Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Naruto

Thanks to everyone for the reviews! Sorry I haven't updated earlier...a really long chapter as an apology gift? I really hope you guys like this chapter too!


Memories of The Past

The party in the Icharuka Bar lasted for quite some time, with Naruto as the entertainment. For Kagome, anyway, she had never seen anybody scarf down ramen as fast as him before.

The Silver Haired Jonin smiled at her. Or at least…she thought he did. The mask made it difficult to tell. "So, is watching Naruto scarf down that ramen, the most fascinating thing you've ever seen or something?"

Realizing that she had been caught in the act, she blushed. "N-no…he just reminded me of someone else I knew…that and I just remembered my sensei…"

Kakashi's one eye widened. "You had another sensei while you weren't here?" At her nod, he inquired, "Who was it?" Looking down at her feet, she replied, "Well…I'm not too sure what they're name was…but she told me to call her Sensei."

The Copy-nin's interest was peaked. "Really? How did you meet them?" She shifted her position. "Well…"

Kakashi only shook his head, effectively silencing her, sensing that she didn't want anyone questioning her past for the moment. He only watched make merry with the rest of the ninja that were present in the Ichiraku Ramen Bar.

"Th-thank you for saving me." The young girl stuttered. "I'm Kagome Higurashi." She recoiled from him slightly, as if expecting something to happen.

Kakashi only raised an eyebrow. Higurashi? Wasn't that the clan that had a Kekkai Genkai in their genes? He scoffed, and turned away. "Whatever. Just get lost. She shouldn't have been picking on you in the first place."

His sandals tapped on the rock covered floor as he proceeded to walk away from the stunned girl. Kagome stared at his retreating back. He wasn't going to hurt her? That was a first.

She stood up and ran after the masked shinobi. "H-hey, wait up! Aren't you gonna tell me your name, or something?" He only kept walking, pretending not to acknowledge her.

"Hey!" Kagome kept running after the boy who had saved her. "Come back here and tell me your name!" He ignored her, and continued to walk away from her. She growled, infuriated with his lack of response.

"Well…whatever! So don't tell me! I'll get it out of you, yet!" Growling deeply, she stomped towards another direction; towards her home. Kakashi could hear her angry footsteps fading away.

He ruffled his hair. "What's her problem?" Why didn't he just tell her? He had a feeling that she would be following him around tomorrow too…

…And his feelings were almost always very accurate. She was there the next day where he was assigned to meet by his sensei. She just sat on a stump of the tree and glared at him.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Her gaze was pretty creepy. "Hey, you're here." Said his blonde sensei. Kakashi scoffed. "Yeah. I'm here." His teacher smiled. "Kagome, are you going to watch us? You always said that you wanted to become a shinobi. Maybe after this, you'll see how hard you have to work to attain that reality."

Kagome blushed. 'Great, now everyone knows that I want to become a ninja! How embarrassing is that?' She fidgeted, her face heating up as she mumbled, "Sure. I'll stay."

Rin and Obito looked at her oddly. Obito stared at her in pity. 'She's a Kekkai Genkai user too, huh…?' Kakashi noticed this look, and he nudged his best friend. "You okay, Obito?"

The Sharingan eye user jumped slightly. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine. C'mon, gotta listen to what Sensei says." He said quickly, changing the subject. Kakashi cocked his head. He looked at Kagome once again. She gazed sadly at Obito; the same look that he had just given her a few minutes ago.

'He's got the Sharingan eyes…so why isn't he being hit…teased…made fun of…abused…why? Is it just me?' She wondered. 'Nobody even knows what type of ability I have, so why are they doing all that to me?'

'Why?' Kakashi thought. 'Why are they looking at each other like that?'

She had discovered Hinata, and was now currently fussing over the cute girl. Hinata herself was stuttering uncontrollably, while Naruto talked to her about ramen, ramen and more ramen.

Kagome noticed this and smiled. How cute was young love…?

"Tell me your name, already!" The raven haired girl growled. Under his mask, Kakashi hid a subtle smile. "Ah…no. I don't think so." He brought his hands together to make a few hand signs, focusing chakra towards his feet.

Obtaining a running start, he ran up the tree, his chakra energy holding him in place. Kagome clenched her fists. "Oohh…c'mon! You're such a--!" She stopped herself. 'Alright, calm down, Kagome. Getting angry will do nothing at all.'

A hand touched her shoulder. She whirled at the contact, and faced Obito, Kakashi's best friend. "H-hey." She stumbled through her words, shocked at the sudden touch. He smiled at her. "Oh, don't worry about my friend up there. He likes infuriating people."

She snorted. "Yeah. I kinda noticed that." Obito laughed, the sound echoing through the trees, scaring a few birds into flight. "Yes…" They sat in a slightly uncomfortable silence.

"Hey." He whispered, lowering his voice to the point where no one but Kagome could hear. "You use a Kekkai Genkai, too, right?" She nodded. "Well, I have one too. Although, I think that no one really cares…but I heard that other clans aren't so well off. Are you okay?"

Kagome knew what he was implying with that last question. She smiled at him grimly. "Don't worry. I'm fine." He seemed to be satisfied with her answer, and walked away from the disheartened girl.

'If only he knew how fine I really am…'

Kakashi dropped out of the tree, wearing a scowl. "What was that? What did you two talk about?" She looked away from the mysteriously irritated ninja. "It was nothing."

He looked at her with an expression that told her that he didn't believe her. "C'mon. How dumb do you think I am?" She gazed at him, observing him closely. "Apparently, not dumb enough." She walked away, leaving the silver haired boy to his emotions.

'Wha---?'

Observing as Sakura had a one sided conversation with Sasuke, Kakashi smiled. Peaceful times were always something that you could look forward to. It was nice…

Kagome was laughing at one of Naruto's jokes, having a wonderful time. He smiled. That was good. At least she was enjoying herself…

Sighing frustratedly, she tapped her nails on the side of the tree. "Your name, please." He shook his head in a silent 'no'. She didn't react to his negative response…after one month, she had gotten used to it.

He had been attempting to meditate near the trees, and she was sitting there, watching him. Probably hoping that he would be relaxed enough to tell him the information she desired.

It didn't work.

Gazing at him with unfathomable emotions, she looked away. Somehow, she was slightly enjoying all the time that she was spending with him. It felt…right, somehow. But, then again…she was worthless. She didn't deserve to have friends.

Brushing off her outfit, she stood up. Kakashi opened his eyes in surprise. "Leaving already?" She looked at him, amused. "What, you actually want me to stay?" He scowled. "You just usually don't leave until nightfall."

She smiled brightly at him. "Yeah…but I gotta get home early today. All those other times, I've always been late to get home." He scoffed, and closed his eyes again. "Whatever."

She frowned slightly. "Bye." Her footsteps rang throughout his ears, and once he was sure that she was gone, he opened his eyes again. "Weird…" He looked to his left, and spotted a small jewel sparkling in the short grass.

"Must be hers…" He grimaced, standing up. "Might as well give it back to her. It looks valuable." Following her obvious trail of footsteps, he hopped over various roofs and buildings, finally ending where the footprints stopped.

Reaching the destination that Kakashi assumed was her house, he was about to knock on the wooden door, when he heard a loud crashing coming from inside the house. Pressing his ear against the door he heard:

"I was home early, so why are you hitting me?" That was Kagome's voice.

Another crash rang throughout the house, and Kakashi winced at the volume. "You were late yesterday, and you got off easy! You should be punished more!" A slap; skin hit skin.

"Urgh…" Kagome groaned, and the masked shinobi's eyes widened. Was this what she had to go through everyday? "Why are you doing this?" She murmured. "I mean, what did I do to make you hate me so much---"

Her voice was cut off by another crash. "You were born." Another voice murmured. Kagome whimpered. "Mom…dad…" Kakashi couldn't take it anymore. This was sickening to listen to.

He knocked on the door, loudly and clearly. The noises stopped, and after a few minutes of waiting, the door opened. "Yes?" Said a polite looking adult. He was well groomed and didn't seem to be the abusive type.

"Uh, hi. I was wondering if Kagome was home?" Kakashi asked quickly. The man shook his head. "She's sleeping. Please, don't disturb her." Before the silver haired ninja could respond, the man had shut the door in his face.

He scoffed indignantly. "Man…how rude." He took out the gem he had found earlier. "I'll give it to her tomorrow. She might get in trouble for losing it." He pocketed the valuable rock in his pockets and walked away, his head spinning from the new events.

'Kagome…how long have you been suffering?'

She had turned back towards him again. "You okay, Kakashi?" She inquired the Jonin. He grinned at her. Kakashi loved the way she said his name. Vaguely, he wondered why he had never told it to her before…

"So, what's your name?" She asked him, almost boredly. Yawning, she leaned back against the bark of the tree that Kakashi was training in. The ninja debated with himself, reviewing what he had heard from her house just last night.

"Kakashi." He firmly said, before dropping out of his place on the limb. "Kakashi Hatake."

She started, coming out of her bored position, and swiveling to face him. "Ka…kashi?" His name came out strangely…seductive when she said it. His face heated up slightly. "Uh, yeah."

She smiled brightly at him. "Kakashi Hatake!" Tackling him to the ground, she hugged him. "Thanks for finally telling me." The blush on his face came on full force. "Sure. Whatever."

Ignoring what he had said, she closed her eyes and softly sighed. "Kakashi…I like that name. It suits you pretty well." He looked at her somberly. "Really? It means scarecrow, you know."

She scowled at him. "You just ruined the moment, buddy." He looked at her in amusement. "I know." She gazed at him disbelievingly, then tackled him once more. "Why you--!"

He only laughed, and ran away from her fuming face as she chased him. "Get back here, Kakashi! You are so gonna pay for that!" Kakashi smiled widely. He should have told her his name earlier. It was nice finally hearing her say it…

Kagome looked at him with a concerned face. "You okay, Kakashi? You seem really out of it today." Her friend shook out of his thoughts. "No, I'm fine. Just…remembering."

She seemed to know what he was referring to. "Yeah…the past, huh? It was nice when we were kids." She stared at the hot cup of tea that was in her hands. "It was great back then…"

Kakashi watched her actions through narrowed eyes. It was great back then, huh? Yes, and if he remembered correctly the cause for that was…

"So, Kagome…" Rin addressed the girl. The raven haired girl looked at her warily. "Yes, Rin-chan?" Even though she was Kakashi's friend, Kagome couldn't help but be slightly cautious of the girl. For what reason, she didn't know exactly.

"Uh…" The brown haired girl plowed ahead. "How well do you know Kakashi-kun? I mean…" She stumbled over her words. Kagome raised en eyebrow. "What do you mean, Rin-chan?"

Rin gathered her courage. "I mean…it's just that I really, really like Kakashi-kun, and I was just wondering…do you like him too? I mean, you do hang around him a lot…"

Kagome's face fell slightly, but it was still very unnoticeable. "D-don't…" She struggled to make sure that she wouldn't stutter. "Don't be silly, Rin-chan. I mean, we're just friends. I…don't like him."

She turned her back towards the other girl. "I don't like Kakashi…I like…" She fumbled for a name; any boy's name. "I like Obito." She said quickly. "Please don't tell him."

Rin's face brightened considerably. "All right. That's a relief to me, Kagome." She was interrupted by a rustling in the bushes, and out of the foliage, Kakashi stepped out, his face emotionless. "C'mon, Rin. We have to meet Sensei at the appointed spot, remember?"

Rin gasped, and put her hands together in a position to perform the teleportation jutsu. "I'll meet you there, Kakashi!" He only nodded after her, and she disappeared with a 'poof'.

There was an extremely uncomfortable silence, and Kagome broke it. "Uh…you heard that entire conversation didn't you?" The masked Jonin nodded, no apparent emotion on his face. Kagome's resolve faltered slightly. "Oh. Yeah. I thought so…"

Another deep silence. "Please." She murmured. Kakashi interrupted her. "I know. Don't worry, I won't tell Obito. Your secret's safe with me." He turned away from her, performing the teleportation jutsu, and disappearing from her eyes.

The raven haired girl sighed. 'This is bad…' She combed a hand through her hair. 'I'm sorry, Kakashi, but I had to lie to Rin. I'd feel terrible if I interfered with a relationship that she wanted. So what if I do like you? I don't deserve you. It's better for you to never know…' Tears that had yet to drop from her eyes formed.

Regardless of her thoughts, she couldn't stop the tears from falling. 'I'm sorry, Kakashi…'

Kakashi had reached his desired destination quickly. 'So, she likes Obito, huh? Sure. Why not? It's only logical. I'm happy for them.' Walking to his team quickly, he put on a scowl of indifference.

"Come on, sensei. Let's get started with the training." During the entire afternoon, he had released his emotions out: pounding the tree's senseless and fighting his sensei hotheadedly.

Even Obito was scared of him after all that.

The masked Jonin glared at his food. She had been in love with his best friend. What was he supposed to do about it? The only answer to his problem was to keep being her friend. Pretending that the feelings weren't there, when they actually were.

"Happy Birthday!" Exclaimed Kagome's friend. The girl gasped in surprise. "Kakashi…it's beautiful…" He had handed her a box that held a necklace. The ribbon of the accessory was black, and held a blue teardrop gem that dangled in the center.

"I-I shouldn't take this…this is very valuable…" She observed the choker intently. "Don't give this to me. It's too good for me…" Kakashi frowned. "What are you saying? Of course you're good enough for this." He removed the necklace from it's place in the package, tying it gently around her neck.

Observing his handiwork, Kakashi smiled. "See? It suits you perfectly." It was true. The teardrop on the necklace accented her blue gray eyes quite nicely. She smiled faintly. "Thank you for saying that."

He brushed her hair out of her eyes. "I'm not just saying that. I mean it." He tapped her nose. "It suits your eyes." They reminded him of what he couldn't have…

Yes…her eyes were one of her overall best qualities. His lips curved upwards. So what if she had loved Obito? At least, now, she was back. Over the years, while she was gone, it had been hell without her…

'Kagome…' Picking up the gem that he had forgotten to return to the girl, he closed his fist around it. 'Why? You shouldn't have died…why?' His pain came back full force.

Lowering his forehead protector, his face darkened. 'I'm sorry about Obito too.' His eyes took on an ethereal sadness, one that would linger inside him for many years to come.

There was a scar where his eye used to be…before Obito had convinced Rin to transplant his Sharingan eye to Kakashi. 'Obito…you didn't have to give it to me.' Now he had something else to remind him of the dead…

After he had come back from the mission that had taken his friends' life; anguished, he had sought to go to Kagome for comfort. Instead of finding her there, he had found her parents, drunk and unconscious.

He had slapped the father awake. "Kagome is out by the battlefield looking for one of her friends." The drunken man had slurred, right before Kakashi, in his anger, threw the old man against the wall.

Running to the appointed place where she was supposed to be, he was greeted with the sight of chaos. Ninja were running around, many of them already injured. Looking up, Kakashi stifled a gasp. There was the fabled Nine-Tailed Fox Demon that was a menace to the world. With it's gleaming red fur, and haunting eyes, he could see why it was fabled…

The beast dipped it's head to the ground. The masked ninja watched his actions curiously, and gaped in horror as it picked up a young girl. But not just any girl…

"Kagome!" His one eye widened in horror as he saw her struggling to get free. Dashing off towards the creature's feet, he ran through the thick wood, brushing off countless branches and leaves; it seemed as though they were trying to stop him.

"Kakashi!" She screamed long and hard. Time seemed to slow down as she felt her body somehow…getting lighter. Her eyes closed, and her figure seemed to go limp inside the fox demon's mouth.

There was a large flash of light; and suddenly, her body vanished. Kakashi stared at the scene in a kind of horrified awe. "K-kagome…" There was a loud thud heard all over the forest.

Turning his head to see what was going on, the silver haired buy could see the Fourth Hokage riding a large brown toad, and holding a large looking scroll. "Sensei…" He murmured.

His teacher made a few quick hand signs, and suddenly, Kyuubi was enveloped in a bright light, too bright for Kakashi to see anything else. When his eyes had finally grown accustomed to the environment, he blinked and looked around.

Kyuubi was gone. So was the giant toad.

He punched the wall next to him. Later on, he learned that his sensei had died as well. Was there no end to the misery he had to face? His knuckles bled, but he paid them no mind. It was nothing compared to the pain he was feeling now.

'Kagome…' Her death was the event that had effected him the most. Did fate enjoy taking his happiness away from him? Did they enjoy toying with his life like that? If so, they had a sick sense of humor.

The funeral for everyone who had died during the battle was long. There were so many people who had lost their lives, trying to fight that demon. He looked to the memorial. Not once had Kagome's name been mentioned.

Kakashi's rage grew unbridled. She had died too. Why couldn't they have put her name in that stone…why…why…why! He sat through the entire event, filled with rage; staying there long after everyone else had left.

'Kagome…' His thoughts were centered around the girl for the longest time. Hearing footsteps behind him, Kakashi pretended not to acknowledge them; hoping that whoever was headed his way would just leave him alone.

"She was one of the most beautiful girls in soul. She had a pure heart, always there, always caring. All that surrounded her rejected her…but she was still willing to forgive; to forget. There will never be another person quite like her."

The silver haired ninja kept his head bowed from the preacher; the Third Hokage. "Yes…there will never be another like her at all." Kakashi murmured solemnly. His mask stifled the slight loneliness that radiated from his voice.

The two stood by the memorial for some time; listening to the forest come to life with sounds. Birds chirping, animals running, ninja training…Kakashi became oblivious to it all.

She had been the best thing that had ever happened in his miserable life, and then she was taken away from him. It was very devastating; he had only lived on to become a ninja. He still had loyalties to Kohonagakure.

Kagome snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Earth to Kakashi!" At his slight twitch, she frowned. "Okay, now I know something's wrong with you. I haven't been around you for so long, and I know it's not normal for you to do that."

He only grimaced. "No…I'm just focusing on the...finer points of the past." She gave him a look of understanding. "Oh. Right then…sorry." Kakashi gave her a small smile. "It's all right. But you know, I am wondering what happened to you all this time you weren't here."

"Oh." She perked up. "I was training with one of the coolest teachers ever. She taught me a lot of ninja skills!" Her friend raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He replied lazily.

She nodded. "Uh huh. She's cool. And super strong too…" As the girl went off into a reminisce, Naruto attempted to sneak up behind the two. Note the word attempted.

"Hey, Naruto." Kagome giggled at the blonde boy. The ramen obsessed ninja's face fell. "Aw, man! I was trying to sneak up on you guys…" Kakashi cleared his throat. "Never try to sneak up on Jonin. It won't end nicely for you."

Naruto seemed to take his words to heart. "Sure, whatever sensei. By the way, I just wanted to ask you guys; Kagome, will you stay with Kakashi-sensei while you're here?"

Kagome seemed startled at his question, and looked to her best friend. "So, can I stay at your house while I'm here?" Kakashi hid a grin; one that you wouldn't be able to see anyway, behind his blue mask. "Sure. We are friends after all."

She sighed in relief. "Great. Thanks Kakashi. You're one of the few people I could trust here." Naruto grinned at the news. 'Yes! Perfect time for some matchmaking! Sakura will probably want to help too.'

The party ended a few hours later, Kakashi walked Kagome to his house. "Things have changed drastically while you were gone." She twiddled her fingers together. Very cute… "Yeah, I had a feeling they would, Kakashi. Things don't always stay the same for long…"

Her face turned solemn for a moment. 'I learned that the hard way…' Kakashi's voice broke her thoughts. "Here it is." He fished for his keys in his pockets.

She waited patiently for him to open the door, and when he finally did, she stepped inside. It was very neat. Everything was in place, and tidy…nothing looked out of order. How Kakashi-like.

She expressed her thoughts. "So neat. How like you, Kakashi." Her friend laughed. "Yes, well. If my room is clean, then I don't have to worry about wasting time looking for things when I'm in a hurry."

Kagome nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so." She wandered through his house; taking in where each room was, and how to get there. Finally, she reached the bedroom. As soon as she found it, Kakashi appeared beside her. "Take the bed. I can sleep on the floor."

Scowling at him, she stubbornly replied. "No way. You're going to sleep in the bed with me. The floor is hard." She stomped the ground to prove her point. "And it will only cause you grief."

The silver haired Jonin relucantly agreed. If memory served him right, then she wasn't a very easy person to persuade. After all these years, she was still the same spunky Kagome from so long ago.

She changed clothes in the washroom, and lied down on the bed. Kakashi followed suit. "Good night, Kakashi." He responded back. "Goodnight." They both fell into a light sleep, due to many years of staying on guard, even while they slumbered.

But now, there was a slight difference. They were, for once for so long in their lives, comfortable.

Because they were together again.


Okay, that was a very long chapter. Please review me and tell me if you like the story! I'm open for suggestions right now, if everyone wants.