Misery crept into Kagome's soul. She couldn't figure out why she loved that obnoxious jerk, Inuyasha, but she did. With all her heart. She hadn't seen him in at least two weeks. The last time they had seen each other, they'd gotten into a fight. She sighed and sank into her bath water. Warmth spread over her, but not through her. She'd felt so cold since she left Inuyasha in the Feudal Era. She had brought Sango and Kirara with her to her home. She needed some girl time. And all her other friends were off with their boyfriends, backpacking across Europe. She washed her raven black hair, and cried.

Kagome smiled as Sango went through all of Kagome's things. She didn't think makeup and modern clothes would excite Sango all that much. But nonetheless, she was giddy looking through the closet, wondering what to try on first.

"Can I try these on? And can you put some of this stuff on me?" Sango said, holding up a black skirt, and a red tank top, while pointing to Kagome's makeup. Kagome nodded her head. Once Sango had figured out how to wear the outfit, she came out of the bathroom. Kagome taught her how to apply eyeliner after eye shadow, not to wear too much of either, and gave her some red lipstick to try on. Sango had convinced Kagome to show her around the town. Kagome finally smiled at Sango's gleeful expression, and handed her a pair of red flats to wear. And they were off.

Inuyasha growled at Miroku's constant sighing. Couldn't he last a few weeks without Sango? Well, he himself hadn't been all that thrilled without Kagome. But he hadn't been moping around and sighing, more like raging and wreaking havoc.

"Miroku, would you shut up already? Sango will be back within the next week. I'm sure of it." Inuyasha barked in the middle of yet another sigh. Miroku glanced at Inuyasha.

"Oh come now Inuyasha, you miss Kagome as well." Miroku said. Shippo hopped into his lap.

"Yeah Inuyasha, I miss them too. Why can't we just go get them?" Shippo said, a look of longing in his eyes. Inuyasha growled.

"Because I said no, that's why you little booger. Now either quit moping around or go away! Both of you!" he turned away from them and crossed his arms over his chest. He really missed Kagome, even Sango and Kirara. He'd gotten used to them always being around.

"Inuyasha, I understand you don't want to appear weak to Kagome, but we really should go get them. We all know we can't go on to find the rest of the sacred jewel shards without Kagome." Miroku sat silent for a moment, then continued, "Although she probably wouldn't come back unless you gave her a heartfelt apology. You were the one who made her angry in the first place." he closed his eyes and smiled.

"What do you mean by that!?" Inuyasha whirled and raged at Miroku. "She's the one who gets all emotional and storms off every time Kikyo's name comes up!" This outrage hadn't even phased Miroku. With his eyes still closed he took a deep breath to speak.

"Inuyasha, you say Shippo and I are moping around, you are as well." He held up a hand before Inuyasha could interrupt, "Its true, though you are not sighing and laying about as we are. Your just as anxious for their return as we are. You've been raging about how she is so insensitive for leaving us here with no way to find the jewel shards. She's not the insensitive one, you are." he held his hand up again, "She wouldn't have left if you hadn't brought up Kikyo. You know its hard for her to hear about you and her. She tries to hide it, but I'm sure she loves you Inuyasha." Without another word, Inuyasha stood and stalked of into the trees.

"Where are you going Inuyasha?" Shippo yelled after him.

"To Kagome's time to get them back! Are you coming or not?"

Kagome giggled at Sango's flustered expression as the waiter flirted with her. Sango just didn't know what to do. She kept stuttering, confused about whether she should be flattered or insulted by his statement.

"What did you say?" Sango asked in a shaky voice.

"I said, 'Is it hot in here, or is it just you?' Are you new around these parts?" The waiter asked. Sango shut her mouth and pondered at the statement

"Well, I…" Sango began.

"Yes she's new around here, she's a cousin staying for a few days with me, I'm sorry but she's already taken. And very shy." Kagome interrupted. The waiter nodded, and walked off.

"What was that all about? What was he saying?" A perplexed Sango inquired. Again, Kagome laughed, even though she was still longing to see Inuyasha.

"He was flirting with you, Sango. He was saying your hot." Kagome said, gesturing towards her with a hand.

"I mean, it is a little warm in here, but its not hot, I'm not sweating am I?" Sango asked.

"No Sango, hot is another term for pretty." Kagome explained.

"Oh, I see. Oh no." Sango gaped. "It can't be.."

"What is it Sango?" Kagome asked. "Sango?"

"Kagome! Sango! Thank goodness we've found you!" Miroku called out from behind Kagome.

"Wait a second, was that Miroku?" Kagome turned around. Indeed, it was Miroku. And he was carrying what looked like a child in a blanket. Still wearing his robes, he was getting tons of odd looks. But not nearly as many as Inuyasha. Whom was wearing a bandana over his ears, but nonetheless, looked out of place with his silvery white hair. The group came up to Kagome and Sango's table. Miroku froze, staring at Sango. She looked so different, so revealing, so willing. But, she made no move to an embrace. So Miroku sat down in the booth beside her. Shippo was the baby-like form in the blanket. Inuyasha sat beside Kagome.

"Hey Kagome, can we have some food too? We're starving." Miroku asked. Kagome simply nodded. After all, her and Sango ordered two sample platters, which would normally be enough for five people. But with Inuyasha's eating habits, not very much at all. Speaking of Inuyasha, what was with this unexpected visit? Usually when they fight he wait for her to return. Though she hated to admit she thought about not returning at all. Now here he was, to fetch her back. He still hadn't said a word to her, a warmth spread across her face. Her throat started to feel tight, she couldn't handle this, not here, not in public. She willed her throat to relax. When the food came, everyone was speaking except for Kagome, whom ate her meal in silence. Sango and Miroku were happy to be together, not like Sango would admit it, Shippo was just happy to be somewhere new. His big wondering eyes darting

around the restaurant. Inuyasha spoke every now and again to the others. But hadn't really said a word to Kagome. Kagome sighed and turned to Inuyasha. Willing her voice to stay normal.

"Could you move? I need to use the ladies room." Inuyasha slid out of the booth and let her walk by, vaguely remembering the term from a previous visit to this era. Kagome walked off with her head down. Tears welling in her eyes. She allowed just one single tear to slide its way down her cheek.

Sango knew something was wrong with Kagome. She knew that her and Inuyasha were on tense terms at the moment, and it must be hard for her to see him. Plus the fact that he still hadn't apologized. He may not have meant to hurt her. But what Kagome felt was inevitable. Sango pushed past Miroku and Shippo to follow after her, receiving many cat calls along the way. And found Kagome curled on the bathroom floor with her head on her knees.

"Kagome? Talk to me, please." Sango knelt beside her. Kagome looked up and revealed her tears. She swiped angrily at her eyes. Silently screaming at herself for being caught crying.

"I don't know what to do Sango. I don't even know why I feel this way. I shouldn't let it get to me, but I cant help it. I know he's over Kikyo, at least a little bit, but.. Sango, I'm in love with him." she sobbed. Sango urged her to continue. "I mean, he's attractive, and so much different from anyone else I know. I don't know how I'll ever come to love someone normal, because I've had a taste of this whole new world. I love his hair, his eyes, the way he is. He's saved my life countless times, but every time Kikyo comes up, he gets silent, and shuts himself off from the world. I just don't know what to do."

Later that night, while Sango slept in Kagome's bed, Kagome sat at her desk. Drawing hearts around Inuyasha's name. She heard a scratching on her window, glancing over, she noticed Inuyasha sitting on her window sill. The window had been open. Inuyasha stared, it appeared as if he were looking right through her. Then it seemed as if he snapped himself back into reality, and stared directly into her eyes.

"Kagome…? Can I come in?" He asked. She shook her head.

"I don't want to wake Sango, meet me on the front porch." He nodded and jumped from the window, soundless as the wind. When Kagome reached the front porch. She found Inuyasha sitting there, cross legged, and staring into space. Kagome leaned against the door.

"What do you want Inuyasha?" Kagome said, voice barely above a whisper, arms crossed and head down.

"I wanted to talk to you." he said.

"Well, talk." she said on a sigh. Inuyasha was silent for a long moment.

"Kagome, I didn't mean to hurt you. I hope you know that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring her up. I never really realized how much it upsets you. But I don't know why it does." he waited for a reply, after a moment of silence, he continued. "Kagome, I know its hard. I'm sorry I hurt you. But I cant stand this whole silent trip thing." He took a deep breath. "I miss the sound of your voice." Kagome looked at the back of his head, stunned by what he said. Unexpectedly and very suddenly, he had her trapped between him and the door, his arms acting as walls. She suddenly felt so small. Staring into his chest. "Kagome, I miss your laugh, I miss your eyes. I hate seeing sadness in your eyes, I miss that shine, that isn't from tears. Kagome, I miss you." She looked up into his eyes.

"Inuyasha.." Her voice cracked, and tears welled once more in her eyes. He wiped the one that escaped from her cheek. Even while one of his one spilled down. She kissed the tear from his cheek, and settled her hands on his chest. Feeling his heartbeat beneath her palms. He bent his head towards hers, and paused a breath away from her lips. His silver hair entangling itself with her own raven black hair.

"Kagome, I need you." and closed the distance between their lips. Immediately a warmth not only spread over her, but through her. Only one place stayed cold as ice, her heart. He never said "I love you." Which were three little words she so desperately wanted to hear. But she needed this. She settled her arms around his waist as his settled on her hips. She welcomed his soft lips upon hers. And when he pulled away, the heat inside didn't settle. Inuyasha pulled Kagome against his for a hug. During that long moment, he felt her warm tears soak through his clothing onto his skin. Burning him, but she never made a sound.

Kagome woke before everyone in the house. She did a quick walk through, to see if she forgot to pack anything. Sango, Kirara, and Shippo lay sleeping on Kagome's bed, just like she left them. Walking into Sota's room, she saw Miroku curled on the bed, his staff leaned against the wall. She grabbed Sota's blanket and tossed it over Miroku's shivering body. She ventured into her mother's bedroom, quickly glancing at the clock. Four am, she had a few hours before anyone would wake up. She smiled at Sota and her mother's sleeping forms on the bed, and walked down to the living room. Inuyasha was sleeping soundly on the couch. He had taken off his robes and wore a pair of Kagome's old gym sweats, and nothing else. The window above him was open, and a cool breeze blew in. Inuyasha growled in his sleep. Kagome moved to shut the window as silently as she could, still Inuyasha's ears perked up at the sound. Nonetheless, he still appeared to be sleeping. She grabbed the blanket from the floor and carefully placed it across his shoulders, again he growled, this startled her and she fell forward. Barely able to keep herself from landing on him. She wondered at his beauty. His figure, his strong arms and legs. His shoulders on which she'd held on for dear life countless times. His calloused hands, and his face. The strong line of his jaw, his lips, whish were just as soft as she had imagined. The line of his brow, which was knit from some unknown emotion. His eyes, those big, peculiar eyes. That strange color of honey, ash and coal. Wait, he was sleeping, she shouldn't be seeing his eyes. He had awakened to her staring at him. A blush immediately spread across her cheeks. Minutes passed by, and they still hadn't said a word. Just stared into each others eyes. Finally, Kagome broke the silence.

"I'm sorry to wake you, I just wanted to cover you up. You looked cold." She stuttered. He seemed unfazed. Still staring into her eyes. She pulled herself up from the floor. "You can go back to sleep if you like."

"No, its okay." he said. "Why are you up so early anyways?"

"Well, I knew you would want to leave as early as possible, so I packed food and supplies before anyone got up. I was just trying to think ahead." she said, voice strong again. He still hadn't taken his eyes off her own.

"Thank you, that was…nice of you." He sighed, and finally looked elsewhere. "Kagome, last night, I didn't say everything that needed to be said. I wish I knew how to tell you. But I don't. Can you wait for me to figure it out?" She stood there, stunned, as his eyes met her one once more. She jumped at the intensity in his eyes. And pondered at the gleam of tears that threatened to break down his wall of self control. She nodded her head.

"I can wait Inuyasha." with that she left the room. She knew that intense stare, she'd seen it often enough. But only when he was thinking of Kikyo. Was this stare meant for herself, or Kikyo? And the tears? Inuyasha really had a lot on his mind, and here she was, making him feel guilty. He was trying to be considerate. He just didn't know how. Maybe she was reading too much into this whole thing. Everything was normal now, right? He had apologized, and that was all that mattered, wasn't it? She knew the truth, she wished he would love her, like he once loved Kikyo. Kikyo was dead now, it was reasonable enough for Inuyasha to be upset. Kagome slapped herself in the forehead for being so selfish. Inuyasha was hurting, and she wasn't making things any better. But what of the kiss last night? Instantly a heat spread through out her body once more, that had to mean something? Didn't it? Or was he frustrated, and thinking of Kikyo? For her very own life, she couldn't figure out this thing we all call love.

Kagome lay in that wonderful bliss between being awake and dreaming. She had quickly fallen asleep after she had accidentally woken Inuyasha. She hadn't really slept at all the night before. Just cried, and thought. She could hear voices off in the distance, gathering the rest of their belongings before heading off to the Feudal Era once more. And she drifted back into abyss.

Inuyasha gazed upon Kagome as she slept. What is wrong with me? He stared at her lithe body. Her dainty feet uncovered, and dainty toenails painted a shiny red. That red, matches my robes. He slid his gaze up her legs, which were smooth and well muscled since they had first met. Only calloused by small scars from their adventures. I shouldn't have put her in those positions. He eyes lingered on the swell of her hip for just a moment. Then traveled up the length of her flat stomach. Her chest rising and falling slowly with each breath she took. Her tiny hand tucked under the smooth satin skin of her cheek. That silken hair forming a curtain across her shoulders. And that ray of sunshine lit up her entire face, her brows knit together either from stress of the sun. he just didn't know. I'm sorry Kagome, I just don't know how to tell you.