Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha. My wish goddess doesn't like me. She never grants me any wishes.

Flashback: Small hands placed themselves on her shoulders and shook her hard. Kagome opened an eye and clutched at whatever was holding her. Everything was woozy and blurry… and everything inflicted pain on her. Everything…

"I'll always be here… always."

There was only darkness.

Tainted

Chapter 5

It had happened again. Perhaps it has something to do with me. Ever since I arrived with my task, Kagome has seemed to be getting hurt one way or another. I feel surprised that I have not heard from Sesshoumaru yet.

I place my small hand on her bigger one and grasp it tightly. It seems to me that she is starting to recall more and more, despite the speed and amount she is remembering. I am pleased with this but am worried about her "status" whenever she seems to have a flashback. It was always pain, pain and more pain. Her face is always contorted with agony when she sees the past, and it's that part that scares me.

I put my head down beside her and lay my hand on her cheek, pushing stray strands of black threads behind her ear, revealing her peaceful face. I wonder what she was dreaming about, if she was at all. I decide that she was when a small frown etches her face and she turns on her side, mumbling incoherent words under her breath. Despite my sharp sense of hearing, I could not make out her mumble of words. Nor do I try to. It isn't important to me if I can understand her, I am quite sure, amazing speech. It is more important that I complete my task on time so I can return to my original form, and things don't look quite good right now. I am already falling behind, perhaps I have spent too much time leaving her adjust to my presence.

It at first occurred to me that perhaps my presence alone would trigger something and she would remember in a snap. Unfortunately, I had to push her to the edge to clutch on to the lingering past in her mind. Perhaps I have pushed her too far. I shake my head, telling myself not to think of these sorts of things for it irks me greatly that I am the source of Kagome's pain. No, I cannot say that to myself, I cannot admit it.

My eyes light up when Kagome finally opens her eyes and I quickly snatch back my hand, not wanting her to think about my action. I am supposed to be crude and curt… no… I could not talk at all. I am not forbidden to talk, it is just that simple fact of the matter. I could not talk even if I wanted to.

I reluctantly reach over and poke her in the arm, earning myself a glare and a weak slap on the shoulder. It did not hurt. I laugh at her futile attempt inwardly. Everything is still the same, Kagome is still not able to inflict pain on me even if she tried. I trot over to her desk and plop on her chair.

Her mouth opens and she speaks to me, "Why did you poke me? Why am I here? Where's my bag of Doritos? Did you finish it? Get of off my chair, you little brat!" Another round of slaps on the arm. I twitch and scratch my arm. She actually made me itch.

I watch silently as Kagome rolls her eyes, answering her own questions, "It's not like you're gonna talk, is it?" A sigh.

I simply shake my head, flashing her a toothy smile.

She groans and clutches her head. "What happened anyway?"

My eyes darken and I feel myself go into a serious mood. Taunting sentences flashed in my head, Who says I can't be serious, you wench? Feh. Of course, the girl did not hear me but simply went on to ramble about her own "problems" in her own little happy world.

I grab her hand and gave it a wring, smiling in satisfaction at the shriek that pierces my ears. Thank god no one else is home.

"You little jerk! What the hell was that for?"

I laugh silently, happy that I have found a new way to get Kagome's attention. I point at her and then her head, then at the picture of her childhood that stood on her desk. She seems to get it when her eyes light up, then dulled again as she winced and tapped her temple lightly. "Ow…"

I rush towards her, flinging the chair aside. "Kagome…" Her head snaps up and she stares at me with huge eyes. I stare back at her, eyes wide as well. I had just…

I had just spoke her name.

Freakishly short chapter, no? x.X Sorry, but I have to keep my grades up. Since it's a shot chap anyway, I'll update within the week, promise.