Inu Yasha opened his eyes slowly. He could smell Kagome, but there was something wrong with the scent. He looked down at the well quickly to see her crawling pathetically towards the village. Just when she finally pulled herself into a stand, she fell face first, unable to use any more energy. Inu Yasha caught her just before she hit the ground and cradled her in his lap.
"Kagome? What happened?" The miko turned her head slowly towards his. Tears were falling down her flushed cheeks. A trickle of blood fell from her lower lip and her eye was blue and bruised. Inu Yasha stared in horror at her. But amidst her obvious pain she smiled. It was weak, but he saw it. She leaned into him and nuzzled his chest as he carried her quickly back to Kaede's hut. He burst through the door and everyone awoke with a start.
"Inu Yasha, please leave with Miroku and Shippo. Ye can not be here while we tend to Kagome's wounds." Sango pushed the frantic half-demon out the door, and Miroku held him down.
Sango appeared and wiped her forehead tiredly. She headed straight for Miroku, all the while avoiding Inu Yasha's piercing stare. She began to mumble into the monk's ear, and his eyes widened. He stepped back and looked at her, his eyebrows bunched together. Sango left him with a secret nod and walked past Inu Yasha into the hut.
"Come, Inu Yasha. We need to speak alone."
The curious hanyou followed the monk. They finally came to a clearing where they could sit and Inu Yasha waited for the news. He knew it was bad from the look on his friend's face, but he hadn't prepared himself for what he was about to hear.
"Kagome is really hurt; not only physically, but mentally. I think we might be taking her back to her time for a while to put her in her doctor's care."
"What's wrong? I know that she was beaten up, but that isn't as serious as you're making it sound."
"She was raped. I don't know by who, or where. She won't speak to anyone."
"Raped? I've lost you."
"Some man forced her to have sex with him by use of violence."
"What?!" Inu Yasha's mature voice suddenly cracked. He was angrier than he had ever been in his life. He turned and ran back to the hut. Miroku called after him, but the stubborn man wouldn't listen.
He burst through the door to the hut before anyone had the chance to stop him and looked down at the sleeping girl. Kaede and Sango knew that he needed some time with her so they didn't argue. Inu Yasha looked up to find them gone.
"Kagome." He whispered her name. Tears were falling from his golden eyes. He held onto her hand, wishing he could hold on to her and kiss her memories and suffering away.
"Inu Yasha? I thought you'd never come." She slowly tried to sit up but failed. She looked up at her love and tears sprung to her eyes. She reached up and stroked his cheek with her soft hand.
' Is he crying for me? He really does love me.'
"I'm sorry. I never wanted anything like this to happen. It's all my fault." She sobbed silently. And he pulled her up onto his lap.
"Don't be sorry, Kagome. You did nothing wrong."
"Inu Yasha, just seeing you is all that I need. I love you." Before he had a chance to respond, she snuggled into his body and fell into a deep sleep.
Miroku stomped into the hut, looking for his staff. He saw Inu Yasha sitting with his eyes closed peacefully. In his lap was Kagome, her hands gripped the collar to his haori and she smiled in her sleep. Inu Yasha's arms supported her head and draped across her stomach. He sighed and stopped where he was. It had been a while since he met the two. He had been quite taken by Kagome, but he also knew that there was something between her and Inu Yasha. They had come so far, yet they never got bored of each other or left each other.
A vision of Sango fell into his mind. She stood there with a bright smile on her face and her arm waved excitedly. Somehow she was his Kagome. Even though he treated her badly she was patient and cared for him whenever he needed it. The vision was lost and reality grasped him harshly. He quietly grabbed his staff and headed out. Sango was waiting for him in a meadow with food and a warm smile. He couldn't wait to return to those beautiful eyes.
Kagome began to stir. She opened her eyes to the dim room and realized that she had slept almost all day. She tried to sit up, but her horrible memories came back to her. She looked up into Inu Yasha's face. He really needed that sleep. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't exert himself for others, and he always kept watch at night. She finally was able to scoot herself off of him quietly and stand herself up. She looked down at herself. She was still wearing the clothes from the night before and all she wanted to do was get rid of them. She walked over to where Kaede kept the extra priestess uniforms and changed. She stood in a daze, remembering when Inu Yasha had seen her in it. But how could he protest? She had nothing else.
"So you're feeling better?" Kagome jumped a little at the sound of the man's voice. His eyes were still closed, but he was aware of what was going on.
"I have to go home. I need clothes and a bath. Please take me to the well." His amber eyes opened and he nodded to her. He stood up tall and walked over to where she was leaning against the wall.
' She looks so pathetic and sad. I can see that she's smiling, but her eyes say differently.'
He gave her his arm and led her out into the fresh air. The sun was setting and he looked down at the miko. She was staring at it blankly, a soft shadow was upon her face. He picked her up in his arms and she wrapped hers around his soft neck. He didn't run; he didn't want to. And even when the arrived at the Bone Eater's Well, he went across with her.
"Inu Yasha, you don't have to do this, I can make it on my own."
"Kagome, I don't want you to wear yourself out. You can stay for a few days if you want. But I am going to come and visit you."
With that he kissed her lightly on the lips. She clung to him, but he put her down.
"I don't want you to leave me. Please, you're the only one that I need right now."
"I'll come back later. I promise." She looked at him sadly as he walked away from her. The smell of chicken filled her nostrils and she opened the door to her house slowly. She stepped inside and her mother ran towards her daughters light footsteps.
"Kagome? What in the world?" Before she had a chance to do anything else Kagome had sat on the floor and pulled her knees to her. Silent sobs could be heard from her bowed head.
"Kagome, I've given you some time to yourself, but now I think that it's time that we had a little talk. You know that I don't like to invade your privacy, but I think that this is serious."
"It's okay Mom, I need to talk to you."
"Is it about Inu Yasha again?" Mrs. Higurashi glared at Souta and shooed him out her bedroom. She locked the door and sat down again next to her daughter.
"Mom, I was raped." Mrs. Higurashi's mouth gaped, but her hand covered it. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"W-was it Inu Yasha? Please say it wasn't."
"No, of course not. I went to that party. Don't you remember? There was this boy and I did some bad stuff and he took advantage of me because I was so stupid." Her tears were drowning her words now. She was struggling to get the words out.
"Well, we'll have to do something about this. I can get a lawyer and"
"Why? You know nothing will happen. It was my fault I was the one who wore that short skirt and did my makeup and put myself in the situation. I am the one responsible for drinking. I knew what I was doing and I didn't care." Her voice had risen to a yell. Her mother put her arms around her to calm her down.
"Look, all that happened, well, there's no way to change that. But I still feel guilty."
"About what, dear? You did nothing wrong."
"Not about that. I'm broken now. I'm not sacred. How can I ever face him when I am used and soiled?"
"Whom are you talking about?"