I do not own InuYasha or the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The Lost Chapters: True Feelings Revealed Part 2

Kagome walked straight for Kaede's hut when she entered the village. She knew Kaede would have something for her aching body if not her aching heart. She paused and took a deep breath outside the door mat before walking inside. The old miko* noticed something was wrong immediately. Kagome sat down after removing her shoes and explained everything to her, eager to tell someone. As she explained Kaede began taking out herbs to treat her bruises. Inuyasha was close by sitting in a tree, listening to the women converse. He did feel guilty that she got hurt, but he wasn't about to apologize. It would have to wait until they caught up with their friends. He figured she would be more civil around them.

Kaede waited for the young girl to finish her side of story before giving her opinion. She didn't want to interrupt her, especially when she probably wasn't going to agree with her response. "Well, you can and you can't blame Inuyasha for the way he behaves," the old miko started to explain. Kagome thought she knew where she was going with this and didn't like it. She needed someone on her side. Where was Sango when she needed her? "He feels responsible for Kikyo's demise and upset that he hasn't avenged her death yet. Finding Naraku has become an obsession to him, since he found out the truth. He feels like he owes Kikyo his life, his heart, his friendship over yours. Even if he didn't betray her, he feels that he is now despite the fact that she isn't human," Kaede continued. Kagome looked taken aback, "Why, Inuyasha would never betray anyone? He's actually a decent guy when he's not being rude," Kagome defended him, "Can he not be my friend and care about Kikyo?" she asked. Kaede started spreading the herb concoction onto some bandages. "No, I'm afraid my sister realizes the truth behind the relationship between you and Inuyasha," Kaede continued. Kagome began to blush, "What relationship?! There's nothing between us. He is the first person I met over here, my first friend on this side of the well, that's all," Kagome blurted out in frustration. Inuyasha wasn't hers; they weren't together. She couldn't like someone so tactless and rough, but he did have some redeeming qualities; he always came to save her and made sure she was okay. Kagome let out a long sigh. Now she didn't know what she wanted, she was so confused.

Kaede began wrapping the bandages around the young girl's rib cage, where her skin was already turning purple. "These are simple herbs that you can find while you're off looking for jewel shards. Make sure you reapply this salve by tomorrow, you can find comfrey* growing in damp grassy areas," Kaede instructed her. Kagome nodded and pulled her shirt down over the bandages.

The old miko observed Kagome while she was deep in thought:

What is Inuyasha to me anyway, we are always together, if not originally by choice. He is always saving me no matter how much he groans about it. Maybe Kikyo feels like I'm taking him away from her, but that's not what I want….is it? Kagome was really trying to work out her feelings, but another thought hit her.

"That doesn't explain why he has to be so rude, I mean why does he save me and then chew me out for it later? Wouldn't it be easier to just let me be killed by some priestess devouring demon. Saves him the trouble and then he can have the jewel all to himself," Kagome declared. "Child, you know that isn't true, don't you think there's a reason that Inuyasha is stronger and more confident around you. He needs you, you need him and he does want to protect you. It's also something that he couldn't do for Kikyo," Kaede revealed. Kagome never thought about that: was Inuyasha trying to mend the past by taking care of her? She got quiet again and Kaede moved about the room preparing vegetables for a stew. The young girl got up and went outside. Kaede knew that she had changed her perspective of the situation.

Kagome walked through the village nonchalantly, meandering about. She stopped and found herself at the edge of the forest. She looked up to find Inuyasha in a tree to her left. He had been silently following her and she turned quickly from his gaze. He leapt down with ease and walked over to her. "Why are you acting all weird?" he interrogated her. He wasn't sure what was up, but he figured she wasn't as angry as before. There was no way the half demon was going to admit he'd been listening. At least the old miko did the explaining for me, he thought. As he walked closer to her she took a step backward and looked at him apprehensively. He stopped then and just looked at her questioningly. He wasn't sure what to make of her actions and she smelled strange to him. The silence was torturing him, he couldn't take it anymore. "Kagome, I...I'm…" he couldn't finish, but he wanted to say something. The awkward silence stretched between them, but she wasn't sure what she wanted to do. She was still confused about her feelings. If she did want to be with Inuyasha that would change things…..change everything. When she looked at him again he was staring at the ground, still unable to get the words out of his throat. It was as if they were trapped there and she would never be able to hear his voice again. The thought saddened her. She really did care for Inuyasha and she wanted him to feel the same. But she knew his heart belonged to Kikyo.

Kagome stared off into the forest "We should get going soon, it'll be getting dark and Sango and Miroku will be expecting us. We shouldn't make them worry. Hopefully, everything went well and they were able to get the jewel shard," Kagome said a bit too cheerful at the end in an attempt to hide her true feelings. Inuyasha looked at her, but decided that this was as close as they would come to a truce. "Yeah, you're right; I'll go get your things from Kaede, it'll be quicker," Inuyasha offered. He left in a flash of red and she waited by the edge of the village. She couldn't shake the feeling of someone watching her, but she didn't sense or see anyone. Inuyasha reappeared just as quickly as he had left and handed her the backpack and bow and arrows. He tucked his arms into his sleeves and they started into the forest. Kagome was glad that he didn't offer to carry her on his back.

*miko - priestess
*comfrey - herb to help heal bruises