Kagome woke up early again, much to her dismay. She'd wanted to sleep in, but before she'd gone up to her bedroom last night, her mom had requested her help with breakfast in the morning.

Kagome quietly gathered her clothes and slipped out of her bedroom, careful not to wake Kikyo. Then she went to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

I wonder what we'll wind up doing today. I'd like to do more than just sit around and reminisce today.

Perhaps she could convince Kikyo to go to the mall with her. That would be fun.

Kagome finished getting ready and left the bathroom. She could hear the stirrings of other people waking up, and hurriedly deposited her pajamas back in her bedroom. When she went back out in the hall, she saw Souta peaking out of his bedroom.

"Kagome!" he stage whispered. He came out of his room and handed her a folded piece of paper. "This is for you from, um, you know. Don't let anyone else see it."

"Okay," Kagome said, slipping it in her pocket. "I'll read it later. I've got to get downstairs and help Mom with breakfast."

Kagome went down the stairs and to the kitchen, where Mrs. Higurashi immediately set her to work. As she helped make breakfast, Kagome couldn't help but wonder what was on the note that Inuyasha had written for her. She couldn't think of any reason for him to be writing her notes.

I guess I'll just have to wait until I get a moment alone to read it to find out what he wrote.

It wasn't long before the rest of the household came down for breakfast, and soon Kagome had nearly forgotten about the slip of paper in her pocket.

"So, what are everyone's plans for the day?" Uncle Ryou asked when they were nearly done eating.

"I was thinking it might be fun for Kikyo and me to go to the mall," Kagome said.

Kikyo smiled. "That sounds like a good idea."

"I wanted to go to Kohaku's house," Souta said. "Can I Mom?"

"Oh, I suppose," Mrs. Higurashi said. "But you have to be home by lunch, okay?"

Souta nodded. "Okay."

"Kikyo, Kagome, do you two mind dropping Souta off at Kohaku's house on your way to the mall?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

"Not a problem," Kagome said. "We'll leave as soon as we get ready."

"Done eating!" Souta said and jumped up from his chair. He rushed out of the room so he could get ready to go.

Kikyo and Kagome put their empty plates in the sink before heading up to Kagome's room to get their shoes and purses. While there Kikyo also grabbed her hair brush.

"I need to finish fixing my hair," she said. "I'll be ready in five minutes."

"Take your time," Kagome said.

When Kikyo left the room, Kagome pulled the note from Inuyasha out of her pocket. Curiosity eating at her, she quickly opened it and read the contents.

"Your hair is very black,

And it falls down your back.

Spirit you don't lack,

Your hand is all I ask."

It took Kagome several moments to realize that this was Inuyasha's attempt at a love poem. It was possibly one of the saddest attempts at a love poem she had ever seen, and Kagome didn't know whether to laugh at the absurdity of the poem, or be touched that he had tried to write her a poem at all. The only truly coherent thought she could form was, Why the modern rhyme scheme? Shouldn't Inuyasha be writing haiku? She decided Souta must have had a hand in that.

Kagome decided to be both amused and touched and let a few giggles escape. She couldn't laugh too much though, or Kikyo might hear her and want to know what was so funny. Kagome refolded the poem and hid it in her sock drawer.

On impulse, Kagome decided she would respond with a poem of her own. She didn't know when she would find the time to do it, but she'd try to do it soon.

Kikyo came back from the bathroom, her hair in perfect order. "Ready to go, Kagome?"

Kagome grinned. "Yup. Let's get Souta and go."

Not much later, Kagome pulled the family car into Kohaku's driveway. While Souta was getting out, Kagome called, "Tell Sango I said hi!"

"Sure thing!" Souta called back, and then raced up to their front door.

Kagome pulled out of the driveway and drove down the street.

"Souta goes over to Kohaku's house so much, it's a wonder he doesn't move in there," Kagome said.

Kikyo smiled. "I seem to recall those two were always good friends."

Kagome nodded. "Oh yeah. They've practically grown up together, since Sango and I were always so close."

"How is Sango doing?" Kikyo asked. Though she may not have liked Miroku, she did like Sango.

"She's doing fine. Do you know she's playing softball this year, and keeping her karate classes?"

"Really?" Kikyo said. "That must keep her busy."

Kagome nodded. "It really does. She had a break from softball last week though; their coach was sick. And she only has karate classes three times a week; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays."

"What belt is she?" Kikyo asked.

"A black belt," Kagome said. "I feel sorry for anyone who tries to mess with her."

"I would too," Kikyo said. There were a few moments of silence. "So, Kagome, has anything interesting happened lately?"

A wave of nervousness inexplicably washed through Kagome at the seemingly innocent question. Kikyo couldn't have any idea that Inuyasha was staying with them. There was no reason to be worried.

"No, not really. Just the same old, same old."

They pulled into the mall parking lot. "Okay, we're here!" She turned to Kikyo with sparkling eyes. "Which store do you want to look at first?"

Kikyo felt somewhat frustrated on the way home from the mall. She had hoped that Kagome would know something about the yokai, but all of Kikyo's subtle tactics to bring out information had met with a brick wall.

Granted, Kikyo hadn't expected Kagome to know that a yokai had taken up residence in her home. However, she had hoped that Kagome might have spotted some odd goings on that might give Kikyo a better idea of what she was dealing with. She didn't like walking into this situation blind.

Still, she had to do something, preferably sooner than later. She didn't want to give the yokai a chance to harm anyone.

They stopped to pick up Souta and headed home. When they went inside, Aunt Nariko called immediately for Kagome's help in the kitchen, so Kikyo volunteered to take their shopping bags up to Kagome's room.

After putting the bags away, Kikyo hesitated. Everyone was downstairs, and they weren't likely to come up for any reason. Now might be one of the best chances she'd get to try and discover exactly what she was dealing with.

Inuyasha paced in Souta's room. Why had he given Kagome that stupid poem? He knew it wasn't a good one. It was horrible one, but sadly it had been the best he'd been able to come up with all night, and Souta had insisted they give it to her.

Now he was waiting and worrying, hoping that Kagome didn't think he was a complete idiot.

The door to Souta's room opened, and Inuyasha stopped pacing to see who was coming in. It was a young woman, presumably Kagome's cousin. Inuyasha was surprised to see how much she resembled Kagome.

Inuyasha barely had a moment to wonder why she'd come when the room filled with a surge of spiritual energy.

Inuyasha gasped and instinctively stepped back. This woman was strong, easily one of the most powerful priestesses he'd ever encountered. The energy crackled in the room, stinging Inuyasha.

Her eyes searched the room, trying to find him. "Where are you, yokai?" she asked. "I know you're here; show yourself!"

Even if Inuyasha could have revealed himself to her, he wouldn't have dared. If it came down to a fight, Inuyasha was fairly certain he'd be able to kill her, but she was Kagome's cousin. If Inuyasha killed her, Kagome would never forgive him. His only option was to stay still and silent, and hope she didn't figure out where he was.

Kagome froze over the vegetables she'd been chopping for Mrs. Higurashi. Something was wrong. She didn't know what, she didn't know how she knew, but something big was going on.

Kagome dropped the knife on the cutting board and left the kitchen, ignoring her mom's questions. "I'll be right back," she said, to dissuade anyone from following her.

Quickly moving up the stairs, Kagome saw a strange glow coming from the cracked open door of Souta's room. Kagome rushed to the door and opened it, and was shocked to see Kikyo standing in there; she was even more shocked to see that the strange glow was coming from her.

Inuyasha was standing a few feet away, his jaw clenched in pain. "Kagome, make her stop."

"Kikyo?"

The glow vanished and Kikyo whirled around to face Kagome. "Kagome," she said, looking surprised.

"What are you doing in here?" Kagome asked.

Kikyo looked indecisive for a moment, then pulled Kagome in and shut the door behind her. "I need you to listen to me," Kikyo hissed. "What I'm going to say sounds strange, but you must believe me. Yokai are real, and very dangerous. One is here, I think in this room. I must destroy it before it hurts anyone. Now I need you to go downstairs, and stay away from here until I tell you its safe."

Kagome stared at Kikyo in shock. All she could say was, "How did you find out?"

Kikyo stepped back, looking as stunned as Kagome felt.

"She's a priestess, Kagome," Inuyasha said. "She can sense my presence the way Kaede can. But she's not as well trained, so she can't figure out exactly where I am."

"You," Kikyo started, "you knew a yokai was living here?"

"It's a long story," Kagome said. "But you don't need to worry about him. Inuyasha isn't evil."

Kikyo was beginning to get over her surprise. "You're wrong, Kagome. All yokai are evil. There are no exceptions."

Kagome was surprised at the hardness in Kikyo's voice. How had she come to believe this? For that matter, how had she become aware of the existence of yokai at all? "They aren't all evil," Kagome said. "At the very least, I can promise you Inuyasha is not. He isn't a danger to anyone."

"He is," Kikyo insisted. "He has bewitched you somehow if you think otherwise."

Kagome temper lit at Kikyo's stubborn words. Who was she to judge? Kikyo didn't even know Inuyasha. Just because he wasn't completely human didn't mean he was evil.

"If he's so evil, then why hasn't he attacked you while you've been distracted?" Kagome snapped.

Kikyo looked startled, apparently not having thought about the fact that she had left herself vulnerable to an attack while talking to Kagome.

Kagome continued on. "Now, Souta knows about Inuyasha, as he's staying in Souta's room and all, but Mom and Grandpa don't know, and I'd prefer to keep it that way."

That was a lie, but Kagome didn't want Kikyo bringing this topic up in front of them, and trying to convince everyone that Inuyasha was evil. Plus, it would be best if Uncle Ryou and Aunt Hina never heard of this.

"So we're just going to drop the subject, and you're going to pretend Inuyasha isn't here," Kagome finished.

Kikyo stared at her, eyes hard. "Very well," she finally said. "Have it your way. But know this Kagome. Whatever that monster does, it will be your fault. Whomever he hurts, the guilt will be yours."

Kagome didn't know what came over her, but something inside snapped when she heard Kikyo call Inuyasha a monster. Almost bursting with anger, Kagome stepped forward and slapped Kikyo. She didn't hit her hard, probably it didn't really even hurt Kikyo, but it was enough to shut her up.

"Don't you ever, ever call him that," Kagome hissed. "Inuyasha is absolutely not a monster, and he would never hurt us."

Kikyo didn't respond, but glared stonily before stalking out of the room.

Kagome stood where she was for a moment, feeling overwhelmed. She couldn't believe what she'd done and said. She had slapped Kikyo! It didn't matter that it hadn't been a hard hit, it didn't matter that it was the first time Kagome had ever hit anyone. Kagome had hit her, and that was inexcusable.

But what she said was inexcusable too.

Tears of shame and frustration welled up in her eyes, and a few escaped to roll down her cheeks. What was she to do? Would Kikyo ever forgive her? Would she ever forgive Kikyo?

More tears slipped down her face. She didn't know. She didn't know the answer to anything.

Inuyasha watched with mounting distress as Kagome stood there and cried. He had to make her stop. He had to do something. But what was he supposed to do? He didn't know how to deal with tears.

Inuyasha thought back, trying to remember how situations like this had been dealt with in his past. The problem was he couldn't remember situations like this in his past.

Hesitantly, Inuyasha moved towards her. He reached out and gently tapped her cheek with the tips of his fingers. "Hey," he said gruffly. "Stop crying."

To his surprise, Kagome latched onto him in a tight hug. "I hit her!" she cried. "How could I have hit her?"

That was what was bothering her? Inuyasha couldn't count the number of times that he'd attacked Sesshomaru, or Sesshomaru had attacked him. But seeing as Inuyasha and Sesshomaru disliked one another, he decided that wasn't the best example to give Kagome right now.

Inuyasha hugged her, since she seemed to find some comfort in the gesture. "She'll get over it," Inuyasha said.

Kagome looked up at him, teary eyed. "But that's the thing. I'm not sure she will. Kikyo can't forgive easily."

"Then your just going to have to deal with it, and move on," Inuyasha said.

Kagome frowned in distress. "It's not that simple, Inuyasha!" She buried her face in his chest with a groan. "You don't understand."
Inuyasha looked down at the top of her head uncertainly. He had to do something that would make her feel better. But what could he do?

"I guess I don't understand," he said. "But, I'd like to say that I am grateful."

She slowly looked back up at him, her brows creased in confusion. "Grateful?"

Inuyasha fidgeted slightly. He didn't like talking about this stuff, but if it would make Kagome stop crying, he'd say anything. "No one's ever stood up for me before. Thanks."

Kagome stared at him, and understanding flowed through her eyes, along with warmth that Inuyasha couldn't name. Gently she reached up and placed one of her hands on his face. "You're my friend, Inuyasha. I will always defend you."

She stood on tiptoe and pressed a quick kiss against his cheek. Then she quickly backed away, blushing. "I'd better get downstairs before Mom comes looking for me."

She dashed off, and Inuyasha stood where she's left him, dumbly staring after her. A grin broke out on his face where she'd kissed him. This day was turning out to be better than he'd expected.

Kikyo paced outside in the cool fall air. Gingerly she touched her cheek again. She couldn't believe it. Kagome had actually slapped her. Sweet, innocent Kagome had actually raised her hand against Kikyo. It was all the proof Kikyo needed to let her know that this Inuyasha was somehow controlling her.

Kikyo pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. She quickly dialed a number and waited for the phone to be answered. She was going to need help to destroy Inuyasha.

"Hello?"

Kikyo felt an instant, soothing, relief at the sound of Onigumo's voice. "Onigumo, I need your help," she said.

"What's wrong?" he asked all concern.

"A yokai has taken up residence in my family's home. I tried to drive him out earlier, but I was stopped by my cousin, Kagome. I believe that Inuyasha is controlling her."

"Who?" asked Onigumo sharply.

Kikyo was somewhat surprised by his tone. He'd never used it when speaking to her before. "Inuyasha. That's what Kagome called the yokai."

"Kikyo, in my studies I have read about a half breed that was named Inuyasha. If this is the same one, and I think it may be, Kagome is in grave danger. Tell me; were you ever able to see him?"

"No, never. It was as if he was invisible."

"Good," Onigumo said, sounding relieved. "Then there is still time to save your cousin. You see, Kikyo, hundreds of years ago, Inuyasha was cursed into being stone. Someone has freed him from that, but there was another part to the curse, that would make Inuyasha invisible, and mostly harmless even if he managed to get free of the first part."

"Is there a way for him to get loose from the second part of the curse?" Kikyo asked, concerned.

"Unfortunately yes, and it seems he has targeted Kagome to get rid of the second part. He must take her as his bride, and then devour her heart."

Kikyo gasped, horrified. There was no way she could leave Kagome to such a fate. She would save her, one way or another.

"Please, Onigumo, you must come," Kikyo begged. "I need your help to save her."

"I will get there tomorrow," Onigumo promised. "We'll save Kagome, don't you worry."

Kikyo accepted what he said, because she refused to believe that Kagome would suffer such a horrible fate. "Thank you, Onigumo," Kikyo said. "I love you."

"I love you too," Onigumo told her, and then hung up.

Kikyo put her cell phone away and looked back at the house, which was filled with precious people that she loved. She would keep them all safe, no matter what the cost.

I will protect you, Kagome. I promise.