Author's Note: I love how readers are clairvoyant in different ways. Llebreknit knows Inuyasha will do something stupid. StDogbert reviewed chapter 38, agreeing with Shippo (in chapter 40) that Sesshoumaru would be upset, if he knew. Missy Misa said that Kagome needs closure with Inuyasha… Everyone knows what is coming!! Haha!

A Distant Promise – Mini-Chapter # 41

Over the top.

It was strange that she would feel this way, and yet… Kagome did. All day long, Inuyasha's behavior had been too sweet and too solicitous. It was weird. She was used to…

Well, she didn't know what she was 'used to' honestly. What had she expected from him? Rudeness? That would have annoyed her even more. Yet saccharine temperament did not equate with Inuyasha. Kagome was completely unprepared for it. In the end, it seemed like he was trying too hard to 'please' her. What did he expect from her?

After Inuyasha left the shrine, she had been extremely worried about him. But later, when she heard Shippo say that her dearest friend was still alive, gainfully employed, and doing well, Kagome had calmed. She had wanted to see Inuyasha; however, it was lack of knowledge, which had sent her into a frenzy. When she did not know where he was or how he was, then she panicked – imagining all sorts of awful scenarios playing out to hurt the boy.

Guilt had consumed her – after all, she was the only reason Inuyasha came forward to the future and gave up his heritage. Kagome had never asked him to 'wish' to be human, but Inuyasha had believed it was right, so he had followed Kikyou's instructions, from decades ago. And then, the ex-hanyou had tried to attend school, get a job… all these activities in an unfamiliar world. Of course, Kagome had felt guilty, when she heard that he had disappeared!

Apparently, in the back of her mind, she still considered him unfamiliar with the future. The modern age had threats and technology that Kagome feared to be incomprehensible to her one-time half-demon friend. Yet perhaps she had not given him enough credit. While she finished highschool, Inuyasha had not idled his time away. He understood the basics. Public transportation, buying and selling items, finding a job… He managed well enough, on his own.

Yet somehow, this disappointed her too. Shaking her head, Kagome chastised herself for overthinking the situation. She could not have the best of both worlds! Either Inuyasha needed her help, or he didn't. She should not simultaneously desire him to be more independent and fault him for not depending on her family more.

"I think it's very nice!" she nodded. Her ex-hanyou companion had toured the hotel with her, showing her the outdoor onsen, the gardens and finally the building itself. The hotel was not overly large, but it was very calm and relaxing. "They don't make you work too hard, right?"

"Nah," he scoffed, "It's easy. I like being in the country again."

A small blush made its way across her cheeks. Was he saying this, because he wanted to prove her wrong about liking the city? She liked the city. But she liked the countryside too. Maybe he was simply saying this, because he wanted to share information?

Argh! She was absolutely overanalyzing everything, today! "Oh, I like it too," Kagome babbled anxiously, trying to sound impressed. "It reminds me of the times that Miroku managed to finagle his way into a mansion, in the past… You know?"

"Really?" Inuyasha asked, "It's not that… Well, I mean… It isn't too bad. Kagome…"

"Yes?"

His tone implied that he was trying to be more serious now, and his eyes seemed darker than before. "Kagome…" her companion continued somberly. "There's something that I've been meaning to ask you…"

"Y-yes?" she replied again, rather breathlessly, as her companion stepped forward, coming close to her side.

"Does this look like a good enough place to… stay?" Unfortunately, the moment that he finished his sentence, a massive burst of unease overtook his expression, leaving Inuyasha to look uncertain and disconcerted. "You said once," he finished nervously, "That you would always stay by my side. I'm not blaming you for leaving, once – Hell, no! – but I hope this time you can stay."

Quickly, little parts of her heart that she had forgotten about, they began to burn. This was all her fault! Why didn't she just come home more often? It was not as though she had intended to drive Inuyasha away, by going to college. School was not more important than the rest of her life…

Hm. Perhaps the guilt had never quite left her. Inuyasha had given up his future for her. But she had not given up anything for him! She had insisted upon attending a university. She had insisted that he learn how to live in a big city. She had…

Tears swam across her eyes, and Kagome looked at the floor, blinking them away rapidly. Why did she drive him away? Inuyasha was behaving so nicely today. It was like they had never argued or squabbled over things in the past. Maybe she could just ignore their past problems, and focus on the future. After all, relationships were about compromise – and he had a steady job now, and maybe she didn't need to go to college, and…

"I guess you need a moment to think about it," muttered the ex-hanyou. "Or maybe I shouldn't expect an answer."

"Oh, no!" she protested unhappily. "It's not that…"

"Well, what then?" interrupted Inuyasha, bringing back a touch of the usual, brash warrior that she had always known. Impatience seemed much more 'normal' than sweetness, from him. "I wasn't running away from you, when I left the shrine. I was just leaving that place."

"Okay," she agreed. Although technically, she did not know what she was agreeing to. "That makes sense."

"I can't live there, in a big city, with fast-paced people and cars all the time. It's crazy!"

Taking one step backward, Kagome found herself confused by the comment. Wait, wait… What was she agreeing to, exactly? The countryside was beautiful, but she did like the convenience of modern grocery stores, and that sort of thing…

Seeing her move to one side, Inuyasha froze. Suddenly, the saccharine sweetness returned. "You don't have to answer that yet," he decided, "I just wanted you to know how much I missed you."

"It's been months since we last saw each other," said Kagome in response, although part of her wanted to point out that he was the reason why they had not met sooner. She had tried to meet with Inuyasha, before today, but he had failed to show up. Still, mentioning this would be rude, and it would not improve the situation. "I missed you too," she announced finally.

Moving closer to her companion again, she fidgeted, wondering what to do next. Somehow, this all seemed incredibly awkward. All she had to do was forgive Inuyasha, and kiss him. It was for comparison's sake! That was an important step, right?

Perhaps she should be intoxicated first, so that she was not giving one brother an unfair advantage, in her own mind. Or perhaps she should just ask Inuyasha to kiss her, so that she would not feel so embarrassed by the idea. Luckily, he seemed to get the point, when she inched closer and closer to his face, standing on her toes to reach his height.

So, Inuyasha kissed her. And it was pleasant. His lips met hers, softly, several times. Kagome enjoyed it. But at the same time, she couldn't help thinking about … well… other things. It certainly was not a mind-blowing experience. It was not even very distracting. If necessary, then she could have planned her schedule for the next day, with her eyes closed, as she thought of other things while they kissed.

In fact, it was slightly boring. Frowning, Kagome leaned back and looked at Inuyasha, tentatively. Was this reaction simply because she had pressured him, too much? He had been trying to act sweet, all day. Maybe he didn't think he was allowed to kiss her firmly.

Bright eyes met her gaze, as Inuyasha stared. His eyes were not gold any longer, but they glittered nonetheless, after she took the initiative to kiss him. "Ah," he noted, seeming slightly dazed, "So it can happen."

A light gasp sounded from the corner of the hallway, and both Kagome and Inuyasha turned to see another young girl, standing in the middle of the door. Based on her uniform, the girl was obviously another one of the workers at the inn. As Kagome watched, though, the girl's hair began to bleed into a different color. Staring in amazement, she realized there was more to this picture than there originally seemed to be. Normal people did not have black hair that abruptly flowed into blue.

As if she was trying to avoid the inevitable question, the girl at the end of the hallway turned and fled, with an expression almost haunted by grief.

"Mako-chan?" Inuyasha inquired, as their previously unknown companion fled the scene. Evidently, Inuyasha was equally confused by the situation. He turned to her, taking her gently by the arms and pushing Kagome away. "Sorry," explained Inuyasha, flustered, "I'll be right back. I think something happened…"

And before she could answer, her companion left.

Blinking, Kagome tried to understand what had transpired. She kissed Inuyasha, and then… someone else saw them kissing, and then Inuyasha had to go? Um…

Well, that was the most random, exasperating ending to a kiss that she could possibly imagine.