A/N: To help you better understand what happens, Inu Yasha drew two pictures last chaper. One before the flashback thing, and one during it. Before he could look at the second one he stuffed it inside his book and pulled out the first one.

Chapter Eleven

Not Alone

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When the friendly sunshine smiled, and she would mark the opening skies, I saw no heaven, but in her eyes.'

Tamerlane E.A. Poe

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A peice of paper fluttered from his book and drifted cross the feild, grabbed by Inu Yasha before it had a chance to rest on the ground. He scooped it up and pressed it to his chest while he inhaled, and waited for his breathing to regulate. He tried to shove away the pain in his body from running but it hurt so much. He cringed slightly as he limped back to the tree.

He unfolded the now crinkled paper and straightened it on his leg. He almost stopped breathing when he saw the picture he had drawn. It was his mother. He didn't even realize it until he had stopped to examine it, but the second he saw the picture he could tell, it was her. The hair, the eyes, the ears, even the smile, it was all hers. He was amazed he could draw at all, but this was just amazing! He couldn't help but smile at it. It just looked so pretty.

Whats that?

he nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard her speak. What-?! Oh, its just you Kagome. His bristled hair settled. Sorry, you scared me. he laughed. She sat beside him.

Can I see it? she asked, smiling coyly.

He he looked between the paper and the girl, taking his time to decide whether to let her see it or not. He usually didn't like anyone looking at his pictures. It made him feel embarrased. Hesitantly, he handed her the wrinkly sheet. She took it careflly, handling it as if it would break if she touched it too roughly. The look on her face was one of happiness, surprise, and amusement. Its beautiful Inu Yasha. she said slowly. But it was! Every detail and line was drawn perfectly. I never knew you were an artist.

He laughed quietly Neither did I.The person in this picture looks familiar, who is she? she asked suddenly, breaking a momentary silence that had befallen the two.

I ...don't think that she's a face you'd see around here. he said, his voice a little shaky.

What do you mean? she asked.

Kagome, my mom died years ago. he said. It never hurt as much to say that as it did now. Then again, he never really talked about his mom. She died when I was little. You'd have to have a pretty good memory to remember her face, even if you did see her once. He laughed bitterly.

She gasped slightly. Inu...I'm...so sorry. She looked so upset. I didn't meant to bring up such bad memories. Forgive me. She bowed her head.

It's okay. he said and patted her back. Really, I don't mind. She died a long time ago. I'm over it. Don't worry.

She looked up at him and he was surprised to see that her eyes were brimming with tears. And her eyes... They looked so different now. They had taken on a more dark, grey, stormy look, much unlike their usual bright sky blue colour. He gulped. Did he say something wrong? She looked like she was about to cry. Aren't you sad at all? she finally said. I mean .... she's your mom. she sniffed twice and looked up at him, her eyebrows pointed upwards toward the center of her fore head. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and spoke again. I mean, I know it's been a long time since she died, but still.... That's such a hard thing to get over.... She drfted off and her voice quieted.

He held out his hand. Its raining, Kagome. he said. You should get home.Are you going home as well? she asked, her sobs quieting.

he answered. No. Not yet.Then I wont leave. she said.

I dont want you to catch a cold because of me. he said. I don't want you to get sick. She sneezed.

Well, it's too late for me, so I may as well stay. she said, laughing sarcastically. Asides, I could use the company. You always make me feel better. He got up and unzipped his jacket.

He handed her the jacket. It'll keep you warm. he said, looking out to the horizon. The rain was coming down thickly now, he could hardly see in front of him. He decided it wouldn't be smart to go out into this kind of weather anyways, much less, let Kagome go into it. And leaving her alone was not an option. He sat beside her and looked out at the distance until his eyes hurt from the strain. Okay, enough of this, I am going to go blind if I keep doing this' He could feel a headache coming on already. But what was ahead of him was so foggy and blurry. It was hard to get a vlear veiw of it.

Kagome stretched out and yawned. Its cold out. she said.

Even with the jacket? It was wrapped tight over her shoulders.

Oh, I'm not cold. Se paused. You are.I ...am? He lifted an eyebrow. I'm not. What makes you think so?

She reached out and put her hand on top of his and pulled it up to his face. You're shaking. She was right. His hand was jittering in front of him. But he didn't feel cold. Maybe it was those demon powers or something. She held his hand in both of hers and closed her eyes. A moment later she uncupped her hands to reveal his. It wasn't shaking anymore. There! All better! She patted his hand and smiled, but didn't let go of it.

I love it when it rains. Inu Yasha said, looking up at the grey sky. It makes such pretty noises.They say that it rains because God is crying. She stated. Do you believe that?No, I don't believe in God. he said, watching her response. He knew some humans were very verbose in their belief in God'. But that was more of a human thing. His demon side didn't allow it. Maybe it's because someone else is crying.Like who? She asked.

Some lonely little girl. he shrugged. He turned to Kagome who looked as if she had just seen a ghost. No, it was more shocked than that. It was more like if she saw a ghost run around an apartment building naked, burn the building down, then go and shove a sword through the abdomen of a passerby. Then she laughed.

He turned over and sat on his shins, facing her. The rain on her red face made it look like she was crying. Maybe someone like you Kagome. He whiped a droplet of rain from her eyes with one of his slender fingers. She giggled softly and turned a bright shade of red.

She blushed! He made her blush! Sure, he had seen her happy, or sad, or angry, but never had he seen her blush. He was wondering if it was even poosible to embarrass her, but he had done it, and he couldnt help but smile at her flustered expression. She looked so cute when she was embarrased. A lonely little girl? she asked. Do I really look so pathetic right now? She grinned.

No, well, eh- I didn't mean it like that! he said, flailing his arms. What I mean is .. well.... Never mind. He sighed.

Well, I guess by some standards I could be considered alone. But not lonely. No. Definitely not lonely. she said, shaking her head.

How does that work? Is that even possible? I thought the two went hand in hand. he said, confused.

Well, what I mean to say is, I don't really have a lot of people I could consider my friends. I suppose it's just you Inu Yasha. But I'm not lonely. She paused, as if considering what to say next. Loneliness doesnt require the absence of everything, just the things you love the most, the things you need. She said, looking up into the sky with a serenely happy, though distant, look on her face, before she turned to him. Right Inu Yasha?

Wait a second! She said that he was all she had and that she wasnt lonely, and that to be lonely you have to be without the things you love so does that mean she loves him? No! Impossible, no one loves him. Though for some reason, thinking about what she said made him feel comforted. Like if he died tomorrow, somebody would miss him. Even though it would only be one person, er, make that two, including Shippou, he wouldn't feel sad about that. Then it clicked. Oh! I get it! Like. as long as theres one person out there who cares about you, and you care about them, it doesnt matter how many people there are. Like a quality over quantity thing, right?Sure! There, you got it. So would you consider yourself lonely? she asked, cocking her head to the side.

He paused and thought for a moment and then looked up at her and smiled.

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Author Notes

Does that satisfy you fluff craving? Well it better cause thats all you're getting outta me for a bit. Though the next couple chapters are very happy ones. Too happy if you ask me, I actually had to cut fluff out because it got too squishy. Anyways, please review!

Ahh, my holidays were good, and fattening. I gained four pounds! Waah! ::pinches flub:: Shoo! Anyways, im sorry this took so long, but you see, they took off my story Baka League' and then didnt let me update for a while so thats why, I would have updated sooner.