Chapter Seven:

"How do ye feel child"?, asked an old and shaky voice. It sounded very feminine as I stirred from my black nothingness. I tried to sit up, but my head just felt pushed on and began to pound with pain. I grabbed my head and brought it to my knees for a moment as everything began to settle inside me. "Easy now. Don't want to upset the system and shock the nerves. Ye took a good lot of pain from that snake demon in the forest of Inuyasha"; said this voice. I knew she was speaking, but it all sounded so garbled.

"Ka...Kago...me...?", I moaned rubbing my temples. "She is fine dear one. Some bruising and a minor fracture. Ye on the other need to stop stressing thy body after such an event", encouraged the old woman. She patted my shoulder, caressed my cheek, and helped me to lay back down. Everything still felt like it might have been spinning a bit. I coul feel the prescence of Inuyasha; and I guess that he was probably sitting faithfully at Kagome's side. I am assuming that is because they have not heard anything about Kikyo for a very long time; then again Inuyasha has been growing more open to his feelings for Kagome too. Which is a very good thing. Those two truly belonged together. Like two birds of a feather.

"Lady Keade, I have picked up some of the sage, elf root, and spargus as you have asked", said a new voice. "Good. Very good. Now grab that pestel and grind up the sage with some of the myr petals", guided Keade with her wise voice of experience and tender care. This person did not hesitate to get right to work into helping make medicines and sedatives for the pain that I would feel. Whoever this man was, he was very sweet. While I was in and out of consciousness he would hold my hand, run his warm fingers through my hair and I think I even felt his lips in my hair; kissing my head once.

In about another week's time I gained more strength and stability. Enough so to be alert in what I was doing. I was able to sit up without too much pain, and look around at what was around me. "Oh... you're awake", said Miroku with an odd voice. He scrambled to his feet from the fire in the center of a very traditoinal Japanese house. He just left. Rushed outside, and my heart sank. Kagome, Inuyasha, and Lady Keade came inside to see me. "Oh thank God you're finally back to us"! Exclaimed Kagome with a sleeping Shippo in her arms. "What the hell were you thinking"!? Inuyasha was fuming as he crossed his arms and tapped his foot to the floor.

"I was thinking that I am a woman, an I needed some space with my friend. There was nothing wrong with what I did Inuyasha", I said sternly and slowly. I am sick and tired of him always gunning me for something. Like nothing is ever good enough. And you know what? That is perfectly fine with me. I don't NEED his approval. "Nothing wrong? You nearly died! AND you got Kagome in trouble, not mention Miroku got hurt because of YOU"! "Now Inuyasha, ye hav gone too f"-, Keade had begun to get on him for his harsh words as Kagome's red and furious face turned to him. She swung her hand back and gave him a hard, open palmed slap across the face; dragging him out by his ears and yelling.

Tears swelled up, and swimmed down my face as I sniffled into the air. Kaede felt extremely akward and didn't know what to do as she just stood there. Looking at me like I was some pathetic and lost kitten in a ditch during a rain storm. My heart had cracked and sunk into my stomach. I threw my blanket over and jolted out of bed. I stumbled outside and pushed my way past everyone. I could hear voices calling, but kept moving. I tripped, stubbed my toe, and fell into the dust. I got dirt all over, and scraped up my bruised skin. That made everything hurt all over.

Somehow, Miroku was right there by my side. He gently scooped me up in his arms and held me to his chest like a princess. I wanted to enjoy his warmth, and cry into his chest but; he looked at me with a frown and shook his head in disapproval. Have I really messed up that bad? He carried back to my bed where I was fed curry soup, and morphling to make me pass out.