Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters, but I do own this story.

AN: Okay, so I know it has been forever, but here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it and PLEASE remember to REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW. I really want to know what you all think. So bring on the REVIEWS!

"Kagome, what are you talking about?" Sango was shocked, to say the least, by Kagome's unexpected call. They were in a fight, and it was rare for Kagome to be the first to call and apologize. She was just too stubborn for her own good. That's when Kagome's gut-wrenching sobs registered in Sango's brain. "Kagome, what happened? Where are you? Are you hurt?"

Sango's panic for her best friend was only heightened when Kagome's only response to her questions was another round of sobs. "Kagome, answer me. What is wrong?"

"Koga…he..he"

"Kagome, what did Koga do to you?" The worst possible thoughts were flying through Sango's head at how bad Koga could have hurt Kagome and none of the scenarios were good. She needed Kagome to tell her what he did to her before she completely lost her mind.

"Sango, he abandoned me! Can you please come and get me." Kagome could barely speak as the tears continued to course down her cheeks. She was in a state of shock as recent events kept replaying in her mind over and over again.

"Kagome I am on my way. Where are you?"

"The cliff overlooking Riverside Lake."

Sango's heart skipped a beat. She knew what guys like Koga did up there on that cliff. It made her sick to her stomach when Sango thought of what Koga tried to do to Kagome. Sango knew she had to hurry to be with her best friend. "Kagome, I will be there soon, just stay out of sight in case Koga comes back looking for you."

Kagome huddled against the tall oak tree as she earnestly waited for Sango's arrival. She was on pins and needles from every noise that met her ears. She was afraid that Koga would return to start what she had thankfully stopped. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, but was actually about fifteen minutes, Kagome heard the frantic voice of Sango.

"Kagome, I'm here. Where are you? Kagome!"

"Sango, I am right here!" Kagome rushed towards her best friend. Her knees gave out as Kagome embraced Sango in tight hug and brought them both to the hard ground. However neither of them cared. Kagome was just thankful to have Sango in her life. She knew that no matter what Sango would be there for here, and Sango would never let her down.

"Thank you Sango. Thank you for coming for me, and I am sorry for everything." Kagome's voice creaked on her last words as she began to cry uncontrollably once again. Her apology reminded her of Koga and what he did to her since he was the reason that Sango and her fought.

"It's okay Kagome. I am right here." Sango soothed her best friend, thankful that she was okay and more hopeful that Koga was not able to ruin her. Sango heard a pair of feet approach them and looked up into the eyes of the approaching figure. She gave the figure a small nod and the figure swiftly bent down a placed his arms under Kagome's body.

Kagome froze when she felt a pair of arms under her body. Her head snapped up and her eyes locked with Inuyasha's. "Inuyasha?" Kagome chocked out before she wrapped her arms securely around his neck and cried into his shirt. Here was Riverside Green's outcast coming to her rescue because Riverside Green's "prince" tried to hurt her.

Inuyasha silently closed his eyes and inhaled Kagome's sweet scent. He was thankful that Kagome was okay physically, but emotionally she was a mess. "Shhh…Kagome. It's alright; now that we are here nothing will harm you. I won't allow it." The soothing words whispered only for Kagome to hear brought about a fresh new round of tears. The sight and sound of Kagome's tears made Inuyasha mentally curse Koga for what he did to her as he hoisted her into his arms.

Inuyasha carefully laid Kagome down in the back seat of his car. He gazed at her with sorrowful eyes as she curled up into a small ball and continued to cry. Inuyasha soothingly pushed the hair away from Kagome's face. Their eyes locked and Inuyasha could see the hurt and confusion in her eyes. He knew that the hurt was because of Koga, but the confusion was brought about by his presence. Their gaze broke when Sango shut the passenger side of the car. Inuyasha quickly pulled back his hand from Kagome's face. He then took of his jacket and placed it on top of Kagome's body, hoping it would provide her with warmth and comfort.

"Where am I?" Kagome quietly whispered to herself. Her eyes were a bit blurry and they burned. That's when Sango and Inuyasha, sitting on barstools in a person's unknown kitchen, came into focus and the night's events came flooding back to her. Kagome wrapped herself tighter in the blanket that was placed over her body as a small whimper escaped her mouth and a few tears leaked out of her eyes.

Kagome's whimper did not go undetected, "Kagome, you're awake!" Sango rushed over to the couch where Kagome was placed earlier that evening and gave her dear friend a giant hug. Kagome had to choke back an agonizing sob as she hugged her dear friend back.

"Sango where am I?"

"Inuyasha's house"

"What!?!" Kagome quietly croaked. Thoughts of what her parents might think if they knew where she were, or if anyone saw her leave or enter his house what they would think. Panic slowly set in at the thought of what rumors could be started to ruin her name as well as that of her family. From the corner of her eye, Kagome could see Inuyasha slowly make his way to his kitchen in order to give the two some privacy.

Sango could see the panic set in on Kagome's face, and the sight once again sparked Sango's anger. "Please Kagome don't give me anymore of that society opinion crap. We both know that it is a bunch of bull. Would you rather be Riverside Green's "prince", a guy that tried to take advantage of you? Or with Riverside Green's "bad boy", the guy who rescued you?"

Kagome felt like a chastised little kid. She couldn't even make eye contact with Sango. Kagome just bent her head down and allowed the tears to roll off her cheeks. It took her a few minutes before she got the courage to finally speak once again. "Sango, I was so scared. He wouldn't..I tried…"

Sango's heart broke at the broken sight of her best friend. "Oh Kagome, I shouldn't have yelled at you, especially after what you have just been through." Sango pulled Kagome into her arms and rubbed small circles in her back. "I am here Kagome. You can talk to me, you know that."

"Sango, he wouldn't stop. I kept telling him no, and he kept on doing what he wanted. His hands were everywhere. They made me feel so dirty." Sango squeezed Kagome extra hard as she continued to cry into her shirt.

"Shh…Kagome. It will all be okay. I am here. I will always be here for you."

For the first time that night Kagome felt safe, but it was short lived. "Sango" Kagome cried, pulling away from their hug, "what if Koga.."

"No Kagome, no. Koga will not try anything with you again. I will not let him."

"Neither will I."

Kagome's head snapped up at the sound of a male voice. Right in front of her was Inuyasha himself, holding two blue mugs in his hands. "Inuysaha" Kagome whispered, locking eyes with Inuyasha.

"I thought you two might like some coffee." Inuyasha placed the warm mug into Kagome's hands and the other mug on the table in front of Sango. He locked eyes with Kagome. A sense of safety and warmth washed over Kagome as she looked into Inuyasha's eyes. He would keep her safe, at least that's what his eyes told her.

Their gaze was disturbed when a deep yawn escaped Kagome's lips. She suddenly felt extremely tired from the night's events. "Kagome, go to sleep." Inuyasha whispered, removing the full mug from her hands. "Thank you, but I need to get home. It's late and my parents are probably worrying about me by now." Even though Kagome felt safe in Inuyasha's apartment, she couldn't stay there. Everything was so confusing in her life at that moment and she didn't need anything or anyone adding to all the pandemonium. She moved to retrieve all her belongings and make for the door, but she didn't even make it off the couch.

"Kagome stay" Sango's voice stopped her and Kagome turned rounded eyes in her direction. "Your parents think you are staying at my house. So you are covered. Just stay here. We will both stay here."

"But Sango, I don't want to abuse Inuyasha's hospitality. So I think that it would be.."

"Stay, Kagome. Just stop worrying about what others might think if they find out, and just go to sleep." Kagome stared at Inuyasha with her mouth a gap. Once again he could read through her actions and reasoning, and it frightened and excited her all at the same time.

Kagome silently nodded her head in agreement. She then allowed Sango to push her down onto the couch as Inuyasha covered her with a warm plush blanket. She watched her best friend and the town rebel retreat back into the kitchen. She felt oddly safe in the last place that should provide her safety. With that in mind, along with the events of the night, Kagome fell into a soundless sleep.

Morning approached sooner than Kagome would have liked. When she opened her eyes Kagome was blinded by the sunlight filtering in through the window blinds. Kagome looked around and noticed that Sango was nowhere to be found, neither was Inuyasha. She lazily stretched out all the kinks in her bones and slowly got up off of the couch. She really needed to find Sango or Inuyasha and make them take her home. Her parents would start to wonder where she was, and she didn't know if she would be able to keep all of this a secret from them. She didn't even know if she wanted to keep it a secret. How would they react if they found out that the guy they regarded so dearly and the one that they thought was scum were they exact opposite? Kagome silently chuckled and chided herself for such thoughts. The answer was simple: her parents would never believe her.

"Good morning Kagome"

Kagome jumped at the sound of her name. She had no idea anyone was around, much less watching her. "Inuyasha, please don't scare me like that!"

"I'm sorry Kagome. I promise that I won't do it again." Inuyasha chuckled at Kagome's surprised face. He made his way to where Kagome was perched on the couch. "Here's some coffee to wake you up." Inuyasha placed a warm mug in Kagome's hands and took a seat beside her.

"Thank you Inuyasha" Kagome did not meet his eyes. She still felt uncomfortable around him, and a part of her was even ashamed of herself. After all he had done for her yesterday, she still could not get over the negative persona that her parents made her believe about him.

"It's not a problem." Inuyasha gave Kagome an easy smile and turned his gaze away, while taking a swig of coffee from his own mug.

"No Inuyasha, I mean for everything, especially for yesterday. You really had no reason to come and save me with Sango, but I am grateful that you did." Kagome did not make eye contact Inuyasha during her entire thank you speech. She was scared to see how he would react to one of the first honest things she ever said to him.

"Of course I had a reason to be there with Sango, Kagome."

Kagome's head shot up at the words he had just said. "What was your reason?" Kagome asked him breathlessly. Their eyes were now trained on each other and Kagome felt the whole world around her stop. Her body was tingling in anticipation for what Inuyasha had to say.

"You" Inuyahsa whispered, cupping Kagome's cheek softly in his palm "My reason was and always will be to keep you safe." Inuyahsa's words were barely above a whisper. He slowly brought her face towards his own.

Inuyasha could see the stunned expression on Kagome's face and her shock made him falter. Then he saw her eyes quickly flutter shut, and he could feel her body tremble in anticipation. He took that as a sign to continue, and he firmly, yet gently pressed his lips against her own.

Kagome couldn't move. Her mind was still trying to make sense of what was happening. Inuyasha was kissing her. His surprisingly soft lips were pressed against her own and she could not move. She neither kissed him back nor pushed him away. She just sat with her eyes closed as Inuyasha's hands framed her face and his lips caressed her own.

Inuyasha knew he had scared Kagome with the sudden kiss. She hadn't moved since he pressed his lips against her own. He took her lack of response as a sign to stop, and Inuyasha reluctantly pulled away from Kagome. "Kagome I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Inuyasha apologized. Kagome's eyes were wide, and her mouth was slightly agap.

Once Kagome got a hold of her senses she knew that she had to get away from Inuyasha. She had to leave and fast! "Inuyasha, I have to go. Thank you again...you were...you were...where is my stuff?!?" Kagome was completely frazzled, and she couldn't look in his eyes. If she did all her senses would fly out the window. So she focused all her energy on gathering her belongings and fleeing Inuyasha's house.

"Kagome wait just slow down for a moment." Inuyasha made a grab at Kagome's wrists to halt her jerky motions, but he missed. Within seconds Kagome had all her stuff haphazardly gathered in her arms and was rushing towards the door.

"Kagome stop!" Kagome froze in midstep. Inuyasha's voice sent chills down her spine. His tone was like none other that she had heard from him before. It was stern and fierce. She could sense his aggravation through his words. His words froze her in her place, but made her scared to look him in the eye. If she did, she knew what she would find. So, she just stood where she was standing; her heart hammering loudly in her chest.

"Kagome, turn around and face me. We have to talk about this, running away won't solve anything." Kagome's body was out of her control. It ignored her brain's protests and listened to Inuyasha's stern words. Kagome met his eyes, and she felt like she was sucker punched in the gut. Inuyasha's eyes shown for her. They were a portal to his heart and that's what scared her.

"Come here Kagome." Inuyasha stuck out his hand for Kagome to take and she automatically placed her hand in his. He slowly brought her closer to his body, scared that any sudden movements might scare her away again. He set them side by side on the couch and reluctantly let go of her hand.

They just looked into each other's eyes for what seemed like hours. Inuyasha wondering what to say to her and Kagome waiting for him to start. That's when Kagome surprised even herself and pulled Inuyasha into another kiss, her hands softly cupping his face.

AN: Now you all know what to do, just press that button down to the left and REVIEW. Maybe with the right motivation I will update faster!