her from me. I don't think so!' He made a mental note to talk to her after this was all over with.

Uh, oh. Do you think jelly-boy is getting a back bone? Yeah, right like that would happen. Please remember to R&R. P.S. Be watching for a new story when this one is done. It'll be called "Memories".