Chapter 6
As quickly as the smirk had lit his features it disappeared. Twice he had failed. Twice a woman he loved had been victimized. It didn't matter to him that the first he had only been a pup, with milk teeth and claws not yet tough. It didn't matter that the second had happened in an era he should never have reached. He silently thanked his father for his demon blood. It was the only thing, other than Higurashi-sama's coffee, that allowed him to continue to function. The nightmares had returned. His mother's violet eyes full of tears. Her screams of pain But, now a new set of eyes joined. Storm grey eyes filled with tears and accusations.
Had it only been two days? Two days since he told her, what he had never told anyone. Two days since she had told him what that filth had done to her. He could still feel her tears against his skin. Never, never would he allow his guard to drop again. He didn't care how many times she said the word. He would, he promised himself, follow her, guard her, defend her, in her time as in his.
As she passed one alley, she froze for a second. The wind brought him the scent of her fear. Looking carefully, he realized this was the same alley she had always moved closer to him. This was where it had happened. She moved on, and he continued promising to investigate the alley further.
As she reached the school grounds he saw her girl friends come up to her. In a crowd she was safe. He saw the boy. Leaping to the ground he landed softly, the harsh gasp made him look. "Gomen." He said to the old woman. Moving quickly to the boy's side, "Quiet." he whispered harshly when the boy would have said something. Pulling him out of the school yard Inuyasha stopped.
Hojo looked again at the strange silver-haired boy. He remembered the boy's answer to his question of loving Kagome. "I would die for her." What a simple eloquent statement. It had been at that moment Hojo had realized what he felt for Kagome wasn't love, it was his natural desire to protect those hurt. Kagome's illnesses and her kindness had made him think that he loved her, but no he wouldn't die for her. "Hi." he said when the iron grip finally released his arm.
"Yea, look I won't be in the school yard today. Kagome doesn't even know I followed her. If something happens, use this." Inuyasha handed him a small whistle. "I'll be here before you can put it away."
Hojo looked down at the whistle and frowned, "A dog whistle? You won't be able to hear that."
"Oh I'll hear it." Inuyasha saw the boy's disbelieving look. "Good hearing runs in my family."
Hojo nodded "Ok then. By the way my name is Hojo." He held out his hand.
Taking the hand Inuyasha, "Inuyasha."
Hojo was amazed at the grip and the calluses on the boys hands. "Nice to meet you. I need to get in to class. I'll whistle if there is any trouble." Turning he took a few steps toward the school and then wanting to ask again about the boy's name he turned. The street was empty. No sign of the silver haired boy was around.
As soon as Hojo had turned, Inuyasha leapt back to the roof tops. Quickly he made his way to the alley. Checking that no one was near he dropped to the ground. Never in his life had he searched an area so completely. The sun made it's long trek across the sky and still he searched. Sniffing each and every inch. hoping for the slightest hint of a scent of Kagome. Nothing, nowhere was there even the trace of her scent. It had been to long, the trail had gone cold.
Moments later on a roof top across from the school, a figure sat watching. His legs pulled to his chest, arms wrapped around his legs, silver-white hair lifting in the breeze. No one saw the tears that fell from amber eyes, or the shudders that coursed through him. How he silently wished, Goshinki, Kouga, Sesshomaru, Gotenmaru or even Naraku would appear before him. Something, someone to sink his claws and fangs into. But, no one appeared and so he sat watching and waiting.