As night fell around the city occupants of Tokyo, very few spotted the peculiar streaks of red and silver leaping from building to building. After Asuka had succumbed to sleep, Inuyasha snuck out to track down Saigen and his cronies. He was on edge now that he knew they were all here to steal back the Shikon no Tama. There was no telling what kind of catastrophe he could create with one awfully wrong wish.

Inuyasha slowed and sniffed the air only to find it clean, except for tints of pollution. He covered his nose, growling as he recalled why he hated the Modern Era. However, through all the repulsive stenches of gas, the wide spread deforestation, and the boisterous noises, it was still Kagome's home and was where she was born to love this world. He sighed, sitting down on top of the rooftop on a hotel.

The moon hung like an ethereal teardrop, giving him the wild suggestion that if he reached far enough, he could touch it. He shook his head, folding his arms behind his head and laying back down. He tried to hide his sensitive side so many times, afraid of being teased or worse, beaten. Only Kagome, the only one he could trust, knew of his hobby at looking up at the stars. His mother once shared this hobby with him, they would look up into the milky way and be grateful that even though their life was shaping into the exact opposite of how they wanted it, at least there was still beauty in the darkness.

Inuyasha squinted his eyes, scowling. "Damn, Kagome was right about this era. There aren't as many stars here as there are in the Feudal Era. They're almost not worth looking at."

A scuffling sound made his ear involuntarily flick and a scent so painfully familiar wafted into his nose. He rose, desperately searching for the source of the beautiful aroma.

"Inuyasha?" A voice, so powerful and pure called up to him.

He looked down, his heart stopping instantly in his chest. It was like he was looking at an angel, at his Kagome.

"Kagome?" He asked, his voice slightly creaky.

"Yes, it's me. Come here, I've missed you."

Inuyasha quickly leapt off the roof, landing as graceful as ever on the cold pavement. Since living with Asuka, he had been cautious about his actions such as leaping around as though he were flying, choosing to only rely on Tetsusaiga for anything malicious, and of course, his attire. He was grumpy about losing the privilege of wearing his spacious kimono and obliged to wearing tight, uncomfortable modern clothes. However, just the mere sight of her dissolved any need to conceal his true identity. All he knew was that Kagome was here, standing in front of him, and he never want her to leave again.

He threw his arms around her, holding her tightly. He felt her stiffen, which compelled him to relinquish his grip slightly, thinking he was hurting her. He awaited for her lithe arms to crush his neck and the warmth of her tears trickle down his skin. He felt neither, except more discomfiture radiating from her rigid body. He stepped back, his eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Kagome? Are you ok?"

The girl blushed and then looked away. "I need to know… where the jewel is Inuyasha."

"The jewel? Thought you said you missed me?" He said, attempting to add in a humorous mood. It was so unlike her to be so serious, especially since they haven't seen each other in so long. "What's the matter Kagome?"

"Nothing's wrong! I just need to know where the jewel is!"

Now this was like the good old days. He would say something to set her off and her usual temper would come to play, often resulting in a face plant in the ground. This was the ordinary banter between the two, but what he didn't remember and found it peculiar, was when her eyes flared an orange hue.

In that moment, he knew something was wrong. He leapt backwards, flexing his claws. He emitted a growl, desperately suppressing the urge to tear into this imposter. The Kagome fake in front of him cowered and he knew right there, it wasn't Kagome. He took in a deep breath and found the beautiful scent had altered into a more malicious taint.

"Tell me who you are!"

"Tell me where the jewel is. Please tell me…"

Inuyasha glared at the woman. "Never. Leave now before I decide to kill you."

The woman stared beseechingly at him, just as her disguise began to fade away. Inuyasha felt his heart ache, despite knowing this wasn't Kagome, as the image of the girl he loved slipped away from him again. Her dark tresses lightened into chocolate curls and elongated over the length of her back. He growled again, more fiercer.

"Now I remember you. You're that witch who sided with Saigen and let him escape. If you know where he is, tell me now."

Haruka shook her head. "Tell me… where the jewel is."

"Not a chance." Inuyasha scowled. "But how dare you disguise yourself as Kagome to try to trick it out of me."

She walked up slowly, reaching out her hand. "Please… the jewel… tell me where it is."

"Damn woman." Inuyasha swiped her hand away, and she backed up, frightened. Inuyasha decided then that he could not engage in a battle with a woman so intimidated by him. He turned his back. "Get lost wench, I don't wanna ever see you again."

When he turned, the strange girl was gone. He cursed himself for his softness, allowing the enemy to escape. Although Kagome had taught him people are evil by choice, not by who they are associated with, she was Saigen's wench. He was the bastard who suddenly wrecked his village and almost took his life with some ridiculous spiritual energy that demons should not possess.

Not only is she associated with his dangerous enemy, she also made a puppet out of his mind and heart. Disguising herself as the woman he loved so completely for her selfish gain. His stomach knotted up painfully and his eyes stung. He envisioned Kagome, as Haruka portrayed her, with wavy black hair and fiery brown eyes. He held on to that vision of pure perfection. He realized it to be quite pathetic that he relied on that vision to keep himself sane, but as the tears seeped from his orbs, he also discovered he didn't really care.

A hazy red cloud swirling in the sky alerted Takeshi and Akito of their decoy's presence. Haruka materialized before them, her cheeks royally flushed. They knew then, from her countenance, that she did not succeed. Akito scowled as he walked up to the woman, leaving Takeshi to just watch the scene unfurl from behind.

"I take it you got nothing."

"No. He would not even give me a clue."

"What did you do?" Akito asked.

"I transformed myself into Kagome, trying to lure him to me and make him trust me. I think I may have overdone it, he was really angry."

"Who was angry?"

"Hey Master Saigen!" Takeshi called, bowing graciously. "Haruka was just informing us about her attempt to pry information out of Inuyasha."

"Inuyasha huh? How did you do?" Saigen asked.

Haruka shook her head. "No luck, sorry master."

"It's fine, we are putting the search for the jewel on hiatus just until we can find shelter." Saigen replied. "We can't just keep wandering around in this strange place without a bastion. Lousy humans keep giving me irritating looks."

"That would be because they don't know of demons existence." Akito said. "But I do agree with you master, we need shelter."

Kagome's eyes opened as she felt the source of her insufficient warmth shift beside her. Kisho groaned, moving his head to where his forehead brushed against hers. Kagome contemplated on ways of silently sneaking away, but the idea was crumbled when his amazing jade jewels locked with hers. Suddenly, his face flushed and he sat up abruptly, tearing his arms off her. Kagome calmly sat up, staring placidly at his back.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked.

Kisho scoffed. "Nothing, let's just go eat."

Kagome recalled last night, and the words he said to her before silencing himself. "But you see what you did to me Kagome?" So Kisho trained all those painstaking nights just to receive her praise. He wanted to impress her with his muscular body. Kagome laughed bitterly. "You're a fool Kisho."

Kisho looked at her, his eyebrows furrowing together. "What's that?"

Kagome ceased her mirthless laughter, her voice bubbling with scorn. "You're in love with me aren't you?"

Kisho blushed harder, proving Kagome's assumption right. She swung her legs closer to him, pressing her face close to his. Kisho was so stunned he lost his ability to move or even to breathe. All he could think of was that the woman who his heart swooned over for what felt like an eternity, was sitting so close to him that if he moved just an inch, his lips would be melded to hers.

Kagome tilted her head closer, her eyes closing. Kisho's feelings for her was so prominent it was almost tangible. She felt the light tickle of his hair on her alabaster skin, the heat of his breath on her lips. A moment like this would have her heart pounding or her stomach rolling around like a tsunami, washing over her soul. Nothing. She felt absolutely nothing and it frustrated her.

She dipped her head, making Kisho's lips kiss her forehead instead of his desired target. He reared back in surprise, his heartbeat beginning to settle to normal. "You can't… love me…"

Kisho crunched his eyebrows together. "It's because of Inuyasha, isn't it?"

Kagome glared at him. "No, it's not him, and you are not permitted to speak his name in such a tone."

"I apologize Kagome, it's only that I've been envious of your love for him. Even now that he is out of the picture, your heart still is not free."

"No, it's not. It's held in the hand of my most hated enemy."

"Is that all Kagome? Is that really all? Just Saigen? You have no feelings whatsoever for Inuyasha?"

Kagome turned her bronze gaze to the window, feeling silly at the pang in her chest when she saw a bird fly by. "Yes, Kisho, I feel nothing for no one." She slid off the bed, cradling herself as she walked to the window. "I don't feel much of anything these days."

Kisho meekly walked over to her, but as the sunlight drenched her glazed skin, he stopped to absorb the alluring sight. "What do you feel?"

Kagome sighed. "I feel cold, yet no matter what I do, I can't make or conserve any warmth. I feel tired, but I can't make myself fall asleep. I feel empty, detached, hollow…" She twisted her head around her shoulder, chuckling bitterly. "Dead even."

"Oh Kagome…" Kisho whimpered, detesting himself for not possessing the ability to better his beloved's second life.

"You know, I also feel that reviving me was a huge mistake. If I wasn't bound to duties to the Shikon, I would find a way to let myself rest in peace again."

"Are you saying… you don't even want to live?"

"What is there to live for Kisho? Besides the jewel, what other purpose do I have here?"

"Sango, Miroku, and Shippo, still love you very much and need you in their lives."

"They don't either. All of them have their own separate lives to live. They don't need me anymore."

Kisho clenched his fists, fighting the intense urge to grab her and squeeze her into his chest. He suppressed it decently, but as the daunting shadows cast over her face, he couldn't ignore his feelings. He walked up to her, stopping short behind her. His hands cupped her shoulders and she tensed, but did not move.

"Me Kagome. After all these years, I'm still madly in love with you. No girl but you will do. Perhaps, your new purpose is to oblige to my desires and find a new love."

Kagome turned in his arms, carefully prying his hands off her. "Tell me Kisho, why do you love me?"

Kisho smiled. "I love you because you were the first to offer me kindness. I loved your gentle touch while you were healing me. I loved how you stood up to Inuyasha and insisted to look after me. I love how you are so feisty, but so understanding all the same. I love how you are an Earthly being, but seem to be an angel. I love your body, your full lips, your soft hair, and everything that makes you Kagome Higurashi."

"I see, you don't love me, you love my past self. I'm not that girl anymore, she died twenty years ago Kisho."

Kisho cupped her cheek, leaning close. "She could come back love…"

Kagome closed her eyes. "I don't know Kisho, she's lost and I can't find her."

"Perhaps, I can help you find her."

Kagome couldn't think of a response, in fact she didn't have the time to keep hold of any coherent thought as Kisho's lips swooped down and captured her own.