". So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." - William Shakespeare

The Darling Buds of May

Chapter Eight:

Kagome walked on down the sidewalk, pulling her sweater closer to her to keep out the chill. She watched as the sky moved from fiery orange, to deep red, and finally, to a cool purple. 'It's like a painting, almost.' she thought. Kagome turned on a corner and continued to walk in the direction of her family's shrine. There were less people around now, and the chill in the air continued to grow, making Kagome shiver.

"I'm almost home." she said to know one. Suddenly, she felt something tug on her sweater, pulling her to a small side street. Kagome felt her bag being removed. She tried to scream, but one hand covered her mouth, as another brought a string around her neck. Kagome fell to her knees as she felt the string slowly tighten, her eyes already growing hazy from lack of air. She could vaguely feel something hard connect with her left eye, and after, her cheek. Kagome's thoughts began to wander to her family - her mother, grandfather, and little brother - to Inu-yasha.

'No. I can't die like this.I won't die like this!' It was like waking from a dream. Something of Kagome's dulling senses alerted her to the attacker who was now standing behind her. She felt the hand that still covered her mouth. At once, Kagome bit down as hard as she could on that hand. The person let out a gasp of pain, releasing his grip and giving her the time she needed to kick the man from behind and run.

Kagome stumbled down the street trying her best to run as fast as she could to her home. She felt the string slide down her neck and to the ground as she kept running. She raced up the shrine steps, only stopping when she felt that she'd run into the door. She pounded on it, and fell into the arms of her shocked grandfather, crying.

"Kagome, are you sure you're okay?!" asked Sango on the phone. It was Sunday. Kagome sat on her bed, massaging her forehead. She looked into the mirror, frowning at the bruises blooming around her eye and cheek, and the lesions that had been left on her neck.

"I'll be fine, Sango. I'm just going to have to replace my book bag, now. That means we'll go on a shopping trip soon, right?" Kagome said reassuringly to her friend.

"Oh, Kagome." Sango sighed. "Why didn't you let me walk with you at the very least? This never would've happened if I'd insisted."

"Sango, don't be so silly! It's not your fault, so don't even try to blame yourself." Kagome tried to shake her head, but that only made it hurt more. "Listen, I've got to go, Sango. I'm going to visit patients at the hospital again today." Kagome could practically here Sango frown over the phone.

"You know Kagome, I don't think Inu-yasha is going to be very happy when he finds out."

"What do you mean? It's not like there are any bruises or anything." Kagome frowned in the mirror again. She knew she couldn't lie well.

"Well. just make sure you get a ride to the hospital or- or something." Sango warned.

"Don't worry." Kagome sighed on the phone. "I don't think Grandpa is going to let me get anywhere by myself for a long, long time."

"Well, I'll talk to you later, then. See you at school tomorrow!"

"Alright, Sango, you too!" Kagome hung up the phone.

'I wonder how I'm going to hide this.I don't have any make-up that would cover the bruises.' Kagome sighed again.

"Oh, well." She began to get dressed.

There was a soft knock on the door.

'She's here.' thought Inu-yasha. "Come in." He said.

"Hey, Inu-yasha!" Kagome said cheerfully. Inu-yasha looked at the small form that walked into the room. 'Something's wrong with her.' he told himself.

"Hey, where's that bag you're always carrying around with you?" he asked suspiciously. Kagome blushed.

"Oh, I - uh - left it at home today." She kept her face turned so all Inu- yasha saw was the right side of her face.

'Why won't she look at me?' he wondered. 'Wait a second' his eyes narrowed. 'What's that on her neck.?'

As Kagome sat down on the right side of the bed, Inu-yasha reached over and grabbed her wrist, swinging her around to look at him. He was shocked at what he saw. Kagome's left eye was severely swollen, a dark bruise circled around it. Her cheek under her eye sported another bruise to match. His eyes traveled down to her neck, where a thin red mark traveled around it. Kagome blush went from a light pink to a deep red.

"What the hell happened." Inu-yasha managed to say through gritted teeth. He still hadn't let go of her wrist. "Answer me, Kagome. Who did this to you?" Inu-yasha was seething.

"I - it's not bad." She mumbled.

"Someone tried to hurt you, Kagome! I want to know who the hell it was!" she winced as he shouted. The noise made her head ache.

"I was walking home last night, and someone tried to attack me." Inu-yasha watched as she turned to look out the window, a single tear sliding down her cheek. That's what pushed him over the edge. He hated to see girls cry. Someone had hurt Kagome, and they were going to pay for it.

"That's it." He said.

"What are you talking about?" Kagome asked.

"I'm going to get my legs working again. and when I do, you're never leaving my sight again."

Author's Note: So, what did you think? Tell me, tell me, TELL ME!!! Review! Oh, and speaking of reviews, a big thank you to all of the people who have reviewed my story so far! Yay! I hope you're enjoying this! I tried to make the chapter longer, like some of you have requested. Until I post again! -Starmoon