To start off, I want to thank everyone for being so patient with me! Life hasn't been the easiest with finals and some problems. But now, I'm for some rest and relaxation! I apologize for the very late update! I want to wish all of you guys a Happy Holiday…even though it is rather late! And have the best New Years! I hope to update before then, my muse is active! And most of all, I want to thank all of my reviewers! I feel ecstatic receiving them, and I'm very happy to know that I have many supporters after one year! Thank you!

Review Responses:

Amethyst-tears: Thank you for reviewing! Lol, it was close wasn't it? I'll make sure to add some stuff to make up for it! winks Anyways, I hope you like this chapter!

Chantel314: lol, sorry for the cliff hanger! I hate those myself when I'm reading stories…but it's sooo fun to add them to my own! I'm glad you enjoyed that chapter! I hope you like this one! Thank you for reviewing!

Izayoi I'm terribly sorry for the late update! Lol, the suspense!! Anyways, you get to find out Kikyo's reaction in this chapter. I hope you like it! Thanks for reviewing!

Siyuri Hehe, forgive my evilness, I tend to go overboard sometimes! :) I'm so sorry for the terribly late update! Lol, I'll try and not make any more cliffies, but that's not a promise! Thank you for your review! Enjoy!

LostTaijiya I'm sorry for not having Kagome and Inuyasha kiss, but I promise to make it up to you in later chapters! I'm glad you like my story, and am very happy that you reviewed! Thanks!

GeoInuyashaKagome lol, I think Inuyasha would have said that too…well, I think I made him too nice in my story! And the others are very nice! I think your disclaimer was good! Thank you for reviewing!

Punkgirl12304: Hey! I love getting new reviewers! I'm glad you really like the story and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

TheFemaleInuyasha Thanks for telling about the "rip"! I appreciate it so much, even though I did base it off a Korean drama. I consider myself lucky to have a reader like you! Thank you very much for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter!

Miara Rigawa: Thank you for reviewing! It's alright if you're busy, you don't have to apologize! I get busy once in a while too! As for the ending, I don't think I'll do the same ending, I'll use some of it, and then add some. I have to admit that the ending in the series didn't really satisfy me. So, I'll do kind of a different ending! I'm really sorry for the late update. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter! And I love your story! Keep up your great work!

Lil-AnimexDeviL Thank you for your review! I love getting new reviewers! I'm glad you really like my story that much, and thank you for the compliment! I'm a sucker for romance too, so you can be sure that there's going to be more fluff in later chapters! Thanks again!

Mouse Ears: Ya know, you could've logged out of my account before doing a review thingy under my screen name…it made me look like a dork! Thanks for reviewing ear twitcher. Hehe

Sunrider22: Thank you for reviewing! I totally understand! I have computer problems sometimes too! As for Kikyo, you'll find out in this chappy! I also like your story so far, please update! Thanks again!

Addam I'm sooo sorry for the late update! And I want to thank you for reminding me about the one year anniversary! I completely forgot! And I wish you a Happy Holidays too and a Happy New Year! And tell Jurneyo HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! Consider this as a late Christmas present! Many apologies for the last update! Thanks again!

Amanda: Hey Amanda! Sorry for the late update! Thanks for reviewing! I hope we can IM each other soon! We have to get together since our break goes until the 11th!

Cherryheart Thanks for reviewing! I guess Kikyo found them because of a lucky hunch! I'm sorry it was kind of short, this chapter was kind of long! Anyways, enjoy! Thanks again!

Naomi ): Thank you so much for reviewing! As I've said before, I enjoy getting new reviewers! I hope you like my story so far, and this chapter will be waiting for you when you get here! Thanks again!

Thank you to all of my reviewers! You guys are what kept me going for a year now! Well, enough of me babbling, on with the long awaited chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 25

Kikyo felt her whole body shaking, how could it be possible? The expensive, aromatic bouquet fell from her leather gloved fingers. She stood paralyzed, looking at the two, who were also staring at her, trying to comprehend the situation. It was a stand off; no one knew what to do.

It was unmistakable, the silver hair, and that molten gold gaze. It was Inuyasha. His features were more mature, but it was part of growing up. She hadn't seen him since high school, and her heart reacted the same when she first saw him, it sped up. She was deep in thought, how such a thing could happen, how could he still be alive?

"Kikyo?" a soft voice drifted to her ears. Her grey eyes looked up to find Kagome and Inuyasha. It was strange; Kagome was gently smiling at her, greeting her.

"Typical Kagome, she doesn't hold a grudge very long does she? And after all the things that I've done…she still considers me her friend…" Kikyo thought bitterly.

"Kikyo, we want to explain it to you, why don't you join us on the bench, and we'll talk it over." Kagome said gently, her gloved hand on Kikyo's arm, guiding her to the bench, with Inuyasha by her side.

The trio took a seat, with Kagome in the middle. She took a deep breath of fresh air, staring out into the lake.

"Kikyo, you are probably wondering how Inuyasha could still be alive right?" Kagome questioned, her brown eyes scanning at the view in front of them. Kikyo turned her head, looking at the miko. She simply nodded, knowing Kagome would see it.

"Alright then. To start off, Inuyasha didn't die. This would explain why there wasn't a funeral. Instead, he lost his memory under certain circumstances. And then you met him in America, bringing him back here."

Kikyo was puzzled, she couldn't have brought Inuyasha back here with her….when she only brought Shizuki…

Her features were then lifted, knowing the answer. Kagome noticed and decided to say it out loud.

"Inuyasha and Shizuki is the same person Kikyo. This was why they look identical." The fashion designer was in complete shock, after hearing the words out loud. She bit her lip, her grey eyes staring out into the lake, trying to keep her tears in. Quickly, she stood up and bowed, leaving silently hoping that the miko and hanyou didn't see her tears of pain.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha, "I hope she's alright." Her eyes showing worry. His arm wrapped her around the shoulder, pulling her closer to him.

"I'm sure she will be." Kagome leaned her head against his shoulder, overjoyed that her life seemed to be going in the right direction, after many adversities. She nodded, Kikyo was strong, and she will heal somehow.

Kouga walked out of the radio station with Ayame, both laughing at a hilarious incident that had happened earlier that day. They said good-bye to each other and headed to their respected cars. As Kouga unlocked his car, he looked up to see Kikyo standing rigidly, tears streaming down her face. He let out a grunt when she impacted with him in a hug. Awkwardly, he patted her back.

They had not been close friends, just knew each other. Even though they went to the same high school, Kikyo and Kouga didn't become the best of friends.

But now, he wasn't worried about that now, just why Kikyo was crying.

"Come on, let's go somewhere else." Kouga said. She nodded and got into his car. Sighing, he ran a hand through his thick brown hair and got in.

Glasses clinked together and murmurings of other guests greeted Kikyo and Kouga when they entered into a lounge. The bar was almost empty, with only three people. Small groups of people were sitting around, smoking cigarettes, and gradually taking a sip of their drinks. Kikyo and Kouga sat side by side of each other, telling the bar tender what they wanted.

Kouga's deep blue eyes settled on Kikyo. Her once carefully curled hair was in a mass of tangles, but some ringlets remained. Her usually pale face was flushed in some places, which Kouga guessed was caused by the crying.

"So, why are you crying?" Kouga asked, trying not to pry if she didn't want to talk about it.

Kikyo sniffed, being a gentleman, Kouga reached into his pocket and pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. She took it and dabbed it on her face, and wiped her nose. Her grey eyes looked up and she started to spill.

"You know that Inu-um Shizuki was in the hospital right?" Kikyo started, clearing her voice. Kouga nodded, urging her to keep talking.

"Well, he was released today and I looked for him, you know, the usual places he would probably be. But when I finally found him, he was at Cerulean Lake." At this she laughed bitterly. "This was the same exact place Inuyasha and Kagome ditched school for remember?" Kouga looked away. Although Ayame was helping him with his loss of Kagome, Kagome was still the one he loved, the first one he ever loved. He still loved her, but she didn't love him back, so he had to move on.

The bartender interrupted his thoughts when he set down their drinks. Both of his hands moved the cup back and forth, swishing the liquid. Kikyo cleared her throat. Kouga looked at her glass to find it empty, to the last drop. His eye brows rose.

"Kikyo, are you sure you can handle that?" She nodded and continued.

"I didn't find Shizuki, but Inuyasha." She whispered.

Kouga looked up in surprise. Had he heard right? Inuyasha? That just wasn't possible, he died ten years ago. He looked at Kikyo, his look almost commanding her to explain.

"He was with Kagome. He didn't die Kouga, he simply lost his memory. Thus he became Shizuki. I guess he must have regained his memory." The bartender once again gave her another glass, and once again, she downed it.

Kouga shook his head with disbelief. It explained the almost identical appearances. His emotions swirled confusingly in his mind. He was jealous, angry, and depressed. This was the same man who had taken his Kagome in just a few weeks, whereas he had been trying ever since he had met her. He took sip after sip of his drink until he finished it. Kouga knew he shouldn't drink more, since he was driving, so he looked over at Kikyo to see if she was finished. He sighed, after seeing Kikyo's four finished glasses; it was going to be a long night.

"Come on Kikyo, we've got to go, you've gone over your limit." He strained, pulling her to her feet. He supported her frame while she stumbled. Unlocking the car door with one hand, he carefully laid Kikyo into the front seat, buckling her in. As he himself sat on his driver's seat, he started the engine. Since he had been to Kikyo's large apartment once before with Kagome, he didn't have any trouble getting her home.

After many tries with her keys, he finally was able to tuck her in.

"Kouga." He heard her mumble. Her grey eyes opened, unfocused. "Why can't we get the ones that we love? Why must we suffer like this for the ones we love? Why can't they love us back?" Tears trailed down her cheeks once more, she sobbed, before she once again fell into the abyss of sleep.

As Kouga drove back to his apartment, he thought about her words. "Why can't we get the ones that we love? Why must we suffer like this for the ones we love? Why can't they love us back?" He bit his lip, his gripping on the steering wheel harder. He came to one conclusion to her questions,

"Because Kikyo, it's love."

Kagome groaned as she rolled onto her side. The phone was ringing at 8 o' clock in the morning. She reached over her bedside and plucked the phone out of its cradle. Her thumb clumsily searched for the on button until it hit it, with a beep, the phone was on.

"Hello?" Kagome said sleepily, her head hitting the pillow. Her eyes opened wide when she heard who it was.

"Kikyo?" Kagome talked with her and hung up. She sat up and looked out the window,

"At the Shikon Café huh?" With her sleep all gone, she walked to the bathroom and showered. As soon as she dressed, she headed to the kitchen for some breakfast. Kikyo told her that they would be meeting for lunch, so she figured she would do some errands before meeting the fashion designer. Surprisingly, Sango was there eating a bowl of cereal as she read the newspaper.

"Morning Sango!" Kagome sang, as she fixed herself a bowl of cereal also. Unlike the good old days of high school, she had grown used to mornings; she found out that she was really cheerful. Sango was on and off, sometimes she was a morning person, sometimes she wasn't.

"Morning Kag." Sango said.

"I haven't seen you in a while Sango." Kagome asked slyly as she settled into the cushioned kitchen chair.

I-I've been busy." Sango said, hoping that Kagome would miss the slight blush her cheeks took on. Kagome smiled a Cheshire cat grin.

"Does your business have to do with a certain pervert?" she said innocently.

"N-No!" Sango stumbled. Kagome grinned; Sango often stumbled when she got nervous. Kagome's eyes twinkled with amusement. After a staring contest Sango cracked like a hard boiled egg dropped forty stories high.

"Alright alright! We're together ok?????!!!" Sango shouted in defeat. Kagome started giggling.

"Now that wasn't so hard was it?" Kagome managed to say out of her attack of giggles. Sango turned a deeper shade of pink out of embarrassment.

"Fine, I admit you're good, but how did you find out?" Sango asked, curious.

"Sango, you forget! You're talking to the person who reads romance novels and the person who is practically the professor of love." Kagome joked.

Sango rolled her eyes. But Kagome settled down and Sango placed her bowl in the sink.

"Sango? Can I tell you something? It's about Shizuki." Kagome asked quietly, after a moment of silence. Sango washed her hands free of the soap suds and took a seat in the chair right across Kagome.

"Shoot." Sango simply said.

"Well, a few days ago, remember when Shizuki was in the hospital?" Sango nodded, telling Kagome to continue. "We found something out…Sango…Shizuki is really Inuyasha." Kagome looked up from stirring her bowl of cereal nervously. Sango's magenta eyes were in disbelief.

"H-how can it be?" Sango whispered. "Are you sure Kagome?" Kagome nodded. "But how is that possible?" Kagome related the whole story to her and Sango gradually understood.

Kagome looked at her watch and gasped. It was almost eleven! Kikyo said to meet her at the café at 11:30.

"I've gotta run Sango. Have fun, whatever you're doing today!" Kagome playfully winked, as she slipped on her shoes. Sango lightly smacked her arm, "Kagome!" Kagome smiled as she ran out of the door to her car.

The taijiya smiled at her friend's back.

"I hope things get better for you Kagome, you deserve it."

Kagome parallel parked her car and swiftly opened the door. She looked at her watch and sighed out a sigh of relief. She wasn't late, just two minutes early. She crossed her arms for warmth. They were still in the middle of winter and her thick coat wasn't really helping. She pushed open the café door and entered, her body welcoming the warmth. Her warm brown eyes surveyed the large room; she then spotted Kikyo, sitting in the corner seat, sipping a cup of coffee.

"Hello Kikyo." Kagome warmly said, as she sat down, after placing her coat on the back of her chair. Kikyo slightly smiled and greeted her.

"Good afternoon Kagome. It's a cold day isn't it?" Kikyo asked, looking out the window once more. Kagome nodded in agreement.

"Miss, my name is Jessica. I will be your waitress today. May I take your order?" the waitress waited patiently. Kagome nodded,

"Just hot cocoa please."

The waitress nodded,

"Right away miss."

Kikyo then began to talk.

"Kagome I bet you're wondering why I called you to meet me here today." Kagome nodded, she admitted that her curiosity was getting the better of her. "I just wanted to apologize." Kagome's eyes held question,

"What for Kikyo?"

"Kagome, you're one of the best people I know. After what I've done to you, you don't know what I am apologizing for? Surely you must think I'm a monster after the way I've treated you." Kikyo said, her eyes were sincere. "I've regretted what I've done Kagome, you are one of my truest friends and I was too blind to see that. And it was all because of a guy." Kikyo reached into her pocket for a tissue. Kagome's hands reached over to hold Kikyo's.

"Kikyo, there's nothing to forgive. It's human nature to act that way. Love makes us do the strangest things." Kagome said gently.

"But-but…" Kikyo protested. Kagome shook her head, smiling. She looked up to find Jessica with the hot cocoa. Nodding, she silently thanked her.

"Kagome, there's just one thing I want to say." Kikyo said, after a long pause. Kagome nodded, encouraging her to continue. "I loved Inuyasha and Shizuki, but I know that we weren't meant to be. So I want you to take care of Inuyasha for me alright?" Kikyo asked, her grey eyes showing sadness.

Kagome nodded, understanding how hard it was to do this. Kagome took a sip out of her mug and looked out, with Kikyo. They had come to an understanding, after many plots.

"Now, let's talk about other stuff, this is simply too depressing." Kikyo announced, with a smile. With that, began a whole afternoon of girl bonding and a whole lot of shopping.

"Which movie do you want? Day After Tomorrow or I, Robot?" asked a certain golden eyed man.

"Day After Tomorrow sounds good." Called a sweet voice in the kitchen. "The popcorn's almost done by the way!"

Sesshoumaru popped open the DVD cover and started the movie. Rin came in with a tub of popcorn for the two of them to share. She settled on the couch with a knitted blanket and placed the popcorn on her lap. As soon as the credits started, he went to the couch and settled next to Rin, placing an arm on her shoulders. She leaned onto his chest and started watching the movie.

After the library scene where the boy and the girl made it safely into the high library of New York City, Sesshoumaru asked Rin something.

"Rin, I need your advice. It seems to me that this problem needs a woman's intuition." Rin smiled and nodded. "Inuyasha's mother called me earlier today and told me that she will be coming back. Should I tell Inuyasha?" Rin scrunched up her face. She knew what had happened in the past to Inuyasha and she agreed that this was a delicate situation.

"Yes, I think you should tell Shi-er-Inuyasha. But be careful, do it sensitively. Would it help if I came along?" Rin said thoughtfully. Sesshoumaru, clearly looking like he had a weight lifted from his shoulders nodded. Both resumed watching the movie.

"Flight 675 from LAX has arrived….Flight 675 has arrived." The intercom spoke. Inuyasha, Kagome, Rin and Sesshoumaru stood waiting near the baggage claim area for Sakura, Inuyasha's mother.

"That was her flight." Stated Sesshoumaru. The two couples stood patiently waiting. Inuyasha didn't have his disguise on, so his mother would know that he knew what had happened. Kagome's hand squeezed his hand reassuringly. He smiled lightly; Kagome was always there for him.

She was really easy to spot. Sakura was full of grace and designer clothes to boot. After all, being an international star did have its perks. Her hair was obviously professionally done, with little ringlets framing her face. And her designer carry on bag was held by her hands. Since she was full youkai, she still looked like in her mid-twenties, or maybe even early thirties despite her age, which she would reveal to no one.

When she first saw Inuyasha, surprise was an understatement. Her bag dropped and her eyes were a mixture of emotions. The four walked up and greeted her.

"Sesshoumaru! I didn't expect Inuyasha to be here." She smiled forcefully.

"We'll talk about things later." Sesshoumaru stoically said, showing no emotion. Sakura headed to the baggage claim and claimed her luggage. Then, the five people piled into Sesshoumaru's car and headed to his rather large apartment, where Sakura would be staying.

The car trip was quiet; it was obvious that things would be discussed at the apartment. Finally, what seemed like hours to everyone, the car parked and everyone piled out, assisting with the luggage. Sesshoumaru took out his keys and unlocked the door, letting everyone in.

As soon as everyone was settled in the living room, Sesshoumaru started the conversation.

"Inuyasha, why don't we tell our mother what happened." Inuyasha nodded in agreement. Together, the two half-brothers filled their mother in what had happened for the last few days.

After the story, Sakura asked her sons to introduce the two young women that were sitting next to them.

"Mother, this is Rin." Sesshoumaru just said.

"Meet Kagome Higurashi." Inuyasha said, holding her hand.

Sakura's eyes widened at the last name…Higurashi. Memories flew through her mind.

Was it possible that this was the daughter of her former love?

All done! Eleven pages too! I'm so proud of myself! After this chapter, there's going to be a lot of conflict! Prepare yourselves! The chapters after this one are also going to be long too! Thanks for reading! I'm also very sorry for the late update!

Also, I know Inuyasha's mother is Izayoi, but I didn't know that when I started this story, so I'll just stick with it.

Please review! It'll motivate me to type faster! Let me know what you think!

Animemistress419