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Thanks for reading my second chapter and reviewing! Everyone have a nice Halloween!

Disclaimer- I still don't own Inuyasha

And I guess to enjoy!

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Dare To Dream

Chapter three:

Goodbye Earl

When I woke the next morning the smell of bacon was very heavy in the air, and I stumbled down the stairs to see who was in my house (for I had forgotten most of last night).

So thus when I entered the kitchen you can just image my shock to find Kagome in my white shirt and a pair of white shorts I hadn't remember ever seeing. For a few moments I was trying to piece together what exactly happened last night, until Souta entered the room and bid me good morning.

That put my frantic mind to ease.

Kagome turned and looked pleasantly surprised to see me. "Aw, good morning, I hope you don't mind if I wear these shorts, I found them in my room, and well, I thought it would be okay…I hope you don't mind." Apparently she had misread my shock as an angry surprise, which was far from it.

"No, it's okay." I said quickly, that cold sweat beginning to stream down the back of my neck.

Together the three of us ate breakfast in silence, well the two of us ate, Souta seemed to be shoving it in like a vacuum.

As Kagome was collecting the dishes to wash them, don't accuse me of being rude any of you, I offered to help, but Kagome is quite stubborn.

"Souta why don't you take Mr. Taihoji down to the lake today, show him around, while I take care of these dishes?" she asked her brother.

"Call me by my first name, I don't like to be called by my father's name." I asked angrily, I had liked it better when she called me by my first name, even if it was once.

"Sorry." She said off-handily.

Souta had agreed to showing me around the lake and after breakfast we went down to the shores and walked around under the shade of the fruits trees that boarded the edges of the lake.

I was half listening as Souta explained the harvesting procedures. I kept looking up at the house, I felt something was wrong, something just didn't feel right. Why had Kagome not joined us, what was she doing?

We walked around for maybe five more minutes before I heard an uneasy trump of hooves. I looked around to see Sango galloping quickly towards me on a brown horse. As she got close enough I could make out the anguished look on her face.

Sango stopped and leapt from her horse. "You better get over to Kagome's house." She rushed quickly and I looked at her with a confused look. "Kagome's in trouble!"

Shit, shit, shit! She had tricked me, she tricked me so I would watch Souta as she went back to her house.

"I'm using your horse." I told her bluntly and swung into the saddle. Again, don't get me wrong, I have no clue how I'm to go about riding a horse, but let's just say that it's harder then it looks. I got the basic left, right, stirring down, it was the speed I didn't understand.

As Sango stayed with Souta by the lake she called out to me. "Use your heels!" she advised me.

Aha, I slammed my heels in-between the ribs of the animal and the horse squealed and ran much faster then I had anticipated. I decided it would be better if I just clung to the horn of the saddle rather then taking my chances sitting upright.

Through some stroke of luck I was able to stir him correctly onto the road and to Kagome's house, in which I saw Miroku, Hojo, Kagura and Kanna all listening distraughtly to the sounds from inside. I nearly fell off the horse and ran up to them.

"What's going on?" I asked angrily as I heard something smash from with in the house. I noticed that the door of the house had been fixed during the night and the window blinds had been drawn.

Miroku answered me quickly. "Kagome came back to calm her father down, looks like she hasn't succeeded."

"Why haven't you gone in there?" I ran to the door and heard talking right on the other side, I knew I couldn't kick open the door like I had last night without hurting the person on the other side. I couldn't open it because the door was locked so I was only left with the option of knocking, which I did, a lot. I slammed my fists against the door as hard and noisily I could.

It didn't take long for someone to answer, it was Kagome, and she had a long gash across her face, her arms were cut in numerous places along with her legs. The white clothes she wore were no longer white and her left eye was unable to see through the current of blood that streaked out over it.

"Inuyasha!" she groaned and started to shut the door. "I'm sorry but…"

I didn't let her finished her plea because I slammed the door open and charged in past Kagome.

If you wanted to say that I was enraged, you could, but if you would like to be more accurate, I was boiling with loathing. I didn't get any satisfaction when I saw Earl's surprised face as I pounced on to him, nor as he yelled out as I punched him over and over again.

It took me some time to reclaim my self and I left the beaten pulp of what was left of the abusive stepfather. Kagome had reentered the room and through shock, surprise, and her injuries, she had passed out. I picked her up, with much tenderness of her wounds.

I walked out of the house, so angry that I didn't hear any of the questions from Miroku. I also didn't see Kouga has he came running up, just hearing of the fight from Kikyo (who also came after him.)

I ignored everything and walked Kagome back to my house, a long trek through the sun, but I ignored the blistering heat on my back and just headed towards my house, my one goal.

When I reached it the door was open, most likely by Kagome who had it opened to let in some fresh air. I took her straight to the living room couch, and saw that both Sango and Souta were already there. Souta ran to his sister but did not touch her, for she was cut in numerous places and he did not want to further her injuries.

I went to the kitchen and to my freezer. Sango was following close behind. "You didn't kill him, did you?" she asked breathlessly, she helped me grab rags from the drawer I was pulling towels from.

"I would have." I answered back sullenly and went back into the room, followed quietly by the equally sullen Sango.

Miroku decided to come bustling into the house that moment, charged into the kitchen then into the living room. "What's going on!?"

Sango grabbed him and stopped him from going any closer, I guessed she felt the unbalanced anger in me. "Shh…"

Miroku nodded, he realized it too. "Kouga's coming…"

"Is Kagome here! Bring her out dog breath!" Kouga had entered the building, oh, how he annoyed me.

He came running in to the room, uninvited and tried to push me away. Just that slight attempt pushed me back over the top. "Don't touch me you slime ball!" I screamed and pinned him to the floor in which I decided it would be best if I started punching him as swiftly as I could.

I only got a few punches in when I felt hands pulling me away, Kouga sat up, wide eye and then stood just as quickly. "Right, it's probably best if I come back later." He then left. Noticing that I should not be messed with at this moment. 

Sango took full control then, rushing the three of us out of the room as she ordered me to go get more clothes.

I did as I was told, as quickly as I could, as the other two moved into the entertainment room so that they could continue their pacing there.

I returned, knocked on the living room door and thrust the hand that held the clothes through the door. I didn't look in, because by now I knew that Sango had probably had Kagome undressed. I felt the clothes being taken by my hands, a 'thank you' and then the door was shut on me.

I went to join the other two in the pacing.

I bet if you walked in that moment you would think that I was an expectant father, well that's just how nervous I was. I waited as Sango finished bandaging Kagome's cuts.

But when Sango entered the room I was eased by the tired, but relieved expression. "She's fine, no serious injuries, just lost of cuts. Nothing permanent."

I went into the living room after that and watched as she slept, in the clean clothes now, she had a bandage on her forehead and many more on her arms and legs, but she looked healthy all the same.

When I finally reentered the kitchen Miroku was making coffee and Sango was quietly standing next to him, a certain eerie feeling in the air.

I took a cup that Miroku had finished and sat at the table, I took a sip and let the caffeine calm me. I'm not usually a coffee person, but today I was.

"She stayed here last night?" Miroku finally asked.

I nodded, feeling yet again a blush and sweat over taking me. I watched Sango elbow Miroku in the rips.

Miroku didn't catch the obvious hint the girl had given him. "You like her, don't you?"

What is it with these people, first the boy, then Miroku? "No." I declared though the looked that Miroku, and now Sango watched me with was obvious disbelief.

Their gazes made me sweat, yep you guessed it, that clammy, nervous, cold sweat. I decided that I had to do something. So I stood.

"Miroku you have a car?" I asked them warily.

"Truck, why?" Miroku took out his car keys and looked at them.

I took it from him and raced from the house, I could hear his confused yells chasing after me and it only made me run faster. I ran to the house I had intruded on yesterday, where I had interrupted Miroku in the middle of his awful song. I suspected this would be his house.

There was a greenish blue pickup truck in the driveway and I scrambled into the cab, turned on the engine and reminded my self to thank Miroku when I got back.

'Where?' you asked. Well if you want to know so bad I could only tell you that I didn't know. Well that is until I passed by Kagome's house.

Kagome's mom was no where to be seen but that abusive dirty Earl was storming around in the front lawn, apparently he was planning on going to my house in search of either Kagome or I. Hmm…Idea.

I stopped and ran from Miroku's truck. Earl looked up from his parading in time to see my fist connecting with his face. Hehe…great plan…

When I drove back it was late afternoon, and the sun was beginning to sink lower and lower on the horizon.

I looked at Miroku's house, my destination, the windows were dark as if no one was there. I pulled in and pocketed the keys, if he wanted them, he would have to come to me to get them. I didn't know where he was and I didn't want to stick around to find out. I was tired, and very hungry so I headed back to my house. Surprisingly there was one light on in my house, besides the dim glow of the television flickering in the entertainment room window. That must be where Souta was.

I entered my house and stopped myself from saying 'I'm home' that would seem to a little to close for my liking. Instead, to make my presence know, I took Miroku's keys and tossed them on the table. They made a loud annoying jingling noise and the noise from the TV stopped and Souta came galloping into the room. Well I had been right, he was watching TV.

"Inuyasha!" he cried out in joy as he came up and started hopping up and down. He was still wearing my overly large shirt and he looked very hilarious as he stumbled to get me to notice him.

"Where's your sister?" I figured she would have woken up by now, and I had something to tell her.

Souta smiled and pointed to the kitchen, where I could make out the light that streamed into the hallway and the light chattering of dishes. Souta turned and ran back into the room where he began the movie he was watching once more.

Walking to the kitchen was like walking to my death. I tensed and my hands fidgeted. I finally made it to the door and stopped to watch Kagome.

She was moving around the kitchen in a clean pair of my clothes that I had given her. Her hair was pulled back and her back was to me. I coughed and she quickly turned, the bandages were visible but it did nothing faze the smile on her face.

"Aw! Welcome home!" she was holding a pan that had some kind of stir-fry on it. "I hope your hungry."

I nodded, unknowing of what I should say. I sat at my table and watched her move around.  "Do you like Earl?" I asked casually.

"Why would you ask something stupid like that?" she said back to me just as casually.

I didn't know how to say what I said next, but I managed to do it none-the-less. "Well, I wanted to know if I would be in trouble." I watched as Kagome's back straightened and she stared straight, I couldn't see her face but I could only imagine that her face was a image of shock.

"What are you trying to say?" Kagome asked quietly.

I gulped, though I didn't think it could have been heard from any further then five feet, I hope. "Well I took a drive with Earl, to talk things over, you know. I guess he's sick of Kikonomo because as we got to Dallas he just decided he would take a bus back to Freeport." I had planned to say this all in a very uncaring way, but as I finished my voice had betrayed me so much I finished in a deathly-scared whisper.

As I looked up to see what Kagome's reaction would be I was surprised when I couldn't, because an overly excited girl had launched at me. Frantically thanking me as my chair went toppling backwards.

I was unsure of what to do, but when Kagome began to hug me I kicked to action, basically, I stuttered a protest and blushed. Yep, this was as low as I could get, I blushed. And not only that I was unsure and flustered.

To make things ever worse Souta entered, probably heard the loud noises coming out of his sister. Not only was he a witness but also, he thought this was some sort of game because he jumped on top of Kagome, smashing me into the ground.

After a few more minutes of wresting I was finally able to pull out from beneath it all.

Souta was laughing hard as he sat on his sister's back, Kagome on the other hand was shaking my hand as though I had just given her a million dollars. "Thank you!" she exclaimed again.

"What's the matter?" Souta asked between his tired laughs.

Kagome sat up, forcing Souta to topple from her back. "Inuyasha asked Earl to move away, no more Earl!" Obviously she didn't tell the whole truth, editing out how in fact I had forced him on to a bus with a deep death threat.

Souta clapped, obviously his innocence couldn't hide the deep down hatred that had nested itself within him. Kagome gave him a hug and together they laughed and smiled and generally looked very happy.

My stomach growled and I suddenly remembered that I was hungry. I stood, stepping around the celebrating pair. I moved to the counter where I grabbed the pan that Kagome had set on the counter. I poured a bit onto one of the three plates. I brought it to the table and began eating, watching the siblings out of the corner of my eye.

After a long moment the two stopped their celebration and got around to getting their dinner. The three of us ate, though I did not feel a nervous air, in fact the atmosphere was quite cheerful and I couldn't help but feel proud of myself.

When dinner was through, and the dishes were done (Kagome had insisted she do it on her own again). Souta dragged me to the room where I saw that he had been watching Shrek, I looked at it a little disbelieving, sat on the couch and watched from the point I had left off at.

For your information I sat the furthest away from Kagome, for some reason I felt that for the safety it would be best. Though maybe…NO!!!

It was late enough so I went to bed, followed closely by my two guests.

I bid them a good night underneath my breath and entered my room. Like last night, I wasn't able to sleep. I just lay in my bed, staring at my ceiling, listening to the sounds coming from outside my door. Wait a minute, there was something else coming from outside my door, and I heard a shuffling.

I went to my door and slowly opened it, letting one eye look out. Kagome was there, looking down to the ground so that all I could see of her was the top of her head, covered in mass of silky black hair.

"Why aren't you in bed?" I was very aware that I didn't want her to leave, and I had to admit that the feeling scared me.

She didn't answer me, or say anything for that matter. She just stepped towards me until she was only a few inches from me. I felt very nervous now, yep you guessed it, that same cold sweat.

Slowly she laid her head on my chest, she still hadn't spoken but I could tell she was upset about something. I could almost smell the salt in her tears. I let her lean against me and I hesitantly rose my arms to hug her but quickly remembered myself and dropped my hands to my sides. I would just let her get it out of her system, that's right, right?

"Thank you." She murmured into my nightshirt. "Your a blessing to Souta and I." I could feel her warm tears soaking through my shirt, and I didn't mind. "I'm forever in you debt."

There was another blossoming guilt that rung in my chest and it almost made me spill my whole plan to her. Closer then I ever had been before to telling her.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Kagome asked weakly.

My throat tightened beyond comparison. "To understand." I said, I knew exactly what it meant, though she didn't. I hadn't meant to say that, in fact I hadn't planned on saying anything nice at all, what is it with this girl?

Instead of questioning me, she nodded. She understood.

The next morning I found that I was very rested up, and again I woke to find that salty meaty scent of bacon. It's amazing how bacon can be such a motivation when you are so attached to your bed.

I got out of bed, didn't bother changing from my outfit and walked down the stairs. Today I remembered Kagome and Souta where staying and I also remembered last night.

Kagome smiled at me when I entered, she had a plate of bacon set on the table for me, and Souta began talking rapidly over his cereal bowl.

Kagome had obviously eaten because she just watched me as I ate, smiling largely.

I began uncomfortable under her stare. "What are you staring at? Don't you have some kind of farm work that you guys need to be doing?"

She sneered at me, but broke her happy stare. "No. Only the men work on the farms, the women have to stay home and cook. Sexist if you ask me."

Indeed it was. Women staying home all day? No wonder Kagome, Sango and Kagura had not been away yesterday.

 "Well that sucks…"

I was cut off by the ringing of the doorbell.

"I'll get it." Kagome said and quickly stood to answer the door.

When she reentered the room her mother and Kouga followed her closely. I right away noticed that the smell of alcohol was no longer following the mother around, and marveled at the way she had sobered up in only one day after ten years of drinking.

Kagome also seemed to notice her mother change because when she sat back down at the table with me she didn't let her eyes trail from her mother. "Mother, you look…good…" She finally managed to say.

Kouga finally cut in, and he didn't look happy. "Kagome you're going home."

The piece of bacon that was in my mouth nearly choked me. Kagome looked almost as shocked as I did, apparently neither of us and pieced together the fact that with Earl gone Kagome would be wanted home.

Kagome's mother waved a hand to calm Kouga then turned back to her daughter. "That's right Kagome, I think it would be better if you no longer bothered Mr. Taihoji."

Kagome couldn't compete with that, she nodded her head in defeat. I suddenly felt the urge to protest, but once again I remained silent, I wouldn't make a scene.

Kouga gave me a very smug look. I hate him…this was his entire fault, wasn't it?

Souta and Kagome had left with in five minutes, followed closely by Kouga. However, Kagome's mother remained, as if she wanted to talk with me.

I watched her in silence for quite a while, still trying to get over the fact that house was once again a small and lonely place.

"Mr. Taihoji, you are a kind man." She sat in Kagome's old spot. "To take care of Kagome and Souta and do what you did with their step-father. You did what I could not." She looked like she was going to cry. "Every since I married him, I have been drunk, I didn't think about my children, I didn't think that they were most likely far more miserable then I was." She had begun to cry heavily, her voice broken. "I even let him hit Kagome, and lock Souta in that closet. But when I saw you come for Souta that one night, and then do what you did for Kagome. I released that I too could stand up."

Her crying calmed down and I quietly watched her, unsure of what she would say next. She gave an exasperated chuckle. "It is a shame you got to him before I did."

Silently she stood and left, leaving me at the table staring at the plate of bacon on the table.

Why did life have to work like this, my third day here and already I have been considered some kind of miracle by Souta, Kagome, and now her mother. Why me though, I was the one that was going to be kicking them off this property in only a few months.

Shit.

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Please review! Love you all!

Preview for next chapter- Our house

· Return of Kagome

· Horse-back riding

· Bad accident

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