Editor's Note: Dearest SuperCat's loyal readers, she has been experiencing some writer's block due to her school's scholarship exam and having to wait for the results to a famous school. Please accept her apologies for this short chapter. But I assure you that you will not be disappointed because this chapter is very dramatic and eventful. So read and review! PS. I tried to make it longer! XD

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Twenty One

To Be Helpless

As soon as the limo had gotten close enough for Kagome and Inuyasha to be able to see the shrine steps, they instantly knew something was wrong. Kagome immediately demanded that the driver stop for her and Inuyasha to get out. As the two stepped out of the limo, they gazed up at the dark sky and both knew that something was not right.

"No…" whispered Kagome.

Without a word or another thought, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome around the waist and leapt up to the top of the steps, where everything was clear before their eyes.

Fire.

Smoke.

Ashes.

Family.

Scanning the area and counting the heads that could be seen, Kagome's fear increased. Someone was missing…

Souta.

He was the only person Kagome couldn't see when she took in the scene before her. The house was okay, the fire was coming from behind it.

The hut.

The hut where the jewel was kept.

Her mother and grandfather were standing as close as they could to the immense heat without risking getting burnt. Shippo was in her mother's arms, clinging to her shoulder. Kagome knew that Ayame and Sango had left after seeing her off so that only left her brother…

No. Her brother must be around somewhere. He must be safe. He had to be safe.

Kagome rushed up to them with Inuyasha close behind. She could see the fearful look in her mother's eyes and the helplessness that her grandfather's held as he stared at the hut. He wouldn't be able to do anything and Shippo needed Kagome's mother to be there, to comfort him. Her mother was mouthing something inaudible, something which she wanted to cry out but couldn't because of the one she had to be strong for, the one who was weeping in her arms.

"Mama! What happened? What's happening? Where is Souta!" Her eyes were fixed on her mother's face, pleading for an answer. An answer which indicated that Souta was alright, that he had only run to get help and would be back soon. An answer that would reassure her that he wasn't in danger, that he was safe…

Her mother caught sight of her and she immediately spoke, "Kagome! Stay calm! We've called for help. They should be here any moment. Just stay with us…" she trailed off as her eyes were drawn once again to the burning hut.

Kagome tried the question one last time.

"Mama…where is Souta?"

That look was all she needed, that tear filled look her mother gave her.

She had her answer, the one that wasn't spoken but still heard. The answer that gave Kagome a stab of pain inside and the one that made all her other worries trivial.

There was a crash as the fire tore down one of the beams holding up the side of the hut and Kagome heard something. She heard a cry. Her senses had reached out for the jewel and she felt its presence and the presence of what was surrounding it.

Souta had the jewel.

Souta was holding the jewel.

Souta was protecting the jewel.

Souta was alive.

She darted for the hut. She had to get in. She had to get to her little brother…

But something stopped her. To be precise, someone stopped her.

The back of her dress was tugged on mid-run and she landed on the ground. The wind was knocked out of her causing her to inhale sharply as she stood up quickly and tried to keep going. This time a hand grasped her wrist and spun her around.

Inuyasha.

She glared at him angrily. "Why are you stopping me? My brother is in there!" she pointed to the blazing hut and coughed from the smoke before continuing. "Let me go now or so help me god I will-"

"I'll go."

"Nani?"

"Kagome let me go in now." His eyes dead serious.

"I can't waste time arguing with you when the fire is still in full force. You're human, your lungs will choke up in a second and even with all your miko powers the chances of you surviving are slim to nil. Whatever it is that Souta is protecting in there, I'll get it out as well. Just stay here." He let go of her and stayed there for a moment, as if to make sure she wouldn't attempt to run in or follow him regardless.

"How can you tell he's holding something?"

Inuyasha was gone. He entered the burning building and the smoke engulfed him up in an instant. All Kagome could do was stand and stare.

It hardest thing she had ever had to do in her life.

To wait.

To hold back.

To not know.

She had watched on the news as some sort of disaster, epidemic or something that threatened someone else's life happened countless times. She always felt sorry for the people who were going through it. She hadn't given much thought to the others involved.

The ones who had to wait.

The family members and the friends. The loved ones who had to anxiously hold their breath. The people who had to watch in agony and who sometimes had to go on with their own lives while another's fate hung in the balance. The ones who had sleepless nights, she hadn't realized how strong they had to be. She was already breaking down inside.

Why? Why was there a fire? Why was her brother trapped in it? Why couldn't she do anything! Even if she was to try and help…what could she do? She would probably make things worse.

But…

She was a miko for crying out loud! A MIKO! She was supposed to be able to protect the jewel. She had trained all her life to be able to guard one of the most powerful and dangerous objects in the world!

So why…why did she feel so helpless?

I am sorry! I know that the length of this chapter is probably very disappointing seeing as I haven't updated for almost a month! I only went on holiday for a week and when I came back I had heaps of work to catch up on! Which is a horrible excuse considering that for the last few days I've actually had barely any…

I'm still suffering from a bit of a writer's block. Even though I know what I have planned to happen next I just can't get around to sitting down and typing it up! I'm still getting out of the block which kinda accounts for the short chapter. Once again, I'm really sorry and really annoyed at myself! I hope you still continue to read my story though because I am determined to finish it and I will update ASAP!

Glossary:

Miko – White Magic User

Nani – What

Thanks to:

Smiley Gurl 87 – Yes, I suppose it was quite mean of me to stop there! I'm sorry for not updating sooner!

JennyKim319– I'm glad you liked that chapter so much! It was way easier to write than this one! It was one of my favourites as well!

InuGoddess715– I agree, Inuyasha is a lovable idiot! He's always been stubborn in wanting to do things the hard way! In regards to when his head will be on the right way round…you'll just have to wait and see!

Priestessmykala – Thank you! My trip was pretty relaxing and I would hate having to go through what they have to in Japan!

singerme5791– The lateness of your review is nothing compared to the lateness of my chapter! Inuaysha is struggling to let go of Kikyo but that's kinda understandable seeing as she is his first love and all.

mangadreams– In my minds eye I can't really see Inuyasha sitting down and acting all proper in a fancy restaurant!

Punk Rock Miko2– I guess I've kinda made everyone really mad at Kikyo haven't I?

CoPpErFyRmAgE– Yay! That was the reaction I was hoping for!

Thank you all for reading!

Adiosu!

SuperCat