He flew up with a start, his heart racing, and mind spinning in the most horrible of ways. It was just a dream. Inuyasha took a sigh of relief, but something didn't seem quite right.

Standing, with a mute yawn, and strong stretch, reality came flooding, with the realization of his surroundings. He took watch outside Kaede's hut, which meant...His dream, was no dream at all. Inuyasha's heart sank, and he sat back down, legs crossed, and back leaned up against the tiny hut walls. He searched the stars. Was there a god? A God? If there was, and his Kagome was taken from him, he was sure going to want to know why.

His Kagome...

There it as again. His Kagome. No, she could never know he thought this, prayed for this, took refuge in this. Kagome would never belong to anyone. She was too strong, too vibrant, and too exciting.

He shivered, turning his head to the straw, mat-like door that barred him from her. He hoped that she was tough enough to get through this. She had to be. How could he go on without her? He'd already lost Kikyo...

Inuyasha opened the mat door, an extraordinary determination strangling the features of his face. He crept quietly on all fours towards the girl lying in the center of the hut. Her hair pooled around her, like so many strands of dyed silk, and they glistened in the dim light of a candle set on a table in the corner.

"Oh, Kagome." He whispered. How could he let this happen to her? She had no glow to her face, no pink to her lips, no rose to her cheeks, and yet, she was beautiful.

The bandages, wrapped tightly around her naked breast were stained a sort of mahogany color, paling her skin even more so. Would she survive? She had to! He pulled the blanket up over her shoulders, and tucked it tightly about her. A pillow, a mat, a blanket, all inside an old woman's hut. How could this save her? He stepped back, a tiny rumble behind him catching his attention. He had tripped over Kagome's small bag. He'd made a mess out of her spilled belongings.

He stared at the pile behind him for a moment. A 'lighter', a book called 'Hamlet', a wallet, and a tiny rubber toy. A blackbird. It forced him to reminisce.

"What's that stupid thing in your hand?" he asked, as she climbed through the well, bright sun in her hair, and in her eyes. She smiled at him.

"Just something Souta gave me." She replied with a gentle wave to him, standing fully erect now, ten feet, or so, from where he sat perched in a tree.

"Well, what is it?" he inquired again, bounding down to her level, standing to close to her, for his own comfort.

He watched her slowly, as her palm opened, showing him. It was a tiny, badly painted bird. All black, with red eyes, it stared up at him. He took it from her hand, as if it held great interest.

"It's just a toy. What's so special about it?" he sneered, handing it back, and he watched as she rolled her eyes, beginning to walk past him.

"It has sentimental value. It was just a nice gesture. Souta knows I like blackbirds." She stuffed it into her worn messenger bag.

"Why?" he asked, catching up with her, nose in the air as if he didn't care. He tucked his arms together, seemingly dis-interested.

"I dunno'. Everyone likes doves, 'cause they're white. Blackbirds are rebels. One of God's brilliant mistakes. When he created them, he knew he had screwed up, but just when he went to start over, he realized that's what made them beautiful." Kagome finished fondly.

"Keh." Inuyasha responded, there she went talking about God again. She never said which one, or why he mattered, but she sure seemed to trust in him. He hated it when she'd get all theological on him. He was never much for religion, himself.

"Don't be such a jerk, Inuyasha!" she sneered at him, smacking his arm lightly, "After all, you're a blackbird."

He stopped his walking for a moment. Did that mean she was truly fond of him? That she cared, and liked him best over most things? Wait. Didn't she say blackbirds were a mistake?

"Whaddya' mean by that, Kagome!" he yelled after her, jogging slightly to reach her.

She smiled at him, as they reached the village, "You really 'ought to listen to more of the Beatles." She stated matter o'factly.

He began to put away her belongings, still thinking back to her, and those words. She had written down lyrics to a song for him, when he had questioned the 'Beatles'. She confessed, she loved it most among ALL of their songs; after all it was about blackbirds. He would never dare to tell her that he kept that ripped sheet of paper with him at all times. He would never mention that he treasured it among all things. He stopped himself.

Glancing over at Kagome, he corrected himself. There was one thing her treasured over that paper.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night,

take these broken wings and learn to fly.

All your life, you were only waiting,

for you moment to arrive."

A/N: 3:35 am, and I'm wired, and crazy. Sorry the chapter blows. Kinda' felt like I needed to explain the title. I don't know about anyone else, but I always like it when the title some how is incorporated into a story, and once more, I don't know about anyone else, but Inuyasha (Who, I don't own!) seems like the quintessential blackbird to me.

Lyrics belong to the Beatles, a song called Blackbird. It's a good song; ya'll should download it.

Anyway, the experiment persists. I promise to write more interesting chapters in the future, if you guys are still reading and interested. I'm thinkin' of trying to fit in a bit more drama, a bit more angst, and a WHOLE LOTTA' ROMANCE!

By the way, I just want to thank you guys, which have reviewed. I read them all, and really appreciate the comments you leave me.

-Surfbratt: I changed it to third person for you. I hope you like!

-Rae: How could I? It was about time karma kicked his arse, don't y'ah think? What better way than through Kagome?

-CrystalizedMiko: You make me blush!

And thanks a whole, super, huge, x-alpha, supreme ton to the rest of you. You guys really make me feel like I can do this!

My fingers are numb. YAY!