Check out "The Other Side of the Story!" It's my best piece of work, seriously! Also, "Shattered Innocence."

LOOK HERE: You know what? I said that Kagome was going to make a choice, and then she didn't reveal her choice. Do you want to know why I didn't reveal it? It's all because the outcome never ever mattered, because I wasn't going to end the story, and she was just going to get all confused and change her mind anyway! But since all of you are claiming that you want to know, even though it doesn't matter because I've confused her once more, I've decided to make half of you upset for a short period of time. Enjoy!

Chapter 35

I don't own Inuyasha

One month later…

Sango noticed something was wrong with Kagome. She had been very quiet and distant. She figured that it was all because of her troubles with Inuyasha. "So Kagome" Sango began to ask her. They were alone in a hot spring and Miroku and Inuyasha were far off into the distance where their ears couldn't pick up on the conversation about to be conversed. "I don't mean to pry, but everything going on between you and Inuyasha as of lately…"

"Yes?" Kagome asked a little annoyed, and a little restless.

"Well, I was wondering what exactly was going on. He wants you gone, he wants you back. You leave again supposedly forever, and then you come back for three months straight. I don't understand."

"Sango" Kagome began to say "please don't repeat anything I am about to say." Sango nodded. "Kikyou has met up with Inuyasha a few times." Kagome sounded so heartbroken. "She uh…she keeps telling him things about Ikuto, my friend. She says things like, he's going to end everything and it's too dangerous for him to be in this time period or he'll destroy my present as well. Inuyasha believes her, and to be completely honest with you" she sighed "I do too."

"You do?" Sango was surprised. "I thought you would stick up for him."

"I would, but I can't deny that I sense something incredibly strange about him. He's not normal at all. Kikyou realized what was wrong with him, and I still haven't figured it out, but there is something wrong. I only wish I knew what." She sunk herself lower in the water, feeling terrible. "Inuyasha believes that as long as I stay in this era, than Ikuto will follow me. I believe that to be true. Ikuto has followed me before, more than once. He'll eventually come to this time again, and that's why Inuyasha told me that I was supposed to stay in my own era, and I hesitantly agreed." She sat up, but then slouched, feeling miserable. "I was upset, but in all honestly, I could go on with that decision, because I had decided that I was going to stay with Ikuto."

"You chose him over Inuyasha?" She nodded and began to blush. "I would say that I'm surprised Kagome, but in a way I'm not. The way you to bond together seems like exactly like you and Inuyasha, but you two don't argue as much and you he doesn't…" Sango didn't want to say it.

"He doesn't love someone else right?" Kagome sat up, thinking that everything was humorous in a sick and twisted kind of way. "Well, his Kikyou is a place rather than a person. When I went to go tell Ikuto that I was going to choose him, he was leaving to go to a far away place. It's half way around the world, and he's going to be gone for two more months." She found a smile. "To be completely honest with you, everything is becoming so confusing. Being with Inuyasha again for such a long period of time is really making me confused. Besides, I don't think its right to jump back into a relationship with Ikuto after I've been with Inuyasha for so long. Besides, I've been comparing Inuyasha and Ikuto so much that I really haven't realized how different that they are. Ikuto is so much more mature than Inuyasha, which I believe is a plus, but he's grown up with his brother, and I'm not sure if the life he's about to pursue is what I want for the rest of my life. It scares me a little, Sango."

"What scares you?"

"I don't know if I want so many complications in my life when I'm married. I don't want to have to share Ikuto with the rest of the world. He'll always be busy doing something important, and I don't know if I want that. I mean, all of this is complicated enough. I don't need anything else complicating things further. After we find all of the jewel shards Sango, I just want to rest. In all honestly, that's what I want to do."

"I understand."

"So did you ever call your girlfriend?" Michael asked Ikuto. They were both on their beds reading. Ikuto was reading Time Magazine while Michael was reading The Holy Bible. "You know, you were looking pretty peaceful as you slept last night. Were you dreaming about her?"

Ikuto blushed. "No, I was dreaming about my mother." He felt a little embarrassed. "I always dream about her. It's very rare that I don't." He decided to change the subject. "How can you bring her up while reading that?" Ikuto put his magazine down and looked at him with frustration.

"Sorry. I just finished it last night, so I decided to start over, and the funny thing I realized about a man is" he pretended to be surprised "that he needs a woman. Who would have guessed?" He started to chuckle. "So confess!"

"She wasn't home" he mumbled. "She's probably out with her friends and won't be back for a while. I might as well not call her again."

"What so she'll be gone all summer?" He smiled. "Are they female friends camping out or something?"

"You know, you really do remind me of Kagome's friend Miroku. You're a pervert and you try to cover it up with religion."

"What?" he asked offended. "Hey, I was just asking because it would be pretty strange to go somewhere for the whole summer with a guy. That's a lot of temptation, don't you think. I mean, let's be realistic here, Ikuto. Unless the guy she's hanging out with is gay-"

"Inuyasha's not gay!" Ikuto yelled. "They're friends, and they're not going to do anything! Kagome is 15 years old! There is no temptation. I mean, I don't know how relationships here work, but in Japan, we like to honor each other and wait until marriage." Ikuto blushed. "At least, that's the way most people do it."

"You know what" Michael yelled "I was just trying to help you out, but since I'm a jerk who's nothing but a pathetic pervert, I'll keep my mouth shut!" Michael started reading the Bible again. All of the sudden, the theme to Darth Vader began to play. "And what's that?" Michael finished reading his chapter and put the Bible down. "You gonna answer me or what?"

Ikuto stood up and walked over to their desk. "It's my brother, and believe me when I say that he deserves this ring tone." He picked up his little Sprint silver phone and opened it up. "Hello?"

"Ikuto?"

"Yeah, it's me Suno. What a pleasant surprise" he said sarcastically. "Thought I was running a muck and decided to make sure I wasn't causing some kind of panic?"

Michael wished he knew some Japanese so he could understand what Ikuto was saying. 'He said it was his brother.' He gasped at the realization. "Your brother is on the phone?"

Ikuto shooed him away. "Little brother" Suno began to say "I have just landed in New York."

"You have? What for? You could have at least told me earlier. Is it just you or what?"

"No, Sarah, Rina, and Jamon have also accompanied me here. We're going to settle down in a hotel. I need to speak with you, so I would like you to come here to the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel."

"I'm confused. If Sarah and Rina are here, I would dare to guess that you were actually here for pleasure. But if Jamon is here, then it's most definitely for business. So, do you mind telling me what's going on, or are you going to let the suspense drive me insane?"

"Ikuto, don't be such a pest and go to the hotel already."

"Uh…sure, but can't we talk about whatever it is on the phone. Is it that important?"

"Why, you don't wish to see me, little brother?" Suno tried to use as much sarcasm that he could possibly muster up. "Come now Ikuto, stop being such a bothersome boy and come here to the hotel. If you don't, I'll have no choice but to just tell all of my business clients that you're not interested."

"That I'm not interested…What are you talking about? What do you mean? What do I have to do with your business clients?"

"If you really want to find out little brother, then just come here, and I'll tell you." Suno hung up on Ikuto without saying goodbye, something Ikuto was used to doing. "That jerk." Ikuto figured he was dressed well enough to meet his brother. "I'm going out Michael" Ikuto put his phone in his pocket.

"All by your lonesome?" he asked. "Don't get mugged" Michael was hoping he could freak his companion out a little bit, but it didn't seem to be working. "I guess you're one of those stereotypical Japanese boys who can fight really well, huh?"

"As a matter of fact, I am. I am a very good martial artist."

"Ever win a tournament?" Michael asked mockingly.

"As a matter of fact I did." Michael was shocked and speechless. He didn't really expect that Ikuto would have entered one. "It was a little before my father died. He encouraged me to enter it, so everyone knew I wasn't weak and he wanted to build up my self-esteem." Ikuto faded out his words, thinking about his father. "He worked with me a little bit, so did my brother. After my father died, I started sparring with my brother everyday." Ikuto regained his composure once he remembered that he and Michael were supposed to be angry with each other. "I'm going out now, if you don't mind."

"Then please go."

"Fine, I will." Ikuto left Michael all alone in the room, and wondered if he'd be able to get around New York on his own, but it should be simple enough. All you honestly had to do was wave your hand, get a taxi, and tell them where to go, and that was exactly what he did, and he got to the fancy hotel, all by himself. 'I don't need Michael' he thought to himself as he walked up to the front desk. "Hello, I'm here to see Mr. Kazasami. Could you please tell me what room he's in?"

"No need" Suno's voice said from behind.

Ikuto turned around and saw his brother. He wasn't too thrilled to see him. He wanted to be on his own for a few months. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Come up to my room, and I'll tell you everything."

"Yay! Yay! Ya!" Rina just kept jumping up and down on her father's bed happily. "I get to see Ikuto! Oh how I've missed him! Do you think he'll like your surprise mommy?"

Sarah was sitting in a chair watching her daughter happily and nervously. "Yeah sweetheart, he'll enjoy it. I think he won't be too surprised either." She tried to smile, but she was worried. 'Oh, if you snitch on me Ikuto, I promise I'll kill you.' Sarah's heart skipped a beat once she heard the door open.

"Ikuto!" Rina yelled. She jumped off the bed and ran straight for him. "I've missed you!" She gave him a strong hug on his leg, since he didn't bend down to reach her.

"Come on squirt!" He tried to shake her off, but she wouldn't let go. Ikuto was forced to walk with Rina hanging on to his leg. "Let go!" Suno didn't say anything to make her stop hugging him. "Go hug your dad or something. I've only been gone for a month. What are you going to do when I get married and leave you all together!"

"But by then I'll have my little brother or sister to play with!"

"What?" 'Little brother or sister.' The suite was very large. It wasn't your typical walk in and there's the beds and bathroom, but it was like a small apartment. He walked into the small living room type area where Sarah was blushing in a chair. 'She got pregnant. Suno must have flipped.' He looked behind him to see his brother. He didn't seem too happy, but he wouldn't reject his child. He was just being the same Suno as always. 'I bet he's really happy. He just can't show it.' "So, a baby, huh? That' great." 'I bet he was curious to know why the birth control that she was supposedly using didn't work. Oh well, I'm not going to say anything. I wouldn't tell on her.' "Congratulations."

"Yes, she's with child" Suno responded. "But believe it or not, that's not what I flew half way around the world to tell you." He looked at his daughter sternly. "Let him go Rina. He needs the leg."

She pouted. "Yes sir."

"So, do you mind telling me why exactly you're here in New York, or are you just going to let me guess?"

"I don't have time to waste, so I'll just get to the point. Tomorrow there is a party here in New York, and you are invited. It's with a few business associates of mine, and our father's. I want you to be there if you accept my offer."

"Offer?" 'Here we go. This is the life I'm destined to follow. I only hope I'm happy walking the path.' "Go on, I'm listening."

"Ikuto, as you know, you inherited a large sum of our father's fortune, and I got the company. I never to this day understood why, but I was able to hold the company together fine and made more money then our father could probably dream of. I'm the richest man in Japan, but as you know, there's a whole world out there, and I'd like to be even more powerful."

"No surprise there" Ikuto laughed a little. "So Suno, what's the plan? How are you planning to achieve this power?"

"The United States. I plan to start up the Empire over in this country, but this is a melting pot as many say, so foreigners are welcomed on one condition: they have to become citizens. That's the only way to truly win the hearts of the American people."

"Foreign car companies are doing just fine. Mind explaining that one, Suno?"

"Don't be so foolish little brother. They do well, because they're cheaper than the cars made here. I don't want to have to rely on that fact, not when you can be my trump card."

"Your trump card? What do you mean your trump card?"

"What I'm saying is that I want to welcome you into the fold. I'm giving you the opportunity to work under me of course, but not too far down. You are after all a Kazasami." He smirked. "You'll just be head over here in the office I'm about to build in New York." Ikuto was stunned. Suno waited for him to say something, but Ikuto didn't know what to say. "Little brother, don't you have anything to say? You still wanted to move here, didn't you? Now you won't be a worthless man living off of father for the rest of your life. Now little brother, what do you have to say? It is important that you tell me now." Suno stretched out his hand. Even though it was his brother, he always ended a business proposition with a healthy handshake. "Well little brother?"

"Work with you?" Ikuto always feared this and always claimed that he didn't want to, but he wasn't the same little kid as before. "You don't ask for anyone's help. I don't understand. What's the big idea?"

"I'm not asking you for help. Whether you do anything or not, I'm going to accomplish my goal. I'm asking you if you'd like to work for me. That is all. This is strictly business, and nothing more. To be welcomed into the Kazasami Empire is a great honor Ikuto, and you should realize that."

'He must be using me for something I don't realize. Should I really take the chance?' "I don't have any experience."

"You can start working as soon as you get back to Japan part time to get the hang of things. Don't get me wrong. I'm not going to give you a lot of authority, but you'll have good training. You can count on that."

'He wouldn't bring it up if he didn't think I could handle it.' Ikuto found a smile. 'Could it be that my heartless brother actually believes in me? He actually cares and wants me to have a successful future? Is this about me not shaming our family name, or do I dare say that he actually cares about me? He believes that I can do this?' If Suno had confidence in him, then Ikuto had to have confidence in himself. 'Maybe he's not using me.' "Brother" Ikuto grabbed his hand. "You've got yourself a deal. I'll do it."

"I'd make you sign a contract, but since you're so young, I won't even bother little brother. I'll actually take your word for it."

"Good." Ikuto smiled and pulled his hand away. "I…won't let you down Suno." Ikuto and Suno had been having a rough time their whole lives, but as Ikuto began to get older and matured, they had started to get along actually. Well, they started to tolerate each other. It could have been because Suno was becoming a slightly more compassionate person since he got married. It could have also been because Ikuto had actually begun to change more into his brother, which began to freak Ikuto out extremely. 'If I ever become like him, I'll shoot myself before it gets too serious. After all, who would want to be exactly like Suno?'

"Sleeping under the stars again" Kagome muttered to herself. "This is when I miss home the most." She sighed. "That Lord at the last village didn't believe Miroku's claims of a strong demonic presence. Someone finally didn't fall for it." Only Kagome and Inuyasha were awake, or at least that's what Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara made it seem like. They were all awake, listening in on what they might say to one another.

"Stop complaining, Kagome."

'Bad move' Shippo thought to himself.

Kagome was bundled up in her sleeping bad, but she sat up angrily to yell at Inuyasha. "You know what, just because you're a dog and you're used to sleeping outside doesn't mean that I am! I'd like a nice bed sometimes! And I wasn't even talking to you! I was rambling to myself, you stupid jerk!"

"Well I'm sorry! I didn't know you were crazy! I'll let you speak to yourself from now on!" Inuyasha tried to ignore her. He wasn't in the mood to argue with her, even though he foolishly started picking with her.

Kagome obviously wasn't in the mood either. She dropped it right there. "Inu…Inuyasha…" she trailed off. 'Maybe I shouldn't even ask.'

"Kagome" he realized that she was upset and got closer to her. "Kagome, tell me what's wrong?" She looked as if she was about to collapse and just start crying. 'Kagome is usually so strong. Something has really spooked her.' "Tell me, Kagome."

"I uh…I had a bad dream last night." He waited for her to go on. She had to calm herself down first. She was about to totally lose it. "I haven't said anything; because I didn't want to worry you, but I'm…I'm really frightened about it." Inuyasha put his arm around her. She was shaking. "Inuyasha, it was Naraku. He was everywhere, but it wasn't in this time, it was in my own, and everyone was in danger, and it was all my fault."

"Kagome, don't be stupid. You know that Naraku can't come to your time. That's impossible, and you know it."

"Yes, but…" she began to lean on him. "Inuyasha, what if he found a way? Anything's possible, right?" Inuyasha didn't answer her. He didn't know what to say. "He had hurt everybody, and I mean everyone. He hurt Ikuto, my family…even Suno."

"Suno? Ikuto's older brother?" Inuyasha grunted. "The supposed reincarnation of Sesshoumaru?"

'Reincarnation of Sesshoumaru?' Miroku thought to himself. 'Is everyone in this time reincarnated? Sesshoumaru should be able to live for five hundred more years? Why are there so many demons gone in Kagome's time? What happened to them all?'

"Yes" Kagome told Inuyasha. "If he gets dragged into all of our troubles, then he's not going to be happy. He didn't even want me to come back here."

"Keh, you don't have to listen to what he says!"

"Calm down Inuyasha. He's not your brother, he's Ikuto's. If you ever see him again, avoid any confrontation with him." Kagome tried to get comfortable on Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, you were dying." Kagome began to cry. "I don't know if you were alive. I don't know if you were going to make it."

'Why didn't she say anything to me earlier?' Sango thought to herself. 'Did it feel that real to her that she needed to keep it silent?'

"Inuyasha, you'll always be there to protect me right? I mean, I can always depend on you, right?"

Kagome felt Inuyasha's warmth as he fully embraced her with both his arms tightly. "Kagome, don't be so stupid! Of course I'll always be there to protect you, not matter what! It doesn't matter, because I'll always be there for you. You don't have to worry about anything! I'll always protect you, and nothing is going to hurt you, or anything you care about!"

"Inuyasha?" she began to blush while in his embrace. It always comforted her to know that he cared about her.

"I'll slay Naraku, and you'll be safe."

Kagome found comfort in his words. 'I don't think it's that simple. I my dream I saw the spider mark of Naraku on a back. I'm not sure if it was Naraku's body though. It didn't look like it.' "Thank you Inuyasha." 'Inuyasha, you might be in more danger than all of us.'

To be continued….

A/N: Inuyasha is in danger? Could this have anything to do with…Ikuto…the supposed end to everything? It's possible…you'll have to review in order for me to find out!