Kagome's Recuperation

There was cotton in her ears and in her mouth. Her body was sore and weak, it hurt just to breathe. It was hard to think beyond the pain but Kagome knew she should try to find out what had happened to her. Where am I? Where's Inuyasha? …What's wrong with me?

For long moments Kagome lay there unable to move or to really wake up. Sleep was pulling on her but she had to try to at least open her eyes. It took forever but finally her eyes opened to mere slits. She saw red and panic had her waking up a bit more. Kagome closed her eyes and wondered if she was bleeding. It was as she lay there scared to death that she felt a strong heartbeat. Her own was racing but this other was steady. It was reassuring. I'm not alone! Inuyasha! It has to be Inuyasha. …The red…his robe jacket – it has to be!

It was then that she became aware that she was actually lying on top of him. She'd been so disoriented and in pain that she hadn't even realized that she was being held by Inuyasha, resting face down on his warm chest. Again Kagome tried opening her eyes to see where they were or even just to see Inuyasha's face but the effort was too much. All she could confirm was the Robe of the Fire Rat but that was enough. Sighing Kagome relaxed against Inuyasha. She guessed he was sleeping for he hadn't moved when she had. That was a worrying thought. Inuyasha sleeps so lightly, a cricket nearby would normally wake him! Whatever had happened to her had also affected Inuyasha. Oh! His hand cupped her head then slid down her spine. Inuyasha sighed and held her gently. Kagome felt tears in her eyes. He's okay! Thank God! Her relief was instant and she felt sleepy again. It didn't matter where they were. She was with Inuyasha and he was holding her. She was safe with him, always with him. Kagome pressed her ear against his chest and let his heartbeat lull her back to sleep.

It was late in the afternoon before Kagome woke up again. Some of the cotton in her head had been removed and after only a few minutes, Kagome recognized Inuyasha's presence. They had shifted from their original position. She was now on her side, head on Inuyasha's arm and he was behind her with his other arm over her waist. This closeness was new for them but Kagome wasn't upset or had any thought to complain. It was new and…she liked it.

No if she was going to wonder or worry about something, it was where they were and what had happened to them. She knew they were inside someplace but that's it. There were no voices just the sounds of nature around them. Kagome couldn't tell if he was awake but she didn't want to wait any longer, she called his name. Or she tried. It took a couple of attempts to get her voice to work. "Inu- yasha?"

He'd been dozing on and off since morning. Yeah he recovered his strength faster than humans but for some reason, lying here next to Kagome, Inuyasha found it hard to stay out of the land of dreams. At the sound of her voice, he started. Carefully Inuyasha sat up and at the same time, turned Kagome over so he could see her face.

"Hey, you finally woke up!" Inuyasha smiled at her. "Jinenji's mom thought you wouldn't wake up until tomorrow." His hand cupped her face then tested her forehead for fever. "Are you alright Kagome?" He kept trying to remember all the things his own mother used to do when he was sick.

Kagome was confused. Jinenji? And though she wanted answers, Kagome was captivated by the look on Inuyasha's face. There was such tenderness but also worry for her and happiness too. It made her feel…special. "Tired…weak. Inuyasha…what…happened?" Blinking she suddenly remembered that they had been traveling to Jinenji's home but she had no idea of how they'd gotten there. Before either could speak, another voice spoke up.

"Well since I hear voices back there, I'm guessing our girl is awake hmm?" Jinenji's mom moved aside the screen shielding the couple and looked down at the children, Jinenji standing behind her. "Look at you! You've surprised me girl, I didn't think we'd be talking to you so soon. Another day at least or so I thought." She chuckled pleased to be wrong. You, Inuyasha – sit her up." The old woman knelt so she could look Kagome over. "Yep, looks like that medicine did the trick! I bet you gotta pee something awful." She grinned at Kagome who blushed. "Out! Go on outside while I help Kagome."

Embarrassed the boys did as they were told but both were grinning because Kagome was awake and doing much better. They waited anxiously to get back inside but didn't enter until the old woman told them to. Inuyasha wasted no time crossing the floor sitting at Kagome's side. She looked flushed and was panting a little. It must have tired her out, relieving herself since she was again lying down. "You okay?" Automatically he touched her face making sure the fever hadn't come back.

"Yeah, yeah I think so." Kagome's voice was still weak so she was practically speaking in a whisper. "Inuyasha, what happened? I asked but she wouldn't tell me." Kagome frowned at the quiet old woman and tried to sit up but the struggle had her falling back again. "Uh! Inuyasha…I want to sit up – please." Kagome held out a hand to him.

Inuyasha frowned thinking she should lay still but took her hand. He looked to Jinenji then the old woman. Both shrugged. Not sure this was a good idea, Inuyasha once again pulled Kagome into a sitting position but scooted around behind her so that she could rest against his body.

"Would you like some tea Kagome?" Jinenji asked politely. She was the first girl to ever really smile at him. Just being close to her made him feel shy.

"Yes please." Kagome managed a smile for him and chuckled as he hurried away but he returned almost as quickly with her tea.

"Here you go. I've made it very weak so it shouldn't bother your stomach. Tomorrow you can have some broth and maybe some bread." Jinenji squatted down and handed her the tea. "I'm happy that you're feeling better Kagome."

"Thanks Jinenji." Kagome reached for the cup but her hands shook so much that she almost spilled the cup. "What is wrong with me?" She gasped and blinked as Inuyasha saved the cup from falling to the floor.

"Nothing. Not now anyway." Inuyasha said quietly and held the cup to Kagome's mouth. "Here, drink." He urged guessing that her throat must be dry. Kagome only stared at him for a couple of minutes then sighed and sipped at the warm tea.

While she drank, Inuyasha was dreading telling her what happened. It was because of him that she was in this condition. He waited until she finished the tea and he'd handed the cup back to Jinenji before explaining. "So umm, do you remember us stopping at the hot spring? We stopped there for the night." Inuyasha teased her memory.

Kagome wrinkled her forehead. "Vaguely. Did something happen?"

"Well…you wanted a bath and you were taking one when…dammit Kagome – you were attacked by a demon! It lived in that spring. I got you out and thought you'd be okay but you got worse! You were sick and just managed to tell me to bring you here!" He was angry, not at Kagome but the demon and himself. Inuyasha pointed at Jinenji's mom. "She said the demon put some kind of toxin in you then they made some medicine and it took all damn day but well you got better!" He finished quickly and looked ashamed when she turned just enough to see his face, her eyes wide and blinking. "Sorry Kagome. I was supposed to protect you. That demon – I should have known it was there! This is all my fault. I really am sorry." Inuyasha finished quietly looking down at the floor.

Kagome was slightly shocked at Inuyasha's attitude and she dropped her own head trying to recall what did happen. She knew he would never let a demon attack her if he could help it. "Oh! Yes, now I remember!" Kagome looked up at Jinenji and his mom, even Inuyasha but he wouldn't meet her gaze. "I'd just rinsed my hair when something pulled me under the water. I couldn't get free and the last thing I remember was seeing you Inuyasha." Kagome reached for his hand and held it until he looked at her. "You came to get me and I couldn't breathe but I wasn't worried…because I knew you would save me Inuyasha." Kagome gave him a soft smile of thank you but Inuyasha continued to frown and look upset.

"You almost died! Kagome I didn't sense that demon! I didn't know it was there and I should have! You never would have been hurt if only I'd been paying attention!" Inuyasha was steeped in self-hate.

Jinenji's mom had heard enough. "Oh shut up! So you're so powerful and your sense of smell is so great that you can smell a demon living underwater? All of a sudden you know where all demons are at all times?" Her voice was caustic and derisive as she questioned Inuyasha.

Now there was a questioning frown on Inuyasha's face. "Well no but still I should have -." He stopped when the old woman cut him off.

Her arms flew up in the air. "Should have? Boy do you realize that Kagome is right there, in your arms because you did everything possible to save her? You killed it! That demon is dead and you got her help when she needed it! Inuyasha you helped take care of her without resting and without complaint until you were sure she was out of danger!" Jinenji's mom stopped to take a breath. "I say you did everything exactly right. Demons will always be around and you can only do your best to protect her and others and I believe that's what you did." She crossed her arms nodding at him.

Kagome was quick to agree. "She's right Inuyasha! Please don't blame yourself for something you had no way of knowing about. It wasn't your fault! Besides you were there when I needed you to be. I know I can always trust you to look out for me Inuyasha." Her voice was shy but Kagome held tightly to his hand.

Inuyasha was embarrassed, looked away from her and cleared his throat several times. "Uh, yeah – okay."

She smiled then looked up at Jinenji. "Did he really help take care of me?" Inuyasha was fighter, a warrior – not a nurse!

Jinenji laughed. "Oh yes! He did everything Ma told him to do. The only time Inuyasha would leave your side was to eat. Even then he ate so quickly that he was back at your side in moments!" And he wasn't exaggerating. Once Inuyasha said he would help, he helped.

Kagome was impressed. She looked up at him and saw him blushing. Though it stole some of her energy, Kagome turned to hug him and sighed gratefully when he returned it. "Thank you Inuyasha. Thank you for always being there." She looked up and laughed gently as his face turned even redder.

"Well then, now that all the explanations are done you need more sleep girl! It will be a while yet before you feel like yourself again and the rest of us could use some sleep too." With Jinenji's help she stood. "I know its early but I'm going to bed! 'Night!" Evening hadn't yet arrived but the old woman was tired and shuffled off to her room.

"Goodnight and thanks!" Kagome called after her.

"My pleasure girl. I'd do anything for friends of my Jinenji." She smiled back at them then slid her door closed.

"I'm really happy you're doing better Kagome. It's going to take time for you to recover and I hope we'll get to talk some over the next few days. I've got a few things to finish outside so I'll see you in the morning okay?" Jinenji was hunched over his eyes touching her face shyly then looking away.

"Sure, I'd like that Jinenji. Thank you again." Kagome nodded as the giant left the hut. Just mentioning sleep was making her tired and she yawned. Jinenji nodded then left them alone.

"Right. Time for you to go back to sleep." Inuyasha pulled away and helped her to lie down and get comfortable. "I'm going to be right over here so if you need anything just call okay?" He fixed the screen before Kagome then started to move off to a corner where he would sit and watch over her.

"Inuyasha wait." Kagome hesitated, she was about to change things between or maybe things had changed back at the hot spring. It was a risk but… "You stayed by side all this time." She saw him nod. "Won't you please stay with me now? I'd – I'd really like it if you held me. I like…being close to you." She was scared he'd say no but she held his amber gaze.

Inuyasha was surprised but he didn't show it. His heart thumped heavily in his chest. Kagome wants me to hold her! Inuyasha made up his mind. Putting his sword within arm's reach, he moved next to Kagome and she turned on her side to face him.

"Thank you Inuyasha." She curled her fingers into his jacket, snuggled into his chest and sighed more content than she'd ever thought she'd be. Kagome was asleep in moments but not before she heard a soft whisper from Inuyasha – 'I'd do anything for you Kagome.'

It was definitely the start of something new. From that moment on, the two of them always slept together. Inuyasha would lie down beside Kagome, both would smile then cuddle against one another – they were a couple.

~mg~

The next few days, Kagome and Inuyasha were never far away from each other. He helped her with everything. Kagome was so weak from being attacked and from the treatment that she couldn't even feed herself – Inuyasha fed her. It was embarrassing at first be he even dressed her when she was ready to go out. And of course Inuyasha carried her wherever she wanted to only thing he didn't do was help her bathe. Although he thought about it – a lot!

Spending time with Jinenji and his mother proved to be enjoyable. They all traded stories about each other – growing up, their travels and battles. Kagome and Inuyasha also learned about how to grow plants and make medicines. Jinenji learned a lot about where Kagome came from and asked hundreds of questions. His mother actually preferred the card games that Inuyasha told them about. Their time there was about Kagome's recovery but they were having fun too. Nor did they just stay on the farm but Inuyasha would carry Kagome into the village where the children were. She would watch as Inuyasha played with them.

A week went by and both knew they would be missed. They were supposed to be back at in the village, at Kaede's by now. Kagome talked to Inuyasha about this. "Maybe you should go back and let everyone know what happened. You can all come back for me later. I'll be fine for a few days." Kagome told him. She would miss him but didn't like to think of her friends worried about them.

"Uh – no. I'm not leaving you. Both of them are good at tracking and they've got Kirara. If they want to find us, we're not hard to find plus they knew we were coming here. If nothing else they'll stop by here to ask about us." Inuyasha played with her dark hair. "Besides, Miroku will enjoy any extra time he can get with Sango!" He laughed.

Kagome had to smile too. The two of them were sitting under a tree. Inuyasha was leaning against it and she against his chest. Kagome couldn't remember when she and Inuyasha were so happy and at ease with each other. Or as close, physically close as they had been this past week. Kagome didn't want him to go so she was happy to forget she'd said anything at all. "Okay, we'll wait." Her head dropped back onto his shoulder as her hands played with his claws.

Inuyasha sniffed the air and hummed. "See, problem solved! We'll wait and in the meantime, Jinenji's cooked something good. Let's go eat!" He hugged her from behind the scooped her up and ran for the hut.