The train was late. Kagome was left feeling awkward on the platform with ten minutes of mind-numbing silence with Inuyasha beside her, who looked annoyed as ever. His attitude made her feel an annoying urge to start the fight again, even though she knew this would be completely unproductive. She could've yelled at him, told him to drop his attitude, but she couldn't bring herself to it.

He must still be upset about this morning.

Kagome sighed, reading a map on a sign next to them to see which train they will need to take after this one. Her eyes wandered to a rogue page of yesterday's newspaper, watching it dance in the wind of the late morning breeze.

Kagome couldn't help but groan at the sight of it. There was just nothing to it; there were no happy events, just sad situations. There were no successes, failures, or just glad to be alive stories; there was nothing at all except this silence. Kagome rubbed her temple, beginning to feel exhausted.

The silence on the platform felt loud; the wind blew in her face, forcing her woolen sweater to hug her body. The murmuring of passers filled the air with their hushed voices as she found herself looking up at their silent stares – at the empty eyes of those too busy trying to move to keep their heads straight. She couldn't believe how quiet everything had gotten.

She peeked her eyes curiously at Inuyasha; no one feature makes him so handsome, though his eyes come close. People often speak of the color of eyes, as if that were of importance, yet he would be beautiful in any shade. His eyes are dark and mysterious, it's strong and commanding, even when he's merely watching. He is nothing short of fearless.

"What?" Inuyasha demanded, noticing her eyes on him. He cocked an eyebrow and stared into her eyes for a moment, trying to read her mood. He was still frustrated at her from this morning, but he could tell by the way she was handling the current situation that their attitude towards each other was certainly not helping.

"I have something I want to say to you," She finally answered with sudden regret. The stress spread through Kagome, like ink on paper. She took in a deep, ragged breath as discouragement washed over her like the long slow waves on a shallow beach. Each wave was icy cold and sent shivers down her spine. How she longed to go back and take a different path, but now that was impossible.

She breathed, feeling melancholy as she noticed Inuyasha shift and look around, his eyes darted over the chaos of the crowd around them. Kagome's stomach turned, realizing how isolated and uncomfortable he must feel here, being human.

"Inuyasha I-," The loud, metallic shriek announced the arrival of the train, drowning out Kagome's words. The train pulls into the station, and she can't help but stare at the row of cars passing through. A sudden movement behind her causes her to jump in shock, spinning on her heels, she noticed a massive group of people heading her way.

The crowd moved like a multi-headed beast that shared only one brain. Their thoughts were in lock-step as much as their feet. She felt the walls closing in on her as the crowd forced her to take a step, separating her from Inuyasha. She tried to take her foot back out of the way, but before she could move it, the board had blocked off the exit.

"Step away from the board!" One of them yelled.

Crap

"Inuyasha! Go into the other car! I'll meet you at the platform at the next stop!" She was able to say before she found herself moving to the rear of the train.

"Kagome!" He yelled; the stress of his heart pounding in his chest overwhelmed his thoughts. His hands and body twitched; the last thing he wanted was to be alone in his human form. He noticed that she tried to say something, but whatever she said sounded foreign to him as his ears strained against the surge of a crying baby and the roar of people.

He pushed himself through the crowd towards Kagome, hearing the voices of the young and old, their tones either overcome with the anticipation of separation or excitement to be returning home.

He felt a strong pull in his chest, the lines of an invisible bridge connecting him to Kagome. Inuyasha didn't want to be away from her; in reality, he was losing everything that made him who he was, and he was panicking. It made him feel small. He'd be back to being an outcast, to being prey, to being abused like his mother.

No.

His mother might have been human, but she was stronger than any human he had ever met. She wasn't afraid of many, and her eyes reflected no fear. He has her human blood running through his veins, which is why he can't let this fear take hold of him.

"Fuck." He growled, trying to read the sign above the train door, flashing a warning that they are closing and to step back. He forced them open and stepped through; wide eyes watched him as words were mutter.

"You better not have gotten lost." He mumbled to himself, watching from the doors; his expression was of one annoyed. His gaze was unwavering and unabashed as he searched for Kagome.

She hadn't moved since he opened the door, though he didn't notice her in the shadows of the door frame in the rear as the train took a plunge, inching forward at an excruciating pace.

Kagome pushed forward, shoving her way away from the rear, trying to get as close to an exit door as possible. The train rocked back and forth, its relentless whining and groaning comparable to a resident of any nursing home. After a mile, the train loses its momentum and settles to smooth motion.

"Gotcha!" She shouted, gripping the stanchion* she desired. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to breathe, letting her mind wandered, she placed her forehead against the cold metal.

He was right, she thought, this was very different for him. He's stuck in her world in his human form; he has the right to be irritated from time to time. No matter how frustrating he was, she would embrace it as an opportunity to listen, to learn, to help him return to normal.

"I'll apologize as soon as the train stops." She pledges to herself. She needs to reach out to Inuyasha and confess that she was in the wrong. Yet, before she could think about it, a terrible scene unfolded.

A hand appeared from nowhere, grasping the same bar right above her head. For a moment, she tried to think of what to say, so that she could get out of there. That's when she felt the stranger's body press against her.

I can't move.

She trembled but maintained her calm: She'd rather not be dominated by this stranger. That didn't matter, though, because now that he had her attention, she was caught. Kagome stood there, doll-like, beautiful, while a monstrous face stared behind her.

"I just want to see you," The stranger whispered, his breath puffing in her ear as he pressed more against her body. Kagome's eyes darted around in terror, but all that she saw was silence and averted eyes.

No, no, no, she screamed internally.

"Don't," Kagome warned, glaring at his refection from the window to her left. No one was going to help her, and Inuyasha wasn't here, he wasn't here to save her. She wanted to cry. But she didn't want to, didn't want this man to see her weakness. She couldn't help it, though, everything that Sango taught her went out the window. She felt alone and helpless, even though people surrounded her.

"C'mon, we're already here." The stranger complained. The heat from his fingers creeps into her consciousness. She wanted to pull her body away, but she fell into his trap. There was no way for her to run, as he pushed her more between the metal bar and his body. Bracing her arms against the pole, she refused, if he gets her against this bar, it's over.

The touch, she didn't want it. It's an invasion, an unwanted intimacy. Seconds is all it took for the stranger to wedged his foot between hers, forcing her legs to part slightly. She felt his hand run over her back, reaching slowly around her to grasp against her breast.

Stop!

The clock ticked like the timer on a bomb in her mind. She can't stop it, reverse it, or slow it down. Each tick dragged her forward, helpless against this evil. She can't avoid it any more than the beating of her own heart pounding with futility against its cage of bones. This dread is an invisible demon sitting heavy on her shoulders, and only she can hear the sharpening of its knives. She sweats and becomes pale, then the tremors in her hands begin, and her eyes water as she braces herself for the silent apocalypse of her dignity.

Inuyasha noticed Kagome standing in the corner of a crowd, her hands tight around the bar connected to the train. She appeared upset, and he cocked his eyebrow, watching a man disturbingly close to her. Inuyasha felt the urge to protect her, to see if she was alright, that's when he noticed something; the man's hand was crawling against her clothing.

What the fuck was that?

He watched them, clenching his jaw as his face dropped into a serious expression. His eyes narrow, seemingly growing more irritated from the sight, making his skin crawl.

"What's going on here?" Kagome's brain stutters for a moment, and her eyes snap open as she felt the stranger's hand tear away from her; every part of her going on pause while her thoughts catch up. Her heart was beating over 100 bpm; the adrenaline pushed her out of her head and back into reality.

That voice.

Inuyasha.

She jerked away, pulling herself from the stranger, moving to the other side of the metal bar, making a barrier between them as she sought for Inuyasha. Amid her panic, she didn't realize that the train had already made it to the next stop.

"No, I didn't touch her!" The stranger's shoulders hunched together as if he was trying to disappear inside himself. Even his dark eyes seemed to be attempting to retreat inside his head. He startled like a deer in the woods, almost toppling as he took a giant step backward away from Kagome.

"What was that?" Inuyasha was taller than him and held the man's arm up in the air, straining the stranger's shoulder. He didn't let go, even in his human form, he was still strong. It wasn't until he saw the space between the man and Kagome that he saw her face.

"Inuyasha..." Kagome's lips tremble as she spoke, her eyes drip with silent tears. Her walls, the walls that hold her up, make her strong, collapse. Moment by moment, as their eyes met, they fall.

She wasn't alone. Inuyasha came for her, saved her.

Every tear stung, only fueling the fire that burned inside of Inuyasha.

Every denial the stranger was giving was adding gasoline to it, his fists clenched, and his jaw rooted. With the glance of Kagome's pitiful eyes looking at his, the final mento fell into the soda inside of him. He exploded with anger, with no control, things...broke. People jumped from their seats and screamed as the primal instinct took over.

"You make a move on her again; you'll be dead before you hit the floor. Do I make myself clear?!" Inuyasha growled, throwing him out on the platform next to an attendant who was calling security. The man was grotesque. Already his eye was swollen over, and bloody spit drooled from his slack jaw. He was now as revolting as he should be. Finally, the outside reflects the man within.

"Inuyasha, let's go." Kagome murmured, trailing close behind. With a wrinkled nose, she took a step to Inuyasha's side; it was tempting to whisper something in the stranger's ear that she had won, but what was the point. He'd be lucky to remember his name, and this way, his walking disfigured face would be a living reminder to his colleagues of what happens to those who decide to prey on women.

"You're safe now, Kagome. I promise never to let anything happen to you." He turned to face her, his hand still holding her as his other hand cups her cheek. She pressed into it; this was the only touch she wanted, the only one that she would allow — staring at him, thoughtful and worried, tinged eyes gazing at him. She could see the deflated look in Inuyasha's eyes, betrayed by the sweaty palms, while he rested his forehead against Kagome's.

"I'm glad," Kagome whispered, covering Inuyasha's hand with her own on her cheek. Her heart throbbed as his scent flooded her system. He came for her. After their stupid fight, he was still there for her. He was there when she felt most alone, and Inuyasha had made a promise. Even if they were separated now, they were still together.

It was almost like amnesia, Inuyasha watched her as they walk; trains were out of the question. As his look became more concerned, Inuyasha wondered if Kagome was alright. His curiosity strong; she didn't seem to be in any pain, her eyes, her voice, and her body movements were the same as always, almost as if nothing happened.

Yet she was altered somehow, almost hesitant. Inuyasha waited with his eyes on her face; there was no change. He had a sense she was feeling something other than peace. And he knew the feeling would soon turn to anger, to rage, and then to despair.

He knew.

The moment she is alone, she will break down. But Inuyasha won't let her be alone. He'll stand by her side and bring her the strength she needs, without ever saying a word.

Inuyasha signed; he didn't realize that Kagome's world still had wicked people who like to prey on the weak in public. He's not stupid; he knew that they were out there but didn't think they would act exactly like bandits from his time. With his usual "playmates," there're rules and patterns, but with humans, they're just crazy. And that's what was horrifying.

He noticed her concentration wavered, watching her stop and glanced down in a panic at the ground. It hit her fast; the impact is more potent than she'd anticipated. With her entire body trembling, she flinched and was still for a second, not knowing what to do.

It took some time for Kagome to get her bearings again, and when she did, she noticed her surroundings before she noticed herself. Her throat was dry, and she didn't know what to say. She turned to look at him, searching for an answer to her unspoken question. A flash of her eyes, full of uncertainty, told him everything.

That's when an idea occurred to him.

"Hey, let's try a right hook." He said with a grin as he raised his arms, motioning that she to do the same. It pulled her attention from her thoughts.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down!" Kagome shook her head furiously. Something in her shook as her cheeks suddenly became pink as a spring rose. Her eyes were still red from her tears from earlier, but she did not try to hide her embarrassment.

Is he serious right now? He wanted her to punch him.

In that instant, she saw it. Those dark brown eyes, probing into her soul, desperately trying to see what's going on in there. He was trying to make her feel better, to make her strong.

Hesitantly, she raised her fists. Something about the way he smiled at her once she did, the way butterflies seemed to escape from the pit of her stomach, made her happy; made her feel just a little bit more human.

"Ball your fist and put it up." Reaching out with his hand, he adjusted her body weight to match his, making sure that her stance was proper. It would be hard to push him back, so he shifted her body weight again, moving her to the right, to a point where she could push through.

"Right here, now mean it; imagine you are hitting that fucker." He smirked, challenging her as he slapped the hand he wanted her to hit. She couldn't help but relent, a bright smile on her face as her fist clenched to the crack of her knuckles, her eyes narrow, preparing to punch him.

It was a choreographed dance of destruction, tearing her where she needed to heal. It was time for empathy instead of a shield; to let her say the truths so that a stronger her can emerge.

"That fucker!" She shouted, jabbing her fist against him- he flinched as he felt her power in his hand. Riding that, it was hard to contain her emotions. The anger. The guilt. The desire to punish that man for what he had done to her seemed to melt away against Inuyasha's hand.

She laughed. It's a sound that felt like Inuyasha hasn't heard in a thousand years, and it's a sound he would wait for another thousand to hear. He pulls Kagome close, and she takes a deep breath as she felt his fingers gently brush over her knuckles; their eyes locked.

"Did that feel nice?" He asks softly, smiling. She nods, a blush seared through her cheeks, and for a minute, she thought her face was on fire.

Kagome shivers, feeling his hand moved from her hand to her the side of her neck, his thumb brushing against her cheek. His eyes are so different in moments like these, softer than she knew eyes could be, so earnest in a way she can't possibly describe.

She takes a deep breath, her heart beating so hard it feels like she's going to faint. The heavy silence settled over them broke by the sound of children giggling.

They jerked away from each other, averting their eyes as they noticed the children across the street covering their faces from the gross adult affection as they walked by. Inuyasha found himself completely lost as to what to do next.

Unsettled eyes glanced around as they tried to avoid catching each other's glances. Kagome had never seen Inuyasha blush like that; he was always stoic, in charge, and to be honest, annoyingly self-assured. So, when she saw that pink in his cheeks, one that said so much more than words could, Kagome felt a blush rise to her cheeks and set in with unexpected force.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," she said softly.

"Don't mention it," he replied, just as softly. He reached out, offering his hand. Kagome didn't take long to find her feet, taking his hand in hers, entwining their fingers together as she pulled him along. Her cheeks still flushed, but her eyes were a startling, deep brown, full of warmth. He couldn't help but take a moment to admire her face.

She was beautiful.