Forlorn Hearts
Inuyasha had come to the conclusion that the female species existed for the sole purpose of frustrating their conterparts-the male species. Yup, because he was becoming VERY frustrated and annoyed with the most important female in his life.
He was still immobile from the two 'sit's Kagome had delivered upon her return from her world. Hmph, and all he'd done was inquire about her health. Inuyasha grimaced. Okay, so maybe he'd said, "What the hell's the matter with you? You look like crap." But, well, her appearance had startled him. It wasn't like he'd lied or anything. She did look like crap!
The dark half-moons under her eyes made her look extremely tired. Not to mention she just reeked of exhaustion. He'd sniffed the air and frowned. There was some other smell emanating from her also. It wasn't pleasant, but he couldn't quite place it.
After the sits she'd burst into tears, he hated it when she did that, and run toward Kaede's hut confounding the hapless hanyou beyond belief.
Now Sango looked down at him disapprovingly and went after her friend.
"You jerk!" cried Shippo. "You made Kagome cry!" Shippo pounced on his head, forcing Inuyasha to eat dirt for a second time, and hopped of in the direction the women had fled.
He looked up sputtering, hollering, "I'll get you, you stupid little brat!"
This was the part he hated most about the subduing spell. The utter impotence and helplessness of his prone position.
Miroku walked over and eased down beside Inuyasha. "Forlorn hearts rule the world, my friend" he murmured off-handedly.
"What's that supposed to mean, bouzu?" Inuyasha asked, he was in a decidedly surly mood. He opted not to follow Kagome, at least with her in such an unpredictable mood. Instead he sat up when the spell wore off.
"It means that it is in the nature of both humans and demons to make themselves suffer."
"That's stupid" Inuyasha scoffed.
Miroku lifted his brows slightly. "Is it? I think it's very valid. Why else would you feel obligated to give Kikyo anything, even your life, when this Naraku business is over?"
Inuyasha snorted The stupid priest didn't know what he was talking about, but Inuyasha played along anyway. "I owe Kikyo anything she wants. Even, especially, my life." Which was true. But he had no intention of following Kikyo to hell.
"Why? You were betrayed and hurt just as much as she was. You merely feel guilty because you were able to find someone else after her and she was not."
"Feh!" Inuyasha's rude response was telling. He did feel guilty. Almost unbearably so.
"And take Kagome"
"Nani!?" Inuyasha sounded horrified.
Miroku smirked. "And they call me a hentai? Get your mind out of the gutter, Inuyasha. Anyway, Kagome must live in her own personal hell. Assuming that when everything is said and done, you will follow Kikyo to hell in spite of all the love she is openly offering."
Inuyasha was thoughtful. "Your right about some of it at least. I do feel responsible for Kikyo, but I won't follow her to hell. I just want her to be at peace. She deserves to be at peace. But you're wrong about Kagome. She doesn't love me. If she did I'd... It doesn't matter because she doesn't. And I don't have anymore room in me for love. I gave it all to Kikyo" Inuyasha said in his most resolute voice.
"Inuyasha..." Miroku sighed pityingly. "Are you blind? Or just extremely stupid?"
"Watch it houshi, or I'll-"
"What?" Miroku stood up angrily, and stabbed his staff into the ground in agitation. "You are afraid Inuyasha" he accused contemptuously.
"I am not!"
"Afraid, because it's so much easier to hold onto a dead woman. Because it's risky to love someone vital, and alive. At least a corpse can't break your heart again, right? Why take a chance on Kagome when she could be taken away?" Miroku retaliated sarcastically.
Inuyasha fumed. "You don't know what you're talking about you stupid houshi! Shut up!" he growled.
Miroku persisted stubbornly. "You have to know Kagome would never hurt you. She's already said she would never leave you. She trusts you with her life. She's prepared to give you everything, even let you choose Kikyo. If that's not love-"
Inuyasha exploded right then. He roared, starling the priest. "I said SHUT THE FUCK UP! Even if it's true, it makes no difference. Kikyo and I lost our trust in one another the moment it was put to the test. They have the same soul, so what's to say Kagome and I would be any different?"
"How can you say that?"
The soft words full of hurt, came from behind Inuyasha. Miroku slipped away as his companion turned and Kagome proceeded to stand directly in front of the surprised hanyou, gazing into his eyes searchingly. He couldn't keep the flicker of unease out of them.
Her expression taughtened, her breath was labored and Inuyasha frowned before she drew his attention back to her words. "I've told you countless times that I am not Kikyo. My soul may have been hers at one time, but now it's my own. As are my mind and heart. Everything in me tells me that you would never hurt me, and that I can trust you. I DO trust you, Inuyasha, more than anyone anywhere. So see, no matter what, nothing could cause me to lose my faith in you.
"I know you. I know your heart, and I know- I love you enough to know- that you could never be completely happy if I made you stay with me instead of Kikyo. You might even resent me, and I couldn't stand that." She paused and placed his hand over her heart. He was becoming concerned with her breathing and the unnaturaly fast pace of her pulse beneath his hand. Perspiration was beading on her face and she looked pale. But her eyes nearly made him forget.
There was such overpowering emotion in their depths. Absolute trust and faith- in him! Even, even, absolute LOVE? Was that really love shining out at him, warming him in it's power?
"Just know that you hold my heart forever. I lo-"
Just then she started coughing. Dry coughs that sounded painful and doubled her over, into him. He caught her shoulders. "Kagome?" His brow furrowed in worry. He brushed her hair out of her face and froze when he accidentally made contact with her skin. He pressed his hand to her forehead to confirm it.
Yes, she was burning up. Kagome had a fever! She was ill.
"Son of a bitch, Kagome! Your sick!" He accused in outrage.
"No, it's just a cold" she tried to reasure him. "I'll be fine" She started coughing again and shudders wracked her frame.
"Bullshit! You can't even stand up. You'd fall like water if I let go of you" That was true. She was completely boneless as Inuyasha pulled her into him. Everything was coming together. Her odd mood, her pallor, the strange sickly scent.
"No, I'll be..." The words faded as she went limp in a dead faint.
"Ahh, dammit!" Inuyasha cursed. Hooking his arms under her he took off to Kaede's hut. Concern long since having melded into full blown fear.
He burst into the village, yelling at the top of his lungs, "Old woman! Kaede! Get out here NOW!" Several people, including the other three people in the group stared at him in surprise. They started toward him, but he levelled a piercing glare that clearly said 'Back the fuck off!'
"Inuyasha! What are ye making such a fuss over? Oh, my" The miko gasped, then asked suspiciously. "What have ye done now?"
"Yeah, dog breath, what'd you do to Kagome?" Shippo hollered.
"I didn't do anything! She just started coughing then passed out. She has a fever..."
The very real anxiety in the Inu-hanyou's eyes and voice made Shippo feel ashamed. But also terrified him. Inuyasha rarely worried about anything, so this must be serious. "I'm sorry. I was just afraid..." but Inuyasha didn't seem to be listening.
"Calm yourself, Inuyasha. Let Kaede and I tend to Kagome. You can wait out-"
"No way in hell" Inuyasha growled, startling Sango.
"But we must undress her to get her fever down. She needs privacy..."
"No"
"Inuyasha!" both women gasped.
He gestured disgustedly. "I mean I won't leave her. Don't ask me to. I don't think I can and I sure as hell won't"
Kaede and Sango sighed gustily. "Very well, Inuyasha, do what ye pleases. Bring her into my hut. Kitsune, priest, stay out here."
Inuyasha did as he was told, and lay Kagome down flat on some bedding. He grasped one of her clammy hands and rubbed soothing circles on the back of it. To his credit he looked away in embarrassment when the others undressed her. Then they covered her with a light muslin blanket for the sake of modesty.
After praying over her for a few minutes, Kaede looked up gravely. Niether Inuyasha nor Sango liked the look on her face.
"What is it, Kaede?" Sango asked.
"I'm afraid there is nothing to do but purge her to drive the evil spirits out. 'Tis the only way" she said regretfully.
Sango gasped, Inuyasha's face drained of all color. Both had witnessed purging and the after effects. Both were unpleasant in the extreme.
Purging involved letting only water and a vile herbal substance pass the patients lips for up to week. The brew caused intence vomiting, which caused hunger delirium, intense weakness, and abrupt unhealthy weightloss. Often the purging was worse than the actual disease.
There was no chance in heaven, earth, or hell that he would allow such a thing to be done to HIS Kagome. He snarled as much to the two women as he pulled the sleeping girl into his arms protectively, shocking them to no end.
"There's nothing for it. The procedure must be performed." Kaede insisted
Tucking the blanket around his precious cargo, he glanced at the offending woman. "No. Fucking. Way." he said succinctly leaving no room for argument.
"Then what do ye suggest?" Keade demanded in exasperation.
"I can take care of her" He frowned at the choking sound coming from Sango. "What? I can do it"
"And what doth thee know about healing? Hmm?"
"My...mother." He scowled in concentration. I remember some of the remedies she used when I was ill as a child" He didn't add that he'd only been sick a handful of times. That didn't matter. What mattered was that he remembered the spells and remedies like they's been done yesterday.
Satisfied that nothing was ging to happen to Kagome, he laid her down again. She still showed no signs of waking and that worried him. Just then Shippo scampered in and fidgeted near the door.
"C-can I see Kagome?" He asked in his smallest most terrified voice.
Inuyasha wanted to tell him no, not until she was better, but the the kitsune was ovviously afraid something would happen to his beloved Kagome. He decided to cut the kid some slack.
"I suppose, but don't disturb her."
"Yay!" Shippo bounded over and was about to slam into Kagome's chest, when he was grabbed by the scruff of the neck.
"Inuyasha! Lemme go! You said-"
"Huh-uh. No jumping on her. She's sick remember?" He have the kit his most stern look.
"Okay" Inuyasha set him down and he carefully climbed onto her stomach, clinging to her. Her familiar scent lulled him to sleep almost immediately.
As much as he loathed the idea of leaving Kagome's side, Inuyasha knew he had to search out the ingredients for his mother's remedy. He couldn't tell anyone else what to get because he didn't know the names of all the herbs. Besides, he remembered the smells of everything and his nose was far more reliable than telling someone names and hoping he got what he asked for.
So he left the hut and notified the others of his intentions. They still looked skeptical but they nodded. Then he let his senses lead him in the direction of the first thing he needed.
In a matter of hours Inuyasha had all the ingredients he needed but one. He let the herbs soak in a bowl of cool spring water, then commenced with the unpleasant part the deal.
He slashed his arm thinly, so that blood dripped slowly but steadily over the dish. Closing his eyes in concentration, he remembered and recited the spell his mother had cast over the brew. His knowledge of spells was limited but this one was simple and easy to remember. Something about giving some of his own good health to make the reciever healthy. Easy.
Under the incantation the water began to roil. All though, if someone had touched it it would still feel cold. When the words ended the water calmed. It had darkened to an ugly olive color and thickened so that it was the consistency of syrup.
Inuyasha took a tentative wiff and his stomach instantly revolted against the foul odor attacking his highly sensitive nose. He swallowed thickly and when the wave passed grinned. It was as hideous as he remembered. He murmered without thinking the phrase his mother had spoken whenshe had to give it to him, "It smells worse than it looks and tastes worse than it smells, but it will make you feel better."
The mixture may have been as disgusting as the purging liquid but it did not have the same effect. That is it didn't cause vomiting. Inuyasha couldn't remember what his mother had called the remedy, but he's already expressed how little names concerned him.
It was nearly dawn whenhe returned to the village. He nodded approvingly when he saw Kirara holding vigil over Kaede's hut. She sniffed curiously at the bowl he held, then sprung back, batting at her nose to get rid of the stench. Inuyasha couldn't help snickering.
Upon entering he saw Miroku and Sango asleep on the floor. Miroku's hand was resting on Sango's hip. Inuyasha snickered again when he thought about how she would blow her top if she woke up right then.
He turned his attention to the bed on the far wall. Shippo hadn't moved an inch from where he's been when Inuyasha left. Kaede hovered over Kagome who had a cool, wet cloth on her forehead and was tossing and breathing raggedly in her fitful sleep.
"She's worsening by the hour" the miko related quietly. She nodded toward the bowl. "I hope that concoction ye brought works. I fear it is too late for purging to do any good now."
"It'll work" Inuyasha replied in total confidence. In his heart he prayed that he was right. Nudging the old woman aside, he slid his hand under Kagome's neck to lift her head. With more patience than he's exibited the entire time Kaede had known him, he coaxed the liquid down her throat.. She sputtered and coughed a few times, but took it all. Then she settled into a more restful slumber.
Inuyasha sat back on his haunches and watched Kagome intensely for a few moments. When he was satisfied he sat down cross legged (indian style?*) beside the futon. He remained there until the others stirred and came awake.
Shippo yawned, rolled over, and crashed to the floor. Unfazed, he sat up and stretched, rubbed his eyes and yawned some more. After checking to make sure Kagome wasokay, he hopped over to the dozing Kaede.
"Lady Kaede, wake up! What's for breakfast? Can we eat yet?"
"Hai, Kitsune. Hold yer tail."
CRACK!
"Ow!"
"You hentai! What did you think you were you doing with your hand on my, my..."
"Your what, Sango?" Miroku asked innocently, rubbing at the handprint on his face.
"Ugh!" she cried in irritated exasperation.
Inuyasha smirked them, but never removed his stare from the bed. He felt Sango and Miroku move up beside him. She asked with concern. "How is she? Did that remedy you knew work?"
"Look for yourself."
"I suppose she does look better. What was it exactly?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "I don't know. Who cares? It worked"
"Uh-huh, but..." Miroku took the bowl beside the bed and looked at it curiously. He dipped a finger in and was about to taste it.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you" Inuyasha said absently.
Miroku started and glared. He tasted it anyway, just for spite.
He gagged and grabbed at his throat. Choking, he guzzled water and took great lungfulls of air when he came up. "Inuyasha you gave that stuff to Kagome? What were you trying to do...oh no" The color drained from Miroku's face.
"What? Is it the stuff?" Inuyasha asked worriedly.
"No... and yes. Please don't tell me that was the Soul Spell"
"I already told you- I don't remember what it was called." Inuyasha said in annoyance. He explained the procedure, and Miroku groaned.
"That's the Soul Spell alright. I REALLY wish you wouldn't have done that."
"Why?" Sango asked curiously.
"Hai, I am curious as well. I have never heard of this 'Soul Spell'"
"You'll see" Miroku said fatalistically. "It won't have any effect on Inuyasha, but it will on Kagome."
Inuyasha glared at the monk, but turned around. He didn't remember being overly affected by the remedy except...
He reared up sharply. No it couldn't be. The spell...
"Oh, Fuck"
Inuyasha had come to the conclusion that the female species existed for the sole purpose of frustrating their conterparts-the male species. Yup, because he was becoming VERY frustrated and annoyed with the most important female in his life.
He was still immobile from the two 'sit's Kagome had delivered upon her return from her world. Hmph, and all he'd done was inquire about her health. Inuyasha grimaced. Okay, so maybe he'd said, "What the hell's the matter with you? You look like crap." But, well, her appearance had startled him. It wasn't like he'd lied or anything. She did look like crap!
The dark half-moons under her eyes made her look extremely tired. Not to mention she just reeked of exhaustion. He'd sniffed the air and frowned. There was some other smell emanating from her also. It wasn't pleasant, but he couldn't quite place it.
After the sits she'd burst into tears, he hated it when she did that, and run toward Kaede's hut confounding the hapless hanyou beyond belief.
Now Sango looked down at him disapprovingly and went after her friend.
"You jerk!" cried Shippo. "You made Kagome cry!" Shippo pounced on his head, forcing Inuyasha to eat dirt for a second time, and hopped of in the direction the women had fled.
He looked up sputtering, hollering, "I'll get you, you stupid little brat!"
This was the part he hated most about the subduing spell. The utter impotence and helplessness of his prone position.
Miroku walked over and eased down beside Inuyasha. "Forlorn hearts rule the world, my friend" he murmured off-handedly.
"What's that supposed to mean, bouzu?" Inuyasha asked, he was in a decidedly surly mood. He opted not to follow Kagome, at least with her in such an unpredictable mood. Instead he sat up when the spell wore off.
"It means that it is in the nature of both humans and demons to make themselves suffer."
"That's stupid" Inuyasha scoffed.
Miroku lifted his brows slightly. "Is it? I think it's very valid. Why else would you feel obligated to give Kikyo anything, even your life, when this Naraku business is over?"
Inuyasha snorted The stupid priest didn't know what he was talking about, but Inuyasha played along anyway. "I owe Kikyo anything she wants. Even, especially, my life." Which was true. But he had no intention of following Kikyo to hell.
"Why? You were betrayed and hurt just as much as she was. You merely feel guilty because you were able to find someone else after her and she was not."
"Feh!" Inuyasha's rude response was telling. He did feel guilty. Almost unbearably so.
"And take Kagome"
"Nani!?" Inuyasha sounded horrified.
Miroku smirked. "And they call me a hentai? Get your mind out of the gutter, Inuyasha. Anyway, Kagome must live in her own personal hell. Assuming that when everything is said and done, you will follow Kikyo to hell in spite of all the love she is openly offering."
Inuyasha was thoughtful. "Your right about some of it at least. I do feel responsible for Kikyo, but I won't follow her to hell. I just want her to be at peace. She deserves to be at peace. But you're wrong about Kagome. She doesn't love me. If she did I'd... It doesn't matter because she doesn't. And I don't have anymore room in me for love. I gave it all to Kikyo" Inuyasha said in his most resolute voice.
"Inuyasha..." Miroku sighed pityingly. "Are you blind? Or just extremely stupid?"
"Watch it houshi, or I'll-"
"What?" Miroku stood up angrily, and stabbed his staff into the ground in agitation. "You are afraid Inuyasha" he accused contemptuously.
"I am not!"
"Afraid, because it's so much easier to hold onto a dead woman. Because it's risky to love someone vital, and alive. At least a corpse can't break your heart again, right? Why take a chance on Kagome when she could be taken away?" Miroku retaliated sarcastically.
Inuyasha fumed. "You don't know what you're talking about you stupid houshi! Shut up!" he growled.
Miroku persisted stubbornly. "You have to know Kagome would never hurt you. She's already said she would never leave you. She trusts you with her life. She's prepared to give you everything, even let you choose Kikyo. If that's not love-"
Inuyasha exploded right then. He roared, starling the priest. "I said SHUT THE FUCK UP! Even if it's true, it makes no difference. Kikyo and I lost our trust in one another the moment it was put to the test. They have the same soul, so what's to say Kagome and I would be any different?"
"How can you say that?"
The soft words full of hurt, came from behind Inuyasha. Miroku slipped away as his companion turned and Kagome proceeded to stand directly in front of the surprised hanyou, gazing into his eyes searchingly. He couldn't keep the flicker of unease out of them.
Her expression taughtened, her breath was labored and Inuyasha frowned before she drew his attention back to her words. "I've told you countless times that I am not Kikyo. My soul may have been hers at one time, but now it's my own. As are my mind and heart. Everything in me tells me that you would never hurt me, and that I can trust you. I DO trust you, Inuyasha, more than anyone anywhere. So see, no matter what, nothing could cause me to lose my faith in you.
"I know you. I know your heart, and I know- I love you enough to know- that you could never be completely happy if I made you stay with me instead of Kikyo. You might even resent me, and I couldn't stand that." She paused and placed his hand over her heart. He was becoming concerned with her breathing and the unnaturaly fast pace of her pulse beneath his hand. Perspiration was beading on her face and she looked pale. But her eyes nearly made him forget.
There was such overpowering emotion in their depths. Absolute trust and faith- in him! Even, even, absolute LOVE? Was that really love shining out at him, warming him in it's power?
"Just know that you hold my heart forever. I lo-"
Just then she started coughing. Dry coughs that sounded painful and doubled her over, into him. He caught her shoulders. "Kagome?" His brow furrowed in worry. He brushed her hair out of her face and froze when he accidentally made contact with her skin. He pressed his hand to her forehead to confirm it.
Yes, she was burning up. Kagome had a fever! She was ill.
"Son of a bitch, Kagome! Your sick!" He accused in outrage.
"No, it's just a cold" she tried to reasure him. "I'll be fine" She started coughing again and shudders wracked her frame.
"Bullshit! You can't even stand up. You'd fall like water if I let go of you" That was true. She was completely boneless as Inuyasha pulled her into him. Everything was coming together. Her odd mood, her pallor, the strange sickly scent.
"No, I'll be..." The words faded as she went limp in a dead faint.
"Ahh, dammit!" Inuyasha cursed. Hooking his arms under her he took off to Kaede's hut. Concern long since having melded into full blown fear.
He burst into the village, yelling at the top of his lungs, "Old woman! Kaede! Get out here NOW!" Several people, including the other three people in the group stared at him in surprise. They started toward him, but he levelled a piercing glare that clearly said 'Back the fuck off!'
"Inuyasha! What are ye making such a fuss over? Oh, my" The miko gasped, then asked suspiciously. "What have ye done now?"
"Yeah, dog breath, what'd you do to Kagome?" Shippo hollered.
"I didn't do anything! She just started coughing then passed out. She has a fever..."
The very real anxiety in the Inu-hanyou's eyes and voice made Shippo feel ashamed. But also terrified him. Inuyasha rarely worried about anything, so this must be serious. "I'm sorry. I was just afraid..." but Inuyasha didn't seem to be listening.
"Calm yourself, Inuyasha. Let Kaede and I tend to Kagome. You can wait out-"
"No way in hell" Inuyasha growled, startling Sango.
"But we must undress her to get her fever down. She needs privacy..."
"No"
"Inuyasha!" both women gasped.
He gestured disgustedly. "I mean I won't leave her. Don't ask me to. I don't think I can and I sure as hell won't"
Kaede and Sango sighed gustily. "Very well, Inuyasha, do what ye pleases. Bring her into my hut. Kitsune, priest, stay out here."
Inuyasha did as he was told, and lay Kagome down flat on some bedding. He grasped one of her clammy hands and rubbed soothing circles on the back of it. To his credit he looked away in embarrassment when the others undressed her. Then they covered her with a light muslin blanket for the sake of modesty.
After praying over her for a few minutes, Kaede looked up gravely. Niether Inuyasha nor Sango liked the look on her face.
"What is it, Kaede?" Sango asked.
"I'm afraid there is nothing to do but purge her to drive the evil spirits out. 'Tis the only way" she said regretfully.
Sango gasped, Inuyasha's face drained of all color. Both had witnessed purging and the after effects. Both were unpleasant in the extreme.
Purging involved letting only water and a vile herbal substance pass the patients lips for up to week. The brew caused intence vomiting, which caused hunger delirium, intense weakness, and abrupt unhealthy weightloss. Often the purging was worse than the actual disease.
There was no chance in heaven, earth, or hell that he would allow such a thing to be done to HIS Kagome. He snarled as much to the two women as he pulled the sleeping girl into his arms protectively, shocking them to no end.
"There's nothing for it. The procedure must be performed." Kaede insisted
Tucking the blanket around his precious cargo, he glanced at the offending woman. "No. Fucking. Way." he said succinctly leaving no room for argument.
"Then what do ye suggest?" Keade demanded in exasperation.
"I can take care of her" He frowned at the choking sound coming from Sango. "What? I can do it"
"And what doth thee know about healing? Hmm?"
"My...mother." He scowled in concentration. I remember some of the remedies she used when I was ill as a child" He didn't add that he'd only been sick a handful of times. That didn't matter. What mattered was that he remembered the spells and remedies like they's been done yesterday.
Satisfied that nothing was ging to happen to Kagome, he laid her down again. She still showed no signs of waking and that worried him. Just then Shippo scampered in and fidgeted near the door.
"C-can I see Kagome?" He asked in his smallest most terrified voice.
Inuyasha wanted to tell him no, not until she was better, but the the kitsune was ovviously afraid something would happen to his beloved Kagome. He decided to cut the kid some slack.
"I suppose, but don't disturb her."
"Yay!" Shippo bounded over and was about to slam into Kagome's chest, when he was grabbed by the scruff of the neck.
"Inuyasha! Lemme go! You said-"
"Huh-uh. No jumping on her. She's sick remember?" He have the kit his most stern look.
"Okay" Inuyasha set him down and he carefully climbed onto her stomach, clinging to her. Her familiar scent lulled him to sleep almost immediately.
As much as he loathed the idea of leaving Kagome's side, Inuyasha knew he had to search out the ingredients for his mother's remedy. He couldn't tell anyone else what to get because he didn't know the names of all the herbs. Besides, he remembered the smells of everything and his nose was far more reliable than telling someone names and hoping he got what he asked for.
So he left the hut and notified the others of his intentions. They still looked skeptical but they nodded. Then he let his senses lead him in the direction of the first thing he needed.
In a matter of hours Inuyasha had all the ingredients he needed but one. He let the herbs soak in a bowl of cool spring water, then commenced with the unpleasant part the deal.
He slashed his arm thinly, so that blood dripped slowly but steadily over the dish. Closing his eyes in concentration, he remembered and recited the spell his mother had cast over the brew. His knowledge of spells was limited but this one was simple and easy to remember. Something about giving some of his own good health to make the reciever healthy. Easy.
Under the incantation the water began to roil. All though, if someone had touched it it would still feel cold. When the words ended the water calmed. It had darkened to an ugly olive color and thickened so that it was the consistency of syrup.
Inuyasha took a tentative wiff and his stomach instantly revolted against the foul odor attacking his highly sensitive nose. He swallowed thickly and when the wave passed grinned. It was as hideous as he remembered. He murmered without thinking the phrase his mother had spoken whenshe had to give it to him, "It smells worse than it looks and tastes worse than it smells, but it will make you feel better."
The mixture may have been as disgusting as the purging liquid but it did not have the same effect. That is it didn't cause vomiting. Inuyasha couldn't remember what his mother had called the remedy, but he's already expressed how little names concerned him.
It was nearly dawn whenhe returned to the village. He nodded approvingly when he saw Kirara holding vigil over Kaede's hut. She sniffed curiously at the bowl he held, then sprung back, batting at her nose to get rid of the stench. Inuyasha couldn't help snickering.
Upon entering he saw Miroku and Sango asleep on the floor. Miroku's hand was resting on Sango's hip. Inuyasha snickered again when he thought about how she would blow her top if she woke up right then.
He turned his attention to the bed on the far wall. Shippo hadn't moved an inch from where he's been when Inuyasha left. Kaede hovered over Kagome who had a cool, wet cloth on her forehead and was tossing and breathing raggedly in her fitful sleep.
"She's worsening by the hour" the miko related quietly. She nodded toward the bowl. "I hope that concoction ye brought works. I fear it is too late for purging to do any good now."
"It'll work" Inuyasha replied in total confidence. In his heart he prayed that he was right. Nudging the old woman aside, he slid his hand under Kagome's neck to lift her head. With more patience than he's exibited the entire time Kaede had known him, he coaxed the liquid down her throat.. She sputtered and coughed a few times, but took it all. Then she settled into a more restful slumber.
Inuyasha sat back on his haunches and watched Kagome intensely for a few moments. When he was satisfied he sat down cross legged (indian style?*) beside the futon. He remained there until the others stirred and came awake.
Shippo yawned, rolled over, and crashed to the floor. Unfazed, he sat up and stretched, rubbed his eyes and yawned some more. After checking to make sure Kagome wasokay, he hopped over to the dozing Kaede.
"Lady Kaede, wake up! What's for breakfast? Can we eat yet?"
"Hai, Kitsune. Hold yer tail."
CRACK!
"Ow!"
"You hentai! What did you think you were you doing with your hand on my, my..."
"Your what, Sango?" Miroku asked innocently, rubbing at the handprint on his face.
"Ugh!" she cried in irritated exasperation.
Inuyasha smirked them, but never removed his stare from the bed. He felt Sango and Miroku move up beside him. She asked with concern. "How is she? Did that remedy you knew work?"
"Look for yourself."
"I suppose she does look better. What was it exactly?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "I don't know. Who cares? It worked"
"Uh-huh, but..." Miroku took the bowl beside the bed and looked at it curiously. He dipped a finger in and was about to taste it.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you" Inuyasha said absently.
Miroku started and glared. He tasted it anyway, just for spite.
He gagged and grabbed at his throat. Choking, he guzzled water and took great lungfulls of air when he came up. "Inuyasha you gave that stuff to Kagome? What were you trying to do...oh no" The color drained from Miroku's face.
"What? Is it the stuff?" Inuyasha asked worriedly.
"No... and yes. Please don't tell me that was the Soul Spell"
"I already told you- I don't remember what it was called." Inuyasha said in annoyance. He explained the procedure, and Miroku groaned.
"That's the Soul Spell alright. I REALLY wish you wouldn't have done that."
"Why?" Sango asked curiously.
"Hai, I am curious as well. I have never heard of this 'Soul Spell'"
"You'll see" Miroku said fatalistically. "It won't have any effect on Inuyasha, but it will on Kagome."
Inuyasha glared at the monk, but turned around. He didn't remember being overly affected by the remedy except...
He reared up sharply. No it couldn't be. The spell...
"Oh, Fuck"