Chapter 24

Kagome winced as she woke- there was still a lot of pain from her wounds. Kaede immediatly came over with food and water.

"Aye, ye are awake. Well, that's always a good thing. Here, some water and fish. Ye should eat soon; ye've been unconscious for about a day." Kaede explained. Kagome rubbed her throbbing head.

"I see... oh, that hawk youkai." Kagome took the food and water from Kaede. "Thank you." she said simply. Kaede nodded. Kagome looked around the room, and she noticed that Inuyasha wasn't there. "Kaede? Where's Inuyasha?" she asked.

"He has gone to find a new guardian for the Shikon no Tama." Kaede said as if it were a simple task.

"What!" Kagome cried. Why did he go and do that?

"He values yer life far too much to keep the jewel around. He fears that someday he may not be able to protect ye." Kaede explained. Kagome frowned. I'm such a burden... Kaede picked up on what Kagome was thinking immediatly.

"He does not think of ye as a burden, Kagome. He loves ye with all his heart, and he does not want to lose ye. When ye were gone, he sat at the bottom of that well digging his way through. He never got anywhere, but nevertheless he spent every waking moment clawing at the dirt." Kaede replied. Kagome was shocked.

"He... he did that?" she asked quietly.

"Aye, he did." Kaede reassured. "Ye should eat and rest." she ordered as she left the hut to collect more herbs. Kagome sighed. He really does want to settle down and live with me... Kagome smiled as she began to eat her fish.

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"When is Inuyasha coming back?" Shippou whined. "He's been gone for almost the whole day!"

"Calm down, Shippou, i'm sure he has a reason." Sango reassured the annoyed kitsune. "It will be hard to find a new guardian for the Shikon no Tama."

"I know, but... but Kagome will be upset if he isn't here soon." Shippou pointed out. "I don't like to see mommy upset."

"I know, Shippou. You know what, though? Inuyasha loves Kagome with all his heart. He wouldn't leave now. He'll be back soon. Do you honestly think that he'll stay away from Kagome for too long?" Sango laughed. Shippou smiled.

"You're right! Thanks Sango!" Shippou cried happily as he snuggled into Kirara. Sango smiled sweetly at the kitsune and the two-tailed cat. She gave Kirara a quick scratch behind the ears before going to sit beside Miroku by the God's tree.

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I hope Kagome's okay. I've been gone almost the whole day. Keh. No one would take the jewel... but... that's alright now. The jewel is gone. I was able to destroy it... Inuyasha smiled. It was hard... but I did it. Kagome... Kagome can you hear me? I did it for you. Inuyasha had almost reached Kaede's village in the midst of all of his thoughts. Inuyasha frowned as he recalled the events that had taken place before. That hawk youkai... I... I was able to kill it. It was easy to defeat... but he caught us off guard. I can't let that happen again. I can't let Kagome get hurt. I will protect her. Inuyasha's gaze was diverted to a small rustling in the bushes.

"Who's there?" he asked in an agitated tone. He really didn't have time for this.

"Inu...yasha?" the meak voice came. Inuyasha recognized the woman from the village.

"Oi. Yeah, i'm Inuyasha. Whaddya want?" he snarled. The woman shook her head.

"Nothing. I was just out gathering herbs to help Kaede-baba-chan." the woman replied. "What happened to you?" she asked. His dishevelled state worried her. Was there a youkai that was a danger to the village?

"Keh! It's nothing." he replied. Well... it isn't anymore... Inuyasha looked at the woman.

"That's good. I shall head back to the village now." the woman bowed goodbye and left to present Kaede with the herbs. The woman shook her head. There is something different about him. I can't quite put my finger on it. I've only ever met him twice, and i've never talked to him up close before... but something was off. Heh. Doesn't help that i'm going blind, I suppose. The woman chuckled to herself. With these eyes lately, everyone looks different.

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"Hey, you're awake!" Sango cheered as she saw Kagome finishing up her fish. Kagome smiled and nodded. Sango smiled and sat down next to her best friend. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling a lot better, actually." Kagome lied. She was physically better, but she was worried sick about Inuyasha. Sango could see the worry in Kagome's eyes.

"Don't worry, Kagome. He'll be back soon." she comforted her friend. Kagome looked up at her.

"Heh, guess you can see right through me." she laughed. She was glad that she had such a close friend. "I just hope he hasn't done anything too wreckless..." Kagome sighed. Sango smirked.

"Oh, you know he has. This is Inuyasha we're talking about, after all!" Sango laughed. Kagome smiled weakly. She knew that Sango meant well, but it wasn't making her feel any better about the overall situation. Sango looked at her friend sympathetically.

"Oh, Kagome! Don't worry! Inuyasha will be fine, I know it! He's never let your down so far, has he?" Sango said. Kagome chuckled lightly.

"Well, nothing too bad to let me down." she conceded. Sango hugged he best friend.

"That's the Kagome we all know and love! Now come on! Let's get up and go outside for a walk! You're in serious need of fresh air." Sango prodded. Kagome finally gave in and the two left to go for a quiet stroll- minus Miroku- they wanted it to be peaceful.

The two girls had been walking for roughly a half hour before Kagome had begun to feel a little dizzy.

"Guess all that's happened caught up with me!" she laughed. Sango helped Kagome sit down; her back was resting against the God's tree.

"Sorry! I wasn't thinking. We should have stopped sooner to let you rest." Sango apologized. Kagome just shook her head.

"No, no! I'm fine, Sango! Really!" Kagome chirped. Sango exhaled with relief.

"I'm just glad that you're alright." Sango smiled. Kagome got that forlorn look in her eyes again. Sango noticed it right away. "You're worrying about him again, aren't you?" she asked. Kagome nodded.

"I can't help it, Sango. It just... it just worries me that he's been gone almost the whole day. I trust him, and I know that he's strong enough to protect himself... but I... I still worry about him." Kagome trailed off. Sango nodded in understanding.

"I know how you feel, Kagome. Truly, I do. When Miroku leaves for whatever reason I panic if he isn't back as soon as he said he would be. I love him too much to let anything happen to him... but you know what? He always comes back." Sango said reassuringly. Kagome smiled lopsidedly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Kagome rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Mind if we go back to Kaede's? I'm a little tired." Kagome confessed. Sango helped the tired girl up and walked by her side back to Kaede's hut where she could rest.

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Inuyasha sniffed the air carefully once he had reached the God's tree. They were here not too long ago... Kagome and Sango. I... I can smell Kagome's worry. I hope she's not worried about me... Inuyasha shook his head. No matter. I'll be back by her side in a few minutes. She won't have anything to worry about anymore. I will never leave her side. Inuyasha looked down at his hands triumphantly. She doesn't even need to worry about the jewel anymore. Inuyasha smiled as he made his way to Kaede's hut, attempting to avoid as many people as possible- he just wanted to get to Kagome as fast as he could. He was able to dodge Miroku, Sango, Shippou, Kirara, Kaede, and pretty much everyone else. He pushed aside the curtain that covered the doorway of Kaede's hut, only to find a sleeping Kagome. She looks so peaceful... Inuyasha rested Tetsaiga down beside Kagome as he settled in beside her; his back against the wall. He waited patiently for Kagome to awake, and for Kagome to hear his wonderful news.

Kagome's eyes fluttered open slowly. I really needed that rest. I wonder... is Inuyasha back yet? Kagome rolled over on the cot and bumped into a very farmiliar person- Inuyasha. Inuyasha immediately threw his arms around her.

"Kagome." he whispered. "I have wonderful news."

"Inuyasha... you're finally back. I was worried." she confessed. Inuyasha held her tighter.

"I got rid of the jewel." he said quickly. Kagome opened her eyes and looked at Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha!" she cried. He... what happened? Inuyasha smiled.

"The jewel is gone, Kagome. I got rid of it. It's gone forever. Never again will it bring pain and suffering to anyone." he chimed as he pushed a few stray hairs out of her eyes. Kagome still looked upon him in shock.

"Inuyasha, you-" she began before she was interrupted.

"I know... I know what I did. It was... it was the only way to get rid of the jewel. I... I had to do it. I had to make sure that you would be safe." Inuyasha said, nuzzling his nose into her hair. Tears made their way down Kagome's cheeks.

"You... you did this... for me?" she asked.

"Yes." he replied simply. He looked deep into her warm eyes. Kagome peered back into his, seeing for the first time just how far he would go to keep her safe.

"Inuyasha... are you... are you sure?" she asked. "I mean... you did it so willingly." Just as Inuyasha was about to reply, he was interrupted by a very shocked group of Miroku, Sango, and Kaede.

"Inuyasha..." Miroku started.

"You..." Sango continued.

"Aye. I figured this would happen." Kaede smiled. Miroku shook his head.

"But you- you...you're human!"