Regression: a defense mechanism in which you flee from reality by assuming a more infantile state.
As soon as Kagome was sure that Inuyasha was in fact asleep she called the group over to help her dress his wounds. It took a while to detach Inuyasha from Kagome's waist but once they had it went by rather quickly. He was no longer in critical condition and all he needed was rest.
Seeing that Inuyasha was going to be okay Kagome decided to make a quick trip to the hot springs that were nearby. After she was washed clean of the blood and grim she climbed out and started dressing herself. Just as she finished dressing she hear something that had her racing to back to the campsite.
What Kagome had heard was Sango and Miroku calling her back to the site. Inuyasha had woken up and didn't seem to recognize anyone and had backed himself up against a tree. If anyone came near his he would either flinch back or try to scare them away. That was how it looked when Kagome rushed into the campsite.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Kagome questioned.
Hearing Kagome's voice Inuyasha glanced over in her direction. Once he caught sight of her he scurried on over and hid behind her back. It was very much like how a little kid hides behind his mother's skirt when he's feeling shy or frightened. Now if the situation wasn't so serious they might have laughed at the whole thing. Here was Inuyasha who was a good head taller than Kagome and hiding behind her.
Kagome glanced over at the hanyou that was behind her and back at the group in front of her. She was utterly confused. "What happened here?"
"He woke up and when we went over to see how he was he freaked. I think he thought that we were going to hurt him. So we yelled for you to come and calm him down." Miroku explained.
"What's wrong with Inuyasha? Doesn't he recognize us?" Shippo asked from Sango's shoulder.
"I don't think he does. Though Kagome seems to have been able to form a connection with him. Do you know what's wrong with him?" Sango turned to Kagome and asked her.
Kagome seemed thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "Why don't you guys make camp somewhere else tonight? I'll talk to him and try to find out what he knows. Then maybe later I can reintroduce you guys to him."
Seeing as no one else had a suggestion they did as they were told. After they were gone from sight Kagome tuned around to face Inuyasha. She sat down on the ground and Inuyasha imitated her. "Hi Inuyasha. Do you know who I am?"
He just shook his head.
"I'm Kagome. Do you know who those people were? The ones you saw when you woke up?"
Once again he shook his head.
"Well then why don't you tell me a little about yourself? Your life.Will you do that for me?"
Inuyasha shook his head and opened his mouth to speak. "I'm Inuyasha and I'm seven. My mother just dieda little while ago.I never knew my father, butmother used to tell me lots of stories about him. How he was a great deamon lord and how he was so poweful! I think I have a brother toobut I've never met him before so I'm not sure."
Kagome managed to hide her shock at the hanyou's response. "I'm sorry for the lose ofyour mother Inuyasha. I'm sure she was a wonderful woman. I bet you really miss her."
"Yeah. She was the only one who was ever really nice to me. The people in the place I used to live wouldn't play with me. They exclude me from their game with the ball. They said something about me being a half-breed. You won't do that will you?" Inuyasha asked her.
"No I won't. Where are you staying now?" Kagome questioned.
He shrugged.
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "You don't have anywhere to stay?"
He shook his head.
"Well why don't you stay with me? It won't be a problem and I have a few friends I want you to meet. What do you say?"
Inuyasha's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be great!"
Kagome giggled as she stood up and brushed the grass from her skirt. "Well come on I have a few friends I want you to meet."
When she started to walk in the direction of the camp Inuyasha scrambled to his feet. Running he soon caught up with her. Once he did he attentively reached out and grabbed her hand. Turning around and seeing the worried look on his face she offered him a reassuring smile and gave his hand a light squeeze.
Half breed is all I ever heard.
Half breed; how I learned to hate the word.
Half breed; "He's no good," they warned.
Both sides were against me since the day I was born.
-Half-Breed: Cher
