A/N: For once I'm not writing Inuyasha to be a villain. Surprise! (^_^)

Disclaimer: I ownz it all... I wish. Not mine.

Taking her time. There'd never been such an extravagance granted to her in the past. And yet here she was dallying with Kaoru. She'd tapped on the window and made the driver pull over so they could walk. A natural habit when she was thinking. She couldn't stand long durations stuck in a moving contraption anymore. Not when the crisp air tickled her nose so pleasantly. They cut paths through the park where Kaoru was able to see a bunch of spitfire kids running around and having cheap fun. It was a different setting from his childhood. His childhood had consisted of his parents leaving every other week and him being taken out by the maid with Hikaru to a prestigious park with prim flowers and well maintained playgrounds. Here, children had their parents nearby to run to for booboos. They learned to rely on themselves and at the same time run to their parents for help. The playground was rusted from well loved age. No flowers of any kind to be trampled on. Strictly grass and trees.

They walked over to the swings and Kagome sat in one while reaching over to jangle the chain on the other. He slumped onto it and watched as she began rocking her legs back and forth for momentum. Long toned limbs swung in the air with her hair trailing behind and the happiest face he'd seen to date.

Beautiful seemed too simple of a word. Lovely and sweet. Smart and brave.

Everything he could possible want in a girl.

Except…

She didn't love him.

And Kaoru had known all along that Kagome had started this date out as revenge for a wounded heart. It was a cheap shot, but he'd taken what he could get. But it was no longer revenge. She'd treated this date like any other date and he was positive that she was aware this was his first. It had lived beyond his expectations.

He wished Hikaru were there so he could talk to him, but sometimes you had to grow up. And Kaoru was the twin who was the more mature one ready to accept his individuality. He reached out and caught her swing, bringing it to slow down. It was his turn to take the lead no matter how hard it may hurt.

"Kyoya's probably really steamed at us." She shrugged her shoulders and signed slowly to say this was their date, not a date with Kyoya.

Was being rejected like ripping off a bandage? If you ripped it off fast would you not hurt as bad?

"You love him don't you?" She froze up unable to answer. "Dammit!" A half-hearted chuckle. "Why do Hikaru and I always pick the ones who are already in love?" Kagome shook her head and signed to Kaoru. "What do you mean Haruhi doesn't love the boss? It's obvious he likes her."

Kagome rolled her eyes and signed so fast that he snagged her notepad and forced it into her hands. She jotted down her thoughts and handed it to him to read aloud. "That doesn't mean she likes him." He'd never contemplated that liking someone didn't always end up in them not liking you back until today. Then again, he'd never been on the receiving end of not being liked back. Maybe this was karma getting him back for those mean tricks he and Hikaru had played on girls who confessed to them.

But he hadn't seen any hints about Haruhi liking someone. He'd been too busy noticing the blatant signs of affection from Tamaki. "Do you know who Haruhi likes?"

Kagome nodded. There were very few people that Haruhi actually let get in her personal space. "Who?"

She put a finger to her lips. "I'll keep it a secret, Kagome." She signed again. "Even from Hikaru? Why?" She glared. Prying a secret from a mute priestess with a sense of loyalty was a hard thing to do. "Fine, I'll do it. Who?"

With a smug look Kagome said, "He-kah-ru."

He jumped, making his swing jostle. "What? No she doesn't!" Kagome smiled all knowingly. Haruhi never let Kyoya close. She always batted away Tamaki defensively. Mori wasn't at all close to her and Honey was only allowed near her because of his behavior. Even at times with Honey she'd seen Haruhi's eye twitch in aggravation. "How do you know that?"

But it had never happened for Hikaru, the touchier of the twins. Being mute had its benefits. When Haruhi did bat the twins away… she always saved Hikaru for last.

Kagome scribbled down one explanation. "Wait! You know that she offered me advice?" Pssh. The girl grapevine was strong even if Kagome couldn't speak a lot. Haruhi had alerted her of a date with Kaoru a mile away. "And you're saying she offered advice because she knew Hikaru was listening?"

Kagome signed 'Exactly'.

"Why?"

She wrote more on the notepad and he peeked over her shoulder. "To get him to start thinking about dating." Well, he couldn't refute that Haruhi wasn't smart enough to come up with something like that. "No way. She's not that manipulative." Kagome raised a brow. Just because Haruhi couldn't be evil didn't mean she wasn't a girl with her own hidden agenda. "Besides, if you knew I was going to ask you out, why'd you say yes if you don't like me like that?"

Her scribbled answer just left more questions.

I thought I loved someone else when I fell for Miroku.

A name to the nameless guy who'd died and taught her to play music. "Is it too much to hope for another date?" She shook her head no. However, Kaoru could read between the lines. "There's a but in there, isn't there?"

"Yes," she murmured. She held up bold words for him to read.

I won't date when I'm already seeing someone.

She'd never been seeing Inuyasha, so there'd been a chance for Miroku to tarry to her side and try his hand at courtship.

"He's engaged!"

He doesn't love her.

"And he loves you? Funny way of showing it!" Kagome slumped in her seat and Kaoru realized that had been a low blow. "I'm sorry! That wasn't nice…" He scrambled for something to say since he couldn't take his words back. "If it helps… if Kyoya is possible of loving anyone I'm sure its you. You're the only one he's let in." And then the light bulb flickered in his head. "If Kyoya hadn't acted on his feelings, would you have fallen for me?"

'Who knows?' Honestly… she knew what Shippo had said was right. Her and Kyoya fit. She probably wouldn't have fallen for Kaoru because something just drew her to Kyoya.

She turned Kaoru's chin back towards her. It was aggravating always having to rely on writing when trying to have a serious discussion with someone who needed talking to.

Date around. You don't know who you will find.

She needed Kaoru to learn the easy way, not the hard way. She needed him to open up to others and not drag his feet. Kagome continued to scribble on the notepad.

But never be scared of being alone.

She'd never feared it.

Death was an everyday occurrence she hadn't been scared of because she'd known if it caught up to her she'd be in good company.

Never be scared of that.

She'd wanted to go with Miroku in those last seconds.

Be sucked up alongside him in death.

But it was one journey Miroku wouldn't let her take with him.

He'd shaken her off. Saving her life and Shippo's by sacrificing his.

At the end, we're all alone.

And she loved and hated that damned monk for it.

Sesshomaru, Sango, and little Kagome descended from the cloud. He raised a finger to his lips to quiet his rambunctious daughter. The adrenaline bouncing from her mom was enough to get excited. Sango set their little girl down.

They peered around the grocery store and watched Kagome and Kaoru bounce up the stairs. Sango gripped the wall and leaned against it. Her eyes lovingly traced a long lost sister figure she hadn't seen in half a millennia. "It's really her, Sesh." Sango went to step forward, but a stern grip on her shoulder reined her back. Sesshomaru hated refusing his mate, especially this one thing, but it couldn't be helped. They needed to visit Kagome as a family.

"I understand," she agreed, leaning against her silent husband. Even after five hundred years his words were sparse, but they didn't need to speak when they already understood each other. Her vision had improved over five hundred years, not as great as a demon's, but stronger than a human's. Sango spotted the Ouran High School bag that Kagome toted.

"Inuyasha will want to see her," he stated.

"Mommy, is that really your friend?"

Sango nodded down at her daughter while wiping at happy tears. "She's the Shikon Miko."

"Really! I knew she was special as soon as I sniffed her." An antsy little girl with spunk to explore like Sango began to tug at her mother's shirt. "Mommy, when can we see her?"

"Tomorrow Kaggy," answered Sesshomaru. He showed his softer nature to pack only. Sesshomaru lifted his daughter from the ground and bumped noses with her. She tugged on his bangs with a little growl of affection. His free arm tugged Sango to them when he caught the smell of salt water. "Mate, you're distressed?"

She nodded and Sesshomaru nuzzled her while Kagome wrapped her arms around both of their necks. "It's just. We weren't there for her when she came home. Her or Shippo." She murmured against her strong husband's chest. "We had so little faith that they lived…"

"None of us saw them, Sango." He reaffirmed knowing her uneasy feelings. Even he'd thought the worst. "Their scent disappeared with his. It was too coincidental not to believe."

She burrowed her head against his chest. "I know, but I feel so horrible. All this time…"

"You have the rest of her life to be forgiven," he assured his mate. His words soothed her and she sagged against him. Sango cast a wistful look at Kagome who was moving her hands signing to Kaoru as they marched up the steps. Kaoru had a light laughed and she smiled back at him. It was nice to see Kagome smiling, though it was disheartening that Miroku wasn't the one walking by her side with jangling staff in hand.

The brooding aura alerted her of his presence far before the store bells rang. "I knew I'd forgotten something," Rin exclaimed. On this god awful day he'd stopped by the sweet shop to harass her.

"Indeed, Mrs. Taisho. Though it's perfectly fine-"

"Yada yada, I know you're irritated, Kyoya," Rin replied, reaching under the cash register to pull out his wallet. "I was raised by someone like you, trust me. You're an open book." He deftly caught the wallet she'd tossed. How could someone so rich act so… indifferent? She was careless and kind of reminded him of Kagome. Thinking of Kagome he became even more furious. He wished he was tagging along that date, but of course he had no idea where they were so this was a moot point.

However, he did have cash.

And cash couldn't be traced.

And pastry stores accepted cash.

And this one delivered.

At once Kyoya set down his school bag and was scouting the pastries and sweets. "Planning on getting your girlfriend something?"

"Yes," he answered.

He looked like he'd just traveled through hell. Then again, hailing a cab in 5 o'clock traffic was a force to be reckoned with.

He'd never known it was possible until today, but Kyoya was certain he was going through Kagome withdrawals.

"You in the dog house?"

His eyes jumped up to her. "How do you-"

"You look like you want to buy me out of the store." She placed a new batch of iced cookies behind the glass and leaned her elbows on the counter. "Wanna talk 'bout it?"

"It's complicated," he stated. He actually did need some advice on women and sadly he didn't have anyone to turn to. The only logical choice was his sister, Fuyumi, but her own quest for happiness hadn't really been that great. An arranged marriage much like what he was stuck in. She'd went through with it at the pressure of their father. Oh hell. He should've called Fuyumi! She was the perfect choice to talk to. But he wanted someone who had a happy life. "Complicated is a mild understatement." What was there to risk in letting this eccentric stranger know?

She snorted. "I've heard that one before. Why don't you just go and tell her you're sorry?"

"My father forbids it." It couldn't hurt asking for advice. As far as he knew the Taisho family was one of the happiest. Then again, they purposefully stayed out of the media. His family did everything they could to get into the spotlight.

"Ah, so that's why she's mad?" There were so many reasons Kagome should be mad and it was all explained in that damned note. His grimace turned sour. Rin had centuries getting used to noticing the barest of fraction in emotions from the man who'd raised her. "There's more?"

"I'm the third son, Kyoya Ootori. Surely, you've heard." His father had attended quite a number of events this week for the news to spread like wild fire among the rich. First rate fodder for gossip.

"You have an arranged marriage!" She pounded her fist in her hand. "That's right! I did hear it at a party last Wednesday." And then her face went wide eyed. "Oh my!"

"Harsh," commented Inuyasha, coming through the back. He'd just recently heard things with his pricy sound blocking headphones now hanging around his neck. "Sounds like you need the one-knee approach."

What was that slang for? "One-knee approach?"

"Bend down and be prepared to kiss her ass." Crass as one of the Hitachinn twins.

Rin swatted his arm. "Yasha!" He ducked out of range when she went to bop him in the head. "Don't forget you've got to pick up the twins from Totosai's."

"Feh, the brats love the old geezer."

Kyoya's hand slipped and he had to catch himself from toppling and hitting his head on the glass. A click had happened, catching with stored information and he felt awed that it could even be possible.

Totosai had been a name in one of the scrolls.

Not Yasha… but Inuyasha, now that had littered the old scripts.

But this guy had dark black hair hanging down his back in a low ponytail. Not white. There were no fuzzy ears.

Despite all of that, Kyoya still needed it confirmed. "How is your father… I'm sorry but I forgot his name?"

That was a surprise for an Ootori to forget the name of someone with more money than them. Normally the Ootori family was knee deep in dirt trying to attach themselves to anyone above their own wealth. Such was the reason Sesshomaru stayed clear away from the Ootori's. Conniving humans, Rin remembered him once calling them.

Inuyasha had never been quick to catch on; in fact, he'd been tuned out listening to his music when this kid introduced himself as an Ootori so he hadn't heard anything until he'd taken off his head set in time to catch the arranged marriage bit. "Oy. You guys talkin' 'bout Sesshomaru?"

She elbowed her husband. "Maru Taisho. My father and your long distance cousin." They'd tried to keep close to the truth, but these humans would've balked at the scandal of Sesshomaru's 'adopted daughter' marrying his brother. Of course, the years in age and the species was unknown to the idiots who didn't believe in their own fables anymore. In this time period she was Sesshomaru and Sango's adopted daughter because they'd "had trouble conceiving" and far later had little Kagome.

Kyoya took a step back and couldn't stop staring.

He'd found them.

Kagome's lost friends.

Rin looked away from her husband to glance worriedly at their customer. "Kyoya, you okay?" A motherly hand rose up as she leaned over the counter. "You feeling sick or something?" She was going to check his forehead, but he shook his head.

"That girl that came in the other day with me…" He began.

"Your girlfriend?"

"Yes, my girlfriend." Would they forget her? As if they could, he answered. Kagome left too much of an impression on people. "She's mute."

He waited to gauge their reactions. But like the scrolls said, there was nothing mentioned about her being mute and so they knew nothing. Not even a look of surprise or possible consideration over this news. "That's too bad," murmured Rin. "Was she born that way?"

"No, Kagome Higurashi was most certainly not born mute."

Inuyasha dropped the tray sending sweets scattering. This time Kyoya was the one being heavily eye-balled.

"I'm sorry but-"

"What didchu just say?" Inuyasha quickly cut in, moving away from the trashed tray of broken cookies on the floor to get closer to the bar.

And so Kyoya relinquished what facts he knew in a way that if these people weren't who he thought they were, highly unlikely by his estimates, then they wouldn't be the wiser. "Kagome Higurashi wasn't born mute. She was raised at Higurashi Shrine perfectly able." Each name was a fact and he watched their faces. For some of the story he knew more about than they did, thanks to Souta. "Kagome became mute after Kikyou hurt her." Inuyasha flinched and Rin's face went pale. "Her husband, Miroku, died saving her and her son, Shippo." And Inuyasha ripped off his hat and hopped over the counter in a move quicker than Kyoya had seen any man perform.

He was at the door before Kyoya could blink.

"Inuyasha! Where are you going?!"

"Kagome's alive," he said pointedly.

"Inuyasha you shouldn't! We've got to wait to tell dad and Sango-"

"Actually, I have a delivery that I was hoping you'd give her for me. I'm restricted from talking to her and-"

"Say no more. I'll deliver it." Inuyasha thumbed at himself and rounded on Kyoya. He gruffly strolled over to stand beside Kyoya and gave his wife the look. It was the look he got when he was determined to do something no matter how stupid it might possibly be.

"You really shouldn't," she chided.

"I just want a glimpse," he begged his wife like a puppy pawing at the door to get out. "She's my best friend, Rin."

For a long moment she stared at Inuyasha's equivalent of large-incredibly-hard-to-refuse puppy eyes before her shoulders sagged in defeat. "Okay, special order right up. Completely free." She brightened at the prospect of doing something for the woman she'd seen as an older sister. "What do you want?"

"Kagome likes caramels." Kyoya was pointing out her favorites. "And those sugar cookies." They were shaped like stars and it reminded him of the night of their first shared kiss. "And Shippo will want something as well. He eats anything."

"That's a fact," snorted Inuyasha with a bounce in his step.

Kyoya went to his book bag and fetched out his notebook. One door had closed. Another had opened. This was his chance to speak to Kagome. He would use this place to speak to her, hell, maybe even visit her. He hastily began re-working on something that he'd actually begun toying with when he was plagued with thoughts of her. Which was every other minute. "What're you doing?" Rin asked him.

"I can't contact her via the phone, but that doesn't make me incapable of a letter."

"What the hell does your father got against the, wench?" Kyoya eyed him and figured he would let the 'wench' comment slide since these people were beneficial to him.

"She's poor. Not to mention she's raising a child whom not many people knows is adopted. No records. Believe me, I know he's checked and thinks the worst."

"Feh, she's not poor anymore." Those words were the catalyst buoying Kyoya's hope, but at the same time he still feared she wouldn't be accepted. Kagome wasn't born into their class. She wasn't trained or well-bred or what his father had in mind for a trophy wife. Kagome was her own person with her own will and independence. She would never sit to the side while her husband ran a company.

Inuyasha was quicker than Rin and was moving at the speed of light to doll out heaps of sweets. "Inuyasha, not too much! We don't want her to get a stomach ache."

"Feh, like we could. She had a sweet tooth that rivaled yours. Dontchu remember?"

"I was like seven, Yasha."

"Between the wench, Shippo, and you, I clearly remember a whole cake being finished."

Okay, she did remember that. Sesshomaru had scolded her for being covered in chocolate and Inuyasha had pouted that Kagome hadn't brought him back any ramen. "You're right, add the crepes too."

Three boxes were stacked and Rin halted Inuysaha's process by grabbing the third box and bringing out a thing of frosting. "What're you doing, Rinny?"

She comically covered her husband's mouth with her free hand. "Shh, it's art Inuyasha." It looked more like an apology written in icing on a cake to him. Rin took Kyoya's entire notebook. He'd sectioned off a bit with a bookmark he'd had in his bag. Rin tied it with a pretty store ribbon and a delicate bow. She placed it in the box, under the tray of cookies, and ruffled Inuyasha's hair. "Remember, stay out of sight."

"Yeah, yeah. I hear yah." He grabbed the boxes with ease. Then again, cakes and pastries were far lighter than Tetsusaiga. He was going to hoof it to her house, far faster and the anticipation was building to smell her and confirm that she was there. Alive. And fully able to meet him and the others. He knew if he slipped up his wife and sister-in-law would kill him because they weren't there. He'd have to be sneaky.

Before Inuyasha opened the door, he paused and turned around to ask the one niggling thing that had been bothering him. He set the boxes on a table.

Miroku may not have been in Kagome's life.

But someone else certainly was.

"You in love with the wench?" That was as sentimental as he got. Rin knew that it could only get worse with his protective streak if Kyoya answered an affirmative.

Kyoya's glasses had slid to his nose, but he could still see Inuyasha pretty clearly. Yes, he loved her. But he'd yet to admit it aloud to Kagome so he wasn't going to say those exact words to this stranger.

He'd come to a decision this week. If there was anyone worth marrying it was her. She was like a puzzle piece that just fit with him. That was the best way he could describe it. "It is my full intention to marry Kagome and have her bear my children."

Inuyasha's eye twitched as he stared intently at Kyoya. "Oy!" He pointed a shaking finger at Kyoya as he backed up against the wall. The look on his face was like he'd seen a ghost, or rather, heard one. "Whut the hell?" He didn't know how to respond. "RIN?!"

"I heard. I heard." Even as a child` she could remember the elder monk running around asking women to give him kids. Rin pushed the swinging door and was out from behind the counter staring intently at Kyoya as if he'd grown a third head that had begun speaking a mixture of Flemish and Klingon. "Y'know, it happened to Kagome, Kikyou, and Midoriko… it isn't a far stretch, Yasha. These things do happen."

"Sure as hell look alike." Just like Kikyou and Kagome and Midoriko resembled one another.

"He isn't as carefree though…"

"But lookit Kikyou and Kagome. Different people, different lives."

"Good point," said Rin with a nod. Kyoya felt as if he were missing something. All he could piece together was that he was like someone.

After Inuyasha left, Kyoya handed his credit card to Rin. "What's this for?"

"Sadly, this is no good," he lifted up the accursed phone. It was the only electronic device he had on him and the link to his father monitoring his every move. "It's probably being tracked." He should've left it with Tamaki. "So I'm going to have to ask you to deliver something to my fiancée." He waved his hand about. "Send her something French."

Rin set forth to pulling out a cardboard box and began looking for a benne sweet. "Is this Renge aware of your feelings for Kagome?"

He slovenly lounged in a chair. "No, she just wants a wedding."

Accusing female eyes cut at him. "I think you should tell her. It isn't fair to a third party."

"Keh, ain't that the truth," muttered Inuyasha all too aware of his own past love triangles and what a mess those had been.

"And have Renge crying to her father? She'd have the wedding cancelled for Kagome!"

Wide eyes were awestruck. "She'd do that?" Did Kagome still inspire loyalty with everyone who met her?

"She's a friend of Kagome's. But if she did that without my finding a solution to this it would bode unwell for Kagome's situation as well as my own." And the look of determination on his face was like that of Seshomaru or Inuyasha's when they wanted to take something the hell down. "I will figure this out for us." He was thoughtful and liked planning out situations and analyzing them.

They were going to have to relook into this reincarnation thing again.

Shippo was probably tucked away in bed by now, no doubt anxiously waiting up for her so she could check his homework and so he could ply her for information about the date. Though they both knew that this was one-sided, Kaoru still walked her up to the door and said half-heartedly, "Night Kagome." Kaoru turned to go but she couldn't let him walk away like that. Kagome ran up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned around a quick kiss brushed against his cheek. He touched it. Two kisses from Kagome in one week. She really was kind.

"Th-ank yew." She tried her hardest. She ended up writing on the notepad.

This was a great date. Sorry it didn't go how you wished.

"Eh, there's always next time. But as far as Kyoya's concerned is it okay for me to antagonize him?" She nodded and that grin came back full scale on his face. "Okay. Then when I retell this to the club I'll brag about getting to second base." She laughed, ducking her face behind her hands. The idea of the facial reactions that would bring about was enough for her to agree. What she'd originally thought she'd gotten herself into when she'd made friends with the Hitachinn's was underplayed.

The next thing he did surprised her. The twin took her hands in his and slipped a letter that his brother had given to him. "Shadow King wanted to give this to you the day you found out. I'm sorry. Hikaru didn't give it to me til today." He held her hands a moment longer. "He better deserve you."

'Good night, Kaoru.'

She waved goodbye to him and he loped off, reaching into his pocket and turning on his phone to call his ride that was where they'd left it near the park. On the way down he caught sight of a delivery man carrying a hefty bag. The delivery boy looked confused as if he didn't know how to approach Kaoru and so the gentler of the twins shrugged his shoulders. "Need anything?"

"Feh, yeah. I've got a delivery for Kagome Higurashi…" He paused. This place smelled like her. His eyes had seen her back. But he'd been tricked before. "Was that her?"

"In the flesh. Lemme guess…" He scanned the package of sweets trying to figure out which Host Club member had sent it. Honey was a viable choice. But this looked more the work of someone trying to beg forgiveness considering how large the package of sweets was. "Guy with specks."

"Yeah."

"Lucky guy."

The delivery man chuckled and got this apologetic look. "I take it you like her?"

"Not the only one apparently. She'll be up there." Kaoru thumbed in the direction of the house.

The delivery guy looked nervous as he bit his lip. "Thanks." Kaoru walked past him, but Inuyasha swung around. "Wu-wait!" Kaoru was a bit impatient to leave. He was a ginger scorned, though scorned sweetly. He had a hand on his hip as he regarded this guy. "Is she happy?"

"What?" Now this was odd. Some stranger asking after Kagome. "Do you know her?"

"Sort of," he shrugged. His wife had taught him that truth was the best, though discretion was as well. They liked to mix a bit of both unlike Sesshomaru who just plain kept everything to the chest and went about finding answers for himself. "She's like a brat sister. I didn't know she got back til today, so it's been a while." He shuffled a foot nervously. "I thought the worst." The sorrow in his voice tugged at Kaoru and for once he wasn't going to be mean to someone.

Kaoru began immediately acting courteous. "Yeah, she's fairly happy," he reassured the delivery guy. "Just don't be surprised when you meet her. Kagome can't talk much. She lost her voice." His golden eyes hardened and narrowed on the delivery guy. "If you dare say anything rude about it or I find out you've made her uncomfortable in anyway possible…"

"Feh, what'll you do runt?"

"You won't have to worry about what I'll do, but let's just say your pastry business won't last if you're mean to her." Inuyasha was close to making a rude gesture with his finger, but it was nice knowing that Kagome still garnered protection and allegiance from folks wherever she went. He had to admit she had a bunch of good friends watching after her if the two he'd run into so far were any clue as to how the rest of her buddies guarded her.

"Don't worry kid. I'd never do that to Kagome, voice or no voice."

And Inuyasha left the ginger haired twin with bold steps advancing towards the shrine now that he had it confirmed twice that Kagome was well and truly alive. Kaoru had the faint feeling that something important was about to happen, but he kept his back to the shrine. If Kagome wanted to tell him what was going to happen and who this guy was she would. He was pretty sure given the determination and the longing in the guy's eyes that this was one meeting better left alone. Not that he was worried this might be a suitor. He'd copped a glance to discover a golden wedding band in place. Besides, his shirt said 'I'm not a man on a mission, I'm a Dad.'

Inuyasha set the package against a bench as he tried to prepare himself for this meeting.

Rin hadn't wanted him to actually meet Kagome. He was there to drop off the package and leave. That was it. End of story. He was a delivery boy. Not a messenger.

But he'd been arguing with himself the better part of the trip over to the shrine on revealing himself.

He wanted to do it.

He was so close to doing it.

His hand was even balled up into a fist and just waiting on him to knock on the door.

Ah hell. What was he doing?

Turning up after five hundred years. Would she be mad at him for not showing up sooner? For underestimating her? He'd begun pacing without realizing it. Inuyasha turned around and was considering leaving when a clutter was heard and an awe-struck voice managed to get out, "Inu-yah-sha."

No matter his appearance she knew him. Her strongest and most powerful friend.

He recognized instantly that broken voice. And when Inuyasha spun around and his relieved golden eyes landed on her. Trash bag carelessly dropped on the ground and her eyes. That look.

It was really her.

She was alive.

His face went through too many emotions for her to count as she walked towards him.

She reached out and cupped his face.

No illusion could ever be this real.

He crumpled before her.

It was the first time Inuyasha had broken down and wept in five hundred years.

A/N: I'm sorry I made Inuyasha cry... it needed to be done.