Well, I got several reviews telling me to update soon, so I did as soon as I was able. What a busy weekend! Sorry to keep you all waiting, tons of time-consuming stuff popped up, so I couldn't update! IT DROVE ME MAD! Anyway, here is my next installment in this odd fanfic.

Protector

The night turned colder, the wind picked up, and it made the night very frigid for a summer night. The figure outside Kagomes' window shifted position, making sure of their position on the window ledge. While the ledge was wide, you could never be too careful on a windy night like that.

Damn it… it's windy out tonight! Whatever possessed me to sit out here? But I can't leave now, especially after hearing that. She needs watching over, and Arani needs her sleep. It's not like I can just waltz in there tomorrow morning and act like I wasn't mad… she need to apologize or something first.

Yet, in spite of his annoyance, Inuyasha stayed there all night, vanishing as soon as the sun rose. At that time, he escaped to his room to sleep until it was his shift to sit with Kagome. Technically, since she was awake and on the mend, it was no longer necessary. However, she was still in need of rest, and should have company. Besides, Arani had been sitting up with her, and Inuyasha felt she could use a day off. He woke around eleven, took a hot shower and got dressed. He went down to the kitchen and heated up two steaming cups of instant ramen. Grabbing two spoons and tucking two cans up soda between his elbow and chest, he headed upstairs to Kagomes' room.

Suddenly Inuyasha walked into her room, carrying two cups of ramen and two cans of soda. Was he bringing her lunch? Wasn't he still mad at her? Not that she cared, because she was really hungry.

"What are you staring at?" Inuyasha snapped.

"N-Nothing." She stammered.

Oh great, He IS still mad…now what do I do?

Why is she staring at me? She looks hungry. I'll feed her, but that doesn't mean I have to stop acting mad.

Inuyasha walked over and set the food on the little table that fit over the bed, like in a hospital. He then plunked down in the chair next to the bed, picked up one of the ramen cups, and started to eat. Kagome continued to watch him, wondering what the hell he was doing. Suddenly, he stopped and looked at her.

"What are you waiting for? EAT! You don't need my permission!"

"This is for me?"

"Who else would it be for? You're hurt, if ya hadn't noticed, and you need to eat!"

"I know that, but it's just-"

"What?"

"…"

"Spit it out!"

"Well, no guy has ever been so… so… nice to me before. That's all."

"Whatever. It's just that I can't let you starve."

Kagome reached out and grabbed the ramen, then began eating. It was instant food, not unusual, but she had expected a wealthy home like this to have fancier food. Not that she minded, this was what she was used to. Thinking that made her let out a small "hmph" of laughter. Inuyasha glanced at her.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"I was just thinking about how I thought a place this fancy would have more elegant food."

"We can if we want. I just prefer this food, so Arani orders it."

"That's fine, this is what I've eaten all my life."

Neither of them said anything more. They finished eating in silence. Kagome thought he would strike up a conversation, but he didn't. Instead, he pulled and iPod out of his pocket then put the headphones on and turned the music up. He closed his eyes and leaned back, ignoring her completely. She looked at him and realized that he was more handsome than she had first though. His long white hair fell to his waist, and he looked really good in those jeans and sleeveless shirt. He was also very toned.

Not that any good- looking guy like him would ever go for me.

After a while, she couldn't take it anymore. The quiet was killing her.

"Um… Inuyasha?"

"What do you want?"

"I wanted to ask you something…"

"What is it now?"

"I wanted to know…. You're grandmother invited me to stay here…"

"I know that. She said you could stay until you were ready to move on. I'm not that stupid."

"She asked me to stay as your permanent guest."

Of course I know that. I heard it. But she can't know that.

"And?"

"She said it would be alright with you. But I wanted to ask you for myself."

"Feh. Like I care. It's her house, and I'll be outta here in a year anyway."

"What?"

"I'm moving to the city. I'm sick of this upper-crust crap. I'll move to the city where I can live my own life."

"The city's very different from that Inuyasha."

"How would you know?"

"Because that's where I came from."

Even Inuyasha was shocked at this. He had no idea this girl had come from the city. Where else would she have come from? He should've known, but he had just assumed she was a country girl who had come a long way.

"YOU? From the city?"

"Why is that so incredible?"

"Nevermind. It isn't important."

Liar. You just don't want to open up to me.

He appeared to go back to listening to his music. Kagome knew it was no use, and drifted off to sleep. Inuyasha opened his eyes when he was sure she was sleeping.

She's from the city? I would never have guessed it. Maybe later, she can tell me about it some more.

The sunlight, heat, and music seemed to act as a sleeping spell, and Inuyasha soon fell asleep as well.

He was riding in the train next to his mother, when suddenly, it began to shake and rattle. His mother screamed, and his father ran to investigate. He came stumbling back, and hurriedly explained the situation to his mother. She turned to him as her father pulled their luggage out of the hatch, along with all the blankets he could find.

"Inuyasha! Lie down on the floor!"

Sensing the terror in her voice, he did as he was told, as his mother and father laid the luggage around them, and the blankets over them, in a futile attempt to protect. Suddenly, the shaking stopped, as the car flew off the tracks. During its flight, his mother squeezed him tight.

"No matter what happens Inuyasha, I love you."

"And I do too, my son." Added his father.

"I love you both."

Then the impact came and he blacked out.

Kagome had been watching him, obviously in the midst of a bad dream. He suddenly gasped and sat up straight. The instant she heard him gasp, she had laid back down and pretended to be asleep. It was five o'clock anyway, and Arani would be coming soon. Sure enough, just after Inuyashas' breathing had returned to normal, Arani walked in, carrying a tray, on which was balanced three plates of oriental chicken salad. She pulled up a chair next to Inuyasha and sat.

"I thought we should all enjoy a meal together."

"Thank you Arani."

"Yeah. Thanks grandma."

"You're welcome.

They ate in silence, yet for some reason, Inuyasha rushed through his dinner, hastily excused himself, and left.

I wonder if it had anything to do with his bad dream?

Well after Arani left, Kagome was drifting off to sleep, still preoccupied with Inuyashas' strange behavior. Her eyelids were getting heavier, until she could no longer keep awake. Just before she closed her eyes, she thought she saw someone outside her window. But then she blinked, and they were gone.

Well, there ya go… sorry it took so long. And yes, it IS another cliffhanger. I found that it is easier for me to prevent writer's block if I do that, so I have something to work off. I will not be taking so long to post for a while, so rest assured that the next chapter will be up shortly. Thanks, Twilight.