Kisho could smell the delicious aroma of Sango's infamous cooking waft through the open windows to the hut to seek his nostrils. He would be at the table quicker than anyone else by the mere smell of it, but right now his heart was in a turmoil. He reclined against the bark of a tree, staring up at the stars.

She's alive…

No matter how many times those words cross his mind, they seem so surreal. They felt like a fantasy. For so long he lived with the burdening thought of her being killed, his chance lost. Now, to see her beautiful face again, he still couldn't believe it. He smiled then, recalling a memory from so long ago that he kept and treasured with him always.

He ran in a wild panic, looking behind to see how far the oni was behind him. He was already slowed down by the terrible gash in his stomach, a reminder of his ridiculous failure in dispatching the oni. He continued to push on, cursing his weakness and utterly spinelessness in saving his own life.

The exertion caught up with him, coupled by the pain in his stomach. He crumbled to the ground, looking up at the stars for one last time. The thought of his impending demise frightened him, but he couldn't fight back. A scrawny, powerless demon like him could never succeed in overpowering another. He may as well accept death, seeing as though living was only for the stronger.

"Time to die Kisho." The oni taunted as he finally caught up to him, preparing to end his life.

Kisho cringed, awaiting for the final crushing blow, but it never came. He meekly looked behind him and instead, he saw he was saved. A half demon in a bleeding red kimono and long silver hair with a fang so large even the oni appeared intimidated. His savior brought down the oni almost effortlessly. From above, he could see a giant cat demon, carrying a monk, a demon slayer, and a fox demon on her back. All of them were attacking the oni and in the process, rescuing him.

"Inuyasha! The shard is in his neck!" A beautiful voice chimed over the commotion, seeming to stop the battle for one blissful moment.

His savior, Inuyasha, chuckled. "So now I know where to cut. Either you give me the shard or I'll slice it out of you."

The oni of course, refused to give up his jewel piece and Inuyasha resorted to wasting the demon. Kisho was impressed at how swift his savior cut down the demon and retrieved a single, glowing shard. The enormous cat landed on the ground, making the passengers get off as she shrunk into an adorable little kitty. That's when Kisho decided to express his gratitude.

"Thank you all so much!" He exclaimed. "It may not have been your intent, but you saved my life so thank you!"

The four looked at him in surprise. His savior then scoffed. "Keh, don't get overexcited, we only came for the jewel shard."

The monk smiled. "Ah Inuyasha, don't be so modest. You saved this demon's life. You're a hero."

Inuyasha glared at the man. "Shut it Miroku."

The monk turned to the demon. "You are welcome, but really, if you should thank somebody thank Kagome. She's the one who felt the pull of the jewel shard and had us rushing this way."

Kisho nodded. "Ok, so who's Kagome?"

"That would be her." Inuyasha replied with a gesture over his shoulder.

A gorgeous young woman joined the gather then and his heart skipped a beat. He was mildly shocked by her skimpy clothing and how that skirt did very little to conceal her legs, but it was a great appeal in his eyes. She approached him, with a smile that made his insides twist.

"Hi, I'm Kagome." Even her angelic voice robbed him of breath.

"He-Hello." An idiot would stutter and he scolded himself, but she continued to smile.

The powerful trance he maintained with her coffee orbs broke when her smile collapsed and she gasped. "That's a nasty wound. Do you want me to look at it?"

He didn't know what to say then, but it appeared he was spared from having to. The beguiling woman in front of him blurred into distorted colors of green, white and black. He only heard her concerned voice and saw her eyes closer before giving into his exhaustion.

When he awoke, he found himself on a futon with a cool rag pressed against his head. His eye opened slowly, and he saw Kagome, with her hands on his stomach. He shivered at the tenderness of a woman's touch. He closed his eyes again, relaxing and reveling in the feel of her fingertips dancing across his skin.

"You know, you never told me your name." She asked, almost uncertainly.

"Kisho."

"That's a cool name. So, how come you were running from that demon?"

"He was pursuing me for starters."

"Why?"

"I trespassed his territory, looking for food and he got angry."

"Oh, I see. So, you need food then?"

"Yeah, I'm extremely hungry. I can't remember a time I ever had a decent meal."

Her fingers evaded his body and he almost panicked. He snapped his eyes open, scanning the hut desperately for her. Her scent permeated the room, relaxing his heart. He finally sought her out, digging through a colossal, yellow bag. She then pulled out another bag with fancy lettering and pictures.

She awarded him with another smile, to which he immediately returned. She scooted closer to him, ripping apart the bag with her hands. Another scent, this one salty and mouth watering caressed his nostrils. She reached into the bag and began to glean pieces of yellow triangles.

"What are those?" He asked.

"Chips. Try one and tell me if you like it."

He did try one, and he craved for more. Kagome nodded and offered him the entire bag. He gratefully accepted it, devouring the whole bag in almost an instant. When he was done, Kagome was giggling to herself.

"What's so funny?"

"You looked like a starving kid in a candy store." She laughed.

He wanted to laugh with her, but he hadn't the slightest clue of what was so humorous about a candy store, nor did he know what it was. "What's a candy store?"

She stopped laughing and he felt at fault for disrupting her mirth. She smiled. "Sorry, I keep forgetting that in this era, people don't know nearly as much as I do. You see, I'm not really from around here…"

He nodded. "That would explain the unusual outfit."

She looked down at her shirt and skirt, smiling modestly. "Yeah, this does make me look so out of place."

"So, where are you from anyways?"

"I… can't tell you that."

"Why not?"

"Exposing secrets like that, might put my world in danger."

He was baffled. "Your world?"

She nodded. "I come from another world, but I can't tell you where or how I get here, that's a secret that stays between me and my friends."

"Ok, I understand."

"Hey Kagome!" They turn at the intruder to see it was Inuyasha. "What are you doing handing over our food to a complete stranger!"

"Calm down Inuyasha! He was hungry! That's why he was being chased by that oni, it's because he was searching for food. Besides, it's not like I gave him the whole bag. We still got lots more and don't worry, I wouldn't dream of handing over your precious ramen to him."

"Ramen?" Kisho inquired.

"It's like making instant noodles, except it's really tasty. Wanna try some?"

"No, that stuff is mine!"

"C'mon Inuyasha, can't you share?"

"No way."

"Quit being so stingy!"

"I ain't being stingy!"

"Are so!"

"Not!"

Kisho observed their banter, feeling a bit dismayed. The two argued like they were an elderly married couple and it worried him if they felt more than they let on. In the end, Kagome won the argument, leaving Inuyasha to stomp outside. He looked at Kagome's face, seeing that same beautiful smile, but accompanied with starry eyes as she continued to watch Inuyasha's back.

Much to Inuyasha's chagrin, Kagome firmly told him that she wanted to watch over Kisho for another day. His wound had reopened after making that mistake of following Kagome outside. Inuyasha wanted to leave him there, but Kagome battled him on the subject and was once again, victorious. The second night, Kisho noticed the intimate bond between the half demon and Kagome.

On the third night, only Sango, Miroku, and Shippo remained at his side. He inquired Kagome's whereabouts, and they informed him that she was with Inuyasha. He asked for when she would come back, and they told him rather uncomfortably that they could be out all night. That did it, that broke the dam in his heart.

Sure enough, the couple didn't get back until early morning. By then, everyone, including Kagome was ready to recommence their voyage. Kisho was disheartened to see her go, especially since she was being carried by the one she was out all night with. He stayed rooted to the spot, cursing himself for his weakness. Through Inuyasha's rough exterior, he was still amazing and he could see the qualities in him that made Kagome fall for him.

He examined himself, his skeletal body and felt repulsed. He wasn't a man, he was a weak little boy. Inuyasha was broad and rugged and incredibly strong. He wouldn't come close compared to Inuyasha. He turned his back, deciding to give up the ludicrous thought of calling Kagome his.

Kisho examined himself again, proud of his rippling muscles and wide shoulders. He clenched his fist, pummeling the ground and was appeased by the dent. After watching the woman who enraptured his heart leave with Inuyasha, he felt compelled to become a man. Once he was a man, he would have the courage and vigor to rip Kagome out of the possession of Inuyasha.

He trained with an old master of his father's and he taught him how to fend for himself, how to survive, and especially, how to engage and win in fights. He was by the side of his master for plethora of nights and he only returned when he noticed the improvement of his body. He resumed his training without his master, seeking for Kagome and taking her away.

His plan fell short however when rumor spread that she was killed. He couldn't believe it. For days he wandered the countryside, looking for that gorgeous girl, but never did he find her. All those days of training, becoming stronger, powerful, just to woo her felt like wasted time. There would never be a girl like Kagome, the one who captured his heart.

"There you are."

Kisho turned, his stomach flipping at just hearing her voice. He stood, flexing his arms so she could see his muscles. She smiled at him, but he couldn't find any serenity under that smile as it did before. Her eyes appeared soulless and empty, but he figured it must be from all her adventures. He wanted to know everything about her, the trials she faced and the little things that bring her happiness. He wanted to know it all, but he decided to wait and let her be.

"C'mon, dinner is getting cold."

"Yeah, I'm on my way." Kisho replied and walked up to her. He stuck his elbow out, flashing her a charming smile. "Will the beautiful maiden walk with me to dinner?"

She rejected him politely. "Sorry, but I feel like taking a walk. I already ate."

Without waiting for a response, she seemed to drift away from him. The moon was hidden behind a black canvas and the wind whipped around harshly. Her hands were fists at her sides and it seemed a storm cloud hung over her, emanating an aura of gloominess, but he thought she never looked so beautiful.

Sango gleaned the polished plates off the table, except for one. She debated whether or not she should toss out the food, as Kagome may want to return to her meal. She set the dishes in the wash basin, too exhausted and overwhelmed to clean them. She turned her back, heading to the room she sleeps with her husband.

She walked in to see Miroku already stretched out on the bed. She padded her way over to him, sitting next to him on the bed. He sat up, draping an arm around her shoulders. She could see through her peripheral vision, his contemplating face. She just knew that face was related to Kagome and the mysteries her friend bear.

"What are you thinking?" Sango asked.

"Kagome… she's different."

Sango recalled just a few hours ago, when she reunited with Kagome outside. Kagome had called out her name and ran to her, spilling tears on her shoulder. That seemed like the same old Kagome to her, so welcoming and overjoyed to see her friends. They even had a rather lovely conversation in the kitchen as she helped preparing dinner.

Miroku's hand wrapped around hers and she smiled at him. "I'm just glad to have her back, and that we didn't need the Shikon to do it."

Miroku nodded. "I am too relieved, albeit concerned too. Do you think Lady Kagome is happy living a second life?"

"I suppose… she's still got us."

"Then, do you think she could continue happily living a life without Inuyasha?"

Sango sighed at the daunting question. "I… don't think so Miroku. She still has us, but… not him. He really made her life matter, mean something."

Miroku nodded. "Don't get me wrong Sango, I am ecstatic to have Kagome back, but… I wish it wasn't like this. I don't want her to be another Kikyo."

"But she isn't! She's not emotionless, cold, or not even remotely similar to the Kikyo who depended on souls of dead maidens to sustain life. Kagome's back Miroku, it's just… we have to help her cope with Inuyasha's death."

Miroku leaned back against the wall, Sango following suit and snuggling into his arms. He stroked her hair, smiling, although the pain was evident in his eyes. "I sincerely hope that is all we have to deal with Sango."

Sango nodded, but in her heart, something disagreed with her as a solitary tear curved down her face.