Regression: a defense mechanism in which you flee from reality by assuming a more infantile state.
When Inuyasha and Kagome returned to the campsite everyone was curious about what was going on. So much that they chose not to comment on the fact that Inuyasha was still holding on to Kagome's hand.
"Inuyasha this is Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara. They're my friends." Kagome pointed out each member of the group as she spoke their names. "Everyone this is Inuyasha and he'll be staying with us from now on."
The group saw the look that Kagome was giving them and so instead of asking questions they greeted Inuyasha in return. It wasn't until Inuyasha and Shippo had fallen asleep by the fire did they talk about their current situation.
"So Kagome what is wrong with Inuyasha? He isn't acting like himself at all." Sango questioned.
"Well I can't be sure but I think he's gone back to his childhood. I don't think I've told you yet but when I found him he was hanging in a tree. It looked like he was beaten with in an inch of his life by some stupid village." Kagome explained with a melancholy look in her eyes.
Now Sango was angry. "They did what!"
"Shhhh!"
"Sorry but they did that? What's wrong with them!" Sango said in a much quieter voice.
"I don't know but I think it triggered something. In his mind his mom just died and he thinks he has an older brother somewhere but he's never met him. He also believes he's seven." Seeing the looks and Sango and Miroku's questioning looks she continued. "I don't know how it works but in his mind he's a child again."
"So what are we going to do know? It's not as if we can go shard hunting with Inuyasha thinking he's the same age as Shippo. This could prove to be a big problem." Miroku pointed out.
"I think we should camp out here. I'll take Kirara and go back to my time to see if I can find out anything else once Inuyasha is comfortable with you guys." Kagome suggested. "Until then we should just treat Inuyasha as if he's a little kid. Deal with him like you would deal with Shippo or any other small child."
"I guess that could work."
"We don't really have any other options."
"Well then I'm going to bed. See you guys in the morning." Kagome said as she pulled out her own sleeping bag. She fell asleep soon after she got in.
The Next Morning
Kagome woke up to find Shippo and Inuyasha crouched next to her sleeping bag. Not expecting it she squeaked and backed up. "You scared me half to death! Why are you two just sitting there anyway?"
"Inuyasha doesn't trust Sango and Miroku yet. He insisted on staying here until you woke up. I just kept him company so he wouldn't be lonely." Shippo explained. "He seems to like me better now."
While Shippo was explaining to as why they where waiting for Kagome to wake up Inuyasha kept to himself, he did however look a little happier now that Kagome was awake. He got up and followed Kagome as she made her way over to breakfast.
Throughout the morning Inuyasha kept close by to Kagome, helping out with chores like washing dishes and packing up. He also talked with Shippo but tried to avoid Miroku and Sango. It was getting close to afternoon and he hadn't interacted with anyone besides Kagome and Shippo.
Kagome was digging through her backpack when she came across something. Pulling it out to get a better look she broke out into a grin when she realized what it was. "I didn't know I had this with me!"
"What is it Kagome?" Shippo asked as he hopped onto her shoulder. Sango and Miroku also gathered around.
Inuyasha was even curious enough to overcome some of his shyness and had come closer to the rest of the group. Peering at the small object he lifted a hand and poked it with one of his clawed fingers. It felt like cloth but it appeared to be filled with something.
"It's called a hacky-sack. It's used in a game where I live." Still seeing their confused faces she explained further. "It's simple you use you're your body to try to keep it in the air. Mainly you use your feet and try not to touch it with your hands. You can play by yourself or with a group of people. Everyone scoot back and I'll show you."
Interested to see how it worked everyone made room for Kagome. Giving it a small toss Kagome started playing. Wherever the hacky-sack was her foot was. Bouncing it off her knee, shoulder, and even her head once. After a few minutes of it not hitting the ground Kagome caught it with her hand.
"Come on everyone let's play. Gather around in a circle." Kagome motioned to everyone until they where all in the circle. "Let's practice and see how far we get. If it comes to you just try to hit it to someone else."
It took a while but soon everyone was starting it get the hang of it. They were able to keep it off the ground longer and were beginning to have fun with it. Inuyasha gradually became more comfortable around Miroku and Sango.
By the time it was dinner everyone was tired and Inuyasha had opened up. He laughed and even sat closer to Miroku and Sango, a great improvement from before. Shippo and Inuyasha were the first ones asleep. Taking a spot by the fire with a spare sleeping bag. Leaving the other three alone to talk.
"I think Inuyasha's well enough for me to make a quick trip to my time. I can take Kirara in the morning and be back by lunch. Hopefully I'll be able to find out something that'll help Inuyasha get better quicker." Kagome explained.
"Sounds good to me."
"Same here."
"Then first thing tomorrow I'll be off. I hope there's some useful information. We have to get Inuyasha back to normal as soon as possible. Who knows when Naraku or anyone else will strike again?"
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: Shania Twain
