InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Assassin's Hope ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Assassin's Hope

 

Chapter 7

 

Kagome could not believe her ears. The jewel is reborn in me? she thought.

 

Even Inuyasha had stopped his tirade on the old woman to raise a questioning eyebrow.

 

“Kagome has the jewel inside of her?” Inuyasha asked incredulously.

 

“Of this I am not sure,” Kaede said softly.

 

“But Kaede, you just said,” Kagome began. The old woman held a silencing hand up to the young miko.

 

“Nay child. Ye may in fact be the jewel,” she answered quietly. “Like many in this great world ye both have a destiny.”

 

“The old woman's about as cryptic as Myouga-jiji!” Inuyasha scoffed.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome admonished. “Kaede? If in this prophecy this demon, or human turned demon rather, needs the jewel to become powerful am I in danger?”

 

Kaede turned cautious eyes upon Kagome, “Aye child! What ye protect is terribly powerful and unimaginably dangerous! I cannot think of the consequences that could befall ye both should the prophecy come to pass.”

 

“Oi! Kaede-baba! Why train Kagome as a miko if you knew the assassins would seek her out one day?” Inuyasha ground out.

 

“When your grandfather brought ye here I knew right away how special ye were, Kagome,” Kaede smiled warmly. Kagome flushed out of embarrassment and smiled back. Kaede continued, “It was only after deep meditation that I recognized yon aura to protect the power of the jewel. I had hoped that by training Kagome, her miko powers would grow and the jewel's power would never be used for evil. It would remain dormant as long as it remained pure.”

 

Inuyasha and Kagome exchanged the slightest of glances before Inuyasha cleared his throat, “Old woman, if Kagome ever decided not to be a miko is there another way to protect the power of the jewel?”

 

Kagome held Kaede with a hopeful gaze, “I cannot think of another way to keep the jewel dormant. Without her miko aura Kagome will need powerful protection. Without proper meditation and purification the jewel will become tainted, drawing everything sinister forth searching for it's power. Being a miko alone allows Kagome to keep her heart and the jewel chaste.”

 

“Chaste,” Inuyasha repeated quietly, tasting the word in his mouth. He found the taste rather bitter.

 

Kagome put a hand to her forehead. She could feel a slight ache work its way behind her eyes, threatening to break free in a full-blown pounding. “Kaede, if you don't mind I'd like Inuyasha to take me home. It's a lot to process right now.”

 

“Aye child, ye must rest for now. Meditation may help ye relax in awhile,” Kaede offered rising to see her guests to the door. When they reached the door she stopped them, “I must ask ye both to be cautious in the city. There are very few people that know hanyous and demons exist in this world,” she said looking pointedly at Inuyasha, “Ye must be careful about who ye trust with your identity child.”

 

“Keh,” Inuyasha replied.

 

Kaede took Kagome's hand gently, “Young Kagome, take to heart what I told ye today. It is no chance ye have met the son of the Inu no Taisho. The world can expect great things from ye both.”

 

She touched Kagome's brow gently, “Aye, go and rest child.”

 

Kagome smiled and hugged Kaede gently before turning to Inuyasha who had opened the door and was crouching slightly in front of her. She climbed gently onto his back and rested her head against his shoulder in hopes that her headache would cease a bit.

 

Inuyasha took off for the shrine at top speed, his mind whirling with thoughts as the world passed by. He heard Kagome sigh gently and his ears swiveled backward to listen for any sign of her discomfort.

 

Would I be enough protection for Kagome if she chose to become my mate? he mentally questioned himself.

 

Inuyasha landed softly on Kagome's window frame a short time later and he stepped inside her room, crouching down to let Kagome free from his back. When he stood straight he was surprised to feel her still pressed against him, her small hands gently clutching his shoulders, her cheek firmly pressed between his shoulder blades.

 

“Kagome?” he called softly, turning his head slightly to peer at her out of the corner of his eye.

 

“How can I choose Inuyasha?” she questioned, her voice strained with emotional pain.

 

Inuyasha hung his head slightly, ears drooping forward, “I will not ask you to choose, Kagome. It will be the jewel. I will find another way to protect you from Sesshoumaru so that you can keep the jewel untainted.”

 

He smelled her tears before he had heard her tiny sob, “I never asked for the jewel! I can't protect it alone. Please Inuyasha.”

 

“You heard the old woman. The jewel must remain pure, chaste,” Inuyasha said lowly. “You will protect the power of the jewel, and I will protect you!” He turned around and encircled her in his arms. She looked up at him, her eyes a bit swollen from her tears and her nose flushed red.

 

“If I chose to become your mate and not remain a miko you could protect me,” she offered hopefully.

 

Inuyasha closed his eyes and took a deep breath, drawing her scent in to calm his soul, his voice came harsh, almost in a growl, “I don't know that I would be enough to protect you against what is out there, Kagome.”

 

“But,” she tried.

 

“No! Stupid woman! How can you not understand? I'm a weak hanyou! I could lose you! How could I live knowing I was the cause of your death? You will remain chaste and protect the jewel and I will protect you from the fate of the others!” he yelled at her pushing her away from him. She stumbled back and fell heavily upon her bed. They heard the footsteps too late as the door to her bedroom flew open and her mother appeared in the doorway.

 

“Kagome! I heard yelling… KAMI! WHO ARE YOU? GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!” Kagome's mother screamed at the supposed intruder. Inuyasha backed away from the screaming woman, looking from her to her daughter. Kagome's mother only saw that her daughter had been crying and this strange man dressed in a strange outfit had been the cause.

 

“HELP! POLICE! HELP!” her mom continued to yell as she moved in front of Kagome trying to protect her.

 

“Mama stop! Please! Listen!” Kagome tried, extending her hands around her mother to Inuyasha.

 

Inuyasha continued to back away from the hysterical woman, one arm raised to ward off hits from her flailing arms, his ears flattened against his head to muffle the noise.

 

Kagome grabbed her mother's shoulders, shaking her she cried, “Mama! Please stop! I LOVE HIM!”

 

Her mother stopped yelling and turned a stunned face to her daughter, “Kagome? Who is this?”

 

Inuyasha had also stopped in his actions to stare at Kagome, Did she just say…

 

“Mama,” Kagome said moving around her mother to stand at Inuyasha's side, “Please don't be afraid. He won't hurt us. This is Inuyasha.”

 

“Who?” her mother asked still in shock.

 

“Mama, I think we need to talk,” Kagome sighed.

 

Her mother merely nodded at her and Kagome moved to take her hand to lead her downstairs to the kitchen. Kagome nodded for Inuyasha to follow them. When the three reached the kitchen Kagome had her mother sit down at the table and motioned for Inuyasha to stand beside her.

 

Kagome took a deep breath and released it before she plunged into her tale, “Mama, as you know Grandpa has been training me as shrine priestess and even sent me to his friend Kaede to train.” Her mother nodded in understanding glancing from Kagome to the strangely dressed young man in front of her. Kagome took that as her sign to continue, “It turns out that I'm a special priestess. I don't want to confuse you with details right now but it is my job as this special priestess to protect something of great power.”

 

Her mother nodded again numbly and asked softly, “What do you protect?”

 

“A jewel,” Kagome answered. “This is going to sound a bit crazy but centuries ago a prophecy had been written about the fall of demons across this land. An evil demon could come to power using a miko, a powerful priestess, to destroy all demons.”

 

“Kagome, demons aren't real honey,” her mother said quietly.

 

“Oh no?” Inuyasha spoke. “And what am I? A figment of your imagination?” To add emphasis Inuyasha flexed his ears for the woman.

 

“Oh my!” her mother exclaimed placing a hand to her throat. “They're… adorable! Are you?”

 

“A demon,” Inuyasha grumbled.

 

“May I?” Kagome's mother asked, staring wide-eyed at the top of his head. Inuyasha growled slightly but nodded once and knelt down on one knee in front of her mother. She reached out a tentative hand and gently stroked one of his ears, gasping softly when it flicked in reflex to her touch. “Who are you?”

 

“Inuyasha, son of the Inu no Taisho. I protect Kagome,” he answered her, surprised that he had so willingly relinquished that information. He stood up when she withdrew her hand to look at him.

 

“Inuyasha protects more than just me, Mama. He saved Grandpa a few nights ago from being hit by a car. I didn't tell anyone but Grandpa had gone wandering after his sake the other night,” Kagome looked down at her feet after her mother turned a shocked face towards her.

 

“It seems I owe you my thanks, Inuyasha,” her mother replied slowly. “And an apology for screaming like that. It's just not everyday I walk into my daughter's room to find a strange man yelling at her!”

 

Inuyasha flattened his ears at her admonishment, “Sorry, Higurashi-sama.” Kagome looked surprised at his apology to her mother.

 

Recovering a bit Kagome sat down at the table and continued, “Mama, there's more.” For the better part of an hour Kagome tried her best to relate her part in the prophecy, who and what Inuyasha was, and how they had come to protect the jewel. Her mother had frowned through parts, especially when learning about Inuyasha's occupation, and had a hard time comprehending the existence of demons.

 

“Higurashi-sama, there's one other thing,” Inuyasha added when Kagome had finished. He had long ago taken a seat next to Kagome at the table. “I have asked Kagome to become my mate.”

 

“Mate?” Mrs. Higurashi questioned.

 

Inuyasha frowned, “The human equivalency to marriage.”

 

“But she's only fifteen!” her mother gasped out. “And you can't be much older! How could you provide for her? What could you offer her?”

 

“As son of the Inu no Taisho I can offer her everything I have. There is a manor not far from here, secluded in a forest. There are servants that can provide her with anything she should ever need. I can protect her,” Inuyasha said solemnly keeping his gaze on her mother. His mind barely registering what Sesshoumaru would think of Kagome living at the manor. The idea just felt right to him, having her in his home.

 

“And Kagome? What of your education? You must finish school! What about college?” her mother asked.

 

Kagome looked at Inuyasha, not knowing how she should answer the question. Inuyasha smirked at her slightly before answering for her, “Kagome will attend the university.”

 

“Inuyasha,” Kagome said smiling up at him.

 

Her mother saw a look pass between the two young ones before her, “Kagome? Do you want to be Inuyasha's intended?”

 

Kagome looked over at her mother, her face open and honest, “Inuyasha has agreed to give me time to decide for myself, to understand fully the gravity of my decision. But I know in my heart that I will choose to be with him, Mama.” Kagome turned from her mother and smiled gently at Inuyasha, said hanyou stared unbelievingly at her. He could feel the warmth radiating through her gaze, “I can't explain it Mama. It just feels right.”

 

Kagome's mother remained silent as she watched the hanyou reach a clawed hand out to touch her daughter's face gently. Her brow creased at the young lovers before rising from her seat gaining their attention, “It seems neither of you would be swayed even if I were to try to convince you. I must tell you I'm not particularly pleased with this. I don't even know this… this young, well, Inuyasha! And simply handing my daughter over to a demon! What would your father think Kagome?”

 

Kagome turned a shocked face to her mother, “My father would think to tell me to follow my own heart, Mama! He would know that I would never do something unless I felt strongly about it. I know some of this sounds crazy, I know I sound crazy, but there's something greater here. It's greater than either you or I, Mama, and I'm part of it along with Inuyasha. And I don't think I would change that.”

 

Her mother sighed loudly, “In that case, it seems Inuyasha that you will be staying for dinner this evening. After all, I must get to know the man that has changed my daughter's life so dramatically.”

 

“Then you will permit me to be with Kagome?” Inuyasha asked expecting her denial.

 

“When the time comes, if Kagome chooses to do so, then I will permit her to do what her heart believes is right. Even if I do not understand it,” she answered moving towards the stove to prepare dinner.

 

Kagome stood to help her mother, “Thank you, Mama.”

 

“Thank you, Higurashi-sama,” Inuyasha said, rising from the table as well.

 

“Just don't tell me Souta has a girlfriend! I couldn't handle it if both of my children were growing up so quickly!” her mother sighed heavily.

 

Kagome giggled and helped her mother prepare the meal, smiling the entire time and glancing happily at her hanyou.

 

“Oh and Kagome?” her mother added.

 

“Mmm?”

 

“Leave your Grandpa to me,” her mother said winking at Kagome.

 

Oh no! Grandpa! Kagome thought her mouth forming a small `o' of surprise.

 

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

 

“May I join you?” called a small voice from the entryway of the vast library.

 

The taiyoukai turned from the window to assess the young woman peeking through the doorway. He made the slightest of nods before she entered, her arms laden with heavy textbooks, and moved towards the crackling fireplace on the far left wall.

 

“I have a research paper due next week and I was hoping to get an early start on it. It seemed such a nice place to study in and well the manor is so big. I can barely find my way to the kitchens and well I was planning to get a snack before settling down to read and I was really…” Rin trailed off as Sesshoumaru turned his back to her once again to stare out the window.

 

“Kami Rin just stop babbling, he couldn't care less,” she mumbled to herself and placing the heel of her palm against her forehead. She set her books down on a table placed between two chairs in front of the fire.

 

“You are right,” he said softly from his place across the library.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama?” Rin questioned.

 

“This Sesshoumaru could not care less about what you speak of,” he responded coldly causing Rin to flush slightly out of shame and look down at the floor. “And yet, there is something about your voice. I wish for you to continue.”

 

Rin looked up at him, her gaze locking with his cool one from across the room, “I don't understand.”

 

Sesshoumaru moved closer to her taking a seat in one of the worn carpeted chairs facing the fire, “Continue speaking. It is not often that these walls hear the words of another.”

 

“Would you like me to read to you, Sesshoumaru-sama?” Rin questioned moving towards one of the walls lined with bound books. When he nodded she turned towards the wall, raising a delicate hand to touch each book as she read its spine. Finally, her fingers rested on a volume before she pulled it from the shelf. Settling herself in the chair across from him she opened the book and began reading to the lord of the manor.

 

After a few moments of listening to the woman's voice, gently inflecting throughout her reading, Sesshoumaru actually looked at her. The fire sent golden tones of light across her skin, her cheeks slightly flushed by the heat in the room. Her eyes sparkled a deep brown as she read, and her lips moved in a graceful dance seemingly tasting every word as though it would be their last.

 

His mind began processing the words she spoke, soft yet sure, light yet rich. When she paused he spoke, “You are reading poetry. Why?”

 

The question caught her off guard. Hadn't he been listening?

 

“Yes, poetry, and I don't know really. It's soothing perhaps. No,” she paused staring into the fire. “Because it reminded me of you.” He arched a perfect eyebrow at her.

 

“It's a mystery really. As hard as one may try to understand or to explain a poem it remains elusive to us. An enigma. There are so many emotions inside a poem and yet it could seem completely cold to a reader. But no matter what we believe about poetry it is only the author that will ever know everything about it,” she rationalized.

 

By the time Rin was finished with her defense she found herself slightly breathless, finding it hard to tamp down the emotions raging inside her. By simply looking at her in his stoic way, his silver hair glowing in the firelight, his molten gaze remaining steadfast, he made her heart beat erratically.

 

Rin refused to allow her emotions to best her and taking a deep breath she tore her gaze from Sesshoumaru and returned her attention to the book. Without waiting for his reply she continued reading aloud to him, the night falling around them. After awhile Rin found she was growing drowsy and was barely able to stifle a yawn.

 

“You are tired,” Sesshoumaru stated rather than asked during one of her jaw-splitting yawns.

 

“I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama,” she apologized.

 

“You will continue tomorrow,” he said. Rin somehow knew it was more of a request than a command this time and she nodded before standing to leave.

 

“Rin?” Sesshoumaru called to her retreating form.

 

“Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?” she asked turning around.

 

“Goodnight, Rin.”

 

She smiled slightly and moved across the room towards his chair. He remained facing the dying embers of the fire. She leaned down to his ear and whispered, “Goodnight Sesshoumaru-sama.”

 

He turned his head to look at her as she moved to place a kiss on his cheek. His movement caused his lips to brush hers gently in a chaste kiss. Shocked Rin straightened, her eyes wide and round, shining in what little light filled the room. Sesshoumaru could see a slight blush cross her cheeks as a small hand flew to her lips.

 

As she turned to leave the room Sesshoumaru could see a slight smile curve her full mouth. He had no idea that her expression was mirrored on his own countenance.

 

~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Well, I suppose that went better than I thought it would,” Kagome said to Inuyasha as they walked through the garden.

 

“Yeah,” Inuyasha scoffed, “If getting sutras thrown at ya was better than you thought.”

 

“That's just Grandpa's way. I think,” Kagome said looking up at the stars and the tiny thumbnail imprint of the moon. “He really does like you, Inuyasha.”

 

“Keh,” came the only response.

 

“And Souta really took to you!” she looked at him hopefully. “He seems to love the idea of having a big brother.”

 

She turned towards him and grinned up at him. He rolled his eyes. “Yeah yeah, okay. So the kid likes me. So what?”

 

“So, I like you, too,” she said casting her eyelashes down and stepping closer to him. Inuyasha blushed slightly in the starlight but grinned cockily at her.

 

“Is that all wench?” he asked huskily. “Before you practically told the world you loved me.”

 

She gasped softly and blushed a deeper shade of red before responding, “I.. uh.. well, I had to get Mama to stop yelling at you somehow.”

 

Inuyasha hooked a finger beneath her chin and tilted her face upward. Her eyes were closed tightly, her inky lashes sweeping her cheeks gently. Inuyasha felt something stir within him as he looked at the young woman before him. A longing he had known only as a young child, a longing once called love, swelled deep inside him and threatened to burst forth.

 

“Kagome,” he barely whispered. She opened her eyes to stare up at him. “I…” words failed him as he looked into her eyes, an ocean of emotion staring back at him.

 

She saw him struggle for some understanding of what he was feeling, “I know Inuyasha. You don't have to tell me.”

 

“No, Kagome, you don't understand. I'm an assassin…” he struggled again, his face contorting into a look of pain.

 

“I know what you are Inuyasha. I'm not afraid. Let me be with you,” Kagome said fisting her hands into his haori.

 

“I can't ask you to have this kind of life. I don't know what our life together would be like,” he said quietly, not meeting her eyes.

 

“I do, Inuyasha,” she said softly, reaching up to brush his bangs out of his eyes and resting her palm on his cheek. He nuzzled her hand at her touch and looked at her, confusion showing on his face. “We will have each other, and for me that is enough.”

 

His face softened at her words and he leaned down to kiss her gently. He sighed as they parted and he looked at the night sky, “Its late. You should get to bed.”

 

She sighed softly into the night sky before her face brightened.

 

“Inuyasha?” she asked. “You will still meet my friends tomorrow night right?”

 

He smirked at her, a fang gleaming in the starlight, “I haven't forgotten. Tomorrow before sunset, Kagome.”

 

She grinned as they headed back to the house. Inuyasha took her hand in his at the doorway and brought it to his lips, “Goodnight, Kagome.”

 

“Goodnight, Inuyasha,” she whispered before disappearing behind the door.

 

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

 

The darkness was deep and cold in the cavern. The mass of evil hidden in its depths could feel it seeping through the layers of dormancy.

 

It was time to rise. He opened his mind's eye to search for what had caused him to stir. So close. He could feel it. It had trapped him in the darkness so long ago and yet it called to him now. He needed it, felt the need pulsing through his veins, arousing his senses painfully.

 

With great effort he moved forth, out of the darkness. He would return once more and spread evil and pain throughout the world. It was time to take what belonged to him.

 

“The jewel has been awakened.”

 

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

 

Inuyasha watched the sun rise through the eastern windows of his chambers, the sky casting brilliant colors across the gardens of the manor. He knew he had to speak to Sesshoumaru, tell him all about his plans with Kagome. Perhaps Sesshoumaru would not mind her presence considering he now kept that ningen woman around. Inuyasha left the comfort of his chamber to seek out his half-brother.

 

Inuyasha found Sesshoumaru in the library, from the strength of his scent he could tell the taiyoukai had been there for a while.

 

“Have you been here all night?” Inuyasha asked scowling at his brother's form near the fire.

 

“Perhaps,” Sesshoumaru said coldly. “What do I owe this inquisition half-breed?”

 

Inuyasha ignored the jab and held Sesshoumaru's piercing gaze, “I will be taking a mate shortly. She will be staying in the annex with me as well.”

 

“Don't be ridiculous Inuyasha. No demon would take you as mate,” Sesshoumaru scoffed turning his gaze back to the dying embers.

 

“What are you going on about?” Inuyasha spat. “I mean the miko, not some demon.”

 

Sesshoumaru turned to glare at his half-sibling, rising from his chair, “You will not mate the miko, Inuyasha. Disgrace on our family no more.”

 

“But you told me to mate her! The other way to destroy her miko powers!” Inuyasha yelled.

 

“I said no such thing,” Sesshoumaru countered. “I told you to take the miko's innocence. That is all. You will not mate her.”

 

“I can't just take her!” Inuyasha ground out. “I… I care for her!”

 

“Then your heart is weak Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru stated turning his back and heading towards the window of the library.

 

“I will take Kagome as my mate and there is nothing you can do about it!” Inuyasha challenged.

 

“And if this Sesshoumaru took her life?” the taiyoukai asked, no emotion tainting his liquid voice.

 

Rage surfaced from deep inside Inuyasha, his eyes flashed a deep crimson before returning to molten gold. He took a deep breath before replying, “Then this assassin would not think twice about exterminating the ningen that is housed here.”

 

Inuyasha could not be sure but he thought he felt Sesshoumaru's aura wince, slightly flaring and then retracting to its normal state around the demon.

 

“Kagome will be my mate, and when she resides in the manor you will not even look at her. I, too, am the son of the Inu no Taisho. My word is law,” Inuyasha ground out coldly. He turned his back on Sesshoumaru and stormed from the library.

 

Sesshoumaru remained in the library for a short time before making his way to the great hall. Lighting some incense around his father's memorial he sighed inaudibly before saying, “It seems your second son has finally learned his place.”

 

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~

 

Kagome's day at school could not end soon enough! Her friends would not stop asking questions about Inuyasha and even Houjou seemed to ask about him during the lunch hour. Finally, Kagome's school day was over and she rushed away from her classmates, her shrine duties an excuse for escape.

 

When she arrived home her grandfather had no problem finding things for her to do. It seemed that the storeroom hadn't been organized in a decade and Grandpa needed it cleaned that very day.

 

Hours later found her shoulder-height deep in cardboard boxes filled with souvenirs, pamphlets, and jars filled with odd “magical” objects Grandpa had saved over the years. Kagome moved another cardboard box aside when she saw something scuttle in the shadows of the storeroom. Screaming bloody murder she backed away from the creepy crawly in the shadows, knocked over a box of strange looking clawed things, and tumbled straight out of the shed.

 

“You look like you could use some help,” a gruff voice said above her. She opened her eyes to locate the voice but the glare from the now setting sun prohibited her from making an identification. She groaned in response and tried to get up. A strong hand grasped her elbow and helped her stand.

 

Closing her eyes tightly from embarrassment Kagome lowered her head and swiped her hands absently over her priestess hakama. She opened her eyes slightly, still glancing at the lower half of the visitor. All she could see was a nice pair of black loafers and elegant looking black pants. Finally, raising her eyes to look at the visitor she was surprised to see none other than Inuyasha standing in front of her, a black sweater completing his outfit, the silver of his hair a startling contrast.

 

“Inuyasha! You… where is your haori? And hakama?” Kagome asked, surprise clear on her face.

 

He smirked slightly before answering, “I can't very well meet your friends wearing assassin's clothes, can I?”

 

He could see the appreciation on her face, silently thankful to Myouga that he had kept up on the popular dress of the decades and encouraged him to invest in some garments suitable for life in Tokyo. It was a difficult feat getting Inuyasha to leave Tetsusaiga at the manor but after much debate Myouga had convinced him that bringing a katana around Tokyo might worry some mortals, especially public officers.

 

As if suddenly remembering her own state of dress Kagome's hands flew to her disheveled hair and dust covered face.

 

“I have to get ready!” she nearly cried and started to throw things back into the storeroom. As she tried to rush past Inuyasha to get to her house he grabbed her elbow again, pulled her flush against him and captured her lips in a heated kiss. When he pulled away he was pleased to see her slightly dazed.

 

“Inuyasha?” she looked up at him puzzled.

 

“I promised you a surprise,” he said quietly glancing over his shoulder at the fading sun. He pulled Kagome into the storeroom and closed the door behind them. He watched her giggle in the gray light. He felt the change only a few seconds before he heard her gasp and saw her hands fly to her mouth. The small storeroom glowed for a few seconds until his transformation was complete. Inuyasha stood with black hair, human ears instead of his usual triangular appendages, and violet eyes in place of his amber ones.

 

When Inuyasha opened the storeroom door once again he saw that nightfall had descended on the shrine. He stepped outside and stretched his hand out to Kagome who tentatively took it, one hand still covering her small mouth.

 

“Inuyasha? You look… ningen,” she barely whispered.

 

“I am human, Kagome,” he answered her gently. “At least for tonight. This is my surprise and why I can meet your friends tonight. I will never reveal to them that I am a hanyou and remain protecting the shikaku.”

 

“How?” she asked reaching out as though to touch his now black hair. He took her extended hand and allowed her to touch his hair, even to rub his head where his ears once were.

 

“The new moon,” Inuyasha said quietly. “It allows my ningen blood to rise to the surface, eliminating my demon powers for one night of the month. I am most vulnerable during the new moon, but I'm able to walk freely among humans. Normally I can only come out late at night when people are too drunk or unfortunate to care that I'm a freak.”

 

She frowned slightly, “You are no freak, Inuyasha. You're perfect.”

 

His countenance saddened a bit, “You like my human side better don't you?”

 

She laughed softly when she saw him pout at the ground, “Without those adorable ears? Never, Inuyasha. I like you as a hanyou. Very much.”

 

He looked up at her to see her blushing at him slightly, “Come on, let's go inside and show Mama, Grandpa, and Souta! They'll have no idea what to do with you!”

 

He allowed her to drag him into the house and left him briefly in the living room, subject to the family's questions, while she showered and changed for their evening out.

 

After about a half hour of fielding and avoiding questions from the Higurashi clan, Inuyasha heard Kagome descend the stairs. She had changed into a simple black v-neck shirt and a denim skirt, a bit longer than her uniform. He saw she was still fussing with her hair with one hand and holding a pair of black flip-flops with the other.

 

“Sorry, I tried to hurry! And my hair's still damp,” she explained, frowning a bit at the lock of hair she was having difficulty taming. Inuyasha walked over to her and took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, and tucked the unruly hair neatly behind her ear.

 

“You look beautiful, Kagome,” he said softly. She blushed and looked at the floor and when he realized his soft utterance along with the public affectionate gesture he cleared his throat and stepped away from her, dropping her hand.

 

Stepping around him she waved to her family, calling a goodbye, and walked to the door. “We should probably get going, Inuyasha.”

 

Once out of her family's view, Inuyasha reached for her hand once more, squeezing it slightly. They walked in companionable silence until they reached the shrine steps. Kagome turned to Inuyasha slightly, “Inuyasha, I need to tell you something.”

 

“You're not backing out are ya? I dressed up for this,” he complained, his eyebrows knitting together.

 

She laughed lightly, “No, nothing like that. It's just that my friends don't really know our situation. They think you're helping me train at the shrine. You know, to be a priestess and all.”

 

“And?” he questioned.

 

“And… well… I've already put off a nice boy from school, using my training as an excuse to not see him, and if they see that we're a… a…” she trailed off.

 

“A couple?” he supplied, liking the tinge of pink her cheeks were gathering.

 

“Right! A couple, if they see we're a couple then it will look like I lied to Houjou and then turned around to be with you,” she finished, still worried slightly about the night.

 

“Okay, so why don't I?” Inuyasha asked, moving down the stairs and onto the sidewalk.

 

Kagome looked bewildered being dragged behind him, “Why don't you what?”

 

“Why don't I train ya. Maybe not in miko abilities so much but I can help you defend yourself. That way you didn't lie to this Hobo guy…”

 

“Houjou,” she corrected.

 

“Yeah, whatever. That way you didn't lie to this schoolboy and I can help protect you,” he offered.

 

Her eyes grew round with surprise right before she smiled and hugged him abruptly, “Thank you.”

 

Inuyasha colored slightly before regaining his gruff attitude, “It's nothin' okay? Besides I gotta find something to keep me busy during the day.”

 

Kagome just smiled at him knowingly before glancing down at their clasped hands, a sad expression crossing her features, “It'll probably be best not to show we're together.”

 

Inuyasha looked at her noticing what her attention was on before scowling, “If that Hobo guy tries to touch you I'll…”

 

Kagome stopped walking and turned towards him, “Houjou. He's a friend of mine from school that I really want you to get along with tonight. That way when I do let them know we're together they'll be happy for us. Please Inuyasha, try to be nice to him, to all of them. He won't touch me in an inappropriate way, I promise.”

 

Chastised by her words Inuyasha found his feet of great interest finally nodding at her words. He opened his mouth to reply when he heard a young girl calling from across the street to Kagome. Inuyasha immediately dropped Kagome's hand when he saw she recognized the girl, waving back.

 

“That's Ayume, Inuyasha. Come on I'll introduce you to everyone,” Kagome said excitedly practically dragging him by the sleeve across the street.

 

A few seconds later Inuyasha found himself inside a small ice cream shop packed with teenaged mortals, silently thanking the gods for a human night so his ears wouldn't be hurt by all the noise. As Kagome dragged him towards the back of the shop Inuyasha noticed he was receiving a good portion of attention from the female population, causing him to smirk inwardly.

 

If only they knew what the dawn brings, he thought before turning his attention back to the young woman before him. He briefly wondered how Kagome could be so accepting of him, how incredibly trusting of someone that's completely changed her life in the last few days. He smiled softly just at the thought of Kagome's acceptance. It was in the middle of this thought that he found himself the center of three young girls' attention.

 

“Hi, I'm Yuka,” said one with cropped black hair, extending her hand. Inuyasha noticed her assessing him from head to toe before turning accusatory eyes on him.

 

“Inuyasha,” he replied stiffly, shaking her hand briefly.

 

“I'm Eri and this is Ayume,” another said pointing to the girl who he had seen on the sidewalk.

 

“It's my pleasure to meet some of Kagome's classmates,” he said giving them a small smile, pleasing just about every girl in the place.

 

“Ahh, Inuyasha,” said a tall boy behind the girls. “My name's Houjou. I'm excited to meet you. Kagome has told us all how you saved Higurashi-sama from being hit by a car! It is truly great meeting you tonight.”

 

Houjou extended his hand and for the briefest of seconds Inuyasha envisioned himself taking the kid's hand and throwing him against the opposite wall instantly winning the praise from the girls for his incredible strength. In reality, Inuyasha shook his hand, of course offering a tight grasp, and nodded his head in greeting.

 

The five teenagers and one hanyou-cum-human sat down in a large booth, Inuyasha caught between Kagome and Eri and Houjou on the opposite side caught between Ayume and Yuka.

 

After they ordered, Yuka, as per usual, was first to start the conversation, “So, Inuyasha, how is it that you became Kagome's trainer after miraculously saving her grandfather from near death?”

 

Inuyasha immediately did not like her tone of questioning and thought quickly on his feet, “Actually, we have a common family acquaintance. Kagome's grandfather has a friend named Kaede who happened to know my father. Kaede's sort of a specialist in shrine priestess training. She was really the one that advised us to start training. She saw something special in Kagome and told me about it.”

 

“Wow, Kagome! I had no idea being a shrine priestess was so involved!” Ayume said amazed.

 

“Yes,” Houjou agreed, “Inuyasha, how do you help Kagome in her training?”

 

Inuyasha hesitated for a slight second before Kagome chimed in, “Well, Inuyasha took me into the forest the other day to help me find my inner self.”

 

Inuyasha chuckled at her comment before she continued, “And today we went to Kaede's to train. Oh! And even his brother showed up at the shrine the other day to help encourage me.”

 

“Stupid bastard,” Inuyasha ground out. Everyone at the table gasped as Kagome jabbed Inuyasha in the ribs with her elbow. “Uh, well, that is… my brother and I don't get along that well. He kind of shows up when he wants to, thinking he knows everything.”

 

“Older siblings do that sometimes. My older brother definitely gave me a whole lecture one time on taking responsibility for my actions. He acted just like my parents and I had to remind him he was only a few years older than me,” Eri offered smiling up at Inuyasha.

 

He was relieved they weren't offended by his comment. Normally not one to care what people think of him, it was difficult for Inuyasha to interact with these humans in hopes they would approve of him.

 

“How much older than you is your brother?” Eri asked.

 

Inuyasha had to think about it for a few seconds before he answered, “Well, I'm about 17 now, so that would make him about 5 years older than me. Sometimes it seems like we have centuries between us, though.”

 

The teenagers laughed at his last comment and Inuyasha felt more at ease. Maybe this won't be that hard, he thought. The waitress brought their ice cream a moment later and Inuyasha couldn't remember the last time he had a treat like it. Probably before Mother died, he remembered sadly.

 

“So will you be going to university next year then?” Ayume asked noticing Inuyasha's sad expression.

 

“I hadn't really thought about it,” Inuyasha answered honestly. “I've been home schooled for so many years I'm not sure if I could go to university.”

 

“Wow, home schooled! What's that li…” Ayume was cut short.

 

“Houjou's going to university. Aren't you Houjou? Yes, of course he is. He even has a scholarship, full term. Tell them about it,” Yuka interrupted, grabbing hold of Houjou's arm and wrapping her hands around it.

 

Houjou blushed slightly at the attention, “Well, yes. I am going to university on a full scholarship. It was lucky really. I wrote an essay on how my family has specialized in unique therapy for years and the committee was extremely interested. I'll be studying physical and alternative therapy.”

 

“That's great Houjou,” Kagome said. “It's good that you can do something like that to help people out.”

 

“Thanks Kagome,” he smiled back at her. “You know I believe we got in some aromatherapy incense that would help with your meditation. Why don't we walk to my parent's store after school tomorrow and pick some up?”

 

“Oh, no thank you, Houjou,” she declined waving a hand at him. “That won't be necessary. Besides I have to work at the shrine after school.”

 

“It will help with your training,” Houjou tried again. “And I can walk you back to the shrine afterwards.”

 

“She said no, pal,” Inuyasha spat. “She ain't going anywhere with you.”

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome whispered harshly.

 

“I was just trying to offer some help,” Houjou sputtered.

 

“Yeah, no need to be rude,” Yuka berated. Leaning her head on Houjou's shoulder for comfort.

 

Inuyasha looked from Kagome's face, clearly showing her anger to Yuka's spiteful expression, to Houjou's hurt look and down at his lap, “I'm protective of Kagome that's all. She needs to stay safe, that means school, Kaede's, and the shrine.”

 

“Protective? As in she doesn't get to go anywhere besides school and training? That's a little more than protective, that's imprisonment,” Yuka accused.

 

“You protect Kagome?” Houjou questioned.

 

Inuyasha glared at the teenage boy slightly, “I guess you could say I'm her bodyguard while she's training.”

 

“He's right Houjou,” Ayume said quietly. “After all those attacks at different shrines around Tokyo, Kagome should be careful. She just can't go walking around the city like that. It's good that Inuyasha protects her.”

 

“Attacks at shrines?” Kagome asked.

 

Eri peered around Inuyasha at Kagome with wide eyes, “You mean you haven't heard? Shrine priestesses have been murdered all over the city in the last few months. Slaughtered in the middle of the night, without a thought.”

 

Inuyasha turned emotion filled eyes to Kagome, “I…”

 

“Oh gods,” she whispered a shudder coursing through her body. She turned wild eyes to her friends and glanced frantically around the ice cream shop. “Slaughtered, those girls, just like me… I need to get out.”

 

Before anyone could say anything Kagome had dashed out of the booth and was running for the door.

 

“Kagome!” they all called from the booth.

 

“Damnit!” cursed Inuyasha. “I need to stop her. She can't go running off like that.”

 

Inuyasha got up from the booth to chase after her and the girls quickly followed suit. Houjou threw down some money on the table, called an apology to the waitress, and headed out after them.

 

Inuyasha stopped short when he reached the sidewalk, the girls slamming into each other behind him.

 

“I don't even know where she could have gone,” he growled, silently damning his human side once again.

 

“Home?” the three girls offered.

 

“The park,” Houjou said from behind pointing a block down the street.

 

“Kagome,” Inuyasha whispered taking off into a full run after her.

 

When they reached the edge of the park Inuyasha felt two hands on his arm. Looking down he saw Yuka attached to him.

 

“It's scary in the park at night. You don't know who you'll run into,” she said, her voice quivering.

 

“Yeah, right,” Inuyasha ground out sliding his arm from her grasp. Something didn't feel right to him but he couldn't place his finger on it. “Kagome!”

 

A scream pierced the night and Inuyasha found himself running towards the source praying to any Kami that would listen that Kagome would be all right. He looked back long enough to shout, “Stay back!” to the others, not waiting to see if they would obey. He sped into a clearing so fast he didn't see the thick miasma hanging in the air, Kagome laying only a few feet ahead of him unconscious.

 

“Kagome!” he called, gasping in a mouthful of the poison. Inuyasha began coughing reflexively trying desperately to get clean air into his lungs. Fool! He thought. Your human tonight!

 

“The jewel,” he heard something growl through the cloud of the miasma.

 

Kagome! Inuyasha silently screamed. I have to protect her!

 

Out from the miasma rose a monster, the kind of which Inuyasha had never seen. An atrocity seemingly made from every beast on earth. Over limbs and tentacles, Inuyasha could see the torso of a man with blood red eyes of a demon in rage. In front of the hybrid demon Inuyasha could see Kagome stirring on the ground.

 

“Inuyasha,” he heard her groan lightly. He watched in horror as the monstrosity moved towards the young girl tentacles outstretched with motive.

 

“The jewel has been awakened,” the demon ground out. “It belongs to me!”

 

As it moved towards Kagome menacingly, Inuyasha found he was moving as well, despite the effect the poison was having on him.

 

Different things happened in that one crucial moment. Kagome screamed while throwing her hand in the air protectively, Inuyasha dove in front of her small frame to block the attacking appendage, and the demon cried out in frustrated rage from being denied his target. All while the three were surrounded in a blinding light.

 

Inuyasha stared at Kagome with a shocked gaze when he realized the light came from her, emanating from the very hand she threw up in the air to protect herself with. Her face held a confused expression as she stared back at Inuyasha much in the same way.

 

She's trying to purify it, he thought. Had it not been for his human night that night she would have purified him as well no doubt.

 

The creature howled in pained frustration as the tentacle was obliterated in the air from her power. The miasma suddenly seemed to be pulled from the area and rushed towards the demon, consumed him in a cloud, and ascended into the dark night.

“I will have my jewel,” they heard from the miasma as it moved away from the park. “I will have the world!”

 

Inuyasha was able to turn back to Kagome in time to catch her fainting form.

 

“Kagome!” he exclaimed, picking her up and pulling her protectively towards his chest.

 

“What was that?” a young female voice said from behind him.

 

Inuyasha whirled around to see the four teenagers standing in the clearing. They looked confused until they saw Kagome in Inuyasha's arms and then they rushed over.

 

“Kagome!” Ayume called. “What happened to her? It was all foggy before. It was so thick I felt like I couldn't breath.”

 

“We couldn't even find you until just now,” Eri said.

 

“Was that lightning?” Houjou asked.

 

“What happened, Inuyasha?” Yuka asked frowning.

 

“There was a thief,” Inuyasha said quietly. “Kagome screamed right before I found her. He saw me and then there was the lightning, must be a storm coming, so he ran.”

 

“Should we call the police?” Ayume questioned worriedly.

 

“Will Kagome be okay?” Eri wondered.

 

“I think I should take Kagome someplace safe,” Inuyasha said stepping around the small crowd.

 

“Of course, Inu-kun,” Ayume said. “Kagome must be taken care of first. You should take her home.”

 

“Shouldn't we call an ambulance?” Yuka asked.

 

“She just fainted Yuka,” Eri rationalized.

 

“Because she was attacked, Eri,” Yuka admonished.

 

“Oh,” Eri frowned. “Should we take her to the hospital?”

 

“Inu… yasha?” Kagome mumbled in his arms. She blinked slowly, wincing in pain before looking questioningly up at him. “What happened?”

 

“You fainted, Kagome,” Inuyasha answered softly.

 

“Kagome? Do you want to go to the hospital?” Ayume asked.

 

Before anyone knew it the young miko burst into tears.

 

“I want to go home,” she said burying her face into Inuyasha's chest. “Please take me home, Inuyasha.”

 

With that Inuyasha stepped around the teenagers. They called their goodbyes and well wishes to Kagome. Inuyasha turned slightly to nod his goodnight to them, and started out of the park Kagome still in his arms.

 

What the hell was that? Inuyasha wondered. It looked like a demon, but it had so many parts.

 

He was no hanyou. He was a monster, the old miko's words floated back to Inuyasha.

 

“It couldn't be,” he wondered aloud.

 

Kagome sniffled and looked up at him, “Couldn't be what?”

 

“Nothing Kagome,” he said hardening his features.

 

“I'm so tired, Inuyasha,” she sighed.

 

“Just rest Kagome,” he answered. “We'll figure out what happened later.”

 

She rested her head upon his shoulder and he walked silently the rest of the way to the shrine, relieved that they hadn't run into any authorities on the way wondering why he was carrying a sleeping girl.

 

When they reached the shrine Inuyasha called Kagome's name softly. She opened her eyes to see that they were in front of the Goshinboku. He slowly placed her on her feet and allowed her to step away from the circle of his arms. She wrapped her arms around herself, immediately missing the comfort he provided.

 

When she finally turned to him, Inuyasha could see she was struggling to control tears from falling. He opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off.

 

“I don't want to talk about this tonight,” she said looking at the ground. “You're going to walk me to the door and we'll say goodnight. Then I'm telling my family I'm going to bed. Wait for me under the tree outside my bedroom window. I'll be out in a few minutes.”

 

“And then what, Kagome?” he asked moving towards her.

 

“Then will you take me away from here? Anywhere, Inuyasha, please?” she pleaded looking up at him. He encircled her in an embrace, tucking her head underneath his chin.

 

“I can't let that… monster… near my family. Mama… Souta… Grandpa… they'd all be killed if he found me here. He knows what I am, Inuyasha,” she sobbed. “He knows what I am!”

 

“Kagome, I'll protect you,” he vowed again. Can you? His mind questioned. I have to, he answered silently. They broke away from each other and glanced at the house. Kagome wiped at her eyes, hoping her mother wouldn't see she was upset once she entered the house. Inuyasha reached down and took Kagome's hand, squeezing it gently, and walked towards the house.

 

At the steps he bent down quickly and placed a kiss on her soft lips. “Goodnight, Kagome.”

 

“Goodnight, Inuyasha,” she said as she stepped into her house. Entering the living room Kagome saw her mother sitting on the couch looking through one of those home improvement magazines, Souta sprawled on the floor, a controller to some video game clutched in his hands, and her grandpa poured over a book in the corner mumbling some incantation or another.

 

She stepped over to the couch and bent down and kissed her mother on the cheek, throwing her arms around her tightly.

 

“Oh, Kagome! You scared me, I barely heard you come in,” her mother said startled.

 

“I'm sorry, Mama. I just wanted to say goodnight,” she soothed.

 

“Alright, Kagome. How was your evening with Inuyasha?”

 

“It was nice, Mama, thanks,” Kagome answered with a sad smile. She kneeled on the floor and ruffled Souta's hair.

 

“Hey! I hate when you do that, Kagome,” Souta grumbled.

 

“Sorry kiddo. Thought I could say goodnight to my kid brother without him spazzing out,” she said.

 

“Yeah, yeah, goodnight,” he answered turning his attention back to his game.

 

Kagome put her arms around his neck and kissed the back of his head lightly.

 

“Eww gross! Mom! Kagome's trying to make me lose my game by kissing me!” Souta complained. Kagome rolled her eyes and smiled before moving over to her grandpa.

 

“Goodnight, Grandpa,” she said bending down to kiss the top of his head.

 

“Oh, Kagome, you're back! I found an incantation for a sutra so if that Inuyasha character ever gets out of hand you can put him in line,” he said his attention still on the book.

 

Kagome giggled, “Okay, Grandpa.” She moved towards the stairs to her bedroom and turned back towards her family.

 

“Goodnight everyone,” she said finally.

 

“Goodnight dear,” her mother called behind her, waving her hand absently. Kagome walked up the stairs slowly and made her way to her bedroom. Pulling out a yellow backpack she quickly placed a few necessary items and clothing inside. Crossing to her window she passed her desk and reached out to grab a small photo frame with a picture of her family standing in front of the sacred tree. She didn't even stop to leave a note. The less they know the better, she thought. Opening the window she glanced down and spied Inuyasha standing at the base of the tree. Swinging out of the window she took the well-known path down to the ground. Inuyasha took her backpack in one hand, swinging it over his shoulder, and grabbed her hand with his other.

 

“We'll have to walk to the manor. I'm human tonight,” he explained in a whisper staring straight ahead as they walked over the grounds of the shrine.

 

“That's fine, Inuyasha. I just hope we're safe,” she whispered back. Taking one last glance over her shoulder Kagome whispered one word into the night: “Goodbye.”