Here's my next chapter, it was on here a couple days ago but I wasn't completely happy with it, so I fixed it and here it is! I just wanted to take a couple seconds to thank everyone who's read my story, I really appreciate it! And even more thanks to the ones who took the time and reviewed my story as well. It would be great if I keep getting reviews so I can keep making my story better for you guys. So if you'll keep reading, I'll keep writing.

Attica-

Chapter Eight

Trust Among Strangers

He left...I can't believe he just left like that! Kagome found herself standing alone outside the well utterly confused. She wasn't sure is she should have been angry, hurt, or nervous by what had just happened; probably all three. It wasn't unusual for Inuyasha to lose his temper, but Kagome had never seen him as upset as he had seemed when he was leaving.

It's not like I can really blame him. Kagome thought to herself as she walked back into her house. I should have told him about Akemi as soon as I found out. Why did I think keeping it from him was such a good idea?

Kagome's house was still as dark as she had left it; her family hadn't been disturbed by the noise outside. Thank goodness for small miracles. Kagome's mind seemed empty as she made her way up the stairs, all of the worry and stress form the last few days finally catching up to her. As she made her way to her room, she noticed that the door was shut and the lights were off as well. Did Akemi really just go back to sleep?

Akemi Yutori remained a mystery to Kagome. If I had been in the position Akemi was just in, I would have demanded answers right then and there. The only thing Akemi had asked was the nature of Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship. And it seemed that Akemi only did that because of what my friends were telling her. If Akemi had doubted the answer Kagome had given her, she made no sign of it, taking her leave with nothing more than a 'goodnight'.

I should go to Inuyasha now...Kagome bit her lower lip in worry. If I leave it like this too long, I might not be able to fix things. She was in the middle of figuring out how to dress and leave without Akemi noticing when her plans were dashed as she opened her door.

Kagome found Akemi sitting silently on her futon, staring at some distant spot outside the window. So she didn't go to sleep after all... Kagome quickly hid the disappointment on her face from Akemi. Though shortly after she did, Kagome realized she didn't really need to, Akemi's tempestuous eyes were fixed on something specific and far away.

Akemi didn't move when Kagome sat down on her bed, her only acknowledgment was a brief glance in Kagome's direction. Despite her encounter with Inuyasha earlier Akemi's demeanor was calm, almost apathetic to the world that surrounded her. Not knowing what else to do, Kagome stayed in silence and waited for Akemi start.

For what seemed like an eternity, Akemi continued to hold her own counsel as she stared out the window. Finally, just as Kagome was going to force herself into small talk, Akemi turned and looked directly at her.

"Is everything alright?" Her tone held no emotion, but her question didn't seem cold. And as Kagome looked closer at her strange roommate, she saw that Akemi's eyes held the concern that wasn't evident in her voice.

Kagome blinked, unsure how to answer. Blushing slightly, she looked down at her hands. "Yes..." She mumbled. No.

Akemi knew that wasn't true. Even if it hadn't been obvious in this situation, she would have known Kagome was holding back. Glancing sideways, Akemi silently warned herself. It's none of my business, I shouldn't get involved.

They sat in silence for a few more moments. Kagome hadn't looked up from her hands, and Akemi wasn't sure she really wanted to continue on that topic at any rate.

"So..." Akemi began, smiling at Kagome and trying to sound casual. "Inuyasha huh? That's an unusual name."

Kagome looked up, unprepared. "It's a family name." Flushing even deeper, her gaze slid past Akemi's.

She's telling the truth; partially at least. Akemi smirked slightly. "That would explain the dog ears I suppose."

Kagome was unable to suppress a nervous giggle. I was hoping she had forgotten about that. Guess it was a little too much to wish for.

"Kagome..." Akemi's eyes grew soft as she turned to look out the window again. "You don't know me, and you should know that you don't need to tell me anything..." She paused for a moment, her hand going to her pendent. It was still slightly warm, but in a comforting way. "But I want you to know that if for whatever reason you need to talk, I'm here to listen." Akemi blushed slightly, she wasn't an overly emotional person and such displays of friendship tended to make her uncomfortable. But she couldn't remember a time she had grown to like someone as fast as she had with Kagome.

When Akemi was growing up, her father would always comment on her unusual perceptiveness about people, eventually coming to rely on her intuition above any others. She knew inertly that Kagome was a truly good person, but the events earlier that evening left her questioning her abilities. I never really felt that Inuyasha was a danger to me. Inwardly I didn't feel any malevolence from him.

The voice Akemi had heard when she first saw Inuyasha had given her the warning, but, she couldn't be sure that there even was a voice in the first place. Am I crazy? Akemi had always considered herself to be a fairly sensible person, never really prone to irrational thoughts or actions. But what had transpired between her and Inuyasha was just that, irrational. The voices urgency had triggered Akemi's innate defenses, and for a moment, it had felt like she wasn't in control anymore, it was more like she was being guided. Nonsense; Akemi snorted slightly, next I'll be trying to convince myself that I was under a magic spell put on me by evil leprechauns. The voice in her mind had turned mellow since then; the unrest she had felt with Inuyasha had disappeared completely. Akemi's mind felt clear for the first time since she had arrived.

"I'm sorry about what happened between me and your friend Kagome. Under normal circumstances...well...trust me, this wasn't normal for me. I hope I'll be able to apologize to him when he comes here again." Akemi thought that had to be the weirdest apology she had ever given anyone, sorry I tried to stab your boyfriend with my dagger, hope we can still be friends. Stupid.

Kagome smiled, "don't worry, I probably would have felt threatened if someone strange appeared suddenly at the window too." Her smile faded as she thought of what happened with Inuyasha. "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure when I'll see him again." Kagome felt color rise to her cheeks. How embarrassing! Akemi's practically a stranger after all.

Akemi, however, did not seem disturbed by Kagome's openness. Her eyebrow rose slightly in speculation, but she chose not to speak her opinion. It's not valid at this point anyway. "No rush, I'm not leaving any time soon. I'll tell him when I see him." Shrugging slightly, Akemi put her arms behind her head and stretched out on her bed. I can't believe how tired that little bit of fighting made me. I am definitely out of practice. "Well, goodnight Kagome, sleep peacefully." Akemi smirked as she closed her eyes, waving her hand slightly as she spoke.

Kagome found herself smiling at Akemi's relaxed form. Even though she didn't know her well, Kagome found that she liked Akemi very much. "Yeah...goodnight Akemi."

"Mhpmh." Akemi grunted, already half asleep.

Lying down on her bed, Kagome felt suddenly exhausted by everything. Geez, why does everything happen to me? Argh, my life is so stressful! She grabbed her pillow and covered her head in frustration. This sucks! Maybe I could just pretend I had amnesia and go back to the others like nothing happened. Kagome groaned and shook her head. That would never work... Despite her plans to follow Inuyasha, Kagome found that she welcomed the darkness beneath her pillow more than she thought she would. And although she tried to fight it, sleep came anyway. It seems that Inuyasha will have to wait until morning. Wiggling underneath her blankets and sighing in defeat, Kagome's last thought before she slipped into unconsciousness was of Inuyasha.