For the record, I do not own Inuyasha nor the characters. So don't sue me, I have no money.

~~~

Ms. Higurashi led Kagome down a long, dark hallway. Kagome looked around and she could see pictures on the walls. She saw pictures of some guy and four kids, her grandma and grandpa, and pics of her mom when she was younger... but no pics of her and Souta. **How strange...** Kagome thought then shrugged it off. Ms. Higurashi then led her daughter into the big kitchen. Kagome blinked and looked around. **A lot cleaner than ours, that's for sure.**

"Sit down." Ms. Higurashi sat at the opposite end of the table and stared at her daughter.

Kagome sat down and placed her hands on the table. She began tapping them nervously as she bit her bottom lip and looked up at her Mom.

"Now, what did you come all the way here for?"

"Mom... things have gotten really bad at home--and I mean bad. All Dad does is go out, drink, and party. And he expects me to do stuff... Souta is still young and I don't like the thought of him living like that. Mom, I can't be Souta's mother and his sister at the same time... plus, I don't like the fact that he has to see Dad slap me around sometimes, and I'm scared that Dad will do the same to him... Mom, please, you have to get him out of here and let him live with you. Please."

Kagome's brown eyes were full of hope and pleading. Ms. Higurashi looked into her eyes and released a deep sigh.

"Kagome, what I have to tell you will hurt you, but you need to hear it."

Kagome then felt her whole body go numb.

~~~

Inuyasha was awoken from his short nap by the sound of thunder. He opened his sleepy eyes and stared into the darkend sky. Out of nowhere, it started to rain hard. Inuyasha started cursing as he felt the water hitting him and ran onto the property. He looked for a safe place. **How about inside? Oh, hell, who am I fooling? What do I say? "Oh, hi, I'm Inuyasha. Don't mind me, I'm just gonna kill your daughter later on and I'm getting out of the rain." Feh, as if.** He turned his attention to the shrine. He ran up to it and opened the doors that led to the well. Once inside, he left one of the doors open so he could watch for Kagome when she comes out. Until then, he crossed his arms and went back to thinking.

~~~

"Kagome, when I left your father, I left to start a new life. And I have. I have a successful career, and I'm engaged. My fiance has four kids... and we'll all be living in this house. I wouldn't be able to support Souta even if I wanted to."

"...If you wanted to?" Kagome made sure to put an emphasis on the "if" and "wanted" part.

"Meaning... when I left the past, I left everyone. Except my father. Kagome, look, I wanted to start a better life--without kids. I was young and I didn't really want the responsibilities of a mother. I'm sorry. Now, just go back home and work this out on your own. You're what? Fifteen, sixteen now? I'm sure you can handle it. And if things get worse, call the cops. But, Kagome... I cannot take you two back into my life. I just can't have my past again. I'm sorry."

Kagome was in complete and total shock. **How... how could... how...** Finally Kagome stood up and pushed the chair back, knocking it over. "How could... you?! Your our mother, for god's sake! We're your flesh and blood, you're supposed to give a damn about us! How could..." Kagome felt the tears rising up in her eyes. She turned around angrily and walked back to the darkend hallway. On her way, she saw a figure standing there. She thought it was Inuyasha, but saw an old man in a traditional japanese suit.

"Kagome?"

"Jii-san..."

The old man smiled and walked to her, pulling her into his arms and hugging her. Kagome blinked a few times, but enjoyed the sense of acceptance from her grandpa. She returned the hug. They talked for a bit, but Kagome's eyes were wandering everywhere. Her eyes landed on a dagger on the table. Perhaps she'd gone crazy, but now she remebered the promise...

Kagome pulled away from her Grandpa and picked up the dagger carefully, hiding it behind her.

"Jii-san, it's been nice seeing you. Take care!"

"You, too, my dear."

Kagome went out side and immediately ran for the forest.

"Uggh?! Grrr..." She growled as she felt the rain soaking her. She started to make her way to the forest, but stopped when she heard her voice. Inuyasha was waving from the door to her. She ran over to the shrine.

~~~

Kagome shook the rain off of her clothing. Inuyasha broke the silence between them.

"What happened?"

Kagome looked up at him. Her eyes were wide and a little red. Inuyasha blinked.

"Here..." She said softly and calmly. She showed him the dagger and put the handle of it in his hand. Kagome then placed her hands around his and led the blade right over her heart.

"Kagome, what're you doing...?" Inuyash stared up into her eyes again, and he saw it. He saw the pain, the hurt, the anger... the tears...

"Inuyasha, you said you wished to become a full-demon... and in order to do so, you have to kill me... what I'm telling you is to kill me. I'll never be able to help Souta now! Just fucking kill me already!" By now the tears were falling over her cheeks, but she didn't care. Inuyasha kept trying to pull the blade away, but she had a good grip on it and refused to let go. Suddenly her eyes went down and he felt her grip loosening.

"How could--... Why did--..." She released the blade and started to fall to her knees. Inuyasha dropped the dagger and caught her in his arms, pulling her against his chest as she cried. Her arms went around him, and her hands gripped his red gi tightly.

"Kagome, please... tell me what happened." He said softly.

It took her a few minutes, but Kagome finally got herself calm. She wiped her eyes and pulled back some, her grip loosening on his gi as well.

"She said... that she didn't want us... and just put some stupid-ass excuse for it... God, what did we do...? How could she...?! We're her flesh and blood, for God's sake...!! How could--...?!" She curled up again as the tears began to fall once more. Inuyasha put his arm around her body and pulled her to him again. His other hand was on her head, stroking her hair gently.

Inuyasha stared down at the girl he was comforting and then he realized it. Right then and there... he realized he had once again fallen in love with the girl he was supposed to kill. He closed his eyes tightly and regretted every harsh action and word he ever said and done to her. He placed his cheek on her head and wrapped both his arms around her, rocking her back and forth slowly.

"Why...?" Kagome said as she was still crying. She pulled back once again and rubbed her eyes. "Why didn't you kill me?" She said as her voice was still shakey.

"Kagome... I..." Inuyasha blinked as he looked down. He licked his dry lips and brought his soft, golden eyes to look into her hurt, brown eyes. "I can't kill you..."

"And why not...? I thought you wanted to become a demon..." She looked off as she continued. "If you don't kill me... can I please stay with you? And Souta as well? Inuyasha, please... I have... no where to go... but more importantly, I don't wanna leave... you..." She kept her eyes to the ground.

Inuyasha's heart was racing. She wanted to stay with him? Actually stay with him? He placed his hand on her cheek and caused her to look at him. He then placed his other hand on the other cheek as he spoke.

"Of course you and your brother can stay with me... but we'd have to be somewhere safe--away from demons. ...Kagome, why do you want to stay with me?" He had to hear her say it... he had to hear her say the words...

"Because... I..."

"You?"

"...I... I've... fallen in love... Inuyasha... with you..."

He smiled and then hugged her tightly, burrying his face against her neck.

"I wanted you to say those words... before I told you my feelings for you... Kagome, I can't kill you because I've fallen in love with you..." He then raised his head up, whispering the words that he did before. Kagome's eyes widened and she rested her cheek against his head, her eyes closing. She was loved... and cared for... at last. The words kept going over and over in her head...

"I will protect you..."

~~~

::Falls over again:: DONE. Chapter 7 is done! I'm tired, going to bed. I shall write 8 tomorrow. Thanks for the reviews, and enoy.

---Kaoru.