There is only one more chapter after this! Yes, just one! So, without further ado, here it is!

Disclaimer: blah…

Kagome awoke to the sound of whispers and opened her eyes to see a white tiled ceiling. "Was I just…dreaming?" she murmured.

"Oh good, you're awake." She turned her head to see her mother smiling at her. "I hope you don't mind, but your friends came to visit as soon as they heard about your accident."

Ayumi came over to the bedside. "Too bad about archery camp, huh?"

Next came Eri and Yuka. "I wouldn't go back there again until they've cleared out all the hemlock," Eri said.

Yuka grinned mischievously. "I wonder what Hojo will bring for you this time." Kagome turned her head to look out the window. "Wh-what's wrong, Kagome?"

"I'm just a little tired, she replied, closing her eyes and pretending to sleep.

"We should let her rest," Ayumi said quietly. "We can always visit her tomorrow." They filed out of the room.

A moment later, her mother put a hand on her arm. "Kagome, it's getting late, and Sota's tired. I'm going to take him home, alright?"

"Alright Mom," she said, smiling weakly.

"Do you want me to come back and stay the night with you?"

"No, that's alright. I'll be fine."

Sota came over to the bed and gave her a hug. "I'm glad you're okay, sis," he said sleepily.

"Me too. Now, go on home and get some rest, 'kay?"

When they had left, Kagome turned her attention to the window, watching the now darkening sky.

"Yes, I know visiting hours are almost over, but I really need to talk to her. I'll be quick, I promise!"

The nurse smiled. "Alright. Go on in."

"Thank you so much," Ayumi said, rushing down the hallway.

She felt the bed shift as someone sat on it, and looked up surprised. "Inu…InuYasha? I didn't know you were here." She sat up slowly, favoring her injured shoulder.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, not looking at her.

"I'm okay," she answered. "But what exactly happened. Why am I here? And why was everyone talking about hemlock?"

He clenched his fists, eyes narrowing. "The arrow Kikyo hit you with was poisoned." He mellowed, saying, "I'm sorry, Kagome. I should have been there to protect you."

She saw the tear fall, and it broke her heart. "InuYasha, don't cry. It's my fault for being stupid and overconfident and not waiting for you." She put her hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault."

He turned to face her, and their eyes met. Slowly, he leaned in towards her, gently pressing his lips against hers. She didn't pull away, but instead deepened the kiss, closing her eyes against the bittersweet tears that threatened to fall.

Ayumi hesitated outside the door. She didn't want to interrupt, but she urgently needed to talk to Kagome. When their kiss ended, she opened the door a little and stuck her head in.

Both InuYasha and Kagome turned around, blushing. "Uh, Kagome, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Um, sure, Ayumi," she consented.

"I'll be quick," she said, closing the door behind her. "I just want to know what's really been going on when you aren't at school. No one could possibly get sick that much, and I'm worried. She looked at the floor, embarrassed. "I sound nosy, don't I?"

Kagome smiled halfheartedly. "I guess I better tell you, but you have to keep it a secret okay?"

"Alright," Ayumi agreed, eager for the truth.

"I've been…um…going back in time 500 years to the feudal era through the ancient well in my family's shrine."

Ayumi stared blankly at her. "And InuYasha, is, well, a half-demon. See his ears?" Much to his embarrassment, she removed his hat for Ayumi to see. "We've been gathering the shards of the Shikon Jewel, which I accidentally shattered, and now that it's whole again, we're trying to figure out what to do with it." Kagome's eyes widened. "InuYasha, where is it?"

"Right here," he said, pulling it out. "I thought it would be dangerous for the others if it was left with them.

"Good thinking," she said, putting it around her neck.

"Is that it?" Ayumi asked in disbelief. "It's so beautiful."

"But it's dangerous in the wrong hands. I have to protect it, and purify it."

"Purify it?"

Smiling ruefully, Kagome said, "I'm the reincarnation of the previous priestess to keep it. Unfortunately, she's the one who put me here." Seeing Ayumi's confusion, she went on to explain the situation as best she could, with InuYasha adding bits of information every now and then.

One more after this! So review, and I'll happily put it up! Okay?