Arigatou to all reviewed!! You made me all happy!! ^^

As promised, here's part 1!! I hope you like it!!

DEDICATION: I want to dedicate this chapter to those who reviewed: Purple Rose (can't wait to read more of "Bound in Fate" It's getting sooooo good ^^), Rachel (brought out the next chapter like you wanted), Akurei (I'm glad I got your interest. And I have many more original ideas where this came from ^^), and Emmi-chan (another who thought the idea was original. I guess there aren't too many "dark toned" fics, ne?)

And I wanted to single out Lightning-sama. Thank you for the information. I've always read "Aishiteru" as "I Love You". That's how all the fics write it as. And as for the "katsu" word, according to my dictionary it meant "and". But since you know the language better than I do, I'll just go with you. Keep correcting me if I make Japanese mistakes if you want. I actually appreciate them. And there also was a time when I thought that I could write good summaries but obviously I can't. I just try. Oh well… - -;; But thank you for your review and your information Lightning-sama!! You're the best!! ^^

Disclaimer: In Inu-chan's dreams, she owned Inuyasha…but this is the real world and sadly she owns nothing. Takahashi-sama owns Inuyasha. "Can I buy Inuyasha off you Takahashi-sama? Or at least let me have Shippou-chan!" ^^

Love Heals All Wounds

By Inuyasha-loves-Kagome (you all can call me Inu-chan ^^)

Chapter 1: Why is she crying?!?! Discoveries…

~**~

It had been a week like he had limited for her. A week and she still wasn't back. Inuyasha was becoming worried again, and this time he didn't dismiss the feelings. After having that argument with her about not letting her go, he had done some much needed soul-searching. He had realized then that the real reason he didn't want her gone was because he missed her. Because he didn't feel good without her there. He had puzzled over that for a few days.

Since when has that wench become so important to me? he thought as he sat up on his favorite branch near the well. As usual, there was a thoughtful look on his face as he held Tetsusaiga close. When did it happen? When did I start feeling this way? Without Kagome here, it just doesn't feel the same. I get bored and that feeling of actually belonging somewhere is gone. She's the only one in my entire life who made me feel like I belonged somewhere. Not even Kikyou made me feel that way.

Inuyasha knew, at least, that Kagome accepted him for who he was. Many situations hadn't proven that to him:

"It doesn't matter, because it's your blood."

She had said that, but he didn't know what to say to it. He didn't think at the time that she was being serious. He even remembered a time back before they knew Kouga, when Kagome said:

" I think you're pretty cool Inuyasha. Strong too..."

She had said that but then that damned kitsune brat went and ruined his illusion by saying that she was only saying it to be nice. Why the hell did he have to do that?! he thought angrily.

A sound brought him out of his thoughts, and he was able to smell Kagome's familiar, sweet scent. But there was a problem. There was something else mixed with it that tainted it. A salty smell that he knew all too well coming from her.

She was crying. The only question was…why?

Inuyasha dropped down from the tree and ran over to well. He didn't let himself be seen. He just wanted to see her before he decided to come out.

Kagome was climbing over the well, or trying to anyway. Her face was wet with tears, new and old, and her eyes were red. Her clothes were a bit ruffled (at least the shirt part was), and her hair was definitely messy. She looked like she had come through a major storm and barely gotten out of it.

When she was able to get over the other side, she flopped down on the ground ungracefully and remained there. Her sobs grew to uncontrollable cries that broke even the cruelest heart. Upon further inspection, Inuyasha could tell that she was exhausted because of something and she barely had the strength to stand up.

Now Inuyasha wasn't going to let her just lay there on the ground. He came out from his hiding place and slowly walked over to her. He didn't want to scare the poor girl.

"Kagome," he said softly, his eyes softer than cotton and showing a lot of emotion for her. "Daijoubu ka?"

Kagome stopped her crying a bit when she heard the softness of his voice. Was she hearing right? Was Inuyasha being nice to her? She painfully looked up, hurting her muscles, and stared into his emotion filled amber eyes that stared at her with such pity, yet care. But she didn't answer him.

Inuyasha crouched down next to her and examined her. She seemed all right. But then why had she come back crying? Had something happened in her time? "Why were you crying?"

Kagome sent her gaze down towards the floor again and avoided his gaze. "Just forget it," she answered in a dull tone with no emotion or life.

Inuyasha cringed at her tone, then went to pick her up and place her on his back. "Come on. Let's go back with the others. They're all worried about you."

Kagome didn't answer but Inuyasha didn't care. He flew off towards the village.

What happened Kagome?

~**~

To say the least, everyone was happy to see Kagome. Shippou had (like always) glomped her and yelled out "Kagome-Mama!" What Inuyasha saw, even when no one else did, was that when he did glomp her, Kagome seemed to cringe slightly, as if in pain. Inuyasha had been hurt many times and he knew what that meant. Something, or someone had hurt Kagome.

HIS Kagome.

Inuyasha blinked. Where had that come from? Had he actually called her his? What was wrong with him recently? He knew he had missed Kagome, but was he that overprotective of her?

He looked at her happy face and smiled slightly. Yes, he most definitely was protective over the girl who had managed to tame him and make him change for the better. Who had opened his eyes to humans and the love they offered.

"So how do you like your new step-dad Kagome-chan?" Sango asked.

Inuyasha blinked when he saw her cringe then. Why did she seem afraid when the husband of her mother was mentioned? This only added to his confusion.

"H-He's okay," Kagome answered in a shaky voice.

Sango decided then to be more general. "How about the wedding?" Sango prodded, wanting to know every detail.

Kagome set herself on the floor of the shrine, her face becoming calmer, and faced everyone as they all sat in a circle around her, eager to learn about how weddings worked in her time. And as usual, Shippou was there sitting on her lap. "That was okay too," she responded simply.

Sango didn't seem satisfied. "But what about what you did. Was everything pretty? What dress did you wear?"

"Feh," Inuyasha grumbled, not wanting to hear some stupid girl talk. He would much rather go off on his own for a bit and go back to thinking things over. He walked out of the hut quietly. Everyone ignored him. They were too busy trying to find out about the wedding.

Kagome yawned and stood up. "Actually minna-chan, if it's okay with you, I'd much rather go off and take a shower, then sleep because the wedding was pretty strainful. I promise though that later I'll tell everyone about the wedding and what goes on."

Everyone seemed satisfied with that answer and they let Kagome go. She walked out of the hut and decided to head over to a Hot Spring for a warm, relaxing bath.

Inuyasha saw her exit and decided to follow her. He had learned that when left alone, people usually said what was bothering them out loud. Perhaps this was his chance to learn what was wrong with Kagome.

~**~

Baka! Kagome yelled to herself when she realized that she had forgotten her bag. Now I'll have to bath without my shampoo and conditioner!

A sad look crossed Kagome's face as she remembered the reason for her leaving her bag. There was no way she had time to get it. She had barely made it back here.

Inuyasha watched at Kagome began to undress. He had realized the same thing because he knew (somehow) that Kagome usually wore something when she bathed here because of peeping toms. He didn't want to watch her undress, but as she was lifting her shirt, he saw that on her stomach were a few large purple bruises.

Where the hell did she get those? Inuyasha wondered.

Kagome finished undressing and Inuyasha also saw that she had them on her back, only that they were larger than the other ones. She stepped into the water and let herself dunk so that she would feel the cold all at once rather than a little at a time.

He saw as she began to shiver, but later realized that she was shivering not because she was cold, but because she was sobbing. She balled her hands over her eyes and began to bawl her eyes out like she had done back at the well.

Inuyasha didn't know what to do. Perhaps waiting was best. He walked over and climbed a tree. He would nap a bit and wait for her to finish dressing before asking her about the bruises.

~**~

About half an hour later, Kagome came out and began dressing. After crying till she was dry of tears, she began to feel a bit better, though she admitted that she wouldn't feel completely better until two things were done.

Inuyasha sensed she was out and woke up. Now was the moment he had been waiting for. There was no escape from him this time.

He jumped down from the tree and approached Kagome. She gave a yelp when she saw him and her eyes widened.

"HENTAI!! OSUWARI!!!" she cried out, hugging herself.

Inuyasha flopped down on the ground but he didn't wince or make any sound of his discomfort. Instead he just looked at Kagome with pleading eyes, as if demanding the truth.

Kagome blinked at the fact that he didn't swear, moan, or complain. He had been completely silent during the whole "sit". "Why were you watching me Inuyasha?" she questioned, her face expressionless.

Inuyasha avoided the question and asked his own. "Where did you get than bruise Kagome?" He then stood up and dusted himself off, waiting for an answer.

She hesitated and stared at him with the same look of nothing, as if she didn't have a soul. "It's nothing," she responded flatly.

Inuyasha growled, balled his hands at his sides, and his face twisted into one of anger. "Iya!" he yelled. "Don't like to me! I saw those large purple bruises! Where did you get them?"

Again she hesitated but this time it was because she was trying to think up of something to say. "I-I got them falling down the stairs." Tears were beginning to well up in her eyes but she pushed them back.

"You're lying," Inuyasha growled. "There's no way you could only get bruised there from falling."

Kagome couldn't hold it in anymore. All that she went through during the past few days made her burst. She had room for no more grief and pain. She cried again and flew into Inuyasha's embrace, gripping onto his yukata for dear life.

Inuyasha blinked and stood there rigid for a bit. Is it really that bad?

Not being able to see this woman cry, he let his arms snake around her and hold her close. He breathed in her sweet smell and let himself enjoy this moment. All the pain she must have been feeling must have been too much for her. But he still wondered what had caused such pain in her. I swear…if anyone hurt her, I'll claw their guts out and make them eat it!

"Shhh," Inuyasha soothed, smoothing her back. "It's okay Kagome. Tell me what's wrong. I'm your best friend, ne? You can tell me anything."

Best friend…Kagome thought, her crying calming down because he was here to comfort her. Yet his words sent a pang of pain in her heart. She decided to pull away then. "I need to go home again."

Inuyasha blinked. Nani o?!?! Didn't she just come BACK?! Now she wants to leave again? "Why?"

Kagome got out of his embrace and Inuyasha suddenly felt empty. She wasn't helping much either because she avoided his gaze. "Because my mom needs me still. I just came back to reassure everyone that I was okay."

I doubt that having bruises on your body counts as okay. Either way he didn't want to get into another argument with her so he simply nodded. "Okay."

Kagome's eyes widened. Had he just agreed to let her go for a day? Was he actually acting nice for a change? She looked up at him and saw the softest look he had ever given her. "I'll only be gone a day."

Inuyasha nodded and Kagome walked off.

But he wasn't going to just leave her like that. The other reason he had agreed was because he wanted to follow her and figure out once and for all what was wrong with her.

He silently followed her…

To be continued…

Woo hoo! ^^ This chapter is longer than the last one!! And I got it out faster than any other fic I've ever written.

I hope you like this chapter!! Took me a while to type.

Arigatou for reading and I hope you'll stick around for part 2 when it comes out. I'm guessing Monday at most. I'll have it up by no later than that k?

Next chapter: Inuyasha finds out the cause of Kagome's pain and he isn't too happy about it!! Can he save Kagome from the one who is endangering her life?

And as usual, PLEASE REVIEW!!! And only constructive flames are allowed!!

Signed,

Inuyasha-loves-Kagome (you can call me Inu-chan if you want ^^)

Email: hitomi_fanel1111@yahoo.com