Chapter 19

"Well, it isn't the cleanest motel," Sango sighed as they got comfortable, "But it'll do for the night."

Inuyasha sniffed around, stopping in front of one of the two twin-sized beds. "Kagome's taking this one," he declared.

Kagome stopped next to him looking for any difference between the mattresses. "What's wrong with the other one?" she asked. They both looked the same with their gaudy sheets and thick comforters. When he tapped his sensitive nose, she understood.

"Keep it to yourself." Miroku sat down on the other bed, stretching his arms over his head. Sango was pacing around, inspecting every aspect of the room they rented.

The only window in the room was sealed shut, trapping a faint smell of mold inside. Two brown leather chairs sat in front of the window with a stained wooden coffee table set between them. The carpets were matted down from multiple liquid spills and time, desperately needed to be replaced. The dry walls, originally painted off-white, were tanning with age. Whoever was in here last left a coat hanging in the little closet nook by the bathroom as well as some dirty panties lingering behind the door.

Stifling a choked sound, Sango walked back into the main room, gingerly sitting down on one of the chairs. "Just one night," she muttered to herself.

"Do you really think that Shikon would search this far?" Shippo asked as he jumped on Kagome's dubbed bed. "We're pretty far now."

Kagome shrugged, ruffling his hair as she sat down next to him. "I don't know," she replied honestly. How long would they have to keep running before they were safe? "I can't be that important to them- they have more... Dreamers they can work on."

"Not exactly," Miroku replied uneasily, turning so his body faced them. "According to my records, you are the first and only one of the Dreamer project that was allowed to live in an outdoor habitat. I assume that they choose at least one in each project to live outside the facility, to observe and compare the differences. Living in the outside world, you were opened to many more influences to strengthen your imagination like no other. Not only that..." he hesitated.

"Spit it out, doc," Inuyasha demanded, plopping down on the other side of Kagome. "Everything you know."

"I suppose you have a right to know, now," Miroku nodded with a glance to Sango for confirmation. "There's only one person in the entire project that has the same exact ability- Subject 644. He had been born three months after you, and he's lived in Shikon's asylum all his life, born to be compared to you. He was sired by Hiroshi Higurashi, making him-"

"-My brother," Kagome finished, her eyes wide. "I have a little brother..."

"Half brother," Miroku corrected.

"And he's been trapped in that place," she whispered, bringing a hand to her mouth. "Three months... that would make him sixteen. He's been trapped there for sixteen years." The girl she accidentally killed came to mind, nothing but bones and a hard stare. Would he have looked like that as well? The scientists would pick his head to no end, straining his mind to his limit, just like they did her, except they could do it over and over again. She looked up at Miroku, her eyes shining, "Does he have a name? Does he know me?"

"He's been born and raised as a lab specimen. First and last names aren't necessary," he explained, "But he does know of you. He asks a lot of questions about you." Miroku shook his head, "You're the reason he held on to life for so long, even now."

"He's still in there," Kagome murmured before turning to Inuyasha.

"No," he told her even before she opened her mouth.

"He's my brother!" she argued vehemently. "I can't just leave him in that place!"

The half-demon didn't reply, though his expression said it all. He wasn't going to let her go back there, no matter what.

"Actually," Sango murmured quietly, "There's a good chance that he had been terminated. It sounded like his whole existence depended on you- so if you were gone, there'd be no point. With the uproar Inuyasha and Shippo caused by setting some of the experiments loose... if he were one of them, there's no doubt that he's dead."

Silence hung heavy between all of them. Kagome's hands trembled beside her. She not only risked her parents' lives, she risked the kid brother she never knew she had. He was innocent- in the same boat she had been, but if he could take their abuse and live sixteen years, that meant she could have as well. Kikyou said she'd release me when her scientists were done testing me. She said it'd only be two weeks. Would she have given me my brother, too?

"You said there were one subject living outside for each project," Inuyasha noted, breaking the silence, "Where are they now?"

Miroku shook his head. "I was assigned to Project Dreamer. I have no idea what they contain on the other floors and, frankly, I don't want to know." He stabbed his fingers in his hair, leaning forward. "You've seen the other Dreamers, Inuyasha. Every experiment on that level could project countless things with their minds. But we've kept that chemical that disables the ability in the brain to keep them from turning that ability onto their selves. The older projects have to be constrained so tightly in the testing rooms because of that. They've lost their sanity, their will... I wanted to escape from seeing their miserable faces day in and day out. So when they underestimated Kagome's ability, I took my chance and stole the emergency key."

Sango sighed. "Let's make up a plan for Kagome, now. We can't leave her alone until she knows where to go and what to do."

"I don't want to keep running like a coward," Inuyasha admitted gruffly. "If push comes to shove, I'll meet 'em head on."

"We don't know what they'd send out," Sango reasoned. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

He growled. "I'm not about to be chased across oceans."

"Yes you will," Kagome mumbled, glaring down at the floor. "If it meant keeping me safe. You'll never leave me alone."

Inuyasha sneered but Miroku interrupted before he could reply. "What if they used the threat of Kagome's family against you? Would you stand up to them if it came to that?"

"All he cares about is my protection," Kagome answered in the same mopey tone. "It gets real annoying after a while."

"You created me to protect you!" Inuyasha snapped. "If you don't want me around anymore, you can just say so!"

She folded her arms tight around her middle, not meeting anyone's eyes. She wouldn't dare tell him that, even though she was itching to just to make him angrier. He meant so much more than her knight. Kagome just wished he wasn't so overprotective of her all the time. She wasn't a little girl anymore. Couldn't she make her own decisions. You're not even close to being a substitute parent, Inuyasha. He was her best friend, not her father, so couldn't they face this together?

However, Inuyasha took her silence as a negative answer. His hateful growl sent shivers down her spine as he stood. "Fine! You can be a little brat and go back to them if you believe you'll be better off! I'm done with your whiny ass!"

Something stabbed her heart painfully and twisted. Shooting up from her seat, she beat him to the door, slamming it shut behind her. She needed to get out of that room. Away from him. A loud bang shook the door behind her, making her jump. Did he just punch the door? With a gasp, she ran, not caring where her feet took her. Her vision blurred and she hurriedly wiped her falling tears.

"Kagome! Wait!"

She didn't want to stop. If she was such a burden to Inuyasha, she should just turn herself in. Inuyasha was real now, he could live his own life.

"K-Kagome!"

Blinded by tears once again, her feet tripped over some uneven pavement and she landed hard, scraping her hands and knees as she caught herself.

Shippo caught up to her, hugging her arm. "Don't go!" he cried.

Kagome sobbed, holding the tyke close. "Shippo..."

"I-Inuyasha was created to protect you. He just wants you to be safe," Shippo sniffled against her bosom. "He loves you, you know? Everyone doesn't want you to get hurt."

She hugged him tightly. "I love him too," she wept, "But he wasn't created only to protect me. He's my fr-friend, too..."

Shippo squirmed out of her embrace, tugging her hand as he wiped away his own stray tears. "C-Come on. Let's go back. I'll make Inuyasha apologize to you."

Kagome slowly stood and followed him. "H-He just thinks I'm so pathetic," she cried, hesitating when they came back to the motel's sign. Instead of going back to face Inuyasha, she sat on the curb, wanting to compose herself. "Maybe I am..."

"No, you're not!" Shippo retorted, sitting next to her. "You're his human. It's his duty to protect you."

She shook her head. "He wasn't created to protect me..." she repeated slowly. They've been through a lot together. He was there when the monsters from her nightmares came true. But there had to be more than that. He stayed by her side, playing games with her, making her laugh. He cheered her up when she was sad, brought her confidence when she felt insecure. If he were just made to protect her, would he put so much compassion into their relationship?

"Papa will come home soon," Seiko promised as she closed Kagome's storybook. "He's just very busy with work, sweetie."

"But I want Papa to read me a story!" Kagome cried.

Seiko smoothed her bangs, kissing her forehead. "He'll come home soon," she repeated in reassurance. "Maybe tomorrow? Now go to sleep, Kagome."

"'Kay..." the four year old mumbled reluctantly, snuggling under her covers as Seiko left, closing the door behind her. Even so young, her mother's assurances did nothing to ease her worry. Her father had been gone for a week now. What if he was in danger? What if the boogeyman had got him like the story her grandfather told her?

With a whimper, she drew the blankets up to cover half her face, keeping her eyes on the music box that continued to play happy, soothing music. Lights in the shape of stars slowly rotated around her room, assuring her that there were no monsters lurking in the shadows.

"Papa..." Her worry for her father kept her awake, though the music box did well to lull her to sleep as well. Her gaze slid over to her toys that littered the entire room.

"Would you like me to read you a story, Kagome?"

Kagome smiled when her second mother- the one who gave her all the treats and toys she wanted- came into view. Strangely, the beautiful woman only appeared occasionally, and always when she wanted something. "Uh-huh."

The second mother- Izayoi, she called herself- picked up one of the books from her shelves, deciding on her favorite fairytale. She had a lovely voice, getting into character naturally as she read how a poor boy saved the princess from a wicked dragon and ended up marrying her, becoming King as the princess was Queen. Their happily ever after calmed Kagome to nearly fall asleep.

"Oh, Kagome," Izayoi breathed, brushing her hair away from her face. "I wish I had a child like you. You're just so adorable."

Kagome smiled wide. "You do have me, Mama."

She chuckled. "But I won't always be with you, Kagome. You're so young, you'll never understand."

"Understand what?"

"Never mind, dear, just sleep," she whispered. "Some day, you'll meet a prince of your own, and you'll have everything you'll ever need. He'll protect you, love you, and you'll live happily ever after."

"I want an ever after..." she said sleepily.

"I promise you will."

Curious golden eyes were the first thing she saw next morning.

Kagome's tears dried as she recalled Inuyasha's creation. He'll protect me, love me, and I'll live happily ever after... that's what I wanted... she glanced back at the motel just as Inuyasha stepped out. Their eyes met and she smiled weakly, standing up.

Inuyasha ran to meet her with a frown on his face. "Don't you ever leave without me, you stupid girl," he growled, "I didn't mean it. Geez, you take everything so seriously!"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on her tip-toes, and catching him by surprise. "I'm sorry," she murmured, pressing her mouth against his neck.

His arms hesitantly wrapped around her middle. "Uh...um..." When she giggled at his lack of response, he muttered a halfhearted 'keh' and left it at that.

A/N: At the rate I'm going, I think I'm going to go over thirty-one chapters :/ What should I do? Speed it up (which would make it sound cheesy as hell), make chapters longer (more detail, but I can't promise to update everyday), or just go over (which would mean that I might have to come back to my account permanently) I'll leave it up to you guys to decide.

Dwarg91: I don't think I have enough time to add the tragedy of her family, but I DO think (I'm at least eighty percent sure) Sesshomaru will show his face one way or another.

haine21: Kagome CAN make him real, as he is right now, but he's still linked to her mind, meaning that if she doesn't care for him anymore, he can disappear. And this story is basically what you guys want to happen (along with the added twists I put in). It's all for you guys, so if enough people want something to happen, I'll make it happen in my own style.

Warm-Amber92: Yep. Was it the way you planned? x)

j . wintercrow: I'm sorry, who?

Flare the Hedgehog: Thank you :)

InuandKaglove4Life & Kagome's Blossom: Again, *insert evil laughter here*

Opalbrat: Keh, it's what I do best ;)

Foreverxweird: Aw... *hugs... unless you're not into that sort of thing and want your personal space... then I'll just nod to you sympathetically*

HopelessRomantic183: I planned Kouga to have a bigger impact on the story from the beginning (but since I hate him with a passion, my writing ran away from him, forcing him to chase me :/) Since everyone was asking, I included Souta in the story for the hell of it (it also gives me somewhere to take the story, so I'm happy I did) It certainly explains why Kagome's dad ran off (to get another woman pregnant with him). Your guess with Kikyou? I have to go flip tables again because I didn't think of that x) We'll see.

You guys are gonna absolutely love what's coming next.

FxA