Disturbing Behavior
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha, only my insanity and the inability to resist a challenge. Damn Twister Addict to the deepest pit in hell.
This was not the first time he'd been poisoned since they'd met, but it was by far the worst. He'd been sweating and delirious for almost a week now. She was late returning home, and she knew her family would worry, but she didn't care. He could very well die while she was gone if the fever did not break soon. She was shocked as realized, completely, for the first time, exactly how much this ornery half-demon meant to her. If he died, she would too.
She was started from her amazing revelation as he began to thrash in his sleep again. She had found quite by accident when his first convulsion threw those trying to restrain him into a wall that her touch could sooth him back into peaceful slumber. It had become second nature to her whenever he became restless to reach out and stroke his hair and ears 'til his restless shifting stopped. She didn't notice the change in his temperature until her hand brushed his cheek. It was normal again!
Her smile would have astonished anyone else had they been there to see it. She had not smiled since that horrible day, was it only six days ago? That she had watched him fall protecting her, and for the first time he hadn't gotten up. Fortunately, that action was the demon's last before it died of its wounds. They had been afraid ever since that he would follow it. She studied his face for a moment, noting that his brow was smooth and untroubled, and that his cheeks no longer held the brilliant flush of fever. He looked pale, but he no longer seemed an inch from death.
It was not until she bent to kiss his forehead that she realized he was awake and watching her. And he had his own ideas. Though still weak, he was not human, and was recovering faster than she realized. Surprisingly strong arms wrapped around her as one clawed hand drew her to him for a slow surprisingly tender kiss. She stared at him in shock as he let her go and settled back into his blankets.
"What? Why?"
"Feh, dumb wench, because I love you, why else?"
"I've wanted you to say that for so long … Why are you being so sweet all of the sudden?"
"Because I'm sick and my control has slipped. Don't get comfortable with it, I'll be better soon enough."
She chuckled weakly, still reeling from both the kiss and his words.
"Make yourself useful and go find Miroku."
"Mmhmm"
She drifted distractedly out of the hut, pausing on the threshold to press a disbelieving hand to her lips. She would never forget the feel of his lips on hers as long as she lived.
She found the others in town, helping the villagers mend a broken fence, damaged in the attack. At first they were afraid from the shocked look on her face that their friend and companion had left them for good, but her smile assured them that he was still among the living.
"He's awake, but, well, he's not quite himself…"
She trailed off for a moment, then, all in a rush,
"It's just not natural for him to say things like that! He's asking for you, Miroku…"
Miroku, once again alarmed, hurried of in the direction of Kaede's hut. Sango, biting her lip in worry, looked after him until he was out of sight. So it was that Kaede was the only one to see Kagome's dazzling smile as she hugged herself with one arm and touched her lips again. Kaede chuckled quietly to herself. She'd seen many a village girl do the same, and knew full well what it meant.
"Unnatural for him, indeed…"
She grinned as she went back to work.
END