AN: WOW! I never expected this many reviews. I'm so glad everyone likes it. I'd like to respond to each and everyone but there are so many. I hope that you all keep enjoying this story.

An Inuyasha Story

Chapter 4

"Souta!" I called as I pulled up to the small cabin in which my brother and I lived. It was a humble home that was made of only of three rooms. The main living area was furnished with a small table, small kitchen area, a hearth, and the bed that my brother and I shared. The other rooms were the wash room and my parents' former room. Souta stuck his head out the door with a quizzical look.

"What is it Kagome?" He asked. I was already out of the cart's seat and around the back. Was it me or did he look better then when I first picked him up? I shrugged off the feeling and used the key to undo the bonds on his hands and feet.

"Help me get this guy inside." Souta followed me around the back and stepped into the cart. He looked from the silver haired boy to me and back, confusion clearly painted his face.

"What happened to him?" He asked as we stepped onto either side and each took an arm over our shoulder.

"They tried to hang him." I answered with a trace of malice in my voice. A dark and distantly sad look passed over Souta's face as we carried the still unconscious boy into the house. I didn't need to ask about the expression; I was wearing it to. The thought of anyone hanging always brought with it an uncomfortable silence in our house.

"Why?" He asked softly. We hadn't spoken for several minutes. I opened the door to our parents' room, "He can't be much older then you. What could he have done to deserve such a fate?"

"I don't know, but I doubt he did it." I replied as we placed the boy into the bed and covered him up. At least I hope I was right. The boy did sport claws, fangs, and several other demon features. I hope for my and Souta's sake I was right. "Souta will you go and fetch some water while I go get the first aid kit?" He nodded and hurried out as I opened the dresser drawer and pulled out a box of bandages.

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I watched as the boy lay sleeping peacefully. He had the longest hair I had ever seen, and nice golden eyes too; I had checked his pupils earlier. His face was so innocent. How could this boy have done anything to deserve being hung? My eyes left from his face and moved to his ears. They were triangle dog like ears atop his head. Very cute, fuzzy, adorable ears. I wanted to touch them. Then one of them twitched.

His breathing quickened ever so slightly, his eyes closed more firmly, and his body stiffened and lay deadly still. I smiled subconsciously. He was awake and pretending to be asleep. He must have known I was there and was waiting for me to leave. I couldn't say I didn't blame him for not trusting me. I decided to show him I was here to help. I reached over in to the basin of water and dipped a folded cloth into it. Wringing the excess water out, I moved carefully over and placed the cloth on his head.

His eyes flickered slowly open. He looked up at me with a mildly confused look before blinking a few times and groaning. I think the groan was faked, but I didn't let him know that.

"How are you feeling?" I asked gently, but I still held a note of concern in it.

"Wa…water…" He choked out. He looked mildly disgusted with himself for just a moment before returning to the 'pity me' look, but his throat truly sounded dry. I nodded and moved away to the pitcher and glass near the basin of water on the dresser. I filled the glass and returned to the bed. I set the glass on the end table.

"I'm going to help you sit up, ok?" I said comfortingly. He nodded ever so slightly. I placed my arm around his shoulders and lifted him up gently; I didn't want to aggravate any injuries he might have. I was surprised when he stiffened then relaxed in my arms. Once he was sitting up I picked the glass off the end table and held it to him.

"Here. Do you need help?" He shook his head and took the glass from my hand. Humm…maybe he wasn't as hurt as I first suspected. He defiantly looked better then when Souta and I dragged him from the cart. I watched as he downed the glass in a single gulp. He thrust the glass back at me.

"More." He demanded, but I smiled and filled his glass--three more times.

"You were thirsty." I said with a bright smile, "Are you hungry too?" He opened his mouth to answer when his stomach growled rather loudly. He looked down at it as if it had said something offensive. Wow, he's cute. I giggled and headed for the kitchen.

Souta was tending the fire when I entered. He looked up at me and I nodded before he asked how the boy was doing. I went to small icebox and pulled out some chicken broth. From the cupboard I pulled out several spices and dried noodles. Pouring the chicken broth and spices into a pot I put it on the fire and waited for it to boil. Once the liquid was bubbling I tossed in the dry noodles. Ramen was very simple and inexpensive so we ate a lot of it. When the noodles were nice and soft I dipped three bowls out. Putting mine aside to cool I gave one to Souta and placed the other on a tray along with a pair of chopsticks and headed for the bedroom.

The boy looked over at me as I entered. His nose twitched and his eyes focused on the tray. A look of confusion passed over his face as he looked at the bowl. I gently placed the tray in his lap as he continued to stare. He picked up his chopsticks and poked at it.

"It's called Ramen. My mom taught me to make it." I told him in gentle way. He looked at me. His eyes suddenly hardened as they darted about my face looking for something. I felt uncomfortable but he seemed not to find what he was looking for and turned back to the bowl. He picked up a few noodles as if he feared they were poisonous and gingerly placed then in his mouth. His face suddenly lit up with delight and he inhaled the rest of the bowl's contents. God he was cute. He thrust the bowl at me just as he had done the glass. I giggled and filled his bowl, four more times in fact.

As he finished off the last bowl his eyes drooped with exhaustion. It had probably been a physically and emotionally draining day for him, so I slipped silently from the room as he snuggled down into the covers. As he closed his eyes I wondered what his name was.