Chapter 7

She could feel the warm ray of sunlight kissing her cheeks and the bright light of day illuminating her world. Distantly, she noted a weight by her side. She felt like she'd had a 100 pound rock dropped on her and her muscles felt stiff and sore. Nevertheless, she forced herself to open her eyes, blinking to clear them of grogginess. The weight shifted.

"Oi."

Ah, InuYasha? She turned her head and sure enough, those golden eyes stared uncertainly back at her.

"Wha-?" She winced, her mouth was dry and it felt like needles prickled her throat. She raised her left hand to her throat trying to ease the discomfort while slowly pushing herself into a sitting position.

InuYasha turned away from her for a moment, reaching over to the desk for a glass of water. "Here," he all but shoved the glass into her hands.

Blinking in surprise at his thoughtful, albeit gruff, treatment, she gave him an appreciative smile and a slight nod of thanks before taking small sips of water, quenching her thirst. She brought the cup down to rest in her lap trying to recall the events of the previous night. Was it the previous night? How long had she been asleep?

Looking up, she found InuYasha's eyes moving up and down the length of her body before they settled on her eyes with an intensity that made her heart leap into her throat. She blushed. What was he searching for? "What is it?"

His eyes narrowed and his head tilted upwards and then, he sniffed! She thought, eyes widening in perplexity. What is he –

"You're fine now." He stated it as a fact, not a question.

Not quite sure what to make of it, she nodded in agreement.

"Feh," was all he said before he made his abrupt exit from the room.

Kagome tilted her head in confusion. What a strange man, I've married...no, youkai. A strange youkai, indeed…

OoOoO

"Ah! InuYasha! You've left your vigil at last! How fairs the fine missus today?" Miroku's cheeky grin greeted him as soon as he stepped out onto the deck.

"Feh." Clearly, he wasn't in the mood for talking.

"Really now, you must have some update on her condition…sitting by her side all day and night." Miroku wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. What an irritating man.

"She's fine," was all InuYasha managed.

"Is…is she awake yet?" Shippou's timid voice softened his mood slightly…slightly.

He had barely managed to nod before Shippou took off running down the stairs, no doubt to visit Kagome. He'd been miserable the entire time and inconsolable over the incident, blaming himself for Kagome's fever. At least he won't be moping around uselessly anymore.

"My, that's just swell! It must have been all of your tender love and care that nursed her back to health so quickly!"

"Fuck off Miroku!" Not in the mood to be disturbed, he leaped up to the crow's nest relieving the crewman of his duty there. He needed time alone, time to think.

His eyebrows furrowed as he contemplated his reaction to the whole ordeal: the way his heart seemed to wrench itself from his chest the moment he saw her leap from the ship; the feeling of pure, cold, dread which washed over him when he couldn't find her; the desperation to save her; and the feeling of guilt and helplessness when she caught a fever. The emotions had been unexpected, and yet, even thinking about the past few days caused a resurgence of anxiety and fear as if it were all happening all over again. Why? He wondered. He barely knew the girl, and yet…

Not knowing what to make of it all, his confusion melted away to anger – anger at her for not listening, for disobeying him, for risking her life (and his), for getting sick, and for being stupid, and frail, and human, and for being so much goddamned trouble!

"Feh! Stupid bitch!" He was pissed, and he would damn well make sure she knew it! …Later.

OoOoO

She was still sitting in the same position InuYasha had left her in when she realized that her clothes felt odd against her skin. Looking down, she found herself wearing a white silk sleeping dress. She blushed hard when she realized she hadn't changed herself and that…well she hadn't seen any women on the ship so…who… The rapid pitter patter of feet drew her from her thoughts. The door burst open and a red ball of fluff hurled itself at her wailing "KAGOOOOMEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

"Shi-" the wind was knocked out of her but she curled her arms around the fox kit even as she sputtered trying to put air back in her lungs.

Her eyes softened listening to Shippou's incoherent babbling through tears and snot, his small frame shaking violently against her. Eyes brimming with tears, she nuzzled the top of his head affectionately. "I'm sorry, Shippou," she whispered, quieting and stilling the boy at once.

Shippou pulled back, placing his small hands on her face. "Why are YOU sorry, Kagome?" His face scrunched as he valiantly fought against new tears, "I was the one who put you in danger! If I hadn't fallen off, you wouldn't have had to come get me and then you wouldn't be sick and, and, and, and I thought … you were so…" His lips quivered.

Kagome reached up, grasping his small hands in hers, bringing them close to her heart. "I'm okay now Shippou. See? Can't you feel how strong my heart beats?"

Shippou's green eyes sharpened and he stared intently back into her eyes - trying to ascertain if she was telling the truth or not, no doubt. Kagome continued her reassurance. "Even InuYasha said I'm okay and, I'm a little tired, but seeing you has made my strong again, see?" She threw him up into the air, eliciting a squeal of surprise and excitement, before catching him and clutching him to her again. "I'm sorry I scared you, Shippou, but I am so very glad that you're okay."

"Kagome," Shippou pulled out of her hug to sit on her lap and reached for her hands, which she gave him while trying to restrain the smile that threatened to escape lest she ruin the seriousness of the moment for him, "How…how do human make promises?"

She blinked in surprise. She hadn't been expecting that question. "Well, Shippou…I don't know about other humans, but shall I show you what my people do?" At his enthusiastic nod, she smiled, and tilted her head resting her forehead against his, noses touching. Shippou relaxed at the touch. He could smell her and feel her in a way that reached beyond his youkai senses. He could feel her existence wrapping itself around him, like a mother's embrace, and yet his hands were still in hers. He couldn't explain it, but…he felt safe… he felt…at home. "What shall I promise you, my little warrior?" Kagome's whisper broke him from his reverie. He didn't want to lose this moment. He didn't want to lose her.

"Promise me, you won't leave me, Kagome?" He sounded so small and vulnerable.

Kagome hesitated and pulled back from the touch. Could she really promise such thing? Taking a deep breathe, she lay her forehead against his again and swore with all sincerity and solemnity, "I promise I will do everything in my power not to." She placed a soft kiss on his forehead, sealing their promise and giggled as Shippou flushed and flashed her a goofy smile. He gave her a firm hug and hopped off her bed.

"I should go make dinner, now. I, ah…the food wasn't…when you…well…I think the crew will be hungry tonight." Shippou gave her another sheepish smile, but his look turned to one of utter determination. "What do you want to eat, Kagome? I'll make you anything you want!"

She couldn't help but giggle. "Anything would be lovely, Shippou. I'd gladly eat anything you make. You're by far the best chef I've ever had the pleasure of meeting!" She could warmth flood her chest when he beamed enthusiastically at her praise. Before she could say another word, he was out the door whistling a tune as he went.

"Well, Kagome…I think it's time we get up and stretch these muscles!" Even as she turned to place her feet on the ground she grimaced. Her muscles were tight and unworked. Just how long had she slept? This wouldn't do. She needed a good stretch. With her back to the door, she set about twisting and turning to loosen her muscles. She was in the middle of doing splits when –

"Sweet mother have mercy on me…"

Startled, Kagome turned her torso to see Miroku standing mouth agape at the door. Cocking her head in confusion she waited for him to say more. When he didn't, she cleared her throat bringing him back to reality.

"Dear gods, Lady Kagome, tell me not all of your women are as…flexible as you?"

Realizing how it must have looked to him, Kagome quickly tucked her legs under her before standing up to great her visitor. She could feel heat rising in her cheeks. She clasped her hands behind her back shrugged, trying to act nonchalantly. How embarrassing… "Is it an admirable trait amongst youkai, Miroku?"

Miroku swallowed thickly, clearing his throat before answering. If InuYasha caught him gawking, he'd be dead. "To some, you could say it's viewed as being…an asset."

Kagome nodded, an awkward silence following. Clearing her throat, Kagome decided to change the topic. "Miroku, could you tell me what happened?" Kagome sat down on the bed, trying to piece together the events in her own mind. She could remember snippets of events, but couldn't create a coherent story.

"You don't remember anything?" Miroku asked gently, sitting down on the desk chair across from her.

"Just bits and pieces, I'm afraid. I remember the storm, and I remember Shippou falling into the water…I think I went after him?"

Miroku nodded. "You dove right in, my lady. You shoved some rope in my hands and ordered me to throw it out to you. You swam, gods, you swam like a sea nymph, you were so fast!" she flushed prettily at the praise, "and then you had Shippou and we pulled him back onto the ship as fast as we could, but by the time we had him, you'd disappeared and we didn't know where you'd gone. InuYasha…I've never seen him look so afraid, but he must have seen you, because he went in and was able to find and pull you up back on board the ship."

Her shock and surprise must have registered on her face, for Miroku chuckled at little bit. "He may be a little rough around the edges, my lady, but he has a good heart. He risked his life to save you, and then when you caught a fever-"

"I had a fever?" A chill swept over her body. Fevers could pass as quickly as they came or they could consume a person's body with deadly heat.

"Yes, my lady. Three days you slept. Jinenji, our doctor, wasn't sure you'd…but he's the best, you know? And well, now you're all better."

Kagome turned her brown eyes to him. The warmth and sincerity he found there froze him momentarily. This girl was certainly something else. "Thank you, Miroku."

He swallowed. "It's not me you should thank, my lady. InuYasha didn't leave your side the entire time you slept. He didn't even eat, and I'm not sure he even slept." Kagome's eyes widened. "I better get back to my duties. I am most glad that you are well, my lady." He smiled charmingly and was soon gone. He may be a lecher, but he has a kind soul. Kagome smiled at the thought of a new potential friend. And then there was InuYasha…

Closing the door to her room, she opened up the chest, rummaging through it for her clothes. She pulled out tanned, deer skin dress and slipped over her head. It was sleeveless, though it had a high neckline, and clung tightly to her curves, stopping just a few inches above her knee. Running a comb quickly through her long tresses, she gave herself a quick look-over in the full length mirror. She didn't know why, but the thought of finding InuYasha and thanking him made her palms sweaty, her hurt race, and her stomach flutter. She wanted to look presentable at least. Perhaps, their marriage could work... It was, after all, a new day.

XxXxX

Ehehehehe….a long hiatus, I know…I'm sorry about that, but life happened x.x Hopefully it's smooth sailing from here on out! I'm a little rusty now, but hopefully this chapter was okay. I know it was a little slow moving, but …there'll be more to come in the next chapter and definitely more interaction between our two love birds!

Ta ta for now,

Sylvien