Chapter 4: Kagome-The Living Dead
Kagome woke to a gentle hand stroking her back. She looked up, into Inuyasha's warm gold eyes, and smiled.
"Hey."
Inuyasha smiled, and pulled Kagome up to cradle her in his lap. He bent his head close, and kissed her passionately on the lips. She moaned, and put her arms around his neck. He laughed huskily, and pulled her back.
"I love you Kagome."
She stared happily into his eyes.
"I love you too, but you already know that."
"Well, it's really nice to hear you say it out loud."
She hugged him close.
"I love you, Inuyasha."
He hugged her tight, and sighed.
"You sound so seducing when you say it like that."
Kagome pulled back, and raised any eyebrow.
"Really?"
He nodded, and blushed. Kagome kissed him fiercely, and whispered in his ear.
"I like that."
He laughed nervously, and carefully got up with Kagome. They changed into proper clothing, and Kagome went out to get some eggs from the village chickens. Inuyasha leaned against the wall, breathing deeply. It was hard to know, to know that one day Kagome would die. He knew that it was inevitable, but a horrifying thought all the same. Kagome was worried that he wouldn't love her when she got old like Kaede. But how could he not? She had taught him how to laugh, to love, and have friends that accepted him. She was the most important thing in his life, and he would rather die than stop loving her. Inuyasha knew that he wouldn't be able to be happy long after she died, so he vowed to die shortly after Kagome, maybe even with her. He'd do anything to be with her forever.
Kagome walked in, a handful of eggs carefully cradled in a small basket.
"Inuyasha, could you please go get me some peppers from the garden?"
Inuyasha nodded, and went out to the small garden next to their hut. He had never known the difference between them, not until Kagome taught him that is. He pondered, and looked from the bell shaped vegetable. He spotted a bright green one, and picked it. He went inside to Kagome, and found her rubbing her hand that she had cut.
"What's wrong Kagome, your hand hurts?"
She nodded.
"It burns a little, like I got some lemon juice in it, but it's nothing, don't worry."
He grabbed a small knife, and began to cut the pepper into small pieces. It had taken him a long time to figure out how to use a small blade, in place of his Tetseiga to cut things. But with Kagome's help, he had gotten it. He piled them on the stone platter, and watched Kagome cook. She put a thin metal pan over the fire on a tripod, and cracked some eggs on it. She took a some chopsticks, and scrambled them until they were all yellow. With a poker, she encouraged the fire, making it burn hotter. The eggs began to bubble and cook. She tossed the peppers in, and a pinch of salt from a jar. With a few more whisks, the eggs were finished. She scraped them into two bowls, and handed one to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha snatched up his chopsticks, and attacked his meal. Kagome laughed, and ate her eggs while watching him. When she was nearly done, her hand began to burn again. She put her bowl down, and turned her hand to look at the cut. It was red, and slightly swollen. She grabbed a mint leaf from a small pouch she kept, and held it to the cut. The soothing properties of the leaf helped, but only to a small degree. Inuyasha watched her take care of her hand, and remembered how she used to bring back medicine from her era. But now, she was here to stay.
She sighed, and put the leaf on the table. Inuyasha put his empty bowl down.
"Your hand still hurting?"
She shrugged.
"It's on and off, just some burning, It'll heal up soon though, I'll be fine."
He nodded, and they both went outside. Inuyasha turned to Kagome.
"Kagome, you know how you said to give Koga that sleeping stuff?"
She nodded.
"Well, Kaede said that he still hasn't woken up, it that okay?"
Kagome shrugged.
"Koga is a demon; he's not used to this stuff. He'll probably be that way for a few days."
Inuyasha nodded, and spotted Miroku coming towards them.
"Hey Miroku! What's up?"
Miroku clapped Inuyasha on the shoulder.
"Another demon, a little far from here, but I heard that it was a big one this time. Can you come assist me?"
Inuyasha glanced sideways at Kagome. She waved a hand.
"I'll be fine, don't worry about me. You go help."
Inuyasha nodded, and ran with Miroku towards the eastern route out of the village. Kagome smiled, and put a hand up to shield her eyes. It was a bright summer day, and a nice one. She walked to Sango's hut, and peered in. Sango was there, rocking the baby as it cried. Sakura and Akemi were running rampant around the hut, calling shrilly to one another. Sango looked up.
"Kagome, could you occupy the girls? I can't take care of them while Saburo is like this."
Kagome nods, and grabs to the two girls by their hands. She squatted down to their level, and whispered.
"Should we see if Shippo wants to play with us?"
The girls faces lit up, and screamed.
"Shippo! Shippo! Yay!!!!"
Kagome smiled at Sango, and led the girls outside. They skipped happily, and giggled. Once they reached Kaede's hut, they went inside. Shippo was there, looking at his fox magic laid before him. Looking up, he quickly put them back in his jacket. The girls frequently sabotaged his stuff, and he wouldn't let that happen again. The girls ran to Shippo, and knocked him over.
"Shippo! Play, play!!!"
He sat up, and looked at Kagome.
"We were headed to the grass field, want to play with us?"
Shippo nodded, and another head popped in the door.
"Can I come?"
Rin asked. Sesshomaru had left her in a human village for her own good. He would come get her when she was old enough to take care of herself. But still, she missed him very much.
"Sure, Rin."
Rin smiled.
"Okay everyone, let's go!"
The girls screamed, and grabbed each of Kagome's hands. Shippo and Rin walked on each side of Kagome, holding one of the twins' hands. They all walked down the dusty road until they were at the forest. They walked into the forest, under the shade of all the trees, and peered around them. Birds flew from tree to tree, singing happy songs, and squirrels chattered to one another on the ground. After walking for several minutes, they emerged in a field of tall grass.
"Okay guys, I'm going in, first one to find me wins! Count to ten, then come look for me!"
Kagome let go of their hands, and plunged into the grass. She ran deeper and deeper until she found a patch that had been flattened by many hide-go-seek games. She sat down, and listened attentively for the children's' approach.
"Eight! Nine! TEN!!!"
The girls screamed, and the grass began to rustle. Kagome smiled, and hugged her knees. As soon as she did, fiery pain lanced up her arm. With a cry, she hugged it to her chest. She looked at her cut, and saw it dark red, and more swollen than before. It strained against the thread, threatening to cause more pain. She breathed heavily, and blew gently on the cut. Her cool breath soothed it, but didn't last long. More grass rustled, and she heard Shippo panting. It faded away, and she could only hear the rustle of grass again.
Another bolt of pain shot up her arm, and spots speckled her vision. She cried out again, and clutched it harder to her chest. Rin burst out from the grass.
"I found you Kagome! I---what's wrong Kagome?" She knelt by Kagome, and looked at her face.
"Are you in pain? What hurts? I could go get some herbs, Kaede taught me about some that make things feel better…"
Kagome shook her head. Shippo burst through the tall grass, holding both of the twins' hands.
"Are you okay Kagome? Should I go get Kaede?"
Kagome shook her head.
"No, I think I just need to go get more sleep. Let's go everyone."
Kagome stood up, and walked out of the grass. The children followed after her, clamoring their concern. They walked out of the forest, and emerged on the dusty road again. The girls were quiet, sucking their thumbs and their eyelids drooping. They went to Sango's hut, and found Sango just putting Saburo to sleep. She looked up.
"Oh, thank you so much Kagome. You're a real help."
Kagome smiled, and the girls stumbled towards their mom.
"I think they need a nap, and by the sound of it, Miroku and Inuyasha are back."
It did. Kagome could hear them talking about the demon, Inuyasha commenting on how weak it was. They walked in, and Kagome smiled.
"Perfect timing. Sango, you and Miroku can be alone for awhile once the twins are put to sleep."
Sango brightened.
"We haven't had some time together for some time…"
Kagome waved a hand.
"Take Kirara. Go somewhere nice for a while. I'll keep an eye on the girls."
Miroku turned.
"Really Kagome? That'd be great."
"Sure, sure. Go ahead. You have the opportunity, so go!"
They both smiled. Inuyasha came behind Kagome, and hugged her.
"You're too kind. You do so much for everyone."
Kagome leaned into his chest.
"I love them, that's why. I don't mind."
He watched Sango and Miroku tuck the girls under some covers. They sang softly to them, and patted their backs until they closed their eyes, asleep. Kagome stiffened in his arms.
"Kagome…"
She grasped her arm to her chest, and shook slightly.
"Kagome, what's wrong?"
He turned her to face him, and saw small tears gathering in her eyes. He took her hand, and looked at the cut. To his horror, it was purple, and hot to the touch. Kagome gasped in pain, and collapsed against him, crying softly.
Sango and Miroku looked up in alarm. Inuyasha led Kagome out of the hut, and around back. Alone in Sango's little yard, he cradled Kagome against him. She trembled, and breathed shallowly. He kissed her forehead, and looked at her.
"Kagome, why didn't you tell me it was getting worse?"
She shook her head.
"I don't think it's the cut, I—ah!"
She cried out, and curled protectively around her hand. Inuyasha stood up, and wrapped an arm around Kagome's waist.
"Let's get you to Kaede, maybe she can—"
Kagome gasped, and collapsed to the ground in a heap.
"Kagome! Kagome wake up!"
He gathered her in his arms, and looked at her face. It was streaked with tears, and her hand was feverishly hot against his chest. He jumped to Kaede's hut, and burst in.
"Kaede, something's wrong with Kagome!"
Kaede looked up.
"Aye, is it her hand, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha set her down across the cot.
"I, I don't know, she said it wasn't the cut, but she didn't finish what she was saying."
Kaede took Kagome's hand, and examined it.
"It is infected Inuyasha, but nothing could do this much damage to her so quickly."
Inuyasha was about to speak when Kagome whispered.
"Blood…it isn't mine…I touched his blood…I touched demon blood…"
Kagome was still unconscious, but had talked, sleep talked. Inuyasha looked up at Kaede.
"Can it be my blood she's talking about? When she was cleaning my wounds from Koga?"
Kaede nodded.
"Your demon blood could have infected young Kagome."
