Disclaimer; I don't own Inuyasha, but if I did, I'd be rich, and I'd hire a new mother.

The Bruised and the Healed

By: S.A.M.

Ayame, Rin and Sango sat down in a circle waiting for Kagome.

They were all having a slumber party at Rin and Kagura's house.

"If she isn't here in 5 minutes, I'm going to sleep." Kagura said from her bed, on which she was hanging upside down.

Kagome barged in "Sorry I'm late, guys" She said to the girls. Kagura kicked the wall on which her feet rested and back-flipped to land next to her sister.

"Okay, sit down Higurashi." Kagura said.

"Ok, now truth or dare." Sango said, playfully looking at the girls.

Kagura and Kagome chorused in a groan. "Oi, come on Sango, do we HAVE to!" Kagome complained. "Yes, I think we're a little to old to be playing such childish games." Kagura said, in a very annoyed tone.

"Oh, come on you two! Don't be such fun-suckers!" Ayame said from where she sat next to Rin.

Ayame's hair was arranged in pigtails and she was dressed in a green and pink pajama that consisted in a tank top and shorts.

Kagome caved in. "Fine, but I go first!" she said before leaving the room.

The remaining girls looked at the silent figure that Kagura had become. Her hair was in a simple pony-tail, and she wore some gray sweatpants and a white tank top. She had been meditating on her bed. "Staring is rude." She said simply, somehow sensing that everyone was staring.

She opened one eye to find that Sango, Rin and Ayame where one there knees in begging position. She rolled her eyes. "Fine, But I'm last" she said before standing up and flipping over the girls and onto the floor where she sat down again.

"Are you sure you don't want to re-join cheerleading?" Ayame asked Kagura.

Kagura glared daggers at Ayame before closing her eyes to finish meditating for at least one more minute.

Kagome reappeared with basket full of food. Her hair was in a braid and she wore red camouflage pants and a matching mini-tee.

"I thought before we started maybe we should eat." She said. "So here we go..."

"M&M's for me, Lays for Kagura, White chocolate bar for Sango, Gummy Bears for Rin and rice crispies for Ayame is that right?" she asked. She threw the snacks to their respective owners. "Now…" she said taking out a bottle "Truth or dare." She spun the bottle and it landed on Sango. "Truth or dare?" she asked.

"Dare" was Sango's bold answer. The girl wore her long hair in a side pony-tail. She wore a blue happy-bunny tank top and blue plaid pants.

"I dare you to get on the balcony, and Sing 'Welcome to my life' with you playing the guitar, full amp, full volume"

Sango looked at Kagome. "1 problem, I don't have my guitar or a Karaoke machine here." Sango said. Kagura gave Sango her Guitar and pointed to the Karaoke.

"Fine, but only if Kagome joins me" Sango said. Everyone shot a glance at Kagome. "I'm up for it." Kagome replied.

And so, in a couple of minutes the two were on the rooftop singing Simple Plan's welcome to my life at the top of their lungs and waking angry neighbors.

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Once again, Miroku and Gabi left Inuyasha and Kagome alone to count up the money.

Of course, the two had nothing of the sort in mind. "Up for some strip Poker?" she asked mischievously.

Inuyasha took a pack of cards out of his pocket and set it on the table.

About fifteen minutes later, Inuyasha was in his socks, boxers and t-shirt and Kagome had her mini-t-shirt on, under shorts and flip-flops.

Inuyasha then noticed a small detail Kagome had forgotten in all the excitement.

"What is that?" Inuyasha asked pointing to Kagome's leg.

Kagome looked to where he was pointing and gasped. "It's nothing" she said "I fell"

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow and looked at the mark again. "You didn't fall, it's too clean-cut"

"And how do you know Einstein?" Kagome demanded

Inuyasha sighed. "My brother is a doctor and I look through his files and read his books sometimes" he said.

Kagome nodded.

"Who beats you?" Inuyasha asked all of a sudden.

Kagome's eyes widened. "What!" she asked. "I gotta go" she said, before getting up (she dressed herself already) Inuyasha grabbed her hand and stood up (fully dressed, too) "You aren't getting away from me that easily Kagome Higurashi" he said angrily. He pulled her so she was facing him.

"Who beats you?" he asked again, this time more tenderly.

Kagome broke into tears. "My foster father" she said, hardly above a whisper.

She looked down to avoid his eyes, a curtain of raven black hair casting a protective shadow across them.

Inuyasha used his thumb to raise her chin and level their gaze.

His gold orbs searched her dark blue ones. All he saw was sadness and tears.

She looked at him through watery eyes and decided she could trust him.

"On…Monday…he-he…he tried to rape me" Kagome said before exploding into tears. Inuyasha instinctively wrapped his arms around her in comfort. "He…was drunk as usual…and I was wearing a skirt…" Kagome cried into his shoulder.

"Shh" he scolded "Don't talk about it"

She did as he advised. About 5 minutes after that little confession Kagome pulled back. There was one inch separating their lips, and each of them secretly thought it was too much space.

Kagome pulled away "I've gotta go" she said before running out the door leaving Inuyasha alone in Pizza Hut.

Now that I have finished what was due

I want to dedicate this poem to you

My reviewers and sweet salvation

From a desperate situation

I want to pay you a little recognition

So you know that on is my ignition

So thank you one, thank you all

For saving me from a fall

Gabi Web

Immortal Soul

Demoness of the black wolves

Kawaii Kitsune Demon

Naraku's Mate

Demon chik

Dark-demonic-angel

Heaven's lil cherry

Demon child 13

Anonymous………

Darknessgurl

Dolphin girl202

Inuyasha devil

Shippo san

Sammaalnldvaille

THANK YOU ALL!