Sukera:: lol I'm glad you like!
KaGoMe39:: thanks for all your wonderful reviews, keeps me wanting to write
frisbee:: update is comin' soon!
Trina3:: thanks for reviewing and keep reading!!
KittyLu:: you're gonna love the way the plot falls out if you liked the third chap! promise!
Chapter 4:: A Memory
That night, once Inuyasha passed the barriers, a nearly unconcious Kagome finally calmed. She went limp in his arms and was asleep almost instantly. Inuyasha looked down at her with such worry and intense anger on his face that Shippo and Mrs. Higurashi followed him all the way up the stairs. Souta was sent to get some warm water and rags, and Grandpa was told to find Kagome's two piece pajamas in Mrs. Higurashi's bedroom. Shippo sat on the floor across the room and watched as Inuyasha gently placed Kagome on top of her blankets. Mrs. Higurashi was bustling around the two, stretching out the blankets and adjusting Kagome so she could better assess the gashes on her cheek. Inuyasha was silent.
After what felt like a lifetime to everyone, but was in truth no more than five minutes, Mrs. Higurashi dismissed everyone from the room but Mihaku who was asleep in his crib. Out of the watchful eyes of the men in the family, Mrs. Higurashi closed the curtains and began to disrobe Kagome. The filth of her daughter's clothes shocked her. Even in all the years Kagome had been moving back and forth between the Sengoku Jedai and the modern world she'd never come home this dirty. And those cuts on her cheek...they were deep and still bleeding pretty seriously. In the half hour she took to clean of Kagome, tend to her scratches and those three cuts, and put her in her pajamas Inuyasha pratically paced a hole in the floor.
"Souta, perhaps you should head on to bed before it gets too late," offered Grandpa.
"No," the little boy said simply. He had no intention of leaving his sister's side until he knew what had happened. Shippo also noticed his stayed perilously close to Inuyasha's side for assurance. Inuyasha would grumble every now and again about slaughtering something or ripping eye balls and finger nails out, but it wasn't anything definate and not enough for anyone to understand what he meant. Mrs. Higurashi cracked Kagome's bedroom door and looked around for a specific face. Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks.
"Inuyasha, can you come in here for a minute?" she asked peacefully. Inuyasha did so and closed the door behind him. Mrs. Higurashi didn't seem too worried about Kagome's condition and seemed more like she was taking care of a sick child. "What was happening to Kagome when you found her?"
"She was hiding under the bridge all curled up and muttering my name. She was scratched and muddy and seemed terrified. That's all I know," he said flatly. If she was even slightly accussing him of doing this to her he would make sure to squash that thought. He'd never in a million years hurt Kagome and he'd kill anyone who harmed a hair on her head.
"Hmm...I guess we'll have to ask her then. It seems like she's passed out from exhaustion or trauma...this is so strange. I've never known Kagome to get that frightened over anything. I suppose we can rule out an animal attack," she said thoughtfully.
"No, anything that would do this to Kagome is an animal," replied Inuyasha forcefully, though quiet so as not to awake his family. "And they're going to pay dearly for it."
Before anyone would rest certain chores had to be done. Inuyasha held Kagome while Grandpa switched the muddy sheets for fresh ones, Mrs. Higurashi grabbed an umbrella and with Shippo went out to make sure the rain hadn't washed away any of the charms, and Souta gathered some blankets for Inuyasha to sleep on the floor. He insisted that Kagome needed her space and time to relax, hence, he was going to sleep on the floor between Mihaku and Kagome. Once everyone was finally asleep in bed Inuyasha sat staring at Kagome's sleeping face. Her expression seemed to ease slightly, the longer she slept and her breathing was drastically more even than when he'd found her. Her hair was still wet from the quick rinse Sora had given her and her cheek, now pale and clean, was striped with white butterfly bandages. Her face gleamed in the moonlight that escaped the curtains and her hands tender held fast to the comforter. Inuyasha would not be sleeping at all tonight, he knew that much for sure. He glanced across the room and surveyed all her belongings, almost as though he was looking for whatever had scared her. Then he spotted the prayer beads he had once wore around his neck, the ones Kagome had worn to school. They were darker now, covered in dry mud and old dirt from where Kagome refused to wash them. Sora had said something about Kagome preferred the smell of them. Maybe his scent lingered on the beads and had given her a sense of comfort before he came back.
Quietly Inuyasha stood and walked across the room, his bare feet making hardly a sound on the soft plush of the carpet. He lifted the beads and blew some of the dust off of them. These beads had once been the only link between he and his Kagome. These beads held so many memories that simply looking at him made him feel at home. For a second he thought, had he had those beads with him the hundreds of years he waited on Kagome it wouldn't have been so hard. Then he thought of the way Kagome used them as a crutch for her splitting heart and knew he preferred it the way things turned out. He walked back over to the crib, still holding the beads in his hand. Mihaku was sleeping soundly, not flinching at all in his utter exhaustion from the day before and his crying fest. Inuyasha smiled. His family... In his thought path he began to worry over what had come after Kagome and what they wanted from her. The Shikon no Tama had long since been destroyed and Naraku and anyone of significant power who disliked Kagome was a little more than dead. He'd made sure of that in the Sengoku Jedai. He gazed out the window, pondering what on earth he was up against now and what delightful things he could do to them for hurting his mate. The last words of that thought stopped him. His face froze. His mate...He turned to look at Kagome, still sleeping soundly and then looked down at the beads. He wanted to always be hers, to always be linked to what she was and who she was. They were meant to be together, that's what he believed and that was all that mattered. Brushing most of the dried filth off the beads Inuyasha placed them over his head and around his neck. They laid firmly on his chest in the exact spot they had hundreds of years ago. He was hers once more. No matter what he did, they were linked. Either through Mihaku or Kagome's own magic. And soon, they'd be linked through a little of Inuyasha's own "magic".
The next morning Kagome woke, laying flat on her stomach with her hands under her pillow. She'd never slept so hard in her life. It was a heavy, dreamless sleep that
The next morning Inuyasha left Kagome near sunrise to go downstairs and help with breakfast. His mind was too mixed up with emotions to be close to her for much longer and he'd rather save her the hurt of when he snapped at her. Sora welcomed him gratefully. She appeared to have been equally shaken up by Kagome's disappearance and the method of her reappearance. He'd only been in the kitchen two minutes when Grandpa came sauntering in. Sora nearly dropped a plate at the sight of him.
"Grandpa! What in the world happened to you?" she cried as she rushed across the room. Inuyasha stood motionless.
"I stayed up all night trying to figure out what had happened to Kagome," he assured, waving his hand as though it were a reasonable excuse. Sora lead him to a chair with a firm expression.
"You did what? You know you need your sleep and when Kagome wakes up we'll actually know what happened to her and won't have to spend needless minutes guessing what could have possibly-"
"What did you conclude?" asked Inuyasha. Sora gaped at his insubordination and crass to interrupt her, but Inuyasha was much older than her and he had already discovered the best way to solve problems of panic. Grandpa shook his weary head slowly. His eyes were heavy with purple bags and his hair hung loosely around his face as though he'd been pulling on it in frustration. Oddly enough, his eyes were red around the rims. Inuyasha read guilt.
"I took what I had felt and Kagome's condition and thought about it. I believe it was a spirit of some sort that wanted something having to do with someone in this house. I won't know anything more unless Kagome knows," he sighed. Sora went to the counter and picked up a mug and the coffee pot.
"Father, that's all wonderful, but you can't blame me for being upset."
"I most certainly can! That was my granddaughter they attacked and I'd like to know who did it!" he yelled. Mrs. Higurashi grabbed her chest in surprise. Everyone was on edge, she knew, but that was not a excuse to get crude with her. "Fuck formalities!" he added, reading the look on her face. Sora glared and slammed the coffee pot down so hard on the table that scalding liguid splashed perilously close to Grandpa's hands.
"Now you two listen to me and you listen good. Kagome is my daughter, I am the head of this house hold, and control rather or not ANY of you get food. You will remember your manners no matter how serious the situation is because that's why they call them manners! Honestly! You are a 68 year old man and you are more rude than Souta's little friends! And Inuyasha! He's a demon, a guest in my home, and the hopeful betrothed to my daughter and he snaps at me? Fix your own damn breakfasts!" she snarled and stormed from the room. She snatched her car keys on the way out. Grandpa jumped to his feet.
"Sora! SORA! Damn you! You know I don't know how to cook! Sora! Come back! Please?!" he begged as he followed her out of the room. Inuyasha hadn't flinched since Grandpa had given his verdict. He hadn't even heard a word Sora said past 'upset'. Now he was pissed. Something from the dead was coming after him and his family? And his mate's family? Hell fucking no. He'd been around a long time and he'd be damned if anyone hurt anyone near and dear to him. Someone was going to die before the week was out, even he had to go out and hunt down an innocent to uphold that promise. The purple scars on his cheeks were burning red with fury when Shippo came in. Inuyasha ripped his head up so violently that Shippo jumped back three feet to save himself.
"Geez! What's the matter?"
"A ghost is what attacked Kagome, because it wants something here," he barked.
"Wow...well, it can't have anything to do with Kagome, Mihaku or her family," said Shippo thoughtfully. Inuyasha rounded on the boy.
"What?"
"Well, think. Did Kagome have any problems other her demoness kicking in before we came along? Whatever it is, it's here because of us."
"We're leaving," said Inuyasha flattly.
"But-"
"We're leaving now, there are some things we have to do," he replied sharply. Shippo stood up straight and nodded, fear stepping in. Inuyasha walked focused out of the room and before Shippo went to follow he thought of Kagome. As fast as he could he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the table and scribbled very sloppily:
"Inuyasha and I had things to do, we WILL be back"
Sticking it to the fridge he monitored rather or not it would fall when he left and go unnoticed.
"Shippo," growled a very heavy voice from the front door. Shippo didn't dare stay still another second for fear of his life. He knew not to cross Inuyasha at most any time, especially when he was angry enough to go pyscho. Kagome would find the note and all would be alright...he hoped.
Kagome woke up lying flat on her stomach with the pillows spooned lovingly under her head. She felt relaxed. Never in all of her life had she slept so soundly. Maybe it had been all of the excitement of the last two days...or the demon that had come at her. Thank God for Inuyasha....
"Inuyasha?" she whispered, certain he'd be there waiting for when she woke up. All she saw was a sleeping Mihaku and the blankets he'd slept on. Sitting up in bed she tossed back her covers and darted for the door. She only stopped at the doorway once, to steady herself before she blacked out. She'd never done that before either! "Inuyasha?" she called, a little desperate to see him and feel the safety of his presence. No one answered and she could faintly hear the TV downstairs. In a full run she went down the stairs and into the living room. Grandpa was asleep on the sofa, watching Dr. Phil as he did every morning, while the clock on the mantel rang ten times. Panicked she ran to the kitchen next and surveyed the area for a note from her mother explaining everyone's sudden absence. Accidentally her eye caught a piece of yellow on the refridgerator and she ripped it from underneath the magnet, letting the magnet crash to the floor. The words drummed against her forehead several times before actually gaining entry. She sighed heavily in obvious release.
"Grandpa! Why don't you go to your room and watch that if you're just gonna go to sleep! I could watch cartoons!" Souta moaned as he came into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. "Morning," he murmured groggily.
"Morning...do you know where mama is?" she said quickly. Souta looked at her confused and blinked away the fuzziness of his eyes.
"No..."
"Okay. Inuyasha and Shippo went home for a little while. They'll be back," she said more calmly. It was the eye of the storm.
"Oh, okay. I'm gonna make some eggs since mom's not home, want any?"
"You know you aren't allowed to touch the stove since you set your GI Joe on fire three years ago. I'll get Grandpa off the couch if you'll just settle for watching cartoons," she bribed. Souta grinned.
"Deal. That's what I wanted anyway," he beamed.
Shippo followed Inuyasha to the step. They were nearing the cave they had lived in for years at a much faster pace than they had ever approached before. Shippo worried what had driven Inuyasha this far. He remembered catching a sideways glance of red on the demon's face before he'd jumped away. That was something that rarely happened and Kikyo had been the last to see it. That, more than anything, worried Shippo most.
Inuyasha didn't say a word. After all the pain he'd caused Kagome over their time together and the literal insanity he was driving her to by his absence was too much. But now, the thought that he had brought something into her life that physically hurt her and scared the shit out of her was more than he could tolerate. He'd make EVERYTHING right, and make it right today. He'd have his family, he'd have his home, he'd have his relationships, everything set in stone...and then...he'd find out what he had to kill and would assure with every molecule in his body that it NEVER came near Kagome again. He looked back on his shoulder to make sure Shippo was keeping up. The last thing he wanted right now was for something to get Shippo when he needed him or for Shippo to get stubborn. He glared at the boy and then looked straight ahead.
"Inuyasha-"
"What??"
"What are-"
"Don't ask fucking questions...Go get the book and come right back here," ordered Inuyasha, pointing to the middle of the round carpet in the middle of the cave floor. Shippo nodded and raced off with his demon speed. For a cave, and a place to bachelor demons lived, Inuyasha and Shippo's cave was surprisingly tidy and fashioned. There were two paintings on the walls, one was of the entire gang right before Kagome left for good, and the other was Inuyasha's mother. Sesshoumaru had actually given him that when he attended Rin's funeral. He'd never seen such a grand ceremony in his life, but then again...Sesshoumaru had power and money and Rin was his most beloved treasure.
On the back wall sat two twin futons, small and unkempt from the last time they'd slept in them. Inuyasha's was green with white sheets, while Shippo's was blood red with dark blue sheets. Next to each futon was a small table with one drawer. There they kept whatever they needed immediately. On the far right was a small refridgerator, very old to modern standards, but good enough to keep food for nearly a week. There was a fire pit instead of an oven and nearby it, on the other side of the plainly carved out hallway, the trickle of a stream was heard. There were pots and cups lying everywhere without regard, but the pots were together in a pile and the cups were together in a pile, no matter how messy the pile. On a shelf on the closer left wall were many OLD books from the day Kagome had left to the ones he'd heard were good in the modern times. There were also innumerable packages of ramen and hershey chocolate bars. On the top shelves were artifacts. Sango's boomerang was leaned between the shelf and the small space to the wall, Miroku's staff gingerly placed with it. Shinta and Saito's swords were placed honorably on the shelf, along with a bow and single arrow on the top. Alongside all of these were the beads the Shikon no Tama had hung upon.
Shippo rushed back into the room and found Inuyasha standing with one foot on the fire, not budging. Just then he realized the brown spheres around Inuyasha's neck.
"Hey! The prayer beads?! Kagome put them back on you?"
"No, she was out cold when I woke up," he snapped. "Listen carefully because this list is very important. I want you to..." his voice fell to an inaudible whisper and pratically reached a level of telepathy for the duo. Shippo nodded understandingly as he spoke nonetheless and continued listening more intently.
"Souta?" chirped Sora in cheered confusion at the sight of her son, situated comfortably on the couch in his pajamas, flipping channels. Dr. Phil was heard blasting from a room nearby, which doubtlessly meant Grandpa had fallen asleep during one of those quiet commercials. Souta grinned a toothy grin. He looked so proud sitting on the couch. Next to him Kagome lay on her stomach once more, one arm dangling off the couch and the other under head. Sora closed the door with a grin and brought her big brown bag to the coffee table. She took her voice down to a whisper.
"You didn't touch the stove did you?" she asked, half serious.
"No," he replied bitterly.
"Good. Cause I bought you, me, and Kagome breakfast. Biscuits and gravy for me, sausage and cheese and tomatoe for you and jelly and pancakes for Kagome..." she said as she pulled each out slowly. Souta jumped forward excitedly and took his quickly. "I'm just gonna put Kagome's in the mircowave, let her sleep," she whispered. Souta nodded and made a muffled noise through his stuffed mouth.
In Kagome's dreams she had frightening visions of what had occured in the past. Inuyasha's painful process into becoming a demon, his ruthless murder of Kikyo, and his bonding with Shippo. At the edge of them all, however, was the frightening part. A shadow lurked in the side of her mind that hid in plain sight of her. She was nervous even in sleep. She woke up when she heard her mother's voice pierce through her dream. She laid with her eyes closed for the entirty of the conversation and thanked her mother for not 'waking' her and putting her on cue. She needed just a little while to collect herself before she could parade the show of being alright. Something, already, wasn't right. She wanted Inuyasha to come home and protect them all. Quietly she slipped back into sleep and forced her mind into submission as she waited.
Back at the cave Inuyasha and Shippo were putting into motion Inuyasha's plan to set things right. First,they had to start searching for whatever had hurt Kagome...but they needed more than what they already knew for that so second, and this was Inuyasha's sole part, to claim Kagome and put her body and soul at ease. Inuyasha knew exactly what he was going to do. ALso, he needed the dress Sango had left behind for Kagome, the book of pictures of Sango and Miroku's family, and lastly he needed to contact a long time ally for reinforcement.
"Shippo, take this letter to Sesshoumaru in the west. Do NOT read it and come straight back. I'm going to let Kagome calm down before we question her about last night," Inuyasha hesitated at the look of fear on Shippo's face. The kitsune knew that Inuyasha never called on his brother for help unless he really needed it...that meant Kagome was in danger. "Kagome's going to be fine. We all are, I'm going to make sure that whatever harmed Kagome will never be able to harm her again." Shippo sighed and nodded. "Good, take your time," he instructed before handing his son the letter. Shippo took it without a word and left the cave. Inuyasha had some plan but it seemed even he didn't know what it was yet so Shippo couldn't help but feel a little lost. Inuyasha reached down to the mothball ridden box holding Sango's dress. The first one she'd ever sewn...he hoped, for Sango's memory that it fit...Also, Miroku had blessed the dress so that Kagome would always be safe from outside forces. Inuyasha's thoughts traveled chaotically in his mind.
"Oh and Shippo," he called suddenly, wheeling around with a grin. "Don't tell Sess about Mihaku," he said. Shippo beamed insanely and nodded. As he raced off for the youkai lord, Inuyasha gathered his presents for Kagome. The beads around his neck would be the best one...he was planning to immediately make her say sit "sit down" or "sit up" or even "sit boy" from old habit, just to feel the old pains again. Kagome would love to see him face down in the mud. It would definately relive her stressed heart.
Kagome rolled over on the couch. She was feeling much better now and her thoughts were finally turning to responsiblities. The bandages on her cheek were fresh, meaning her mother had changed them while she slept, and there was a cold rag under her head- fallen from the place where her mother had put it. She smiled to herself. Mothers were absolutely the best things in the world. Upstairs she heard her little brother playing video games and outside her Grandpa was wailing about the damage the storm had done the night before. Slowly Kagome got to her feet and carefully made her way to her bedroom.
Mihaku was sitting up in his crib when she walked in, his smiling face innocently saddened.
"Hello baby," she smiled as she reached in to brush her fingers across his cheek. "You wanna get out of bed?" she joked. Mihaku bounced in the crib and made a tiny face. Taking this as a yes Kagome reached inside her closet and pulled out the foldable play pen. When it was all pieced together and Mihaku was playing noisily with his squeakies and blocks she went to the mirror and readied herself for Inuyasha's return. She brushed her hair, added color to her cheeks (since it seemed it had all drained), and hung her favorite silver earrings on her ears. She brushed her teeth before getting dressed and then finally sat down on the bed for a break. She had slept more in the last two days than any other time in her life and yet she was still tired. Even what little she had managed thus far had tuckered her out. Maybe after she ate she'd feel better.
"Kagome?" whispered a soft voice from the window. Kagome grinned broader than she had for a long time. Inuyasha sat crouched in her window, two packages under his arm, and his eyes set gently on her small frame.
"Hello Inuyasha. Why don't you come sit with-" she began but was silenced by his scream of surprise. Kagome ran to the open window and gazed down as the youkai she loved plunged head first into the ground. Exactly as he had always done before. Her eyes quickly switched to her dresser where she had laid Inuyasha's old prayer beads only to find them gone.
"No," she whispered.
"Aow, that hurt damnit!" grunted Inuyasha with a whine. He picked the dirt out of his mouth with his claw and looked back up to the tree he'd fallen through. Luckily the old artifacts he'd brought for her weren't harmed. Without a single complaint he leapt back up to the window and stepped inside.
"The- the beads are gone!" she whimpered. The hurt in her voice sent Inuyasha into a panic.
"NO, they're right here!" he assured and turned her to face him, pointing to the necklace around his throat. Kagome's eyes welled with tears at the sight and a desperate tone entered her voice.
"No, take it off! It's mine! You'll hurt them! Don't!" she pleaded and grappled for them. Mihaku stopped playing and Inuyasha gripped her wrists, holding her up and preventing her from hurting herself.
"It's alright Kagome, I won't hurt them! It's me!" he reasoned.
"No! I need them! They're all I have left!" she sniveled, heaving wildly.
"NO!" he snapped. Kagome's breath caught. "You have me now, and Mihaku. I'm all you need!" he swore. Kagome gazed at him as if she wasn't herself. His expression softened at the look on her face. So many years had made him much more gentle, he almost chuckled at the realization. "Here, I brought you something," he smiled. Kagome stood motionless as he went back to the window and pulled back the two objects. A smile began to trace her lips as she noticed what was in his hands. "These are for you," he said, "but FIRST, there's somewhere I want you to go with me." Kagome accepted the gifts and walked into his arms in quiet calming. Together they leapt out the open bedroom window, leaving Mihaku alone. Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck like old times as they soared through the air. Inuyasha landed just short of the shrine building where Grandpa and Sora were arguing.
"Mom?" Inuyasha asked uncomfortably. Sora turned around and smiled.
"Yes?"
"We left Mihaku upstairs in the playpen, would you watch him for us?"
"Certainly," she nodded. Kagome blushed ever so slightly. She was being taken care of by Inuyasha! And no one was questioning it. She was beginning to feel so many emotions at once she was positive her head would explode soon. Sorrow, fear, love, nostalgia, self-pity, and even anger were playing openly inside of her. "How long will you be?"
"Don't know, but we're not going far. Shippo'll be by soon and I'll take care of her," he added with a loving smiled toward Kagome. Her face turned even brighter red at his focused attention. She didn't know what was happening but she definately liked it.
KaGoMe39:: thanks for all your wonderful reviews, keeps me wanting to write
frisbee:: update is comin' soon!
Trina3:: thanks for reviewing and keep reading!!
KittyLu:: you're gonna love the way the plot falls out if you liked the third chap! promise!
Chapter 4:: A Memory
That night, once Inuyasha passed the barriers, a nearly unconcious Kagome finally calmed. She went limp in his arms and was asleep almost instantly. Inuyasha looked down at her with such worry and intense anger on his face that Shippo and Mrs. Higurashi followed him all the way up the stairs. Souta was sent to get some warm water and rags, and Grandpa was told to find Kagome's two piece pajamas in Mrs. Higurashi's bedroom. Shippo sat on the floor across the room and watched as Inuyasha gently placed Kagome on top of her blankets. Mrs. Higurashi was bustling around the two, stretching out the blankets and adjusting Kagome so she could better assess the gashes on her cheek. Inuyasha was silent.
After what felt like a lifetime to everyone, but was in truth no more than five minutes, Mrs. Higurashi dismissed everyone from the room but Mihaku who was asleep in his crib. Out of the watchful eyes of the men in the family, Mrs. Higurashi closed the curtains and began to disrobe Kagome. The filth of her daughter's clothes shocked her. Even in all the years Kagome had been moving back and forth between the Sengoku Jedai and the modern world she'd never come home this dirty. And those cuts on her cheek...they were deep and still bleeding pretty seriously. In the half hour she took to clean of Kagome, tend to her scratches and those three cuts, and put her in her pajamas Inuyasha pratically paced a hole in the floor.
"Souta, perhaps you should head on to bed before it gets too late," offered Grandpa.
"No," the little boy said simply. He had no intention of leaving his sister's side until he knew what had happened. Shippo also noticed his stayed perilously close to Inuyasha's side for assurance. Inuyasha would grumble every now and again about slaughtering something or ripping eye balls and finger nails out, but it wasn't anything definate and not enough for anyone to understand what he meant. Mrs. Higurashi cracked Kagome's bedroom door and looked around for a specific face. Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks.
"Inuyasha, can you come in here for a minute?" she asked peacefully. Inuyasha did so and closed the door behind him. Mrs. Higurashi didn't seem too worried about Kagome's condition and seemed more like she was taking care of a sick child. "What was happening to Kagome when you found her?"
"She was hiding under the bridge all curled up and muttering my name. She was scratched and muddy and seemed terrified. That's all I know," he said flatly. If she was even slightly accussing him of doing this to her he would make sure to squash that thought. He'd never in a million years hurt Kagome and he'd kill anyone who harmed a hair on her head.
"Hmm...I guess we'll have to ask her then. It seems like she's passed out from exhaustion or trauma...this is so strange. I've never known Kagome to get that frightened over anything. I suppose we can rule out an animal attack," she said thoughtfully.
"No, anything that would do this to Kagome is an animal," replied Inuyasha forcefully, though quiet so as not to awake his family. "And they're going to pay dearly for it."
Before anyone would rest certain chores had to be done. Inuyasha held Kagome while Grandpa switched the muddy sheets for fresh ones, Mrs. Higurashi grabbed an umbrella and with Shippo went out to make sure the rain hadn't washed away any of the charms, and Souta gathered some blankets for Inuyasha to sleep on the floor. He insisted that Kagome needed her space and time to relax, hence, he was going to sleep on the floor between Mihaku and Kagome. Once everyone was finally asleep in bed Inuyasha sat staring at Kagome's sleeping face. Her expression seemed to ease slightly, the longer she slept and her breathing was drastically more even than when he'd found her. Her hair was still wet from the quick rinse Sora had given her and her cheek, now pale and clean, was striped with white butterfly bandages. Her face gleamed in the moonlight that escaped the curtains and her hands tender held fast to the comforter. Inuyasha would not be sleeping at all tonight, he knew that much for sure. He glanced across the room and surveyed all her belongings, almost as though he was looking for whatever had scared her. Then he spotted the prayer beads he had once wore around his neck, the ones Kagome had worn to school. They were darker now, covered in dry mud and old dirt from where Kagome refused to wash them. Sora had said something about Kagome preferred the smell of them. Maybe his scent lingered on the beads and had given her a sense of comfort before he came back.
Quietly Inuyasha stood and walked across the room, his bare feet making hardly a sound on the soft plush of the carpet. He lifted the beads and blew some of the dust off of them. These beads had once been the only link between he and his Kagome. These beads held so many memories that simply looking at him made him feel at home. For a second he thought, had he had those beads with him the hundreds of years he waited on Kagome it wouldn't have been so hard. Then he thought of the way Kagome used them as a crutch for her splitting heart and knew he preferred it the way things turned out. He walked back over to the crib, still holding the beads in his hand. Mihaku was sleeping soundly, not flinching at all in his utter exhaustion from the day before and his crying fest. Inuyasha smiled. His family... In his thought path he began to worry over what had come after Kagome and what they wanted from her. The Shikon no Tama had long since been destroyed and Naraku and anyone of significant power who disliked Kagome was a little more than dead. He'd made sure of that in the Sengoku Jedai. He gazed out the window, pondering what on earth he was up against now and what delightful things he could do to them for hurting his mate. The last words of that thought stopped him. His face froze. His mate...He turned to look at Kagome, still sleeping soundly and then looked down at the beads. He wanted to always be hers, to always be linked to what she was and who she was. They were meant to be together, that's what he believed and that was all that mattered. Brushing most of the dried filth off the beads Inuyasha placed them over his head and around his neck. They laid firmly on his chest in the exact spot they had hundreds of years ago. He was hers once more. No matter what he did, they were linked. Either through Mihaku or Kagome's own magic. And soon, they'd be linked through a little of Inuyasha's own "magic".
The next morning Kagome woke, laying flat on her stomach with her hands under her pillow. She'd never slept so hard in her life. It was a heavy, dreamless sleep that
The next morning Inuyasha left Kagome near sunrise to go downstairs and help with breakfast. His mind was too mixed up with emotions to be close to her for much longer and he'd rather save her the hurt of when he snapped at her. Sora welcomed him gratefully. She appeared to have been equally shaken up by Kagome's disappearance and the method of her reappearance. He'd only been in the kitchen two minutes when Grandpa came sauntering in. Sora nearly dropped a plate at the sight of him.
"Grandpa! What in the world happened to you?" she cried as she rushed across the room. Inuyasha stood motionless.
"I stayed up all night trying to figure out what had happened to Kagome," he assured, waving his hand as though it were a reasonable excuse. Sora lead him to a chair with a firm expression.
"You did what? You know you need your sleep and when Kagome wakes up we'll actually know what happened to her and won't have to spend needless minutes guessing what could have possibly-"
"What did you conclude?" asked Inuyasha. Sora gaped at his insubordination and crass to interrupt her, but Inuyasha was much older than her and he had already discovered the best way to solve problems of panic. Grandpa shook his weary head slowly. His eyes were heavy with purple bags and his hair hung loosely around his face as though he'd been pulling on it in frustration. Oddly enough, his eyes were red around the rims. Inuyasha read guilt.
"I took what I had felt and Kagome's condition and thought about it. I believe it was a spirit of some sort that wanted something having to do with someone in this house. I won't know anything more unless Kagome knows," he sighed. Sora went to the counter and picked up a mug and the coffee pot.
"Father, that's all wonderful, but you can't blame me for being upset."
"I most certainly can! That was my granddaughter they attacked and I'd like to know who did it!" he yelled. Mrs. Higurashi grabbed her chest in surprise. Everyone was on edge, she knew, but that was not a excuse to get crude with her. "Fuck formalities!" he added, reading the look on her face. Sora glared and slammed the coffee pot down so hard on the table that scalding liguid splashed perilously close to Grandpa's hands.
"Now you two listen to me and you listen good. Kagome is my daughter, I am the head of this house hold, and control rather or not ANY of you get food. You will remember your manners no matter how serious the situation is because that's why they call them manners! Honestly! You are a 68 year old man and you are more rude than Souta's little friends! And Inuyasha! He's a demon, a guest in my home, and the hopeful betrothed to my daughter and he snaps at me? Fix your own damn breakfasts!" she snarled and stormed from the room. She snatched her car keys on the way out. Grandpa jumped to his feet.
"Sora! SORA! Damn you! You know I don't know how to cook! Sora! Come back! Please?!" he begged as he followed her out of the room. Inuyasha hadn't flinched since Grandpa had given his verdict. He hadn't even heard a word Sora said past 'upset'. Now he was pissed. Something from the dead was coming after him and his family? And his mate's family? Hell fucking no. He'd been around a long time and he'd be damned if anyone hurt anyone near and dear to him. Someone was going to die before the week was out, even he had to go out and hunt down an innocent to uphold that promise. The purple scars on his cheeks were burning red with fury when Shippo came in. Inuyasha ripped his head up so violently that Shippo jumped back three feet to save himself.
"Geez! What's the matter?"
"A ghost is what attacked Kagome, because it wants something here," he barked.
"Wow...well, it can't have anything to do with Kagome, Mihaku or her family," said Shippo thoughtfully. Inuyasha rounded on the boy.
"What?"
"Well, think. Did Kagome have any problems other her demoness kicking in before we came along? Whatever it is, it's here because of us."
"We're leaving," said Inuyasha flattly.
"But-"
"We're leaving now, there are some things we have to do," he replied sharply. Shippo stood up straight and nodded, fear stepping in. Inuyasha walked focused out of the room and before Shippo went to follow he thought of Kagome. As fast as he could he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the table and scribbled very sloppily:
"Inuyasha and I had things to do, we WILL be back"
Sticking it to the fridge he monitored rather or not it would fall when he left and go unnoticed.
"Shippo," growled a very heavy voice from the front door. Shippo didn't dare stay still another second for fear of his life. He knew not to cross Inuyasha at most any time, especially when he was angry enough to go pyscho. Kagome would find the note and all would be alright...he hoped.
Kagome woke up lying flat on her stomach with the pillows spooned lovingly under her head. She felt relaxed. Never in all of her life had she slept so soundly. Maybe it had been all of the excitement of the last two days...or the demon that had come at her. Thank God for Inuyasha....
"Inuyasha?" she whispered, certain he'd be there waiting for when she woke up. All she saw was a sleeping Mihaku and the blankets he'd slept on. Sitting up in bed she tossed back her covers and darted for the door. She only stopped at the doorway once, to steady herself before she blacked out. She'd never done that before either! "Inuyasha?" she called, a little desperate to see him and feel the safety of his presence. No one answered and she could faintly hear the TV downstairs. In a full run she went down the stairs and into the living room. Grandpa was asleep on the sofa, watching Dr. Phil as he did every morning, while the clock on the mantel rang ten times. Panicked she ran to the kitchen next and surveyed the area for a note from her mother explaining everyone's sudden absence. Accidentally her eye caught a piece of yellow on the refridgerator and she ripped it from underneath the magnet, letting the magnet crash to the floor. The words drummed against her forehead several times before actually gaining entry. She sighed heavily in obvious release.
"Grandpa! Why don't you go to your room and watch that if you're just gonna go to sleep! I could watch cartoons!" Souta moaned as he came into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. "Morning," he murmured groggily.
"Morning...do you know where mama is?" she said quickly. Souta looked at her confused and blinked away the fuzziness of his eyes.
"No..."
"Okay. Inuyasha and Shippo went home for a little while. They'll be back," she said more calmly. It was the eye of the storm.
"Oh, okay. I'm gonna make some eggs since mom's not home, want any?"
"You know you aren't allowed to touch the stove since you set your GI Joe on fire three years ago. I'll get Grandpa off the couch if you'll just settle for watching cartoons," she bribed. Souta grinned.
"Deal. That's what I wanted anyway," he beamed.
Shippo followed Inuyasha to the step. They were nearing the cave they had lived in for years at a much faster pace than they had ever approached before. Shippo worried what had driven Inuyasha this far. He remembered catching a sideways glance of red on the demon's face before he'd jumped away. That was something that rarely happened and Kikyo had been the last to see it. That, more than anything, worried Shippo most.
Inuyasha didn't say a word. After all the pain he'd caused Kagome over their time together and the literal insanity he was driving her to by his absence was too much. But now, the thought that he had brought something into her life that physically hurt her and scared the shit out of her was more than he could tolerate. He'd make EVERYTHING right, and make it right today. He'd have his family, he'd have his home, he'd have his relationships, everything set in stone...and then...he'd find out what he had to kill and would assure with every molecule in his body that it NEVER came near Kagome again. He looked back on his shoulder to make sure Shippo was keeping up. The last thing he wanted right now was for something to get Shippo when he needed him or for Shippo to get stubborn. He glared at the boy and then looked straight ahead.
"Inuyasha-"
"What??"
"What are-"
"Don't ask fucking questions...Go get the book and come right back here," ordered Inuyasha, pointing to the middle of the round carpet in the middle of the cave floor. Shippo nodded and raced off with his demon speed. For a cave, and a place to bachelor demons lived, Inuyasha and Shippo's cave was surprisingly tidy and fashioned. There were two paintings on the walls, one was of the entire gang right before Kagome left for good, and the other was Inuyasha's mother. Sesshoumaru had actually given him that when he attended Rin's funeral. He'd never seen such a grand ceremony in his life, but then again...Sesshoumaru had power and money and Rin was his most beloved treasure.
On the back wall sat two twin futons, small and unkempt from the last time they'd slept in them. Inuyasha's was green with white sheets, while Shippo's was blood red with dark blue sheets. Next to each futon was a small table with one drawer. There they kept whatever they needed immediately. On the far right was a small refridgerator, very old to modern standards, but good enough to keep food for nearly a week. There was a fire pit instead of an oven and nearby it, on the other side of the plainly carved out hallway, the trickle of a stream was heard. There were pots and cups lying everywhere without regard, but the pots were together in a pile and the cups were together in a pile, no matter how messy the pile. On a shelf on the closer left wall were many OLD books from the day Kagome had left to the ones he'd heard were good in the modern times. There were also innumerable packages of ramen and hershey chocolate bars. On the top shelves were artifacts. Sango's boomerang was leaned between the shelf and the small space to the wall, Miroku's staff gingerly placed with it. Shinta and Saito's swords were placed honorably on the shelf, along with a bow and single arrow on the top. Alongside all of these were the beads the Shikon no Tama had hung upon.
Shippo rushed back into the room and found Inuyasha standing with one foot on the fire, not budging. Just then he realized the brown spheres around Inuyasha's neck.
"Hey! The prayer beads?! Kagome put them back on you?"
"No, she was out cold when I woke up," he snapped. "Listen carefully because this list is very important. I want you to..." his voice fell to an inaudible whisper and pratically reached a level of telepathy for the duo. Shippo nodded understandingly as he spoke nonetheless and continued listening more intently.
"Souta?" chirped Sora in cheered confusion at the sight of her son, situated comfortably on the couch in his pajamas, flipping channels. Dr. Phil was heard blasting from a room nearby, which doubtlessly meant Grandpa had fallen asleep during one of those quiet commercials. Souta grinned a toothy grin. He looked so proud sitting on the couch. Next to him Kagome lay on her stomach once more, one arm dangling off the couch and the other under head. Sora closed the door with a grin and brought her big brown bag to the coffee table. She took her voice down to a whisper.
"You didn't touch the stove did you?" she asked, half serious.
"No," he replied bitterly.
"Good. Cause I bought you, me, and Kagome breakfast. Biscuits and gravy for me, sausage and cheese and tomatoe for you and jelly and pancakes for Kagome..." she said as she pulled each out slowly. Souta jumped forward excitedly and took his quickly. "I'm just gonna put Kagome's in the mircowave, let her sleep," she whispered. Souta nodded and made a muffled noise through his stuffed mouth.
In Kagome's dreams she had frightening visions of what had occured in the past. Inuyasha's painful process into becoming a demon, his ruthless murder of Kikyo, and his bonding with Shippo. At the edge of them all, however, was the frightening part. A shadow lurked in the side of her mind that hid in plain sight of her. She was nervous even in sleep. She woke up when she heard her mother's voice pierce through her dream. She laid with her eyes closed for the entirty of the conversation and thanked her mother for not 'waking' her and putting her on cue. She needed just a little while to collect herself before she could parade the show of being alright. Something, already, wasn't right. She wanted Inuyasha to come home and protect them all. Quietly she slipped back into sleep and forced her mind into submission as she waited.
Back at the cave Inuyasha and Shippo were putting into motion Inuyasha's plan to set things right. First,they had to start searching for whatever had hurt Kagome...but they needed more than what they already knew for that so second, and this was Inuyasha's sole part, to claim Kagome and put her body and soul at ease. Inuyasha knew exactly what he was going to do. ALso, he needed the dress Sango had left behind for Kagome, the book of pictures of Sango and Miroku's family, and lastly he needed to contact a long time ally for reinforcement.
"Shippo, take this letter to Sesshoumaru in the west. Do NOT read it and come straight back. I'm going to let Kagome calm down before we question her about last night," Inuyasha hesitated at the look of fear on Shippo's face. The kitsune knew that Inuyasha never called on his brother for help unless he really needed it...that meant Kagome was in danger. "Kagome's going to be fine. We all are, I'm going to make sure that whatever harmed Kagome will never be able to harm her again." Shippo sighed and nodded. "Good, take your time," he instructed before handing his son the letter. Shippo took it without a word and left the cave. Inuyasha had some plan but it seemed even he didn't know what it was yet so Shippo couldn't help but feel a little lost. Inuyasha reached down to the mothball ridden box holding Sango's dress. The first one she'd ever sewn...he hoped, for Sango's memory that it fit...Also, Miroku had blessed the dress so that Kagome would always be safe from outside forces. Inuyasha's thoughts traveled chaotically in his mind.
"Oh and Shippo," he called suddenly, wheeling around with a grin. "Don't tell Sess about Mihaku," he said. Shippo beamed insanely and nodded. As he raced off for the youkai lord, Inuyasha gathered his presents for Kagome. The beads around his neck would be the best one...he was planning to immediately make her say sit "sit down" or "sit up" or even "sit boy" from old habit, just to feel the old pains again. Kagome would love to see him face down in the mud. It would definately relive her stressed heart.
Kagome rolled over on the couch. She was feeling much better now and her thoughts were finally turning to responsiblities. The bandages on her cheek were fresh, meaning her mother had changed them while she slept, and there was a cold rag under her head- fallen from the place where her mother had put it. She smiled to herself. Mothers were absolutely the best things in the world. Upstairs she heard her little brother playing video games and outside her Grandpa was wailing about the damage the storm had done the night before. Slowly Kagome got to her feet and carefully made her way to her bedroom.
Mihaku was sitting up in his crib when she walked in, his smiling face innocently saddened.
"Hello baby," she smiled as she reached in to brush her fingers across his cheek. "You wanna get out of bed?" she joked. Mihaku bounced in the crib and made a tiny face. Taking this as a yes Kagome reached inside her closet and pulled out the foldable play pen. When it was all pieced together and Mihaku was playing noisily with his squeakies and blocks she went to the mirror and readied herself for Inuyasha's return. She brushed her hair, added color to her cheeks (since it seemed it had all drained), and hung her favorite silver earrings on her ears. She brushed her teeth before getting dressed and then finally sat down on the bed for a break. She had slept more in the last two days than any other time in her life and yet she was still tired. Even what little she had managed thus far had tuckered her out. Maybe after she ate she'd feel better.
"Kagome?" whispered a soft voice from the window. Kagome grinned broader than she had for a long time. Inuyasha sat crouched in her window, two packages under his arm, and his eyes set gently on her small frame.
"Hello Inuyasha. Why don't you come sit with-" she began but was silenced by his scream of surprise. Kagome ran to the open window and gazed down as the youkai she loved plunged head first into the ground. Exactly as he had always done before. Her eyes quickly switched to her dresser where she had laid Inuyasha's old prayer beads only to find them gone.
"No," she whispered.
"Aow, that hurt damnit!" grunted Inuyasha with a whine. He picked the dirt out of his mouth with his claw and looked back up to the tree he'd fallen through. Luckily the old artifacts he'd brought for her weren't harmed. Without a single complaint he leapt back up to the window and stepped inside.
"The- the beads are gone!" she whimpered. The hurt in her voice sent Inuyasha into a panic.
"NO, they're right here!" he assured and turned her to face him, pointing to the necklace around his throat. Kagome's eyes welled with tears at the sight and a desperate tone entered her voice.
"No, take it off! It's mine! You'll hurt them! Don't!" she pleaded and grappled for them. Mihaku stopped playing and Inuyasha gripped her wrists, holding her up and preventing her from hurting herself.
"It's alright Kagome, I won't hurt them! It's me!" he reasoned.
"No! I need them! They're all I have left!" she sniveled, heaving wildly.
"NO!" he snapped. Kagome's breath caught. "You have me now, and Mihaku. I'm all you need!" he swore. Kagome gazed at him as if she wasn't herself. His expression softened at the look on her face. So many years had made him much more gentle, he almost chuckled at the realization. "Here, I brought you something," he smiled. Kagome stood motionless as he went back to the window and pulled back the two objects. A smile began to trace her lips as she noticed what was in his hands. "These are for you," he said, "but FIRST, there's somewhere I want you to go with me." Kagome accepted the gifts and walked into his arms in quiet calming. Together they leapt out the open bedroom window, leaving Mihaku alone. Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck like old times as they soared through the air. Inuyasha landed just short of the shrine building where Grandpa and Sora were arguing.
"Mom?" Inuyasha asked uncomfortably. Sora turned around and smiled.
"Yes?"
"We left Mihaku upstairs in the playpen, would you watch him for us?"
"Certainly," she nodded. Kagome blushed ever so slightly. She was being taken care of by Inuyasha! And no one was questioning it. She was beginning to feel so many emotions at once she was positive her head would explode soon. Sorrow, fear, love, nostalgia, self-pity, and even anger were playing openly inside of her. "How long will you be?"
"Don't know, but we're not going far. Shippo'll be by soon and I'll take care of her," he added with a loving smiled toward Kagome. Her face turned even brighter red at his focused attention. She didn't know what was happening but she definately liked it.