I'm super happy that I got this out so quickly. I hope you all enjoy it!!
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.
Chapter 7
The sound attacked him first, the loud grating noise touched the deepest recesses of his brain all at once. His head was pounding by the time he thought to blink. If that were not enough, the potent odour of pollution made his nostrils burn, his eyes water and his throat tighten. A sneeze threatened him, but he pushed the urge away. He needed to be aware of Kagome before he let any weaknesses show.
Stumbling out of the well, he took in the hut that housed the structure before deciding that he needed to go up the stairs and out the old shoji doors. Doing just that, he was floored by how much the world had changed. Gone were the rolling hills of trees and greenery, and in its place were tall sky high structures that covered every inch of land that was visible to him.
Catching himself, he scanned the empty property for any signed of where Kagome could be. He tried to sniff out her scent, but the surrounding air was just too dirty for him to get a trace and hold it. The sneeze tried to come forth again, but with a growl, he forced it back.
He heard a commotion to the side and went to investigate, hoping against hope that he would find her.
.:o0o:.
When she came to once more, she was looking up into the tearful eyes of her mother, oh how she missed her. The older Higurashi woman chocked back a sob before cupping her daughter's sunken and pale cheek in her hand.
"My baby," she murmured as tears streamed down her face. Kagome attempted to smile at her but her mother merely smoothed out her cheek and cooed at her extremely ill daughter.
"We're going to carry you to the hospital and when you feel up to it, you can tell us," she paused, "me, what's been going on."
A small imperceptible nod was her answer.
"Sess-sesshoumaru." Kagome whispered, wanting to know where he was. She hoped he had made it through, she prayed that he had; she needed him.
"Kagome?" her mother questioned, but it was drowned by a baritone that brought tears to the young miko's eyes.
"Kagome."
.:o0o:.
The next time he called her, Kagome had Shippou help her in putting in the ornamental comb. She had gone home the very day and bought a cute little summer dress to match the ruby and sapphire tones of it.
She felt beautiful.
Walking out to the tree-line, she looked back and smiled nervously at Shippou, hoping against hope that Sesshoumaru would like it. After taking a deep breath, she met her Demon Lord by the largest tree on the path.
She noted that his eyes became fixated upon her in a way different than any other time he stared; a blush stole its way on her cheeks. She paused for a moment before walking into his awaiting arms.
"You look beautiful." He murmured in her ear, hugging her form to his and taking a deep inhale of her scent. Truth be told, seeing her in his colours invoked something in him. It was as if she was unconsciously solidifying that she was, or would be, his; and his chest felt lighter.
.:o0o:.
The drive to the hospital was……. eventful, to say the least. Introductions had been rushed and information swapped, explanations short and to the point as they all worried over the condition of the young Higurashi woman.
Mrs. Higurashi alternated between holding her daughter's hand and staring at the proclaimed inu youkai that only had eyes for her offspring. She could see his nostrils flare ever so often and see the constant twitching of his ear beneath his mane, but knew that he would not ask until they were sure and confident about Kagome's recovery.
Said girl was currently sleeping, they had called the paramedics to escort them and they immediately induced the girl into slumber. The Demon Lord had not taken it well and it took all she had for Mrs. Higurashi to calm him down and explain to him that what they were doing was good and he didn't need to kill anyone.
To say that the EMT's were shocked and quite possibly scared for their lives was an understatement, and she had to beg Souta and her father to go along with it to calm them down.
All in all, by the time they reached to the hospital, Mama Higurashi was tired.
.:o0o:.
Sango twitched nervously in her position on the floor of Kaede's hut. The slayer was positively antsy and just about ready to jump up and sprint to the well's clearing to ensure that her friend was safe and on the other side.
She glanced around the room as Kaede meditated and Miroku checked over his staff. She herself had Hiraikostu on her lap, a cloth for cleaning in one hand, but she could not find it in herself to begin the distraction.
Her best friend and soul sister was gravely ill and being taken home by a demon whom it was unsure whether or not he could reach her home. She wanted to pace, but knew that if she were to stand, there would be no stopping her from heading to the well.
She ran her hand through her hair in a show of her frustration. She twiddled her thumbs and her legs bounced irritably against the wooden flooring. After a bout a minute of trying to keep herself quite, she jumped up, ready to storm out of the hut.
Instead, the doorflap opened, letting a calm looking Shippou in. Sango's eyes zeroed in on the youkai kit, imploring him to give her good news.
"Don't worry Sango, they made it through." She spoke, and the girl released a big sigh of relief, sinking bonelessly onto the floor.
They had both made it past the portal of the well. Now, Kagome was able to get the treatment she would need from the healers of her time and come back to them healthy once more. A scowl overcame her face when her mind shifted to their absent Hanyou. Her eyes darkened as she went over mental planning of just what she was going to do to the miserable Halfling when he returned.
.:o0o:.
Things had been steadily going downhill for them from that night, that one night a few months ago. They thought he hadn't noticed his brother's scent hanging around the camp more often than not after a while. And while the knowledge hadn't deterred him from leaving to go meet Kikyo, it still made him uncomfortable that the bastard was near to his pack.
It was after that night that his relationship with Kagome (whatever it was) had been on the decline. Curiously it was also then that his relationship with Kikyo had started to strain.
At the time he had thought nothing of it; he was still getting what he wanted from both women. Then Kagome began to really pull away. And it was that damn asshole's fault. How dare he come sniff around his pack like some stray. And the wench! How dare she go to the bastard like some bitch in heat!
She always came back positively reeking of him, and he didn't like it. Not one bit. But instead of telling her, he decided to show her just how unhappy he was with her choice in men.
They were human and unknowing of demon customs, yes, but that shouldn't be a reason for him to behave like a true alpha should. And that's just what he was. He was the alpha of their group. But the wench disregarded his ire and upset with her and continued to see his most hated half-brother.
So logically, he spent more and more time away from camp.
And then, she got sick. He was worried for her, yes, but he was still pissed of as hell with her also. And in his mind, she had to earn her way back into his good graces before he would grace her with his concern.
The hanyou looked down at his dirty feet, remembering when Kikyo had indeed given him the herb with instructions to give it to Kagome. He admitted that it was out of spite that he had not. And now the wench was worse, the last time he saw her, it took all of his willpower to not flinch at the sour scent that had coated her.
Looking around at the trees that surrounded him, the hanyou took a deep breath. What Kikyo had said to him stung, she didn't want to stay with him anymore. Just like that.
But where did that leave him?
He was very sure that his pack currently wanted nothing to do with him after their last confrontation over the miko, and he was sure that they must have reached Kaede's by now, so there was no way he could go back there.
He briefly wondered how Kagome was fairing, but stomped the thought down before it could take root. He refused to think on her and ultimately her betrayal. And until she apologised for her bad judgement and denounce the asshole, he would not care what became of her.
His hearty twinged lightly but he ruthlessly shoved it away. She was in the wrong, and until she righted the situation, she was no friend of his.
.:o0o:.
Staring down at the woman who he had claimed as his own, Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands was terrified. Although her mother had said that all of what he was seeing was normal and would benefit them greatly, he was having a hard time wrapping his mind around the fact the injecting needles with liquids of varying colours and viscosities into the ill was a good thing.
The miko has yet to wake up from her induced slumber and he was beginning to get more than worried. Coupled with the fact that he had no inkling as to where they were or what any of the things surrounding him were, much less their purpose, he was understandably one frazzled Demon Lord.
Looking over at the small family taking up residence on the other side of Kagome's prone form, he inclined his head to Mrs. Higurashi. Hoping that she understood that he was conveying that he once more needed her aid.
Mama Higurashi, for the most part, had accepted that the tall handsome youkai in the hospital room with them that had traversed through the well to ensure her daughter's health was in love with said daughter and was dating her in the traditions taken by those of his kin.
She also had noticed that before succumbing to her sleep, Kagome had called the name of the very youkai, in a way one would a long lost lover. She had been worried at first, for both her daughter's honour and safety, but the male had adamantly set her to rights by telling her that he had the utmost respect for her daughter and had wished to meet her to speak about the relationship and hopeful…mating, in a less severe setting.
Looking up at him, she noticed his pleading, tired eyes and decided to take pity on the male that just may become her son-in-law and father of whatever grandbabies Kagome decided to give her. Walking over, she took a seat on the bed facing him and waited.
He seemed to be one of the types that only spoke when he had something worth saying, so she bided her time. Sure enough, he looked up at her, his eyes guarded as he asked his question.
"I would like to know what it is that I can do to help." He paused, seemingly laving trouble articulating what wanted. He was a proud man, she noted in that moment, and he was humbling himself before her to a family he didn't know for the woman he loved. Mrs. Higurashi decided right then and there that he would make a good husband for her daughter.
"Right now Sesshoumaru-sama, all we can do is wait for the doctors to come back with their diagnosis. They would then suggest treatment options and begin to treat her illness." She explained patiently, his face fell for a moment before he schooled his features back into stoicism. Se\he decided to have pity on him.
"They say that when unconscious, people respond positively when their loved ones hold their hands or talk to them" she looked behind her at her daughter's pale visage, "maybe if you hold her hand, she would feel it and wake up?"
A swift nod was all she received from the pale demon and she shifted out of his way as he scooted forward and gently grasped Kagome's small fragile hand.
.:o0o:.
"Do you really have to go?" she questioned, a slight whine to her tone that made her wince internally. His response was mind-numbing kiss that made her never want to leave his embrace.
"It would only be for a little while" he replied after they pulled apart, he looked down at her with warm honeyed orbs that made her blush. "And there will be nary a time that you are not in my thoughts."
She looked down at her school shoes, feeling ashamed of herself for whining about him having to do his duty to his lands. It was just that, she didn't want to be parted from him. Ever.
He tilted her chin up with his finger, leaning in to nuzzle her cheek lightly with his nose. "I will visit you as soon as I am able" he promised. She nodded once to show her understanding and clamped her arms around his waist, holding him tightly to her. A few tears escaped her eyes and she didn't know why, he was merely going to a meeting on the lands southern to his. It wasn't as if he were going on the other side of the world for an extended stay.
Her reaction to his pending absence made her realize just how much she had come to care for the Demon before her and just how much she came to depend on their nightly visits. Glancing up at him through her eye lashes, she wondered if he knew, or if he felt as strongly as she did.
She didn't want to end up loving more than was being reciprocated.
"I'm gunna miss you" she whispered to his chest, squeezing him once more before letting him go. She stepped back a step and wiped her face with the back of her hand and sniffed once.
He ran his hand down the side of her face lovingly, cupping her cheek, seemingly memorizing every detail.
"I will miss you so much more."
.:o0o:.
I hope you guys have taken notice that the flashbacks are getting shorter and shorter. Don't worry it's for a good reason. One which we should find out in the next chapter. Uhm… so theyre at the hospital, we get a look into Inu's reasoning and we see the FB where Sesshoum leaves.
I playing with having another date before his conference, but I haven't fully succumb to it XD.
Anyways, tell me what you think!!
Much love!!
-sora
