Disclaimer:

I don't own Inuyasha nor do I own Eyeshiedl 21, they both belong to their respective mangakas and this is, after all, is a fan fiction. A fictional story written by a fan.

Chapter One — Protector

[Are you sure about this?]

A soft sigh escaped her nose, "For the last time, yes—and my decision is final." She added, already anticipating his reaction of being against her decision. "Really, I can take care of myself, I'm not a little girl."

[You're little to me.] he grumbled, the phone's microphone barely picking up his grumbling.

Her blue eyes sparkled with her amusement. Her face softened as a soft smile lit her features as she imagined his handsome face being marred by the childish pout he wore whenever she never gave him his way. "You can't always get your way, you know."

[Of course I know!] he snapped childishly, [And I hate it! You can come over here—I can watch over you and make sure you're safe. I'll be your protector—]

He suddenly cut off, cursing under his breath at the word he uttered. While she, on the other end of the call, became glassy-eyed at the word.

Protector.

There was one person who was her protector and that was her hero.

They were synonymous to one person and one person, only.

Those words had a very deep meaning for her. It was somewhat a taboo now for those close to her, knowing how much both words meant to her. No one would fully be able to fulfill her definition of the role anymore and therefore it was not used or tossed around casually nor callously in her presence.

"…I suppose you could be," she said steadily, her voice unwavering despite the glass in her eyes. "But who would be there to protect you?"

[…I don't know whether to be insulted or flattered by the fact you view me as a child when I'm older than you.]

She let out a bright laugh, tucking a stray raven lock behind her ear. "It could be taken either way—depends, do you want to be treated like an adult or a child?"

[I am a teenager, thank you very much, and I want to be treated like one.]

"Well, you already act like a teenage yankee—not very good guardian material," she scolded jokingly, chiding him on his distaste of school and hatred of attending any form of educational institution.

[Hardy-har-har, you're starting to sound older than your mother with all your nagging.]

"That's mean." She frowned, wrinkling her nose.

[I'm not the kind to be considered nice.] he replied nonchalantly, a loud yawn raising the pitch pf his voice.

She paused in front of a set of gates, the cool spring air carrying her hair over her face. Lifting deft fingers, she combed back the unruly raven locks that coiled around her wrist playfully. "I have to go, school is about to start."

She could hear him muttering in displeasure over the line. [I don't understand why you want to got to school]—he gagged at the word—[but whatever, it's your choice, good luck on your first day, Kagome.]

Kagome smiled.

"Yeah, thanks. I'll talk to you later."

In all honesty, she would need as much luck as she could.

She offered her own farewell as she stepped into the school's grounds. Her brother had protested about her moving from the shrine and into an apartment when he'd already seen so little of her the past year but her mother and grandfather had been supportive, understanding her feelings. While he agreed with her brother, he couldn't really deny her anything so he didn't protest to her moving to Amefuto City[i].

She smiled.

Maybe she'd find her new hero here in Deimon.

Kagome laughed, the tinkling sound catching the attention of a lurking shadowy figure, at the absurdity of her own thought.

A/N:

As much as I'd like to say—to those who have read and/or have favourited/followed my story Mask—that the next chapter of Mask will be up soon… I'd be lying…

The outline was short but when I began filling in the finer details, adding scenes and making parts longer… Well I couldn't finish it in a week, and well, it's almost been a month but I blame the tragedy known as Life gets in the way of things.

Hopefully I can update Mask sometime this week.

And, please, enjoy this new drabble series I've come up with.

Empryexl

[i]. Amefuto City - if you pay attention to the first chapter, which I'm pretty sure it can be found in, this is the city one of the phone's Hiruma was using to get Sena's info spoke of. Presumably, this is where they, the Devil Bats, live. More than fitting, really.