For those of you who have been reading this story since the beginning, I applaud you. I've just finished high school/ college and I'm working on rewriting this entire story. So it might be a while before I can get a new chapter up, but it is my ultimate goal to finish this story before the summer is over. Enjoy!

Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha.

"Kagome?"

I tensed and raised my head at the sound of my name being called. I immediately knew who the voice belonged to.

"Koga? I'm over here!" I called, waving my hand in the air. When he came into my line of sight, I saw him smile and begin to walk towards me. When he reached me, he sat down next to me with his back against the same tree I was currently leaning on.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." He said with a chuckle. He leaned his head against the tree and peered at the forest surrounding us.

"It seems that I'm getting better at hide and seek." I replied, a small smile gracing my face. I mimicked him and leaned my head against the tree.

"I wasn't aware that we were playing hide and seek." He said, nudging my shoulder with his own. I looked into his icy blue eyes and sighed.

"We aren't." I responded, moving to stand. In an instant, Koga was there, holding out his hand. I took it with a miniscule smile and he helped me to my feet.

"Hiding from your father again?" He asked, his voice low. I simply nodded and began walking. I often came into the forest to read my stories. It seemed that the only person in the village who understood my love of books was Koga. And the forest was the only place in our village that would not chase me out for relishing in the written word. I sometimes wished I was in a storybook…at least then I could have a happy ending.

"Kagome…you know that you don't have to stay with him. Please reconsider coming to stay with my family and I." Koga said, his eyes pleading. I closed my eyes and slid my hand out of his when he tried to take it.

Koga had offered to take me in several hundred times, and each time I refused. It would've made life miserable for both Koga and his family. It something I simply couldn't do to them.

We continued our walk to the village in silence. As we went on our way, a warm breeze fluttered through the forest that carried the scent of roses. I paused. Roses weren't known to grow around here.

I looked around, ignoring the questioning glance Koga gave me.

"Do you smell the roses, Koga?" I asked, searching the forest for any sign of roses.

"No Kagome, I don't. You know roses don't grow here. Maybe your mother is calling out to you." He suggested.

I rolled my eyes with a sigh. Koga had always believed in spirits and other things like that. My mother used to love roses. She somehow was able to make them flourish in this area. But when she died…the roses did as well.

"It isn't my mother, Koga. It was probably just my imagination." I retorted, continuing our walk back towards the village. We continued the rest of the way with light conversation, though I tried to drag the walk out.

When we finally reached my home, Koga gave it a disapproving glare.

From the outside, the cottage looked warm and inviting…but I knew that the inside was anything but that.

Koga might've known that I was unhappy living here, but I never let on to what actually transpired behind those doors. If I ever did, I had no doubt that he would kill my father.

Before I walked to the door, Koga gave me a tight hug. I smiled and returned his embrace, wishing desperately that my mother was here.

I walked out of his embrace and looked at his face for a few moments, my eyes sad. I hoped he'd forgive me.

"Goodnight, Koga." I turned and walking into my home, without waiting for his response.

I pushed through the door in a panic, clutching my side. It ached and it was hard to move, but I had to get out.

My hair was in knots and my hands were stained crimson. There was so much blood…I wanted to stop and vomit, but the adrenaline in my system would not permit it.

I ran, and I ran until I reached Koga's house. I panted heavily, and looked around cautiously.

It was the middle of the night now, and I knew that Koga and his family would be asleep. Looking around once more, I slipped a letter under their door. I grimaced at the bloody fingerprints that stained the letter.

Standing straight, I tugged my hood back over my head and ran towards the forest.

I didn't stop running until my legs were burning, and my lungs felt as if they were being torn apart. I continued to look back every few moments to make sure that I wasn't being followed.

When I finally stopped, I wiped the sweat from my face and looked around again. The forest was dark and quiet. Although I was far away from my father, fear still gripped at my heart.

I settled between a few trees and wrapped my arms around my legs. My whole body shook as I began to sob.

I had no one now.

I was alone.