Welcome back, everyone!

I'm glad you all liked the last chapter. It's really been getting quite difficult to find the time to update this story nowadays, as you could probably tell by how it took a bit longer for the last chapter to arrive, but all of your reviews serve as great motivation ^.^

Whatever happens going forward with the update schedule, I'm glad I didn't keep this as a oneshot :) Hope you enjoy this chapter!

"Mama! Sota!" Kagome called, stepping over the threshold.

She tried to contain her excitement as she waited a second for a response. Then-

"Kagome?"

Her mother emerged, wide-eyed, wiping her fingers on a piece of cloth in her hands. She blinked, and her face broke out into a smile.

"Kagome! You're here! Oh my, what a surprise!" She scooped her daughter into her arms. "Goodness, I must smell of fish and rice! If I'd known you were coming..."

"It's okay, Mama," Kagome laughed, hugging her mother tight. "Where's Sota?"

As if on cue, she heard footsteps bounding over.

"Nee-chan! You came! I knew you'd come today!" came Sota's voice.

Kagome and her mother broke apart just in time for him to hurtle into her arms. "Sota, careful! You still have a fever, don't you?"

"Oh, I'm almost over that," he said proudly. "I'm going back to school tomorrow and everything."

Kagome ruffled his hair fondly. He was so big now.

"You're staying a while, right, nee-chan?" Sota pressed. "It's not late, so you won't have to go back to the shrine yet, will you?"

"That's right," Kagome said happily. "And that's not all. I'm not alone. There's also-"

She turned, and saw that while the door was still ajar, the entryway was empty. Her mother and brother looked puzzled. She immediately strode over and reached outside. "C'mon, don't worry," she whispered.

Stepping back in, she faced her family, leading Inuyasha by the hand. He shuffled into view, eyes pointed at his feet. Her mother and brother blinked at them in silence for a second.

"Whoa! You brought Inuyasha nii-chan!" Sota shouted, his eyes bulging. "Neat!" He ran over and seized the demon's other hand. "Inuyasha nii-chan, you and nee-chan can see the turtle I found now! Will you help me choose a name for him?"

"Uh, sure," Inuyasha said awkwardly. "Looks like you're a lot better now," he added.

"Yeah! I was just telling nee-chan-"

"Settle down, Sota, there's plenty of time," their mother laughed. "Kagome's already said they'll be here a while."

"If that's ok," Inuyasha added. "Otherwise I can always-"

"Of course it is," Higurashi-san said breezily. Kagome gave him a triumphant look, as though to sayI told you so. "You must stay for dinner. I just happened to be making your favorite stew, Kagome."

"Oh, Mama! Really?" Kagome exclaimed.

"Everything just so happened to fall in place," her mother said, smiling.

"But will there be enough?" Kagome said anxiously. "I just showed up without saying anything..."

"I always make enough for three," Higurashi-san said gently, her eyes warm. "Whether you told me you were coming or not. I never stopped even after you started living at the shrine."

Kagome swallowed, emotion rising in her chest. Her mother squeezed her hand. "Of course, there will be enough for Inuyasha-kun as well," she went on. "But forgive me, Inuyasha-kun. I don't know whether demons eat human food at all. Is there anything else I can bring you?"

Inuyasha swallowed, as though still overwhelmed with how welcoming they were being. Sota hadn't let go of either of their hands.

"I can have both," he said at last. "I'm used to human food."

"Perfect!" Her mother clapped her hands. "Kagome, do you want to come and help me? It's almost finished."

"Sure," Kagome said eagerly. She turned to look at Inuyasha, a bit nervous, but Sota was already talking his ear off. Something told her that he'd be fine.

Soon, she and her mother were ladling fish stew into wooden bowls, while kneeling on the floor before the table. Inuyasha was sitting cross-legged opposite Kagome, Sota at his elbow, while Kagome and her mother sat next to each other.

"The stew's as good as always, Mama," Kagome said with relish, after handing everyone else their bowls. "It's just like I remember."

"I'm glad to hear that, dear," her mother said, placing an arm around her shoulder. "I've been wishing you could come home for a meal for the longest time, and now here you are! And just a day after you'd already been here. How lucky we are."

Kagome smiled from ear to hear. Looking up, she caught sight of Inuyasha watching. He quickly looked away, but Kagome could have sworn his mouth was upturned in a slight grin.

"Yesterday already feels like forever ago," Sota declared loudly, as though bragging about how he was well past the horror of getting kidnapped. Taking a sip of the stew, he yelped. "Ah! Hot."

Kagome and their mother laughed. Looking over, Kagome watched as Inuyasha peered into the bowl, then slowly brought it up to his lips. Both his ears twitched, down then up. He lifted his head from the bowl, looking awed.

"Wow," he murmured.

"Do you like it, Inuyasha-kun?" asked Higurashi-san.

"Yeah," he said, as though still surprised. "Tastes great." Tentatively, he took another sip, then tilted his head all the way back and drank up the stew in one final swig.

Kagome couldn't stifle a giggle. Her mother smiled approvingly. "You must have been hungry! There's plenty more. I'll fetch you another bowl."

"I'll do it, Mama," Kagome said brightly.

She reached over and held her hand out for Inuyasha's bowl. He hesitated, then handed it over. The warmth of his fingertips grazed hers slightly. It only added to the comfort she was feeling at this moment. She hurried into the kitchen to pour him some more. As Kagome did so, she recalled Inuyasha's face as he ate. She'd never seen him look like that before. It was clear that he liked the stew. Come to think of it, had she ever even seen him eat? How often did he do it? Maybe he hardly even ate home-cooked meals.

I should ask Mama to teach me how to cook this, she mused. I could make it at the shrine. Maybe Inuyasha'd like that.

When she came back, her family was chatting with Inuyasha.

"Where are your parents, Inuyasha nii-chan?" Sota was asking.

"They're both dead," Inuyasha said easily, itching an ear with his foot, resting on his knuckles.

"Oh, my," Higurashi-san said softly, a hand rising to her mouth. "I'm terribly sorry, Inuyasha-kun."

"Don't sweat it, I ain't bothered," he said, seeming to be in much higher spirits now. "Thanks," he added as Kagome handed him his bowl back. He proceeded to start chugging from it again.

Something peculiar had come over Kagome as she watched all of Inuyasha's antics. It was a feeling she'd never experienced before, certainly not while watching him.

Inuyasha... is cute? she thought in wonder. No way. It's like having an actual dog, huh? She snorted with laughter into her bowl, trying to disguise it as a cough. Even now, all she wanted to do was pet him again like she had this morning.

"You're welcome to have dinner here again anytime you like," said Kagome's mother warmly.

"For real?" Inuyasha's eyes peeked over his bowl, mid-sip.

"Certainly. After how much you've done for us, we would never turn you away."

Inuyasha looked like he was about to respond, but stopped. He turned his head to the door. "Looks like you have a visitor," he said.

"Hm? Who could it be, while it's raining?" Higurashi-san said, taken aback.

"I'll go look, Mama," Kagome said measuredly. She was a bit tense, but Inuyasha, busily wolfing down his bowl, didn't seem too concerned.

Going over to the door, Kagome could indeed hear some scratching come from outside. Taking a deep breath, she pulled it open.

She let out her pent-up breath upon seeing who it was.

"Oh! It's Buyo!" she exclaimed. "Silly cat. He must have followed us!"

"Mraow," said Buyo, his tail swaying as he stood by the doorstep, his tan and brown-spotted fur quite damp already. Kagome stooped and picked him up, bringing him into the house. He was quite heavy, and warm despite having trudged all the way here in the rain.

"No way!" Sota said excitedly, seeing the furry feline in Kagome's arms. "I was just thinking about him. Now he's here too!"

Kagome and her mother dried Buyo off, then left him free to roam about as they all finished their meals. The cat trotted up to Inuyasha, sniffing, and put both his paws up on his knee.

"What's he doin'?" Inuyasha asked, looking down at him.

"He wants you to play with him," Sota piped up.

Gingerly, Inuyasha reached across and scratched him behind the ears. Buyo closed his eyes lazily, as though enjoying it.

"I'll go clean these up," Higurashi-san was saying.

"I'll help you, Mama," said Kagome, gathering the dishes together.

By the time they came back, Inuyasha had both of Buyo's palms in his hands and had lifted the cat up on his hind feet, as though dancing with him. Snickering, he plopped him into his lap, tickling his fuzzy belly. Buyo purred loudly.

"Me next, me next," Sota was saying excitedly.

Kagome giggled. "You sure are having fun," she noted.

"Wouldn't you?" Inuyasha grinned. "This guy hasn't had enough. He keeps comin' back for more."

Kagome crouched by the three of them, reaching out to pet Buyo on the head as he continued to roll around in Inuyasha's lap. Sota did the same.

"Nee-chan, I haven't had this much fun in ages," he declared. "Not even when some of the kids came to visit when I was sick. Y'know that Sayo, she keeps asking about you. She goes on and on about how pretty you are and how much she wants to look like you."

"Aww, how sweet," Kagome said, flattered. "She says that all the time."

Sota snickered. "That's cause she doesn't remember what you were like as a kid.Ido. You were just like Buyo here. Chubby and fuzzy."

Kagome bristled, then went red.

"What! Sota, you little-!"

Her brother fell backward onto the floor, chortling.

"Why, you! Mama, did you hear that? I used to clean him up when he pooped himself, you know!" she fumed.

Arms hugging his own stomach, Sota laughed even harder. Their mother couldn't suppress a chuckle either, and Kagome was livid to see that even Inuyasha was deliberately focusing on playing with Buyo, as though he hadn't heard, when it was obvious that he had.

"That does it, Sota, you're gonna get it," Kagome vowed, and she pounced upon him, tickling him even harder than Inuyasha had Buyo. This time, Inuyasha couldn't suppress the smile on his face, and their mother laughed heartily. Sota guffawed until he was red in the face.

Finally, a peal of thunder interrupted their fun and they all stopped to catch their breath.

"Oh, my, it's really coming down hard," Higurashi-san remarked. "It can't be helped. You'll have to stay the night," she said, looking at Kagome.

Kagome stared, Sota still trapped in her arms. "Really?" she said, pink-cheeked and wide-eyed.

"Of course. Look at how it's pouring! I'm sure Kaede-sama would understand. And your room is still just as you left it." She smiled.

Kagome felt a rush of excitement, warmth and gratitude all at once. Lost for words, she smiled back at her mother and nodded.

Inuyasha stood up, letting Buyo down. "Guess I'd better get going then," he said. "Thanks for the food." Sota's face fell. Kagome noticed it because it mirrored how she felt just then, too.

"Nonsense," her mother said. "We can't let you go out in that. I know you're a demon, Inuyasha-kun, but no one should sleep in the rain. You'll sleep here tonight, too."

"Yay!" Sota shouted. "Wait here, guys, I'm gonna get my turtle." And he raced away into his room.

Inuyasha and Kagome blinked at each other, then looked back at her mother.

"Are you sure about that, Mama?" Kagome asked, trying not to betray how pleased she was. "It's really okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

Inuyasha was still blinking rapidly. His nose looked a little pinker than usual. Was he actually shy? "But where would I, uh..." he began, looking around awkwardly.

"There are extra linens to make a futon in Kagome's room," her mother said kindly. "Kagome, you can set the futon up here by the table. It should be comfortable enough for Inuyasha-kun in here, I think."

"Sure," Kagome said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll go wash up after Sota brings his turtle, then get the futon out."

Inuyasha swallowed, then nodded.

Presently, Sota ran back in with the marble-green turtle in his hands. They took turns holding it, watched it crawl across the floorboards, held Buyo back from pouncing on it, but couldn't come up with a name just then.

When Kagome excused herself to wash up before bed and their mother went to finish washing the last of the dishes, Sota inched closer to Inuyasha.

"You said both your parents were dead," he murmured. "Do you remember when?"

"I was little. No older than you when my mom died."

Sota stared at the turtle thoughtfully, as though mulling over his words. They were both laying on their stomachs watching the turtle crawl towards them, Sota's arm around Buyo.

"I didn't really know my father," he said at last. "When he died, I wasn't even a year old yet. That's what everyone tells me."

"I don't remember mine much either," Inuyasha said. "We're in the same boat."

Sota looked up at Inuyasha quickly, his eyes hopeful. "You didn't grow up with your dad, but you're still really strong and cool, and nice," he said eagerly. "And you can protect everyone around you! You're so reliable, Inuyasha nii-chan. D'you think I could turn out that way too? All I have are Mom and Kagome. I need to grow up so I can help them. Right now, nee-chan's the only one who does everything. I wanna be big enough to take care of them someday, too."

It all made sense now, Inuyasha thought, why he was always trying to be tough, why he did his best to brush off anything that happened to him, while being so fiercely defensive of his sister. Inuyasha couldn't say he blamed him. It was always scary, having something to protect.

"You don't have to worry about that," he said at last. "It'll come to ya. Don't force it, either. You're on your way. When the time comes for you to step in for the people you care about, you'll know. And you'll be ready."

Sota's eyes looked more hopeful than ever.

"Yeah, but I just don't want them to worry about me all the time," he said plaintively. "Especially after what happened yesterday."

"That just comes with the territory," Inuyasha said definitively. "Don't hold it against your mom and sister. They can't help it. It's not 'cause there's anything wrong withyou. You're a good kid. You just need to stay out of trouble. There'll be plenty of time to take care of people when they need it."

Sota stared at him with his mouth hanging open slightly. Somehow, the things Inuyasha was saying made sense. Swallowing hard, he nodded, just as Kagome came back into the room.

"Okay, time for bed, Sota," she trilled. "I need to set up the futon here."

"Aw, but I wanted to-" he caught himself, glanced at Inuyasha, then swallowed again. "Okay, nee-chan," he said instead. "Night." He went over to Kagome, gave her a hug, then picked up his turtle and hurried away.

Kagome watched after him, impressed. She turned back to Inuyasha inquisitively, but he just shrugged his shoulders.

"Do you need help doing any of this?" he asked.

"No, I just need to get the stuff from my room and we're all set," she said.

"I'll come with."

They stepped into Kagome's room, and she knelt by the closet to look for the linens.

"So this used to be your room, huh," Inuyasha said, looking around with his arms folded.

"Yeah. This is just as I left it. I used to sleep over a bit more often before getting the Jewel, but not really since then."

It was a modest enough room, with a futon and a desk. The bedspread was pink. Some paintings adorned the walls, and he could see some clothes where she was rummaging about in the closet. They were colorful.

"You learned how to read and write?" he asked, moving towards the desk when he saw some characters on sheets. There were some paintbrushes there, too.

"Yeah. It was back when I was still in school."

It certainly smelled like Kagome in here, Inuyasha thought, though the scent was obviously faint. She was telling the truth about not having spent much time in here lately.

"I don't smell much dust," Inuyasha said. "It's been kept clean."

"That's probably because Mama still sweeps in here every now and then," Kagome said, glowing. "It's like she's always preparing for in case I come back."

Inuyasha smiled. "Yeah. I'm glad you came here today. Everyone was so happy about it."

"And... are you glad you came here today?" Kagome asked, turning to face him.

"Uhh." He fidgeted a bit, scratching his head. "Yeah," he said, to her surprise. "It was fun. Thanks for talking me into this."

Kagome beamed. "Well, I'm glad you came, too," she said. "It might sound weird, but in a way, it kinda feels like you've always been here. You didn't seem out of place at all."

"That's just because of your family. They're a lot like you."

Kagome blushed, grateful Inuyasha couldn't see her face. "You think so? My mother, sure. But Sota! That little twerp. I still can't believe what he said. He doesn't have to agree with Sayo-chan, but why embarrass me like that!"

Inuyasha laughed softly. "He's just really happy to see you. He was joking because he knows it's true."

"Knows what's true?"

"The stuff that girl always says."

Now, Kagome couldn't help turning back to face him in surprise. "What do you mean? You agree with her?"

Inuyasha was looking her squarely in the face, his golden eyes steady. "Who wouldn't?"

Kagome cleared her throat, the back of her neck feeling warm. "You're just saying that," she said at last.

"I'm not." And suddenly, Inuyasha ducked his head a little, as though he was feeling awkward himself. He couldn't seem to make eye contact with her. "You're the prettiest girl anywhere you go."

Ba-dump.

Kagome whipped her head back toward the closet, her face growing hot and prickly. Huh? Why on earth was she reacting like this? From the corner of her eye, she could sense Inuyasha scratching his head again. Cute, she thought again, then felt baffled. This was a peculiar feeling.

"Whoa."

She turned and saw the Buyo had entered the room and was now rubbing himself around Inuyasha's ankles. She laughed.

"Looks like he can't stay away from you," she said, grateful for the interruption. "You can stay here and play with him. I'll go get your futon set up," she said, getting up at last, all the materials she needed now in her arms.

She darted out of the room, her heart still beating faster than usual.

As she arranged the linens and straw on the floor, Kagome thought about how unlikely such a situation would have been just a few months ago. A yokai, staying the night at her house. If she'd known, when she first met him, that she'd be making a bed for Inuyasha to sleep over! And that she would be the one to invite him in the first place. Still, she was glad she had. This was probably the longest she'd spent time with him. He'd arrived in the morning, and now, during the night, he would still be there. It didn't even bother her that the rain was falling so hard, she realized. Because, her heart swelled to think of it, she would be at home with her family, and Inuyasha could help make sure nothing went wrong.

Kagome walked back into her room just as Buyo darted out. He'd probably had enough playtime.

"Inuyasha, your bed's ready-" Kagome called, then stopped short.

[A/N: Inuyasha OST 2: Beautiful Memories plays: The part which starts at the 00:40 sec. mark]

There on her futon, Inuyasha lay fast asleep.

He was on his side, his arms still folded and his knees tucked in.

Kagome blinked, surprised. Stepping closer, she reached out to tap him, then stopped.

Wow. He must have been really tired, she thought. Come to think of it, Inuyasha always does so much around the village, doesn't he? He was so strong, it never occurred to her that he might run out of steam, too. She thought back to what he'd said about not having a home. Where did he sleep, then? When was the last time Inuyasha actually slept someplace comfortable? Under a roof, safe from the outdoors?

Kagome knelt down by the futon. She'd never seen Inuyasha look so peaceful before. His brow was clear and he was breathing deeply. Why wake him up? she decided. He'd more than earned a good night's rest. He was still wearing the beads, she noticed appreciatively. Kagome couldn't help but smile as she watched him. She remembered how, earlier in the day, she'd tried to imagine him as a child. It wasn't hard to do in this moment now. He looked as innocent and sheltered as one, his expression uncharacteristically sweet.

Unable to resist, Kagome reached out and gently brushed back his bangs from his brow, being careful not to wake him. It was funny how despite having silvery-white hair, his eyebrows were as black as hers. She'd always known that, but it was the first time she was really noticing it. Not that they didn't suit him or look mismatched at all. Kagome paused.

Hm.

With his eyes closed like this, his eyebrows as dark as they were... she couldn't help but wonder if he resembled someone else. It was certainly easier to imagine without the gold of his irises staring from out of his face. He could almost be a dead ringer for him.

Kagome shook her head firmly.

Stop it, Kagome, she chided herself. You're doing it again. This is about Inuyasha. And how lucky you are to have met and made friends with him.

She let her hand linger on his forehead for a few seconds, then removed it. She felt a warmth growing inside her, watching him sleep so peacefully like that. Inuyasha was here. Inuyasha was Inuyasha. And that was good enough.

Besides, she assured herself, even if it was possible, someone would have to be really sick to do a thing like that.

It was several days later when Kagome was gathering herbs by the Bone-Eater's Well again.

Things at the village had been quite uneventful, and she welcomed the peace of it all. The morning after she'd spent the night at her house, she and Inuyasha had had breakfast before saying goodbye to her mother and Sota. Inuyasha had been awkward again, and muttered apologies for having slept in her bed without meaning to.

"I'd just closed my eyes for a second, and then it was morning," he'd insisted.

"Don't worry about it," Kagome had laughed. "I just moved the futon I made you into Mama's room. It actually worked out even better this way." And she meant that. Her mother had woken up when she heard her come in, and they got to sleep after talking for a little longer.

"Come and visit anytime, Inuyasha-kun," her mother had said merrily as they left the house, Buyo in Kagome's arms.

"Yeah, nee-chan, bring him next time, too," Sota had piped up.

Kagome wasn't opposed to that, but it depended on how Inuyasha felt about it, and if she'd even be able to come back to visit again, of course. If things carried on being this calm, maybe there would be another chance soon. She'd have to ask him, though. She hadn't seen him yet today, but she was sure she would. He'd been coming around more often lately.

She sighed, setting down the basket and resting her back against the wood of the well for a moment. She'd seen Sota earlier, with some of the other children. He was completely over his fever and back at school now. He'd been happy to see her again, but was also getting more used to it now. This made her happy. Their relationship was becoming even more natural and familiar again. Kagome smiled and shut her eyes, letting the sunlight fan on her face.

Three pairs of arms seized Kagome from behind.

Behind her, foul youki that she hadn't been able to sense even a second earlier spilled out of the well, alone with the sound of something heavy and long shooting upward.

Kagome turned, her heart in her mouth, only to come face to face with a ghastly, leering pale face cloaked in matted, black hair. Kagome's voice was trapped in her throat. Instinctively, her hand tried to reach her back for her quiver, but she couldn't move, for the creature's grip had her arms pinned to her sides.

She realized with dismay that it wouldn't have mattered: her bow and arrows were in the shrine. Oh, of all the days to not have brought them! The fact that she could sense no youki had given her a false sense of security. But how could this have happened? The creature had to have simplymaterialized.

The creature rose out of the well, and she could now see that it was a giant centipede demon. However, something was eerie about its segmented body: while it had the naked torso of a demonic, six-armed woman, as for the rest of its form, several chunks of flesh were missing along the sides of its thick, tapering spine. Its dirty-white bones protruded disturbingly.

But Kagome barely had any time to take note of this. The demon shot upward again, taking Kagome with her, off the ground.

"Oh, to be alive once more," it said with relish, in a bone-chilling voice. "Already my strength returns." To Kagome's horror, the patches of missing flesh began growing back as she watched. "You have it, don't you?" the yokai went on. "Give it to me."

A long, snakelike tongue emerged from the centipede demon's mouth, licking Kagome cheek. That was all she needed to jolt her into action.

"What are you doing? Let go!" Kagome yelled. Seizing two of the arms that gripped her, she summoned her reiryoku and channeled it through her palms, blasting the arms apart. She was freed from its grasp and fell to the ground; thankfully, she had only been lifted a few yards off it.

She scrambled backwards from the well, heart hammering in her chest.

I need to call for help, she realized, her head spinning, but her voice wouldn't come out.

"Wretched girl," the demon hissed, enraged at having lost two of its arms. "I must have the Sacred Jewel!"

Kagome's stomach dropped. Sacred Jewel? This creature, who had emerged from the well, knew about the Shikon no Tama!

The centipede's mouth opened wide, pincer-like teeth emerging at the corners. Without warning, it shot at Kagome, all four of its remaining arms outstretched.

Kagome had no time to react, other than to shield herself with her arms. But the bite she braced herself for never came.

A blur of red flashed in front of her, shielding her from view, and in the next second, Kagome watched as the yokai's fangs sank into Inuyasha's shoulder.

Time seemed to stand still for a second.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed.

He turned to her, looking so unperturbed it shocked her.

"You're not hurt, are you?"

She was too stunned to react, but he didn't wait for a response anyway. With an almighty kick, Inuyasha flung the demon away from them both. Her fangs were knocked out of his shoulder. Time began to move normally again.

"Wretched child," she hissed, her mouth disturbingly red with blood.

"Nasty hag," Inuyasha snarled, baring his claws, which emitted a bright yellow youki.

"How dare a spawn like you try and challenge me," the centipede rasped again. Inexplicably, Kagome felt livid. Spawn? Who did she think she was? The demon closed her remaining arms around herself and began twisting in a clockwise motion, spinning faster and faster until she became a blur. Without warning, she burrowed into the ground and was out of sight.

Inuyasha hadn't moved from his spot, still standing between Kagome and the well. A second later, the demon burst out from the earth behind Kagome, jaws wide open again.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, snatching her out of the way and thrusting her behind him in a flash."Iron reaver, soul stealer!"

His claws outstretched, he slashed at the demon's body, splitting its face half open, and striking it again and again, parting it in huge, heavy sections. Kagome watched, dumbstruck as he spun through the length of her massive form, making quick work of the beast.

He landed on his feet amid the strewn, spindly legs and segments, just as Kagome spotted Kaede running over, Rikichi and several other villagers in tow.

Kagome found her voice again. "Kaede baa-chan!" she gasped, as the old lady hurried towards her, her face stark white.

She got to her feet, but wasn't able to do much else before Kaede clasped her in her arms, shaking. "My child," she whispered, sounding hollow. "Ye aren't injured?"

"No, baa-chan," Kagome said, touched by her concern, but unable to feel any relief. "But Inuyasha was. He-"

Gently, she disengaged from Kaede's embrace and rushed over to Inuyasha, who stood near the Sacred Tree. Even through his fire-rat robe, she could see the dark blood beginning to stain the red.

"Oh, my god," she whispered, her heart pounding. "She really hurt you. Here, let me-"

Kagome raised her hands over his shoulder, muttering the necessary healing incantation. Her palms lightened up, glowing with her reiryoku. Then all of a sudden, the light faltered. Her spiritual energy retreated back within.

W-What?

Kagome tried again, mustering even more power. Nothing happened. The bloodstain started spreading. Panic set into Kagome's chest.

"I... I don't understand," she said frantically. "Why isn't it working?"

"Kagome." Kaede's voice came gently. "Your healing powers are only suited for humans."

Kagome released her pent-up breath. Of course. She'd been so worried, she'd forgotten that for a moment. Still, dismay filled her senses. How could she be so useless at a time like this? Inuyasha had just taken a bite for her, and she couldn't even heal him!

"It'll heal on its own," Inuyasha said nonchalantly. "Don't worry. My body's built different than yours."

"That's not the point!" Kagome said, with surprising shrillness, such that the villagers stared. Even Inuyasha looked startled. "What were you thinking? Doing something so dangerous. Idiot!" How could he be so calm?

"Everyone, hurry," Kaede was ordering Rikichi and the other villagers. "Dispose of the body back into the well at once. Quickly, lest her flesh revives!"

Through her panic, Kagome noticed that the steaming chunks of the centipede's body were now evaporating, leaving only bone in its wake again. She had so many questions, all of which she knew needed to be directed at Kaede, but they just weren't her most pressing concern at the moment.

She seized Inuyasha's hand. "Come on," she said determined. "I'll give you some herbal remedies. Those should help anyone, demon or not." She led him all the way to the shrine, making sure to grab her basket of herbs as she went.

Once there, Kagome left him at the entrance and ran inside to mix up the herbs. She hurried back out with a bowl, breathless after gathering all the ingredients faster than she ever had before, and to her relief, Inuyasha was still there, his face looking blank and somewhat curious. He stared at her the whole time she ground up the remedy and began applying it to his shoulder with a wooden spatula after instructing him to lower his sleeve. Her heart hadn't stopped pounding in her ears even once.

"Does-does it hurt?" she asked haltingly, being as careful as she could to not aggravate the wound, and to let only the healing herbs come into contact with it.

Inuyasha shook his head, still staring at her. "Kagome," he said at last. "Why are you crying?"

"Huh?" She looked up in confusion. Reaching up, she touched her own cheek, and realized it was wet. She had been in tears the whole time.

"Because... because I thought I was going to lose you," she burst out. "I've never seen you hurt before,ever. I thought you were gonna..." she clapped a hand to her mouth to stifle a sob.

Inuyasha still looked curious, but gratified as well this time. As though in wonder, he reached out and lightly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay," he said softly. "I'm not hurt that bad, Kagome. I'll be back to normal before the day's over."

Kagome hiccupped, trying to calm herself, and with great effort, she nodded. She couldn't help how she was acting. What had happened was so scary, so unexpected. Everything had happened so fast. She didn't know how she'd have fared without Inuyasha there. But she also hated that he'd had to put himself in harm's way just for her. It would've been one thing if she'd been able to heal him herself, right away. But he couldn't even rely on her for that.

"Why... why did you do that?" she whispered, her eyes watery as she stared into his. She could expect him showing up to help, even putting himself between her and something that wasn't a threat to him, like with the bandits. But taking the bite of a vicious demon without even a second thought? What could possess anyone to do such a thing? All to protecther.

Inuyasha blinked. He looked surprised, as though he either didn't expect her to ask this, or had no answer for it himself. They stood that way for a minute, then Inuyasha dropped his hand suddenly. Confused, Kagome looked up and saw that it was because Kaede was approaching. She drew close, her face grim, and surveyed the two of them.

"Let me take a look at that," she said calmly. Inuyasha obliged, stooping so she could examine his shoulder.

"'Tis a deep puncture wound, but thankfully, there appears to be no venom used," she said after a minute. "Ye showed good presence of mind, Kagome. These herbs are just what such a wound needs. Though, I am no expert when it comes to how best to treat yokai."

Inuyasha gave a dry laugh, shrugging his sleeve back on. "S'alright," he said. "I think the herbs are working. I can already feel it start to get better. Though I'd have been fine without, anyway."

Kagome cleared her throat, feeling herself return to normal. "Still, let me get some clean bandages," she said. "You shouldn't cover it back up with just the robe. I'll wrap it up first."

Presently, Kagome was bandaging Inuyasha's wound as he sat on the steps to the shrine, Kaede helping her. Her hands still shook a little, because her mind was still swarming with anxiety. Most of the village was still unaware of the attack, since it had occurred further away, and was over so quickly. But the news would spread. They didn't have all that much time before that happened, and before the villagers would start fretting for their safety yet again.

"Kaede baa-chan," Kagome said at last, as the final touches of Inuyasha's dressing were done. "What was that creature? She was huge, so I'd have noticed her youki long before she showed up. But... it all happened all at once."

Kaede sat down on the other side of the steps heavily, her brow drawn and her face pallid.

"That yokai goes by the name of Mistress Centipede," she said, her voice grave. "She once sought the Sacred Jewel, many years ago. She was an especially difficult demon to kill, for her body would resuscitate if it was ever in contact with the Jewel. It didn't matter how briefly or lightly, either."

"But when I saw her body, it was as if she was mostly skeleton at first," Kagome said slowly, her eyes widening. "It looked like she was regenerating even then. Baa-chan, why was her skeleton in the well?"

Kaede swallowed. "The Bone-Eater's Well has been used to dispose of demons who are difficult to kill," she said. "Due to its depth, it is unlikely that yokai can make it out. Fifty years ago, Mistress Centipede was one such demon. She appeared in a demon slayer's village, not far from here. Her attack coincided with the last time the Shikon no Tama was acquired by human hands."

Kagome gasped.

"You mean... you mean, she was the demon who had it back then?" she asked, in a hushed voice. "But I thought that the slayers killed her!"

"They did," Kaede said solemnly. "But her corpse would continue to regenerate for as long as the Jewel was nearby. So, they sent her remains here, to be thrown down the well. The distance created between her and the Jewel helped, and the well kept her body contained. Fifty years passed since then, and there was no sign of any trouble. And so, we had all forgotten about it... but now... what happened today is most troubling."

Kagome swallowed hard. Her hand, still on Inuyasha's shoulder, trembled without her realizing it. Inuyasha could feel how cold it had gotten. He resisted the urge to seize it in his.

"Well, why'd that thing revive now, of all times, then?" he demanded. "The Jewel's been sittin' here in this village for months. Couldn't she have woken up anytime before?"

It was a question that was on everyone's mind. Kaede cleared her throat before answering. "I know not for certain. But, it could be possible that she needed precisely this length of time to amass all of her vitality. The effects from the Shikon no Tama may have been gradual, since she was already deceased. Aside from this, there is one more possibility..." her voice trailed off.

"What is it, baa-chan?" Kagome pressed.

Kaede stared into the distance and didn't answer. It occurred to Kagome that Kaede had been acting a little strange lately. She couldn't put her finger on when: could it have been because of the last attack? She just looked more careworn and less aware than usual, often plagued by some unspoken worry she couldn't seem to voice. She'd also been checking on Kagome and the Jewel more frequently, as though she sensed something foreboding on its way.

She went over to tap Kaede gently on the shoulder. "Baa-chan?" Kagome asked again, concerned.

Kaede seemed to come back to earth. She cleared her throat again. "Kagome," she said in an urgent voice. "Did ye... by chance, touch Mistress Centipede in any way before she revived? Did any part of ye fall into the Bone-Eater's Well?"

Kagome shook her head at once. "Not at all," she exclaimed. "Nothing like that, baa-chan. All I did was-" she stopped, realizing what she'd been about to say. To her right, she could sense Inuyasha shift slightly, as though he too, were listening intently. "I did rest my back against the well," Kagome said slowly. "For just a minute. I was touching the wood of the well right before it happened."

Kaede nodded grimly, as though this did not surprise her in the slightest. Rather, it looked like her suspicions had been confirmed. "Mistress Centipede derives her power from proximity to the Jewel. She feeds off its energy, its aura. Kagome, I believe that the fact that ye have been in such close contact with the Jewel may have something to do with this."

Kagome's face blanched. "You mean, the Jewel's aura has been rubbing off on me?" she asked faintly.

"It is possible that you were merely a conduit for its power," Kaede reassured her. "Ye transferred it to a being that was craving its aura, a being who could not move or act otherwise, due to having no life-force of her own."

Kagome swallowed again, unsure if any of this comforted her. "What does that mean for me?" she said at last. "Are my own spiritual powers going to be affected..."

"No," Kaede said swiftly. "Ye are a priestess. A miko's reiryoku is innate, and cannot be influenced by external sources of power."

Kagome nodded, but her brow was still furrowed. A silence fell between the three of them.

"I'd better get these inside," Kagome said at last, picking up the bowls and bandages she'd brought out for Inuyasha's wounds. Before going in, she paused, facing him again. "Thanks again, Inuyasha," she said, looking at him sincerely. "I don't know where I'd be without you today."

"You'd have found a way out of it," Inuyasha said easily. "You've faced way worse, remember?"

Kagome managed to muster a smile, then took her leave.

Inuyasha and Kaede were left sitting by themselves. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes. Then, as Inuyasha began pulling his robe back on, which had been drying in the sun after Kagome rinsed the blood from it, Kaede broke the silence.

"I have something important to tell ye, Inuyasha," she said, her voice low. Inuyasha turned to her, expecting a scowl like she usually wore when lecturing him. So he was surprised to see that there was no disapproval on her face whatsoever.

"Shoot," he said.

She shifted her body slightly towards him. She looked unsure of how to begin. "It is something both ye and Kagome need to know," she said hesitantly. "When she comes back, the two of ye must listen very care-"

"Greetings, Kaede-sama."

Both of them gave a start. A man had arrived, bearing a scrolled-up sheet of parchment. Inuyasha recognized him as the man who often delivered letters to and from the village.

"An urgent message has arrived for you, Kaede-sama," he went on. He held out the scroll. Kaede got to her feet and took it, looking perplexed. It was clear to Inuyasha that she had not been expecting this. She retreated a bit further away, her back to Inuyasha as she read it.

Just then, Kagome came back outside the shrine, having heard the man's voice.

"What's going on?" she asked Inuyasha, who shrugged, looking pointedly at Kaede. "Well, I hope your wound is better now," she said timidly. It really was remarkable, how he could sustain an injury like that and feel next to no pain, standing upright as though nothing had even happened. She still hated that she hadn't been able to heal him.

"It was never serious," he said. "It's really no big deal, Kagome. You've done a lot already."

Kagome returned his smile, grateful that he could seemingly tell what she'd been thinking. As she did so, however, something else occurred to her.

So that's that, she thought. He can't be the same person. She had healed Tsuya with her own hands. He'd responded to her powers as any human would have. And he'd been in visible pain, over an injury that wasn't much more severe than Inuyasha's. Not that there was any doubt, of course, she reminded herself. I just had a moment where I found a few things between them interesting, but this puts an end to all that.

As they stood there, they became aware of footsteps. Kaede was walking back up to them, the scroll still opened in her hands. Kagome gave a start when she saw her. Her face was more pallid and ashen than ever, and her brow was contorted in a knot.

"Baa-chan, what happened?" Kagome asked, mystified.

When Kaede spoke, her voice was like gravel. "The Holy Council," she said throatily, "has received word of Inuyasha's presence in the village, and of his friendship with the Shikon Miko. The bandits alerted them." She paused, taking in Inuyasha and Kagome's stunned faces. "They have summoned us all for an emergency hearing."

Dun Dun Dun! The plot thickens?

I wanted to make a specific note of something here: "reiki", which I'd been using up until now to describe Kagome's spiritual powers (and a miko's spiritual powers in general) has now been changed to "reiryoku". I think reiki was actually just less accurate, and the series refers to it as reiryoku anyway, so going forward I just want to make sure I use these terms properly.

Thank you all again for reading, as always, and see you in the next chapter!