A/N: Day by day I think I must be losing a piece of my mind. With events happening in what I regretfully call 'reality' I found that my writings have dipped into darkness and I don't know if I'll find a way out. We'll see were time takes me with this particular fic. I've finished later chapters and am waiting to post them, but it's a promise more are coming. I have only begun to warp your precious little mind! Mwahahaha! Ano, enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 3:..Changes...Trust?..:

With the following day came sadness as Kagome was more alert to her surroundings and in a better state of mind from her reduced fever. She was able to concentrate more on the sadness she felt about Shippo as everyone prepared for a funeral. It was decided that today would be spent in reflection and preparation for final good-byes. Kagome had eaten breakfast by herself and went with Sango to the hot springs to soak and talk. She cried periodically, sometimes without warning. Sango too had her moments.

When Kagome and Sango returned from their morning bath, Kagome saw that Inuyasha was sitting quietly on the trail they were on, she assumed he was waiting for her, which he was. He saw them approaching and rose to his feet to meet Kagome.

"Are you feeling well?" Inuyasha asked flatly.

"Healthier, if that's what you mean." Kagome replied.

"Well, I'm going to get back to the hut, I'm sure Kaede will need help." Sango quickly stated.

"Okay, thank you Sango." Kagome said as she waved her friend off. When Sango got out of sight, Kagome turned to face Inuyasha with one of her old smiles on her face. This sight made Inuyasha smile inwardly. "Did you need something?" She asked.

"Not really. I was just worried. How's your arm?" Inuyasha sniffed around her arm and was thankful when the stench of infection was not found.

"It's better, see? It's scabbing up already." Kagome lifted her sleeve to show Inuyasha her wounds. Now that they were looking better, Inuyasha could clearly see the claw marks he left on her. He mentally smacked himself for hurting her, even if it wasn't on purpose, there would still be scars left behind.

"I'm glad you're feeling well. You had everyone pretty worried yesterday." Inuyasha gave Kagome a fake smile but it faded as he continued to speak. "You were really sick. If the miasma hadn't killed you, I was worried the fever would have, but why worry now?" The fake smile returned as quickly as it had faded. "You're well again and now I'll be able to take better care of you now that I'm a full demon." Inuyasha looked at her proud of his new found strength.

"Thank you, Inuyasha. I'm sure I'll sleep better at night, knowing I have a full demon outside my door." Kagome said with a smile. It felt good being able to joke around with him again.

"Is that sarcasm?" Inuyasha asked incredulously.

"Maybe. As long as you're happy, I can be happy for you." Kagome said as she leaned forward to look into Inuyasha's eyes. "Are you happy?" She asked.

"As long as you're here with us, yes." Inuyasha replied.

"Good, than I'm happy." Kagome said as she touched her finger to the end of Inuyasha's nose and turned the other way and briskly walked off.

Inuyasha blinked in surprise at the girl's retreating form and a blush spread across his cheeks.

'She cares about you.' A familiar voice flared back up in his head.

'I know' Inuyasha mentally stated back.

'As well she should. She's yours and yours alone to protect now. Your father died for his human and that should be expected of you if need be.' The voice snarled.

'But she's not mine in that way. She is free to do what she wants.' Inuyasha retorted.

'Is she? And if she chose, say, Kouga, as her man, you would give her your blessings?' The voice hissed.

'Well, I don't know, but that's not an issue!' Inuyasha spat back.

'You wouldn't and you know it! I'm just saying it could be a possibility, so watch out for that sneaky wolf.' The voice bit back then retreated back to were it came from. Inuyasha shook his head, trying to get the suspicious thoughts out of his head. He knew that Kouga made him uneasy when he came near Kagome, but he knew Kagome better than that. Still, the suspicion remained and Inuyasha chose to ignore the nagging question, 'what if'.

As everyone prepared for the upcoming funeral, word of the fox demon child's death spread quickly and soon reached none other than the wolf demon tribe leader, Kouga.

"You're sure it's the little kitsune that travels with Kagome?" Kouga asked his informant.

"Yes, we heard it ourselves. Inuyasha had been fighting a toxic lizard demon with Kagome and the child and all three were poisoned but Inuyasha was only able to save himself and Kagome, although I heard she too fell very ill and almost died from fever." The wolf demon said as he recollected the information given to him about the incident.

"She WHAT? That idiot mutt put MY Kagome in danger and she could have DIED?" Kouga seethed. "I bet she's angry as hell at him for letting the kid die. Heh, I bet she's just waiting for me to come get her and take her away from him." Kouga said as a smile crossed his face. "Get a couple of the men ready, we shall be attending the funeral to pay our respects and gain further knowledge of Kagome's situation." Koga commanded.

"Yes sir." The demon bowed and made his way out of Kouga's lair. "Oh, there is one more thing." He said before exiting.

"Go on." Kouga looked at him questionably.

"There's rumor that Inuyasha had changed drastically to get them away from the danger. I would advise against starting any arguments with him." The demon finished.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Kouga said and waved his informant on. "So Inuyasha, what is in store for you now?" Kouga questioned out loud.

Back at the village, Kagome was being fitted in a ceremonial kimono, one proper for such an occasion as Shippo's funeral. She stared at herself in the medieval mirror sadly. She looked beautiful in the red fabric and the pink sakura flowers looked stunning as they appeared to be floating down her body with every movement she made. At the moment, Kagome felt beautiful for the wrong reason. She wished she could just look like the hell she was living through, but as the priestess and Shippo's main guardian, she had to be presentable, if not for the villagers, for Shippo. He always loved it when she dressed nice, he use to comment how she reminded him of his mother some days and it always made her feel good.

Kagome sighed again and turned from the mirror and before she was able to take a step, she found herself running into a rock hard body and looked up to see Inuyasha looking down at her with his red eyes. She was still taken aback by the intensity of the color in his eyes, but they shone softly and that comforted her.

"Inuyasha, how long have you been here?" Kagome asked.

"Long enough. You look good in that. How do I look?" Inuyasha asked as he spread his arms to reveal to Kagome he was wearing a form fitting black kimono with a red sash and billowing black sleeves, much like the ones one his fire rat kimono. His had a red and gold phoenix down the right sleeve and red sakura flowers on the left chest. It was a wonderful work of art.

"It's beautiful. The color really sets off your eyes." Kagome said.

"Thanks, I guess I should go take it off now and put it away until tomorrow." Inuyasha sadly said. He was about to turn but Kagome impulsively threw her arms around his middle in a tight embrace. "Kagome?" Inuyasha questioned.

"It's okay. I just needed to do that. Thank you." Kagome muffled from his chest. Inuyasha nodded and gave her a hug back, knowing that is what she truly needed.

Just as Inuyasha left the hut of Kagome's tailor, a gust of wind rushed towards Inuyasha and blew right by him. He sniffed the air curiously and a growl started to rumble low in his chest and then exploded into a snarl when he realized the scent was Kouga's and he just blew by him and was now in the hut with Kagome, alone!

Inuyasha wordlessly stormed into the hut, knowing that he needed to control himself at a time like this, but was still pissed off regardless. His eyes were met with a finely dressed Kouga holding Kagome's hands in his. Inuyasha looked the wolf prince up and down taking in the black garments he wore that covered him more than his usual attire. He wasn't happy with the fact Kouga had his hands on Kagome, but for now he'd tolerate it.

"I'm so sorry to hear about the child. If there's anything my tribe or myself can do for you, don't hesitate to ask." Kouga spoke gently. He turned his gaze to Inuyasha, never letting go of Kagome and said, "Glad to see you're still alive. So what's different about you? You're scent has changed dramatically, why?".

"I've become full demon. I did it to save Kagome and Sh..myself." Inuyasha said. His gaze fell to the ground at the near mention of Shippo being 'saved'.

"I see. I'm sorry for your loss and your sacrifice, Inuyasha." Kouga stated. Inuyasha's attention snapped at the wolf, realizing he was genuine. He figured that Kouga did have a bit of a heart and knew how to use it.

"Thank you, Kouga, for your support." Inuyasha gratefully ground out. His pride still had the best of him, but he still knew how to show gratitude when necessary.

"And I'm serious, if you need anything, anything at all, say the word and I'll be here. Otherwise, see you tomorrow, Kagome." Kouga said and planted a quick kiss on Kagome's cheek and swiftly left before either Kagome or Inuyasha could realize what he had done.

Kagome gently put her hand to her now reddened cheek where the kiss was planted smiled. The smile quickly faded when she caught the look in Inuyasha's eye. He looked mad as hell, but was controlling it. He was shaking with control when all he wanted to do was start yelling about how Kouga had no right doing that, but he bottled it up and let it bubble over inside of him.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome spoke his name softly as she took a step towards him. He quickly lashed out and caught her upper, left arm and glared into her eyes as his chest heaved from breathing so hard. His lip was pulled partially up in a snarl, yet he made no sound. His nose twitched furiously at her and his grip on her upper arm tightened slightly, making her cringe in pain. He realized he was hurting her when she gasped out and quickly released her, looking at his hand as though he had burned himself on an open fire.

"I'm..so..sorry. I didn't mean to. Feh! Please, Kagome, please wash yourself after you've undressed. I don't want to sound like a jerk, but his smell is all over you and it's having an effect on me. I'm sorry." Inuyasha said in a low voice as he dropped his head to hide his shame under his bangs.

"I understand." Kagome replied softly, backing away from the seething demon. Inuyasha looked back at her and hastily left, leaving her stunned at what just happened. She just thanked god that he hadn't grabbed her injured arm in fear that he could have reopened her wounds and she would have bled on her beautiful kimono.

He was pissed, seriously pissed. Kouga knew exactly what he was doing and that aggravated Inuyasha even more. He ran through the forest at a dangerous speed, stopping at a small waterfall and jumping into the largest tree. He sat there for quite some time, just seething over with anger. He found himself gripping the tree limb so hard, it shattered in his grasp, sending him falling to earth. If it weren't for his lightening fast reflexes, he would have unceremoniously crashed to the forest floor, but instead he landed gracefully on a lower limb of the tree.

Realizing his mind was over-reacting, Inuyasha decided to stick his head under the cold waterfall and let his head cool off. He shed the clothing from his upper half and sat cross-legged on a rock, letting the water drop onto his head and run down his back. His ears twitched all over, picking up the sounds of the forest, searching for potential danger.

'You didn't like that wolf touching the woman, did you?' The same snake voice spoke up again.

"Shut up." Inuyasha snarled out loud, keeping his eyes closed.

'Just thought I'd point out the obvious. Remember, she's only human and humans are weak and easily persuaded. That wolf might one day win her over after all. Will you allow that day to come?' The voice asked.

'She wouldn't do that.' Inuyasha mentally argued.

'She's a woman! You act as if you've never been betrayed by her kind before.' That comment hit a cord with Inuyasha and he snarled out loud. 'Keep a close eye on her. Women are deceitful when need be and I doubt she's any different.'

'Then what do you suggest I do? I can't make her mind up for her.' Inuyasha replied.

'Or can you? If you be more assertive, she won't have a choice for her mind to make up, will she?' The hissing of the voice started to grow louder and turn into a snarl.

Inuyasha's eyes snapped open as the dark recesses of his mind started to emerge and a piece of his sanity slipped away into the hole created by hate and jealousy. His mind immediately went to Kagome and how she was all alone. The thought that anything could grab a hold of her now and how she would be defenseless started to swarm Inuyasha's head and any common sense he held at the moment was thrown into the wind.

He grabbed up his clothing and rushed back to the village to find Kagome. He slowed to a stop and took in the smells of his surroundings, quickly finding Kagome's unique scent, he followed it to Kaede's hut. She had washed as he requested and was sitting in the hut, sipping on a cup of sake.

"Kagome, are you alright?" Inuyasha needlessly asked.

"Fine, why?" Kagome looked up at him, a trace of fear still held in her eyes.

"I just worry, that's all. I'm still sorry about earlier and I hope you will forgive me." Inuyasha said as he sat down next to her, taking in her scent. The smell of sake hung strongly on her but at least the stench of that wolf was gone. "Kagome, are you drunk?" Inuyasha asked shocked.

"A little. And I have already forgiven you for earlier. I understand you're going through some changes, but you need to trust me better than that. Okay, Inuyasha?" She asked, her eyes locking onto his.

"Yea, I shouldn't have doubted your judgment." Inuyasha said flatly.

Kaede watched on in amusement. She had heard of hanyous becoming full demon and because they didn't know how to handle the changes that came with it, they became insane and either died from their self-destruction or were slaughtered by stronger demons or bands of humans. Kaede wondered if Inuyasha would survive his own transformation with the help of Kagome. She didn't want to scare the child with her knowledge, so she thought it best they work this out together.

"I think it be time for ye to get some sleep. Tomorrow will prove to be a big day and we would want ye rested. Ye too, Inuyasha, sleep is not only good for the body but it does a tired mind good as well." Kaede spoke as she patted Inuyasha's head and made her way to her bed roll.

"I think that's a wonderful idea. I've had enough sake." Kagome slurred. She went to her sleeping bag and threw it over herself, only covering half her body as she fell into a deep sleep when her head hit her pillow.

Inuyasha smirked slightly at the sight of her and pulled the rest of her sleeping bag over her so that she wouldn't catch cold over night. He fell into a trance like state as he watched the rise and fall of her body under the bag. He could hear her steady heart beat and it was very comforting to him.

'I should have known not to be suspicious of her.' Inuyasha thought with a smile.

'Don't be so quick to trust. I will give her the benefit of the doubt, but she is still a human wench and you need to watch out for what is yours and NEVER turn your back to her or anyone for that matter.' The vicious voice broke through.

'I'll watch out for her, don't you worry.' Inuyasha tiredly thought back.

'She's yours and YOURS alone. Remember that, Inuyasha.' The voice said harshly and faded away.

"Mine." Inuyasha mumbled as deep sleep found him as he sat in a corner with his back against the wall.

A/N

Wow, when I said I was in one of those moods, I really meant it. Thanks to my reviewers, you are the greatest! I like signed reviews because I like to have the opportunity to read and comment on your works as well and don't worry, I have yet to be mean, I am honest when I sign reviews and I expect no less from you as well. Thanks for reading this far!

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