Word of the Day

Aware - Sorrow or compassion

The greenery flew by fast. The road twisted and curved to the demand of nature. Skies were cloudy with light spilling out here and there. Soon they were upon another town where everyone was rushing off to work either by cars or foot or probably going to hang with friends. Buildings littering every space that could be used no matter how small or tightly packed.

Kagome blinked at the scenery. A scene that she no longer wished to be involved in. She turned her gaze to her lap where she idly played with her fingers, listening to the music Inuyasha had put on for her. She wondered how he found out she liked Korean music. Never once had she told him. The thought that he had gone through her ipod crossed her mind.

At the moment "Lies" by T-ara was playing, one of her favorite songs, and she like the beat roll into her as she closed her eyes and leaned back into the seat. The song changed too fast and the next ones to come were meshed together, Kagome only catching bits and pieces of few.

"Kagome, come on."

Kagome jolted awake and looked around. They were in a parking garage now. She didn't even realize she fell asleep until now. Her gaze fell upon Inuyasha who was currently standing at her door, her crutches in hand, holding it open.

She got out and took her crutches from him immediately to take the pressure from her ankle. Before she could ask the question that had been on her mind from since he left, Inuyasha answered it.

"We're at the mall."

As soon as her next question pop in her head Inuyasha opened his mouth again.

"Because you need to get back in society and as much as I love sleeping on your floor at night," He gave a slight grin causing Kagome to smile, "I can't stay over your house for the rest of my life. So come on."

Kagome shook her head.

Inuyasha sighed, "Why not?"

"Can't you just take me home?" Kagome asked, leaning against the car.

She would get back into the swing of life when she was ready but at the moment she wasn't. She didn't know when she would be ready but now wasn't the time.

"No."

"What?" She stared at him shocked at his abrupt answer.

"No. I'll take you home in about an hour if you come inside but right now, no." Then he pivoted on his heels and walked away.

He was serious, she wished this was a joke but he was completely and utterly serious. Wasn't a salvation suppose to help you and not lead the way to the fears that taunted you of being seen by anyone, everyone. She felt tears coming to hers eyes at the thought of it. He knew this was torture and yet he wanted her, better yet, threatened he wouldn't take her home if she didn't go inside the mall.

As Kagome watched Inuyasha step on the elevator she wondered what was she suppose to do.

~123~

Kagome kept her eyes as low as possible as she hobbled into the mall's entrance on her crutches. She feared if she looked anyone in the eye, they would see right through her. Her whole goal and what she had debated with herself for almost an half an hour was to get Inuyasha and get him to take her back to her comfort zone no matter what kind of tactics she had to pull. She'd even do one of Rin and Kin's stunts like pretending to hurt herself, which she had found herself smiling at the thought realizing how much she wish to be normal with her friends again but the fear she had won over that side of her.

She didn't even get five feet into the mall before she heard that husky voice that she found so calming.

"Hey! Person on the crutches!"

Kagome looked up, finding people staring at her. She immediately looked back to the ground.

"Yeah, you!"

At this moment she wished Inuyasha would shut up. He really wasn't making this any easier.

"Are you not going to come here?"

Instead of looking up this time, she just moved in the direction of his voice. A bad idea in more ways then one. She ended up knocking into someone and almost falling. She closed hers eyes and prevented herself from looking up. She couldn't, knowing what the person would see… Kagome began trembling at the thought. She took a shaky breath trying to calm herself. It failed and she felt tears coming to hers. From her fears, ho weak he was, she couldn't handle it.

"Miss? Are you okay." An unfamiliar male voice only made her tremble more.

When a hand touch her she heard a scream. She knew it was hers as she dropped to the floor wanting to get away. Wanting to disappear. She didn't want to be touch by this man. Any man. Her heart pounded in her ears as her tremors got worse. She only barely heard the commotion that took place, not knowing, nor wanting, to what it was about.

"Kagome, calm down." The voice again spoke to her but instead of loud and mocking, it was soft and calming like how it had been for her over the past two week.

Kagome shook head as the tear welled up in hers eyes and quickly breaking free from her lashes and rolling down her cheek.

She felt herself being gathered up into a pair of familiar arms that had ceased her fighting when he first had touched her. Before she knew it, she was strapped into a car, brought back to her house and put into her bed. By then she was calmed once again, still a bit shaken, the motion of the car and favorite songs playing on the radio for four hours helping the fact.

"Kagome, I'm sorry. I didn't think. It was a stupid idea from the beginning." Inuyasha apologized.

Kagome stared at him and saw how shaken up about it. How shaken up she had caused him to get. "You were only trying to help me get back into public, right?" Kagome closed her eyes, "I'm not ready, Inuyasha." When she saw the guilt on his face she quickly added, "At least not now but today it made me see that it's not that bad."

"Not that bad." Inuyasha shook his head and narrowed his eyes at her. "You barely made it inside and was freaking out within five minutes. You scared me to death. And it was all my fault!"

Kagome flinched.

Inuyasha let out a frustrated sigh and rubbed his temples. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. I shouldn't have done anything. I should of left you alone."

Her door opened and mom stepped into the room. "Is everything okay?"

Inuyasha nodded. "I'm sorry." He apologized. "I'm leaving."

Akiko gave an understanding smile, "Alright. But my I talk to you before you go."

Inuyasha nodded again as he headed towards the door.

"Wait!"

Inuyasha and Akiko stared at Kagome. Both shocked for two different reasons.

"Inuyasha, don't feel…" She paused and thought for a second, "don't give up on me. You might not know this but you… you're probably the only one who can help me. It might take a while, maybe in a few weeks or months, but I won't be able to stand it without you."

Akiko at Kagome, at Inuyasha, then back to Kagome confused and wondering what had happened between them.

"So, don't give up just yet."

I was planning on making the chapter longer but where i'm planning on starting the story next i thought this would be a good break so thus i'm ending it here. XD

Review kudasai to arigatou!