A/N: Woo! Out of school now! But the sad thing is the one day I have to go to school this week, I end up really sick with a fever. Trying to take a French test that you already can't read very well with a fever and a headache is not fun. Thankfully, I was out after that one test, so I got to go lie down for a while, until here I am.

I was suprised about how many people were getting afraid for Inuyasha's life in the first chapter. All I can say is, don't jump to conclusions too early. The story just started, after all! You'll see him soon enough.


Chapter 2: Birthday Dreams

You could say that everything really began on that day, the night before my sixteenth birthday, marking it one year since I had fallen down the well and met Inuyasha. We had just gotten back from a while traveling, and no one was really eager to start out again so soon without any clear evidence of where Naraku was.

Naraku was always eluding us…we would chase after him, but he was always one step ahead. At that time, he had most of the Shikon shards, with only a few left to gather; the one in Kohaku's back, the shards in Kouga's legs, and the one I carried. In the beginning, we had most of them, but overtime, Naraku had stolen ours one by one, eventually gaining an almost complete Shikon no Tama.

When considering the odds, I'm surprised that even now, we didn't give up hope. Most people would have, when confronted with an enemy that seems nearly impossible to beat. But we couldn't afford to give up; Naraku had destroyed too many lives, and had hurt every one of us. It didn't matter if we died, we'd continue going until the end.

Inuyasha was probably the most determined. For what Naraku did to him fifty years ago, and what he saw him do to our friends, Inuyasha had to kill him, no matter what. I knew he had always blamed himself for Kikyou's death, and the only way he thought he could lift the guilt was to defeat Naraku.

Every time he mentioned killing Naraku for Kikyou, I couldn't help but feel heartache. At that time, I was certain that he still loved her, and that there would be no place for me in his heart. I wasn't blind, I knew that despite how we both claimed we were 'just friends', we both felt something stronger.

But I never thought that he would choose me. He had loved Kikyou before; he had promised to go to Hell with her once this was over. He wanted to avenge her early death. He would always choose her over me, of that I was certain.

If only I could turn back the wheels of time, and let myself know how wrong I was…it would have ended much pain and suffering on my part.

Oh yes…I do wish that going back five years would be as easy as going back five hundred, but some things cannot be changed, no matter how much I wish they could…

From this day onward, little did I know, that my life would take such a different turn, and it would determine Inuyasha and my fates forever…


As they entered into the old miko's hut, they were met with an enthusiastic greeting. It seemed that everyone wanted to wish her a happy birthday as "Happy Birthday, Kagome-chan!" "Yay, Kagome!" "Congratulations on your birthday, Kagome-sama." And "A very happy birthday, child." chorused throughout the hut.

A bright smile blossomed on Kagome's face. "Thank you, everyone!" she replied, feeling glad that they all had seemed to remember despite her telling them only once before.

Though, it didn't escape her notice that they were all glaring at Inuyasha for some reason. When she turned to look at him as well, the reason was revealed when he turned away, folding his arms…yet still had a tiny blush on his face. "Happy Birthday, whatever," he muttered in the smallest possible voice.

As they both walked into the hut, and were met with the chatter of their friends, Kagome couldn't help but keep her eyes on the hanyou, a small smirk on her face with the realization that the blush was still there.


Though Sango and Miroku told Inuyasha and I on several occasions that we were both blind to the obvious, I, at least, already had somewhat of a hint to his feelings. I wasn't stupid, and through his actions, I could tell, that he thought of me closer than a friend.

The question was, how close? I knew that he was once in love with Kikyou, and ever since I came into the picture, things had become complicated for him. I didn't like causing Inuyasha anxiety, but until he finally made his decision between us, things would be hard for him.

Of course, now that I think back upon it, it must have been an extremely hard decision for him, to choose between the woman he felt guilty over letting her die, or another, new woman in his life. With me, I loved him and him only, and I had given him plenty of hints to pick up on. He must have had some idea as to how I felt, given by his actions, but he never said anything until…

Well, now I'm getting ahead of myself, but, rest assured, I knew, and that knowledge was enough to keep me from screaming in girlish frustration each night.


The meal, though simple, seemed to have been spruced up a bit in Kagome's honor. Instead of the usual fish stew, there was stew, but there were also rice balls, and even simply made sushi. And also in her honor, she was given the first pick of the meal.

Kagome thanked them for their meal and, ever modest, assured them they did not need to do this, but she was quickly hushed up by Sango, who told her they did. Birthday greetings were given to her several times, most were off-color comments made by Miroku, who was quickly silenced by the hanyou and the exterminator.

Though it wasn't the biggest birthday party she had ever had, Kagome couldn't help but like it a lot more. Though she lived in a different time, these were her friends, drawn closer through all the adventures they had over the year. After all, it wasn't just a celebration of her birthday, but also the anniversary of her falling down the well and awakening Inuyasha, a year since they had become friends and their lives had been changed forever.

But even through all the hardship and suffering they had experienced, they still had time to relax and be happy together. Kagome knew that if she had a choice between returning to her old life and living like this forever, she would definitely choose this.

Soon, however, it was late, and she knew she had to go back before nightfall since she started at her new school the next day. Amazingly, she had graduated her old middle school and was proceeding on to the tenth grade. Although, she would have to be in school more often because it was a higher grade, she would still have plenty of days to be in the Sengoku Jidai and "save the world" as her grandfather put it. After all, without him convincing the school she was often ill, she wouldn't have been able to get all those extra sick days.

"Goodbye everyone, I'll see you in a few days!" she told them cheerfully, and they bid her goodbye, and told her to come back soon, (Miroku made quite a profound statement about missing her gentle figure before he was clobbered by the angry hanyou.) promising to wait in the village until her return. Inuyasha followed her out of the hut and to the well while she carried her trademark overstuffed backpack, neither of them speaking on the trek to the dry well.

Whenever she was alone with Inuyasha like this, Kagome always felt nervous. After all, she did love him with all her heart and all her soul, but with the added knowledge that he felt something for her…she couldn't help but fantasize silly things that would never happen…though the image of him just grabbing her and kissing her until her head spun was an image she was particularly fond of replaying over and over in her head.

Finally, Inuyasha decided to spark some conversation. "So…it's your birthday tomorrow."

Kagome gave him a sideways glance, raising her eyebrows. "Yes, Inuyasha. I thought you knew that."

Trying to repair his statement hastily, Inuyasha spoke, "No, I mean…what I meant to say is…it's your birthday tomorrow right?"

Why is he so nervous? She sighed, deciding to go along with whatever he wanted. "Yes, Inuyasha. But I have to go to school tomorrow."

"Right," he grunted, looking away determinedly. "So…I thought…maybe I'll come and see you tomorrow."

Whatever skepticism she had vanished instantly as her brown eyes began to sparkle. She stopped walking immediately, her mouth set in an almost disbelieving smile. "You'll really come?"

Inuyasha stopped as well, glancing at her out of the corner of his amber eyes. He had been with her for a year, and knew that the right words in the right order could gain a reaction like that from her. He quickly memorized what he had just said for further reference, just in case, of course. However, if she began doing that awful squealing thing that girls tended to do that hurt his ears, he would have to draw the line.

"Well…yeah, I suppose so," he answered, her eyes lighting up even further as they continued on and the well came in sight.

As he turned back to her, Inuyasha realized he had never quite noticed how much he liked her smiles. Sure, he liked them, but seeing her all cheery and starry-eyed…he really liked that. Maybe it was because when he mostly saw Kagome, she was usually glaring at him or saying the s-i-t word, or maybe it was just because her smiles made him feel like he did something right for once…he didn't know, but there was something about her smiling like that that made him want to see her smile like that again…and often.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," she murmured, before turning around and approaching the well, the silver haired hanyou watching her every move. She threw her backpack into the bottom and put one leg over, her arms supporting her. Just before she fell in she looked back at him, the smile still on her face, before she let go and plunged into the depths of the timestream.

When she was gone, Inuyasha turned away, shaking his head. "Women…" he muttered.


Though Inuyasha hadn't exactly professed love or anything like that, hearing him say he'd come visit for my birthday was sweet…very uncharacteristically sweet, that is. He wasn't what you would call a romantic, but anything nice that he did had me falling head over heels for him all over again.

It's a wonder he didn't connect all the dots on how I felt much sooner. After all, I think I was pretty obvious. Everyone else knew it…But then again, he was pretty obvious as well, and I only saw what was on the surface, the deeper emotions he tried to keep hidden were hidden from me, but not from anyone else…

Well, they do say that love makes us fools…


"Happy birthday Kagome-chan!" Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi yelled out as soon as they saw her on the steps of the high school. Kagome noted from the first time she saw it that it was larger than her middle school, and seeing people in different uniforms was quite a shock. Instead of their green uniforms, these ones were of a blue hue, with a longer skirt that was not pleated and went down to just above their knees, a lot more modest. The top was a blouse then covered by a blue vest of the same hue as the skirt, and topped by a red ribbon.

It seemed a lot more restricting than the middle school uniform, and Kagome made a mental note to pack her old outfit when she went to the Sengoku Jidai so she wouldn't have trouble drawing a bow like she usually did in the tight vest.

As her friends ran up to her, they pushed wrapped presents into her arms. No doubt inside was some stuffed animal or some manga, a present that probably didn't cost more than their allowance. It didn't matter, she appreciated it all the same.

"So, sixteen now, huh?" Eri asked, with a grin.

Kagome smiled back. "Yep. Finally sixteen."

Ayumi, the hopeless romantic, held a starry look in her eyes. "But you know what it means when your sixteen, Kagome-chan?"

Pausing, Kagome absent-mindedly looked up at the sky while trying to think. "Um…that if we lived in America we could drive?"

"Well, that's true…but here in Japan, that means you can get married!"

Kagome didn't seem to be as excited about this information as Ayumi did. They began walking into the concrete building, while Kagome replied, "So?"

Yuka, however, picked up on what Ayumi was getting at. She grinned while nudging the present-laden Kagome into the arm with her elbow. "Come on, Kagome-chan! You know, you and you're boyfriend have been into each other for a year."

Kagome raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Are you saying that I should go haul him off in front of an altar today, Yuka-chan?"

"What she's saying is now that you're sixteen, you've got the opportunity, Kagome-chan," Eri replied with a wink. "After all, if things get pretty serious between you, who knows? Wedding bells could ring!" While saying that, she did a little twirl in her spot in the crowded hallway.

They reached their homeroom and sat down in their desks, each leaning over to Kagome with grins on their faces as they began thinking of her 'wedding'. Kagome, on the other hand, was trying her best to convince them that no such thing would take place. "Listen guys, my boyfriend and I have only been into each other for a year. Besides, we're not that much into each other…And he's still a bit hung up on his ex."

That certainly deflated the merry air that had been there a second ago. "He's…still hung up on her?" Yuka asked, disbelievingly.

"Yes." sighed Kagome, looking depressedly out the classroom window. "That's just it. He's probably never going to get over her as long as he feels guilty about…some bad things that happened to her. I've just gotten used to knowing that."

"Kagome-chan!" exclaimed Eri, slamming her hands down on Kagome's desk. "Why are you still going out with him if he can't stay faithful to you?"

"Because," she explained, looking out towards the view of Tokyo, with all its modern buildings, and then, far in the distance, to Mt. Fuji among the sea of steel. "It doesn't matter how he treats me…I'm still too much in love with him to let go too soon."


"I'm home, Mama!" Kagome yelled through the house as she shut the door, taking a small stretch and noticing that the tight blue vest didn't allow her arms to go that high above her head before setting down her yellow backpack.

"Welcome home dear!" her mother peeked her head out from the kitchen, wearing a smile on her face. "You're back late."

"Yuka-chan, Eri-chan, and Ayumi-chan and I decided to go to WacDonalds to celebrate my birthday, Mama," Kagome replied at once.

Her mother answered, "I hope you had a good time. And there's someone here to see you. In the family room." A mysterious smile was on her face as Mrs. Higurashi retreated back to the kitchen, leaving her daughter dumbfounded.

"Someone here to see me?" she wondered, walking slowly and glancing into the living room. Who she saw suddenly made the rest of the day seem a whole lot brighter. "Inuyasha!"

The hanyou's eyes went slightly wider at seeing her in the new outfit after being used to her in the green one, but then he just shrugged, accepting it. Kagome ran up to him, smiling,and she noticed he also hada small grin on his face as well. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged, trying to make it seem like not that much of a deal. "I came to get you early, I suppose."

"Early?" she asked, her smile fading. "But I told you I'd be back tomorrow. Can't you wait that long to go off in search of Naraku?"

The hanyou turned away with a sour look on his face. That comment had stung. "Whatever," he muttered, "But we're going back tomorrow, got that woman?"

Sighing while rolling her eyes, Kagome replied, "Yeah, I got it…"


I never quite understood why he always needed me to come back so soon, after all. I understood why we needed to fight Naraku, but he seemed to want me fighting there all the time, only allowing me back if I threatened to sit him.

In the beginning, I thought it had been because I was his precious "jewel finder", and, to some degree, I still thought that was the only reason he wanted me back. Since he was usually so concerned about me and asserted that my era was safer, it didn't make sense that he would want me to go back to his dangerous time so quickly.

But as time went on, I came to see that he didn't want me back just because I was his shard finder, though he would never say it out loud, I was just beginning to see that he had a genuine need for me. After all, he had told me that he wanted me to stay with him, and had never said a word against it when I told him I wanted to stay with him as well.

And of course, I heard the reports from Sango-chan, Miroku-sama or Shippou-chan of how he acted when I wasn't there…sometimes, it even made me wish that I could spy upon this without him recognizing my scent, since it sounded so funny.

And though I was rather annoyed when he would literally drag me away from my family to shove me back down the well, I couldn't help but go back without complaint. It was another instance when Inuyasha (unintentionally) showed some of his feelings for me, and being the age I was, I couldn't help but secretly revel in it.


"Kagome! Inuyasha-kun!" Kagome's mother called from the kitchen. "Dinner is on the table!"

Being the large stomached hanyou he was, Inuyasha immediately bounded for the kitchen, no doubt hoping it would be a course full of ramen noodles. Kagome's smile appeared back on her face as she rolled her eyes and shook her head, following him into the kitchen.

Her family chanted, "Happy Birthday, Kagome!" as she walked through the door, holding a cake which Inuyasha was eyeing greedily. She couldn't help but give a small laugh as she came to sit with them (once again realizing how hard it was to maneuver in a tighter, non-pleated skirt), amazed that they were able to set up this surprise for her.

Though, since she was hardly ever home, perhaps it wasn't so surprising after all.

"Make a wish, Nee-chan!" Souta encouraged her as she sat down, looking at the sixteen candles arranged on the cake.

Kagome's eyes went to the ceiling, as if trying to decide what her wish would be, but she already knew. Her eyes settled back down on the hanyou, watching him as he noticed the gaze she held on him, looking rather confused, before she glanced back down at the lit candles.

After a small hesitation, Kagome blew out the small flames, hearing claps from her family when all sixteen lights went out. A small grin was on her face as they began digging into their dinner and cake (or in Inuyasha's case, dinner, ramen, and cake at the same time) while she thought, Well, I'll have to see if that wish comes true after all…

Pleasant conversation was made while they ate. "Kagome, are you going back tomorrow?" her mother asked.

Kagome nodded. "Yes, Mama. Until everything is set right, I have to keep going back."

"Inu no Nii-chan, do you really have to go?" Souta asked, looking up at the hanyou in adoration. "It's fun when you're around!"

"Too bad, kid," Inuyasha replied, still focusing on nearly inhaling the ramen from the styrofoam cup. "I can't hang around here for too long these days." He never really minded Kagome's little brother…he was a different contrast from Shippou, at least. While the kitsune would always complain and yell at him, Souta looked up to Inuyasha as a hero. Though it was a little annoying, having a little kid fawn over him like that didn't bother him too much.

Kagome's grandfather gave a tragic sigh. "Now what will I say? I ran out of diseases, viruses, and bacterial infections a while ago?"

"Jii-chan…" Kagome pleaded with her grandfather, while the old man racked his brains for yet another excuse to get Kagome out of school.

"Do you know when you will be back, Kagome?" her mother asked her, looking a bit worried.

Her daughter shrugged. "I don't know, Mama. It depends upon when we are back in the village."

Sighing, Mrs. Higurashi admitted to her daughter, with a sad look in her eyes. "I worry about you, Kagome. When you're over there…I can't help it. I'm a mother, after all." she explained with a small smile.

Kagome smiled softly back. "Don't worry Mama. After all…" she glanced back at the hanyou now digging into to the rice balls. "I have Inuyasha to protect me."

Her mother's smile softened. "Yes, I guess you do."


I suppose Mama already knew about Inuyasha and I…she always was glancing at both of us and smiling. When we finally announced we were together, she didn't seem at all surprised…I think she knew from even the beginning.

She certainly knew the way I felt about him, at least. She had come home the day I discovered I was in love with him, and helped me through those powerful feelings. And whenever I would come home crying, she was always there, comforting me.

When I think of Mama now, I always think of her as the silent matchmaker between us, always watching, and giving advice, hoping that one day we'd finally stop being so stupid and see what was right in front of our faces…


Kagome smiled up at the hanyou as she finished packing her bag to go back to the Sengoku Jidai, now dressed in yellow pajamas. "All done!" she told him triumphantly, closing the flap on her overstuffed yellow backpack.

The hanyou, who was sitting next to her, however, didn't look at all happy about it, despite how many times he told her to hurry up and pack. He looked…slightly nervous? He didn't want to look at her, and kept fidgeting…As always with him, the more inconspicuous he tried to look, the more he revealed something was up.

"Inuyasha, what is it?" Kagome asked, as the hanyou glanced at her with a glance that clearly said, 'how did you find out?' in a panicked tone.

He didn't answer, but she could see the struggle in his eyes. What was up with him? He usually wasn't this nervous around her. Finally, after what seemed and eternity of Inuyasha trying to decide whether to ignore her question or to just go for it, he answered, "It's your birthday."

Kagome nodded, rolling her eyes at the same time. "Yes, Inuyasha, it's my birthday."

"So I…" the hanyou gulped, obviously very nervous and trying to do this right. "I have…a present…for you."

Her eyes lit up at the mention of his words, despite the fact that he wasn't even looking at her with a sour look on his face. "Really Inuyasha? You have a present for me?"

At her reaction, his nervousness seemed to vanish a bit, and he began to wonder why he had originally been afraid in the first place. He reached into the sleeve of his haori and pulled out something in his palm, and when he opened it, Kagome's eyes went wide and she gave a small gasp.

"Inuyasha…" she whispered. He held out to her what appeared to be a small, fan shaped, seashell on a thin cord. "This is…" Slowly, Kagome reached her hand out and grasped for it, looking from the necklace back to Inuyasha's face.

The hanyou had a small blush on his cheeks as he turned away. "I thought you might like it…you know…" he muttered, folding his arms, clearing embarrassed.

"I love it," Kagome smiled, tying it around her neck as she spoke. She took the shell in her hand, rubbing her fingers over it, noting how smooth it was. "But Inuyasha…a necklace?" she glanced back up at him, raising an eyebrow.

"I found the shell a while ago." Inuyasha's worries began to disappear, replaced with what appeared to be a pre-written speech. "I hop—thought you might like it…and besides, you gave me a necklace, didn't you?" He turned back to her, tugging on the kotodoma rosary. "Thought I might return the favor, woman."

Kagome couldn't help but grin. It was so…uncharacteristically sweet of him to do this, and yet, if he put it that way, it seemed perfectly natural. "Yeah, but this one isn't charmed, is it?"

The hanyou gave a "Keh! If only that withered hag would let me put a restraining spell on you, then see how you like it whenever you get me mad."

After a small laugh, she glanced at him and, to his surprise, suddenly wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Inuyasha immediately stiffened, stunned by her behavior. "Thank you, Inuyasha," she murmured, unable to keep the smile on her face.

But by the look on her face, and knowing the satisfaction that he had put it there, the hanyou smiled back, and returned the hug. "You're welcome, Kagome."

And, looking back, Kagome's grin grew wider, knowing that this was the best birthday she had ever had.