A/N: This story contains mild action, bonds formed between people brought together by pain and existential crises. Much like the original series. If you're looking for fluff, build up of romance, sexual tension, and friendship then you've come to the right place. I just wanted to self-indulge. I have at least 6 months worth of updates for this already typed up, so I can work on my other 2 fics and update this one if I fall behind. Even I'm anxious and look forward to sharing more chapters with you to get to the good stuff, but every fic has to have a start. This is 2500 words, gotta give people time to read it. Please read and review. Maybe I'll do a bi-weekly update to get us rolling if people want more. Thanks! I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer I do not own Inuyasha (obviously). This is for entertainment purposes only. Point being: Don't sue me. It's expensive and time consuming. I am in like $15K debt so ya. Thanks. Please enjoy, readers.

Broken Paradise

Chapter 1: Kindred Spirits

Duffle bag swung over his shoulder, Inuyasha walked up the driveway to his girlfriend's apartment, finally returning home from a long deployment. He knocked on the door and Kikyo answered. She looked radiant, her hair even longer than when he'd last seen her. He immediately pulled her into an embrace. She shook in his arms. He rested his head on her head.

"Inuyasha, you…you're back."

"Of course."

"But, I thought…." Her voice trailed off as she pushed herself out of his arms. Unshed tears shined in her eyes. A tall man with long, dark hair- who he wouldn't say was handsome-stepped out from behind her. She looked back at the other guy then back at him. "Didn't you get my letters?" Inuyasha asked, trying to keep his temper down. But, his gaze was cold and unwavering as he looked at the woman he loved. "No. I thought, I thought you were dead. It's been almost four years." "I was in a special unit. They wouldn't let me leave. But, I wrote you everyday." His tone was rising, becoming more panicked as he watched the guy step back. "You…who's he?" Inuyasha inquired, his voice harsher than he wanted it to be. "I'm Naraku. Kikyo's mine now." He answered for her.

Inuyasha tossed his bag behind him and balled his fists, taking a few threatening strides forward as his self control started to rip at the seems, "Is this true, Kikyo?! You betrayed me?!" "Stop it! It's not like that. " She put her arms out at her sides to block him from stepping forward.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Not before I kick his ass!"

"Inuyasha! What good will that do? It doesn't change anything. You've been gone. I-I've-"

"No! What the hell is this? You're gonna stay with him?" Inuyasha asked incredulously. His molten gaze searched her eyes and face. "I'm free to do whatever I want." She stated matter-of-factly, but her eyes still showed the sadness in their depths. "Fine. I'm outta here." Inuyasha conceded with a spat, picking up his bag and stalked off.

(-)

Kagome was on her way home from a terrible date. She had been invited out for wine. She was looking for a way to unwind. She hadn't been out in a while. It was the first date she'd gone on since Hojo like a year ago. She had never really dated to begin with and Koga seemed handsome enough. However, she didn't feel anything for him. She appreciated being wined and dined. But, having his hands all over her was not welcome. Couldn't they just talk? He clearly wanted to do more.

She tried to shrug off the lingering feeling of his hands on her. She couldn't wait to talk to Sango or even Miroku about it.

"Give him another chance! See what he's like without alcohol in his system." Miroku suggested from the other end of the phone. "You invited him to an arcade? That's not very romantic. He took you to some dive bar, instead, didn't he?" Sango guessed as she chimed in from their 3-way call, right on the mark. She sighed heavily, mentally kicking herself for getting into such a situation. "It's late. I gotta get up early. Goodnight." Kagome said as she hung up the phone.

She knew her friends meant well, but suggesting to give the creep another chance, were they even listening?

Kagome woke up with a pounding headache. Great, she was hung over. She cursed herself and reached for a bottle of water. She chowed down a slice of pepperoni pizza from the fridge and got ready to go to work. She was going to tie her dark, wavy locks into a high ponytail, but it hurt her head too much. She dressed in a brown skirt, matching blazer, white blouse underneath and headed out.

She walked up to the Higurashi family business, Modern Apothecary, an hour before opening time. She fished in her purse for keys. Her head spun a little. She felt weak and tired. She looked up and saw a young man who was sleeping upright against the tree in front of her shop. Ugh, this was just what she needed. She didn't recognize the guy. She looked around for the plaza's security guard, Totosai.

"Hey, what are you doing there?" She asked as she approached him slowly. No response. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern prevalent in her tone. He didn't stir. His white t-shirt was damp and practically see-through. She couldn't leave him here or he might catch pneumonia. He would also be bad for business. Was he hung over, too? She wondered. "You really shouldn't be here." She tapped him on the shoulder. He didn't respond. She looked upon his head and noticed his two pointy, perky dog ears. She wanted to touch them.

What the hell, why not? She thought as she reached up and tweaked them gently from the base to the tip. They were velvetier than she'd even imagined. She sighed with relief, glad to have that out of her system. "I shouldn't be doing this." She muttered aloud. Just then, both his eyes shot open and she jumped back with a little yelp.

"What are you doing?" He groaned. "I could ask you the same." She said, hands on her hips. She willed the blush on her cheeks to disappear. His amber eyes burrowed into her bronze ones as he replied, "I'm looking for Totosai." "That's all?" She asked. "What do you mean that's all?" He practically barked. He's so rude. She thought. "I'll just show you to his office. We open soon. He should be here." She gestured toward her store, keys jingling in her hand. He sighed, annoyed. He stood up and slunk behind her, following her to his office.

Later that day, she saw Inuyasha in a security uniform making his rounds. He saw Kagome on her lunch break. She stirred her ramen with little enthusiasm. "What's wrong with you?" He asked sharply. "What's it to you?" She retorted, snapping her neck up to glare at him. "What's your damn problem?!" He snapped back. She leaned back and looked up at the hanging art displays above. A mesh net of various colors hung overhead, suspended with some kind of wire. "I'm having a bad day. Here, you can have my ramen." Her large, round brown eyes seemed to shrink and she pouted. He felt guilty for snapping at her.

He sat quietly and slurped the ramen graciously. He had forgotten to eat what with his own drama. She looked back at her unlikely companion. "So, how do you know Totosai?" She suddenly asked. His face scrunched up, "he was my father's friend." "So, may I ask, what were you doing this morning? You get lost?" She asked politely, her tone much gentler than earlier. "You can ask, but I'm not answering." He said as he finished off the ramen. "Alright. I gotta go back to work. See you." She said simply as she stood up and walked away.

Over the next month, she'd seen Inuyasha around the facility, but didn't talk to him.

Kagome locked up the shop after a night shift. A familiar navy-blue security uniform caught her attention from the corner of her eye, but it was only Totosai. She half-smiled and waved, softly wishing the old man goodnight.

Against her better judgment, Kagome decided to take the shortcut home through the alley. It looked so long and dark. A single lamp overhead casted an orange glow that illuminated basically one circle of area around it. It flashed on and off a bit and when it was on it dimmed and brightened intermittently. She took in a breath and with a determined sigh she stepped through. She walked as fast as she could. A black cat running by startled her. She took a calming breath and continued. She saw a shadow dart across her path and knew it was a rat. She journeyed on. She clutched her purse at her waist and thought she should get pepper spray. She listened for footsteps and kept looking over her shoulder, trying to look nonchalant, but also hurrying. She heard something shuffling and rushing behind her, but couldn't make anything out in the shadows.

"HEY!"

A familiar male voice called out. "What the hell are you doing?" It was Inuyasha. He came up quickly beside her. Her heart pounded in her chest. "You scared me!" She scolded. "You should be scared out here like this behind the shopping center." He scolded back. "It's the quickest way home." She explained. He practically shouted and ruffled his hair, "That's no excuse. Next time, have me walk you out. That's part of my duties as a security guard. You're actually not supposed to leave alone. Stupid, Totosai." "I didn't see you anyway. I thought you were gone." She huffed as she walked at a relaxed pace now. "Do you walk home all the time?" He asked her. She was a little afraid to answer but she did, "yeah…" "That is so unsafe! Anything could happen to a woman out here!" He yelled.

"I know, but what else am I supposed to do!"

"Not walk through dark alleys, stupid!"

"Don't call me stupid!"

"Shut up or maybe I'll leave you out here alone to get attacked."

"Fine, I've been going home alone for a long time."

He shut his mouth at that and changed the subject, "I'll just walk you home this one time." He offered. She lived about a 20-minute walk away, which was too far in his opinion.

On the walk, they bantered a little bit. They talked about the weather, their uneventful workday, and the city. He mentioned that his estranged brother was away, so he was staying with Totosai in the meantime.

The next day, she brought Inuyasha lunch. He looked up from his desk and eyed her suspiciously. "What this?" He asked. He took a sniff. It smelled like a few meat choices, fresh bread, and a mix of sauces. Nothing spicy, thankfully.

"Lunch. On me."

"What for?"

"For yesterday."

"You fed me ramen before, though."

"That was a while ago and besides, you made sure I got home safely, too. Lunch can be on you tomorrow. I'll eat pretty much anything." She said with a confident smirk. She was about to walk away when he said, "wait!" He grabbed the sack and motioned for them to sit out on the terrace.

They sat in silence under a giant tree. It was one of the few trees on the street, especially one of its stature. "My name is Kagome." She stated. "I know." He muttered. "Well, if you know, use it." She demanded.

He'd already consumed the submarine sandwich. Wasn't she going to eat? He looked her over. Her dark hair was tied half up half down, her bangs fell to the side. She wore a yellow sweater that clung to her in all the right curves. She wore a sky blue dress under it. A small necklace with three oval crystals the color of blood danced on her collarbone as she shifted in her seat. "So, Inuyasha, how long is your brother away for?" She inquired, leaning forward and resting her chin on her palms. Her gaze fixed on his. His expression hardened a bit, on the defense.

"Half brother and who the hell cares." He said simply. He crumpled up the sandwich wrapper some more. He wasn't used to someone being nice to him or caring about him, especially under the most recent circumstances. In that moment, Totosai came over the walkie-talkie nagging him about his being late from his lunch break. "See you around." She chirped, smiling brightly at him and waving a little as he got up to go back to work.

Over the next few days, they worked opposite shifts. But, when Inuyasha'd seen Kagome was in, he stepped into the Higurashi's shop; accidently kicking and nearly knocking over a giant amethyst geode. He clenched his teeth and his eyes widened. His heart stopped for a second as he steadied the waist-high artifact with both his hands. The various scents of herbs and essential oils overwhelmed his senses. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He felt like sneezing, but nothing would come out. Soft, new age aesthetic music began to fill his ears. The shop was small and well lit. It was cluttered, but in a very neat and organized way. A few high school girls were looking at charms for good luck, love, and the like. There was a glass shelf filled with self-help and New Age books. One titled Near Death Experiences caught his eye and he peaked inside to see a page on reincarnation, specific herbs and various folklore and sketches filled up the page.

"Oh, hey there." Kagome greeted from beside him. He looked up about to shoot her an annoyed glare and complain when he noticed Mrs. Higurashi smile at him from behind the counter. He acknowledged her with a nod and remained expressionless. He followed after Kagome. "It's my turn to treat for lunch." He reminded.

"Do you really believe in all that stuff?" He asked with curiosity in his voice rather than disdain or skepticism as most people would in regards to homeopathy and alternative healing. She pensively put a finger to her cheek before explaining, "My grandfather's the one who opened the shop. He's full of stories and has a lot of artifacts, sutras, charms and things. He's from a line of Shinto priests. I definitely think there's something to thinking positive, self-care, and a nice scent or music to soothe the soul." He couldn't argue with that.

The next day, she hardly said a word during their lunch break. She seemed to be lost in thought. He caught a blush creep into her cheeks more than once. His patience was wearing thin. He wanted to yell at her to "spit it out already." She knew they'd have to go back to work any minute. It was now or never. "I know we don't know each other all that well, but do you want to go on a road trip and just get out of here?"

"Where's this coming from all of a sudden?" He couldn't hide that he was intrigued, his left ear twitched. "I just felt we could use a getaway." She thoughtfully replied.

"Nevermind, maybe that's a stupid idea." She added, just above a whisper. He stood up out of his chair, hands banging flat onto the table, and raised his voice, "Let's get the hell out of here tonight." With that, he took off back to work. She stared after him with wide eyes and a bright smile.

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