Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha fandom or characters. No money is made from this.

A/N: Just a quick note to let everyone know my second foray into NanWriMo was a success.

To celebrate, I'm posting this chapter early. :)

Secrets Revealed:

You can handle this. Kagome repeated the mantra in her mind, trying to keep her panic at bay.

You just need to cool him down, and keep him relaxed.

She scurried into the kitchen, and wet the dish towel by the sink, then wrung it out. She returned to the couch, and gently bathed his forehead.

"It's okay." She whispered, in what she hoped was a soothing tone. At least her voice sounded calm, instead of shaky.

Bankotsu's hand searched blindly for her free hand, and grasped it like a shy child in a large crowd of strangers, holding their mother's hand.

"I'm right here." She squeezed his hand, and continued bathing his brow.

She didn't know why he'd overheated, but he did.

She needed to take charge. If he panicked, he could cause a lot of damage to his body. Then they would be screwed. With the storm raging outside they couldn't just call an ambulance to take him in.

She didn't know how to drive yet, so that wasn't an option either. Judging by the wind howling outside the storm wouldn't let up any time soon, so that wasn't an option either.

Good thing I know CPR, and a few other things. She bit her bottom lip trying to hold her nerves in check.

The fear in his eyes receded just a bit. A moment later his body stopped shaking. His breath came out labored.

"You need to stay calm. I won't let anything happen to you." She set the cloth aside, then brushed her fingers through his bangs, attempting to relax him. "I need you to trust me, okay?"

He nodded and closed his hand around hers. His eyes clouded with confusion, remained locked to hers.

She opened his shirt, then gave his chest and stomach the same attention she'd lavished on his forehead. "I need to cool you off," she explained.

"What's happening?" His tone was soft like that of a child unsure of what to expect.

She smiled. "It was sweet of you to pull a blanket over us, but I think it made you way too hot."

His body trembled and shook uncontrollably. Pain filled his eyes.

She patiently waited for the tremors to pass and stoked his bangs. "Don't worry. It'll pass."

Fear and confusion warred in his eyes and he clenched his jaw against the pain.

The tremors passed and she moved to his waist.

"We need to, um, get these off." She stared him in the eyes and reached for the snap of his pants.

The last time she'd done this Souta had been around eight. He'd been embarrassed about his sister taking care of him since their mother had been at work.

Bankotsu's hand left hers, to help unsnap his pants, then fell to the floor as if even that menial task wore him out.

Relieved he didn't make any snarky comments, she fought the blush that crept onto her face, and shifted in her seat, as she removed his pants.

I can't believe I took his pants off. She averted her eyes from his body. I hope he doesn't tell anyone at school about this.

She picked up the cloth, and returned to the sink.

He's too heavy for me to put in the tub. So, this rag and bowl will have to do. She carried them to the living room, and knelt beside him.

She noticed his jaw was tight. Whether from pain, or anger she couldn't be sure.

"No need to be embarrassed." She wrung out the cloth and wet his legs, sure his ego was suffering a large blow.

"You're not the one on the floor." He hissed, as another set of tremors struck.

"Your body is trying to force out the extra heat." She spoke calmly. "We went through this when my brother Souta, was little."

He closed his eyes until the tremors passed then breathed a sigh of relief.

"How did that go?" He breathed heavily.

"He wouldn't talk to me for over a week afterwards." She frowned. "I just did what Mama told me to do, if it happened."

"Where was your mom? He asked, voice sounding hoarse.

She got him a glass of water, and continued running the cloth over him.

"Mama was at work that night. She didn't get home until after the attack." She helped him sit up, then the cup up so he could drink the water.

"Thanks," he muttered and swallowed it.

Judging by the frown on his face, he was trying to figure something out.

"Has this ever happened to you before?" She asked, keeping the wet cloth moving over his skin.

"Not that I recall." He scowled, moving to sit up fully.

"Don't try to get up." She ordered, moving to sit beside him. She pushed him back down. "If you try to move too soon, your legs will turn to jelly and won't work."

His eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I tried to get Souta up so we could get him in the tub, we both fell." She sighed. "It was a mess."

Clearly Bankotsu didn't like hearing that, because is eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared.

"How long?" He demanded.

"Could be an hour, could be longer." She dipped the cloth into the bowl. "I'll make us some tea."

Kagome walked into the kitchen, cleaned out the coffee pot, and put a tea bag in the filter.

She returned to the sink, refilled the bowl, then returned to the living room.

Kagome plucked a pillow off the couch and gently settled it under his head.

She draped a sheet over him and smiled. "This way you're not too hot, but won't freeze either."

"Terrific," He sighed and closed his eyes.

Ignoring his sarcastic tone, she carried in a cup of warm tea and helped him drink it, then pushed him back down.

"You better not tell anyone at school about this." He growled, hands hitting the floor in a show of frustration.

"I won't," she assured, moving the bowl of water and the cloth within reach. "You better not either." She added, lying beside him.

He blinked when she lifted the hem of her shirt, so her belly was uncovered, and laid beside him, resting he r head on his shoulder.

"I need to know if your body temperature gets too high again," she explained.

"You won't hear me complain." He smirked.

Heat crashed on her face as his hand rested on her hip.

Kagome fought the urge to roll her eyes. He must be starting to feel better, since he's reverted to his normal, flirty self.

She placed her hand over his to keep it from wandering, just in case he tried anything cute.

She needed to be close in case something happened, and needed to make sure he stayed still, so her best option was to rest beside him. If she fell asleep she'd be woken up by his burning skin if his fever spiked again.

She closed her eyes, grateful that as far as she knew he was no where near as bad as Miroku.

She felt his other hand grab hers, holding it against his chest. She pictured the smirk on his face widening.

Something tells me it's going to be a long night.

She blushed and hoped his brother wouldn't come home and find them in such a compromising position, as she listened to the storm still raging outside, hoping the electric didn't go out.

XOXOXO:

A/N: That's it for this installment. Enjoy the chapter. Remember feedback is any author's greatest motivation. :)