- Chapter 3 -
The Reunion

Separated by time
United by friendship
- The Prophecy of Ages

"Ah! Kagome-chan, you look absolutely ADORABLE!"

Kagome stood in Kaoru's room, dressed in one of her old kimonos. It was time for shopping, and Kaoru insisted that she dress like a

lady.

"You really think so?" said Kagome, looking over the light blue fabric of the old garment.

"It looks nice, Kagome," said Sango, who was bedecked in a purple kimono. "It suits you well,"

"Ah, I just -knew- that my old clothes would come in handy some day!" crowed Kaoru, tying the last knot on the obi. "Now look at you!

That old trashy dress was simply unnacceptable!"

"Erm...yeah, I guess," said Kagome, looking at Sango. "You're staying back with Miroku and Sanosuke-san, right?"

Sango nodded. "You two have a good time shopping, okay?"

"We will!" said Kaoru, getting her shoes on in the foyer with Kagome. "See you later, Sango-chan!"

The day was warm and pleasant, and Kagome felt strangely at ease.

"Ah, it's so nice to have someone -other- than Kenshin come help me with the groceries," said Kaoru, stretching. "He deserves a good

break once in a while,"

"So, where are we headed?" asked Kagome.

"Just the usual places, then I thought it would be nice if we stopped at the Akabeko on our way back,"

"Sounds like fun," said Kagome. "By the way, what city is this?"

"Tokyo, of course!" said Kaoru. "Why? Do you not remember where you are? You had a pretty bad bump on your head,"

"Yeah, I think so," lied Kagome. Tokyo? Perhaps the Well was closer than she thought! "All right, so what's first on our list?"

"Rice, then salt, then soy sauce, then miso after lunch, so it won't spoil," said Kaoru. "Let's get started."

-/-

"Yum! This is really good!" said Kagome later that day, as she and Kaoru sat together at the Akabeko, laden with groceries, which, of

course, Kaoru bought all at the same time. "Amazing what just a little beef and some vegetables can do!"

Kaoru nodded and daintily brought some food to her lips.

Then, something hit Kagome, and it hit with a vengence. Instantly, she regretted not using the toilet before leaving.

"Bathroom...now..." she groaned, and Kaoru helpfully pointed in the direction of the lavatory.

A few minutes later, she emerged, rather relieved and feeling much better. But something strange caught her eye.

Kaoru was talking to a man, who was sitting on the edge of the booth. The sunlight blinded her as she saw the man leave, but he heard a

small laugh from him and a "See you tonight, Kaoru-san", before exiting the Akabeko. Was it just her, or did he sound like Inuyasha?

And she swore that beneath his brown cap, he had silver hair, but it was most likely the sun.

"Feeling better?" said Kaoru as Kagome took her seat and nodded.

"Who was that you were just talking to?" she asked.

"Oh, that's just Kei, one of Sano's friends. He's a nice guy for someone who hangs out with that delinquent,"

"I...see," said Kagome. "Where does he live?"

"Somewhere on the edge of town," said Kaoru, her chopsticks casually dangling from her mouth (after all, there weren't any men around,

so she could be as sloppy as she wanted). "Lives with his brothers, I think. If you want to meet him so bad, he's coming over tonight to

have dinner,"

Kagome's heart fluttered a little. Could it be Inuyasha?

She shook her head, and her borrowed ribbon swooshed softly. No way! Think logically, girl! He's gone!

"You done?" said Kaoru, pointing to the near-empty wok with the beef in it. Kagome nodded and placed her chopsticks on her rice bowl

for Tae to collect. After paying for lunch, they were soon on their way.

"You're pretty strong to hold all that by yourself," said Kaoru, as Kagome trudged down the road with all the groceries, nearing the dojo.

"Kenshin can barely do it, and he's a man!"

Kagome smiled as she slammed the bundles to the ground in the foyer. That huge backpack she carried around when traveling with

Inuyasha really -did- come in handy; it had really built up her back muscles!

"You carry them in," she sighed, wiping her brow. "I'm tired,"

-/-

"You're kidding; you saw Inuyasha?" said Miroku, who was still a little damp from helping Kenshin with the laundry. Kagome shrugged.

"I wasn't sure if it was him or not; his voice sounded the same and I think he had silver hair, but the sun was in my eyes, so I couldn't get a

good look at him. At least he's coming over tonight,"

"He's what?" said Sango.

"Coming over for dinner," Kagome repeated. "He's a friend of Sano's, and Kaoru seems to know him pretty well. She said his name was

Kei,"

"Hmm... I'd like to meet this Kei," said Miroku. "Whether he is Inuyasha or not, he seems a friendly fellow,"

Kagome shrugged.

"I gotta go help Kaoru with the cooking. Stay out of trouble, you two,"

And, for once, both of them agreed.

-/-

"Man, am I itching for some dinner!" said Sano. "I hope Kei comes early; I'm starving,"

"Sano, complaining won't make him come any faster, that it won't," said Kenshin. "It's just best to-"

"Oi! Anyone home?"

"Speak of the devil!" said Sano. "C'mon in! We were just about to eat,"

"Thank god," said Kei's voice, coming nearer. Kagome's grip tightened as he drew nearer; her question would soon be answered. "I'm

starvin'; stupid Taromaru didn't make dinner,"

The door slid open, and Kagome gasped.

There, in his full glory, was Inuyasha.

"Glad you could come, man," said Sano, slapping him on the back as he sit down.

"Hey, no pro-" he stopped. Kagome was staring at him, and suprisingly, she seemed calm, but there was fire burning in her eyes.

"Ahhhh...KEI," she said pleasantly at first, but her tone turning sharp and sour as she said his "name". "How are you?"

"Umm, fine, I guess," said Kei. "Do I know you?"

The rage locked inside Kagome split, and she smiled like a woman possessed. Sango ducked.

"Don't act so innocent!" she spat.

"Umm, Kagome-dono, is something wrong?" said Kenshin helpfully.

"No, I'm just fine!" said Kagome sharply. "I just need to verify something."

She took one long, hard look at Kei and yelled at the top of her lungs:

"OSUWARI!"

Suddenly, a necklace jerked out of Kei's jacket, and he was sent flying to the floor, his cap falling off his head and exposing a pair of

fuzzy, silver ears jutting out of his equally silver hair.

"What in the world...?" said Sango. "It's him!"

"I knew it! I could -never- forget that voice! Are you okay?" said Kagome.

"Run away! She's a witch!" said Sano, who was backed against the wall. "Get away! Don't curse me!"

"Don't be silly, it only works on him," said Kagome, turning over Inuyasha. "Oh dear, he's unconscious. Someone help me?"

"I will, but could you please explain what's going on?" said Kenshin. Kagome sighed and propped up Inuyasha, so he leaned against her

legs, his head resting in her lap.

"This is Inuyasha, that boy we were talking about earlier," Miroku explained, while Kagome affectionately tweaked with his ears. "His

name isn't Kei, or whatever his alias was before this. He's a friend of ours, and I suppose he's one of yours too,"

"What're those?" said Kaoru, brushing on of Inuyasha's ears, which twitched a little.

"They're his ears, of course!" said Kagome, and Kaoru jerked away.

"You can't be serious!" she exclaimed. "Nobody has ears like that! It's not natural!"

"Well, I suppose it's true," said Sango thoughtfully. "He -is- half-demon,"

"WHA-?"

In an instant, Sanosuke was joined at the wall by Kaoru, but it was clearly evident that he screamed louder.

"HALF-DEMON!"

"Sano, calm down," said Kenshin, very non-plussed by the entire event. "Is that true, Kagome-san?"

"Sure is," said Kagome, stroking his face gently. "Oh, look! He's waking up,"

Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes, a bit disoriented by the first "Sitting" he had received in over 200 years.

"Huh...? What's going on...?"

"It's okay, Inuyasha. I'm sorry I had to do that to you," said Kagome, smiling. "Look! We're all here!"

"Kagome...?" he said slowly, sitting up. "Miroku? Sango?"

His eyes began to light up.

"I knew it! I knew I smelled something familiar in the restaurant! It was you!"

He hugged Kagome, who gasped in suprise, but was interrupted by a loud and abrupt "AHEM".

"I think you have some explaining to do," said Kaoru. "Who are you really? How do you know these people?"

Inuyasha looked at Kaoru, and unwrapped his arms from Kagome.

"Well, I guess it would be a benefit to all of us," he said, taking a seat next to her, and began to tell his tale.

- Next -
The Tale