I do not own Inuyasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

A/N: So...I'm sorry, but not sorry. You'll find out why in future chapters ;-)

A Face without our Memories - Part 6

Inuyasha would've been much happier if he had slept through the entire show, but instead his mind ran amok with various scenarios of what could be happening inside.

What if this guy's like Koga and just steals her away from me? What if I can't find her again and she just disappears? I'd find her though. Kagome's cunning, she'd find a way to get free or let me know where she was. She wouldn't betray me like that. We still have jewel shards to search for.

Or what if he's like Shippou and trash talks me the whole time and she decides to leave me? Would she listen to a complete stranger? Probably not. She's more careful than that, and stubborn. I can definitely count on her.

What if this guy's like Miroku and she's not able to fend him off? Well, she always objected Miroku's advances. Wait, what if she doesn't want to fend him off? Fuck. I mean I may be a bit rough around the edges, but if this guy's my 'reincarnation' then he would never do anything like that.

Immediately, Inuyasha recalled a few times where he had let his desirous feelings for Kagome run wild. His face got hot just thinking about it and he sat up alarmed, knowing that something very well could happen.

To hell with that.

Inuyasha hopped down from the tree, completely unconcerned about the growing crowd of people exiting the building. He strode confidently over to the main entrance with his head held high and his hands balled into fists. How dare this guy think he had any claim on Kagome. He didn't care if it was selfish. He would forbid Kagome to see this guy again. Inuyasha moved against the flow of the crowd like a bulldozer, nothing could force him to back down.

Well, almost nothing. Inuyasha suddenly caught a glimpse of Kagome's face amongst the sea of people and stopped mid-stride. She would kill him if she saw him out in the open. Fearful of her rage, he ducked down in the crowd, pulled his hat as far down as it could go and turned tail back to the line of trees, hiding behind one of them. After waiting nervously for a solid ten minutes, he found a good opportunity to jump back up into the safe cover of the trees. From there he watched Kagome pace back and forth on the sidewalk, although he couldn't understand why she was still there. Hadn't she done what she said she had come to do? Inuyasha fidgeted while he continued to wait.

Finally Iesada emerged out of the building. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Kagome standing underneath one of the street lamps, tapping her shoe absentmindedly on the walkway. She had thought over everything she learned about Iesada while she waited for him to come out.

He had no siblings, but did have friends that cared about him. It seemed like he had gone through hardships in his life already, but was generally happy. He didn't currently have a girlfriend, but that didn't mean that she was destined to be that person. The fact that Inuyasha's reincarnation lived in her own time made her restless, but the undeniable pull she felt towards the half demon wouldn't wane. She knew that in her heart, there was only room for Inuyasha. Iesada must be fated to meet someone else. Maybe in this lifetime, he could be with someone more like Kikyo instead. But even though she thought that, she felt a slight pull from within her. Why did it have to be a constant competition between the two of them?

"Hey Kagome, I thought you left me cold for a second," he said, interrupting the young girl's thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye," she smiled, but quickly looked back at her feet, like the sidewalk had become the world's most interesting object to look at.

Iesada's smile faded, "Speaking of goodbyes, I'll be flying back to Brazil tomorrow. Did you want to exchange numbers or something?"

When she didn't answer, he walked up to her prompting her to look up at him out of politeness. She averted her eyes again before mumbling an unenthusiastic okay. Iesada recognized her withdrawn behavior, as a sign that she probably wouldn't call him, but slipped a small piece of paper into her hand anyway. "In case I don't see you again, I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you coming out tonight. It was fun spending time with you." Iesada squeezed her hand gently, making her look at him again.

How could this guy say such embarrassing things without flinching, Kagome wondered. Must come with age.

"Ya, me too." Kagome whispered back. It wasn't a complete lie, she had wanted to meet him, but her heart was urging her to return to Inuyasha's side.

Iesada took a step closer to her and the spying half demon choked down a growl. Inuyasha was fighting with every ounce of his being to respect her wishes, but damn did he want to jump in between them and drag her home.

Kagome released his hand, but held onto the small note he gave her. Iesada reached up and stroked the strands of dark raven hair draping over her shoulder. "I know you said you didn't have a boyfriend, but I get the feeling that your heart is already taken. So I wish you the best and don't forget about my advice," he said.

"Okay I won't," she grinned happily, not denying the fact that she was in love with Inuyasha.

And before she could react to his movements, Iesada leaned in and kissed her.

Whether from heartbreak or disbelief, Inuyasha lost his balance and tumbled out of the tree. He caught himself at the last minute and landed on his feet, but his whole world was still crashing down around him. His heart thumped erratically, his chest tightened and his feet led him away from what he wished he never saw. How could she? It felt like his very core was trying to rip itself away from him. Did she really want that guy instead of him?

"I know I should apologize, but I'm not sorry and you technically don't have a boyfriend," Iesada excused his stolen kiss.

Kagome's face was red and she didn't know what to say. He had definitely crossed a line, but she hadn't tried to stop him either.

He backed up giving her space again and when she still didn't say anything he apologized for real, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to offend you," he said with a bow.

Just above Iesada's head, Kagome saw a faint red blur fading into the distance. His name came out in a whisper, "Inuyasha." She didn't know how much he saw, but if the retreating vision of him was any clear indication, it was that he had seen enough.