Hey, I'm sorry if this chapter seems short, everyone. But I really wanted to write a short 'scene' where we could see Kagome's new insecurities and pain. I really wanted the readers to understand the couple's new feelings after this incident. Well, I hope it isn't too weird or cheezy for any of you.

R&R, you all already know what to do! ;D

Whitewolfffy~

~Chapter Thirty-Seven~

The sounds of heavy beats and lyrics filled the bus as Katsuo plugged Yuka's I pod into the radio. With the girl's permission (more like demands), everyone was allowed to hear the girl's play list. She had some great taste, which was for sure. Even the boys were starting to enjoy it and tap their feet every few minutes. Well, that was until she turned on the Black Blossoms' songs. Hojo made a disgruntled look the moment it came on, and Katsuo wore a pained expression. It was no doubt that the fan girls were wearing the boys' patience thin.

Meanwhile, Kagome had finally calmed down enough to stop crying. She was wearing Inuyasha's red robe since she hadn't had a chance to change yet. The moment things had calmed down she had walked to the back to converse with him. Much to the miko's surprise, his face had turned an adorable shade of red at the sight of her torn clothing. To be perfectly honest, she had completely forgotten about the state of her attire. All her mind could focus on was what Taro had tried to do to her.

And so, she couldn't help but blush as she noticed why the hanyou was becoming flustered. Her bra had been showing and everything! He took off his robe, handing it to her (more like throwing), insisting that she wear it.

Kagome couldn't help but bury her nose in the robe, closing her eyes as she did so. His scent lingered on the red material, causing her heart to beat faster. She loved his scent, and at times she was certain that she could become high off of it. The young priestess clutched the robe of the fire rat, her face warming as she suddenly remembered what he had done back at the building.

His lips had been so very soft and gentle, causing butterflies to erupt in her stomach. The feel of his warm breath caressing her cheek as he whispered, it had been a completely incomparable experience.

When Taro had touched her, her body hadn't responded with anything but panic and disgust. It wasn't at all like how she felt toward Inuyasha. Her skin craved for his touch, and every small bit of contact sent electricity traveling through her limbs. She still felt a chill run up her spine at the memory of that guy trying to hurt her. He had almost succeeded. If Inuyasha hadn't walked in when he did, she wasn't sure what…no, she was sure what would have happened. Tears welled-up in her eyes again as the horrible memory rose back into her thoughts.

Golden eyes flickered over to the young miko. He could smell tears, and it confused him. Inuyasha couldn't handle seeing a girl cry. Sure, he could deal with a hole blown through his middle, pools of blood everywhere, battling against desperate odds, or even having something pulled out of his eyeball by his half-brother (who he obviously disliked). But never in a thousand years could he deal with a crying girl. Never.

The half-demon had never been quite good with emotions. For goodness' sake, he had learned to survive on his own for years by not allowing himself to have contact with them. The slightest bit of weakness would have caused trouble for him, and of course it would have attracted demons. The world wasn't easy on you just because you were a little kid. He had been forced to mature (in his own way) more quickly than most children. He had even grown to like living on his own, except for the loneliness.

The soft tap of Kagome's tear landing on the window sill caused him to grow nervous. He sighed, closing his eyes as he braced himself for what he was about to do. Inuyasha pulled himself up, walking over to where she was sitting. She didn't turn around when he stood beside her, and he assumed that it might have had something to do with the zoned-out expression on her face. She looked like she was reliving a bad memory, and that seemed to give him the push to raise his hand and gently touch her shoulder.

Kagome jerked in surprise at the sudden touch. She looked up, her wide brown eyes meeting his. The golden orbs softened, and Kagome couldn't help it as her bottom lip trembled.

Will I ever forget what happened? I don't want to live with this insecurity.

And it was true, also. Kagome had never felt so exposed in her life. It was like Taro had stripped her of all of her securities. All of the confidence in her mind had been peeled away, leaving her bare and unprotected as he attempted to rape her. The word itself made her cringe. She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to look at a locked door the same way again. Locks didn't hold her self-assurance anymore. Such things could be broke away easily.

Inuyasha saw the emotions in her eyes. He could see the hurt that she was holding. That guy had really affected her. Just the idea of someone causing Kagome's peace-of-mind to disappear made him angry. He leaned down, slipping his arms under her and picking her up bridle-style. Kagome let out a gasp as the hanyou carried her to their usual 'area' in the back. He sat down on the seat, holding her close while resting his chin on her head.

They sat there for a little while, Inuyasha ignoring the looks from Hojo and the two girls. Yuka and Katsuo looked away, allowing them privacy. He refused to let her go, and after a few minutes, her composure broke away as well. He didn't mind it as the tears fell down her cheeks and soaked into his undershirt. He felt an ache for every tear, every drop that fell. Her pain was his pain, and he felt hopeless knowing that he couldn't soothe it for her. He didn't know how to fix it, and it infuriated him. Inuyasha grew angry with himself. All of the strokes of his sword couldn't mend Kagome's heart or quiet suffering. And it truly pained him.

He wanted to be there for her. He was her guardian, and out of everyone in the world, he should be the one person she can rely on. And yet, here she was in his arms, her bottom lip trembling and her heart aching. He cursed and pulled her as tight as he could against his chest. He didn't want to let her go ever again. He wanted to shield her from the world, even if it meant from himself as well.

Suddenly their proximity disgusted him.

I am a monster. What am I doing holding her like this?

He looked down at his hands, clenching them as he saw the claws. These hands had shed blood and were tainted. He felt horrified with himself for touching her with these contaminated digits. As he was about to push her away, she snuggled closer.

"Thank you, Inuyasha. For everything. If it wasn't for you I'd…I would…" Her throat closed-off before she could whisper another word.

Instead she inclined her head, pulling herself up to gently press her lips to his cheek. She pulled back slowly, her eyes speaking in volumes. As Kagome buried her face into his shoulder, the half-demon found himself allowing it. It rarely showed emotion, and the world could be cruel, but perhaps Kagome was gradually purifying him.

Perhaps he wasn't the one mending her heart. Maybe she was the one shielding him.