Bread Crumbs
Chapter 14: The Final Inches of Milk
By: Rachynn

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

"I was homeless three years ago." Inuyasha began, speaking into the reporters microphone. There were throngs of people crowed behind him, on the other side of the red tape that separated the sidewalk from the street. The sheer amount of people who had turned out for the demonstration had managed to shut down some of the streets of downtown. Then again, he had been planning this day for almost 2 years, he didn't expect anything less.

"My wife and myself were homeless and wandered around the country for what seemed like forever. Finally I met someone who offered me a job at a small convenience store in a town a few hours away. The money I made and the food I received really helped my wife and I out for awhile. Unfortunately, my wife died from hypothermia before we could make enough to come back to the city. I organized this demonstration for her, and for all other people living in the various forms of poverty all over the world. It's to show support for them and to help them. Also, I wanted to thank the woman who helped me out with the job. She had a bigger impact on my life than she could have ever imagined. If you're watching this, and you know who you are, I want to say thank you and I'm sorry."

He stared straight into the camera when he said this, as though he could see Kagome on the other side of the lens. He honestly had no idea if she was watching or not, though he had hinted to Shippo in an email or two that he would prefer that Kagome being watching the news at this time.

"Sounds like a very personal story Inuyasha, I'm sorry for the loss of your wife." The reporter was saying. He nodded. "Thanks"

"Did you ever expect this movement to get this big?"

He laughed. "I won't lie. I did. Myself and a few other people that I trust have been planning this for almost two years and we really went wild with advertising and getting the hype up for this. I'm really pleased that the turn out has been as great as it is. It tells the people who are homeless or in poor situations that people, the so called 'rich' people and the middle class, that we do care. There are people out there that care for their plight, and some who have shared their experience."

He had returned to the city with Miroku, feeling guilty and low almost three years ago. Miroku seemed rather please with himself about that, and would mutter stuff about payback and revenge for weeks after their return.

Months of sulking in the spare bedroom of Miroku's apartment ended with a realization. He was back in the city, and now in a position to HELP. He immediately got a well paying job and worked hard. Miroku, after much convincing, helped him and together they started a charity dedicated to helping the homeless and the poor.

Eventually, other people had heard about him and his charity, as well as his story. After all, who could have forgotten the infamous and tragic Wedding Party Fire that claimed the lives of near 50 people? Who didn't know who he was? There were still those who hated him for what had happened, but a few had managed to forgive him and even help him.

The reporter was talking again. "Do you have any final words before we cut to commercial Inuyasha?"

He nodded. He had one more chance to get his message across and hopefully save people from experiencing the same kind of thing that he and Kikyo went through. "Everyone out there can help to eradicate poverty. You don't have to donate money, in fact there are hundreds of things that you can donate rather that money. Food, clothes, blankets, matches, soap, even your volunteer time is all just as important, if not more so, than your money. There are people out there suffering every moment of everyday, and even the littlest thing that we, the ones with almost everything, can do will help. Everyone here at this demonstration is showing support for the people who's lives are at risk every day by living on the streets or in sub standard housing. You can help. Please do."

The reporter nodded, taking the microphone back and turning to back to the cameraman. "You just heard the very emotional and passionate speech from Inuyasha, one of the top leaders of this anti-poverty demonstration taking place as we speak in Redding City. This has been Abi Smith reporting, Caela, back to you." She signed off, alerting the woman at the news desk. The cameraman gave the cue and the reporter was once again able to act normal like.

"Mr. Inuyasha?" she asked, before he turned back into the massive throng of people. He stopped, and looked back at her. She took in the sigh of him. He wore plain blue jeans and a almost-tight fitting green zip-up over a cream colored T-shirt. His long hair was tied back and his skin was flawless. She hardly dared believe the stories he told about himself, they seemed to surreal to her.

"Yes Ms. Smith? What is it?" he asked.

"This may be a personal question... off the record of course, but what ever happened to that woman who helped you? Do you still keep in touch?" She had been curious about this mysterious woman who had took him in after his wife's death. No one seemed to know who she was or where she lived. He had never told anyone.

Abi didn't miss the look of sadness in his eye that lasted for one fleeting moment. "No." he said quietly. "I never had the nerve to call her again, but I do keep in touch with someone living with her. He tells me she's doing fine."

She raised an eyebrow. "He? Should you be jealous?"

Inuyasha immediately blushed. "N..no! It wasn't like that between us!" he stammered. He would never get over Kikyo. To start another relationship wouldn't be fair, he would only ever hold anyone else second in his heart. "No, the guy I email is her ... um... ward I guess you could say."

It was Abi's turn to blush. "Oh... sorry. I shouldn't have presumed. Thank you Inuyasha, for the interview. I don't necessarily understand what you're doing and why, but I think that it's great all the same."

He nodded and with a wave, disappeared into the crowd.

Kagome stared at the TV screen for a long while, mouth hanging open. Shippo laughed at her, and then disappeared into his bedroom. Inuyasha hadn't the decency to contact her once in the past three years and then he goes and apologizes and thanks her in the same breath on national TV? What he was doing for the needy was great but a phone call to her would have been nice before the announcement.

Without warning she barged into Shippo's room. "How did you know that was on TV?" she demanded. Shippo looked up from his book, mischievous grin on his face. He pretended to think, but after three years she knew him better. "Shippo..." she said slowly.

"Well..." he began, "If you ever had time to read the newspaper, you would have read an article about it, given that the demonstration was years in the making and HUGE. Also, Inuyasha might have emailed me one or two times..."

"How did you email him? He didn't have a computer when he was here, how could you know his email?" She was slightly angered that Inuyasha had been emailing Shippo, but not her. Then again, what had she really done for him, besides shelter him and feed him and try to comfort him. Kagome had never exactly made any homeless person feel ... welcome either. She was starting to feel guilty about how she used to act, and she scowled. Since Inuyasha left, she had gotten much better in her attitude towards those less fortunate than herself.

"His email was in the article in the paper. It was put in so that people with questions about the demonstration and stuff could contact him. Like I said, If you ever had time to read the newspaper..." The boy ducked an oncoming pillow that Kagome picked up off the floor.

"It's not my fault I'm busy with the store!" she said loudly.

"Do you want his email?" Shippo said, joking aside. Kagome nodded.

It wasn't until after a late and quick dinner that Kagome was able to sit down at her computer and email Inuyasha. She stared for a long while at the screen, wondering where to start, what to say. She had only known him for a short time, but over the past three years she wondered what it would have been like had he stayed longer.

She sat and she wondered. What would it have been like had he stayed? She wasn't interested in him in a romantic kind of way, not really. She was curious about him though. Where to start...

Then it came to her and she began an email.

Dear Inuyasha...

I know you're running around trying to save the world, but I've been a little short-staff at the store lately...

THE END

Final A/N: Yay, finally done. - realizes she is done – WOW.

Well, this chapter is weird, and nothing like how I originally planned to have it end. I think it's one of the few times I've ended a story without killing anyone. - proud - I'm still sad that Kikyo died... it would have been interesting to keep her around for a bit longer.

I want to apologize for the long waits between chapters, and the short chapters that were useless. I need to work on actually writing fic's with plot. Though maybe I should just stick to oneshots.

PLEASE REVIEW. I want to hear what you thought of my fic, what you liked, what you hated. It's over...

THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed and read Bread Crumbs so far. I feel so loved. Hugs to all of you for taking the time to do that.

...umm... what else do you want me to say?

Fare thee well...