PREVIOUS CHAPTER: HOME

Soon she found herself padding through the forest that surrounded the shrine. The forest had been her refuge for her younger years and anytime she needed time to think without being interrupted she always seemed to find herself in this forest. The forest was an old one full of secrets and mystery, but it was welcoming and that's why Kagome liked it. It didn't take her long to find the small stream she had once splashed around in catching little fish from time to time. She sat on a large boulder watching the stream whirl and move. A frog jumped nearby, but Kagome just ignored it. Then she broke down. All at once. It's good to cry right? She mourned for her lost father, she mourned for Natilruh and the loss of her brother, and more than anything she mourned for her mother. It was her mother, the woman Kagome had been raised by and the woman Kagome held more dear to herself then anything. The tears seemed to flow, but after a while she stopped and looked down at the water. Through blurry eyes she saw her hanyou wolf form starring back at her an image she was still having a hard time accepting. There was another reflection beside her though. One that always seemed to be beside her no matter what. Her protector and more than anything the one that she loved. Inuyasha.

CHAPTER 14: THE PERFECT MEDICINE

Inuyasha:

Inuyasha held Kagome close to his chest as the mumbled on about how unfair life was and how come she deserved all this. He combed through her long brownish-gray hair with one of his clawed hands. Poor Kagome, there just seems to be no end to her misery does there? Her sobs seemed never ending and she clung tightly to him her face deeply buried in his shirt. It seemed that he had been sitting there with her for almost 2 hours and it was already getting dark all around them. He heard the soft breathing of his sleeping mate. She looked so peaceful in this state. His heart melted. I know I'm not what you deserve Kagome, but I just want you to know that I would do anything for you, and I do mean anything. He slowly rose holding his sleeping mate in his arms and began to jump from tree to tree as carefully as possible. Inuyasha was at her bed in no time and gently placed her down making enough room for him to lie beside her. She snuggled into him and he fell asleep watching Kagome's sleeping form.

Kagome:

She put her hand to her eyes and began to rub the sleep away. Her head was killing her and she slowly rose. It didn't take her long to change from her old clothing and she put her dirty ones in a clothes hamper. Inuyasha was snoring and Kagome thought he looked peaceful in that state so she decided to leave him that way. She made her way to her mother's bedroom and sat at the foot of her bed. "Oh Kagome dear how are you this morning?" her mothers weak, but cheerful voice asked.

Kagome smiled faintly, "I'm fine and you mother?"

"I'm just fine darling. Oh yes, I have an appointment tomorrow and that's when they will decide on when the operation will be. Why don't you and Inuyasha just go and try to have a good time honey. Are you sure there isn't something you want to tell me about you and Inuyasha?" her mother said blinking her eyes.

Might as well tell her now. " Well umm mom we're umm how should I put this…we're kinda' mated."

Kagome kept her eyes locked on the ground refusing to look up at her mother. The blankets shifted and soon Kagome felt a hand on her shoulder. "Oh Kagome I'm so happy! I knew you two would become mates. However, I don't want to see any pups running around until I'm well enough to hold and play with them!" her mothers ecstatic voice said.

Kagome was shocked. She couldn't believe she was hearing this. Of course she was happy that she was hearing this, but it didn't seem real. She smiled and finally looked up at her mother who had tears in her eyes. Kagome leaned in and gently hugged her mother. "Thank you mother," Kagome said forming her own set of tears.

Her mother's bedroom door was closed gently behind her as she made her way downstairs to make some breakfast. It didn't take her long to whip up a couple eggs and some sausage. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. Just maybe everything is goin' to be alright. Her keen ears picked up Inuyasha rustlings around in the blankets so that he could come downstairs for his favorite meal of the day. Inuyasha was soon sitting at the table eating his breakfast as Kagome sat and started on hers. She felt his eyes on her and she looked up. "What?" she asked blushing a little.

He shook his head and said, "Just thinking of how beautiful you are and how lucky I am to have you as my mate."

This of course made her blush even more and she quickly downed the food in her mouth. She smiled sweetly at him. She sighed I really need to get out.

Kagome felt like maybe all she needed was a good shopping day, so that maybe she might be able to somehow escape her depressing mood. She quickly went upstairs so that she could find some sort of a disguise to hide her tail and ears. Inuyasha remained downstairs eating at his breakfast while Kagome took a quick shower and dressed. She dried her hair and looked herself over in her mirror. Her eyes saddened as she took in her looks. Well I can't do much better, so I guess this is as good as it gets.

Kagome sighed again and turned the bathroom light off so that she could find a purse, and get some money from her mother. She was about to walk outdoors when she felt Inuyasha's hand on her shoulder. "Kagome where are you goin'?" he asked raising his eyebrows.

She smiled, "I just need to get out. I'm goin' shopping and I'll be back before dinner ok?"

He looked her over and she could tell he was taking into consideration of stopping her, but his eyes softened and he said, "Ok…just…just don't be gone too long."

Kagome was a bit surprised he didn't try to argue her into him going as well. He just keeps surprising me. Kagome hugged and kissed her mate, and left telling him she loved him. It was still early afternoon as Kagome made her way around shops and cafes. By the time she sat for lunch it was already around three o'clock. She thought about her life before the Shikon Jewel. Before the well, and before Inuyasha. She would've just been getting out of school, and walking past this very café. She thought of her old friends. They would've stopped at WacDonalds to eat and talk about their day, and catch up on the recent gossip. Kagome smiled to herself. She used to be so bored of her life, but now she missed that life so much! She slowly took another sip of her drink and a bite of her sandwich that was gone before she knew it. Suddenly Kagome heard a commotion across the street. She slowly began to turn her head as three girls came running at her yelling her name. "Kagome! Kagome! How've ya been! What've ya been doin? Why'd ya quit school? We've missed ya so much! Have you gotten taller or something? Your hair! You look great!" All three of her friends were in tears hugging her and aking questions all at the same time. Just like old times.

Kagome began to form tears as she hugged all her friends. She asked them to join her and that she would buy, they didn't resist that offer and quickly sat down. The next few hours was spent as all the girls caught up. Kagome even decided to tell her friends of her engagement to Inuyasha, which also took her awhile to reassure her friends that he was the right one and that she knew what she was doing. It would've been a lot more difficult to explain being "mated" to someone so she just stuck to the "engaged" story. Her friends made her swear that she would make them all three her brides maids at the wedding, and Kagome didn't have any problem with that. Now there was just the part of breaking this to Inuyasha. When they asked about her different height and hair color Kagome thought quick and told them that she had gone through a growth spurt and her hair also seemed to change with it. Somehow her friends had heard about Kagome's mother and expressed their sympathies. Soon it was time for them to get home, so they all hugged again and went on their ways.

It was by now getting a little late, but Kagome had two more stops. She found a floral shop and paid to send flowers to her home for her mother. She stepped into another clothing store. There she bought Shippo some cute little summer outfits. She found Sango some undergarments, and some underwear. For Inuyasha and Miroku she found a couple pairs of boxers for each. With her arms full of bags she made her way to her home. It took a while to get up her stairs while juggling the armloads of bags, but she finally made it up. She didn't know how she would've done this without her hanyou abilities. As she came into view she noticed a certain hanyou waiting at the back door. Without another glance he was by her side asking if she needed any help. She graciously handed over some bags and they made their way into the house. After Kagome had things put where she wanted them she made her way downstairs to start on dinner.

A nice dinner was whipped up in minutes and as Sota, Grandpa, and Inuyasha started on their dinners Kagome headed upstairs to give her mother some. Kagome sat beside her mother and placed the steaming meal on her nightstand. Her mother turned her head towards her, "Oh thank you dear. It'd be nice to eat a full mean instead of soup."

"I'm glad you can enjoy it," Kagome said getting up to go eat her dinner downstairs.

"I love you dear." Her mother said as Kagome said the same to her before shutting the door behind her.

Later that evening:

Inuyasha:

He stretched himself out on Kagome's bed as she brushed her teeth in the bathroom and got ready for bed. All day he had been so tempted to go and find her while she was shopping, but he knew deep down inside that she really needed the time to walk and think, and do one of the things she loved more than anything in the world to do. You know that you just wanted to be near her don't lie to yourself. You moped around all day like a lost puppy just because Kagome wasn't within your eyesight or earshot. This was true and he knew it. It had only been one day and he had already begun to whine and miss her. Before Kagome he could've spent years not being with anyone or caring, but ever since Kagome had stepped into his life he always had to know where she was and he couldn't stand being away from her. Inuyasha looked up as Kagome came humming into the room. She smiled as she looked over at him. "What?" she asked as she sat down beside him.

"Nothin'" he lied as she went to turn the light off and pull up the blankets beside him. She then snuggled in beside him sending a warmth all through his body.

"Night, Inuyasha," she said sleepily.

He pulled his arm in around her small waist pulling her up against his body. Every part of her body gently seemed to fit into his. He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her head lightly. Her tail wrapped around his legs and her ears twitched a little. Just below a whisper Inuyasha said, "I love you." With that the two fell fastly asleep awaiting for the next events of the days to unfold.

Man I'm so sorry it took so long to update, but you wouldn't believe how busy I've been! It's been absolutely insane! Ok well hope u all enjoy so yeah review pleaz!

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own Inuyasha or any of the original characters of the anime/manga. However Natilruh, Sanku, Bengku, Ganjel, Benhi, and Kando are my own creations and they're all mine!