Chapter 29: Fragile

I woke up from a bad dream to glass breaking and found that Inuyasha was not by my side. I quickly stood up and stumbled to the door. I found him hovering over the sink in the kitchen, running it full blast. I flicked on the light, noting his pale, clammy face as he winced at the sudden brightness. "Inuyasha?" I walked over to him.

"Don't!" he warned and I stopped. "There's glass on the floor."

I glanced down at the broken glass that was once a cup filled with water. Hearing him grunt with pain, I looked over at him. Blood was dripping from his mouth, his eyes red as he spat in the sink. I quickly stepped over the glass and stood next to him, rubbing his back as he shuddered and dry-heaved. His stomach tensed tightly, making it look painful as he brushed his damp hair away from his face. When he blinked, bloody tears fell from his eyes.

"We were... separated for too long," Inuyasha panted as he turned off the water. " Gotten...ugnnn... worse."

"Is there a way to make it better?" I asked worriedly as he sighed and slumped against the counter.

"J-Just stay," he moaned, turning around and sliding to the ground. I quickly grabbed some napkins and wet them before kneeling down next to him and tried to wash his face from the blood.

A long, low whine came from his throat and he tried to stop it and hacking up blood at the same time. "Just relax, Inuyasha," I whispered and wiped the blood from his mouth. His muscles kept tensing and relaxing with struggle as I kept cleaning off the red tears that were falling. "I wish I knew how to help you," I said sadly as he jerked slightly.

He opened his eyes and looked at me. When he opened his mouth to speak, he barely got a syllable out before he winced and scowled.

I gave him a helpless smile. "At least it's going away, for now." I noted as his reddened eyes started fading to pink then to white.

"For now," Inuyasha repeated quietly, taking in deep breaths. He pressed his hands against the counter behind him and hoisted himself up. "That's going to be the worst of it, I think. As long as you're with me."

"Go rest. I'll get this cleaned up." I shooed him away. He left after a minute hesitation. I gathered all the bigger pieces of glass and tossed them in the trash along with the bloody napkins. I saw him plop down on the sofa when I went to grab a towel from the bathroom. I cleaned up the majority of the shards and water and washed out the sink before walking over to him to him, offering a cup of water.

He gulped it all down and pulled me into his lap before I felt his tense body relax.

"Maybe," I started slowly as I slid my hand over his shoulder and laid a finger on his pulse. His skin felt cold and damp and his heart was pounding. "You should visit Kikyou again. She could numb your pain at least." And take your demonic power while she's at it, I bitterly added.

His hold on me tightened. "No."

"No?" I repeated, confused. "Wouldn't it be best to numb the pain until I could heal it?"

He was silent for a moment. "You'll be hurt."

I didn't bother trying to lie. It would hurt knowing that Kikyou might keep him away from me again. "But that's better than going through that again, isn't it?"

"Ain't moving," he growled slightly.

I tried not to smile at his stubbornness. It was going to be awfully hard moving him. But seeing him coughing out blood and being in pain was something I felt useless about. How long would it take to heal him?

"Besides," he mumbled as he lifted his head enough to make eye contact, "Aren't you the one who said Kikyou's evil?"

I stiffened, his response was trying to soothe me but it was far from working. I wasn't the only one who thought that. Rin believed it as well. And if she believed it, then Sesshomaru and his mate should be suspecting it as well. The only person thinking otherwise was the one that was under her spell.

Inuyasha watched me, looking freaked out after a moment. "Don't cry!"

I blinked and brought a hand to my face. It was just a single tear. "Um... I-I'm gonna go back to bed. It's too early and-"

"I'm not going back to her," his hand shot out and grasped my wrist even before I started to stand, "When she only uses me. All I need is you, Mate." I wasn't aware that I visibly relaxed until his hand on my wrist slipped off.

I looked into his eyes almost hopefully. Does he really believe when I said Kikyou's evil?

He watched me closely before looking away with a sigh. "Go back to bed. I'll be with you in a minute."

I tried not to show any disappointment as I walked back into the room and crawled into bed. If Kikyou called him through her voodoo again, I really need to know if he would go after her again. If he did...

I stared at his side of the bed and sighed heavily. The things I do for love... My eyes closed when I heard his footsteps come in and laid beside me. I had a guess that he was staring at me as I tried to feign sleep.

But what if he needed a daily dose of Kikyou's potion? What if I'm not enough to heal him in time before he dies? I felt a tightness in my throat and immediately batted it down. I was too tired to cry, or at least, that's what I'm trying to believe.

His hand brushed my hair back from my face and his breath left him in a sigh. "You still want to know the whole truth?"

My eyes opened and found his. Was he finally going to tell me?

He sighed again and looked up at the room with his weapons. "Just read through my journals. You'll get your truth."

I sat up slowly, keeping my eyes on him but he didn't make eye contact. Was that it? I've already read some of it before and it didn't seem so bad.

My gaze shifted to the small door as I stood up and walked up to it. But when I didn't reach for the door knob, I was hesitant. Inuyasha was adamant that I wouldn't stay with him if I knew the truth. What if he was right? I don't want to go through that heartache again. And there was no way I could just forget about him when I have get a constant reminder every time I look in the mirror and see his Mark for me. But could I live on without knowing him fully?

"It's alright." I looked over my shoulder to find his hands behind his head with his eyes closed.

I let go of the breath I was holding silently and looked at the door that seemed very intimidating. The books were all about his past and I didn't doubt for one second that Kikyou will have some part in having Inuyasha so worried. Just the thought of the woman made me want to hunt her down for what she did to him. I made a silent vow never to let him fall for her spells as long as I'm his mate.

My shoulders straightened with determination. It was Inuyasha or secrets. I suppose I could live without knowing what he did. After all, I've kept some secrets of my own from him. And who knows? Maybe it'll just come out with time.

That thought out, I turned on my heel and pounced on my mate.

"What the-" he groaned when I caught his wrists. "Not this shit again. I didn't do-"

I kissed him silent, smiling when he hesitantly responded. "I'm staying with you," I said, letting my hands slide from his wrists.

He blinked a couple times before a slow smile came to his lips. "I'm not complaining," his hand came up and curved around the back of my neck and pulled me back to him for a breath-taking, tongue-filled kiss. When he pushed me off of him and wrapped an arm tightly around my waist, I nuzzled into his warm chest, hiding a smile.

Ignorance is bliss.


When I woke in the morning, I was content to stay in his arms but, sadly, the clock glared at me with it's six o'clock. I could go to school- I should go to school while I'm still able. At least until my friends start questioning me on why my belly is getting bigger. I grimaced and weaseled my way out of Inuyasha's grasp but his hold just tightened with a sleepy sigh.

"Inuyasha," I whispered, trying to coax him awake. "Can you let me go, please?"

"Why?" he murmured, opening his eyes slightly to peer at me, then at the time. "Five more minutes, Mate," he closed his eyes again and pulled me closer to his warmth.

I thought of my best excuse. "I need to use the bathroom."

His arms reluctantly loosened, "Fine."

I smiled to myself as I slipped out of bed, quickly grabbing a change of clothes, and locked myself in the bathroom for a nice, hot shower.

Naraku was out searching for me. Again. Probably more mad than ever since I escaped when he left even with the injuries he left me with. I shivered under the hot water and my hand drifted up to my Marked shoulder, almost expecting to see blood coat my fingers.

There's no scar. I healed, remember? I thought as I checked my body for any mark of the last week. Shaking my head, I grabbed the small pink loofah that came with my stuff that Sango sent me and my soap.

I looked back to when Naraku "saved" me from the demon in the school pool. Was he really watching my every movement? I glanced around, feeling more than a little paranoid and scared. A shudder ran through my body at the possibility that he might be watching me now. I scrubbed hard at my body, trying to get the feeling of his touch off my body until my skin was red. I cursed when I saw blood well up and quickly held it under the water, ignoring the stinging as the blood flowed into the drain. Inuyasha would bust the door open at the smell of blood and that's what I didn't need.

There's still Kikyou to worry about too. I could trust Inuyasha with my life. At least until he falls under her spell and has to do whatever she says. She would be able to make him kill me with enough intake of that potion and a bit of influence. I had to do something about her before she could find the power to use him again. Inuyasha suffered enough.

I had no control over how to heal Inuyasha's soul-deep wound when I wish it could be as easy as healing a physical wound. I also couldn't tell how well it was going along which worries me greatly. Inuyasha seems confident that all I had to do was stay near him but I couldn't help but feel there was more than just my presence.

I sighed and shut off the water. If I ever wished to be a normal teen before, the want increased ten-fold. Having Inuyasha's baby would be the only thing I would rather deal with than evil lurking around every corner and hell-bent on killing me.

My ankle banged against the tub as I stepped out, causing me to stumble into the door and onto the floor. I groaned as I forced myself in a more comfortable position, aware of a growing pain at the back of my head and my foot. Inuyasha would totally hear that with his bionic hearing or without it. I struggled to stand up and away from the door just in case I was right and he would knock it over.

Fortunately, he didn't. "Kagome, are you alright?"

I smiled slightly at his concern as I wrapped a towel around my body, "Fine, I just tripped. That's all," I assured as I ran a brush through my wet hair.

When I dressed in warm, comfortable clothes and stepped out, Inuyasha quickly caught my wrist. I turned as he held it up and expected it.

I looked down at the new stuttering scratches when he gave me a questioning look. "I think I have to be a bit more careful next time," I tried to act nonchalant as I pulled my hand from his grasp.

He held tight and ran his tongue on the small wound, healing it with one lick. I found my eyes closing as I felt the soothing effects of the healing. "You should," he replied and sniffed once before letting go of my wrist. His eyes narrowed when he realized what I was wearing, "Going somewhere?"

Was he really going to keep me here? "I'm going to school," Our eyes locked and mine narrowed in slight suspicion.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Naraku's still out there!" he growled, any sleepiness instantly vanished.

"I have to go to school sometime."

"And you're carrying my Mark and our pup and a huge target for a lot of wild demons out there!"

"Nothing changed besides our mating," I said sarcastically, which seemed to anger him more.

"You're not going anywhere."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't keep me here!"

"The hell I can't," he smirked mockingly.

"My friends would get worried."

Inuyasha snorted and placed a hand on my Marked shoulder. "How are you going to explain this to your human friends? Along with your demon friends."

"It'll pass as a tattoo, dumb ass," I rolled my eyes and shrugged off his hand and turned to the door, scowling when he got in my way.

"Not for demons. Demons will know exactly what it is from scent. And aren't your teachers all demons?"

"It won't matter," I said while I tried walk around him.

"You're a slayer. They believe you're out killing demons," he said dryly as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him, "Not getting knocked up by half a one."

My body paused for a moment in my vain attempt to get him out of the way and leaned against him, sighing heavily.

I was considering his words when he said, "Isn't it better to let them believe you're doing what you're assigned to do?"

He just didn't want people to think badly of me. And, unfortunately, he was right. Showing up mated to a demon after weeks of absences wouldn't look good. But not going at all is definitely not good for me. I won't be able to attend anymore when my pregnancy gets noticeable, though.

Inuyasha slowly let go when he knew I couldn't find any reason I really should go. With a sigh, I brought my head up to face him. "How long do you plan to keep me here?"

The right ear on his head twitched as his brows drew together. "Until Naraku and his followers are gone, at least. But Sesshomaru wants to move you somewhere where you could be better hidden and safe."

"You guys think you can hide me from Naraku?" I found myself saying before I could think about it. "The guy practically has a tracker on me." My hands clutched together in front of me nervously when I saw his frown, "I don't think it could be as easy as you think."

He smirked, "Just let us take care of Naraku, Kagome. Sesshomaru's already sending slayers and himself looking high and low for him."

I nodded warily and walked into the bedroom, sitting on what I called my side of the bed. "Why's Sesshomaru searching for him?"

The smirk fell as he sat cross legged near me. "His mate, Kagura, was in the same situation you are a couple decades ago. They both know what we're going through."

Sighing, I fell back on the bed to stare at the ceiling. I hardly thought that Kagura's tormentor lusted after someone that looked like her. Or that the look-alike tried to use her mate to kill her. I closed my eyes and rolled on my side so that my back was facing Inuyasha.

His hand gently rested on my shoulder as he looked over at my face, "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm just trying to sleep off my prison time," I gave a small (but hopefully convincing) smile.

There was a moment of silence besides our breathing before I felt Inuyasha's hands tentatively sneak under me and pick me up, resting me in his lap. I opened my eyes when his cheek rested on the top of my head. "I won't let him have you again, Kagome," he mumbled as his arms tightened around me and I suddenly felt very warm, "I swear."

I slowly shook my head and sighed. He was so warm, unlike last night, and I found myself pressing closer to him when he pressed a kiss to my forehead. However, it wasn't enough to make me forget about my situation. I shifted to loosen his grip and looked up, "So, I can't go outside at all?"

He looked confused at the sudden question. "I'm not keeping you prisoner, Kagome," he frowned and his shoulders fell slightly. " I just want to protect you. I can't watch over you at your school."

I leaned up to kiss his cheek, "I know."

He set me back down and I hurriedly sat up and faced him. "I just have to be with you at all times. Or Sango or anybody else that has a chance of facing Naraku should be. I don't want to lose you again, Mate."

I thought back to how panicked he looked and sounded when I was in Naraku's grasp. My mouth quirked up into a smile as I nodded. "I understand." Should I be relieved that I'm his mate? What if we didn't have the bond?

"You don't sound like it," he mumbled.

"Huh?"

He blinked a couple times before explaining. "I could sense your emotions clearer than I could before we mated. It was why I didn't believe you were... dead while I was looking for you. And now I feel like you're doubting my words."

"I'm not, I'm not," I assured quickly. "I just have a lot on my mind, is all." I debated whether to tell him what exactly was on my mind when he sent me a confused look before deciding against it. Standing up, I tugged his hand. "Let's get going somewhere, okay? I could use some fresh air."

He stood up with me but took his hand away. "Alright. Let me change first."


I looked out of the window with a wistful expression. The cold air making me realize that I missed New Year's in the week I've been with Naraku. "At least it was only a week in hell," I mumbled to myself, not feeling at all relieved.

"Are you feeling alright, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked as he drove. "No morning sickness yet?"

I shook my head and grimaced, "I'm fine. Just don't say things like that again."

I saw a corner of his mouth quirk up. "If you think about your child when it's born, I don't think you'll still think of the pregnancy as a bad thing."

"I don't think of it as a bad thing!" I said quickly before glaring, " And this is half of your fault. If you packed some damn protection," I grumbled before crossing my arms. You should be as panicky as I am."

"But I'm not," he replied, glancing at me with amused violet eyes. "Like I said yesterday, this is helping strengthening our bond. Sure it's a bit early, but, I don't really care as long as you want to stay with me."

I nodded. "Of course I want to." As long as he wants to stay with me over Kikyou, I thought, But he always said he loves me... in his own way.

I snapped out of my thoughts when Inuyasha said, "Is there a 'but' about that?"

I shook my head. "No. Just thinking again."

"Stop second guessing about everything. Either mean it or don't," He didn't sound angry but more annoyed.

I opened my mouth to retort but thought better of it. "How'd you get past Kikyou?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant about it, "It looked like she was kicking your ass last time I seen her."

"I jumped out of her window," he dully replied, "After she tried purifying me into submission. Or ashes."

"She always knew you were a half-demon, didn't she?" I pursed my lips shut when he grunted 'yes'. What exactly was the relationship between them now? I could remember healing the wounds that looked like it came from someone with spiritual powers. No doubt now that it was Kikyou who dealt the wounds. Could Inuyasha have been forced to give his power to her?

"If you don't have any place in mind," Inuyasha once again interrupted my thoughts, " I want to show you something."

"What is it?" When he smirked, I sighed, "Another surprise?"

"Yep." He chuckled and I felt my heart jump at the sound. It's been a while since I heard that. "You don't mind if I blind-fold you, right?"

I sent him a look. "I mind."

"Oh well," he said, sounding suddenly happy, "I get a feeling you're going to be surprised either way."

It seemed that every time I fell silent, Inuyasha found something to talk about or something to question on. After the seventh interruption, I decided to question. "Why are you finding the sudden need to ask me questions?" I snapped before he could finish his question.

Inuyasha paused for a moment. I thought he was going to give up until he said, "The doctor said I shouldn't let you space out too much."

"The doctor?" I rose a brow.

He nodded weakly. "He said that you might be in shock for a few days or at the very least easily frightened. And that you might have panic attacks at the slightest thing that reminds you of Naraku."

I snorted softly. "He doesn't know that it was my second time being Naraku's toy," I scowled.

"It's better safe than sorry," he replied, "Besides, you always seem jumpy when you space out for too long."

"I was just looking back," I murmured, embarrassed to tell him, "Before I trained to become a slayer."

"It makes sense," he said, "Just don't do it anymore."

"I can't just forget-"

"I'm not saying forget. I'm just saying don't let it get to you too much." he quickly corrected, sparing a quick glance at me. "You can't change what happened and it's stupid trying to think of what you could've done instead of what you can do now."

"Uh-huh," I said absently as I stared at our slightly familiar surroundings. "Are we going to Totosai's?"

"Maybe later." Inuyasha smirked, "You're never gonna guess it right 'til we get there, Mate."

My brows rose, "I could try."

"Alright, I'll give you a hint: You never been there before but we past it together once."

I thought about it. "Is it a public place?"

"We're going to get there before you can ask twenty questions," he said. "In fact, we're here."

I turned my gaze to the window as Inuyasha pulled up to the curb. It was an unrecognizable, nice-looking, two-story house. "What's here?" I looked to him to find him stepping out and quickly opened my own door. He grabbed my hand and pulled me along when I hesitated, his other hand fiddling with his small ring of keys.

My heart jumped in my chest as he stuck the key in the front door and opened it. I couldn't find my voice as I took in the bare insides of the house. Tentatively, I stepped out of the small foyer to get a better view as Inuyasha closed the door behind him. My eyes traveled up the staircase where I could see at least two rooms before turning to my right to look in a light-blue-painted, steel kitchen and to my left to look into the light-filled den before turning to Inuyasha silently.

He grinned widely as he grabbed my hand again, "If this surprises you, wait 'til you see our room."

He led me up the stairs and each step had my throat grow tighter and my heart squeeze harder until we got to the top. It was in a small, sideways L-shape with four closed doors and he pulled me to the last room, opening it to reveal a huge room with windows that overlook the front of the house.

"Well?" he walked into the center of the room and turned to face me, "How do you like it?"

"I-I..." I stared at him with wide eyes. "How did you afford a house like this, Inuyasha?" I felt a growing smile forming on my face as I turned to another door that was open and tensed at the huge hot tub. "I can't believe this..."

"I thought that since we're having a pup that we might need more room for a family. While you were taking a nap I went out and spoke to Sesshomaru about this one. He said it might be a good place to hide you because this is a really safe neighborhood so he paid the price." I glanced at him to find him shrugging, "Unfortunately though, it only has two other bedrooms."

I rose a brow, "Only?"

He went on, pretending he didn't hear me. "So I guess I'm going to rethink about how many pups we'll have."

What? I turned incredulous eyes on him. "How many children do you think we're having?" I watched as Inuyasha sheepishly held up an open hand, all five fingers wiggling to prove his point. "Five? Inuyasha!"

He grinned boyishly. "What? I know demons who had lots more."

"Do I look like a demon?" I growled, my face flushing with embarrassment. Why were we even talking about this when the first child wasn't even born yet?

My jackass of a mate laughed. "I'm kidding, Kagome. Besides, even if I wasn't, I'd make sure that they're at least two year apart."

I rolled my eyes.

Inuyasha turned his back to me, looking around. "It's going to take a month or two to get some new furniture in along with our stuff at the apartment..."

I smiled as he looked around, probably trying to figure out what will go where, before realizing that Inuyasha picked out a house for our family. He wanted for us to live together with our new family. My breath hitched as Inuyasha whirled around on his heel and walked up to me.

"Don't start the waterworks, Kagome," he whimpered slightly, looking panicked.

I blinked away my blurry vision and looked up at him before laughing. "Sorry. I'm just happy. I can't believe you did this."

Was that a blush on his face? "Like I said, I thought our room back there would be too small to raise our kid in." I grinned widely and pounced on him, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He stumbled backwards but caught his balance and gave me a look, "A little warning would be nice."

I grinned down at him when I felt his hands against my back and held me against him before kissing him. My fingers tangled in his long, inky-black hair when he responded hesitantly, encouraging him.

Being like this, I could pretend I was the normal teen I was before I met Naraku. I could be normal...

Inuyasha parted and I noticed he knelt down on both knees. I reluctantly loosened my grip on him until my butt touched the white carpet I haven't noticed before. His eyes searched my face, until my hand clutched the neckline of his t-shirt and pulled him down to me.

He went slowly, giving me time to back out if I wanted to. But I didn't want to. The hand that wasn't clutching his shirt went behind me and braced against the floor to hold my upper body up. I felt his other hand slide around my waist and pressed against the small of my back.

His breathing was heavy as he nuzzled my neck, inhaling my scent. "Kagome..."

I let my eyes ease close as my head tilted back to give him more access. All the while, my mind flickered back and forth between what was happening now and what happened to me recently. My hand slid from his shirt over to his heart, trying to calm my edgy nerves with his quick beating heart as he licked where my pulse pounded strongly.

The hand at my back rose and cupped my nape, making my head come back up so that he could kiss my lips. I felt the hand holding myself up lower down to rest on my elbow, making his chest brush against my breasts with the movement. The heat between us making me want to take off our clothes faster.

I tugged the hem of his shirt. He got the hint and parted only to take it off before coming back down to me. My free hand roamed over the warm skin, feeling his muscles tense and relax under my fingertips.

I could feel the panic rising when he pulled my shirt upward and I forced my eyes to open to meet his violet ones. Not the color of dried blood. His scent wasn't like the decaying bodies of demons and instead the smell of a clean male. Even with the assurances, my self-control was breaking. Every touch was sending me back to hell.

His fingers traced along my hips, slowly pulling down the waistband of my pants.

Snap.

I jerked under him and quickly got to my feet, my racing heart and quick breathing not because of Inuyasha's actions but because of the panic I was in. I paced away from him, pulling my shirt down, all the while cursing Naraku.

When I glanced over at him, he stared at me with wide, unreadable eyes.

"I'm sorry... I-I shouldn't have..." I bit my bottom lip hard and turned away to the door. "I'm sorry," I repeated and quickly ran out of the room.

I stopped at the foot of the stairs, covering my burning face in my hands. What was wrong with me?

I chanced a look up, expecting Inuyasha to follow me but saw no one. There wasn't even a sound. I walked away, finding the need to either bang my head on something or hide under a rock. Instead, I looked around the house, avoiding the stairs until Inuyasha showed himself.

I stopped in front of the sliding glass door revealing a shady patio. Sliding it open, I found myself in a small room with huge, wall-to-wall windows. There was a screen door leading to a small grassy area in the backyard.

The last person who lived here left a bench by the sliding door. With a sigh, I sat down, pulling my legs under me when I felt the cold metal. I crossed my arms against my stomach and sighed, seeing my breath come out in a cloud. Nice January weather.

"Easily frightened, huh?" I murmured, recalling what the doctor told Inuyasha. It looked like he was right. I felt paranoid and frightened. There could possibly be a chance that Naraku's actually watching every move I make. Staying close to Inuyasha would only bring him down with me when Naraku decides to kill me.

I felt something tug on my shirt and my gaze snapped towards it before letting out a loud shriek.

Inuyasha found me on the other side of the room two seconds later, staring at the stupid huge rat that tried to crawl on me. He chuckled as he picked it up by tail and walked over to the screen door, letting it out in the patch of grass where it scurried away. "And you call yourself a demon slayer?"

I glared, "It caught me by surprise."

He smirked but didn't look at me, "I'm sure."

I sidled up next to him, feeling slightly uneasy but covered it with a smile. "Other than the pests, this is a nice house."

He snorted but his arm slid behind me to grab my waist and pull me closer to him. I relaxed at his comforting touch. He turned and headed back inside. "I- well, we've been in worst, right?"

"I didn't mean that!" I quickly replied as his hand went back to his side. I closed the door behind me, though it hardly changed the temperature of the room.

"Flip the lock, 'kay? I don't want the place vandalized before we even get the chance to live in it," he said without looking at me as he walked to the front door.

I did what he said and quickly followed after him, worried. He sounded irritated and I couldn't help but feel I was the cause of it. When we got outside, I waited while Inuyasha locked the front door and turned before saying almost pleadingly, "I'm sorry. I just don't-"

"Stop it!" he barked, his eyes flashing angrily before he said more calmly, yet still annoyed, "Stop saying 'sorry' when it's not your fault. It's mine because I forgot our current position. Everything though, is Naraku's fault and I won't rest 'til his bloody insides are at my fucking feet!"

I kept my mouth shut and my head bowed as he stormed past me. Swallowing, I stepped off the porch and gave the house one more glance before getting in the car. Besides the music playing softly on the radio, the silence was killing me. I tried to come up with something to say to calm him but my voice died in my throat every time I opened my mouth.

Inuyasha exhaled through his nose. "You wanna say something?" he asked in a quiet voice.

The weight on my heart eased. "Um, we're going to Totosai's house, right? To check on my powers?"

He didn't say anything for a moment. "If you want."

I nodded, the tension in my body relaxing against the seat. "Yes. If you think it's weird that I could kill and heal, then I should get it checked out."

I felt rewarded when his mouth quirked in a small smile. "I don't think it's weird. It's... unique. But if you have the ability, there has to be more people who could do it. If there is, then I could get the Base to check it and change the files on priestess powers."

The air in the car seemed to be a bit more bearable now that he didn't seem so mad as before. I sighed silently as he stopped at a red light. If Naraku were to show himself now, I don't think anyone could stop Inuyasha from slaughtering the demon.

"You're frightened," Inuyasha murmured.

I shook my head quickly. I wasn't frightened, just nervous... I think?

He didn't believe it for a second. "Of... me?"

My eyes widened as I snapped my head towards him. "Of course not!" I frowned at him, "You should know that."

"Of Naraku then," He sounded more certain of that but still down about it.

I chose not to answer. I pursed my lips shut as he continued driving.

"He touched you in that way, didn't he?"

I winced, "Y-yes." I watched his jaw tighten and suddenly the weight was back. "Don't talk about it," I said quietly, "I'm sick just thinking about it. Please-"

"Okay," he assured, "I don't want to hear it either, especially from your lips. But that doesn't mean I already know."

Just recalling the creep's hands on my body made my stomach churn. I cracked open a window for some air, the wind calming me.

Now noticing the concealing barrier, I noticed that it looked like an abandoned house on the outside before he drove through it, revealing the small building Totosai lived in, caring over Inuyasha's weapons.

Inuyasha cut the engine and sighed, "Let's get this over with-"

I tugged his arm back when he was going to step out and chastely kissed his lips, growing worried when he didn't kiss back. "I'm sorry-"

His widened eyes narrowed. "It's not-"

"No, no," I quickly said when he looked irritated, "I just want to say that I'm sorry for kinda ruining your surprise. I-I mean..." I looked at him helplessly, hoping he would understand.

After a second of watching me, he smiled and kissed me back, "Ah, Mate. You didn't do anything wrong. I got the reaction I wanted from you. It just ended badly."

I looked at him in confusion as he parted with only an inch between us. "You wanted me to jump you?"

He chuckled and my heart did a flip. "I didn't think you would do that."

I smiled widely and leaned forward to press my lips against his again, deciding to stroke his ego. "Well, if you didn't look so damn sexy," I whispered.

He smirked, "Same for you but I seem to have more control over my animalistic needs." After sharing a few more kisses, he stepped out of the car. I followed him to the door and Totosai opened it.

"Kagome, nice to see you again," the old demon smiled at me and waved me in, "What brings you two here? Inuyasha, did you break Tetsusaiga again?" he asked sternly.

Inuyasha snorted as he followed me inside. "It's Kagome who you should be analyzing, old man."

"Hmm? Why on earth would I do that?" Totosai scratched his head, "Sure she has this lovely glow about her, nothing unusual."

"Glow?" I looked at myself and found no part of my body glowing.

Inuyasha smiled at me, "Some demons can see how strong your spiritual power is. The brighter the glow, the stronger the person," he explained.

I nodded in understanding.

He turned to Totosai, "She's different. She could heal and attack with her spiritual powers. Do you know why?"

Totosai walked around me, inspecting me. "It's nothing unusual," he repeated with a nod, "But not that common."

"But I wonder why someone would give up their spiritual power for another."

I looked around for the voice and felt a small prick on my neck. I slapped my hand on the insect.

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as he took the hand that rested on my neck and turned it palm up, watching the bug I squished inflate himself. "Myoga! Where the hell were you?"

Myoga ignored the question and turned to me. "Do you know who else might have had spiritual powers?"

I shook my head, feeling slightly weird talking to a flea, "I didn't even know you could lose them."

The small demon 'hmm' ed. "What about relatives?"

My brows drew together, "I never saw my parents use the power but I think my brother might have it."

He turned to Totosai, "What do you think, Totosai?"

Totosai had pulled out a blue mat to sit on while we were talking, his hammer lying next to him. "It's possible that the parents might have given away their powers to their kids to make them more powerful. It might even give them the ability you have right now. But the question is why would the parents find the need to further protect them."

"Naraku?" Inuyasha shifted his gaze to me questioningly.

I immediately shook my head, "He didn't reveal himself until he killed my mom and dad," I noticed the bitterness in my voice and shook my head.

"That doesn't mean that your parents didn't know this Naraku fella," Totosai supplied.

"That's right," Inuyasha agreed, "Why else would a demon like him attack a family?"

I felt very tense about this but had to remind myself that this is just theory. There was no way of knowing if it's right without talking to Naraku himself.

"I think I might have an idea..." Inuyasha trailed off before turning to the door. "Come on, Kagome. I need to check something back at home."

I dropped my hand when Myoga hopped off, "Thanks for the help."

"No problem, Miss," Myoga said from his spot on Totosai's shoulder, " And congratulations for putting up with Master Inuyasha-"

"I heard that!" Inuyasha growled.

"- Long enough to become his mate," the flea finished.

"Come back again," Totosai said as I turned to the door.

"I think I have more questions and no answers," I said once we were outside.

"We might have answers soon," Inuyasha assured.

"So what's your idea?" I asked out of curiosity once we were in the car.

"What if one of your parents were demon slayers?" he asked as he turned the key and pulled out, "That would definitely give Naraku a reason to off them."

"I suppose..." Though it was really doubtful, "It's possible."

"At least we have something to go on," he replied.

I looked around as the car got onto the street, "Would the Greater demons around here attack again?"

"Hopefully not," he sounded sick, "I'm not in the mood to kick some random demon's ass right now."

Managing a small smile, I turned my head away from the back window.

Inuyasha coughed. At first, I didn't pay any mind to it until he cursed. I turned to find him staring at his blood-speckled hand. "Kagome, there's a pack of tissues in the glove box."

I hurriedly opened it and pulled out a small pack, tearing it open and handing him one. He held it to his mouth as he coughed again, his violet eyes struggling to remain open on the road. I put a hand on the wheel when a nasty cough shook him.

"Don't suppose you can drive, can you?" His blood-shot eyes shifted to me as I worriedly watched the road.

"I can," I answered and he squinted as he pulled over to the curb. We quickly switched sides but before I turned the key, I continued, "But you're going to have to point the way."

"Good-" he reached for another tissue and rubbed at his eyes, smearing the blood on his face, "-enough."

I nervously drove, every wet cough or groan of pain setting me further on edge. I took in a shuddering breath and held it when the scent of blood reached my nose. Please don't die. Please don't die. Please don't die. I chanted in my mind worriedly as I watched the road.

Inuyasha's breathing became ragged and he cursed again. "K'gome, your hands," he gasped out.

I barely spared a glance at the white light. It wouldn't heal anything but a physical wound. "It can't heal you," I cried out hysterically, almost on the verge of tears, "I can't help you!"

It was the longest ride of my life. Inuyasha's suffering didn't stop until we were close to home; when night fell. There wasn't enough tissues to keep the blood off himself and his seat. I didn't want to look at him in fear of seeing him dead until he quickly got out of the car and rushed with demonic speed into our room.

I raced after him, barely remembering to close the doors to the car and found Inuyasha in the bathroom, crouched over the tub as he ripped his bloody shirt off and rinsed the blood off his upper body and face.

I watched from the doorway as the crimson water splashed with his movements. The sound of the drain sucking the bloody water up made me close my eyes as I rested my head on the door frame. This was the second time he was like this and I just watched as he worked through it. How on earth was that healing him? Was I supposed to do something? But what?

"You're not helpless," Inuyasha growled and I opened my eyes to find him standing right in front of me, golden eyes gleaming darkly.

"Then how come you're not healing yet?" I asked, bowing my head. It hurt watching him die slowly and the pain amplifies when I see his blood. It's hard to believe that just my presence was healing him when he's choking on his own blood.

His index finger curled under my chin and made me meet his gaze. "It's just not going to heal overnight, Kagome. I'll be fine, okay?"

Pursing my lips shut, I nodded reluctantly and left him to brush the taste of blood out of his mouth. I booted up the computer and entered his password, ready to test his theory that my parents may have been slayers. I seriously doubted that my mother was a knife-thrower; She was too kind to imagine that she once killed demons twice the size of her.

I looked through files upon files (he had a lot of files) until Inuyasha took over and found the records from the Base, looking back in time through each group and section until he stopped. "Daisuke Higurashi. He worked in Kouga's group as a high ranking demon slayer."

My eyes widened as I took in the photo of my father's young face before blinking back a sudden wetness. "Alright. My dad was a demon slayer. Anything on my mother? Naomi..." I struggled to remember her maiden name, " Kama... I think."

A few clicks and...

"Naomi Kama. Sesshomaru's class. Healer." Inuyasha sat back with a smirk, "I was right. They met, then quit for some reason, then raised power-given kids until Naraku reared his ugly head."

I looked at the black and white photo of my mother with dread growing. "They could have met Naraku when they were together and quit so they could hide within the shrine. Naraku found them and killed them," I said, blinking when Inuyasha deleted the window. "But why did Naraku hunt them down? The only way we could find the answer is-"

"Talk to the devil himself," Inuyasha finished with a scowl. "If I have to tie you to my back to get you to stick with me instead of going off on your own, I will. Just say you want to find him and I'll go with you, alright?"

I smiled and leaned into his side. "Alright," I agreed and shut off the computer. Stepping up on my toes, I pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Huh?" He turned his head but wrapped an arm around my waist to keep me against him. "I missed a phone call?"

I looked down at the blinking red '2' on the phone base and pressed play.

"Mr. Takahashi," a timid woman's voice said, "A spike of demonic energy suddenly revealed itself near your area on the radar. Please call back at the Base for details or check the e-mail I sent you."

"Dammit," Inuyasha muttered as the machine told when the next call was placed- just a few minutes before we arrived- before the recorded voice clicked on.

"Inuyasha?" My eyes widened at Souta's voice and noticed Inuyasha tense up as well. "There's an emergency. A demon broke through Kaede's barrier and-" A loud roar cut him off and I heard the cracking sound of a huge piece of wood breaking before the line went dead.


A.N: Don't forget to review!