Hearing Kagome's cry, Sango, Miroku and Shippo came running in. On instinct, Kagome yelped in surprise and ran to Sango, who she still thought to be Mai.
"Mai! Mai! H-he's gonna t-tell daddy! I-i didn't mean to s-say that!" she sobbed.
Miroku gave Inuyasha a sympathetic look. The Houshi knew Inuyasha didn't mean for it to turn out like this but because of the fragile state Kagome was in she was taking things way to seriously. But could you blame her?
"Kagome, sweetie. Inuyasha isn't going to tell daddy. What did you say to him?" she asked, while stroking her hair.
She gave a sniffle and then wipped her face.
"I-i asked why he was purring...He's not a cat so he can't purr..." she mummbled, her head down and shuffling her feet.
Everyone but Kagome laughed. Even if she was only six, she still had that "Older Kagome" humour. Looking confused, she tilted her head slightly to the side. This only made everyone laugh even more.
"Kagome..." stuttered Shippo, he was afraid to scare her so he was taking it slow "A-are you okay now?"
Still timid, she gave a curt nod in reply. Scratching her arm, she gave a small hiss as her nails grazed a small cut. The laughter stopped. Sango knelt beside the small girl and whispered something on her ear. Again she only nodded her reply. Grabbed the large yellow back pack, she then took Kagome's hand and lead her out of the hut.
"We going to the hot springs, back later!" Sango called over her shoulder.
Inuyasha kept his senses pinned on the hot springs. Sango hadn't taken any weapons with her and Kagome wouldn't be able to shoot arrows, so they were compltely vunerable.
At the hot springs, Sango helped Kagome in the water, then got in herself. She watched as Kagome lowered herself in and winced as the water came into contact with her wounds. Reaching for the bathing stuff she had taken from the back pack, Sango beckoned Kagome over to her.
"This might sting a bit, okay sweetie?" she said, lathering up a sponge.
Giving a small nod as her answer, Kagome waited for the pain that she knew was coming. She was extremely tence, and Sango noticed this.
"Kagome, honey, whats the matter?"
"Daddy's going to come soon. He always does.." she said solomly.
Inuyasha, who was still at the hut, heard this and tensed. Kagome's scent had changed dramatically since her change. One minute she was relaxed, the next she was truly terrified. But now..She just seemed anxious.
"Hey, Miroku. Did you notice anything about Kagome, when she left with Sango?" the Hanyou asked.
Miroku rubbed the back of his head. If he was thinking he was obviously thinking about something completely different.
"Oi! Pervert! I asked you a question!" snapped Inuyasha.
"Yes...Yes." he answered with a devilish grin "Well i did notice she was very reluctant to go. But that can be expected. Other than that no not really. Why do you ask?"
Instead of answering, Inuyasha sighed and layed on his back. Something about what Kagome had just said to Sango had him really up-tight.
"Why would he come? What did she mean? That he comes when her and Mai were together or..." he growlled loudly "No...He wouldn't have..." he said aloud.
"Would have done what? Whats the matter?" asked Shippo.
Before he got an answer Inuyasha jumped up and ran to the hot springs. Sango had cleaned Kagome and herself. She was just getting dressed when she heard something behind the bush.
"Kagome, stay in the water." she warned.
Wrapping the towel tighter around herself, she threw a large rock into the bush. The sound of it hitting something brought a smile to her face.
"Gottcha"
"Hey! What the hell was that for? I only wanted to ask you something, wench!" came a voice.
"I-Inuyasha?!" she stuttered "Couldn't it have waited until we got back?" she asked, trying to control her anger.
"No, ask Kagome what she ment by her father coming. I want to know something." he replied.
"Urg! Fine, but stay there.." walking over to Kagome, Sango asked her "Kagome, what did you mean by daddy going to come?"
Kagome shot her head up, and terror filled her eyes.
"I-is he here?! Now?! Mai, you have to go to mama! He won't do it when mama's there!!" she shrieked.
"Won't do what, sweetie?" asked Sango, getting very worried.
"What he always does! Y-you have to f-find mama!" she yelled, tears spilling from her eyes.
Sango pulled her into a hug. Stroking her hair, she whispered comforting words. Inuyasha had heard everything. Although it still didn't answer most questions, he knew partly what he did.
"That...That vile bastard. I'll kill him..." he growled through clenched teeth.
Sango had managed to calm Kagome down enought to get her dressed. Once they were both dressed, they walked past Inuyasha. Sango shot a worried glance at him and he nodded silently. Kagome was walking with her head down and her hands clasped together.
"If he didn't come today...He'll be worse tomorow..." she whispered, although Inuyasha heard her perfectly.
Stopping he titled her chin up so he could see her face. Smiling kindly, he kissed her forehead.
"He's not coming anymore. He's gone."
The air caught in her throat. He was really gone? The look in his eyes told her he was teling the truth. She had never really taken a good look at him before. He had these amazing golden eyes that loked more like molten magma then swirls of colour. He had stragne white hair but it suited him. Her gaze rise until she spotted the two dog-like eras pirched ontop of his head. Inuyasha watched her eyes travel upwards an smiled to himself.
"Three...Two...One..."
As if my magic, her hands decended towards his ears. She began rubbing them and smiled lightly when a content growl escaped from the man infront of her. Releasing the ears she giggled softly as the growling stopped.
"Like my ears then?" he laughed.
"Mmmhmmm. But...How come you have doggie ears?" she asked.
He smiled wider as her scent changed again. She was no longer anxious, intead she was relaxed and happy. If it ment that he had to rip his ears off to give to her, jus to keep her happy he would. Thats when he remembered what her mother had said before they left. Keep her happy.
"I'm half Inu Yokai." he replied, and chuckled when she gave him the very destinct look that said "I-Have-No-Idea-What-The-Hell-You-Just-Said" "It means i'm half dog-demon, half human."
Her eyes glittered with excitment. Any normal child would have screamed and ran away, but Kagome was different. She awlways had been, and it was one of the many reasons he loved her.
"Can i have doggie ears?" she asked as innocently as she could possible get.
"Maybe one day." he said, ruffling her hair.
The walk back to the hut was peacefull but comfortable. The sun was just starting to rise and the sky was a pretty oragny colour. Kagome yawed and rubbed her eyes sleepily, but refused to get carried.
"Tipickle Kagome. Stubborn as always." thought Sango.
Once back, Inuyasha set off to find food for breakfast and Kagome went to bed. Sango filled in Miroku, Kaede and Shippo of what they learned. It was taking the tiny Kitsune everything he hd to control himself. He didn't want to frighten Kagome, but at the same time he didn't want to bottle up his anger.
"I'm going for a walk." he snorted.
"I think he's spending way to much time with Inuyasha, don't you think Sango, dearest?"
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