Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews everyone! I'm so happy when I get them!

Chapter 8: The Eternal Promise

"They're what?!?" Sango cried out in alarm as Miroku told her about Inu Yasha going with Kagome to her home village.

"I just found out" Miroku explained "the master was showing Kagome the mirror so she could see her family. But when she did she saw that her father was depressed. The master was going to let her go but Kagome would leave him unless he came with her."

"But the master can't go out in public!" Sango cried "What if he gets taunted and transforms? Kagome won't know what to do, she doesn't even know that the master can transform!"

"I'm just as concerned as you are, but the master's already made up his mind" Miroku said calmly "She flashed him one smile and he melted."

"He's too lovesick to know what he's getting himself into" Sango said, pouting "and he's so stubborn he probably won't listen if we try to reason with him or try to talk him out of it."

"But at least that's a sign that he's falling in love with her" Miroku said reassuringly "and the fact that Kagome won't leave without him is a good sign that she feels the same way."

"Yeah but one good transformation and he'll be lost" Sango said with concern "What if he can't change back in time? He'll wreak havoc in the village and cause everyone to run in fear! Then they'll kill him!"

"You're thinking only about the negative" Miroku said, trying to calm her down "What if that doesn't happen and people actually accept him? Besides, we know that Kagome would never let him be tortured or hurt, she's too kindhearted for that."

"I still think this is a bad idea" Sango said.

"What's a bad idea?" Kagome asked, coming up to them.

"Inu Yasha going home with you lady Kagome" Miroku answered.

"Why?" Kagome said, puzzled "What's wrong?"

"We're just worried the master will be ridiculed" Sango explained "You have to admit, he's not the most pleasant person to be around"

"And his beastly appearance won't help" Miroku added.

"I know" Kagome said "But I would defend him if he were ever in trouble! You know I wouldn't let him be hurt!"

Miroku and Sango exchanged glances of uncertainty "Just…be careful" Miroku said after a brief awkward silence.

"Don't worry" Kagome said in a determined tone "I promise, I won't let anything happen to Inu Yasha, and that's a promise I fully intend to keep."

Miroku and Sango stared as a look of deep care and sympathy glazed over Kagome's eyes. They gave each other looks of subtle hope and happiness. It seemed Kagome was growing fonder and more protective, maybe even growing to love, their master. Maybe, just maybe, it was a good idea to let Inu Yasha travel with Kagome alone. It would give them time to get to know each other better. Miroku shot Kagome a smile "You'd better go and finish getting ready; you're supposed to leave in about ten minutes."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly wait a whole ten minutes!" Kagome said, starry-eyed and smiling as she walked out of the room "I've waited so long to see my family again, I can't believe how lucky I was that Inu Yasha agreed to even let me go home, let alone come with me!"

When she had gone, Sango shot Miroku a killing stare and slapped him hard on the arm "You idiot!" she yelled "why didn't you tell her about the transformations?"

"The same reason you didn't" Miroku said, rubbing his sore arm.

Sango looked away "I guess neither of us wanted to bring her down" she said "Kagome looked so happy just now, like she'd never been more thrilled. To burden her with the heavy responsibility of the master's transformations…would be like stabbing a playful little puppy."

"Does this mean I get to touch you know?" Miroku asked hopefully, his hentai side getting the better of him.

"NO!" Sango shouted, slapping him hard across the face.

Kagome and Inu Yasha were just about to leave the castle, for the first and last time in a while. "You ready for this?" Inu Yasha asked, holding out his arm.

"As long as I'm with you" Kagome said, linking her arm with his "I'm ready for anything."

With that the two of them started on their journey through the forest that separated the castle from the village. They walked in complete silence, with the exception of the chirping of birds and rustling of the leaves in the wind. Inu Yasha couldn't help but have second thoughts, what if he was taunted? Would he be saved in time? Would he lose his human heart forever? It was times like this that he felt great resentment toward Kikyo, the woman who placed this curse on him. He looked over to Kagome, who walked beside him with the same look of deep thought plastered on her face. He fought the first impulse to attack, thinking for a moment, that she was in fact Kikyo, so much alike he thought. From their looks alone, no one would be able to tell the difference between the two. No, that's not entirely true Inu Yasha thought they differ by their eyes. Kikyo's eyes were blunt and shallow, they held no emotion. But Kagome's eyes, they're full of wonder and concern for every living creature. One look and you can get lost in them; they're so deep and almost mesmerizing. And they're different in personality, Kikyo's always seemed…angry and vengeful. But Kagome's always in deep thought, and though you can never be sure what it is exactly that she's thinking, it's almost inevitable she's thinking of you. Ways to make you happy, things that can she do to help make your life full of joy and delight. She almost never thinks about herself.

Kagome glanced at Inu Yasha from where she walked what is he thinking? She thought as they walked. "Inu Yasha?" she said finally "are you okay?"

Inu Yasha was snapped out his thoughts by her sudden question and quickly replied "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You just seem kind of…out of it" Kagome said cautiously lest she upset him "so I thought maybe you were having doubts about this."

"A few doubts yes" Inu Yasha said truthfully.

"But why?" Kagome said "You have nothing to fear."

"Yes I do" Inu Yasha retorted "and you know that as well as I do."

Kagome looked away "you're worried about the villagers' reactions when we arrive aren't you?" she said matter of factly.

Inu Yasha only looked away "Even so" he said "I said I would come with you and I intend to keep my word."

Kagome smiled "thank you" she whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"What luck!" Koga yelled out in happiness as he clinked beer glasses with Naraku and Ginta.

"You're sure they're coming home?" Naraku said tones of seriousness after he took a sip of his beer.

"That's the latest gossip in the village" Ginta said, nodding "when I was out in the village today, everyone was talking about it. Apparently, the girl is being escorted home by the very same monster that took her away from home."

"Great then we can do it tonight!" Koga said happily.

"Not so fast" said Naraku "We'll need time to plan this a little more, it is likely that Inu Yasha has already told Kagome about his transformations so we must do it when they are separated."

"How will we do that?" Koga said, annoyed with all the planning and deception their scheme required.

"When they arrive, it is most likely that Kagome will want to take Inu Yasha to the town to show him the village, it is then that we must somehow distract Inu Yasha or Kagome long enough to separate the two of them. Which is where you come in Koga" Naraku explained.

Inu Yasha blushed as Kagome rested her head on his shoulder. It was nearly noon and they were nearing the village. With each step Inu Yasha grew more and more worried about the outcome of this visit. Should he tell Kagome about his transformations? He didn't want to reveal more about the curse than he had to but this seemed like an emergency. "Kagome…" he began.

"Inu Yasha I want to make a promise to you" Kagome interrupted before he could explain "I can't stand the thought of you being so worried for your life."

Inu Yasha seemed surprised by her remark and gave her a questioning glance "What kind of promise?" he inquired.

"Give me your hand" Kagome said, not bothering to explain "I, Kagome Higurashi, do solemnly swear that I will not allow you to be harmed in any way, be it physically or emotionally, I will do everything in my power to stop it."

With that she let go of Inu Yasha's hand and smiled at him "There" she said triumphantly "I just made you and eternal promise!"

Inu Yasha couldn't help but smile with gratitude "Thanks Kagome" he said. He couldn't burden her with the transformations now, it just wouldn't be right. He would explain to her later. He looked straight ahead as the two of them neared the village entrance.

"You know what to do now?" Naraku said sadistically.

"Yup" Koga said just as maniacally "as soon as they're separated, the taunting begins and once he transforms…"

"We'll kill him once and for all" Naraku said, laughing evilly as they clinked glasses once more.

Author's note: dun dun DUN lmao sorry about the long update, took a while to get some computer time in between the tests they've piled on us! Any way, check out my new story, Only Hope! And don't forget to check out Love Conquers All as well! See yaz l8er Ja ne!