It was dawn.

Kagome couldn't sleep the whole night. She knew she was going to regret that she hadn't, but it wasn't as if she had done it on purpose. She legitimately had no idea what to do. For once, she wasn't sure if she even felt like going home. She knew she had to protect these people, correct their future.

But Shippo-

No. That was selfish. She shook her head and gathered her things.

She had to do this because she wanted to protect him. She had to do this because she loved him.

She met Shippo at the entrance. "You ready to go?" he asked gently, ever so hesitant. He didn't want her to go.

She nodded, but they were intercepted by a very angry Ranten. "I'm coming too!" she huffed, slinging a bag over her shoulder. She glared at Kagome. "I don't trust you to protect him, so I'm coming along to help!" Shippo started to argue with Ranten, but Kagome was exhausted. The more people to protect him, the safer he would be.

Kagome sighed. "That's fine." Shippo stared at Kagome with his mouth open, but Kagome gave up. Ranten was a person too. She could help. She deserved to live. She thought of all the men they had lost at the battle. They deserved to live too.

She looked to Shippo. "Let's go."

Shippo led the way. "It's rumored she lives in the mountains, so we have to be careful not to encounter any of Naraku's lackeys. It's going to take a three day walk to get there."

Ranten skipped up to Shippo and took his hand. "Now we have three days to spend together," she said flirtatiously, kissing Shippo's cheek. Kagome tried to contain the burning jealousy inside her chest but to no avail.

Almost the entire day passed in silence, Kagome watching the couple from the back. She tried to stifle the feelings of jealousy and instead pondered on how her family was doing. Was Sota alright? Was he eating properly? How about her crazy priest of a grandfather? And her oh so kind mother?

To protect their future as well, she had to do this.

The night came quickly, too quickly and too slowly for Kagome's taste. She just wanted this to be over. She didn't want to see Shippo and Ranten holding hands, but she didn't want to leave Shippo just yet.

"Have some water," Ranten chirped, holding a canteen to Shippo's lips.

He smiled politely albeit uncomfortably and complied, taking a deep gulp from the canteen.

Kagome just laid her head down and fell asleep.

The next morning, Shippo looked a little pale. He was leaning against a tree with his eyebrows scrunched together. Kagome wasn't sure if she should voice her concerns, but she walked up to him, careful not to disturb the still sleeping Ranten.

She patted his shoulder, startling him. That was strange; he usually would have heard her come up.

"Shippo-chan, are you all right? You don't look too good." Shippo smiled at the familiar nickname though he was in pain.

"I'm just a bit…feverish."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Feverish? I didn't know demons could get sick." She raised her hand to his forehead, and it burned her. She kept her pain quiet and nodded. "You are quite hot…" His temple was damp with his sweat, and she frowned.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Shippo gritted out. HE removed himself from the tree. "Wake up, Ranten, let's get a move on."

Shippo was getting progressively worse. Ranten's brow was furrowed in worry. "Shippo, sweetie, you should take a rest."

"We need to get there."

Kagome had to agree with Ranten this time. "Shippo, you need to rest."

"No-" Just as he said that, his eyes rolled into the back of his head and fell to the ground.

"Shippo!"

Even though Ranten was a demon, she was surprisingly weak. Kagome somehow managed to drag Shippo under a tree. He was sweating and pale, and his breath came out in short puffs.

"Could you get me some water?" Kagome asked Ranten.

Ranten huffed. "What are you going to do? Heal him?"

Kagome frowned. "Yes. Unless you know how to." That shut Ranten up, and she did so. She tossed her canteen to Kagome.

"Here, use this for now. I'll be back."

Kagome opened the water canteen and poured it in to her hand. She gagged when a worm like creature fell into her hand. It was a demon, wriggling and screeching. This was why Shippo was sick. Some sort of demon bacteria.

Ranten returned with the water. Kagome had to be creative. She had to find a way to purify the worms without hurting Shippo badly. After all, he was a demon too.

If it was possible, maybe she could purify the water first and let it take its course through the body. Shippo would go through some discomfort, but in the end, it would cleanse his system of the demon parasite.

She concentrated her energy on the water, and it swirled as it was purified. "Ranten, could you hold his head up?" Ranten nodded and put Shippo's head on her knee, tipping his head forward. Kagome emptied the water into Shippo's mouth and stimulated swallowing.

Shippo immediately groaned in pain as the purified water entered his system. "Hopefully this works," Kagome mumbled, motioning for Ranten to let his head down. "We'll let him sleep now. When he gets up, we can talk about getting going again."

Ranten's head fell as she agreed.

Shippo awoke with a gasp and in a cold sweat. He was in a weird pain that he had never felt before, and he struggled to sit up. "Kagome," he rasped. "Kagome!" he said louder, and Kagome was there by his side in a moment. "Kagome…" he repeated again.

"I'm here, Shippo." She took his head into her lap. "I'm here." She stroked his forehead gently, soothing him.

He fell asleep once more, head nuzzled in her stomach.

The next time Shippo awoke, he was far more lucid. He looked up to find Kagome asleep, her hand still cradling him. His lips curled up, and he couldn't stop himself from inhaling her delectable scent. It made his head buzz with euphoria, and he could feel his heart racing.

Shippo tensed as Kagome stirred, she yawned and her eyes fluttered open. "You're awake," she said happily, sleep still present in her eyes. "Are you feeling better?"

"Much," he muttered, burying his face into her shirt. Kagome blushed but didn't say anything. "You smell good." Yet again, Kagome didn't say anything. The compliment made her heart beat faster.

She threaded her fingers in his hair, and Shippo nearly moaned at the contact. It was so soothing. Truth be told, he wasn't feeling that sick anymore; he just wanted to keep touching her.

Kagome felt her whole body tingle as Shippo's strong arms came to encircle her waist. Her breathing quickened, and Shippo's nose twitched. "Kagome, are you…aroused?"

Sorry this has been taking so long. I really hope you liked this chapter! There will be more to come soon.