Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.

Blocked

The question had been on the tip of his tongue for days. Yet, Grandpa could not get the words out. He didn't want to know, and yet he had to know. The question blocked everything else he wanted to ask the aged hanyo. He had to know the answer to that question, to know whether he could ever forgive Inuyasha for stealing Kagome's heart and her place in this world, this time.

He struggled with his block. Prayed about it. Tried to figure out a way to express his dilemma to his friends within the local community of priests. Tried, and failed.

His family, knew that he was struggling. His daughter-in-law asked him daily—what was wrong, and how could she help. Souta knew, looked worried, nibbled his lip, but clearly didn't know what to say or do, other than do his chores outside and about the shrine with much more silence, promptness, and thoroughness, than was his wont.

Even the old hanyo knew—or at least Grandpa thought he did.

But, that, was more than half the problem.

How could he know, absolutely for sure, that this was the Inuyasha who had taken his grand-daughter, when he still could not see the face of Inuyasha within that wrinkled, red-eyed, and long-fanged visage? How could he read those unnerving eyes, see to the heart of the creature? How could he voice the question, when he didn't know whether he could tell the answer was truth or lie?

And so, the matter hung for over a week, filling the house with tension and strain.

Until that evening, when the sound of a body slamming into the balusters of the staircase, accompanied by a pained grunt, drew everyone's attention. "Inuyasha?" called Mama, setting down the dish she was holding. "Inuyasha!"

She rushed out of the kitchen, followed by Souta and Grandpa. The hanyo was sitting on the third step from the bottom, holding onto one of the vertical spindles. Mama went to her knees beside him. "Are you all right, Inuyasha?" she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Just—slipped," he said shakily—with an odd, indecipherable difference in his voice. "Thought I would—make it down … before the change."

"Change? Oh! It's the new moon!"

"Keh." Inuyasha looked up, and Grandpa's eyes widened.

The ears were—gone.

And the fangs.

And the eyes...the eyes were human.

"You…"

Those dark, human eyes moved and met Grandpa's gaze. "I'm human. Until sunrise." Grandpa saw the—man's—face change expression, becoming thoughtful. "Maybe … when I'm like this … it'll make it easier to ask your question…"

Grandpa stiffened. But, as he continued to stare at the transformed hanyo, he saw sincerity. He moved closer, scanning that face that now was only the face of a man his age or older. An honest face. A caring face.

He drew a shaky breath. "You loved Kagome."

Inuyasha nodded.

It shivered, resisting, and then the block fell.

"How did Kagome die?"

Author's Note: This was written for the prompt "Tip of the Tongue" for the Inuyasha Fanfiction community. It was originally published on January 22, 2013. It won the contest. (11/1/13)