"What's wrong with Inuyasha?" A worried Kagome asked Inukasumi.

"I don't know." Inukasumi gulped, with tears streaming down her eyes, "I think it must be something terrible."

"Is he sick or something?" Shippo asked.

"If so, he must be in a lot of pain." She sniffled, "I hope it isn't something I did. I didn't mean to hurt him."

"You didn't do anything!" Kagome reassured her, "Maybe if I talk to him he'll tell me something."

"Was it just me, or when you were holding Inuyasha..." Shippo paused, "...Was he crying?"

Inukasumi wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I think so, Shippo."

It can't be. It just can't be. Inuyasha thought over and over again. It can't be.

"Inuyasha?" He heard someone calling his name. Kagome?

She touched him on the shoulder. "Are you feeling ok?" She asked.

Inuyasha shook her off. "Nothing's wrong." He muttered, "Nothing of your concern."

Kagome put her hands to her side. "It is too of my concern!" She frowned, "We all care about you and you never let us know what's going on! You can always tell me, Inuyasha! Especially me."

"Look, this is between me and my sister. Don't try to meddle in things you shouldn't..." Inuyasha saw Kagomes hurt looking expression and sighed. He put his arms around her and squeezed her tight.

"Trust me." He whispered, "Please."

"Inuyasha..."

"Are we missing something?" a mans voice said.

The two turned around to see Miroku and Sango gazing intently at them.

"What the hell are you looking at?" Inuyasha growled.

"Nothing." Miroku shrugged, "Just something."

"Something like what?"

"Something like"--

"Ok! Ok! Enough, you all!" Kagome thrust her hands in the air, "If Inuyasha wants to be alone, just let him! Okay!" She muttered something under her breath and stomped off.

Inuyasha glanced at Sango and Miroku. "Why are you two still here!" he yelled.

Miroku smirked and grabbed Sangos butt. She slapped him in the face and they ran off, cursing and screaming.

Inuyasha looked at Kagome guiltily. He wanted to tell her even before he told Inukasumi. But he just couldn't. Not until the time was right.

Something hit him in the back of the head. "Hey, Inuyasha!" Shippo cheered in the form of a balloonlike creature, "You alright!"

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles and popped Shippo. The little fox demon fell to the ground crying. "Why do you have to be so mean, Inuyasha! I was only asking 'cuz I care! Now I hope you wallow in your stupid misery forever, see if I worry!"

"See if I notice." Inuyasha snorted.

"Jerk!"

"Idiot."

"Shut up!" Shippo screamed, "Meanie! Meanie!"

"Oniichan, what are you doing to poor little Shippo?" Inukasumi scolded, "He's only a kid."

"See! Even your sister thinks you suck!"

"No, I don't." Inukasumi said, "He just needs to be more careful with how he speaks to people, that's all."

"Blah, blah, blah. I still say he's a butthead." Shippo muttered.

Inukasumi giggled and hugged her brother. She buried her head in his shoulders and sighed. "Are you sure you're ok, Oniichan?" she asked one more time.

He hugged her back. "Im fine." He said, "Inukasumi... if you ever see anything... weird again, like before, let me know right away."

"Of course." She answered.

"Promise me you won't ever just go off on your own, Inukasumi. Promise me you won't just leave." Inuyasha asked.

"I promise, Oniichan." She squeezed him tight, as if for good luck, and walked ahead. She paused for a moment, and held out her right hand.

Inuyasha smiled and took it. No matter what happened, she would always be his sister. She protected him in the past... now it was time to return the favor. He gripped his sisters' hand tight. He was never going to let Naraku find out about her. He would die a thousand deaths before that demon could lay his filthy eyes on her.