A/N: Hey again! Chapter 9 is finally up. Sorry for taking so long on this one! I had a major case of writer's block and I have been extremely busy with school and track lately so…..VERY SORRY! Oh well, please enjoy the chapter and make me extra happy and READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: Points at Rumiko

Don't Say a Word

Chapter 9: Unknown Resolution

Inuyasha ran swiftly through the Shrine grounds, the bottom of his Hakama becoming damp with dew from the cool night air. His features were taut and alert, a determined expression sketched across his otherwise unreadable face.

No matter what Kagome had said to him, warned him, threatened him, Inuyasha knew deep down that no matter what Kagome thought, it was his sole duty to protect her. From Anything. Even from her own stubbornness. There was no way in his world or her's that he would let the events that had happened ever pass again.

Inuyasha came to a halt as he approached Kagome's house, a dim night-light shined through her thankfully open window. Of course that wouldn't have stopped him anyway. With an agile leap, Inuyasha landed gracefully, fully poised in a crouch on her windowsill. Not wanting to make any noise at all, Inuyasha quietly stepped onto the tatami carpet of Kagome's room as sleek and silent as a cat. (No Pun intended! XD)

The room was dimly lit; a deep blue aura seemed to fill the entire room, mostly from the blue nightlight plugged into the wall next to Kagome's desk. Kagome was curled up on her bed, school clothes and all having not even bothered to get under the covers. Her breath was soft and steady, almost in a tense sort of way, giving away the fact that she was not even sleeping. It was only when she felt the pressure of something sit down on her bed when she was fully aware of her intruder.

Kagome sat up quickly, drawing her legs away from the person who had intruded upon her sleeping place. Yet the hanyou who sat stiffly at her bedside merely gave her a blank stare as the surprised girl gathered her bearings.

"What are you doing here?" Kagome asked quietly, more of a statement than a command. At hearing no answer, Kagome slowly drew her knees to her chest to hug them softly as she glared at the floor, knowing why Inuyasha had come.

Inuyasha growled slightly, his fists becoming tightly clamped around Kagome's bed sheets. The thought of what Kagome had intended to do enraged him second by second, nearly driving him mad. Slowly removing the jar of shards that Kagome had purposely left behind, Inuyasha clenched them tight in his claws, before raising his arm to throw them angrily at the opposite wall.

The jar shattered, sending all of the shard's to scatter across the floor, glimmering dully in the moonlight like the sand on the beach, sparkling with broken shells brought in from the ocean. Kagome flinched as the glass jar hit the wall, and ducked her head to escape from looking at Inuyasha.

"Thought you'd get away that easy…?" Inuyasha mused quietly, mostly to himself than to Kagome, whose eyes stayed glued to the floor. She would have answered, maybe even fought back if she had the energy to, but as for now she felt drained and empty, not feeling like doing much at all.

"Well say something! Or are you going to just sit around waiting for things to fix themselves?" Inuyasha continued, trying to force enough of the reality that it would take to make Kagome see reason. Kagome however, remained disconnected from his words and the blank face remained unaltered.

"Dammit Kagome! Will you fucking respond to me?! Stop feeling sorry for yourself an-"

"There getting married Inuyasha! What more can I do?!" Kagome interrupted him quickly, the anger that she had held in finally showing.

"What do you expect me to do…" She sighed quietly, going back to the intense quietness that had held her only seconds before. It had gotten to the point where Kagome didn't care any more. It just didn't seem to matter what happened anymore, a sure sign that things were getting progressively worse.

"Well if you aren't gonna do shit about it…then I will. Better not try and stop me either…." Inuyasha replied, turning his head to stare sullenly, yet with determination at the stoic Kagome, who refused to meet his stare.

Kagome jumped slightly when she felt Inuyasha's hand rest on top of hers, and turned to look at him slightly. Almost predictably, Kagome became lost in his eyes, which had softened immensely into a look that Kagome was not used to seeing so often. It was a look of compassion.

"I-I tried… but I can't just leave you when I know that your….hurting." Inuyasha continued, his voice barely audible to Kagome's ears, an intense hardened expression on his face, as if putting the word's he was trying to say together was an impossible task in itself.

Realizing how intently they were staring at each other, Inuyasha turned his head to break the gaze, however not removing his hand from hers. Kagome continued to stare at his profile, aghast that he would even stand by her side through all that she had said to him. Kagome was beginning to see just how stubborn Inuyasha really was, especially when it dealt with something or someone that was important to him.

'Important?' Kagome mused, not once removing her gaze from Inuyasha's turned face.

But through all of the doubt, Kagome had a feeling that Inuyasha's intentions were purer than she thought. More genuine that she ever though possible from him. At this realization, Kagome felt her self suddenly drawn towards Inuyasha, and surprised the hanyou even more by instinctively leaning forward to rest her head against his shoulder.

Taken aback by the sudden act of affection, Inuyasha cautiously removed his hand from her hand to place it protectively on her head. The feeling of finally getting through to Kagome had given him such a large sense of relief that he felt that the battle had been half won, which was much more generous than the reality of the situation had to offer.

The feeling of Kagome resting her head on his shoulder as the forgotten shard's that had been left to lie on the carpet, sparkled beneath them made Inuyasha realize just how precious Kagome was to him, and that nothing would ever take that away from him.

"Thank You…….Inuyasha."

Hearing these two word's slip from Kagome's lips as she fell asleep on his shoulder made his determination grow even larger than it already was, enabling the final resolution to finally come into place.

Inuyasha shifting slowly to allow Kagome's head to fall softly on his lap. Inuyasha sighing deeply as his eyebrows furrowed against one another. Things were different now, and it was starting to look as if Inuyasha's original plan of violence would have to be altered profoundly.

Seeing Kagome's peaceful face rest so trustfully in his lap as he stroked her raven hair somehow melted all of the violence that was in him, leaving him with a large sense of peace and comfort.

Comfort….

Kagome was the one who needed comforting, but in turn it felt as if she was actually comforting him more than he was comforting her. Kagome's complete and utter trust and faith in him gave him even more reason to believe that everything would be okay.

Soon….

'Everything will be okay….'

******************

When Kagome awoke the next morning, somehow she could tell that something was different. Something had…changed. After last night's encounter with Inuyasha, Kagome had been filled with hope and determination, the same determination that had shown so fervently in Inuyasha's eyes the night before.

Kagome yawned loudly, opening her eyes to greet the morning sunlight that poured through her open window as she sat up in her bed, noting how she had been tucked in every so gingerly. Remembering how Inuyasha had been acting earlier caused a slight blush to rise up the girl's cheeks, causing a smile to flash across her face. It felt good to smile for once.

Stepping out of bed, Kagome stretched her arms up high above her head before she was fully woken by a sharp prick on the bottom of her foot. Yelping slightly to jump back into her bed, Kagome examined her foot realizing that she had a small shard of glass stuck in her skin.

Glancing at the carpet Kagome realized that most of the glass from the previous night was gone, leaving only a few shard's of small glass hidden on the floor mats. A bright glint of the sun directed Kagome's eyes to her nightstand table, where the shard's that had been inside the glass jar lay in a neat pile, basking and reflecting in the sun's light.

Using the end of her fingernail, Kagome scraped the side of the shard to remove it from her sore foot. Luckily, it was not so deep imbedded in her skin that it was very hard to remove. Throwing the chip of glass into the trashcan, Kagome cautiously scanned the carpet for pieces that Inuyasha might have missed. But Kagome was given no time for her search, as a soft knock sounded on her door.

"Kagome? Can I come in?" Her mother's voice asked tentativlt, not daring to open the door.

"Yeah." Kagome replied, too much of in a good mood to continue what had happened with her mother the day before.

Mama opened the door quietly, poking her head before fully opening the door to step in.

"Kagewa's dropping by later today. I think he's dropping off some of his belongings…" She commented lightly, sounding almost like she was trying her hardest not to upset her daughter.

Kagome however was far from upset.

"Don't worry Mama…. Everything will work out. I promise." Kagome reassured her, smiling faintly at the shocked look on her stressed mother's face. Kagome didn't need to fight, yell, or react anymore. She knew that now her and Inuyasha had come to terms, everything would be all right.

Her mother just gave her a quizzical look before turning to exit slowly, surprised at her daughter's strange behavior. Something had changed in her daughter. Something she could not put her finger on. But deep down just as Kagome did, Mama knew that things were going to be changing. She didn't need Kagome's knew attitude to remind her of that twice.

Glancing at the clock, Kagome stood to walk over to her closet, humming a happy tune, as she took out a clean school blouse off a hanger, eager to get to school.

*******************

"I am so relieved!" Eri exclaimed happily, doing a slight skip as her and Kagome walked home after school.

"I studied all night for that test and now it's over!" She continued, peering over at Kagome who seemed to be pre-occupied. Catching her friend's stare, Kagome quickly smiled, not wanting to worry her.

"I don't think I did as good as you…. I really hope I passed it!" Kagome grinned ruefully, remembering what had been the case on the night she was supposed to be studying. Yet amazingly Kagome wasn't angry or paranoid about it as usual.

'Just a little longer…. then thing's will be how they used to be. Normal.' Kagome thought, raising her head to the sky in order to take a breath of the fresh afternoon air.

Eri was glad that her friend was smiling for once, something that she had not seen her do in a long time. Seeing the somewhat content look on Kagome's face caused her to keep quiet about whatever was on her mind.

"Well here's my stop! See you tomorrow Kagome-chan!" Eri exclaimed once more, happier than ever as she waved to her friend who waved just as enthusiastically back.

"Bye Eri-chan!" Kagome replied, stopping to watch as her mother opened the door for her with a warm welcome. Trudging on slowly, Kagome smiled to herself as she saw the manner in which mother greeted daughter, something that Kagome had not experienced for a while.

Kagome bowed her head slowly, realizing what had happened to the relationship they once shared. It seemed so strange and cruel to her how quickly life could turn on someone, how life could just twist and change in an instance.

"Hey watch it kid!"

Kagome felt herself ram into something hard as she stumbled back nearly missing a tree. Looking up quickly, Kagome saw two men hauling large brown boxes up the stairs to the shrine.

"Sorry." Kagome muttered, slightly dumfounded at all the stuff that littered the sidewalk, mostly brown boxes of what seemed to be filled with articles of clothing and office ware.

"What is this for?" Kagome asked, scurrying to move out of the way as two other men began to lug another brown box up the stairs to her house.

"Whater' you asking me for kid?" One of the men replied, huffing a bit as his arm muscles strained against the weight of the box.

Without one last thought, Kagome raced up the stairs dodging two men who were coming the opposite way. It was only until she saw her front door open and the men moving in and out of her house when she remembered what her mother had said earlier.

"Kagewa's dropping by later today. I think he's dropping off some of his belongings…"

Slowing down do a walk, Kagome was now in no hurry at all to enter her house, the calmness and poise she had possessed all day quickly fading to her previous state of anger. Yet she would not allow it to get the best of her yet.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome slipped off her shoes as she would any normal day, and stepped inside her home.

The main hall was cluttered with boxes, many piled on top of one another almost reaching the ceiling. It was only until she heard voices from the kitchen when she realized that she was not alone.

"What the hell is taking you so long?" A voice thundered, causing what seemed like the entire kitchen to vibrate.

"I'm sorry boss It's just that-" A low male's voice replied hurriedly, before it was cut of yet again by the booming voice.

"I want everything done in 20 minutes!" The voice roared again, causing the man to quickly open the shoji and rush out past where Kagome stood.

Kagome moved quickly, rushing to get out of the way as she watched the man disappear out the front door. Yet she was given no more time to think on the matter when the shoji reopened abruptly, revealing a very peeved Kagewa who blinked at her a few times before plastering on a very false, daunting grin.

"Well your home early." He stated, giving her a strange somewhat annoyed glare through his very squinty eyes. Yet she was given no time to answer as she heard the delighted squeals of her little brother as he entered the front door.

"Kagewa-san!" Souta cried happily, rushing at the older man who patted the boy on the head.

"Run up stairs and get started on your homework, Souta." Kagome told him, wanting to get the two of them as far away from Kagewa as possible.

"But Kagewa-san promised!" Souta whined, twisting out of Kagome's grip.

"I did didn't I! Lets leave the choice up to him." Kagewa crooned, stroking a small stubble of growth on his rough chin.

Kagome didn't fall for his game once during this time, knowing that he was trying to make a point that Souta would choose himself over his sister. As if on queue, Souta gave a small cheer and dropped his book bag on the floor before racing off to watch the loaders carry up more of the brown boxes.

Kagome said nothing, but only picked up Souta's forgotten book bag as Kagewa gave her small smirk before stalking off to follow the young boy.

Gritting her teeth in defeat, the only thing that stopped Kagome from loosing it was Inuyasha's promise.

Putting Souta's book bag over her shoulder as well as her own, Kagome trudged up stairs, awaiting the moment when Inuyasha's resolution would finally come into play.

**************

"Kagome! Dinner's Ready!"

Slipping her finished geometry homework into her book, Kagome closed it forcefully, glad that she had at least finished all of her homework for the night due to the fact that since Kagewa was down stairs that's all that she could do to avoid him.

But now the inevitable was coming, something which she could not dodge so easily this time.

Dinner.

Sighing quietly, Kagome opened her door and stepped lightly down the hall, something that she usually enjoyed now becoming something she ultimately dreaded.

Sliding the shoji door open slowly, Kagome entered the kitchen welcoming the smells of her mother's wonderful cooking. Yet her appetite was sadly spoiled as her eyes lay on where Kagewa sat, directly in Jii-chan's usual spot.

In order to avoid what Kagome knew would become a futile conflict, Kagome sat without a word receiving a pleading look from her mother. At seeing the worried look on her mother's face, Kagome realized that her attitude could make all the difference on whether or not Kagewa would be in a bad mood later.

So on account of her mother, Kagome took a deep breath and allowed a false smile to cross her lips. At seeing the relieved look on her mother's face, Kagome couldn't help but to give her mother a genuine smile. Yet this smile was different. It was one of hope and understanding.

Looking down at her already filled plate, Kagome quickly dug in, trying her best to ignore Kagewa who ate greedily from his own plate. Yet as soon as Kagome had lifted her hashi to her mouth, Kagewa let out a loud belch before standing from the table.

"Well I'm off to the bar." He stated loudly, as if daring anyone to say otherwise.

Kagome's mother simply nodded quietly, picking up his empty dish to deposit it in the sink.

Moving the shoji aside as if it were a piece of paper, Kagewa opened the front door and descended into the night, leaving Mama, Souta, and Kagome to finish their meal alone.

"I re-admitted Jii-chan back in the hospital today. Now that we can afford it." Kagome's mother sighed quietly, a sound of relief in her voice.

Kagome smiled, also relieved that things were now looking up for Jii-chan. She had to admit that one good thing had come from the new household arrangement, financial stability.

Yet it was hard to for Kagome to see how a bar pig could be financially stable. But nonetheless, this news caused much relief on her part, something which she had been long waiting for.

*****************

*Hashi – Chopsticks

N/A: I am proud to announce that the next chapter will include all that you have been waiting for! No this is not the end, but this is the turning point in the storyline so please R/R with all of your ideas, feedback, whatever!

                                                                                                            -RinRinXD