Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I profit from this work of fan fiction. =)

Chapter 1

Kagome began the short walk home from and school pulled her thin sweater closed. Aside for the oncoming cold she loved this time of year. The sights, the sounds, the smells, and most of all the feelings they evoked. A smiled graced her face when she remembered it was Friday and she would have the night all to herself. Her family had made plans to visit relatives out of time some time ago and while she was invited, Kagome felt like some restful alone time seemed like just what she needed. She was looking forward to a long bath, some modern cooking, and some demon-free relaxation. Kagome sighed happily and continued on.

It wasn't long before she approached the steps to her family's shrine. She climbed them quickly anxious to be home. She slid her front door open and leaned down to remove her shoes when she noticed the door to the well house was opened slightly. "That's strange" she thought to herself" I don't remember leaving the door open. Maybe Grandpa forgot to shut it all the way while leading some tourists through." It was then that she noticed through the crack in the door a hand on the ground, a clawed hand. "Inuyasha!" she screamed. She ran to the well house and ripped open the doors. She found her hanyou lying face down on the ground. She rolled him over quickly and leaned down to make sure he was breathing. He was "Thank the Gods" she thought. He was a mess, covered in blood and dirt. She was certain not all the blood was Inuyasha's; she'd seen him worse than this. She cringed thinking about it. "Inuyasha, what happened to you?" Kagome thought agonizingly. "Brrrrrrrr" she said through chattering teeth rubbing her arms for warmth. "I've got to get him inside…..but how" she asked herself. Her only option was to link her arms under his, pull his back up against her chest and drag him. "After all, it's not that far" she thought decidedly. Kagome shuffled him through the front door and into the living room where she rolled him onto a guest futon on the floor.

She swiftly grabbed her first aid kit, a bowl with warm water, and some towels. She blushed at the thought of removing his haori and kisode but she had to assess and clean his wounds. Kagome glanced at his face periodically, hoping he would stir. After a few moments of struggling she was able to remove the tops. "Okay, he is a lot heavier then he looks" she thought. She cleaned off his face, arms, and chest with a warm washcloth and bent down to inspect his wounds more closely. Aside from a rather large set of gashes across his chest and both arms, the rest were mild scratches and were already beginning to heal. She cleaned the large gash, which was beginning to look more and more like a claw mark, with antiseptic ointment and bandaged his chest and arms. "I don't think he'll feel like moving his arms for a few days" she thought sadly.

"Inuyasha……?" she leaned down and whispered softly. She brushed a stray hair from his face and let her hand linger long enough to feel a blush creep upon her face. She shook off her emerging feelings and gathered his kisode and haori to wash. That kept her occupied for a few minutes; she then began to alternate between nervous pacing and sitting beside Inuyasha to watch him sleep. After nightfall she began to get worried. She couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, she'd resigned herself to sit and stare. Finally sometime after midnight, her exhaustion set in and she positioned herself on the floor facing him and nodded off to sleep.

Inuyasha awoke at daybreak, his eyes adjusting the morning sun pouring through the windows. For a moment he wondered where he was until he caught a whiff of Kagome's scent. He turned slightly and saw her curled up and lying on the floor beside him. A wave of relief washed over him when he realized not only where but when he was. "But, how did I get here" he thought. The details were still foggy in his mind. He began to sit up and winced in pain from the pressure on his arms and chest.

Kagome awoke immediately and shot straight up. "Inuyasha, thank goodness!" her voice fraught with relief as she threw arms around him.

"Ouchhhhhhh" he whined and pulled back annoyed.

"Sorry" Kagome said softly "I'm just so happy your okay, you've been out unconscious for so long. Inuyasha, what happened to you? Why did you come here? How long were you here before I found you? Where"

"Geez, one question at a time Kagome" he interrupted "I'm wondering some of the same things"

"What do you mean" she asked hesitantly "You don't remember what happened?"

"Feh, course I do, I just can't think of it right now with all you're babbling"

"Babbling!?" "Inuyasha, if you weren't already hurt I'd "you know what" you" Kagome retorted.

"Feh"

"First things first, how are you feeling, and none of your over the top "my body's built different act", you're with me so be honest" Kagome pleaded.

"I'm fine"

"Inuyashaaaaa"

"Okay…. I'm a little sore" he admitted clearly annoyed.

"Thank you" Kagome said smiling "If I get you some medicine for the pain will you take it" she questioned.

Inuyasha nodded

Kagome brought back a small white pill and a glass of water. "Okay, swallow this and drink the water" she said offering it to him.

Inuyasha reached for the glass and grimaced in pain.

"Wait" she motioned for him to put his arms back down. "Here, open" she said reaching up and touching the side of his mouth.

"Kagomeee" he growled annoyed and tried to reach again for the pill clearly in pain.

"Open!" she demanded "Those are serious wounds and I know you're in pain, would you just let me help you!"

"Fine, if it means so much to you" he muttered and opened his mouth wide enough for Kagome to put the pill in.

"Now, drink" she said placing the cup against his lips.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes but finished the water. Kagome grinned savoring every moment. As she pulled the cup away few drops of water trickled down his lips. Kagome without thinking wiped it away with her thumb while cupping the side of his face. "I can't believe I just did that" Kagome's mind screamed. Inuyasha felt himself go warm and silently prayed his face wasn't displaying what he was feeling.

Hi guys,

This initially started as a one-shot. I think it might be interesting enough to go on. What do you think? Any reviews, comment, etc are as usual appreciated. =)Heidi