InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ If You Love Something... ❯ The Truth, the Whole Truth, & Nothing but the Truth: Part II ( Chapter 5 )

For my MM.org readers: I wrote these first few chaps last summer, that's how I post them so fast. I just had them on other sites & finally realized I hadn't posted it here with my other fic. I'm sticking this note in just in case you guys get confused by some of my Author's Notes - one of my little brothers was murdered last summer & I miss him terribly. Anyway, enjoy the show & I'm glad you like it so far! Mrs_Sesshomaru 2/25/07.

 

A/N: First & foremost I wonna thank my Single Spark family on all their kind words regarding my brother's death. You guys are the absolute BEST!! *hugs SS fam*

 

For all that didn't know, one of my younger brothers was murdered the night of The Fourth of July which is why it's taken so long for the update. Since I was on hiatus, I went ahead & posted this fic on AFF & Anime Spiral & GUESS WHAT!!!! Someone nominated it for Best Angst in the Feudal Association!!! Like for-real… I girly squealed ALL day & started working on this chap again!

 

So big fat Thank You to whoever thought enough of my work! *gush*

 

Now about this chap (I'm almost done, I swear!), I changed the format a little from my original outline so I hope it doesn't suck too bad… let me know if it does though. But don't make me cry. On with the show:

 

 

 

If You Love Something…

 

Chapter 4:

The Truth, the Whole Truth, & Nothing but the Truth

Part II

 

 

 

He couldn't help it… he just couldn't. Once Shippo heard his name pass her lips, and all the worry that filled her voice, he instantly wanted to shield her from all the pain they were about to cause. The ones that had sworn to never do her harm were about to deliver an almost certain fatal blow. He wanted to save her from the past, wanted to protect her from the future.

 

They always teased him for being sensitive and wearing emotions on his sleeve, Inuyasha and the others. But deep down, the kit knew that he was where he was today because of Kagome. She had literally saved his life. The fatal traffic pileup that claimed her father's life had also claimed his entire family. Both his mother and father, and the other four kits of his litter. When the wide load tractor trailer had jack-knifed on the icy asphalt, the minivan his family was riding in took almost the full brunt of the heavy construction crane when it fell from the flat bed.

 

*A peek into the Past*

 

Shippo really didn't remember too much of that night because he was still young and, from what the doctors had told Mrs. Higurashi, so traumatized from the event that his conscious had blocked it out altogether.

 

Anyway, being the runt of the litter his mother insisted that he still ride in a booster seat. While the safety restraint had saved him from the crash - that, and the way the van seats and twisted metal had bent around him pinning him in a small pocket beneath all the destruction - it was also the reason he surely would've died a slow, painful, lonely death.

 

Had it not been for her.

 

The trembling child didn't know how long he'd been alone in the darkness. He was afraid.

 

“Mama!” he called.

 

When no answer came he tried to remember what happened. They'd been on their way out of town to visit his grandparent's for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Cosco Alpha-Omega convertible car seat was positioned in the middle of the back row and he was absolutely seething at his mother.

 

*Earlier that Day*

 

“Why do I always have to sit in that thing?” he'd argued before they left home. “I'm not a baby anymore!”

 

“No, you're not a baby anymore.” Kiyoka smiled at her youngest pup, “But you are, and always will be, my baby.”

 

Once the ride began, every thing was typical. His brothers and sisters were fighting and playing. Shippo sat quietly trying to ignore all the fun they were having while he was held immobile by his stupid baby seat.

 

“Mooom! Nanami's touching me!” his sister Kasumi shrieked.

 

“Well Kasumi won't stop staring at me.” Nanami countered. “Stop looking at me!”

 

“Ow! Mom! She hit me!”

 

“Nuh-uh. She hit herself.” His brother, Naoto, clarified. “She's just trying to get Nanami in trouble.”

 

“Don't make me turn this car around!” Threatened their father from behind the wheel. “We can go right back home if you can not find it in yourselves to behave.”

 

“We're in a van.” Little smart-mouth Riku muttered, “Not a car.”

 

“TAKEHIKO!” the unbridled terror that filled his mother's voice as she screamed his father's name silenced the noisy pups and roughly snatched Shippo's senses to full alert.

 

From his seat Shippo felt the vehicle give a powerful jerk before being thrust forward only to be yanked violently back into place by the straps over his tiny shoulders. His left shoulder dislocated from its joint sending a pain like the little kit had never known rocketing through his tensed body.

 

The sound of the tires squealing never came when Takehiko Hinote slammed the pedal to the floor with all his might. The road was just too slick. The anti-lock brakes didn't stand a chance. With reflexes faster than the van's steering system could understand, he whipped the wheel to turn into the slide. Thus throwing Kiyoka against the passenger door like a rag doll, sending her head crashing into the window, even though her seatbelt was secure.

 

A thousand bolts of lightening shot through Shippo every millisecond his dislodged arm was jostled. What's going on?! The agony was almost too much to bear. Calling upon his kitsune jaki, he willed himself to stay conscious even though the ability to focus normally perfect eyesight had left him. Nausea added itself to this list of things wrong with the pint-sized pup when the van started to 360 out of control.

 

From somewhere outside the resonance of many vehicles skidding and slamming into each other reached the vision impaired pup just before a low, heavy groaning of something huge falling over. The space around Shippo instantly compacted, almost to the point of crushing him. Side curtain airbags exploded in a cloud of white dusty smoke only to be shredded by spraying glass and shattering steel impact beams. The world tipped wildly around him… the roof caved in… the anchor strap holding the car seat to the bench snapped pitching the whole thing frontward… the second row seats buckled…

 

“Nanami! Kasumi!” Everything was happening so fast that only one thing became clear to Naoto: Protect his sisters at all costs. It was his job as the eldest.

 

He couldn't see Riku anymore. The fourth born kit had been thrown from the vehicle once the airbags gave way. The front seats holding his parents had been molded together, coiling around each other in an unnatural manner and though he couldn't see them due to the debris, Naoto was certain from the heavy scent their blood that his parents were no more.

 

Spotting the lavender sleeve of Kasumi's winter coat under what used to be the center console, he reached to pull his sister free.

 

“Don't.” From somewhere to his left Nanami whimpered. “Don't touch it.”

 

He growled at her for being so cruel, “I have to save her.”

 

“That's not her.” He could tell she was crying silently, “She's over here.”

 

“How can she be over…” Naoto knew his left leg was pinned by something all the way up to his knee. But he still willed his battered body to turn in the direction in which he heard his second youngest sister's voice. The pain blazing through his thigh only made his resolve stronger and he growled.

 

Using his shoulder to scoot and bounce slightly, the kit craned his neck to a painful angle - which made him realize something foreign was embedded there and the more he moved, the deeper it dug causing more blood to flow - until Nanami came into view just in the corner of his eye.

 

Nanami was sitting in an upright position with her head lowered because of the close quarters. The once pale yellow down coat she was wearing was soaked through with blood. Totally ignoring the blinding ache emanating from his probably completely crushed leg and tearing skin of his neck, Naoto sobbed as he commanded his entire body to fully face the site that was his father's sunshine… Nanami… Green eyes widened horribly at the steel bar impaling his baby sister's right side. Her blood rained from the tip like a leaky faucet and the white feathers from the inside of her coat floated gently around her.

 

“Nanami!” he gasped. The struggle to free his own trapped limb sprang anew in order to reach her.

 

“Where's father?” She whimpered then closed her glowing emerald eyes briefly when her brother looked away. His silence spoke volumes.

 

“I'm going to get you out of here.” Rolling onto his back tiny clawed hands moved to grip whatever was holding him in place.

 

A small groan caught both their attention, causing Naoto to freeze, though the source of the noise couldn't be seen. He strained his pointed ears for all they were worth trying to catch sound again.

 

The skin on each side of Nanami's nostrils flexed when her adorable button nose wiggled in order to sniff the air. Blood, exhaust… gross. Grape juice…? Oh, the cooler must've over turned over and spilled the snacks. Naoto, of course… Kasumi… She looked behind the pile of wreckage keeping her older sister concealed from Naoto's view and allowed tears to form once again. The other kitsune girl-child had been literally sliced to pieces… her arm was what their brother had seen underneath the console. The majority of the lifeless child was hidden to all except Nanami. With a quick prayer for Kasumi, the girl continued to sift through the scents surrounding her. Oil, ummm… antifreeze? Mother, Father, more blood. Her pale neck craned in a different direction. Gun powder? Oh from when the airbags went off… With the next whiff she gasped. Great Kami above! Shippo! Yes, she was sure of it. Her baby brother was alive, badly hurt, but alive still.

 

“Pee Wee?!” She cried startling Naoto.

 

The groan came again.

 

“Shippo!” With confirmation that the pup was alive, Naoto was more determined than ever to get the remainder of his family to safety.

 

“Naoto?” Shippo called to his brother, “What happened? Where's mama?” He couldn't see a thing. That stupid seat of his had landed face down and he was still strapped into it.

 

“Don't worry,” Naoto grunted as he pushed at the heavy object holding him captive. He purposely avoided his younger brother's inquires about their parents. Now was not the time to get into all that. And judging by the glassy look in Nanami's eyes, he was running out of time to save her. “I'm getting us out of here. Uuuuggghhh!” Straining, all the working muscles in his body fought desperately to free him.

 

“Are you alright?” Nanami twisted her neck in every direction possible trying to see the runt of the litter, but to no avail.

 

“My shoulder hurts.” Shippo confessed. “And I'm still strapped in my seat.” He didn't mention the superficial cuts on his face caused by the spraying glass. Getting out of the child restraint was first and foremost. “What about you?”

 

Before she could answer her brother Nanami felt the air around her grow cold and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Something was wrong. Very wrong. A dark cloud seemed to appear in her mind's eye foretelling of disaster. Quickly looking to Naoto, who was still struggling to lift what looked like part of the sliding side door off him, she sucked in a sharp breath intent on crying out to him… the cry never came…

 

Shippo heard the twisted metal groan once more. “Na-” He started to call for his sister but was cut off when the space around him violently compacted again with a piercing sound of ripping steel. This time pushing his capsized safety seat further down into the wreckage. Shredded foam padding, the former inner parts of the seat cushions, closed around the terrified kit like a cocoon. Consciousness left him, and then all was quiet…

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

Orito Higurashi bolted upright from his sleeping position in the lazy boy and looked wildly around the family room as if trying to figure out where he was. The dream… no, the nightmare had seemed so real. So vivid and life-like that there was no way it was just some random thing conjured up by his subconscious. Moving an aged hand to where his heart was hammering at an unhealthy rate he tried to calm himself and make sense of it all.

 

It was… the ancestors, I'm sure of it! The old man was, for some reason, more frightened than he normally would have been with any other dream. But what does it mean?

 

“Gramps?” A thirteen year old Kagome worriedly eyed her grandfather from her place on the floor where she'd been enjoying a board game with her best friend and brother. “Are you alright?”

 

The tone in her voice snagged the attention of the little boy holding the dice in his hand ready to roll for his turn and he glanced from his sister's face to that of the elderly man staring at them through sad fear filled eyes. The expression they carried made Souta fidget uncomfortably. And when his grandfather didn't answer Kagome's question it made him cock his head to the side in confusion. Was Gramps having another heart attack? Is that why he jumped so suddenly? Why was he looking at them so strangely? Almost as if he knew something they didn't. And why didn't he answer? Do heart attacks do something to your voice?

 

“Are you having a heart attack?” Souta blurted scrambling to his feet in a panic.

 

“No,” the irritated adolescent hanyo seated on the opposite side of the Monopoly board grumbled, “he ain't having a heart attack. Probably just a bad dream, his heart's slowing down. Now roll the stupid dice so you can land on my hotel.”

 

Kagome ignored her best friend while slowly standing to her full height, which wasn't much. Though she would never understand what or why, the feeling that crept into her skull wouldn't be denied. It seemed like the balance was off… though the balance to what she wasn't quite sure. After searching her grandfather's face for some sign that he could tell her what the creepy feeling she had was and what it meant, she finally looked him directly in the eye. Her breath hitched in her throat.

 

Father, Mother, both sets of grandparents, hmm… all the aunts and most of the uncles, my brother and our five sisters… Orito stared off into space recalling the faces of his dream. His relatives, the ones who had already passed into the next life, had been there. But there had been something else… someone else… and for the life of him he couldn't remember who it was, nor could he see the person's face. Mentally, he continued to take inventory adding the parents of his grandparents, whom he recognized from old family photos and the ancient oil paintings he kept in a special room of the shrine, to the list. There were cousins and even children that had died at a young age. But what was the reason for them to seek him out? What did it all mean? Dammit, he couldn't remember! It was certainly something of great importance.

 

Warily, Kagome approached her grandfather with Souta stepping lightly behind her. What was wrong with him? If he wasn't ill, then what was it? The frown on his face caused the gray goatee to dip slightly as it usually did when he was in deep concentration.

 

Though his mind was far away from the present, the old priest could sense his grandchildren approaching him. He could tell they were concerned by his silence. Orito truly hated to make them worry but right now they would just have to wait. He went over the ancestors again hoping one of them would speak to him before whatever enchantment they were using to contact him was broken and lost.

 

Dearest… A soft voice ghosted through his mind seemingly carried by the wind, drifting on an echoing breeze.

 

Visibly Orito froze inhaling a sharp breath causing Kagome to frown and reach out to him.

 

“Don't.” Inuyasha whispered gently grabbing his best friend's hand, startling her, before she made contact with the old man. “He's trying to do something. Don't touch him, not just yet.”

 

Furrowing her eyebrows she simply nodded briefly. If Kagome learned one thing over the years, it was to trust Inuyasha's senses and instinct. She knew he would never steer her wrong. Whatever was going on was something the hanyo could feel and if he said not to touch her grandfather, then she wouldn't. For she too had an odd vibe about the situation. If the old man were in any danger she had no doubt Inuyasha would alert her immediately.

 

Great. Souta thought shaking his head at the half demon. All Gramps's talk about magic and spells and witchcraft and ancient stuff has finally gotten to Inuyasha… he's finally snapped. Well, better him than me. Maybe now Gramps will stop bugging me and Kagome with all his crazy stories.

 

The worry coming off Kagome in waves made almost made Inuyasha growl. She trusted him and that was a fact, but he still hated when she was in the slightest distress. The only thing stopping the rumble from escaping his throat was the weird feeling floating around the old man. It was almost like he was still asleep… but awake… if that made any sense. Deciding not to think about it too hard, for he was already starting to get a headache, he just tested the air and released Kagome's small hand.

 

With the full attention of the three children in the room, Orito closed his eyes. Once more. He pleaded silently. That voice, that soothing, wonderful, loving voice! Oh how he longed to hear it again.

 

And then it seemed to flow through his very bones, Dearest… In her husbands mind, Hisako Higurashi materialized before him. The traditional red wedding kimono she wore fluttered and flickered around her like a phantom cloak. She smiled when he gasped in surprise.

 

“Why are you here?” Both Higurashi children looked sideways at their grandfather when he spoke to thin air.

 

“Huh?” The half demon gave a similar glance thinking the old timer had finally gone off the deep end. Time to call the white coats. He shook his head at the thought of what Kagome's reaction would be when the folks from the loony bin came to collect her grandfather.

 

Father… Slowly another figure shimmered into view. That of his only son… but if he was in the realm of the ancestors then that could only mean…

 

“Takumi!” Kagome jumped giving a startled yelp when Gramps suddenly became reanimated and yelled her father's name. With a frightened, urgent look on his aged face he lurched for his granddaughter grabbing both of her upper arms a little more roughly than intended. “Where is your mother?!” He demanded in a rushed tone shaking the surprised pre-teen slightly.

 

Back off geezer. Reflexively, Inuyasha issued a warning growl and flexed his claws. Or she'll be the last thing your ever touch.

 

The frightened ten year old boy was about to run from the room. “Mommy!” Souta shrieked. He'd never seen Gramps behave this way. Why was he being so rough with Kagome? Was she in trouble? What did she do?

 

“Yes?” Suzuka Higurashi sang cheerfully from the kitchen as a shrill ringing sounded through the house, “Just a minute Souta, I've got to get the phone.”

 

“No!” Orito gasped releasing Kagome and stumbling out of his easy chair. He knew what the call was about. The feeling in his gut was unmistakable. He had to reach his daughter-in-law before…

 

“Hello?” He heard her say from the other room, “Yes, this is Mrs. Higurashi.”

 

Okay, what the hell was going on? The force of fear coming off Kagome's grandfather was enough to make Inuyasha dizzy. What was he so afraid of? Also mixed in his scent was sorrow and regret. This can't be good. Just as the hanyo was about to question the man he tried to make a beeline for the doorway leading out of the den.

 

In a hastened retreat, Orito didn't watch were he was going and tripped over the game the kids had been playing. The smooth board slid out from under his feet and paper money, gaming pieces, and small plastic buildings scattered everywhere.

 

“Gramps!” Kagome cried rushing toward the falling senior citizen.

 

“I got him.” In the blink of an eye Inuyasha was at Orito's side helping him regain his shaky balance, “Slow down old timer. Now what's the rush?”

 

The only thing the priest said was, “Thank you, son.” Son…His heart constricted. Patting the young half dog on the shoulder signaling to release him, he hurried from the room.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

This can't be real. Inuyasha said to himself for probably the tenth time since he'd arrived on the scene. There had been an enormous traffic pileup on the interstate. He'd never seen so many emergency vehicles in one place. The whirling red and yellow lights were giving him a nauseating sense of vertigo. Well that and the fact that now he was knelt on the cold asphalt holding his shivering, wailing best friend and her brother. It's not right! It's just not fair! A few tears escaped to roll freely down his pained face.

 

Mr. Higurashi, Kagome and Souta's father, was dead.

 

Some jackass driving a semi - Who was probably drunk or fell asleep at the wheel. The hanyo added through narrowed eyes. - had lost control causing a domino effect across four lanes of traffic. The other drivers never stood a chance. Even other eighteen wheelers were caught in the mayhem.

 

The noise around him was deafening. People were shouting. Some were crying. Chainsaws were buzzing all around as fire fighters tried desperately to free trapped survivors. Emergency Medical Tech's were running to and fro in a frenzy to see that everyone who needed help received it as quickly as possible. Generators powering bright portable lights hummed. The smell of gasoline hung thick in the air… coupled with the scent of death and despair.

 

From thirty yards away, the Jaws of Life gave a sickening triumphant pop causing Kagome to whimper burrowing further against Inuyasha's body.

 

“It'll be alright, Kagome.” He whispered into her hair. She cried harder. That was the stupidest thing he'd ever remembered saying in his whole life! Of course it wouldn't be alright! Her dad was dead… dead… never coming back… and the only thing he could thing of to say was it was going to be okay! Might as well have said, lovely weather we're having, or wow, you can really see the stars tonight. That was the first time since he'd know the tiny female that he felt totally helpless and it frustrated him to no end. But he didn't dare leave. Desperately wanting to run away from everything and bury himself in his own person grief over the loss and pain, Inuyasha didn't move a muscle. Not after all they'd been through… after all she'd done for him. He knew without even the tiniest shadow of doubt that if the situation were reversed, she'd be the first one there to comfort him. And the only one he'd allow near him. But she'd probably have something better to say than `it'll be alright.' He growled at himself.

 

“Inuyasha.” A deep voice from above startled the half demon.

 

Puffy golden eyes looked up to meet the matching pair of his father's. Where did he come from? Looking around, the hanyo spotted the Taisho helicopter resting on the other side of the highway, along with almost a dozen Lifeline medical helicopters, hidden partially by the concrete barrier that separated the east and westbound lanes.

 

Lord Taisho's heart broke when his eyes fell upon his youngest son huddled on the ground with the Higurashi children.

 

Inuyasha had called his office in an absolute panic, screeching every derogatory name in his very colorful arsenal to call the taiyoukai's secretary when she'd informed him that his father was in a very important meeting and couldn't be disturbed. Good God. Let's just say she'll never do that again! Abi burst into the board room, startling him as well as his associates, in tears informing him that he had an urgent call.

 

Apparently his son's friend's father had been in an accident and someone had called their house to inform the family. But no one would tell them exactly what had happened, if he was alright, or what hospital he was in. All that they could get was he was involved in a multi-car accident on I75. With the informant being as vague as possible they thought the worst and turned on the local news station. Reporters were on the scene of a horrific pileup that was said to have alarming casualties. That's when the decision was made to go out there to see if they could find out what hospital the father/husband had been taken to. Inuyasha, thinking through the bad feeling in his gut, called his father on the way out the door. He wanted the Great Dog to call whoever the “big wigs” were he knew in the police department because the hanyo didn't want “no shit from the cops” telling them they weren't allowed in once they got there. Well as it turned out, the Commissioner was in his board room at that very moment and had been paged a short time earlier about the situation.

 

Commissioner Hiroyuki Hirata, an eagle youkai, made the necessary calls informing the chief in charge out there that there was a family on their way, they were to be let through the barricades without hesitation, and he would not hear of those folks being hassled by anyone who wanted to keep their job. The chief was quick to react asking for the family's name as well as a description of the vehicle they would be arriving in. After learning that Lord Taisho's own son would be with the human family, Hiroyuki suggested that perhaps they too should venture to the scene. It would give him a chance to assess the state of affairs as well as do everything in his power to help the people who were apparently very important to Inu's son.

 

“Where is Suzuka?” Lord Taisho questioned.

 

Inuyasha still said nothing. All that was offered in the way of an answer was a nodded gesture in front of him and slightly to the left.

 

The taiyoukai squinted his glowing amber eyes in the direction specified by his pup and found the woman sobbing against the short elderly man whom he'd seen at the shrine a few times when he'd gone to pick up Inuyasha.

 

“I want the driver, Dad.” Inuyasha rasped surprising his sire with the strained condition of his voice.

 

“The driver?” Inu arched a dark eyebrow.

 

“I want the one responsible for this.” He adjusted his arms so he could hold Souta a little tighter. “I want to look in his face. I want him to see what he's done to them. To us.” A clawed hand moved to wipe the silent tears freely flowing down Kagome's face.

 

“Kagome,” the broken teen's deep blue eyes opened at the sound of her name. Lord Taisho held out his hand and with shaky fingers she reached for him.

 

Gently the taiyoukai pulled the girl to her feet and into his embrace. He'd known this child for what seemed like her whole life. She'd become the most important thing to his youngest son. The Great Lord of Dogs owed her much, this small frail human female. But in a situation such as this, what could one do? Nothing he could say would ease her anguish. And when Kagome suffered, Inuyasha suffered twice as much because he couldn't protect her… couldn't spare her this overwhelming heartache. Lord Taisho knew Inuyasha would take this tragedy to heart as his own personal failure. It was a stigma he'd developed over many years of trying to prove himself to the world. But most of all to his older brother… and every time the youkai prince left the hanyo feeling empty and worthless. Of course no one else would see it this way but Inu knew the half demon would see it as another testament that what his brother thought of, and often called, him was the truth.

 

“You must be strong now.” Kagome felt his deep voice rumble up from his chest, “For your father is not truly gone.”

 

Kagome wiped her nose with the sleeve of her sweater and blinked up at him. What a silly thing to say. If she hadn't been so surprised by his words, she may have been angry. Her father was surely gone. She hadn't been allowed to see him… but she knew from her grandfather's reaction and the way her mother seemed to deflate before her very eyes. She knew when the odd feeling that had tugged at her heart since before leaving home abruptly left her body, taking all her oxygen and ability to stand with it.

 

Sensing her confusion Inu spoke again, “Do you remember anything about him?”

 

“Everything…” Sapphire pools of emotion began to fill with tears again, “I remember everything.”

 

“Will you allow yourself to forget?”

 

“Never.” She choked.

 

“Then you shall keep him alive. Not in physical form, but in ways that are just for you. Things no one shall ever take away.”

 

“What about me? Will I forget?” Little Souta looked up at Inuyasha's father with wide, hope-filled eyes.

 

With a proud smile, Lord Taisho motioned for the boy to come to him, “Of course not. It is your duty to always remember him. You will honor your father in your new role.”

 

“My role?” Kagome moved away to allow her brother near. The curiosity was clear in his voice.

 

“Hn,” the youkai lord dropped to one knee and rested a clawed hand on the boy's shoulder. He thought of how to word his next statement so it would apply to human standards and so the child would understand what he meant, “You, young Master Higurashi, are now the man of your house and head of the family.”

 

Souta's eyes almost fell out of his head. Stepping back he stuttered, “M…Me?”

 

Inuyasha cast Kagome a cautious glace and was surprised to see a faint tender smile as she looked at her brother. That small turn at the corners of her mouth made the hanyo's chest swell. She was going to be alright. Not for a long while, but someday. There had been a lead weight bearing down on his shoulders. But just that small show of affection from his best friend made it vanish into thin air. Leave it to his father to make everything… not alright… but just a little better, more bearable. Oh how Inuyasha wished he could be like that one day.

 

“Absolutely.” The demon nodded solemnly, “You must now take care of your mother. You must be strong for your sister.”

 

Souta looked over his shoulder to see Inuyasha rise and approach Kagome from behind. The hanyo whispered something in her ear.

 

“Come Souta,” Lord Taisho stood again. “Let us go see to your mother.” And with that they strode away.

 

“Do you want to follow them?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“No,” Kagome was still trying to get her mind and heart to wrap around the reason they were out here in the cold of night, two days before Thanksgiving. She couldn't look at her mother without turning into a blubbering mess and she knew herself well enough to foresee such a thing. No, the girl couldn't go. Not yet. She wanted to be a source of strength for her mom and Gramps, as silly as it sounded. “No, you go ahead. I'll wait here.”

 

Inuyasha was stunned, “Are you sure?”

 

“I just want a few minutes to myself.” She looked pleadingly into his golden depths.

 

Reluctant to leave Inuyasha was about to protest again but the tired, hurt, miserable look in her eyes made him swallow what ever he was about to say. Instead he said, “Just call me, Kagome, and I'll be here so fast you'll never know I was gone.”

 

In response she hugged him tightly and nodded against his shoulder.

 

How did this happen? Turning her face to the starry sky the flow of tears returned. How can I be `Daddy's Angel' if you're gone? Were you afraid? Did you suffer? At the thought of her father dying slowly and alone Kagome gathered the collar the fall jacket he'd bought at the end of summer, buried her face in it, and sobbed.

 

A fleet of flatbed wreckers and tow trucks arrived to begin clearing away the various vehicles. Their flashing yellow lights blended in with the many others on the scene. Kagome wiped her swollen eyes and moved to a safer distance to let the men to do their jobs uninterrupted by her presence.

 

Looking around for the first time really all night she noticed that the chain reaction had gone on for at least half a mile. If the situation were different Kagome would've thought of the other families that lost loved ones. But at the current time she just didn't care. She was angry. She was mad at the person who caused it all. She was mad at the other drivers who slammed into her dad's car. She was mad at the car who was in front of her father causing his own automobile to become sandwiched. She was mad at the Ford Motor Company for not making a Taurus Wagon that could withstand about fifty cars smashing into it. She was mad at… Crap…! She really didn't know. All she knew was she was mad. Mad and now fatherless…

 

“Excuse us, darlin',” Kagome blinked from her thoughts when a police officer spoke to her. She needed her to move again so they could a flat bed into that section.

 

“Sorry.” She mumbled to the older woman.

 

Officer Usagi Zhang offered a sad smile but said nothing. She knew who this young lady was. Well not on any personal level. But Usagi knew by the direct order given by Commissioner Hirata that she was someone important. And once the old eagle taiyoukai himself had arrived by chopper with the head of the Dog Clan, she knew this family was very important. They must be of great significance for Hirata to call them by name and have the chief scared out of his wits about the possibility of them being mistreated. Ever since the Higurashi's had arrived Chief Fujita had personally been at the adult female's side offering any assistance he could.

 

Kagome walked a few yards to the left to stand next to what used to be a Dodge Caravan. Now it looked more like a giant piece of balled up dark gray foil. The strange thing about the van was it looked as it had been hit from the top by something. It was a lot flatter than the other vehicles. That's weird. She thought absently. Looking around her eyes came to rest on the huge Komatsu crane perched on another wide load flatbed. The dents and scrapes on its flank told Kagome that the tower construction machine had once fallen on its side. She shuddered realizing what must've happened. Those poor people. Turning to touch the remnants of the Caravan her hand stopped in mid-air when she heard:

 

“Mama!”

 

Hallucinating. She was hearing things. The team looking for survivors had already been over this area. Those creepy vans from the coroner's office had cleared away bodies and left so a fresh team could come in and continue. The fire-rescue squad had searched every car. Hadn't they? Of course! They had feverishly inspected each vehicle, both human and youkai emergency personnel, searching for anyone alive and freeing them. After all that was finished, another team came in to begin removing the dead. Those people were trained specialists in their field. There was no possible way they had missed someone. That was just crazy! Wasn't it? Besides, no one could be alive inside there. Just the condition of the wreckage was proof of that.

 

So why did the odd sensation, almost like tingling from somewhere deep within, she had back at the house when Gramps was acting weird and talking to himself suddenly reappear? It was certainly more intense this time though. She couldn't help but feel as if there was something urgent going on. Something life threatening… something that only she could prevent…

 

“Hello?” Kagome almost jumped at the sound of her own voice not realizing that her lips seemed to be moving without her brain's consent.

 

From the confines of his family's minivan Shippo sucked in a sharp breath through his nose. With it, through all the putrid smells of the terrible incident, lilacs and summertime flooded his senses. Someone was nearby. A female. A very sad, confused, human female judging by the individual's scent.

 

What should I do? The kit wondered through his still hazy mind. He did not know this human and his parents were very adamant about talking to strangers. Should he answer? Did this person know what was going on and where his mother was?

 

Kagome looked over her shoulder to see the police woman helping a tow truck driver secure chains around a pickup truck whose bed had been almost completely severed. Maybe I'm just hearing things… She thought tiredly. Surely that was the case. Her heart was broken in the most unimaginable way. Her mother was practically destroyed, Souta and Gramps too.

 

And Inuyasha… The half demon and Mr. Higurashi had a special bond. One Kagome knew Inuyasha wished he had with his own father. Takumi, upon first meeting his daughter's friend had taken an instant liking to the boy. Though he and Inuyasha had never spoken openly about the gap between the hanyo and the rest of his family the man had done all he could to see that Inuyasha knew that he was welcome and people really cared about him. From fishing, to sports of all kinds, to working on cars, to fixing things around the house, going to baseball games and camping trips for just the guys, and even helping with homework into long hours of the night… they had done it all. On more than one occasion the hanyo had called the shrine in the middle of the night because he and his brother had gotten into a fight. Never once did her dad complain or hesitate. He grabbed his jacket and keys, drove to Taisho manner, picked up the distraught pup that'd climbed out of his window, returned home and made sure Inuyasha was comfortable on the sofa-bed before returning to bed himself. Of course Lord Taisho was contacted first thing in the morning regarding his son's whereabouts - always before the taiyoukai even knew he was gone. Pretty soon Inu became accustomed to this and thankful for it because when his sons fought, it was never pretty. The taiyoukai was glad that this human male had such a connection with the sometimes unreachable half demon. Yes, Takumi Higurashi's absence would definitely have an impact on Inuyasha.

 

“Do you know where my mama is?” the small whimper instantly wiped all thoughts from Kagome's mind.

 

There was no mistaking it this time. Someone had spoken. Someone was there!

 

Looking frantically through small openings in the Caravan's outer shell she gushed, “Hold on! I'll get help!”

 

As soon as she turned to run the small voice stopped her.

 

“Don't go!” Shippo had never been more frightened in his entire eight year life. This person was not his mother, but at the moment she was all he had. “Please, I'm scared.”

 

Decision time Kagome, her dad's voice played in her mind, fourth quarter, third down… the clock's ticking. Upon later review she would have to think about why her dad related everything in life to sports.

 

“Okay,” she tried reaching through an opening, “I'm going to try to reach you. Can you see my hand?”

 

“No. I can't see anything.”

 

“Are you hurt?” Kagome pulled her arm back and tried another spot, “See it now?”

 

“My shoulder hurts and I'm still strapped in my seat.”

 

“Your seat?” Kagome stuck her tongue through her teeth and wrinkled her forehead in concentration as if it would give her arm a longer reach.

 

“My car seat.” Shippo could hear her hand patting around in a searching manner somewhere above him. Just who was this human anyway? “What's your name?”

 

“Huh?” Rising on her toes her hand snaked around shredded plastic and metal. “Kagome. My name is Kagome. How about now? Can you see it now?”

 

“No, not yet. You're still too high.” Briefly Shippo hoped the designer of this particular car seat was happy with its construction. He couldn't budge. “You smell nice, Kagome.”

 

That made the girl wrinkled her forehead again. I smell nice? “Are you a youkai?” Well duh! Of course he is if he can smell you.

 

“Uh-huh.” His pointed ears told him she was retracting her hand. A moment later he heard her reaching again, closer this time.

 

“What kind?” How could this happen? Surely the emergency workers that were also youkai could smell this child. How could they just leave him like this? “What's your name, little one?”

 

Emerald eyes flashed indignantly in the darkness at being called `little.' But something in the back of his mind fired telling him that she was only trying to help so it may not be best to bite her head off. This human, Kagome, did not know him so it stood to reason that she surely wasn't teasing him. “My name is Shippo. Shippo Hinote, I am a kitsune. You're almost here. Just a little lower…” he coached.

 

Kagome hissed when something sharp scraped her arm. Something soft and foam-like contacted with her hand and she pushed through. “Well Shippo…”

 

A freezing cold clawed hand wrapped around her first two fingers. The surprise of the unexpected touch made her arm jerk spastically and whatever had scratched her before sliced through her sleeve, drawing blood. “Ssssss…Owww… Darn it!”

 

“Kagome!” From far away someone yelled her name. She didn't have to turn, or even think about who it was, for she already knew. Inuyasha had been focusing on her scent ever since he left her side. He'd picked up several changes, but nothing urgent. All that changed the second her blood permeated the air.

 

“Inuyasha!” Breathlessly she huffed trying to fit her other hand into the hole to see what could be done to free the trapped child. “Inuyasha quick!”

 

And then the hanyo was there with his eyes glowing against the night. “What are you doing?! Get away from there!” He tried to pull her arm out. Really she could be so stupid sometimes! Why would she be playing around a beat up old van at a time like this anyway?

 

Kagome twisted her wrist and grabbed Shippo's arm. “No! Stop it Inuyasha! There's someone inside!”

 

“Keh! That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.” Okay now she was getting on his nerves.

 

“I'm serious, Ya-Ya!” Kagome snapped. “Now let go and help me!”

 

There was no sadness in her aura, the half demon noticed. It'd been replaced by something else. Fear and determination. Could it be that there was some poor sucker really inside this old heap? Leaning in slightly, he took a whiff into the crevice her bleeding arm was in. Holy shit! There's a kid in there!

 

Rearing back instantly he barked, “Dad!”

 

Hearing his son actually call to him using their dog heritage instead of plainly speaking brought Lord Taisho to the hanyo's side in a silver flash. Commissioner Hirata was hot on the taiyoukai's heals knowing the human girl was injured.

 

“There's a kid in here!” he spoke without turning around. With the flick of a wrist his claws lengthened, “Move Kagome.”

 

“Hang on Shippo.” She patted his arm before removing her own, “We're going to get you out.”

 

“A child?” Inu was in disbelief, “Are you certain, son?”

 

All he received was an irritated look thrown over the younger male's shoulder before he began hacking at the vehicle with razor sharp talons.

 

An extra sensitive nose confirmed Inuyasha's claim and the Dog General practically roared at the eagle standing behind him, “This is an outrage!”

 

But Hiroyuki was already shrieking in a bird-like manner, “Fujita what is the meaning of this?!”

 

While the Police Chief stuttered and almost fainted, Lord Taisho with the help of his son began pulling the twisted metal apart using their noses and youkai senses as a guide so not to injure the kit further.

 

Within moments Shippo was freed and the rest, as they say, is history…

 

**End**

 

In a flash of red hair and tail fluff, the fox youkai launched off the cushion he'd been occupying, across Bankotsu and Kouga - accidentally hitting him in the groin - before finally tackling Kagome awkwardly from the side - sending her practically hurling into Souta - who fell over on Kohaku. The clumsily executed move caught Inuyasha off guard not giving enough time to move before Shippo's knee collided with his nose instantly causing blood to surge forth.

 

“Goddammit!” The hanyo rocked backward holding his gushing nose with both hands.

 

“Oh Kagome!” Shippo shrieked at the off balance female throwing his arms around her and squeezing out what little air she had left, “Please don't die! I don't want you to die! I'll protect you, I swear I will! I won't let him get you!”

 

“Aw hell! B, Squirt!” Inuyasha yelled through his bloody fingers at Bankotsu and Souta.

 

Everyone in the room was on their feet. Hiten hopped over the coffee table right before Suikotsu shoved it out of the way altogether.

 

“We're on it!” B-Boy stepped over a balled up Kouga - who'd immediately grabbed his bruised crotch and was currently rolling on the floor almost in tears struggling desperately to breathe.

 

Miroku was trying his best not to laugh at the scene before him. The situation really wasn't funny and if he let loose even the tiniest snort, Sango would clobber him like there was no tomorrow. Of that he was certain enough to bet his life on.

 

“No!” the kitsune screamed as B-Boy tried to pull him away from Kagome, “I won't let him hurt her! She'll die this time!”

 

“Hawk, a little help here?” Bankotsu grunted when Shippo kicked him in the chest.

 

Both Kohaku and Houjo sprang into action trying to pry the crazed fox loose.

 

“Jesus Shippo! Let go!” Souta growled pulling on Kagome from the opposite direction.

 

Sango, Eri, and Ayumi watched this game of tug-of-war with live people like it was the dumbest thing they'd ever seen. But they couldn't pull their eyes away. Nor could they move.

 

“Stop!” the kit was absolutely hysterical now. “Leave me alone! I can't let him get her, don't you understand?!” Completely unintentionally, his claws pierced Kagome's skin.

 

Finally her voice came to her and she screamed through the pain.

 

The bleeding hanyo roared loud enough to shake every wall in the apartment. Fuck his nose! This fucking runt had hurt Kagome. Time for this shit to end. NOW!

 

“He'll kill her, he'll kill her…” the babbling was cut off immediately following a direct hit to Shippo's chin. His body went limp and the three men that had been struggling with the kit collapsed to the floor.

 

“Inuyasha!” Sango yelled.

 

“You didn't have to hit him!” Ayumi co-signed.

 

“What is wrong with you?!” Eri added.

 

“Keh!” the hanyo shook his hand and popped his knuckles, “Whatever.”

 

“Get off me!” Kagome tried to shove her brother away.

 

Suikotsu helped Kouga onto the couch, “Breathe man, it's okay. Do you want me to get you some ice?”

 

The wolf was still holding his battered manhood. But he managed to wheeze, “Ice? Are you fucking crazy? I ain't putting ice on my balls dude!”

 

That did it. Miroku couldn't hold it anymore. Kouga looked so deadly serious and so afraid at the thought, that the pervert Ro-Ro was just lost it. Who cares what Sango did? This shit was just too funny. He fell out laughing and was joined by Hiten.

 

The thunder youkai had been holding it in as well. He didn't want to be the first to break loose so when Ro-Ro started, he simply followed suit. It was a good thing too; Hiten didn't know how much longer he could keep himself together. His throat was on fire and he'd been holding his breath.

 

Kagome gathered what little thoughts she could. Which was pretty darn hard since she had no idea where to begin. Shippo had freaked out for God knows why, Kouga had been hurt in the worst way possible, Inuyasha was bleeding, Shippo thought she was going to die for some odd reason, Inuyasha had actually hit Shippo knowing good and well that she did not like him doing that! Ro-Ro and Thunder were falling all over each other in humorous tears, her girlfriends were yelling at Inuyasha. The list went on and on…

 

“What, in the name of all that is crazy, is going on around here?!” She demanded glaring at the bloodied shirt half demon with her hands planted on her slender hips.

 

“Well Sis,” Souta began.

 

“What's wrong with Shippo? And why did you punch him?!”

 

“He cut you!” Inuyasha shot back pointing to the red stained rips in her dress, “Or are you too stupid to notice?!”

 

“Inuyasha!” Sango socked him in the shoulder.

 

“Well ex-cuuuuuuuse me for trying to help!” He pulled his soaked shirt over his head and sent it hurling into a corner. “Fucking crazy ass females!”

 

Bankotsu cleared his throat, “You see Kagome…”

 

“Don't die, Kagome. Please don't.” Shippo whined as he came to.

 

Still confused, Kagome dropped to the floor next to the dazed kit. “I'm not going to die Shippo. Why would you think that?”

 

“He's coming back.” Green eyes focused on sapphire and then tears blurred his vision. “You might die this time…”

 

“Wha…?” None of this was making any sense at all. Who was coming back? And more importantly, why would she die from someone coming? Unless it was the Grim Reaper, of course.

 

“Kagome,” Inuyasha took a step towards her.

 

“Huh-uh,” she shook her head to stop his advance. She needed answers and judging by everyone's actions the only way to get them straight was from Shippo. “Stay there.”

 

“But…”

 

“Stay Ya-Ya!” her voice left no room for argument.

 

“Kagome, maybe you should sit down.” Eri motioned toward the sofa.

 

Looking up from her squatted position she retorted, “I am sitting down.”

 

“That's not what I meant…” the other woman rolled her eyes.

 

“Now Shippo,” Kagome held his tear stained face in her hands, “What's wrong? Who is coming and why do you think they are trying to kill me?” The last part almost made her giggle but the sullen look in the kit's eyes threw that notion out the window.

 

Ro-Ro coughed into his fist and spoke, “Inuyasha's brother is returning…”

 

The theoretical punch those words delivered to her gut sent air rushing from rapidly deflating lungs. Swaying backward on the balls of her feet, her rear plopped heavily to the floor.

 

“Sesshomaru…” the name passed Kagome's lips in a whispered gust.

 

It had been so long since that name had been spoken that Kouga had to blink a few times in recognition. “Yeah, but don't worry Baby Girl…”

 

“But why would he try to kill me?” The blood pounding inside her head almost made her woozy as her confused eyes rested on the concerned violet pair belonging to Miroku.

 

“He's not trying to kill you, Kagome.” Houjo sighed.

 

She turned to him, “Then what…?”

 

“At least not as far as we know.” He finished running his fingers through the soft brown hair dusting his forehead.

 

“I wish he fucking would!” Souta bit out through clenched teeth. His jaw was so tense that Ayumi wondered if his teeth would break.

 

“Last time,” Shippo looked utterly miserable.

 

“Last time what?” What the heck was going on? Kagome was getting tired of everyone talking in riddles!

 

“Last time you…” the kit's voice cracked.

 

“Fuck this shit!” Inuyasha was over Kagome in a flash. Fuck it, let her be shitty at him. He really didn't care at this point. He promised to always protect her and if that meant keeping her from reliving that night and being embarrassed in front of all her friends, then so be it. Hoisting her up quickly, the half demon threw her over his shoulder caveman style and stormed toward her bedroom.

 

“Inuyasha!” the female on his shoulder let loose an indignant squeal kicking and struggling wildly, “Put me down! What are you doing?”

 

“Keep still wench!” He snarled.

 

Once inside the master bedroom the hanyo slammed the door before depositing the fuming woman onto the bed.

 

“What has gotten into you?!” Sapphire eyes narrowed into dangerous slits while small hands did their best to smooth the fluffy mess that used to be a hairstyle.

 

Pacing the floor with his fists clenched, Inuyasha willed his heart to slow down. This was a disaster! Damn that fucking youkai brat! He would be the one to flip the fuck out and make things harder. All they needed to do was calmly tell her and let the dust clear. But no, that little monster had to get all catatonic and practically shred her with his claws screaming about her dying and shit. What the fuck, man?!

 

With a heaving chest and whirling thoughts Kagome sat on the bed watching her best friend totally dumbfounded. So Sesshomaru was coming back? Finally, after all this time? The part of her thought to be dead and gone forever, the part that craved him, seemed to try to claw its way free. The rest of her mind and soul shattered all over again, the same as it had when she realized he had really abandoned her.

 

Those eyes. Those beautiful molten pools of the purest gold. Did she even want to see them again? Everything they held, all the secrets and emotion that could only be seen in them, had all been nothing but a lie. A cruel, horrible deception meant to get back at Inuyasha. To this day Kagome still couldn't figure out why the youkai prince would do such a thing. Stooping so low seemed far beneath everything he stood for. Such a heartless act coming from him, the way she knew him, seemed utterly impossible.

 

But really, did she know him at all? My Sesshomaru… Was there really such a person? Did he ever exist? So honorable… so noble… so strong… so vulnerable… so beautiful… so magnificent… so regal… so Sesshomaru.

 

And let's not forget oh so very sexy! Some naughty part of her brain supplied at absolutely the wrong time.

 

Bad timing or not Kagome knew that any female that had ever had the pleasure of seeing him with his shirt off would agree one thousand percent. That demon… ooh-wee! A heated blush had the nerve to creep up her neck.

 

Kagome! Her own angry voice seemed to ring through her head. You are not sitting here thinking about that… that… asshole in such a way!

 

She was so many things at the moment: confused, afraid - though of what she really couldn't put a finger on, heartbroken, devastated, hurt, angry - furious even and downright offended. How dare he?! How dare he just up and decide to come back? Not a single word, letter, telegram, phone call, email, memo, text message, smoke signal… nothing! Not a damn thing in almost a year and a half and suddenly he wants to come home? Just who does he think he is? Who does he think she is? Just some conquest to add another notch in his belt? No sir! That's not the way things work around here.

 

“Look,” Inuyasha's nasally, stuffy headed voice brought her focus to him, “that wasn't how I planned it to go at all…” He paused to grumble to himself, fucking stupid kitsune! “But…”

 

“So Sesshomaru's coming home. What of it?” Kagome tried her best to sound nonchalant and bored.

 

Apparently it was working because the hanyo's neck inclined slightly and he quirked a brow, “What of it? How can you say that? After everything…”

 

“The past is done, Inuyasha.” She cut him off. “We cannot change it. It happened, there's no going back.”

 

Is she serious? Inuyasha wondered. No. She's just trying to put on a brave face. I was there… He recalled the morning all hell broke loose. I know how bad he hurt you. I know what he took, and I know what only loving him cost you. Fucking bastard! Fucking fake ass, pretty boy, shit head!

 

Kagome watched emotions flow across his ruggedly handsome features. Sighing she absorbed the impact of what this whole situation would do to him, “What about you? Are you going to be okay?”

 

“Me?” How the hell could she be thinking of him at a time like this?

 

Tucking her legs comfortably next to her she quietly said, “I'm worried about you.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Gee Inuyasha, I don't know… maybe because you two kind of hate each other?”

 

“Keh! Fuck him.” Practically spitting, amber eyes flashed red for a second, “Don't worry about me. I can take care of that bastard any day of the week. He needs to worry about me. That's what's clear!”

 

Oh for crying out loud! Kagome resisted the urge to slap her forehead.

 

“If that shit for brains were smart he'd stay as far away from here as possible. Go reside in hell where he belongs! Fucking bastard.” He was grumbling more to himself now, “Goddamned jerk almost cost me the most important thing I have…”

 

“What?” Kagome was mystified.

 

The hanyo looked into swirling irises of the deepest jeweled blue. He was never good at mushy girly sentiments… but the thought of her being gone forever was too much to bear. Knowing his heart couldn't take it, his mind would never accept it, and his soul would be lost for all eternity.

 

Sure Kagome knew he cared for her. That was nothing. But what he'd never told her was that she was his oxygen… he needed her in order to keep breathing day to day. Everything good he'd ever done, from kindergarten on up, was for the sole purpose of making her proud of him… to see that million watt smile blaze across her face. She had done her best, even when it seemed like a dead-end job, to give him self confidence and make him believe in himself. And for that, he was forever devoted to her. Never, ever, would he leave her side.

 

Sesshomaru had tried to take her away. Permanently. That fucker tried to crush her. Not a sunrise went by without Inuyasha cursing himself for giving that pissy ass fuck hole access to her. The young taiyoukai deserved every Academy Award there was for the great job he did acting like he cared for, even loved, Kagome. The snow job that prick pulled on all of them was worthy of a life-sized Oscar.

 

“You.” Inuyasha's shoulders slumped tiredly. Suddenly he was exhausted. “He almost cost me you, Kagome.”

 

Okay, huh? Me? What the crap…? She shook her head looking up at the male standing at the foot of her bed as if he were losing his grip on reality. “How did Sesshomaru…”

 

Oh how Inuyasha hated to hear that name come out of her mouth!

 

“… do that? I don't understand.” She watched his faced turn as white as an ice cube and if she didn't know better, she could swear there was fear in his eyes.

 

“Well because you…” he stuttered purposely avoiding her gaze.

 

“Because I what?” her heart-shape face followed his attempting to make him look at her.

 

Surely this wasn't because they were due to be mated, in other words engaged. The hanyo had been skeptical at first, of course. But soon he'd become almost as excited as her. She would be his sister! Like for-real. Nothing could top that, in his eyes. And anyway it's not like it actually happened, now did it? Let's totally not go there, Kagome. She told herself.

 

Fuck Kagome! Don't make me say it. Certain his larynx wouldn't be able to form the words even if he wanted them spoken out loud. Which he certainly did not.

 

Something was wrong. Very wrong. Inuyasha was acting completely strange and in essence of his usual weirdness, it had to be something huge. He thought Sesshomaru had tried to take her away… why? Shippo thought someone was trying to kill her… who?

 

“Ya-Ya, what is it?” Taking one of his clawed hands in hers, she rose to her knees on the bed.

 

The hanyo looked at the floor digging the toe of his red and silver Nike Shox nervously into the carpet. Dammit! Why is she doing this? Doesn't she know I can't say it? I don't ever want to think about that night again. “Because you…” He stopped again to swallow around the colossal lump in his throat. Suddenly the inside of his mouth was so very dry.

 

Placing a hand on his cheek, Kagome gently moved Inuyasha's face so that he was looking directly at her. “Because I…?” She urged with curious eyes.

 

“You're just not going to be happy until I say it, are you?!” He snapped causing her to draw back slightly at the harshness of his tone.

 

“Say what?” Her arms waved helplessly. What was she missing? Was there something they all knew that she didn't? Obviously there was. But what? “What are you talking about, Inuyasha?”

 

“Oh come off it Kagome!” He knew he shouldn't get irritated with her but this little stupid act was getting on his nerves. “I'm talking about you. I'm talking about what you did… or what you tried to do. I'm talking about you trying to kill yourself! And all over a bastard like him!”

 

If there was ever a moment in the history of time that one wished they could take something back, it was right then… The expression on her face - Inuyasha's best friend, most loyal ally, and most prized possession - told him he had made a very, very grave mistake. A mistake that would cost him more than anything his brother could have ever done…

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~* ~ * ~ * ~

A/N: Weeeee! Finally, it's done! Hope you liked. Next chap you see Kagome's take on the events of “that night” & also our beloved Sesshomaru appears! Like for-real, in the present - not just a flashback. Lord Taisho makes a discovery that forces his hand.

 

Till next time! Oh & remember the flashback with Shippo & Mr. Higurashi was 11 years ago in case you get confused on some points. And don't be so thrown by Kagome's initial reaction to the news… you'll understand later. Bye!