A/N: Thank you, Nenabae, for the wonderful review. I'll try not to have anyone hanging onto the edge of their seats too long.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.

Her Knight

Ch. 8

Inuyasha was first into Kagome's room the next morning. He had spent the previous night in a foul mood thanks to Miroku's teasing about his clothes and was in no mood for any excuses about why the priestess couldn't come home. She greeted him with smiles and out stretched hands until she saw the scowl on his face. Mama had wisely put down her purse and left the room to go talk to the nurse on duty. "What happened, are the others all right?"

"Keh, everyone's fine, Kagome. I wore these modern clothes back and Miroku took pot shots at them." The monk had if fact made thinly veiled innuendos about he and Kagome going out like a couple of teenagers and doing things that they had no business doing. The worst part hadn't been the teasing, it had been his demon half's ready agreement.

"There's nothing wrong with those clothes." Kagome blushed, thinking he looked very handsome in them. She'd thought the same yesterday. "Is there any other reason you're in a bad mood?"

"You are coming home, wench."

"Well, the doctor hasn't been in yet today but I'm sure he'll discharge me. I feel a lot better and I am rather sick of laying here. Will you help me to that chair by the window?" Inuyasha lifted her, sheets and all, and carried her to the appointed furniture. He arranged himself on the window ledge so that he could see the door to the room but she could see the view outside the window.

A nurse came in with a breakfast tray and the scent of undercooked scrambled eggs made the half demon's nose wrinkle in disgust. One look at the sickly yellow mass on the plate and Kagome pushed it away. "Guess it's a good thing your mother brought you some miso soup. I'll get her bag." He carefully lifted the deceptively small purse and had to wonder if all the Higurashi women packed their bags with bricks. Inuyasha let Kagome open it and take out the small bowl of soup. With the cup of tea provided, it was enough to satisfy the miko at least until she got home.

"I see you found the soup, dear. When Inuyasha told me what he thought the eggs smelled like to him I thought you'd like that more. As for getting out of here, we're just waiting for the doctor to get in. I brought you some regular clothes, Kagome. After you're done eating, I'll help you change." Mama went to her bag and pulled out clothing for her daughter. The seemingly endless bunch of items had Inuyasha opening his mouth when he'd meant to keep it shut.

"How is it possible to put all that stuff in there? Is it a bottomless pit?" Both females giggled at his incredulous look.

"It's one of a woman's many talents, dear. We do it so that we have everything we might need during the day." Mama smiled softly at him. "I know you men think that it's all unnecessary junk. My husband used to complain about me carrying bricks in my purse."

"Inuyasha has said that about my yellow bag. The only things he thinks should be in there are potato chips and ramen." Kagome froze at her words. Both shard hunters exchanged embarrassed looks as the implications of her words sank in. If he acted towards her yellow backpack like her father had about her mother's bag, did that mean he saw her as a future wife? Or maybe even a real girlfriend now? Was it even an indication he felt more for her than friendship?

"Well, dear, I do have to agree with him on one point, dear. You do bring a few items that are not useful in the Feudal Era. Your hairdryer won't work and what use is your hairspray?"

"Toad demons," her daughter replied instantly. At her mother's blank face, she was forced to explain. "It was my first exorcism. Kind of neat, huh?"

"Very quick thinking, dear. I'm glad Inuyasha wasn't forced to use his sword on the prince. Now, let's get you washed up and dressed. Inuyasha, keep an ear out for the doctor, please."

"You bet." The antiseptic smells of the hospital hurt his nose and he was glad they were going to leave soon. Dr. Kintaro came just as Kagome was finishing getting dressed. The half demon and doctor stared at each other for several moments, the human understanding the message in cold amber eyes.

"She can go home today. It has been an honor treating you and Lady Kagome, Lord Inuyasha." The middle aged physician turned warm eyes on Mama and Kagome when they came out of the bathroom. "All ready to leave, I see. Let's get that IV out and sign some paper work. I'll need you to come back in three weeks so that I can remove the sutures. Your wrist should take about six weeks to heal. We'll set up a time for that when you come for your stitches."

"Six weeks!" Stunned, the half demon was working himself into a fit when Kagome went to him and placed her arms around his waist.

"Inuyasha, you don't want me to get hurt again, do you? It'll take that long for my bones to knit back together and become strong again. And until then I won't be able to use my bow. And since I don't know any other way to use my purification powers, it would be safer for me to stay where I won't get hurt. Don't you agree?"

Mama watched as angry eyes turned into liquid pools of gold. Inuyasha placed his arms gently around his miko and nodded. Whether the young man knew it or not, he was head over heels in love with her daughter. Kagome, bless her, knew just how to play on his protective instincts to get what she wanted. "All right, but you'd best be prepared, wench. You're not going anywhere without me."

Kagome inwardly winced; she was afraid he met that in the most literal sense possible. He'd follow her into the bathroom if he were like Miroku. "Deal." The priestess turned back to the adults. "Okay, doctor. Release me. I'm ready to go home."


She was gifted with the same treatment Inuyasha had been from her brother and for once she didn't call him a pest or demand he leave her alone. Kagome knew he had been worried about her and decided that she would spend an hour with him every time she came back through the well just so that he'd believe she was all right. Sango didn't have that opportunity anymore and the miko didn't want to wake up one morning and regret the loss. Grandpa gave her a soft hug and shooed her upstairs into bed. The gruff affection was an added balm to her soul.

Inuyasha hovered while she made herself comfortable then became the fetch and carry guy when she needed or wanted something. He didn't seem to mind being the gofer and Kagome didn't bring his helpfulness up. He took over her chores without complaint, even going as far as to help her mother make dinner. If she hadn't already been in love with the dog-eared warrior, his attentiveness and caring would have made her more than half way there now.

Another game of Go was in progress when he finally brought up Shippou's behavior. He had been savoring the knowledge up until that point but knew that if he waited any longer, she'd think he'd been purposely keeping it from her rather than having simply forgotten with all that he'd willingly done throughout the day. Inuyasha waited until she had made a move in her favor before dropping the bomb.

"About Shippou, did you mean what you said?"

"Sure, he may not be ours literally but we're raising him now. I know he looks to me as his only adoptive parent but we're still his new family."

"Then I guess it's okay that Sango used the same threat you did concerning his behavior and treats." Kagome nodded, not really paying attention to where he was leading the discussion. She captured another piece and set herself up to get more when the rest of what he said finally hit her. "Because she had to reprimand him twice."

"What?"

"From what I was told he snuck off without even Kirara noticing, which tells me he used his fox magic, and was at the well waiting for us. Even after getting scolded he then proceeded to try to eat a lollipop before instead of after lunch. All within a matter of minutes."

Tears flooded Kagome's eyes and all enjoyment in the fox cub getting into trouble for something he'd done fled. "Am I a bad mother? Have I spoiled him so much that he doesn't listen to anything anyone else says or doesn't think he has to behave?" Setting the game aside, Inuyasha pulled her into his lap. "What have I done wrong?"

"Nothing; he's a kitsune. Kitsunes get into mischief. He just needs to know that he can't get away with things by batting big watery eyes at you. Yes, he's a kid, but he knows right from wrong."

"He's so small though. It's hard to remember he's older than he looks." Inuyasha snorted and adjusted his position.

"Then let me punish him. Why do you think I pick him up by his tail? It's what his father would have done. And probably did if he acts anything like he used to. Youkai have different ways of disciplining their pups. Human ways won't necessarily work."

"Just don't hurt him, please. I don't want him ever to think we don't love him." With a sigh, Inuyasha turned her head with a crooked finger. He checked her scent and was relieved to find her unhappiness fading. "I won't hurt him. That doesn't mean I'm going to let him get away with crap either. We're a team, Kagome. We'll raise him together. You, me, and the rest of our odd pack." The smile returned to her eyes and she hugged him as best she could without bringing pain to her injuries.

Inuyasha nuzzled her hair, the closest thing to a kiss as he would allow himself. "Yes, together," she whispered. Whether she knew it or not, she had just promised herself to him. His demon half grinned; the human half of his mind staying silent. It had confused his heart for far too long with old regrets. The blood beast would finally have its mate.