IMPORTANT!

I've got questions!

Q: Can Ikuto use Tetsusaiga?

Well, since human Inuyasha can't make it transform, it only makes sense that Ikuto can't make it transform. It would be cool, but sorry!

Q: How long is this story going to be?

A: Well, that depends on you guys! I was going to end it a certain way, but now...I might continue it after that. I don't know. I want you guys to tell me! Please comment and I'll think it over.

Comment: I take it you're for Sesshoumaru and Sara.

Response: Naw, I just thought things would turn out more appropriate for this situation.

Keep the Q's and comments rolling and I'll be happy to answer them.

Chapter 11

I don't own Inuyasha

It was late. Ikuto should have been home by now. It was around eight. It was nothing to get grounded over, but it was late considering how early he had left. He wasn't even out on a date or anything. He was just chasing a girl, the girl of his dreams. After seeing the might of Inuyasha, Ikuto was desperate. He needed help, no matter how much he wanted to deny it.

It wasn't often that he walked into his father's company building. He avoided it. He avoided his father's legacy. It wasn't because he didn't like his father, but he was angry at him, and he himself didn't know exactly why. He never really thought about it. He just was.

He traveled up to the 17th floor on the elevator and when it opened; his breath was almost taken away. 'Suno certainly likes to show up and show out.' Ikuto stepped out and was impressed by how fancy the building was. There were lots of dark colors, but it wasn't an overwhelming dark. It was somehow peaceful and profession. 'Too bad my view had to be ruined by him.'

Ikuto walked over to the head desk of the floor, where Jamon was sitting down, holding his cell phone and the office's work phone. He looked extremely stressful and busy, but since Ikuto didn't care about the well being of the man, he walked over to him. "Where's Suno?"

"Can you hold on a minute?" He said talking into both the phones. He then looked up at Ikuto annoyed and began to snap at him. "Can't you see that I'm extremely busy at the moment?"

"Yes, but there's this thing about me not caring." He smirked at him. "Now, where is he?"

He's busy making millions of dollars. He's with a new and a very important client. The client, along with his company is talking right now in a very important board meeting. I suggest you go home."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Hours! Now just go!" He shooed him away with the flick of the wrist and said his goodbyes with those on the phone and ran to two giant double doors and opened them. Before Ikuto could get a good look of those inside, Jamon closed the doors.

'Retarded mutant smurf.'Ikuto looked up at the giant clock on the wall in front of him and paid close attention to it, watching the time pass. It seemed like forever. The minute hand seemed like and hour and the hour hand was an eternity. 'Come on already!'

Finally, a half hour later, the double doors opened once again and Jamon's strained face was relieved. Suno even looked relieved as he shook the hand of a man with an expensive looking business suit. Everyone looked pleased, until Suno looked ahead and saw his brother. His expression remained the same as always, though. "What are you doing here, Ikuto?"

The man who had just got finished shaking hands with Suno looked to Ikuto and his eyes bucked. "This is the other Kazasami? Your little brother?" Ikuto gave an awkward, but friendly smile, but was not returned with a friendly smile. His was too awkward to be even close to friendly. His facial expression completely changed from when Ikuto first saw him and turned hard as stone, harder than Ikuto had ever seen Suno's. "Well," he said with a grunt in his voice towards Suno "I'll speak to you later Mr. Kazasami."

Suno looked towards his little brother worriedly, but his expression returned to normal once he spoke to his client again. "Very well."

When everyone had gotten on the elevators except for Suno, Ikuto, and Jamon, Suno glared at Jamon evilly. "What did I do?" he asked worriedly.

"Go home Jamon. Just, go home."

Ikuto and Jamon both realized that Suno was tired, which was not something he showed much. Jamon didn't ask any questions. "Goodbye sir."

Ikuto felt the tension in the air between him and his brother. Suno didn't want to talk, but the silence was driving Ikuto mad! "So, congratulations about everything. It seemed like things went alright in there."

"Don't be so naive, little brother." He was upset, but didn't really let his anger show. "Why did you stop by?" He regained his normal cool and calm composure. "Did you get the job done?"

"No!" Ikuto sounded like he himself couldn't believe it. "I failed miserably."

"Well, then you can give up, or you can try again later. Whatever the case, I'm going home." Suno didn't say another word. He didn't want to. Things were just unfair for him. Life had always been unfair.

Later that night, after Rina had ran to her daddy, because she missed him so much, and Suno had replenished his body from the meal that his wife had cooked two hours earlier, Ikuto wanted to talk to his brother, surprisingly for advice, and surprisingly, for something more. Ikuto knew that something was wrong with his brother, and he actually cared.

He walked by Suno's door and heard him talking with his wife, so Ikuto put his ear to the door, wanting to make sure he didn't enter and see something that would scar him for life.

"One look" Suno said "one look and he changed his mind." Suno was sitting on the edge of his bed, and took his shirt off and threw it to the ground with anger.

His wife put down her book and climbed over to him. "Sweet heart, it's okay." She placed her hands on his tense shoulders and began to massage them, even though it hurt her fingers to do so. "You're not in a hole, Suno. Don't stress yourself out over nothing."

"I'm not stressing over being in a hole, because to tell you the truth, I've never been doing better in my business."

She rested her hands and wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed him on the cheek. "If your father was alive, he'd be proud of what you've accomplished."

Suno waited to respond. He did miss his father and respected him above all. If his father was alive, he would be pleased with the way the company was turning out, but there would be plenty that he would frown upon.

Sarah saw that her husband was still upset and let go of him. "Come on honey. We've got so much to be thankful for." She had such a warmth and love in her eyes for her husband, but he wasn't responding to her warmth. "We're married, Rina's happy, and Ikuto's finally got some inspiration. Many are in poverty, and we've-"

"None of that matters, Sarah." He raised his voice a little, enough for Ikuto to get really worried about his brother.

'He never raises his voice. What happened?'

"I've got money, fame, and a stable family, but that's not the point. Sure we're secure and there's no possible way that we could fall behind, so there's nothing to worry about, but that's not the point. I worked hard today persuading all of those people for hours, and finally, and at almost nine, they gave in, pleased with the results." He sighed, and lowered his voice. He usually wasn't the type of person to lose it. "I shouldn't have had to lose them because Ikuto's heritage."

"But it's not his fault Suno!"

"And I'm not blaming him, Sarah!" He calmed down again. He couldn't allow himself to display such emotions. He was the one who had to hold it together for the sake of his family. He had to take on the role of father at eighteen. He never let himself lose it, because he had to look strong for his brother. "It's just…" Suno stood up on his feet and said nothing more. "I heard something."

"It's not Rina is it?" Sarah became horrified, thinking that her daughter could have overheard and took it the wrong way.

They heard the loud beating noise as the culprit ran away. Suno immediately knew who it was, but Sarah was so scared that she ran out of her room and straight to Rina's. When she opened the door and turned on the light, she smiled in relief to see her daughter snuggled under her covers with a teddy bear, the first present Suno had gotten her. "She's asleep." Sarah felt a chill go down her back. "Then it was" she turned to see that her husband wasn't standing in the doorway. "Suno?"

Suno opened Ikuto's room and turned on the light. Ikuto was in the bed and appeared to be asleep, but Suno was no fool. "It didn't work when you were a kid, and it's certainly not going to work now."

Ikuto opened his eyes and pulled his burgundy covers off of him. "Just go away."

"You obviously wanted something if you were outside my room, and don't say you weren't because the movement was too fast and too heavy to be anyone else."

Ikuto shrugged his shoulders. "I'm fine!"

"Stop kidding yourself."

"Stop bothering me! Aren't you the one who told me that I should never show weakness? You don't give a crap about me, and I don't care anymore. I'm sick of Japan, I'm sick of father's stupid legacy breathing down my neck, and I'm sick of you!"

Suno's eyes flared up with anger, and not only did he narrow his eyes at Ikuto, buthe began to growl lightly. Ikuto did the same. They were like animals about to charge at each other, but instead of Suno letting that happen, he calmed down and stepped inside Ikuto's room and closed the door behind him. "Listen little brother, I did tell you not to show weakness, but that's what you're doing right now. You can despise me for all I care, but don't hate your Japanese heritage, and if you dare despise our father, I will throw you out of this house right now."

Ikuto turned his head from his brother and growled. "Why should I like Japan?"

"Because not all people are the same, Ikuto. Don't turn your back on what you are, because if you do, you're nothing. You want to go America? There is a lot of prejudice people in the world. It's not just here in Japan. Sure America is 'the melting pot' but the world's not perfect, and that's something that you're going to have to face sooner or later."

Ikuto wanted to yell at his brother, or throw a punch at him, but in there end, his brother was absolutely right. His anger towards his brother melted away and he looked up into his brother's eyes. Ikuto was so sick and tired of the world around him. Ever since he could remember, boys would pick on him, girls would call him names, and adults would give him dirty looks. "There's nothing for me here." He said quietly. He ran his hands through his hair with frustration.

"Not everyone is prejudice, Ikuto. Kagome, isn't."

Ikuto couldn't believe that his brother would mention her name. Suno never cared about Ikuto's love life before. Suno only wanted to make sure that Ikuto wouldn't mess up and cause a giant scandal and shame their family name. Other than that, he would let him be. "No, she isn't." He smiled faintly and chuckled with sarcasm. "Lucky me."

"It didn't work out today, did it?"

Ikuto shook his head. "I think she's in love with someone else, and he loves her too."

"So is she better off with him?"

He shrugged his shoulders. 'Wait a second! She's living a dangerous life with Inuyasha and could be killed anytime because of it. That demon jumped out of nowhere and almost killed me and Kagome. Is she really better off? She's not safe. Inuyasha is with her all of the time but eventually, will she only get hurt or worse? She doesn't even belong in that time.' "I don't think so."

"You want some advice, little brother? All you have to do is make sure you've got all of your information together and then show her what you have to offer, make compromises, and then let her decide."

"That the only way?"

"It's the best way, unless you want to lose her."

"What do I have to offer? Kagome isn't the materialistic type of person, Suno."

"Any woman could claim that, but that's not true. Sarah said the same thing, but her tune certainly changed when she got her first diamonds. Don't fight that fact. It's a guide. If you couldn't buy women presents, they'd be breathing down your back, wanting to do some emotional drivel. You've got millions of dollars in your name, which is always a plus. The rest is up to you. Don't be all about money, because if that's what she's attracted to, then you're going to waste millions of dollars." Suno had nothing else to say and left Ikuto's room.

'I've got a lot to offer. A girl like Kagome only comes around once in a while…maybe once every 500 years or so.' He smiled and laid down on his bed. 'Kikyo, huh? Inuyasha still loves her. Maybe if he's too focused on her, then Kagome will turn Inuyasha down.' He yawned, feeling sleepiness over take him. 'When she comes back, I'll show her exactly what I've got up my sleeve.'

Feudal Era

"So, why don't we stop at that village over there?" Miroku said pointing to a village off in the distance.

"You going to pull the same trick you pull every night, monk?"

"What do you mean, Inuyasha?" Miroku smiled innocently. "I am but a simple and humble monk."

"Yeah right" Inuyasha said.

"It was late when we started traveling." Sango said. "Why didn't we just stay in the village and travel in the morning?"

Kagome hung her head down low. "Well, it's my fault. I just wanted to make sure if Ikuto came back through the well, he wouldn't see me and want to stay." She tried to hide her blush, but every time she thought about him, she couldn't help having some kind of a reaction. "I really care about him. He's my friend, and I don't want him to stay here and get hurt. He was almost killed today."

"But Kagome" said Shippo innocently "you're almost killed everyday as well, and I don't want you to go."

"Keh" Inuyasha replied. "Kagome has strong spiritual powers and can shoot an arrow pretty decently. Ikuto is just a human."

"But so are Sango, Miroku, and Kagome."

"Kagome can take care of herself sometimes, Sango is a demon exterminator, and Miroku is a monk with a wind tunnel. They're different from Ikuto, because Ikuto can't do anything!" Inuyasha crossed his arms and his nose twitched a little bit, sick and tired of the whole Ikuto situation. "Besides, he can't come back here without the jewel shards."

"But you can" Kagome pointed out. "He is your-"

"Don't say that!" He snapped. "Can we forget about him and focus on doing the same thing we've been trying to do forever? We've got a demon to kill, and I'm not letting some human boy distract me."

Inuyasha was already distracted. He couldn't stop thinking about Ikuto and him traveling to his time. 'How was he able to do such a thing? It's impossible! He's not my reincarnation. It has to do something with the jewel shards! It has to be.' Inuyasha desperately wanted to think of himself as a separate being from Ikuto. He couldn't accept it. When he did, everyone would, and perhaps Kagome would realize that she could stay in her world with his reincarnation.

"Look at him" said Shippo. "He's so deep in thought. It's scary. He doesn't usually think at all."

"What did you say?" Inuyasha grabbed the little fox demon by his tail with one hand and knocked Shippo on the head with the other hand. "Watch your mouth, kid!"

Kagome thought about making Inuyasha sit, but she decided that Inuyasha had enough abuse from her in one day. 'Poor Inuyasha. Does he think I'll actually leave his side? He must. That's the only reason for him hating Ikuto so much. I think he even likes Koga more than Ikuto.'

"Is something the matter, Kagome?" Sango placed her hand on shoulder and offered a friendly smile. "Hey, don't get yourself stressed out over all of this, Kagome. Don't feel any pressure." She looked over to Miroku who was minding his own business. "Men aren't really worththat much trouble."

Kagome saw the pain in Sango's eyes. 'I wish Miroku would step up to the plate, swing, and hit a home run. He keeps trying to steal.' She sighed. "I guess you're right."She was right. Why should she waste her time worrying about the guy that rejected her? 'Because you love him.' Kagome told herself. 'He must feel something for me, since he did kiss me.' "Inuyasha" she called out "we should talk."

They had just entered the village when Kagome made her remark. Inuyasha had been aggravated ever since they had left, but now was feeling worried. What did she want to talk to him about? 'Is she still thinking about Ikuto?'

Miroku and Sango looked at Kagome and Inuyasha suspiciously, and waited for their conversation to start so they could examine the situation, like they always did. Instead, they received a growl from Inuyasha and pleading eyes from Kagome. "Guys, could we talk alone?" Kagome sounded tired, and not only that, she looked like she was.

"Uh" Miroku said awkwardly, "I'll go assist the people of the village. There might be a demon here."

Everyone knew what he meant and assumed he was going to find a place for them to sleep, but Sango took it the wrong way and decided that he couldn't be trusted, not when there were women around. "I'll go and assist you, Miroku." Of course her assist meant that she would watch him carefully and whack him with her weapon if he flirted with a woman.

The two of them left towards the biggest home in the village, but Shippo stayed by their side, not expecting anything important to arise out of the conversation, so he didn't move. "Do you mind?" Inuyasha said with a growl in his voice.

"No, go ahead and talk, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha hit Shippo in his head, and once Shippo was done crying, he ran off for Sango and Miroku. Inuyasha was expecting to be scolded by Kagome, but Kagome just had a frown on her face. "What is it, Kagome?"

She grabbed him by the arm and led him off to a place more private. They were sitting out in front of a lake that was a deep blue, from the moon's light. Kagome sat down on the grass and crossed her legs and tried to get comfortable.

Inuyasha sat down as well. He was more worried than curious about what she had to say. She looked so worried about everything. He wanted everything to go back to how things used to be, when Ikuto's existence was not known. 'That kid messed up everything! If only he would have never come to this time and never would have…' Inuyasha hung his head down low. 'Oh yeah, I remember something important now. Kagome met him because her life was saved by him. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have her right now.' He scratched his head. 'Okay, think! You don't like him, but you are grateful that he saved Kagome.' He nodded. 'I still hate him!'

"Inuyasha" Kagome said quietly, too shy to really say it louder "about that kiss we shared the other day…"

Inuyasha's ears were slumped down, but then raised up. 'Oh, that's what she wants to talk about.' He suddenly stopped worrying and his curiosity returned to him. The kiss was the first step to something greater than just companions. Ikuto had never gotten a kiss from Kagome, and Inuyasha was positive that Kagome wouldn't kiss Ikuto, and if she did, it would be over his dead body.

"Well," she continued "I just want to know where we are right now." She began to blush. "You know, it was a great feeling, and I really do care about you, Inuyasha." She smiled widely and her face was as red as Inuyasha's fire rat cloth. "I'm glad that you were my first kiss."

Inuyasha had a slight blush come to his face, but then he smirked and calmed down. "Keh, what did you expect Kagome. I told you that I wanted you by my side."

"Yeah" even thought it seemed impossible, she was able to blush even harder. "I didn't think you meant that close." Inuyasha's smirk turned into a grin and Kagome smiled gently as the redness faded away. "Inuyasha," she said softly "you didn't quite answer my question."

Inuyasha blushed again and shrugged his shoulders. 'What does she expect me to say?'

Kagome hated beating around the bush, but didn't know how to get to where she wanted to go. "Well…" she said. She began pushing her fingers together and avoided eye contact with Inuyasha. She wasn't ready for this conversation, even though she had brought it up. Just like her childish gestures, she wasn't ready to engage in this adult conversation. 'What if he still loves Kikyo? Am I ready to face that fact? Am I?' She bit her lip in frustration. 'Am I just kidding myself? He never really said that he wouldn't be with Kikyo.' Sadness came to her eyes, and Inuyasha noticed the pain.

"Ka-Kagome?"

She shook her head and felt the tears as they came to her eyes. 'He's still going to love her. I guess the kiss doesn't mean anything, anything different.' She wiped a tear away and stood up. She placed a smile on her face. "Inuyasha, you don't have to say anything." She was shaking. Inuyasha told her that he wanted her near him, but she know realized that he still wanted Kikyo near him as well.

"Kagome-"

"You don't have to say anything Inuyasha. Never mind. Just forget it!" She yawed and stretched. "I need to sleep Inuyasha. We've got a busy day tomorrow. We've got jewel shards to find." Kagome didn't know what else to say. They both felt uncomfortable. Inuyasha wanted to talk to her and see what the real problem was, but he decided to leave it at that. What could he say?

"Night Kagome."

Kagome walked away towards the village to find Miroku, Sango, and Shippo. Inuyasha on the other hand, did not move. He watched her go, and it seemed like she was walking out of his life. He felt like a failure. 'Kagome, I need you. I need you to know that.' He had a new plan now. He knew exactly what he should do now. It was the only way. 'The night of the new moon, Kagome, that'll be the day.'

To be continued...

A/N: The day what happens? Review and I'll update when I can!