Hey Guys! I have a longer chapter for you this time. No excuse for the delay other than pure laziness. Thank you for your kind words, I love hearing what you guys think is going to happen! You make my day brighter!

Enjoy and don't forget to read and review

It was amazing how quickly they fell back into their routine. No one asked her any questions about her home life. But there hadn't been much reason to. She hadn't seen her father in over a week. Kagome loved it. She didn't care where he had gone and he didn't leave a note. In his absence she thrived. All her physical bruises were healed. Sango has even stocked her fridge for her, so Kagome was slowly but surely putting on some weight, she hadn't had this much food at her disposal in years. In all honesty she was stuffing her face. Her face was the first to change. Her cheeks were full, with a healthy flush, her hair looked healthy again, even her nose appeared a little straighter than before. She never told her friends what happened between her and her father. It was just easier to push it to the back of her mind than to try and deal with it. Kagome often wondered if that was healthy.

Sango had given Kagome some of her clothes. For once she had clothes that fit just right, that actually went together.

Kagome had grown use to the haze she had in front of her eyes every morning when she woke. The world around her looked different. Colors were more vivid, and smells sharper. Her bed had never felt so soft, as it felt like every inch of her body was being gently caressed. She got up quickly, having realized she overslept. Though her work load had been light so far this year, her absences had caused it to pile up. Kagome had spent the past week buried under homework. But last night she finished the last of it. Kagome closed the open books around her on her bed. She got up, and quickly made it to her bathroom. She brushed her teeth before changing quickly in her room. She pulled a brush through her hair, and after looking for a hair tie decided to leave it down. She heard a horn honk outside and she rolled her eyes. Was it that hard to just be patient?

Sango had to take a makeup test earlier that morning so Kagome was getting a ride with Inuyasha and Miroku. She pulled on her shoes and rushed down the stairs. Grabbing an apple from her fridge before leaving. The snow must have fallen heavy last night, her driveway was covered. She hadn't really had to shovel it since it started snowing over a week ago. Kagome walked through the deep snow covering her yard to Inuyasha's waiting car.

She opened the door surprised to find Miroku already in the backseat.

"Good morning guys, thanks for picking me up."

"No problem," Inuyasha said, before pulling off.

"Kagome, you look very nice this morning," Miroku said from the backseat. Kagome turned in her seat to face him, a big smile on her face.

"Thanks!"

"You took too long. We're barely going to make it on time," Inuyasha said gruffly beside her.

Kagome sat forward in her seat.

"You were late getting here," Kagome mumbled, crossing her arms.

Inuyasha apparently liked to speed. Which made Kagome wonder how he was still consistently late. They whipped into the school parking lot, Kagome thanking God she was wearing her seat belt. Inuyasha carefully parked his car, turning it off in time for the first bell to ring. Kagome got out of the car quickly, moving the seat so Miroku could climb out of the back. She smiled as she watched him unfold himself from the back seat, his legs way too long to have been cramped back there.

Kagome closed the door while Miroku stretched beside her. Inuyasha lazily walked over to them. They should be rushing but they all took their time. Miroku dropped his hands, knocking Kagome's books out of her arms. Kagome frowned at Miroku.

She leaned down to grab her books quickly before the snow wet the pages. She felt something warm and fuzzy tickling her arm. Kagome looked over slowly. Inuyasha was also leaning down to help her gather her books, his ear brushing against her arm.

"Thanks," She said still looking at the top of his head. His ear twitched towards her and Kagome froze. Inuyasha stood up, and Kagome slowly followed suit. She stood there and stared at him, the late bell ringing in the distance. He held out her books, but her arms felt stiff as she stared at the ears on top of his head.

"Kagome..."

She ignored him. Miroku came up beside her, his face scrunched in concern.

"Kagome are you okay?"

Kagome quickly reached up her arm and grabbed his ear gently. It felt just like a dog's ear, fleshy, warm, and definitely real. Kagome retracted her arm quickly. Lowering her eyes to Inuyasha's. His eyes were wide in apparent shock while his mouth opened and closed She grabbed her books from his hands and turned away.

"I really can't be too late guys, I'll see you later." Kagome walked away quickly, not sparing a glance back. Kagome all but ran to class. She ducked in between people, skirting around groups of talking kids, slowly meandering to their classes. She heard Miroku calling her name, but she didn't stop. She ducked into the girls bathroom. She leaned against the wall, her thoughts racing, waiting for the bell to ring.

Kagome sat in the back of her first class, ignoring her teacher completely. They were real. He has real dog ears coming out of his head. She didn't know what that meant. Was it a weird birth defect? Or... Kagome didn't even know what else it could have been. She sat there staring at her hands. The bell rang and Kagome got up and followed the rest of her classmates out into the hall. Kagome walked to her next class in an almost daze. She stood outside her next class, trying to calm herself down, maybe she could actually focus this class. Her eyes drifted around the hall lazily, before landing on a group of girls. They were all talking excitedly. Kagome knew of them, they were popular and mean. Beautiful girls, all tall and oddly tan for this time of year. Six of them huddled around one girl in the middle who covered her mouth while she let out a loud laugh. Kagome stared at them, she didn't know why but she couldn't take her eyes away. One of the girls saw her staring. She turned to the other girls and pointed her out. They all looked before snickering and turning their attention back to the girl in the middle.

Kagome's face was on fire as she quickly turned her head.

A blue glint caught Kagome's eye.

The girl's eyes in the middle glowed blue. Kagome watched as spindly appendages seemed to sprout from her back and attach to the backs of the girls around her. Though the girls were still talking the appendages themselves turned blue and Kagome knew what she was seeing. The girl in the middle was stealing their souls. Kagome watched as one by one the appendages pulled the girls souls out of their bodies before retracting back into their owner. Kagome didn't know how she knew what she was seeing, or why she had such a painful need to stop it, but she did. She felt her feet surge forward, but came to a stop when she felt a hand on her arm. Sango stood beside her, her eyes also on the scene in front of them. Kagome watched the last appendage retract. The girl in the middle stopped laughing and turned and walked away, the rest trailing behind her. Kagome turned her eyes to Sango. She didn't know what to say, her face was twisted in confusion. Sango looked at her with sad eyes, she patted Kagome on the shoulder before she walked past her. Sango paused beside her.

"Stop making that face."

Sango was gone. Kagome took an extra second to smooth her features, leaving her face neutral, before turning and walking into her classroom.

Kagome walked towards the parking lot, student's rushing past her in excitement for the end of the day. She made her way to Sango's car. Sango sat on the trunk looking to the sky. Kagome climbed on to the trunk beside her. She looked over at Sango before following her eyes to find what she was looking at. In the sky were what appeared to be giant black birds circling off in the distance. Kagome looked down, feeling Sango's eyes on her.

They sat beside each other in silence.

"Are you still coming over later tonight?" Sango broke the silence. Kagome thought back to Inuyasha.

"Yeah. I'm still coming. What time are you picking me up?"

"I'll be there around 8."

Kagome hopped off the trunk, "Sounds good."

The car ride was quiet. Kagome had a ton of questions, the only problem was she didn't know what exactly she would be asking, and even if she did, she wouldn't know where to start first. She and Sango sat in silence both pairs of eyes locked on the road. Sango turned and opened her mouth as if to say something. Kagome watched her out the corner of her eye as she bit her lip and then closed mouth completely. They arrived at Kagome's house and Kagome quickly climbed out of the car.

"I'll see you later right?" Sango called after her Kagome leaned down to look at her face. Sango's eyebrows were knit together in concern, her voice wavering slightly.

Kagome nodded before standing up and closing the door. Sango didn't wait for her to get inside before she backed out the driveway and pulled off. Kagome opened the door quickly, greeted by the warmth of her heater and the apple spice air freshener she had bought. For once she felt at home. She was glad she had this safe haven to come to. She climbed the stairs quickly and sat on her bed. She pulled her knees to her chest before laying her head on them. Her head swam uncomfortably. She felt sick, her body having a physical reaction to the confusion and stress she felt. She laid down, closing her eyes and willing her stomach to settle. Her eyelids felt heavy and she slowly let them close.

Kagome woke with a start. She quickly grabbed her phone.

Thank God, it's only 7:30.

She felt butterflies in her stomach as she realized she'd be facing Inuyasha again. She thought back to her awkward car ride with Sango and her butterflies intensified. She didn't want to face them again. She quickly tapped out a message to Sango, before deciding to just call her.

The phone rang three times before it went to her voicemail.

"Hey this is Sango. Sorry I couldn't come to the phone, go ahead and leave me a message."

Kagome sighed, she hated leaving voicemails.

"Uhm, hey Sango. It's Kagome. I'm really sorry, but I don't feel very well so I think I'm just gonna stay home tonight. Call me when you get this. I'm really sorry. Bye."

Kagome rolled her eyes at herself.

Way to sound like a complete idiot.

Kagome tossed her phone back on the bed before laying down again. She heard something clatter from down stairs. Kagome stilled as the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She strained her ears, holding her breath to listen.

"Kagome!"

Shit.

He was back.

Kagome sat up slowly.

"Girl, I know you're here. Get your ass down these stairs!"

Kagome stared at the door. Slowly lowering her feet to the floor.

"KAGOME!" His scream startled her into motion and she clumsily crossed the room and opened her door.

"Coming."

She rushed down the stairs.

He stood in the kitchen his back to her. The food Sango had bought for her strewn across the floor.

"I'm here," She hated how small she sounded, her voice a squeak.

"Who bought this for you?" She looked at the food on the floor.

"My friend."

He turned around and looked at her. He looked different. His eyes were glowing red, his hair seemed wild around him, longer, not neatly confined as he normally wore it. His teeth were almost canine as he snarled at her.

"Which one? Was it one of the the boys?" He started to advance on her.

She couldn't speak past the lump manifesting in her throat.

"Was it that little girl who keeps coming around here?"

Kagome didn't say anything. She felt his eyes on her body.

"Who bought you these clothes? You look like a whore. The worthless piece of trash that you are. Just because you're wearing new clothes doesn't mean you don't still stink of low class."

Kagome's eyes filled with tears, the apple spice air freshener mocking her. He leaned down and sniffed her.

"You still smell like me."

Kagome felt the bile rise in her throat.

"No I don't," her voice but a whisper, practically lost in the sound of the heater starting up again.

His lips were practically on her neck, his breath causing her neck to tingle.

"Yes you do. How many showers did you take to try to get my smell off of you?"

He was mocking her, laughing as he circled around her.

Kagome's watery brown eyes met his red ones, as she watched him closely. He disgusted her.

"You're disgusting."

Her eyes widened as she realized she had spoken.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

He stopped moving, coming to stand in front of her. His eyes narrowed and his face contorted.

"What did you say to me?"

"You're disgusting. You're an abomination."

She didn't know how to stop it. Her voice sounded so clear and strong but her eyes were wide with horror. She meant it. She meant that and so much more with all of her heart, but she had never meant to say it.

He grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground. She opened her mouth in a silent gasp while he crushed her air way. He pushed her back against the wall. She scratched at his hand with clumsy fingers. He chuckled at her, walking slowly before pinning her against the far wall. His laugh echoed in her ears and Kagome felt a spark in herself. She was angry. Mad that he ruined this week for her. Mad that she the moment she got comfortable he always ruined it. Mad that he was such a bastard, and that he came back today of all days. She began clawing at his face instead, getting a couple good scratches in before he pulled his face away.

"You bitch," He roared at her, but she kept swinging her arms, forcing him to lean away from her. Her finger got hooked on his hair, and she quickly wrapped it around her fist before yanking violently. He screamed, his grip loosening then falling away completely. Kagome crumpled to the floor a fist full of his hair in her hand. He towered over her his eyes such a deep red they almost looked like black coals burning into his skull. A dark miasma swirled around him, choking her and making her skin crawl. He laid on top of her pinning him with his weight. He ravaged her body, kissing her neck, and sides of her face indiscriminately. Tears spilled from Kagome's eyes. as she feebly fought against him. The darkness surrounding her draining her energy.

"You might as well stop, you're mine. You must have forgotten, so let me remind you."

He began pulling at her clothes.

"No."

He pinned her hands over her head, and lifter her hands to expose her bra.

"No!"

He laughed as he broke her bra with one hand, exposing her breasts to his hungry eyes and waiting mouth.

"NO!" Kagome screamed, and bucked against him. A light erupted from her being, as he was thrown against the far wall. Kagome lay stunned. Her breathing still ragged and frantic.

What the fuck was that?

The light was still emanating from her, pulsing in beat with her heart. Power coursed through her body Kagome felt strong. She no longer felt afraid. Kagome scrambled to her feet, pulling her shirt down to cover herself. Her father sat slumped on the floor, the wall behind him fractured. She stared at him for a moment but he lie still. Kagome panicked. She ran upstairs. She breezed into her room, leaving the door open in her wake, incase he stirred. She pulled on the first pair of shoes she found which happened to be her new running shoes. She felt the courage flooding her body as she hurriedly dressed herself. She removed the remains of her destroyed bra before fishing in box for a new one.

Oh my god. Hes going to kill me. If he wakes up and I'm still here he's going to kill me.

She grabbed a light jacket and threw it on. She paused her frantic movements, running her hands over her pockets while she thought. She climbed across her bed and grabbed her cell phone, shoving it into her pocket without so much as a glance. Kagome grabbed her book bag and began shoving clothes inside, underwear, two pairs of jeans, and an extra shirt. She zipped it up and quickly threw it on her back. She looked around her room one last time. She was pretty sure this was it. She wouldn't be back unless she had a death wish. For the first time she felt happy that she didn't have a lot of personal belongings. She looked over her room with indifference, making sure she had the necessities. Her eyes fell on Inuyasha's jacket and she quickly grabbed it and folded it over her arm. She pause by her door, listening for movement but she heard none. She crept down the stairs her eyes trained on Naraku's slumped form. She felt a chill go down her spine, as she turned her back to him and headed for the door. She opened it, and glanced back on more time. He lay still. She left closing the door behind her.

Kagome ran down the steps, and her driveway, her running shoes quickly becoming soaked from the thick snow that covered her yard. Kagome's mind raced.

What if I killed him? That though caused Kagome to pause. What if she killed him? She ran faster. Kagome pulled out her phone, it was 8:00. but no word from Sango. She heard a car off in the distance and watched as it sped into sight. The headlights blinded her, and she slowed down to a light jog. The car skidded to a stop beside her. It was Inuyasha's car, she stopped running. He rolled down the window.

"What are you waiting for? An invitation?"

Kagome quickly climbed in the car, happy for the warm heater blasting.

She avoided looking at him, tears still frozen in her eyes.

"I told Sango I wasn't coming. Why are you here?"

Inuyasha quickly whipped the car into a U turn, his back tired spinning out.

"I'm here because you've alerted every demon in the area that the High Priestess has awakened."