Hello again! Another chapter done! I will let you know that this story will have 24 chapters including an epilogue. Also, the poll is still open and will remain open until the chapter before the lemon(if you guys vote on yes for a lemon...) okay? Alrighty then, on with a new chapter and hope you guys enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha-dang it! Oh well, I'll be happy with my movies and episode collections! Akio and Chiisai are mine though.

Chapter 11: Hidden Moon

After spending a nearly sleepless night at the hospital, after the investigator asked a few more questions and then leaving the family be, the old attendant, hanyou and his girl were on their way to the Hidaka home. Sango had the second largest house next to Kagome's and had more than enough room to house the three while the Higurashi house was closed off due to the investigation and Akio stayed in the hospital.

Kaede sat in the front of Sango's car; who had, along with her folks, invited them to stay, picked them up. She was told only the major details but was still horrified. She glanced in her rear view mirror and saw Inuyasha holding Kagome close to him. Kagome looked so exhausted and Sango couldn't blame her. She wanted to talk to her, to see if she was okay, but one look from a pair of deep sunset eyes stopped her.

"Since I know where the guest rooms are, I'll take Kagome up to the one where she likes to stay. And she'll probably want Chiisai with her too." Inuyasha had been there on more than one occasion and so knew the home fairly well.

Sango agreed. "Alright. Will you want a room of your own or will you stay with Kagome?"

"I'm not leaving Kagome's side." Sango only nodded and continued to drive.

The ride was quiet all the way to the Hidaka house. Inuyasha had Kagome in his lap, while Chiisai snoozed on a blanket next to them. Kagome was nearly asleep; completely drained emotionally, physically, and mentally so she was not really aware of anything other than her bodyguard's protective arms around her and his soothing heartbeat against her ear. The girl snuggled closer to his warmth, her eyes shut; to try and get some much needed sleep. Then she felt his breath on her face, his smooth voice in her ear.

"Just sleep, Kagome." Then she felt a feather light kiss to her temple; which made her grin. With her hanyou's alleviating words and his presence relaxing her body, the teenager finally gave into the warmth and darkness of sleep.

As soon as they pulled into the driveway and parked, Sango's mother and father came out to greet them.

"Do you have anything we can help you with?" Yukiko, Sango's mother asked quietly after taking a look at the slumbering girl in the hanyou's arms.

"Nay. We didn't have a chance to. I'm going to go back sometime this afternoon, since Akio is still in the hospital and the child is indisposed. I will gather their things as I find out new information on what happened." Kaede answered as she was helped out of the car.

"Well, it looks like the three of you could use some rest. Please, come inside and make yourselves at home." Kenta directed them all to the open front door and out of the November cold.

Inuyasha didn't say a word as he quietly held Kagome, and now an alert civet demon in her lap, and he carried them upstairs to the guest room where she would always stay during sleepovers. The rest of the somber group quietly sat in the family room where a fire burned. The only noise then was the clock sounding off the 7 o'clock hour.

Yukiko sat between her daughter and husband; looked at Kaede with her light blue eyes and asked. "How you holding up, Kaede-san?"

Kaede shook her head sadly; her russet eyes full of exhaustion as she looked at the family. "I must say it has been difficult for us; especially through the night-neither of us could get to sleep. But I know that Miss Kagome is far more traumatized right now."

Kenta, the husband with his serious mahogany eyes; nodded and sat back; hands folded. "I can't imagine what the poor girl must be going through."

Kaede too sat back on the recliner; warmed by the blazing fire. "She is severely overwhelmed at this point. If you remember, Miss Kagome lost her mother and unborn brother when she was only two years old-by a gun no less! Now her father is in the hospital, barely escaping death by the same thing! I don't think we can begin to fathom how she's really feeling inside."

"I wish we could do more for her. She's like my only sister and I feel pretty useless right now." Sango crossed her arms and looked worriedly towards the stairs. She felt a small weight settle on her lap and looked down to see Kilala curled up on her lap. She grinned slightly and rubbed her small black ear.

"I know." Yukiko rubbed her daughter's back to soothe her. Then she turned to the older woman. "We have the guest rooms set up so you are welcome to make yourselves at home. Would you like any breakfast?"

Sleep and food sounded equally inviting to Kaede. She covered her wide yawn and nodded her head. "Yes please, Yukiko. That sounds excellent. Do ye need any help?"

The mother waved her hand. "Oh no. You're the guest and plus; you've been up all night. I'll go and start on it. Sango, care to join me?"

The girl nodded. "Sure mom." The women; along with the feline demon made their way to the kitchen.

When the smell of rice, bacon, and eggs wafted throughout the living room a few minutes later, Inuyasha finally reappeared, silent as ever. He made a move to stand against a wall, his ears pinned back to listen, his eyes closed, arms crossed and his nose smelling the warm and tempting smell of food.

"How is she, Inuyasha?" Kaede asked; noting the exhaustion in his slouched position.

His ear twitched a bit at her voice but didn't look up. "She's fast asleep now. I don't want anyone to bother her for a while; she needs the rest."

Both Kaede and Kenta nodded. "Yes, I suppose you're right. We should leave her be and just let her sleep the pain away." Kaede agreed, hearing the protection and stern tone in his voice.

They sat down to have a filling breakfast with a new addition. Sango's 11 year old brother Kohaku was already dressed for school and asked why Sango wasn't and why Inuyasha and Kaede were here. Kenta told him that Sango would stay home due to an important matter and that Inuyasha, Kagome and Kaede would be here for a while. The boy nodded and excused himself from the table; grabbing his leftover bacon and his bento and left the house.

After the meal, Kaede also excused herself, saying that she would take a quick bath and a long nap until she had to leave for the Higurashi house. With kind guidance from Yukiko, the old woman made it up the stairs and into her room. Inuyasha to keep himself busy, offered to help Kenta with the dishes and even after a respectful decline, the hanyou helped anyway.

The day passed and so Inuyasha, hearing that both Kagome and Kaede were fast asleep, was left with no other option but to take a little shut eye himself, right beside Kagome's door, where he could smell her lavender and cherry blossom scent he loved and savored so much.

Yukiko and Sango was left to tend to the house while Kenta went to his dojo downtown to teach some classes. The house was pretty quiet so the women decided to have their own power naps around noon, seeing as they awoke pretty early that morning to greet their guests.

When the clock stroke 4 in the afternoon, Kohaku and Kenta came home, Yukiko and Sango awoke to get dinner started while Kaede had eaten and left a little while ago to the Higurashi house.

Inuyasha was awake too. He knew Kagome was still sleeping and left her until dinner time; where he would bring up a plate; knowing she would probably be hungry.

The house smelled of Teriyaki beef stew on rice a little while later and everyone was in a better mood with food in their stomachs. Inuyasha ate standing up, gobbling down his own food and scooped up a plate for his sleeping beauty.

When everyone finished around 5 or so, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's plate that was still warm and went upstairs without a word. He barely spoke to anyone today because of his exhaustion; physically and mentally. His Iris was hurt and so the hanyou was in a bitter mood because of it. Normally, if Kagome was around and in good spirits, so was he. But if she was suffering in any way, shape or form, then Inuyasha would be impossible to talk or reason with, and everyone knew to back off and respect his space. That was how he was, and he couldn't help it. He was connected to Kagome and her to him, a deep and impenetrable bond that he felt strongly, a bond that he doubted could ever sever or snap. Kagome was his…and he was hers, in mind, body, and spirit.

He approached the closed door silently; flicking his ear towards the room and knew that she was still sleeping; pretty deeply.

'She must have been really worn out.' It saddened and angered him that Kagome wore herself out. She was always so happy, carefree and so full of life. The girl had gone through so much in her short life already and Inuyasha wanted to keep that smile on her face as long as he was around.

With much ease and gentleness, he slowly turned the knob and opened the door. It was dark; with the curtains drawn closed to his left but could make out the sky blue painted walls and the blue and purple bed spread across from him. He could make out his girl on the bed; with Chiisai; who was now alert to his presence as her head and ears were facing him.

Inuyasha knew Chiisai was extremely protective of Kagome; as was he. It made him feel better that Kagome had another means of protection if he couldn't get to her for whatever reason. He acknowledged the civet and Chiisai in turn relaxed in Kagome's arms again.

Inuyasha approached her sleeping from and slowly knelt down to her face level. He put the plate of food down on the side table and just watched her for a moment. Her pitch black hair was all around her, tangled but still beautiful as silk. Her face was abnormally pale but Inuyasha knew it was due to the metal fatigue she endured. One arm; which was bare was around her demon while her other hand rested beside her face on the pillow. He blushed at the previous thought of undressing her- but only down to just her white bra and panties; so she wouldn't overheat. And if he knew her, she would probably want a bath when she woke up.

On instinct, he gently went to push a few stray tendrils of hair from her face before reaching over to kiss her brow. His touches seemed to rouse the slumbering teen from 10 hours of much needed sleep. She moaned and slowly opened her blurry browns to meet rich sunsets.

"Inya…"She whispered softly. As always she knew when her hanyou was near. His touch and his lips made her come back, just to see him and reassure him that she was okay. She didn't like worrying her Inya.

"Hey, you okay?" He stroked the warm flesh of her cheek with the back of his fingers; causing an instant and pleasant sensation for the girl. She could only nod and leaned into his touch. Inuyasha could only smile. "Are you hungry?"

The mention of food and the delicious aroma from the stew caused Kagome's stomach to grumble really loud. Both chuckled. "Maybe a little." She giggled in embarrassment. "Come lay with me."

Her eyes and her voice did something to him and the hanyou couldn't resist the offer. As soon as Chiisai moved to the other side of her human, Inuyasha got on and just laid back, with Kagome resting her head on his shoulder. Then he brought the plate to his lap and cautiously, because she was almost bare and it was hard to resist touching his female and it wasn't such an appropriate time, put his arm around her waist; mindful of his claws.

Kagome realized she was down to her bra and underwear and was a bit nervous but realizing that Inuyasha would never touch her inappropriately and without her permission, she let him put his arm and hand around her tiny waist. It felt really good. Plus her bottom half was covered by the sheets so she wasn't concerned about that. Then she put her nose to his neck and took in his scent. He smelt so good too! The fresh pine combined with the scent that was distinctly and only Inuyasha, Kagome felt as if she was in heaven.

Feeling her silky, smooth skin and having her scent engulf him, Inuyasha felt at peace again. He couldn't detect any sorrow or exhaustion from her anymore and could only smell her natural scent that drove him wild and into nirvana. Just relaxing with her in his arm and her breath fanning his neck made the hanyou's heart beat wildly. He was still getting used to being intimate with her and was still nervous. But as long as Kagome was comfortable and showed no signs of distress or fear-like she would ever be scared of him, Inuyasha could easily show her how special she really was by holding her; embracing her, and kissing her whenever they were alone.

The next thing Kagome knew was a spoonful of delicious looking stew in front of her. She looked up into Inuyasha's eyes and saw the care and seriousness in them. She smiled and took the stew and rice into her mouth; moaning blissfully at the taste and the warmness going down her throat.

"I can feed myself, you know." She stated as she swallowed the first mouthful and took in another.

"Even though I know you can, you're still weak from everything that's happened and I…"He paused and took a deep breath as he looked down at her. "…I want to…you know…take care of you…when you're…sick."

Kagome would've cried if her tear supply wasn't already out but her eyes shined and quickly took his lips. Inuyasha was shocked but he didn't do anything but caress the softness of hers and played with her tongue. He felt her hand on his face and he only probed deeper into the recesses of her sweet mouth. It was hard to let go when she initiated the kiss but she tasted so decadent and so divine that the hanyou would go for hours if they didn't have to breathe.

When they finally broke for air, Inuyasha quickly kissed her nose, loving how beautiful she looked when flushed. 'Ah crap I'm going too mushy. Damn it, I think it's too late!' But regardless, he was lucky to have the one person he cared for most at his side, loving him as he did her. He then continued to feed her. Kagome enjoyed having her body warm and complete, her senses filled with the heavenly scent that didn't have anything to do with the food she was consuming. She snuggled closer to him; still mentally weak but she knew that her hanyou was there, trying to alleviate her pain by any means necessary.

"You feeling any better?" He asked after a short silence.

She gulped down the mouthful of the meal before answering. "Sleeping helped a lot. And seeing my father alive was a big relief. But I probably wouldn't have gotten through it if you weren't there with me." Her head remained on his shoulder; her hand on his muscled chest above the plate of food.

Inuyasha could tell she was still a bit traumatized from her scent but he would be there to stop that pain. Kagome was too beautiful a creature to suffer! But he let it go and decided it would be best to just be there for her and help her through it.

"Hey, Inuyasha?"

"Yeah?" His hand rubbed the warm smooth skin of her belly while pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Do you mind if I take a bath?"

'I knew it.' "I figured you would say that."

She punched his chest lightly and looked up at him. "Oh come on! I haven't had a chance to bathe yet plus I feel all dirty and sweaty."

He chuckled and gently moved the plate to her lap before getting up. "Alright, you stay here. I'll draw your bath." He kissed her cute button nose once more and stood to stretch his back.

She enjoyed watching his back muscles until he started to head to the attached bathroom to her left." Um… can you, um…can you sit with me, you next to the tub-while I bathe? Just so we can talk?" Her face was red and her mind was numb at the end of her shocking request. But, it was just for the sake of her sanity, that he was there and nothing more…oh how she wished she wasn't so troubled right now!

Inuyasha froze at that request too. Join her? Did he hear right? Judging by her rapid heartbeat and her face flushed once more, he wasn't imagining it. But all perverted thoughts-although they were still there, he jammed them back deep inside his head and reminded himself that she was still weak and probably wasn't ready for that step yet into their still blooming relationship.

But still, she looked too cute; not to mention sexy when she was still flushed, in her bra and panties. The covers were adequately covering her lower half. And that he was extremely grateful for.

"Okay…but only because you asked and to make sure you don't shrivel up into a prune or drown."

She giggled and sighed as she drew up her knees, wrapped her arms around them and rested her head upon them. "I'll be fine, that's why you're here."

He smirked that arrogant smirk, and started to walk to the bathroom and reached the entrance but suddenly stopped again. "You know, Sango has been wanting to talk to you, ever since we left the hospital. As her "sister", she's really worried about you."

"Really?" She lifted her head back up. "I'd really like to talk to her too."

"If you want, after your bath, I can send Sango up here." Inuyasha offered. He knew the two girls were close as sisters and even though he wanted to remain near his girl, he knew that she was safe and that she needed some girl time with Sango.

"That would be great Inuyasha, thank you." She smiled at his the faint blush and held back her giggles. "And afterward, because I know you, you can come back in to sleep beside me. Plus I want to play with your adorable ears!" She squealed the last part.

Said appendages flattened at her squeal. He should have seen that one coming. "Damn it woman, what is it with you and my ears!" He faced her, blushing at her smile-that wicked smile that got her anything; in this case, the right to his ears. Oh crap.

"Oh come off it! You know how much I love your puppy ears! Plus, I know you secretly enjoy getting your ears rubbed so don't you deny it, buster!"

He struggled to come with something to deny it, his mouth opening and closing like a fish and knew she was right. He growled, frustrated that she had won that battle and set of into the bathroom to draw her precious bath.

Kagome could giggle in victory and at how cute he looked. When she got her bodyguard like this, he couldn't come up with anything else, thus ending the conversation with Inuyasha all flustered and embarrassed. And Kami, did he ever look so adorable, like a defeated puppy. But he was her puppy; her easily embarrassed and adorable, rough and protective, sweet and caring puppy dog.

'He would kill me if I said that.' She held her laughter, knowing that Inuyasha could easily hear her. So she waited quietly and patiently for her hanyou to return.

It was taking longer than Kaede thought it would. She was supposed to pick up a week's supply of clothing for four people; as well as personal affects that they might want and be out with new clues and info within just a few hours. Now it was darker then when she arrived. If there was a moon tonight, it would be hidden by massive cloud cover as she saw outside the broken living room window. It looked like it might snow very soon.

The noise around her shook he out of her musings and looked around the mess she once called home. P.I. Hisakawa said that the damage was repairable and that the house could look like new within a few weeks but the mental damage was already done to the four minds that were involved; especially the young miss's. There were men everywhere, Hisakawa's team with demon dogs that had superior sense of smells. Human and demon men were patrolling the foyer and living room, walking in and out passing notes and information. The blood, dirt and mud was scattered along the prime areas, on memories and valuables that couldn't be replaced.

There were four suitcases alongside the door, as well as a shopping bag she saw where Kagome was; along with hygiene products and personal items. They, along with her, would be driving back via Sango's borrowed car as soon as the head P.I. came back to her; he was talking heavily with a rather gruff looking man with a meaner looking black demon dog.

The old woman was silent, somewhat impatient to get back to the Hidaka house. She wanted to check on Miss Kagome and how she was holding up. No doubt Inuyasha and even Sango were there to help her but still, she was like the granddaughter she never had and was anxious to see how she was doing.

"Mito-san." Her russet eyes turned to see the human walk up to her side with a small pocket-sized notebook.

"Hisakawa-san." She greeted back; although with a hint of exhaustion in her tone.

"I apologize for keeping you later than necessary Mito-san, but I wanted to pass along this information to you to pass on to Higurashi-san."

Kaede nodded and waved her hand. "Aye, that's alright. Please go ahead."

"Love is not a matter of counting the years, but making the years count." - Michelle Amand

Did you think I would divulge anything? Guess again! All will be revealed next chapter, I promise! Oh, to anyone who guessed who the two mystery people were; some of you got it right on the dot! Anyway, I hoped you liked this shorter chapter! Next chapter will be up soon, I promise! Until then...

Ja Ne for now!