And here it is— chapter 12! I'm so happy everyting's been working out lately! Enjoy!

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Chapter 11 - Troubles of My Own

Kagome stood over him. Watching him silently as he dosed off. She couldn't help but smile. But soon, that smile faded. He was so young. So innocent. Well, at least as innocent as 12 year old boys could get.

"I'm sorry for not being honest with you…but I really don't think you deserve such burden as big as this. Sweet dreams Souta." She whispered as she pulled his bangs from his eyes.

She quietly left his room and walked into her own.

Tomorrow would be better. Tomorrow she would visit the hospital right after school. She would make sure everything was fine and mama and grandpa would be coming home.

Kagome smiled to herself as she got ready for bed.

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Chapter 12 - Hidden Secrets

Kagome shot up from bed, screaming and sweat pouring down her forehead.

What a nightmare that was. Never before had she dreamt something so… so horrid.

Her brows came together in thought. What did she dream about? She remembered that it was scary, and that she felt uncomfortable, but…she couldn't remember what it was that she saw.

Quickly, she brought her blanket up and wiped the sweat from her forehead and cheeks.

She lazily brought her legs over the edge of her bed and raised her arms high above her head to stretch. Pain shot up her back and down her legs. She yelped and slouched down, holding herself. Her breathing was ragged. Kagome sat there, waiting for her it to take on it's normal pace, and as soon as it did, she stood and walked to the bathroom.

Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. Typical. Every morning she'd wake up looking like a yeti. Her hair was all over the place and her face was unusually puffy. She lifted her shirt and turned around to examine her back. A large bruise taking up about half of her back was located on the middle, but it wasn't any particular shape, just mainly scattered. There were scrapes as well, but most of them were so small, that they were already fading.

Scenes from the other night came back to her. The fight with Suo, the abuse she went through, Souta…

"Souta!" Her eyes widened and she pulled her shirt back down as she ran out of her bedroom and straight to Souta's.

"Souta?" She asked as she knocked on the door. She was sweating again. Just as the door opened, did she realize her mistake. Last night, nothing happened to Souta. Only her. She sighed and hugged him.

"Whoa! What are you doing, sis? Uh…I love you, too?" He pat her on the back, with a confused look on his face.. "Umm…so, what happened?"

Kagome pulled back and looked at him. He didn't seem to understand. She wouldn't make a big deal out of it. It didn't hurt that much.

She went back into her room, thinking of how she could prevent her friends touching her back,.

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She stepped downstairs, trying her hardest not to get noticed by her stepfather, but failed terribly.

"Kagome…did you take in consideration what we talked about last night?" His eyes gleamed evilly.

Kagome stood frozen at the spot where she attempted to tiptoe to the door. It was him. She dreamt about him. The one who gave her the nightmares, made her sweat and scream in horror, the one who woke her up in the middle of the night, was her stepfather, Suo.

She felt her stomach twist and turn in an unpleasant way. All she wanted to do now was run out the door and into her mothers arms. Kagome didn't have to tell herself twice, she hated the man, and all the things he'd do to her.

She gulped, remembering that she was in the middle of a conversation. "I-uh…um…mmm." She couldn't find the right words; so she nodded - simple.

"Good girl. Don't let it happen again. Now listen, I'm staying at work for a business meeting late tonight, won't be back 'til 8:30 or so. You'll come home straight after …wherever your going, to prepare dinner for Souta and yourself. And, Kagome, don't burn the house down." He uttered that last comment right before stepping out the door.

Kagome sighed. She would be home, just not right after she met with her friends. She smiled to herself and happily trotted off.

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"Kagome over here!" The raven haired girl called from across the street.

"Hey Sango!" She smiled happily and looked both ways before crossing and sitting down next to her. She looked around. "Hmm?"

"What?"

"Where's Rin?"

"Oh, she's not here yet, she called and said she'd be a little late." Sango crossed her legs.

"How was your date?" She nudged her in the arm and kept a grin on her face.

Sango's face darkened and her smile disappeared for a moment. Then a blush spread across her cheeks. She smiled faintly, remembering the night before. "It was nice…"

"Hmm? You sure? What's wrong Sango?" Kagome placed a hand on the older girls shoulder.

"What makes you think anything's wrong? Nothings wrong!" She laughed nervously.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

She looked down and blushed again.

"Rin said you never came home last night…What happened?" Kagome had a hint of worry and disappointment in her voice.

"Nothing." Sango frowned and crossed her arms, turning away from her best friend.

"Come on, Sango. You can tell me anything, remember?" Kagome squeezed her shoulder in attempt to reassure her.

"Well…" She sighed. Kagome was right. What's the point of keeping something from someone when they'll eventually find out.

"Okay." She gripped the younger girls shoulders. "But you have to swear you won't tell Rin."

Kagome laughed. She wasn't expecting that. She thought she'd say something like, you won't tell Miroku, or my dad, or, most commonly, anyone. But she said Rin. It was funny.

"What?" Sango raised a brown brow.

"Nothing, go ahead."

"Okay, her goes. Well, first we went to the movies…"

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Kagome felt her eyes begin to tear. Poor Sango. But hey, on the plus side…she went to Miroku's…that explained all the blushing.

She gasped. What happened between them? Kagome smiled and her eyes grew wide.

"What? Kagome! I though I could tell you this! But I see now that I shouldn't have! All you wanted to do was make fun of me! I can't believe y-"

"You went to Miroku's?" Kagome interrupted, squealing.

Sango looked down and blushed. Here we go again…

Kagome noticed this and her smile widened. She squealed.

Sango raised an eyebrow. "Now what?"

"I knew it!"

"Knew what Kagome?" Sango looked down at her notebook. She knew what was coming, but decided to just play stupid.

"You and-and Miroku!"

"What about us?" She looked her in the eye now.

"You like him!" Kagome squealed and clapped her hands together. "I knew it!"

"Don't be silly Kagome, that's completely-"

"Oh, sure." She grinned.

"Really!" Sango put her hands up in defense. "There's nothing going on between me and that pervert!"

Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but the Rin beat her to it. "Hey guys! Okay, so, scoot, scoot, make way for me." Rin moved Sango and Kagome over and giggled as she sat down to face Sango.

"Sooooo, what happened?"

Kagome laughed and made a gesture toward her friend that was 'on the spot'. Sango caught on. She decided to give Rin, the short version. That way, it wouldn't get out all over school.

"Let's go inside and talk." Kagome motioned for the three of them to go into the Sushi bar.

"Good idea!" Rin jumped up and ran to the door. She turned around. "Coming?"

The two nodded.

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Kagome ran down the sidewalk and across the street. She ran though the park and over a series of hills.

'Ten minutes away my ass! The damn hospital's 40 away if you run!'

She sprinted and turned the corner rapidly, almost sliding off the curb.

CRASH!

Kagome landed on her back. A jolt of pain shot up her back and she screamed out.

"Kagome!"

She knew that voice.

Two hands helped her up and brushed the dust off her back, eliciting another yelp.

"Uh, sorry."

"Inuyasha! I'm…fine. I gotta go."

"Feh. Woman, you at least owe me a 'thank you." He replied smugly.

Kagome looked at him in awe. "Hey! You're the one that pushed me down!"

"That's only cause you weren't watching!"

"Was too!"

"Nu-uh!"

Kagome stepped closer. "I was too watching, now if you don't mind, I have to go."

Inuyasha grabbed her by her waist and pulled her closer.

Her face flamed, but her back burned. And no, not the same thing.

Inuyasha turned her over. She saw a blush crawl upon his face before he flipped her.

'What's he doing?'

Inuyasha lifted her shirt and she yelped and fidgeted out of his grasp. He wouldn't let her, though.

"What the hell is…"

Kagome blushed and slapped him when she got the chance. "None of your business Inuyasha! Leave me alone!"

And while Inuyasha was busy registering what happened and rubbing his cheek, Kagome ran off.

She felt like crying. He was so….rude sometimes.

The hospital was in her view now. She had no chance but to speed up if she wanted to make it there before 2. Then she could get home and tell Souta.

Despite her back's disagreement, she ran.

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"Higurashi please." She said to the secretary, hastily and out of breath.

"Are you family?" The nurse asked calmly.

"Yes, yes. Higurashi, Kagome. I'm here to see my grandfather!"

"Alright miss, just a moment. Ahh her we are, Higurashi. B64. Have a nice-"

"Thank you!" Kagome ran for the elevator, but seeing as it was already closing and full, she ran to the stairs. Not much to climb, just a floor.

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She opened the door and it slammed against the wall. Kagome took deep intakes of breath and raspy exhales.

"Kagome!" Mrs. Higurashi stood and ran to embrace her daughter.

"Mom!" She looked over her mother's shoulder. "Grandpa!" With a tear escaping her eye, she kneeled beside him and pulled him into a hug. So much had happened.

"Kagome…?" Her mother questioned worriedly, causing Kagome herself t fear the worst.

She just closed her eyes and tightened her grip. 'Come on gramps, wake up…' She pleaded mentally.

"Kagome, honey…why is your back bleeding?"

Her eyes shot open.

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Ehh...not many ideas for the next chapter. lol. That's okay, I'll try to think of something...

R & R everyone!

Dragon