It's been a week since they got out of the forest. Takai wasn't able to accept that his best friend's soul had shattered. How could he? Inu had always been the tough one out of the two of them. And Takai was always the caring pervert. How that worked, even he wasn't sure at the moment. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the fox demon Shippou carrying Inu on his back. Even though it had been a week, Inu still hadn't returned to being a half-demon. Or, had awakened…

This was starting to worry him at the moment.

"Will he be okay?" Asked Takai, trying to figure out if his friend was ever going to get his spirit back together again, but even that sounded hopeless…

"I don't know… A shattered spirit is very rare. But it's even rarer for a demon or even a half-demon such as Inu to have his soul shattered. Though there is a small bit of hope that he'll be okay, since only half of it had shattered…" Hana whispered softly, she was just as upset as Takai about Inu. She cared for the hanyou since he had saved her life once and wanted to repay him in anyway. But, she didn't know how to do that… Least, not at the moment…

"I can't believe that he hasn't woken up…" Whispered Takai…

"I know Takai, but those who shattered never wake up till they're put together again." Calmly said Hana, hoping that she could get everyone to cheer up, but at the moment it didn't seem like even she could cheer up at all. It all just seemed so impossible at the moment.

"Hey guys, think we could rest? Inu is a little heavy right now…" Whined Shippou, which had almost made Takai laugh, almost… It seemed so weird to hear someone who is older than himself, to whine and complain but then again, Shippou though; Shippou only looked like he was possibly in his twenties…

Both Takai and Hana nodded in agreement, Takai reached into his backpack and pulled out one of the few sleeping bags that he brought and set one on the ground for Inu to rest on.

Inu looked so peaceful as he lied on the sleeping bag. It was as if his soul hadn't shattered but was having one of his weekend afternoon naps under the sacred tree that resided in his uncle's yard. Inu always loved sleeping under that tree for some reason. Saying that it brought him a strange sense of peace, that there was a way that even he, could be accepted, why that was Takai never understood till now. It was because half-demons were never accepted… Inu's father was the only acceptation that he knew of at this moment.

Takai walked over to Inu and knelt next to him, trying to think on what he could do or say to wake up the sleeping now human Inu.

"Come on buddy, your tougher then that… You have to wake up." Takai said, hoping that maybe Inu would wake up… "You have to wake up because I swear if you don't then maybe… I'll flirt with Hana! Come on!" Man, Takai was so glad that Hana wasn't near him when he said that Inu would wake up and punches him in the face. Nothing… there wasn't any sign that Inu had heard him at all… Inu just laid there, eyes still closed; the sound of his soft breathing filled the silence of the forest.

Takai couldn't take this and it's only been one week! Getting up, he said "I'm going to train…" With that, he started to walk away; maybe practicing with his weapons would get his mind off of all of this… least for the time being…

Hana just stared at where Takai once was till the shadows of the forest swallowed him. Sighing softly, Hana stared at Inu and walked over to him. Making sure that he was okay, wondering if any part of his soul was put together. Though, as far as she could sense nothing… There was no change in him at all. His skin had lost a little colour yesterday but he was still healthy otherwise. Hana worried about him though, half-demons could only last so long without food.

Sighing softly, Hana cupped Inu's cheek wanting to see if he would wake up to her touch. Nothing, he didn't even twitch… Though, now that she thinks about it his skin felt a little cool to her… Then again, that was to be expected with his soul the way it is right now… "Inu, please wake up… you have to put your soul back together…"

"Anything?" Shippou asked as he brought some firewood, he had left after setting Inu down so they could cook some fish after he went fishing. Looking around the young fox demon was wondering where the other kid went. "Where's Takai?"

"Gone training, it must have been hard for him to see Inu like this." Hana whispered as she stared at Inu. Wondering if he would ever wake up.

"I feel so useless…" Hana whispered softly. She knew that there was a spell that could heal those with shattered souls, but because that never happens anymore she bothered to learn the spell. The only one that had learned this spell was her elder sister, but… it wouldn't have mattered… Hana was the one left in her family. The chants were left in her family's shrine, along with this strange painting… the same painting that will lead them to Inu's father.

"Hana, stop talking like that, Inu would be angry if you said anything like that."

"How would you know?"

"He's much like his father. Inuyasha always hated it when people said that they were useless, hopeless and so on. And, somehow Inu ended up coming like his father without even knowing him."

Hana stared at Inu and sighed softly. She wasn't sure what more she could do, only that she could at least make sure that Inu was safe and remained safe. That was all she could do wasn't it? Sniffling softly, Hana got up saying "can you look after Inu for a moment? I… I want to go to the springs for a moment." With that, Hana started to walk away, trying hard to hide her tears. Trying hard, not to sob, not wanting to show how heartbroken she really was to see Inu like this.

As Hana walked, she wondered if maybe there were even small healing scrolls that she could use to help Inu fix his shattered soul, even if it was only a little bit. Taking a deep breath the young woman shook her head. There weren't any scrolls that she owned that could help him. Inu was the only one that could help him… "It's my fault… I should have suggested going around the forest…" Hana whimpered out only to end up falling to her knees and sobbing into her hands. This wasn't fair, Inu didn't deserve this… he didn't deserve this!

"Hana?" Whispered a voice which had caused the young woman to look up and gasp in shock. No, she had to be going crazy, it couldn't be possible! Shaking her head, Hana tried to see if she was seeing things. Thinking things that shouldn't be in her head that would make her see what she was seeing. Sadly, that had failed, for standing in front of her was Inu… Or, half of him… His body was ghostly, but the only part of him that was see able, was his demon half… at least, his half-demon self. His gold eye stared at her with such soft and tenderness that she never knew it would be possible.

"Inu but… how?" Hana said with shock and confusion written all over her face. It didn't make any kind of sense, had she gone crazy with guilt?

He gave her a small smile as he said "I don't really know myself… I know my soul is shattered for the time being… my body needs to heal on its own for the moment. But, I need you to do something for me… I need you to make sure that I'm safe till I've healed."

"How do I know that this is really you?"

Inu frowned in deep thought. Hana thought that maybe this wasn't Inu at all, but had a feeling that it was someone else, pretending to be him. Then, Inu smiled as if he had thought of something. "The necklace you gave me… I took it off and slipped it in my robe on the left side. There's a pocket in my kimono and you'll find it there. If you find it, then you'll know it's me right now. Cause no one knew where I hid it."

Hana just stared at him for a moment. Trying to think if he was telling the truth but… what did she have to lose at this point? Taking a deep breath, Hana wiped her eyes, pushed herself from the ground and thought that maybe, she should go to the springs first unless she told Shippou that she couldn't find it? That could work… But, she also didn't want to wait for the springs because she felt like she really needed a soak a nice long soak.

Sighing, Hana looked for Inu but blinked in confusion for he wasn't there at all. That didn't make any kind of sense unless it was the part of his soul that was separated from his body. It would make sense on why he was still human right now. It was his demon half that was separated from his soul and his human half remains in his sleeping body.

As she walked, Hana wondered what she use she was to the group… Hell, she was the weakest out of her siblings, they always made fun of her cause she couldn't learn the spells as well as they could. Frowning in deep thought, Hana couldn't help but wonder what she could do now… should she leave the group after she gets them to the painting?

Or should she stay with them?

Frowning in deep thought, the young woman could have thought of many reasons on why she should leave their group, but the only thing that seemed good enough for her to leave was to say that she was completely useless and of no help to them.

Sighing softly, Hana arrived to the springs and sank into the water. Hoping that there was something that she could do to help him, but so far she came up with nothing… Sighing softly, Hana just decided to relax and wash herself up in the water.

Takai stared at the few trees that he had torn down with his katana. He wondered why he was so pissed about all that's happened… Maybe it was because he felt like he hadn't done a thing to help Inu. Only that he had tried to prevent him from transforming. The young slayer had never seen his friend transform that far before, or even act like that. There were many things that Takai would blame himself for, but knew that it wasn't anyone's fault.

Inu hadn't gotten over his mother's death, and the guilt was what had forced him to transform.

Looking at the sky, Takai tried to think of one of the worst days of his life. Least, before this…

"So Takai, I heard that girl asked you out… Um, what was her name again? Kiyoko?"

"Yeah, I can't believe it! The most popular girl in school asked me out!" Takai said with glee in his voice, which had matched the goofy smile that was on his face. In fact, that smile had been on his face all day every day. And it was starting to worry the young hanyou. Sure, Takai wasn't a bad looking guy but everyone in school thought that Takai would rape a girl the first chance he got since he was a pervert.

But Inu knew better.

"Takai, maybe it's a trick…"

"No way! She said that she loves me. That she wanted to be with me!" Takai said with a glare, thinking that Inu was just jealous that he got a girl and the silver haired boy didn't. Inu just narrowed his eyes, thinking that Takai was being an idiot, come on! Why would the most popular girl suddenly want to go out with Takai?

"Listen to me Takai! Kiyoko is using you!" Screamed Inu,

"Shut up Inuyasha! I'll prove that she loves me for me!" Shouted Takai as he stomped away, Inu sighed softly for right now, he felt a little sorry for Takai. He had to prove that Kiyoko was only using Takai for her own personal gain… whatever it is anyway… Taking a deep breath, Inu thought that his best bet is to track her tomorrow.

As for Takai, he had gone to meet up with Kiyoko. He loves her, the idea of being with a popular girl made him a little happy.

Though, he couldn't help but wonder if this was really right… If Kiyoko really did have feelings for him, yeah she did. Of course she did, why else would she ask him out in the first place right? Grinning, Takai had gone to his house to grab something from his safe. His family was very wealthy, that much was for sure. But he didn't let anyone know; thinking that if they knew then they would treat him differently. He wants people to like him for him.

Once the safe was open, Takai tried to think on what to give Kiyoko. But couldn't think of anything to give her, though not until his eyes fell on the sapphire necklace that once belonged to his grandmother Takai couldn't help but grin like a fool, he happily said "I can't wait to see her expression just gotta find out how to give it to her…"

Takai paced his room after closing the safe; he was told to give this necklace to someone that he would love. But, he couldn't think of how to give it to Kiyoko. Sighing softly, he thought that maybe he could surprise her by hiding it in her locker with a letter? Yeah, that could work…

Grinning like a fool, Takai placed the necklace in a small box and went to sleep. He was worn out, but tomorrow he thought that maybe he should have a nice talk with Inu. To tell his friend to stay out of his business, for Inu didn't know everything. How could he? He wasn't human and that had always stopped him from getting close to anyone because he feared of never getting accepted by a girl.

"He's just worrying over nothing." Takai said to himself as he went to shower. Maybe tomorrow, no tomorrow will be the best day ever!

Inu had kept watch on Kiyoko. He just thought that Kiyoko suddenly liking Takai after time and again saying that he was a 'loser'. Sure, he doesn't care who Takai goes out with but he just thought that it was a little suspicious is all. Narrowing his eyes, he hid in the shadows being careful not to get caught.

"So Kiyoko, are you really dating that Takai guy?" Asked an American transfer student, Inu didn't know her name either since he tends to avoid the popular click. There wasn't a point in trying to get along with them if they only think 'perfection' was how this world worked. It made him sick…

"For now, I don't really give a damn about him. He's nothing but a fucking pervert. I want his friend." Said Kiyoko, her brown hair dancing when she turned to face her friend, brown eyes sparkling with her 'I'm-so-better-then-you' attitude, the young hanyou couldn't help but narrow his golden eyes at her. The bitch was after him?

"You mean Inuyasha Higurashi? But why? Sure he's hot but when has he ever taken interest in girls? Have you thought that maybe he is after the same thing as you?" Said the blonde American girl.

Inu wanted to fall over; the girl thought that he was gay? The hell?

"I highly doubt he is. A man as good looking as him is straight and needs a woman as good looking as me." Kiyoko said as she ran a hand through her perfect hair. Inu on the other hand just rolled his eyes at her as if he's seen better than her. He was thankful that he had his tape recorder playing so he could have his proof.

Inu took a deep breath and got an idea. He might as well mess with her mind; all he had to do was put on the charm. Taking a deep breath, Inu walked out of the shadows that had kept him hidden and walked over to the chattering girls. "Excuse me Kiyoko, may I speak with you?" Inu said with his sedative voice. His eyes smoldering (faking) at her as he placed a hand on the lockers that she was near. He saw Kiyoko blush and giggled at him. Inu knew that this was working. And to think, people think he's only good looking.

"Sure…" Kiyoko said as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

Once he saw that the other girl was gone Inu kept his gaze on Kiyoko trying to be sure that this act kept up for the time being. Smiling as he stared at her with his smoldering gold eyes, he said "you know Kiyoko, I'm surprised that I never noticed you before… you're just so beautiful…" Inu felt like he was going to be sick right now…

"Oh Inuyasha, I know I'm beautiful… I've wanted to go out with you for so long Inu…" Kiyoko said in a whisper that was so soft that a normal human wouldn't have been able to pick it up.

Inu just stared at her, trying to make her keep thinking that he was still interested in her, for now. He whispered "is that why you were using my best friend to make me jealous? Cause you wanted me to go out with you?" When he saw her nod dreamily, Inu's eyes narrowed into angry slits as he slammed his fist into the locker. "If there's one thing you should know Kiyoko, is that I won't stand by and watch my friends get kicked around by bitches like you. I don't hurt women but if you try to use anyone again you bitch then I won't hesitate to hurt you."

Kiyoko just smirked at him that was weird people normally found him intimidating. This was new for him.

"Oh and what are you doing to do about it Inuyasha. Takai won't believe you over me."

"Oh, I know that…" When he saw her smirk more it was Inu's turn to smile as he said "that was why I recorded your entire confession on tape. Once Takai hears this, you're through." With that, he started to walk away to tell Takai the truth. It was time that Takai knew the painful truth…

"No… it… it can't be true!" Shouted Takai as he punched Inu in the face, the hanyou normally wouldn't do this but he would allow it this once. Takai deserved to vent out at the moment. Sighing softly, Inu knew that Takai was feeling like his heart had just been ripped out. Sometimes, knowing the truth is painful. "Your fucking lying to me dude!"

"I'm not Takai. She was using you to get to me. I'm sorry but from the moment she asked you out I smelled her lies. You wouldn't believe me less you heard the words from her mouth even if it was on tape." Inu calmly said, rubbing the burns that were on his face. Takai had fused his sacred energy into his hits which, had caused Inu to burn a little bit.

Takai fell to his knees and looked like he would cry, but held in his tears. Sometimes, Inu thought that he would just break down if he kept holding in his emotions like that. Patting his back, Inu calmly said "listen Takai, people get hurt every day, there are people who have it worse then you. Now, I'm not going to say that I'm worst off then you, but think about those who are hurting deep down that try to hide it." With that, Inu started to walk away, knowing that Takai needed to think.

This was so true…

When Takai was home, he thought about what Inu had said. He was right sadly, there were many people out there that had it worst off then he did. And Inu was one of them, he hid how he felt about being alone cause of what he was. Takai knew that it wasn't fair to only think of him, after all… Inu had just helped him from someone that was only using him to make Inu jealous.

Sighing softly, the young man knew that he would have to say that he was sorry to Inu tomorrow… No, grabbing his phone Takai called Inu and told him that he had been very stupid, even for him. Which, of course Inu had agreed too, which had made both boys laugh.

Takai couldn't help but laugh about that now. Inu had always looked out for him, they were like brothers. Always trying to support the other, though Takai knew that deep down, it wasn't enough to only be a brother to Inu. Inu needed, no wanted his father around. And someone to love him… Takai hoped that Inu found someone like that someday. If anyone deserved love it was Inu. Rolling his head from shoulder to shoulder, the young slayer thought that maybe he should head on back. Guessing that Hana would start to worry, she was already a wreck from Inu's soul shattering.

Taking a deep breath, the young man placed his katana back in its sheath and started to head on back to camp. Maybe if he was lucky Inu was already awake and begging for ramen. Wait that could work! Inu loved ramen, and would always wake up when someone mentioned it! Man why didn't he try that before?

Laughing to himself, Takai started to run back to camp. Maybe if he was lucky then he would be able to wake him up after all! Though, what Takai hadn't noticed was the broken part of Inu's soul staring at Takai, saying "that won't wake me Takai… Only healing my soul shall awaken me…"

Shippou stood by the camp fire, it's been a few hours since Takai and Hana left. He guessed that since they were still dealing with Inu's condition that they wanted some time alone to vent a bit. Not that he could blame them, if he was in their places, and it was one of his friends then he would have felt the same. Though, he was confused on why Hana felt like it was her fault. He knew that something was causing her own inner turmoil besides Inu being in this state.

But, there was nothing that he could do, demon souls were almost impossible to repair. Though, this was Inuyasha's and Kagome's son… Sighing softly, the young fox looked over at the sleeping teen and wondered what he was dreaming about. Or, if he was even dreaming at all for he's never seen anyone in this kind of shape before. So, he didn't know what to expect at this point.

Sighing softly, he grabbed one of the fishes that he had been cooking though he had a few set aside for Takai and Hana. Looking over at the cat demon, Shippou asked "what do you think Kirara? Think Inu will have his father's determination and fight this through?" His only responds was a 'mew' which made Shippou smile a bit. Kirara was a strange one, no one could understand her but other cat demons wither their like those demons that wanted Kagome's soul to bring back their boss, or other demons that were just like her.

"If you're listening Inu, I hope you know the pain this is bringing everyone. I'm not trying to guilt you awake, but I just hope you know…" Shippou sighed softly when he didn't get a responds. He kinda missed the great energy that was going around when they traveled. Even if it wasn't very long, it was still very fun… made him think of the days when he, along with the others looked for the jewel shards and hunt down Naraku.

"Reminds you of the good old days eh Kirara?"

"Mew!"

Shippou chuckled, Kirara was still the same as ever and it made him happy that he was on another adventure. Even if it wasn't a huge one like with the Shikon Jewel… "Hm… now that I think about it, it's like finding the shards again. But, this time it's finding the Kind Hearted Demon that has the jewel… Makes me wonder who would have it. It's very rare for a demon to be kind enough to have a jewel without tainting it…"

Looking over at Inu, Shippou wondered if Inu ever had any ideas, or hints. If he was as connected to the jewel like his mother, then maybe he could sense them too. But not like he could ask him at all. "Kagome, if only you were here… then maybe you could answer this riddle…"

Again, his only answer was silence. Lying on his back, Shippou stared at the sky, wondering what he could do, wondering what could be done about the young hanyou that was resting on the sleeping bag. Turning over to stare at him, Shippou couldn't believe how much Inu looked like Inuyasha when he was human. It was almost scary; sometimes he almost thought that it was Inuyasha. But, sadly Inuyasha never slept when he was human, and it made him wonder how Inu slept when he was human.

Did he ever stay up like Inuyasha?

Did he even know he could be human? Yeah he would, Kagome wouldn't hide that from him…

But, how did he react to it? To lack of smell, lack of hearing, lack of sight? It all confused Shippou to a great deal. But knew that he couldn't ask, fearing that Inu had inherited Inuyasha's 'hitting-what-ever-pissed-him-off' problem. Sighing, he sat up again and looked at the sky. It must have been close to night now, Hana and Takai had been gone a while… and it was starting to worry him.

Yawning, Shippou kept watch, no point in going to sleep if no one was going to be awake to protect the others, less Kirara wanted to take a turn in keeping watch. Turning to stare at the now sleeping cat demon, Shippou sighed, looks like he failed in that. Suddenly, he heard it, someone was coming toward him. Narrowing his eyes, Shippou grabbed his sword and got ready for a fight.

Though, once he caught wind of the scent that belonged to whoever was coming, the fox demon started to relax, it was only Takai. "Bout time you showed up Takai… the fish is done…"

"Thanks, I have an idea that might wake him up!"

"Hmm? What might that be?"

"Inu, ramen's ready."

"…"

"That's your idea?"

"It always wakes him up…"

"Takai, his soul is 'shattered' which means he won't wake up! You have to give him some time to heal damn it!" Shouted the fox as if Takai was stupid. Great, he hung out with Inuyasha too much as a child…

Takai only sighed and sat down, starting to nibble on a fish that was left for him.

Shippou sighed saying "look, I'm sorry, but you have to learn this stuff the hard way sometimes." He started to rub the back of his head as he explained all of this, knowing that it must be hard on all of this. Yawning, Shippou got up saying "well, I'm gonna go scout around a bit maybe I can find Hana. Stay and keep an eye on Inu alright?" Before he could get an answer, Shippou had already left. He was going to go look around for any dangers that might want to attack them while they were a man down.

Shippou kinda laughed at that, people would never wanna mess with Inuyasha's son if they knew what kind of power he had. Sighing softly, Shippou walked around the forest, not really seeing where he was going. More like, he was feeling where he was going, if that made sense. Shippou was weird that way, he could easily find something if he was feeling it, hell he found Sango and Miroku once when he was upset about something and without using his eyes or nose, he just… felt them.

Blinking a few times Shippou looked up and couldn't believe that he's done it again. He found the hot springs without even looking for them. Sighing softly, he scratched the back of his head as he said "hey Hana, you here?" Looking around, he tried to catch a whiff of her scent, but with the springs it made it impossible.

"Shippou?"

Turning, Shippou sighed softly when he saw that Hana was already out of the springs, and fully dressed. It was good too or he would have to deal with Inu if he was awake, and found out about this. "Come on, we got some fish to eat up." Nodding, Hana left with Shippou. Both remained silent. Though, Shippou thought that he heard Inu's voice.

"Protect them… I will awaken soon…"