I finally came up with something! Of course, it only happened due to the large amount of help O-Mega Lead has given me. You know, like, ideas, suggestions, comments, and sending me a message every three days or so telling me to hurry up and get on with it. In fact, this whole entire chapter began as one of those ideas…Gomen! I know I'm horribly late!!! Forgive me! I've been up to my ears in the silliness that is One Piece and Kyou Kara Maou!!! I couldn't concentrate on this! –cries dramatically-

Otulia: We don't own InuYasha. Or even the initial idea behind this chapter. We only borrowed and tweaked it to better fit what we have planned. But be sure to thank O-Mega Lead!

Fear Realized

Sleep would not come. She felt better, having InuYasha nearby, but each time sleep began to overtake her, memories flooded into her mind, jolting her awake. Each time, she chided herself on her foolishness, telling herself that she was safe. She was in her own time, in her own home, and InuYasha was with her. Nothing could happen. But as she drifted off again, the wicked cackling of the mountain bandit filled her head, making her instantly alert.

She glanced at InuYasha. He was still seated by the foot of her bed, but his head was lowered. It seemed that he was asleep. She knew that he would probably awaken at the slightest sound, but she needed him. And at the same time, he needed sleep, too. He hadn't slept the night before, because of the new moon, and since he had been human at the time, he needed extra sleep now.

Being as silent as possible, she slipped out of her bed and onto the floor next to him. She didn't know what purpose this might serve; she had simply wanted to be nearer to him.

"Kagome?"

She jumped and turned toward him. He was watching her, and even in the dim light, she could see the concern in his eyes.

"Can't sleep?" he asked gently.

She shook her head sadly. "Every time I close my eyes, I can hear his voice," she whimpered, shuddering at the memory.

He sighed inwardly. He didn't know what to do for her. He wanted desperately to help her accept what had happened and be able to move on, but he didn't know how. Then, an idea struck him. If the memory of the bandit's voice was keeping her awake, then perhaps, she needed another voice to listen to. One less threatening and more familiar.

He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. "I want to tell you something my mother once said to me."

She nodded against his shoulder, her eyelids drooping.

Thoughts of his mother were always hard. Taking a calming breath, he continued. "It was back when I was still a pup, too small to defend myself. We weren't really wanted in the village we lived in, and the older children hated me for what I am. They had ganged up on me, and by the time I had gotten away, I was hurt pretty badly. Back then, I didn't know what it meant to be a half-demon. Mother tried to explain to me why everyone hated me, but I didn't understand. Then she looked me straight in the eyes and told me that terrible things may happen, but life goes on. And if you're strong, you can overcome anything. All you have to do is keep your eyes looking forward, and your feet moving. And once you're far enough away, then you can look back, and though the pain may still be there, it won't hold you down."

He lowered his gaze to Kagome. He hadn't noticed when she had fallen asleep, so caught up in his memory he had been. Gingerly, so as not to wake her, he lifted her back onto her bed and pulled the blanket over her. Then, he resumed his seat on the floor, picking up his own slumber where he'd left off

"Alright, I'm off to school," Kagome announced.

"Are you sure, dear? You can stay home today if you'd like," her mother offered gently.

Kagome shook her head. "Thanks, but I really want to catch up on my studies," she replied with a smile. It was fake, and everyone knew it.

"Well, if you're sure…" her mother conceded.

With a nod, she picked up her school bag and walked to the door. Slipping on her shoes, she opened the door and stepped into the sunshine to find InuYasha standing right there waiting for her.

"You'll be alright?" he asked gently, staring at something in the distance.

"Yeah, I'll be okay," she answered slowly. "School is…familiar. I'll be fine. But…" she hesitated, looking embarrassed. "Could you walk with me?"

He nodded and disappeared. A moment later, he returned with his baseball cap planted firmly over his ears.

They walked in a silence that was tense, but not awkward. Nothing needed to be said; it was enough that InuYasha was there with her. He made her feel safe; without him she wouldn't have had the courage to walk the distance between the shrine and the school.

"Are you okay, Kagome?" Eri asked at lunchtime.

Yuka looked at her closely. "You've been acting really out-of-it all day," she remarked.

"You're not still sick, are you?" Ayumi asked, concerned. "Your grandfather said you had the padriatic flu."

Kagome sweat-dropped inwardly. That's not even a real illness, she thought. Outwardly, she plastered on a fake smile. "I'm fine, really, guys.

Just then, Hojo came over to them. "I'm glad you're feeling well enough to come to school today, Kagome."

"Thanks, Hojo," she replied, desperately hoping he wasn't about to ask her on a date.

"I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk with me through the park after school." He sounded so hopeful that it made Kagome feel bad about having to decline.

"Well, you see..." Before she could come up with an excuse, Yuka butted in.

"Of course she'll go with you!" she exclaimed.

Eri nodded. "Kagome would be delighted."

Hojo's smile brightened. "Alright, I'll see you after school, Kagome!" He walked away, leaving Kagome stuttering.

"Guys, I can't! I have to-"

"You're going, and that's final!" Eri said in her no-nonsense voice. "You're always getting sick and missing your dates with him."

"This is your big chance!" Ayumi said excitedly.

Kagome sighed. Sometimes, she hated her friends.

InuYasha, perched easily outside, scowled. How could Kagome let her friends order her around like that?

"It sure is a nice day, isn't it?" Hojo said cheerily.

And it was a nice day. The warm sun was shining down on them, and the air was clear and fresh. Other people in the park laughed merrily, enjoying the day. It was all lost on Kagome.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked. "You seem a little tense." He casually touched her arm when he said this. If she had been tense before, it was nothing compared to now.

The memory of that awful night jumped to the top of her mind. She recalled the sounds of the bandits' voices, their laughter. And…they way he grabbed her, pulling her off into the trees, away from Sango, away from safety…

"Kagome?"

With a yelp, she pulled away from him, dashing away. Her fear overwhelmed her, and she lost all sense of where she was.

InuYasha dropped from the tree where he'd been watching her, and stood in her path. She ran into his arms, trying her hardest not to cry. "It's alright, Kagome," he said softly. The depth of her fear worried him. That Hojo guy had just been concerned, and hadn't done anything wrong to get this response from her.

She clung to him, shaking uncontrollably. "InuYasha," she whispered, burying her face in his haori.

Hojo watched, concerned. Something must have happened to Kagome, something terrifying. But it was clear that she trusted this person, whoever he was. Maybe, some other time, Kagome would be able to tell him what had happened. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

Sango stared at the clouds as they passed by overhead, lost in thought.

Miroku, seated next to her, said quietly, "Kagome was really frightened by those bandits."

Sango nodded. "She's never been in a situation like that, and she doesn't know how to defend herself."

"You've dealt with men like that before?" Miroku asked, surprised.

She nodded. "Luckily, Father had taught me how to fight them off without killing them. Fighting demons is one thing, but fighting humans, that's completely different."

They sat in silence for a while. Then Sango spoke again. "I'll teach Kagome what my father taught me."

THE END! Okay, I'm sorry it took me so long, once again! Really! Just review, and if you have any suggestions, let me know! Once again, a special arigatou to O-Mega Lead for all the assistance. Much appreciated!