Yay, another chapter! I'm on a writing roll this week :D ! This is probably my favorite chapter so far. You'll see why once you read it.

The Past Returns

"Thanks," I muttered as I took the steaming blue mug. I sipped the hot chocolate slowly as my mother sat down on the couch next to me.

Souta had found me in the well not too long after I had lost it. Somehow, the fifteen year old had had the strength to lift me up and bring me inside. Really, all I remember was sobbing harder when we got inside and I found out that the person I wanted to carry me wasn't doing so. Eventually, I had calmed down enough for Mom to help me into the flannel pajamas that I kept here in case of emergencies.

So here I sat, leaning against the arm of the couch in pajamas, drinking hot chocolate, with my mother next to me. I sniffed slightly and Mom handed me another tissue. I blew my nose rather noisily before tossing the tissue at the bin and taking another drink.

"Do you want to talk about it, sweetie?" Mom asked. I shrugged. I wasn't really in a talking mood. "Did something happen at work?"

I sighed. "Yes and no. It's just been a rough day." Mom nodded, silently understanding that I didn't want to talk about why I had been driven back to the well.

"Well, why don't you stay for dinner and then I'll drive you back to your apartment?" she asked with a smile. I nodded and smiled back.

"That sounds nice."

~xXx~

I woke up in my bed the next morning feeling rested and refreshed. Even though it was early, I felt like I had slept a full twelve hours. And my sleep had been dreamless, which was what I preferred to have. My dreams were just too full of memories for me to handle.

I got up and went to take a shower. I had an early, but short, shift at work and no classes which meant that I could come home, take a nap, and do completely mindless things for the rest of the day.

I dressed quickly and pulled my hair up into a high ponytail before going to the kitchen to find something for breakfast. After rummaging through my cabinets, I finally decided on a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese.

My shift started at nine and I was supposed to go until twelve. I didn't mind doing short shifts, although I preferred them on days when I had class, but I'm not one to complain.

The day started out slow. Just a few people wandering in wanting coffee or a bagel. Actually, that's pretty typical for a weekday morning; most people wait until Saturday or Sunday to come in for a big breakfast.

I was in a good mood and hummed as I work. I was well rested and yesterday's events were far from my mind. Around eleven the bell chimed and I instinctively looked up. My heart stopped and I instantly regretted looking at the door. It was the younger Taisho brother, the one who looked like Inuyasha on his human night, dressed in a red T-shirt and a pair of dark wash jeans. I saw him ask one of the waitresses something. She pointed and he headed straight for a booth in my section. My brain began spiraling downward.

Quickly, I regained my composure and went over to the table he was sitting at. "Good morning," I said with a smile. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have a coffee, black, and a chocolate iced doughnut," he said with that all too familiar smirk. It was almost like he was daring me to fuss at him for his choice of breakfast food.

"I'll have that right out," I said once I had written the ticket. I turned and went to grab the doughnut and a mug of coffee. I took it back to the table and set his order in front of him.

"Thanks," he said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"You're welcome," I replied. I turned around and started to walk away, but he called out to me. "What time do you get off? I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but I'd like to take such a nice girl out and treat her."

I contemplated not telling him. I really didn't know him and I wasn't sure if my heart could take the stress. Finally, I said, "Noon. But can I have the name of the guy I'm going out with?"

He smiled and stuck out his hand. "Kai Taisho."

I grabbed his hand and shook it. "Kagome Higurashi." As I turned to print his receipt, I could've sworn that I saw his eyes widen and brighten.

I took the receipt back and placed it on the table. Kai smiled and mumbled a thanks. I nodded and went back to the register. Since the early lunch rush was coming in, there was a bit of a line forming.

I worked the register for the last half hour of my shift. Kai came up to the register as my last customer. He handed me a twenty. "Do you need to grab anything before we leave?" he asked as I counted out the change.

"Just my purse," I said, closing the register. "Be right back." I went to the locker room, grabbed my purse, and headed out to meet him.

We walked out and he led me to a limo parked down the road. As we walked, I glanced at his wrist, too afraid to look at his all too familiar face. I noticed that on his left wrist he wore a stylish Armani watch, much too fancy for his jeans and T-shirt.

"Nice watch," I commented. He glanced at me and then at the watch.

"Thanks," he said. He didn't say anything more, so I didn't push the subject.

We reached the limo and Kai opened the door for me. "Ladies first," he said, smirking.

"Thanks," I said sliding in. He slid in beside me and shut the door. The limo started moving barely a moment later.

We sat in silence for a moment before Kai twitched, almost like he was nervous or on edge. I glanced at him, worried. I didn't know him that well, but it's in my nature to worry about people. With a few exceptions of course.

"You ok?" I asked as he twitched more.

"I can't do this," he mumbled. He reached for his watch and started messing with the clasp. "Gotta get this thing off."

"Here let me help," I said as he fumbled with the clasp. I reached for his wrist. He acted as if he wanted to resist me, but he gave in and let me handle the watch. He sighed softly as my fingers brushed against his skin, almost as if my touch relaxed him. I tried very hard not to blush as I undid the clasp.

Once I undid the clasp, I pulled the watch from his wrist. "Here you go," I said trying to hand it to him. Unfortunately, he wasn't paying attention to me. He had his eyes closed and was leaning back in his seat, smirking. "Kai, your watch." He raised a finger, silently telling me to hold on. I sat very still and waited.

I watched as Kai's body gave a pulse, then another. My eyes widened as he began to transform before my eyes. His long, black hair turned silver, his nails lengthened into claws, a fang began to poke out from under his top lip. My jaw dropped when I saw two silver, fuzzy triangles appear on top of his head. Then he sat up and turned to look at me with two golden eyes.

His brow furrowed when he saw my shocked expression. "Kagome?" he asked, his tone worried, tense. I felt tears burning my eyes.

Then it all came crashing down. Watch forgotten, I launched myself into his arms, sobbing my eyes out. "Inuyasha!" I cried, clutching the back of his shirt. I wasn't planning on letting go any time soon.

His arms wrapped around me gently and buried his face in my hair. "Kagome."

Yay, Inuyasha's back! So, what does this mean for Kagome? And what about the other Taisho brother? Is he really the guy he acts like? You'll just have to wait to find out, hehe. In the meantime, review please!