I disclaim everything that needs to be.

Bold means a change in location and/ or time or time period. Italics are thoughts or Sesshomaru's inner demon talking, or flashbacks. ** Movements in songs

Chapter 9:

Sesshomaru woke to Kagome still asleep next to him. He checked his phone to see his dad called, twice. Sliding out of bed and tiptoeing out of the room; he went downstairs, dialing his father's phone number.

"That won't be necessary, Sesshomaru, your dad is here. Everyone's here." Sakura said, ushering him into the living room.

Sure enough, Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, and his father were all sitting there, with Ken. Sakura took a seat next to her husband and greeted his father. His friends looked up at him.

"How's she doing?" Sango asked, concerned.

Sesshomaru sighed, "She's still asleep. She slept soundly. She would hold on to me every time I'd try and leave. I think she's afraid to be alone."

Ken nodded, "I noticed her acting strangely whenever her and Hojo would have a fight. She wouldn't let anyone touch her."

The silence permeated the room.

"Then what are we going to do? Has the boy's mother been notified?" Sesshomaru's father, Dai, questioned.

Sakura nodded, "I've spoken to Hojo's mother about my suspicions since the first day Kagome came home with a bruise. She doesn't believe her son could do anything."

Inuyasha looked up, "we're going to protect her at school. She's never gonna be alone with him. And here, Sessh and I can watch over her. She can stay with us if she wants too. Or we'll stay here. Either way, we're gonna keep her safe."

Ken smiled softly, how lucky of his daughter to have friends that loved her so deeply. He knew demons took their relationships seriously, and the Tashio family was the most powerful and influential family in the demon world, as well as the human world. They saw his Kagome as one of their own, and his friendship with them grew as their children did.

"I know you boys will take care of her. You love her." He said, patting their backs, "I'm gonna go check on her, then I'll make some phone calls."

Ken left, leaving everyone in the living room, the adults catching up and the teenagers comparing schedules and working on things to do with Kagome so she stays safe.

~Hojo and Naraku's House~

Hojo smoked a cigarette on the front porch, feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket. His heart skipped a beat, Kagome was finally calling him back. She was finally being good. Behaving how she should again. He sighed in disappointment when he saw the name, "Mom".

"Yes mom?" He answered, annoyed.

"Hojo! You haven't called me back! Kagome's mother called again! I thought I told you to stop intimidating that girl!"

"Mom I'm not hurting her! She asks for it! She tells me to! She likes it mom, I swear. I didn't even touch her this time; I just went to see her mom!"

"You know that woman doesn't like you! You know she spreads those awful lies about you! I wish you'd get her to believe that you're my sweet sensitive boy. I don't know why she's so hateful! Because her daughter is a little slut trying to take my baby away and hurt him" His mother wailed.

Hojo's anger rose, "Don't you talk about her like that. She's mine, mom. Get over it. I'll make her mom come around."

He hung up and growled. Kagome's little lapdogs are going to be glued to her side even more now. She was never going to be alone long enough to listen to him. He just needed her alone and she'll realize her mistakes. That's what always happened. He had to get rid of those Tashios.

Naraku stood at the doorway staring at his cousin. His aunt called him too, pleading with him to take Kagome away from her son. Make her betray him so he could get over her. But he knew Hojo would never let Kagome go. Especially if he found out that Naraku wanted her for himself. He needed to think of a plan that could get him Kagome, and Hojo to stop hurting her.

~Kagome's House~

Ken stood in the doorway of Kagome's room, watching her. She tossed and turned, her sleep restless now that she was alone. His heart ached. He tried everything to get Kagome away from Hojo, and he never thought he would follow his daughter all the way here. The police could only do so much, they completely ignored his calls by the time he asked for a transfer. He felt hopeless, his only job was to protect his children. His daughter was hurting right in front of him and he couldn't do anything to fix it.

Tears burned his eyes and he turned away, walking back to his study. He had calls to make. Sesshomaru was sitting at the top of the stairs.

Ken put his hand on his shoulder, "go to her Sesshomaru, take care of her"

Sesshomaru nodded and walked back into Kagome's room. He sat on the corner of her bed and watched as she immediately calmed at his presence. He thought about what she's ask when she woke up. He didn't have any answers for her. He had no idea what to tell her.

"Sesshomaru," she mumbled, eyes flickering open.

"Yea…?"

"I know you'll protect me. I don't want him to hurt you too. Or Inuyasha. Or anyone."

"We're not going to leave you alone. He's not going to hurt us. And he's not going to hurt you anymore."

Kagome sighed, "did you tell my dad?"

Sesshomaru was quiet. He avoided her bright blue gaze. She sat up, and looked at him.

"Sesshomaru. Did you tell my dad?"

Sesshomaru nodded and Kagome sighed, "he already knew, didn't he?"

"Kagome, we had to tell him. Your mom wrote us notes for school today. We've been talking about what's next all day."

Kagome stood, and wandered toward her bathroom, "I'm gonna shower and change. I'll be down in a little while. We should get my phone number changed again."

Sesshomaru nodded, "I'll wait for you downstairs."

"I love you Sesshomaru. I'm okay, really."

Sesshomaru stood at the doorway and watched as Kagome rifled through her drawers. She grabbed a tank top and shorts before walking to her bathroom and turning on the light.

"I love you too, Kagome. I do." He said, closing the door right as she pulled her shirt over her head.

*That's that, for now! –Inu'sgurl97 *