Grounding– A technique that helps restore focus to the present moment, easing anxiety, distress, or dissociation by creating a sense of safety through sensory, mental, or emotional anchors.

Kagome sat in her bedroom, replaying his words over and over in her head.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her! Stay away from her! I protect Kagome!"

The intensity in his voice, the raw fury—it had sent a shiver down her spine then, and it still did now.

She stared at nothing in particular, her chin resting on her hand, mind drifting through the whirlwind of the past month.

Between Kikyo's passing, the baby, the cultural festival at school, and the recent battle with Hoshiyomi and the Naginata of Kenkon, she was both exhausted and restless at the same time. Her life felt like an unending cycle of being thrown into danger, being rescued, and then carrying on like nothing had happened.

I'm being kidnapped and used left, right, and center, she thought miserably.

And yet, through it all, her mind always circled back to that moment.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her! Stay away from her! I protect Kagome!"

The way he had fought—his ferocity, his unwavering determination—Tessaiga pulsing back to life as though it, too, had recognized its true purpose.

To protect.

To protect her.

Kagome sighed, rubbing her temples. Did Inuyasha even realize what those words meant to her? Did he understand how much his actions spoke louder than anything he'd ever said?

A sudden tap, tap at her window made her jump.

She turned quickly, heart leaping into her throat. But there, crouched just outside on the tree branch, was a familiar figure clad in red and silver. His golden eyes glowed faintly in the dim light of the evening.

"Inuyasha," she breathed, rising to open the window.

He hopped inside with effortless grace, his ears twitching as they adjusted to the quiet hum of modern life. "Took you long enough," he grumbled, crossing his arms as he looked her over. "You okay?"

Kagome blinked, thrown off by the question. "Uh… yeah?"

He frowned, unconvinced. "You've been quiet since we got here."

She hesitated, debating whether or not to bring it up. But the words were already tumbling from her lips before she could stop them.

"Inuyasha… do youmeanit?"

His ears flicked. "Huh?"

She swallowed, looking down at her hands. "When you said…'I protect Kagome'… did you really mean it?"

Inuyasha's expression shifted instantly—surprise flickered across his face, then something deeper. His brows furrowed as he looked away, his clawed fingers tightening at his sleeves.

"Keh. Stupid question," he muttered.

Kagome huffed. "It's not a stupid question."

Inuyasha's ears flattened slightly, and for once, he didn't snap back. He let out a long breath, his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. "Yeah," he said at last, voice quieter. "Of course I meant it."

She looked at him then, searching his face. "But why?"

His jaw tightened. He wasn't good at this. damn it, if she was gonna make himsayit, he'd try.

"Because you're Kagome," he said, as if that was reason enough. "You're…mine to protect."

Something in Kagome's chest clenched at that.

"You don't have to," she whispered. "You could just let me—"

"No." His voice was firm, cutting off whatever foolish thing she was about to say. His golden eyes locked onto hers, unwavering. "I won't. You get in trouble, you get hurt—I'm the one who's gonna stop it."

Kagome's breath hitched.

"You always throw yourself into danger," he continued, frustration laced with something softer. "Even when you don't have to. Even when it scares the hell outta me." His hand curled into a fist at his side. "I can't just stand there and let something happen to you."

The confession hung between them, raw and unguarded.

Kagome felt her heart pounding in her chest.

"You're really that scared of losing me?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Inuyasha scoffed, turning his head sharply. "Of course I am, you idiot." His ears twitched before flattening again. "You think I just yell that stuff for fun?"

Kagome stared at him, warmth spreading through her despite the vulnerability in his tone.

Then, gently—hesitantly—she reached for his sleeve, tugging it lightly.

"You do realize," she said, smiling just a little, "that I'd protect you too, right?"

Inuyasha stiffened at first, caught off guard, but then he exhaled, the corner of his lips twitching ever so slightly.

"Keh. I know."

AN: Takes place after ep. 140. Needed something cute after watching the episode last night and feeling inspired.