Disclaimer: I may not own Inu Yasha, but I do own a box of Captain Crunch's Crunch Berries.

Chapter Four

Kagome found herself sitting in one of the booths back at "Gas 4 You." She hadn't really been aware of being led through the field, helped over the fence, or being walked across the street. She couldn't even look up at whoever had rescued her. She felt so weak and out of it while she sat shivering in the warm restaurant.

Her head was hanging, but if she looked up through the tears clinging to her lashes, she could see the upper half of his torso. He was wearing a silky black shirt that his shoulders filled nicely. She could see his chest rise and fall rhythmically with his steady breathing. Every now and then he would pause, as if he was about to speak, but he never did.

Finally she managed to breathe out, "Thank you." She brushed the tears from her eyes and looked up at him for the first time. Her breath caught in her throat.

She was staring into the prettiest eyes she'd ever seen. They were amber gold and seemed to be luminescent. His was framed by long silver hair, a lank hanging free on either side form an extremely loose ponytail. He was also wearing an old baseball cap pulled low, which only added to the effect of his eyes.

He suddenly looked uncomfortable. He twisted to the side, faced towards the once shiny counter top that was now covered in coffee. "I just saw that creepy bastard run across my rear view mirror and knew something was up.

"Oh..." Kagome remarked and then remembered, "It sounded like he knew you."

"Yeah, we've crossed swords before."

"I guess I should file a police report," but she made no move. For some reason, she felt safe sitting with the beautiful young man she'd never seen before. Kagome had a suspicion that if she tried to leave him that her small zone of comfort would crumble and she'd find herself crying in the corner.

"Oh! What's your name?" She suddenly asked.

His luminous eyes flicked to her and away before he answered, "Inu Yasha." There was a paused and he added, "I guess we should get some ice for your face."

He stood up and walked a few feet away when Kagome's insides seized up with panic. She couldn't stand sitting alone so close to the window. Some fear crazed instinct told her that once Inu Yasha was gone that the man would be back. She jumped up hastily, adrenaline surging through her veins. The girl whacked her hip on the table, but ignored it to catch up with him.

Inu Yasha noticed for the first time how young looking she was. She couldn't be over fifteen or sixteen. It made him wonder what the hell she was doing working at a truck stop at 2:30 a.m. She was nice a nice looking girl and he was curious to know if any of the guests had ever made a pass at her.

Through the mud on her nametag he was able to make out the name Kagome. The girl pushed a strand of mud spattered and twig littered hair behind her ear and he noticed the burns covering her right arm and wrist. There was a bruise forming over the left side of her face and another over her throat. Her formally clean white blouse was stained and ripped over her stomach and the exposed flesh was already darkening. The plain black skirt was in tatters and her pantyhose were barely staying together.

They stared at each other for a few more moments before they realized that they were. Turning away from Kagome, Inu Yasha led the way to the kitchen. He walked up the freezer, wrenched it open, grabbed a handful of ice cubes, wrapped them in a paper towel or two and tossed the bundle at her.

Kagome caught the ice, but dropped the jacked she had been anchoring to her shoulders. She hastily picked it up and noticed the mud that was on her back had smeared onto the inner lining. "I'm sorry," she told him, offering the article of clothing.

He flapped his hand in a declining manner and she slipped into it. She placed the ice against her cheek and winced. The contact had hurt and she could only wonder how much she would hurt tomorrow.

"So...I guess you'll need a ride home," Inu Yasha offered. He heard the sharp intake of air and mentally slapped himself. He walked up to a draw and rummaged around. He pulled out a long, sharp knife and he could hear her panic-stricken steps as Kagome backed away from him. He knew that just because he had helped her didn't mean she would trust him.

He turned to her and offered the knife. "If I try anything, you can stab me."

A/N: There's not much to say here. All I can really ask is that you please review. I'll love you to death if you do.