AN: I honestly didn't think my story would get any attention at all! So I'm glad to see some people have actually taken their time to read the first chapter and even review! (though it was only three of you I still think it's so sweet!) Kind of surprised we still have Inuyasha lovers even though the series ended quite a while ago, this makes me happy aw.

I DON'T OWN INUYASHA

His Touch

Chapter 2: Gather Around

A headache heavier than five elephants is what woke up Kagome the next morning. Groaning out of bed she took a look at her alarm clock that told her it was 8 am. Her body begged for more rest but her mind was up and running… away from her dreams.

Nightmares, really.

Struggling to distract herself she took a look at her address book with Kouga's number waiting to be acknowledged.

"Wouldn't hurt to try" Kagome's voice said to herself. So why was she so slow to react? A simple tippity-tap with her fingers and she would be hearing his livid voice in seconds. Why the delay? "I haven't touched a phone in well over 6 months." Little did she know she started shaking. Not trembling with fear of her past, this was different. Kagome recognized it too. "Great here comes those withdrawal symptoms my therapist so briefly talked about." She's experienced it before, and that's what turned her light shaking into an uncontrollable tremor. She couldn't breathe as more memories flashed through her eyes.

She couldn't breathe.

She couldn't scream.

She felt so paralyzed and weak as she started darting her eyes scanning the grey concrete walls looking for an escape from this windowless, claustrophobic room. And reality hit her when her eyes adjusted once again to the scenery of her pink wallpapered, rather large room she was sitting in. She gasped out for air finally with tears prickling her eyes. From the memories or from the lack of oxygen? Her knees finally gave in, because when they buckled she collapsed on the floor of her own room. Her shaking hands moved up to cradle her face, with eyes wide open in shock, she didn't blink once.

"Kagome!" her mom barged through the door to see her broken daughter on the floor shakily trying to hold in her sobs. "Oh Kagome!" her mom repeated as she slumped next her daughter holding her in her warm embrace. Tears rolled down Ms. Higurashi's face in place of her daughters who probably didn't process what really was going on yet. Kagome's body stiffened when her mother repositioned her so that her head lay on her lap. Kagome's hands didn't move from her face and her widened eyes didn't settle either. There was only her loud heavy breathing, which turned into hyperventilation in seconds. Kagome's mother couldn't recognize her own daughter. The one who came last night with the biggest smile on her face was the biggest disguise she's ever worn in the house.

She knew her experience was bad, she didn't know half the story really. Could it really have been so traumatizing? Therapy should be helping her in a couple of weeks' time, so Ms. Higurashi shouldn't have expected a huge difference in a one day' worth of therapy. But, what about the rehab? Shouldn't that had helped her at all?

Kagome's hyperventilation turned into sobs, very nasty and hard sobs. It soon turned into wailing as Kagome's hands moved to her ears as if trying to cancel out an ear shattering noise only she could hear. Her eyes shut ever so tightly and hot streams of salt water kept pouring out of her shut eyes.

Her mother's quiet tears streamed down her face as she continuously caressed Kagome's hair. She stared into the pink walls. "My flower is so withered. And I can't do anything about it" Kagome's mother thought metaphorically relating her daughter as her flower. She robotically continued to caress her flowers head as she continued to scream and wail. Her gaze never left the pink wall and it was almost as if she'd gone deaf because she didn't notice her daughter agonizing screams. But Souta and Grampa did. They ran into her room exactly the same way her mother did moments ago. Too shocked for words they mutely surrounded Kagome and her mother into a reassuring embrace.

"We're going to get through this" Grandpa said, not really sure if anybody heard him through Kagome's screams. "Kagome, dear…. We'll stay here for as long as it takes" he said as he tightened his grip around his family.

Until the volume of her screaming dimmed into sobs into snores. And everyone around her fell asleep uniformly.

Kagome woke up to find herself in a family dog pile. Everyone lying on top of each other, though it was reassuring to see that it was a dog pile of sleepy faces letting her know it was just an uncomfortable cuddle.

She raised her head up off her mothers' lap and remembered the events that have occurred until said time. Wait. What time is it now? 12pm.

"So I got 4 more hours of sleep", Kagome's thoughts ran through her, "at least I didn't get any dreams this time." Or one that she remembered anyway. How pathetic. She didn't even last a day without breaking down, and over what? Stupid withdrawal. Of course she couldn't tell her family that. They're shattered enough because of her as is. Well, not exactly because of her, but because of what happened to her.

12:02. And drowsiness seemed to defeat her again as she rested her head carefully on her mothers' lap and drifted off to another dreamless sleep.

Waking up again a good 6 hours later, Kagome found herself in bed. Odd, because she remembered falling asleep in a family pretzel. And that's when she regained another one of her senses and it was smell. The smell of oh, sweet, merciful oden filled the room and the scent only grew stronger as she followed it towards the kitchen.

"Glad to see you're up, dear" Kagome's mother greeted with a shy smile which Kagome returned as well. Sitting down at the tabled gave her déjà vu. It's been 6 months after all, and she wasn't sure if this feeling was making her uncomfortable that she lost her appetite or if it made her feel so safe she could literally live on this table with no second thoughts.

It was clearly feeling number two, because as soon as her mother let down steamy hot bowl of fresh oden in front of Kagome… Let's just say that she clearly didn't lose her appetite. On to her second bowl, then third, then what could have been fourth if she wasn't so full. Kagome's binge is what set the lively mood back at the table and loosen the tense atmosphere.

This could be served at a 5 star restaurant because of its exquisite taste. The fact that it's being served at the comfort of her own home felt like a blessing. Nothing beats her mother's cooking.

"Mama?" Kagome asked as she broke the silence (or broke the slurps of her family members finishing their meals).

"Yes dear?"

"Can I be homeschooled? I don't want to leave the shrine just yet and be faced up with all these questions people will be asking me at school."

"I don't see why not", her mother replied with a grin. Maybe it was for the best that she stayed away from society for a bit longer, the good news is that she is still set on having an education.

"Excuse me, I'm just going to use the phone for a bit" Kagome politely noted as she stood from the table.

"Who are you going to call?" chimed her mother.

"Ghost Busters!" Souta replied in place of his sister. But his cheerful voice was shut down to a whimper when his mom gave him the coldest look. "Too soon to be making light jokes I guess" Souta thought to himself.

Ms. Higurashi's eyes met Kagome's still waiting for an answer.

"Kouga." Kagome finally replied.

"And who might that be?" Her mother added trying to cover her worried tone of voice.

"A boy I met yesterday."

"A boy?"

"A Boy!?" Repeated Grandpa.

"OHH A BOY!" Souta said almost yelling.

"Yes, a boy" Kagome said as she observed her family warily.

"Do you think that's such a good idea, Kagome?' asked her mother, she didn't even try to mask the concern in her voice anymore.

"Yes, it is." Kagome said strongly. Wow it almost sounded convincing considering she was scared to make the phone call in the first place. "It's summer and I should be going out and getting used to my regular routine again" Kagome added basically copying exactly what her therapist said.

"Well… As long as you're careful then, I guess it will be alright." Her mother said with a weary smile. "let me know when you're done though, I need to make a phone call myself to your aunt."

"Got it!"

Kagome ran upstairs, grabbed her address book and ran back downstairs to their only room with a phone available. Maybe she should invest in getting herself a cell phone? Without thinking she did the tippity-tap dial and the line started to ring.

"Hello?" Kouga's voice came smoothly into her ear calming her nerves.

"Hi, it's Kagome." Kagome replied almost as smoothly as Kouga's voice. Surprising herself that her voice wasn't as shakily as she expected.

"I'm glad you called."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I thought I'd never hear the voice of the girl of my dreams ever again. You seemed pretty shocked when we first spoke I thought I might have scared you off or something."

"Nothing of the sort. I've had a rough couple of months with my share of relationships." Kagome's heart's beating, fast and hard. She wasn't lying though.

"Ah, I see… Afraid to start a new relationship 'cause your last man ended it badly with you?"

More like men.

"You don't have to worry, Kagome, I'll be there for you". Kagome's heart now fluttering at his words. "If I see the punk again I'd rip his throat out. No one does that to a beautiful young woman like you."

Wait. Did he know what has happened to her? Her heart skipped a beat and the hand holding the phone to her ear was now sticky with cold sweat.

"Hello…?"

"Kouga… Do you know what happened to me?" She asked so scared for his answer

"Of course I do. The asshole broke your heart probably for another woman." Kagome calmed down a little. Broke her soul more like.

"Yeah, something like that"

"You free tomorrow? I'd be glad to take you up on that ice cream date"

"Uhm, sure" Kagome's throat went dry. Does she really want to go outside with a boy she barely knew?

"Great! Let's meet back on that street from yesterday, uhh, near that coffee shop. Around… let's say 2pm?"

"Uh huh, sounds great, see you then!" Kagome's cheerful voice almost sounded convincing.

The phone line clicked and Kagome let out a big sigh as she put the phone down as well.

She's only ever been on one date and it was with Hojo. Man, did that one blow. The 3 hour long movie (more like documentary) on foods and pesticides seemed only interesting to Hojo while Kagome kept drifting back to sleep every 20 minutes struggling to stay awake. But this time was different. She's going out for ice cream, something she loved to do. Something she's only done once, yesterday, since…

"Kagome! Are you done on the phone?" Called out her mother.

"Yes Mama!" Kagome half yelled back.

Kagome's mom met her downstairs. "Remember that tutor you asked for to be homeschooled?" Kagome's mother said after two seconds of silence.

"Mm?"

"Well I'm thinking Hojo would be a great tutor! He's always had top grades, he doesn't do any extracurricular activities, doesn't have a job either so he can come by and study with you!"

Actually not a half bad idea. Except she doesn't know if Hojo still has a crush on her or not. And she doesn't know what she'll say if he asks what she's been doing for the past 6 months.

"Just give him a call when you've had the chance to think about it, but I honestly believe having a friend you know well and are comfortable with is a good idea to have around as your tutor" Kagome's mom said breaking Kagome's train of thought.

"Yup, will do!" Kagome said with a smile before hurrying off to bed. Too early for sleep it was still 7. She's definitely not going out for a walk either so she'll settle for the nice, cool breeze coming from her window. She picked up one of the books of from her small book shelf. Not a lot of selections but she did pick one up that she's been meaning to read for a while. Better to be engulfed in the fantasy of a book instead of the reality she's been living in.

Feudal Fairytale. read the title of the book. By reading the first 10 chapters it started to get confusing. A Hanyou meets a Miko and they fall in love. Simple enough. They betray each other one night. The Miko died that night bleeding the Hanyou was sealed to a tree. Until fifty years passed and a girl from the future came from the bone eaters well as the dead mikos reincarnation? Hold the phone. Kagome's really into the story now. The reincarnation breaks the seal off the Hanyou and they start off as bitter enemies. The reincarnation girl wanting to go home back to future Japan and the Hanyou mad at the appearance of this strange girl for looking so familiar to his past girlfriend. After getting to know each other more and more as their journey to find this Shikon no Tama jewel grew, they eventually fall in love with each other themselves. Kagome drifted to sleep with the book on her chest serving as a book mark from where she last left off.

Kouga put his cellphone down. Shit. That was a close one, he almost blew his whole cover with that mistake. Thank God he came up with that broke heart bullshit excuse… Was that enough?

"You are going to pay up after this right?" Kouga said to a figure behind him.

"All in due time" replied Kikyo.

"Creepy bitch" Kouga thought to himself. "Tormenting basically her look like, what the fuck's up with that?."

"She's worth a lot of money, the faster you get her the faster you'll get compensated. Heck, I'll even pay you double if I get her as soon as possible." Kikyo insisted.

"Tempting, I might just do that" Kouga grumbled. It hurts to do this to a young lady. Drag her back to the tortures she's trying to avoid that is. Anything for a good pay.

AN: HAHA who would've thought Kouga would betray Kagome so soon. (Hint, hint: It'll corrupt her even more) Bye for now I'm happy to see that my writing is actually being looked at!