As the affects of the light started wearing off, It was only then that the two got a chance to take a propper look at the bundle in Inuyasha's lap. She was like a mini version of Kagome herself. But that could be expected, as it was Kagome. Still too shocked to speak he just stared down at the tiny form. She was drowning in a see of clothes that happened to be her school uniform. He never would have guessed that she was this small. While taking in her apearance, he noticed that not alot was different. She still had that angelic look on her beautiful face when she slept. Still had those impossibly black locks of hair and that scent that made his soul be at peace, no matter what the situation was.
"Kagome...?" he finally spoke "W-whats happened to Kagome?! Why is she a kid?!" he continued, darting his questions to the old woman before him.
Kaede looked just as shocked as he felt. The old woman stood and hobbled over to her large collection of herbal remedys. After a few moments of searching she finally found what she had been looking for.
"Inuyasha, lay her down. I wish to test something." she said, her hand deep within a pot filled with something.
Doing as he was told he gently placed Kagome on the ground. Standing back he watched as Kaede threw some purification salt on the unconcious girl. Nothing happened.
"It is as i feared. This is not an illusion. This is really Kagome." she said solomly, shaking her head.
"Hows this happened?! Whats happened to my Kagome!!" he yelled in reply.
The old Miko raised an eye brow.
"Your Kagome?" she asked, a smile playing on her lips.
Realising what he said, Inuyasha's cheeks blushed a light pink and he turned his head away, snorting the usual "keh".
"Whatever, yeah. Just tell me whats gonna happen to her and what i have to do to get her back to normal." he snapped.
Just as Kaede was about to answer, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara came bursting through the entrace of the small hut.
"Inuyasha! Where is she? Wheres Kagome!?" cried Sango, after taking a quick scan of the room and taking note of an absant Miko.
"Inuyasha. What has happened to Lady Kagome? I can not feel her presence any more..." stated Miroku, as calmly as he could muster.
They all knew he was just trying to put up a brave front. To Miroku, Kagome was like a little sister. Someone that he had to protect even if it wasn't his job. He felt compelled to do so. When she was hurt or in danger of any sort, he woud feel responsible for it, even if it wasn't his fault. It was the same for him with Sango. If anything happened to her he doubted he could live with th greif. In a way, both Inuyasha and Miroku shared the comfort of protecting them. But both for completely different reasons. Inuyasha gave a loud grunt and moved so that he no longer obstructed the veiw of the child in the bed. Sango's brows furrowed in confusion and Shippo just grew extremely annoyed.
"Inuyasha, thats just some kid! Now where is Kagome?! Why can't i scense her anywhere?!" sobbed Shippo, tears pouring down his face.
Miroku gave a sigh, which Inuyasha knew only to well. It seemed the Houshi was not as stupid as he made out to be. Walking forward he placed an outspread hand just above the child.
"Hmmm. Interesting."
"What? Whats so interesting about an ordinary child?" asked Sango, who was near tears.
The thought of losing Kagome was too much for her heart to handle. It was bad enough when Kohaku went but she knew she wouldn't be able to deal with the loss of her best friend. The girl she thought to like a sister. Becoming frustrated with the lack of answers the Houshi was giving, she grabbed him by his robes and yelled into his face.
"WHERE IS KAGOME!!"
Inuyasha snorted and stood. While prying Sango from Miroku, he spoke.
"You call yourself a friend? You can't even tell thats she's in the room right now!" he growlled, holding both apart with his fists wrapped in clothing.
"How dare you! How can you say such a thing, Inuyasha?!" she screamed in reply, tears now falling from her dark eyes.
As mad as Inuyasha was, he couldn't handle a females tears. He sighed deeply, let go of Miroku's robes and pulled her into a light hug. At the sudden contact, Sango gave a small gasp, along with every one else in the hut. It was rare for Inuyasha to show any amount of compassion, and if he did it was only to Kagome.
"Maybe the loss of Kagome has affected him worse that we would have imagined.." Miroku thought, straightening his robes as best as he could.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. You know how i get when Kagome's involved..." he said, releasing her and turning his head to the small child.
"Inuyasha, why are you staring at some kid when Kagome is missing?!" yelled the tiny Yokai, tears still falling.
"Shut it, runt! Don't you get it? That is Kagome!!" he growlled, hitting the Kitsune on the head.
Every one, but Kaede, stared at the Hanyou as if he grew a second head. Had he really lost it? How could that small child be Kagome? Sure they had the same dark hair, the same facial features...And was swamped in Kagome's school clothes...Same everything...Only smaller.
"OH MY GOD! Thats...Thats Kagome!!" stated Sango in a high pitched shrill.
Flattening his ears to his head, Inuyasha gave her a look that said "Well-Its-About-Time-You-Figured-It-Out!". Snorting he returned his attention to the sleeping girl.
"I'm so sorry Kagome...If..If only i got to you sooner. Then none of this would have happened."
Miroku glanced at Kaede, who gave a nod in reply. The old Miko stood and left the hut. Miroku did the same and when Sango saw the look of utter depression on Inuyasha's face, she also left the hut.
"Shippo.." called the taijiya "lets leave them alone for a while"
But Shippo was refusing to leave. He still couldn't get it through to his mind that, this girl infront of him, who was only slightly taller than himself, was Kagome. The person that about an hour or so ago was a lively teenager. Inuyasha turned around, only to see the shock and horror in the Kit's eyes.
"Sango, its okay. Leave him here." he said, then turnt back to Kagome.
A thought then popped into his mind. If Kagome was to wake up, would she remember them? Or would she freak and try to run? What if she asked for her mother? Should he take her back to her time, with the risk of her mother going onto a full scale panic and killing him in the process? She was going to need some clothes too. The thought of Kagome running around in her school uniform, that were almost triple the size of her, did bring a small smile to his face but the smile faded into a deep blush as the image of her running and the clothes falling came to mind. Mentally slapping himself for habouring such thoughts he stood and left the hut. Out side the rest of his companions were discussing what could have caused the sudden change in their beloved Miko. So far nothing had been found.
"Kaede." came Inuyasha's stern voice "Kagome's gonna need some clothes. Her school uniform ain't gonna fit her no more now is it?"
"Aye, ye is right. I shall ask some women of the village if they could lend us some. Be warned though, Inuyasha. Ye may have to buy some of Kagome's own, if the transformation is none reversible."
Only then had it sunk into Inuyasha's brain. The whole time he was busy thinking of ways to change her back. But never did he think that she may not be able to return to normal. The thought of never having Kagome back to normal made his chest fill with excrutiating pain.
"Lady Kaede, what are we going to do if Kagome can not change back?" asked Miroku.
Inuyasha felt the pain grow tenfold and his anger grew even more.
"KAGOME WILL TURN BACK TO NORMAL! SHE WILL, EVEN IF IT MEANS I HAVE TO DIE TO GET HER BACK!" he roared, then stomped back into the hut.
The group stared after the Hanyou. They knew he wasonly being like this because he was worried for Kagome. And they knew that things were going to be extremely intense until Kagome was back to normal. If she could ever go back.
"Kaede, what if she can't turn back? What should be do?" asked Sango.
"Ye must not give up hope. Kagome is strong. I beleive she will be up and about tomorow at the latest. I shall fetch her some clothes." with that the older Miko left.
Sango gave Miroku a worried glance. If Kagome wasn't going to change back, it would mean she wouldn't have her spiritual powers. Meaning she couldn't purify the Shikon jewel, protect herself, nor travel back to her own time...
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