Hello again! This chapter is shorter than the last but it will get better! I have been planning the future chapters and it could possibly go up to 25 at this point. So I hope you continue reading this and enjoy the 10th chapter!

Disclaimer: Don't own the sexy inu hanyou or any of Rumiko Takahashi's characters! I do own Akio and Chiisai, however! Yay!

Chapter 10: Gray Sky

It was unbelievable.

It was heart wrenching.

It was too much; too much pain in the hearts that beat, waiting for an answer.

The hanyou, the woman that wept on and off, seeking comfort in his embrace, and the old woman waited silently, hoping to hear any news on the condition of Akio Higurashi; who was battling against two gunshot wounds that could be dangerously fatal.

Inuyasha was only aware of the girl that held onto him. She was in his lap, her arms around his torso, her head on his shoulder. He could smell the numerous tears she cried, and each one tore his heart open. His strong arms held her tighter to him; one hand combing through her hair, the other rubbing up and down her back, in hopes of soothing her. His cheek rested against the side of her head, his lips occasionally kissing her tear stained cheek.

Kagome could feel nothing but pain; so torturous and so deep it was hard dealing with it. Her father, her only living parent who she loved with all her heart, was fighting for his life, like her mother had. She would be devastated if she lost him too. And to the exact same thing that killed her mother. She shut her eyes and just cried out her anger and agony.

Then she felt his breath on her face, and the gentle rocking. She also felt his hands in her smooth hair and on her back. She could hear his heartbeat and felt his comforting lips on her face. Kagome might be feeling so low and worried sick about her father, but she also knew that her hanyou was worried about her and of the condition her father was in. Feeling a little bit warmer, after six hours of crying her heart out, the teenager took deep breaths, inhaling his intoxicating aroma of fresh pine, she managed to to stop her crying and eventually gave in to her hanyou's soothing motions.

Kaede, who was quiet the entire time, sat in a chair across from the couple. None spoke a word when they arrived at the hospital around six hours earlier. With Akio, they said they could take care of Chiisai's wound as well and so the three waited on any news concerning the small demon and the leader of seafood production in Japan.

They paid no attention to the noise that surrounded them in the busy hospital. All wallowed in their own thoughts as time slowly passed. Kaede looked right at Inuyasha and Miss Kagome, who were oblivious to anything around them. She saw the love and protection the inu had in his half closed sunset eyes and in the kisses he laid on her cheek.

'He truly loves her. And Miss Kagome undoubtedly loves him with all her being as well. They remind me of the late Miss Higurashi and Akio-san. How they looked at each other and how they expressed that burning flame of emotion, it's playing right now in the forms of our beloved hanyou bodyguard and the young miss.' Kaede couldn't help but smile slightly. 'Young love is precious…and theirs is something far more deeper than anything I've ever seen.' Her russet eyes were droopy due to lack of sleep, since it was approaching the nine o'clock hour but with everything that's she's seen and done tonight, sleep was out of the question. Akio-san was a respectable man and a dear friend to her, so Kaede was far more concerned in knowing any new information than resting her old and worn body.

Inuyasha kept kissing her, kept telling her that everything would be okay. It was all he could do to stop her crying. "Shh, it's okay. I'm here, Little Iris. Everything's going to be fine."

Kagome could only nod, as she felt his claws run through her hair and up and down her back. She knew he was only trying to alleviate her any way possible. Even though it pained her to imagine what her father's fate was, she had her hanyou's gentle words and his calming gestures. Inuyasha was always there; whether it was a nightmare or even a cut on her forearm, he offered his strength and his support for her.

"I know, Inya. I'm just…"She hiccuped and swept some stray tears away. "I'm scared." She looked up at him; for the first time in a long while. "I'm just angry and scared. I don't want my dad taken away from me."

"Kagome…" He hated seeing her so distressed and sounding so miserable. His thumb went to remove a single tear from her left eye. Her brown eyes; now full of misery and anguish stared into his, as if searching for the answer. "He's going to make it. Akio-san is strong and you know that." His lips kissed her forehead. "He's not going to die, Kagome."

The girl gazed into his eyes, as deep and brilliant as the sun. She had always believed his word and now she trusted them more than ever. The seriousness and the truth in his voice made her see that her father was going to survive this. She sniffed back and slowly reached up to caress his lips, to relay that she trusted him…and loved him for it.

Inuyasha gave all his love, support, and passion into his kiss. At the moment, he could care less if anybody saw this. This was his girl, his star he protected from everything, including herself. His hands cupped her face, his thumbs rubbing her wet, smooth and tender skin. All she needed was reassurance; his reassurance and his love.

They broke apart, gasping for breath. The hanyou pecked her nose and laid her head back on his chest. Kagome could only smile as she rested against him once more. His kisses did more to her than she ever thought possible…and she closed her eyes, knowing that she would only ever need his lips on hers, his caresses on her skin and his love that shined in his beautiful eyes.

Just then, a police officer and an investigator walked in, the sharp click-clack of their shoes capturing the three's attention. It was then that they saw police cars and sleek black cars in the parking lot; people everywhere.

Inuyasha recognized the investigator. He had asked them several questions before they could leave the crime scene. He held Kagome closer and sat straight up in the chair.

"May we help ye?" Kaede asked, her hands folded on her lap.

The investigator, with his short and sleek black hair and serious green eyes in a brown topcoat and hat, stopped in front of them. "Yes, I need to ask Miss. Higurashi a few more questions about what happened earlier this evening."

Kagome shrunk against Inuyasha, not wanting to relive or retell any detail of what happened. She buried her head in the hanyou's chest, so drained and exhausted. Inuyasha knew it too and glared up at the man, who was waiting patiently.

"Can't you fucking see that she's in no damn condition to talk right now?" He responded harshly.

"Now sir, I only need-"

"Fuck that!" The hanyou was livid that he couldn't see how this was affecting Kagome. "She doesn't need anymore questions thrown at her! And besides, hasn't she answered enough damn questions tonight already?" Inuyasha was exhausted as well with everything that happened. And trying to hold an emotionally exhausted girl in his arms; trying to comfort her while keeping his own emotions under control, Inuyasha was at his breaking point.

"Inuyasha." Kagome whispered, trying to get him to settle down. She could feel the growls deep in his chest. Her hands began to rub his back, trying to ease his obvious rage.

Kaede stood up before anything else was said. "The young lad is right. Perhaps I could take her place?" The old woman could see how mentally and physically exhausted Kagome was. She was in no condition to retell that horrid event.

The investigator, looked between the old woman and the couple. The inu hanyou was glaring right at him. He then wisely turned to Kaede and nodded his head. "Certainly. This way, please." And they, with the police officer walked to outside the automatic doors to talk.

Kagome was relieved that they were gone but did Inuyasha have to be so harsh? She blinked her eyes open before staring up at him. "Inuyasha…"

"Look woman, I don't need you to argue with me. I knew you weren't ready to talk and certainly you would have busted into tears again. I know you better than that! And damn it all, I can't stand seeing any more of your tears!" He bowed his head, not enabling Kagome to see the fear in his eyes. "I can't, Kagome. I just can't."

The woman then understood. He was trying to protect her, to prevent her from crying again and him from sounding defeated and worried sick like he was now. Since his forehead was now on her shoulder, Kagome softly kissed his cheek and rested against him. Her hands continued to rub his back while she rested her eyes.

They sought comfort like that for a while, until Inuyasha picked up footsteps heading their way, causing him to lift his head to see the doctor that was in charge of Akio's operation.

"Excuse me, Miss Higurashi?"

Kagome opened her eyes and turned her head to see the human doctor, with slightly gray hair with pale blue eyes framed by a pair of glasses. He had a clipboard in his left hand, his green e.r. suit covered in blood.

"Yes?" She and Inuyasha stood up, her hand in his.

The doctor told them that Akio had made it through his surgery with little complications and was expected to recover. Kagome cried for joy, laughing for joy and jumped onto her bodyguard/boyfriend; her arms around his neck and legs around him. Inuyasha was relieved as well as he hugged her close to him, placing soft kisses on her neck and face; while she embraced the fact that her father was alive and okay. And with Inuyasha there, holding her up and kissing her fears away, Kagome was literally relieved.

The doctor told them about his progress as he led the couple; Inuyasha holding her to his side, to Akio's room. The doctor explained to them that Akio was lucky to be alive; the bullet was dangerously close to the main artery. So they were able to save his leg. The second bullet that hit his shoulder didn't do much damage but was going to limit his right arm and shoulder movements for a while after his recovery. Kagome remained silent, exhausted but excited to see her father while Inuyasha listened and held Kagome closer, trying to keep her calm as possible.

They stopped outside Room 591, so the doctor could check if he was awake and if he was comfortable. After a few minutes, the doctor ushered them in, saying that Akio was doing well, and that the small demon would be brought in shortly; her shoulder wrapped up as well.

"Father!" Kagome rushed to his side, tears running down her pale face.

"Baby girl…"His uninjured arm reached to pat her hand.

"Are you okay?" She was oblivious of the door closing and Inuyasha walking up to stand at her side.

The hanyou could see that Akio was better than he previously thought. He had his right shoulder wrapped, his arm in a sling. His left leg was wrapped and on a sling. Other than the I.V and the blood units pumping into him, Inuyasha could no longer smell the rancid smell of his blood; only the medicine and his natural scent.

The man laughed weakly, trying hard to stop his daughter's tears. "I'm fine. It'll take much more than two nasty bullets to get rid of me."

Kagome only wiped her tears and gazed over his injuries. "I'm so glad you're alive, dad." She sniffed back new tears, gasping for breath. "I didn't want you taken away from me, like how mom was." Her hand went to cover her eyes, to prevent anyone from seeing her seemingly endless tears.

Akio briefly looked to his trusted bodyguard before turning back to his daughter. Like Inuyasha, the proud father didn't like his baby girl's tears. She did too much of it over her lifetime. He wanted to see her smiling brightly and laughing joyously, not crying. He could understand that it was no coincidence that he was shot, near fatal bullets hitting his leg and shoulder. Masako was murdered by the same weapons as he. It was too damn close and it would have killed him too. No doubt the stress of that knowledge was what made his daughter weep in so much pain.

"Kagome…"His soft voice made her look up at him. "I'm alive and kicking! I wasn't going to leave you alone. Not you, my only daughter! I want to see you get married, have a family with the one you love, me becoming a grandfather. I wouldn't want miss your future."

"Daddy…" She bent down to kiss his forehead. "I love you."

"Love you too, baby girl. Always will." His hand went to stroke her back and kiss her nose before she pulled back and brought a chair over to sit at his bedside.

Then Akio, for the first time took a good look at his child. "Oh my Kami, Kagome. Haven't you slept at all?"

"We all haven't, ever since we came to the hospital over six hours ago." Inuyasha spoke for the first time. He had his arms crossed as he was a little ways from his employer's bedside.

"Ah, Inuyasha. I trust you took good care of my little girl during your outing and through this entire ordeal?"

Both Inuyasha and Kagome felt their faces heat up. Their relationship probably wouldn't be best to bring up right now; especially since it's still brand new and still sinking in for the female. But then Inuyasha thought back to taking great care to calm her the past six hours.

"Yes. It was hard on all of us, but it was the hardest on Kagome." His eyes met hers, both thinking about how they drew strength from each other; especially times like these.

"Well I'm glad. But now, why don't you try to get some rest? You two look like you could use it." Akio recommended.

"We don't know where we're staying at yet. The old hag's trying to find a place for us to stay, since the house will be closed for the investigation for the next week or so."

"Inuyasha!" Kagome warned vehemently. Her eyes glared right at him. Even though her eyes were red and puffy, she could pull off a wicked glare that scared the hell out of him. "Kami, can you refrain from saying that for at least a day!"

"What? It's funny as hell! Plus you know I don't mean it intentionally. I just do it to make her angry; which is a hilarious sight in itself."

"And one of these days, I just might have to purify ye."

All heads turned to see the old woman in question, her arms folded while staring at the amused yet slightly terrified Inu hanyou. She was standing at the door, with the investigator and the doctor holding an awake Chiisai; with her right shoulder bandaged up.

"Chiisai!" Kagome walked over to carefully scoop her up in her arms. The civet demon growled in content, as she rubbed her head against her owner. Kagome's hand stroked her smooth tan fur, cautious of her wound. "I'm so glad you're okay."

As Kagome sat back down with her pet, Inuyasha moved over to to stand beside her once again. And Kaede moved to the bedside as well before greeting Akio and asking how he was feeling.

After the doctor checked on Akio once more, he left the investigator in the room and shut the door for the privacy. The man, introducing him self as P.I. Hisakawa, stood in the middle of the room, capturing all the attention of every person.

Kagome could feel her hanyou's hand on her shoulder, making sure that she knew he was here with her. The questioning and hearing her father's account of today might be difficult but the girl knew, she could always count on his encouragement and the love he had for her. She let her cheek touch his hand, assuring him and focused her full attention on the P.I., her hand continuing to caress her demon pet, Inuyasha's hand remaining firmly on her shoulder.

Akio noticed that affectionate gesture and drew his eyebrows in curiosity. 'Was Keade right all along? It is quite possible that my little girl has been in love with her bodyguard for quite some time. I have seen her odd behaviors around him and had my suspicions. But if he's what makes her happy…then so be it.' He confirmed with a small smile towards his oblivious daughter.

"Now, according to what Mito Kaede has told me, she said that you two were the first ones to come across Akio-san, is that right?" Both Inuyasha and Kagome nodded. "And she came upon you two just moments later. Now, was he unconscious or was he awake?"

"He wasn't fully unconscious because I heard him moan in pain after I lifted the couch off him." Inuyasha answered, since he barely heard the sound because it was so low to a human's ears.

Hisakawa nodded and turned his attention to the victim. "Now, Akio-sama, would you, with as much detail as you can remember, recall exactly what occurred today before and during the invasion?"

The father grimaced. He remembered everything clearly and it pained him to remember those weapons of death that nearly claimed his life. He clenched his hand and looked down. Why must it pain him so much? He had to go through this when Masako fought for her life and their unborn son's and ultimately lost. Now, remembering the sounds, sights and actions of what happened to him made him cringe with the utmost hate and disgust.

"Sir?"

Akio looked up to see his family and P.I. Hisakawa waiting for him.

"Yeah, give me a minute…" He muttered. He closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths and cleared his throat. Then he looked up, determined to get through this without a meltdown.

"Are you okay, Daddy?" Kagome asked. She looked worried for him and his mentality, knowing what he had gone through almost 16 years earlier.

The father smiled, not wanting his baby girl to see him so anxious. He was feeling miserable inside but he knew he had to tell this…horrid tale that would replay in his head for a long time to come.

"Okay." All turned to listen to him, waiting to hear what happened and why. "It happened when I was alone, around noon or so…"

~*Flashback*~

The Rolling Stone's "Start Me Up" was playing on an old record in the living room, where Akio lay peacefully on the long burgundy couch, his head propped on a soft pillow with a serene smile on his face. This was part of his stress-free weekend and it seemed to be working.

He stretched his arms up and yawned. "Ah this is nice; to have the house to myself. With Kaede grocery shopping and Kagome and Inuyasha out for the day, I can just relax and enjoy this peaceful time while I'm able."

The smell of apple cinnamon wafted around him. He took in the candle's aroma, where it burned on the coffee table in front of him. It was his favorite scent, always has been since Masako had this particular scent constantly around her. He smiled sadly at the memories. She always had that lotion on her skin and shampoo in her hair. It was hard remembering her as she was when she was alive but he promised her. He would move on and be happy with their daughter and live a strong, healthy life.

"I miss you dearly, Masako." He whispered to the ceiling, where it blocked the dull gray sky and the blue heavens where he knew his wife was watching him, her and their unborn son.

A sudden movement caught his eye. He turned his head to see the beloved civet demon he brought home from Africa for Kagome about four years ago. He had a soft spot for the creature. She was friendly and sweet, protective and strong; especially when it came to Kagome. Chiisai stuck to her like glue when she was home. He smiled in amusement as the demon tried chasing her long tail; like a cat would.

"Are you that bored, Chiisai?" He chuckled. She stopped at the sound of his voice, her tail end in her mouth.

He couldn't help but laugh. "I though you were a civet, not a cat, Chiisai."

She only roared softly and went to jump up and lay above his head on the arm rest. He reached up and pet the demon's head. She only nuzzled into it.

It was only The Rolling Stones playing in the background as man and beast relaxed within each others presence. Chiisai's tail and ears flickered occasionally while the man of the house shut his eyes and tried for a nice, calming nap.

He was nearly asleep when he heard a low growling. He opened his eyes and looked up to see Chiisai, hissing and the growling increasing in volume every second. Her small body was shaking, her small sharp teeth bared, her eyes narrowed.

"Chiisai, what is it girl?" Akio asked, not liking when she was tense. He knew then something was wrong. He sat up and watched as Chiisai roared once more before jumping off the couch's arm and ran towards the main door.

"Chiisai?" Akio watched her run off and went to follow her, but pulled back when a golden flash of light and golden flames enveloped the small creature.

It was three seconds before the flame and light disappeared and Akio stood there, gazing at the transformed demon who was just small a few moments ago. Chiisai was now as big as a saber tooth cat. Her tail was now longer, seeming powerful enough to whack someone with it. Her claws and her two front razor sharp teeth had elongated and her soft red eyes had darkened to that of blood red.

It was a terrifying yet incredible sight for the man. But he knew that demons who transformed into larger versions, having seen this with Sango's cat demon Kilala, weren't unheard of. He knew it was still Chiisai; just…bigger …and more ferocious.

He came to her side, and notice that she came up to just below his shoulders. She was large. This was the first time he's ever seen her transformed and while it was exciting, it would have to wait whenever the danger had passed.

Suddenly, the loving room windows and the foyer window shattered, glass streaming everywhere. Akio ducked and protected himself from any stray shards. When it stopped, he looked up and saw three black forms, forming a triangle around himself and the demon. Chiisai roared viciously and stood before her humans' father; determined to protect him.

"Well, well, well…I see you have another demon guarding you. No matter, we can dispose of both of you easily enough." A deep voice promised, his hand on a handle while the other with in front of him. He had a star on his forehead; above his cold icy blue eyes.

"Oh, this going to be so much fun! Too bad that hanyou isn't here. I wanted to play with him!" A feminine voice whined, some brown locks leaking from his black cap.

The last figure grimaced in disgust and looked to her partner. "Keep your ugly fantasies to yourself, Jakotsu! It's bad enough thinking about what goes on in that demented head of yours!" This seemed to be the only female, her tall figure and bust making it obvious.

"Will you two shut the hell up?" The head yelled to them. "Damn, you two give me a headache." The leader held his head and sighed in aggravation.

Chiisai had her teeth bared, her eyes on all three intruders. Akio hung close to her, trying to figure out who they were. He knew one was named Jakotsu and sounded really feminine, but what about the other two? Then, something caught his mahogany eye. It was some sort of insignia. All three of them had different ones but he recognized the dragon symbol on the leader, the moth symbol on Jakotsu, and the mirror symbol on the female. He knew those signs immediately!

"Wait a minute! You're part of-"

"That's right, Higurashi! And we've come to deliver!" He pulled out his gun, the other two following his example and pointed them right at Akio.

All he could remember afterward was Chiisai charging at them, gunshots ringing out, roars and screams as he ran to hide but felt two bullets strike him before collapsing behind the couch, going unconscious.

~*Flashback Ending*~

"Your words are my food, your breath is my wine. You are everything to me."- Sarah Bernhardt

What do you think? Can you guess the other two intruders? (And no, the leader isn't Kouga!) And Chiisai was inspired by Kilala(like I mentioned earlier in the story) so she can transform as well. All unfinished details will be explained within the next few chapters so don't fret! Anyway, I would love to hear your guesses and thank you to all who are reviewing! So, keep reading and keep enjoying! Until next time...

Ja Ne for now!