HI minna-san! I'm back for the twenty third installment of Winter's Hanyou! For all you fluff lovers out there, you may like this chapter, since it contains mild but sweet fluff! Also, I've released a new story! Details (summary) is at the bottom of this chapter! Check it out! But just warning you, it's just the intro, nothing big is going to happen…yet! So I hope you enjoy this chapter! AND A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL YOU REVIEWERS!!!!! I've reached well over 200 and I'm soooo ecstatic! Thanks!

Review Responses:

Jurneyo Thank you very much for reviewing! Lol, yes, I injured another guy, but some good will come out of this, trust me! Just read this chapter! And no more new characters at the moment, so relax! I hope you like this chapter!

Chantel314: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the long chapter! I'll try and make the chapters longer in the future! Thanks!

Inugurl617: Thanks for reviewing and beta reading! I hope you like this chapter!

Sunrider22: Thank you for adding me to your lists, I feel so honored! I'm very glad to know your opinions! The answers to your questions will be answered in this chapter! Thanks again! I hope you like this chapter!

MaekoChanThank you for reviewing! Lol, this story is full of turns, ne? I'm glad you like it! I hope you like this chapter!

Ray12304: Thank you very much for reviewing! I hope the wait wasn't that long! I'm glad I got that reaction out of you, it's my goal as an author to get those kind of reactions out of my readers! Thanks again!

Da lovable dude: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it! Hope you like this chapter!

Rikunimelive I'm glad you like my chapter! Thank you for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter!

Cherryheart Thank you so much for your review! You're right, getting hit by a car isn't that good… so pay attention! This is going to be a substantial part later on in the plot!! Thanks again!

Izayoi Thank you for your review! You know, I think I will change the ending, to make it better. Since the Korean drama ending wasn't that good…I'll do the best I can! Thanks again!

Amanda: Thank you for your review! I'm very happy to know of your opinions! I think all the answers to your questions will be answered in later chapters. And I love hearing suggestions and ideas, so go ahead and put them in your review! I don't mind at all! Thanks again!

Addam Thanks for your review! That's a cool instrument to play, and yes I know what it looks like, we had one in our band. Thanks for the info on the book, I'll look it up next time I go to the library! And as for the ideas, it's based on the movie, so I think you should be asking the writers where they are getting all this stuff. It's sooo twisted! Colorado weather is rather unpredictable. Sometimes, it's hot, sometimes, it's cold. Once, we had snow in May or June! And a 60 degree Christmas day a few years ago. But that's what I love, unpredictable. Tell me how you did in the band competition! Thanks again!

Starryshimmer Thank you for your review! When I first read it, I knew I recognized that name somewhere! I love your story sooo much! Your writing is really good! I hope you update soon! Anyways, I'm glad to know you think my writing is good! Thanks again!

Fallen-angels-tears: Thank you very much for your review! I'm glad to know you like the romance between all the couples. I'm very sorry about the Miroku/Sango thing, I wanted to save them for this chapter! I have a feeling you're going to like this chapter! Thanks again!

That's it for the reviewers! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! And Congrats to Sunrider22 for being my 200th reviewer!!!!! And honorable mention to Da lovable dude, you were really close!! Thanks again!! Enjoy and happy reading!

Chapter 23

Kagome stared at the tranquil face of Shizuki. His black locks of hair scattered behind on the pillow and his face seemed pale. Hesitantly, she raised her hand and cupped his cheek. Tears began to form in her eyes as the memory of the accident formed in her mind.

"It was my entire fault…" She whispered. Withdrawing her hand, she stood up, still concentrating her gaze on his handsome face. And to think that he had said that he loved her just a few hours ago. How could he love someone who had caused him to fall into a coma? This miko, she though, this miko wasn't worthy of being loved. She then turned around to walk out of the room when she heard a rustle coming from the bed.

"Kagome…" he said. But now, that voice seemed familiar. It made her stop in her tracks and her chocolate brown eyes to widen, tears were starting to fall. That was the voice she had longed to hear for ten long years. Sure, Shizuki had the identical face, but he had said her name in a different way than Inuyasha had. And now, she heard the voice that haunted her every thought for the past ten years.

Slowly, she turned around, to face the bed. He was sitting up, despite the injury to his ribs. And on that face was the same exact expression she had fallen in love with ever since she had seen him. Tears were coursing down her rosy cheeks.

"I-Inuyasha?" She whispered. He looked sincerely into her brown depths with his violet ones and nodded. Her mind spun. How could it be possible? How was Inuyasha and Shizuki the same person? How could she have fallen in love with technically the same man? But she paused in her thoughts and did something she had wanted to do for what seemed like forever. She rushed into his arms and felt that same familiar warmth no one had ever been able to give her.

Inuyasha grunted and stiffened, but then relaxed, placing his chin on her head, taking in her scent he had missed for ten long years. The miko took in his scent and lived through the memories that came rushing back. Finally, after the long embrace, she lifted her head and asked the question that had been bothering her.

"How?"

Inuyasha or Shizuki shook his head and responded with a raspy voice.

"Not yet, give Sesshoumaru a call and then we'll explain it to you. I hardly remember most of the parts." Her trembling fingers reached for the bedside phone and quickly dialed the number to Sesshoumaru's cell phone.

After rapidly giving an explanation, she hung up the phone.

"He'll be here in ten minutes." She said, looking at Inuyasha. She nestled her head into his neck and began to talk to him.

"I've missed you." She murmured.

"I've missed you too. And you know what? I have Shizuki's memories as well. But now, I'll explain more later. We'll wait." He explained. Taking his hand with the IV tube in it, he grasped her hand, his large one covering hers. They enjoyed the silence but then Inuyasha stiffened.

"He's here." His voice betraying no emotion. The door knob was twisted open as Kagome sat up and sat beside him.

Sesshoumaru nodded after he said, "Inuyasha, Kagome." Calmly, he placed himself in a chair and carefully studied their gazes.

"I see that you two are curious about the current events. I will explain it to your right from the beginning."

He took a deep breath and began the narrative.

"Inuyasha, I presume you remember the car crash?" Inuyasha nodded.

"You were in the hospital in a coma when mother made a decision. She wanted to change your life, make you start a new one since you had suffered for so long. So, she decided to erase your memories and give you a whole different identity. That is where I come in. You see, I'm not your foster brother, but your real brother, well half brother. Mother had a relationship when she was around fifty with another inu-youkai. She gave birth to me, but she was still too young and wild so she put me up for adoption.

However, she did continue to visit me variously, so I did not completely hate her. I had connections with people and knowing that, she came to me. That necklace around your neck is the object that is responsible for your human appearance. A miko that I had introduced to mother placed a spell on that. When you have it on, you shall look like a human, without your half demon appearance. However, when you take it off, your appearance will alter. That is why mother forbid you to take it off. It is also the key to your memories. I predict that somehow, when you were hit by that truck, your memories were unleashed. Though, I may warn you, you may not remember every single thing." Sesshoumaru paused, he looked at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha had the look of bewilderment on his face. It was hard to believe that one necklace was the key for all of his answer. He tentatively reached both hands behind the clasp and unhooked it. For a second, there was nothing happening. But Kagome gasped as she realized that his hair was fading quickly into a dull grey and then to silver. His pupils faded from violet to amber. His ears disappeared from the side of his face to the top of his head. Furry white-silver triangles rested on top of his head, twitching. The regular human nails were quickly replaced by claws and he could feel his ribs were slowly healing by his youkai blood inherited from his mom.

Sesshoumaru then continued.

"The necklace concealed your youkai power, thus your sharpened senses were reduced to almost human. But you'll find that you have a better sense of smell, hearing, and sight than most humans. Your ability to heal was also cut off. It wouldn't heal you quickly, but you almost never have colds. This goes for all of your youkai traits."

Inuyasha examined his hands. He had to admit that he missed being a youkai, even though he was only half. With his amber eyes, he glanced at Kagome to see her reaction.

She was smiling her biggest smile and tears of joy were running down her face. She threw herself once more into his arms, relishing his warmth. Inuyasha snaked his arms around her waist, feeling happy that he could once again hold her in his arms, like he did in the past.

"Well, I better get going now, I must attend to something. However, I hope that I have answered most of your questions. But should you have more, call me. I will leave you two alone now." Sesshoumaru slipped into his coat and walked out the door.

"Inuyasha, I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you so much!" Kagome said, settling into a chair next to the bed.

With that, the two chatted, making up for lost time.

Sesshoumaru jogged up the walk to Rin's apartment. He held red roses in his hand. When he reached the outside of her door, he knocked.

In short, he was flabbergasted at her appearance. Her long, waist length her was curled into gentle waves, pinned back by a simple blue gemmed clip. Her bangs were curled and nestled against her forehead and her eyes peered underneath excitedly. The brown orbs were highlighted with light eye shadow and her face stood out with the work of light make up. Her slim figure was dressed in a midnight blue dress that reached below her knees with the spaghetti straps resting on her smooth shoulders. It had two layers, one that was pure color, while the other layer rested on top, made of a see through fabric covered with shimmers, for a glistening affect. Sesshoumaru didn't mean to be cliché, but she looked like a princess.

He had a shocked expression on his face, which was pretty rare for him, being a stoic man.

Rin gave him a once over also. His coat outlined his broad shoulders, suggesting that he was very active. His red shirt underneath looked, she had to admit, really hot on him. And his hair was groomed and flowed behind him.

He finally managed some words which turned out to be stuttered.

"R-Rin, you ready to go?" His golden eyes were surprised, he had never stuttered before, he was a man with a way with words. She nodded, as she wrapped her arm along the demons' and the pair headed off to the restaurant.

Miroku was closing up his clinic when an idea struck him like lightning. Smirking his boyish smirk, he locked up and sped away in his BMW convertible, hoping to surprise a certain someone.

Sango lay back on the couch watching TV. Kagome hadn't come back from her date yet, so she decided to wait up for her. She was waiting for the juicy details of the date, who wouldn't? Bored, she flipped to the anime network, just in time to catch one of her favorites, Ranma ½. She was ready for a laugh and the antics between Ranma and his suitors certainly did the trick. Just as something exciting was going to happen, there was a knock on the door.

"Coming!" Sango called, as her eyes were glued to the TV while she moved toward the locked door. The taijiya twisted the lock and pulled open the door. Her eyes unglued from the screen and expanded in shock to see who that person was…Miroku???

Yes, there was the perverted man that she had known ever since high school. And perverted he was, but somehow over the years, she had developed feelings for him and his caring ways. But she made sure they wouldn't show, after the many dates that they had gone on, their relationship didn't move. She had created a barrier, so her heart wouldn't be torn in half in the end, for he was known as a player. However, she found her barrier quickly disintegrating. He was dressed nice, from his clinic, she presumed. And in his hands was a bundle of red roses…

"Sango? These are for you." Miroku said, with his oh so charming smile. He gently laid them in her arms and cleared his throat, out of his nerves, she presumed.

"I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me tonight?" Miroku asked, his eyes displaying honesty. Sango's heart leapt, but she couldn't and shouldn't! But somehow, she had to.

"Come in, and let me get ready." Sango said, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to accept, she thought to herself.

Kouga and Ayame sat in a booth at a restaurant. It wasn't fancy or a fast food restaurant, so the two were comfortable. They had agreed to go as friends and as friends only. Though, Ayame loved him, she knew she couldn't rush him into a relationship right after he had gotten out of one. His ice blue eyes glanced at the menu and picked something quickly. Her emerald eyes casually looked at him, without him noticing. His long brown hair was tied in a low ponytail that held at the nape of his neck, while the light blue shirt and black slacks made him look even more handsome.

Ayame sighed, no wonder she had fallen hard. But his appearance wasn't the only thing that lured her to him. His kind, yet tough personality was perfect. Since she was a girl, she had wanted someone who was really nice, but she would always feel protected. And with Kouga, she felt safe and protected.

"What would you like ma'am?" A waiter said, startling her out of her thoughts. She smiled and ordered a chicken fettuccini and Kouga actually ordered the same dish.

"So how have you been Kouga? Are you alright?" Ayame asked while she took a sip of her water.

He nodded and replied evenly,

"I'm fine, I think it's best if I move on. I may love Kagome, but she doesn't love me. I think for me, it's best not to make her go into a relationship with me. I guess it's best to see that she's happy. And that's all I need."

Ayame nodded understandingly, she had gone through what he was going through right now. In order to love someone, you have to make sure that they're happy, and that is almost as good as receiving their love. Their food arrived and the two went on, conversing and consoling each other.

Kagome collapsed on her couch. She had surprisingly entered an empty apartment and it was around midnight. The miko shrugged, Sango was an adult and she could take care of herself. She had reluctantly left Inuyasha out of his insistence for some sleep. He was worried for her health like always and practically bossed her around. But then she smiled, her Inuyasha was back, and that was all that she asked for.

That's it! It's not as long as the other chapter, but I hope that you enjoyed after that cliffy! Thanks again to inugurl617 for beta reading!

Tell me what you think! Drop me a review! Thanks for reading!

Also, check out my new story I just posted! It's a bit boring for a first chapter, but trust me, there's going a be a whole lot of drama! Here's the summary:

Kagome, age seventeen, has sworn to avoid boys in order to reach her goal of becoming a doctor. But Inuyasha Takahashi is the new student and ends up dating one of her best friends, Kikyo. But somewhere along the way she fell in love with her best friend's boyfriend. How will it end?

Hope you enjoy!

Animemistress419