Kagome felt a warm weight across her midriff as she roused herself from sleep, her head was throbbing and she could only open her right eye, her left one was

swollen shut from Kouga's attack. Her throat felt dry and her body ached, she winced when she felt the bruises on her face. She looked down at the arm on her

waist and followed it to meet the golden eyes of her saviour.

Inuyasha kissed her forehead softly, his eyes pained and his arms tightly around her, as if to keep her by his side forever. He had watched her sleep all night not

once shutting his own eyes except to blink. Kagome turned around and whimpered when she jostled her bruised side but turned to face him.

"Don't move around so much you'll hurt yourself." He said gently, adjusting her pillow to ensure her comfort. Kagome smiled, he wanted to protect her and

make her comfortable. She sighed and leaned her head against his warm chest.

"I'm so sorry Inuyasha, I'm sorry I didn't listen. God I'm an idiot." She whispered on the very verge of tears. He held her tighter and made a deep, comforting

rumbling in his chest to soothe her, he nuzzled her neck in a loving way.

"No don't be sorry, this is my fault, I shouldn't have lost my temper, I shouldn't have assumed you'd listen to me just because I told you too." He blamed himself

fully for this. If he'd only been gentler maybe she would have never gone back there, or if he'd put more security around her sooner he could have prevented

this, his already sad eyes sank deeper into depression as he held his mate in his arms.

"No, Inuyasha, don't you dare blame yourself for my stupidity. It was all my fault you were completely right and I should have listened." She said fearing he

would hate himself for her mistakes.

"I couldn't protect you." He murmured to himself more than to Kagome.

"You saved me!" She cried out.

"He shouldn't have lain a finger on you." He said sinking into his self loathing.

A resounding 'SLAP' rang out as Kagome's tears spilled over and Inuyasha held his lightly stinging cheek.

"I deserved that." He sighed

"YES YOU DID BECAUSE YOU WON'T LISTEN TO ME!" She exclaimed, "You didn't do anything, get it? I did this to myself not you, if anything it's Kouga who's to

blame here!" She tried.

His eyes lightened and hardened at the mongrel's name and he realized he'd be a sorry protector if he couldn't pull himself together. She was right it was Kouga's

fault not his and there was no way he could blame Kagome for this.

"Kagome, it was Kouga's fault you're right." He finally conceded and pulled her to him again smiling when she relaxed into him and laid her head in the crook of

his neck. He reached out and handed her a glass of cool water.

"Sango said you might need this." He said quietly. Kagome smiled up at him and drank the liquid gratefully, sinking back into sleep when she had finished.

"Sleep Koi, rest yourself." He made a comforting rumbling sound as she drifted off.

Kagome was woken from her deep sleep by a sudden yell downstairs. She could make out words like 'Pervert.' and 'Asshole' but not much else. She glanced up

when Inuyasha chuckled staring at him with a curious expression. He smiled at her as his adorable ears twitched hearing the discussion below.

"Miroku grabbed Sango's rump again and she slapped him. Now she's giving him an earful about respecting women and stuff, he doesn't listen of course and

really she loves when he grabs her ass, it's just that she refuses to admit that in public." He wore and amused smile and gently brushed Kagome's hair out of

her face placing an ice pack on her eye. She winced at the sudden cold on her tender flesh.

"Sorry but it'll help the swelling." He said.

"I don't mind, thank you Inuyasha." She brushed her hand against his cheek softly, lovingly. He grabbed her small hand in his large one, nuzzling it. He kissed

her palm and the her wrist. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, and finally her lips. A soft brushing of lips for only a moment that scorched a fiery brand upon her

flesh, leaving her warm all over from the inside out. She yawned softly and dozed off with her head on his chest, his arms around her.

Dawn broke finally on the second day since the attack when Kagome's eye fluttered open. Her left eye was not as swollen as it was before and her face didn't

hurt anymore, she looked up and met the golden eyes of her mate. His eyes were bloodshot and she realized, he had not slept at all in the two days she'd been

recovering. She placed her hands on either side of his face in concern, noticing the untouched food and the thinness of his face.

"You need to sleep Inuyasha and eat this isn't healthy." She pleaded, but he just shrugged.

"How's your eye?" Was her sole response. "It's fine you need to sleep." She tried again, he only shook his head no.

"I'll sleep when you're better." He persisted.

"I am!" She tried to argue but his raised eyebrow showed what a difference of opinion they had. "Inuyasha, how are you going to protect me if you're starved

and sleep depraved?" She tried a different approach and got more success when Inuyasha frowned in consideration. "I need to shower anyway why don't we

have breakfast and then while I'm bathing you take a nap?" She said imploringly.

"Fine, you win, this time." He sighed shaking his head, he suddenly smirked and grabbed her around the waist pulling her close, "But first." He trailed of and

planted a kiss upon her lips, a passionate kiss where he completely dominated. They broke apart and Kagome drew in a jagged breath, Inuyasha's glinting fang

visible from his proud smirk as the two stood and made their way to the kitchen.

Fluffy! Also, I'd really appreciate it if I got some more reviews, thank you!