Chapter 4 - Return to normal?
Inu Yasha stood at the door of the room she was in. She closed her eyes wanting him to think her asleep. Then the rip of fabric and running water reached her ears. As the cool cloth touched her lips she flinched. He was being so gentle, so kind. She heard his voice, so unlike most of the times they spoke, it was gentle and soothing. She didn't want to be soothed. Didn't anyone realize that she was filthy? Covered in a filth that would never wash off. No amount of soap and water would ever remove it from her soul.
That had been three days ago. Today would be her first day back to school. Her mother had wanted her to stay home, but Kagome had insisted she just wanted things to go back to the way they had been. Now she stood at the top of the stairs looking down at the road. Souta had disappeared into the mass of people making their way to their destinations. 'What if he is down there? What if he does it again?' Her mind questioned over and over again.
He watched her stand at the top of the stairs. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and return to the past. There he could use all his abilities to protect her and keep her safe. Moving slowly, he made his way to her side and took the backpack from her gently. "I'll walk you there."
Kagome turned when he spoke. "You don't have to Inu Yasha."
"I want to." He started down the steps and turned, holding out one clawed hand he waited. After several silent moments she took it. Together they silently made their way to the school.
As they walked, she watched him. His eyes never stopped moving, watching everything. Not with the curiousness he usually displayed in her time, but the wariness he wore while hunting shards. As the passed the spot where she had been grabbed she shuddered and froze. He stopped waiting, his golden eyes full of concern. With a shuddering breath she took a step forward continuing.
As they neared the school, four figures separated themselves from the masses moving towards her. As they came closer she recognized her best friends, Yuka, Eri and Ayume, and Hojo. At seeing the boy she took a step closer to Inu Yasha. Sensing her fear, he took her hand squeezing gently.
"Kagome, I'm glad you're feeling better." Hojo said, "Who's your friend?" he held out his hand, "I'm Hojo."
Taking the hand as Souta had taught him, Inu Yasha returned the hand shake. "I'm Inu Yasha." He answered.
"Nice to meet you." Turning his attention back to Kagome, Hojo stepped closer to her. He was surprised by her step closer to the white haired boy. "Ummm Kagome may I speak with you a moment?" She nodded and stepped away from Inu Yasha, following Hojo. Stopping at the gate she waited for him to say what ever it was. "I heard what happened," He stepped towards her his hand going to her shoulder.
Kagome jumped back from the motion, fear filling her. It wasn't Hojo before her, it was him. Suddenly familiar arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. The warm scent of earth, forest and clear mountain springs filled her. Looking up she relaxed in the hanyou's arms.
"Shhh... I'm still here. I promised I wouldn't leave you." His voice comforted her. His instincts warred with his mind. He wanted to beat the boy senseless for scarring her, but he knew it wasn't him that caused her scent to fill with fear. "Do you want to go back to the shrine, Kagome?" She shook her head. "Do you want me to stay?" She nodded. "Ok, I'll stay." He released her and pointed to a tree in the school courtyard. "I'll be there all day. If you need me just yell." He watched as she walked slowly into the building. Looking at the boy he inclined his head, Hojo took the hint and followed him. "You said you knew what happened?" Hojo nodded. "Good, I can't see everything. Keep an eye on her for me?" He hated admitting to this human boy, who under normal circumstances he would consider a rival, a weakness. Asking for help guarding Kagome was something he had never done before, but her safety was more important than his pride.
Hojo looked into the strange boy's golden eyes and saw something deep within them. Guilt, fear, anger and something that made him agree, concern. "You love her don't you?" He asked.
Without thought Inu Yasha answered, "I'd die for her." Turning his head to watch Kagome enter the school he sighed, "If I could I would tear the man who attacked her limb from limb and feed him to the nearest youkai."
Hojo flinched but understood the anger, "And, I would help ... even if there are no such things as youkai. I've got to go. I'll keep an eye on her." Hojo's eyes widened as Inu Yasha leapt easily to a branch near the top of the tree.
Kagome and Inu Yasha left the school at lunch. She sat in the exam room waiting on the doctor wearing only a sheet and a hospital gown. It seemed like hours since the nurse left her alone in the room to undress, finally the doctor entered.
Smiling gently the doctor made her way to the small stool at the end of the table. "Ok Kagome, I need you to put your feet in the stirrups and then slide down to the edge of the table." As Kagome complied the doctor spoke softly to her nurse. "That's good. Now the first thing your going to feel is my finger."
As soon as the doctor's hand touched her the exam room faded away. She was back in the alley, her hands tied roughly together with rope. His tie stuffed in her mouth. Her skirt thrown up, her panties ripped off of her. His hand touching her. She screamed and the exam room returned. The nurse was holding her hand, the doctor calling her name over and over again.
"Kagome, we needed to do this exam to make sure everything is healing all right. I'm all done. Come on sit up. Everything is healing fine, no permanent damage. Why don't you go ahead and get dressed. Your mother is in the waiting room, and I want to speak with her for a few minutes then I'll be right back."
After they had left Kagome dressed quickly. Sitting back on the table she began to shake, again the time stretched until her mother and the doctor reentered the room.
"OK, as I told you, everything is healing fine. The flashback you had is to be expected and nothing to be embarrassed about. I know you are getting counseling. Which is good. I suggested to your mother and I'm going to say it to you as well. You need to contact a victims support group. They will help you through this. I know you want to just forget it, pretend it didn't happen. But you can't and it did." Patting her shoulder the doctor continued, "I want you back in two weeks."