Chapter ten: Back Again

Kagome felt her face flush. How had she gotten here? And how did Sesshoumaru become her prince charming?? Well he wasn't prince charming. Prince charming would have been romantic and gentle. And fake.

This was better than prince charming; this was Sesshoumaru. But still- arousal? Something was defiantly wrong…

She pulled from him but he remained with a slight smile. That sucked. Really, him and that damn nose. "Y-you're wrong." She told him but his smile widened.

"Am I?" he asked playfully and she tried to pull further away but his arms were encircling her.

"Yes." She huffed, annoyed.

"And why is that?" he asked her and she rolled her eyes.

"You are so full of it. Now get off me…you arrogant youkai!" she told him and she saw his ear twitch. She hoped she was hurting his ears! Served him right for embarrassing her. Of course she wasn't complaining when he kissed her…

He shifted his weight but did not get off of her. She sighed and leaned into the well. "What, are you just going to stay like this all night?" she asked and his eyes looked at her own carefully.

"Changing the subject?" He asked finally and made something between a growl and a grunt and she moved her hands to push him off.

"Sesshoumaru! Get off." He looked at her pouting mouth. She was a good actor, if it wasn't for his nose he would think that she really wanted him off.

"You sure you want me off, Kagome?" he watched her cheeks turn a deeper red and did not miss the second of wonder that passed through her eyes.

"Yes." She finally answered and he smiled yet again. Before she could say anything else he leaned in and captured her lips once more. He had meant for it to be just a tease but he found it hard to break from her.

Reminding himself that he would be rewarded for holding back, he broke the kiss and was back to his side of the fire before she pulled her eyes open.

He tried not to smile as the cinnamon became laced with a good amount of cloves. Blue eyes snapped open with a furious fire of their own. It was harder to hold back the smile when her eyes met his own.

"You. Ass." She muttered through clenched teeth. At this he allowed a slight smile. "What the hell Sesshoumaru? I don't understand you."

Orange. Where had orange come from? This girl had more scents then anyone he had ever encountered! Or was it that he never cared to pick out what each scent meant before…

He stopped smiling, intent to figure what the small sample of orange in her scent meant. She smelt…sad? No it couldn't be that she was sad. But it couldn't be confusion either. So what was it?

She sighed and leaned once again against the well. "What's going to happen in the morning?" she asked somberly; an attempt to change the subject. He frowned. He hadn't expected her to dismiss their kiss so easily.

"What do you mean?" he managed to answer and she closed her eyes. What, she was going to sleep?

"Hello. The whole dying thing, smart one." She answered softly. Oh yes; that.

"Tensegia." He answered stiffly, and she opened her eyes to give him a questioning glance. "if the hospital fails." She nodded.

"Do you think I'll have something that they'll recognize? ", she asked, and he honestly wasn't sure.

"I don't know." He answered and she nodded.

"I'm tired…I think I'll go to sleep." To say that he was surprised would not be enough. She was acting like nothing happened.

"You're sad." He said, half to keep her awake and half because he was curious.

"You and that damn nose." She mumbled as she took a deep breath. "Dying usually makes people sad Sesshoumaru."

"Yes, but that is not the reason." Kagome closed her eyes again. It wasn't fair that he got to know things that she didn't want him to. Doing as he had taught her; she hid her scent. She wished that she had a nose like his; then maybe she could find out what he was thinking.

She was not sad about her being sick. Somehow she knew that Sesshoumaru was not going to let her just die. She trusted that somehow. Now she was sad because she was being played with. He was playing with her. Well, that and discovering that she liked him. And she had no idea how he felt. Jerk.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes as he immediately realized the difference. She was hiding from him. "Why do that now?" he asked somewhat strictly, and he watched her brow frown.

"Why not? Since you insist on invading on my privacy." He raised an eyebrow at her sarcastic tone. Not that she could see it since her eyes remained closed. "If I can't smell all your obvious scents, then you shouldn't be allowed to smell mine."

She wanted to open her eyes to look at him so bad but she did not. She was not about to show that she cared. Not to mention, the medicine was wearing off. She could feel her strength draining from her. At least he wouldn't smell her sickness. She would be able to hide that at least.

"I'm really tired." She mumbled as she felt the sickness taking over her once more. Already she was sure that she would not be able to stand if she so desired.

"You need to unmask yourself", he told her coldly. "I need to know when the medicine leaves your system." She kicked herself mentally allowing herself to drop her scent shield; she opened her eyes to look at him.

She knew that he smelt the sickness by the way that his mouth twitched slightly and his eyes flattened; every small hint of emotion leaving them. "It's not all gone." He said and she nodded and closed her eyes again.

On second thought, maybe she was lucky she couldn't smell all the scents. He had to sit here and smell sickness and maybe even death. And he had even stayed with her all that time; having to endure the stench.

"Do I stink now?" she couldn't help but ask.

"The sickness does", he answered coolly not really satisfying what she wanted to hear. "But your scent…" he paused and she opened her eyes to look at him once again.

It seemed that he was trying to choose his words. "…Is pleasing." He finished locking eyes with her and she smiled.

"Thanks. I bet you smell good too." She added awkwardly.

Then she closed her eyes yet again and allowed herself to fall asleep.

The night wore on and the smell of sickness deepened. It was as if he could see it seeping into her bones and streaming through her blood stream. And every hour made him more upset. The medicine was still present and the doubt of whether it would be completely gone by morning grew.

But just after pink touched the sky, the medicine was gone. He got closer to her, to make sure that he was right. A deep inhale reviled strawberry crème and sickness. All traces of the youkai herbs were gone.

"Kagome", he said with a gentleness he couldn't explain. She did not stir; the sickness had made her weak. He moved hair from her face, examining for a few seconds what it had been hiding. "Kagome", he repeated putting an arm behind her back.

She stirred; more like a twitch. And slowly, and what seemed to be painfully, her eyes opened. The sickness seemed to have come back with a vengeance.

"It's time", he told her and watched as she struggled to sit up. He held her firmly. "Don't move, just tell me where the jewel is." She glanced over to the small bag that lay at her side. Understanding, he released her to dig through the bag.

Kagome's whole body was numb with pain. Everything hurt and yet if asked she would be unable to say what was wrong. It felt as if she had lead running through her brains. Even thinking was a tremendous task.

She felt two small objects enveloped in her hand by Sesshoumaru. Oh yes; time to put the jewel together. In her present state of mind, she was almost against doing so. It would take the only strength she had. She looked up at Sesshoumaru who was leaning into her. His eyes were their rightful color and a crescent moon was present on his face. She tried to smile and to tell him something but she did not know if the actions worked or not.

Swallowing, she focused on every ounce of her remaining energy. Merging jewel shards was like breathing; easy and effortless. But now, both were difficult for her. She felt every bit of life in her drain as the tainted jewel was purified and merged.

She felt Sesshoumaru's arms around her and then that was it. Blackness swallowed her. She found herself wanting only to see those golden eyes again.

Sesshoumaru cursed as she went limp. The jewel was fine but Kagome was not. He wasted only a second on listening to her very faint heartbeat before holding her tight, grabbing her bag, and jumping down the well.

The foul smells of the present reminded him of why he had been so happy to leave. Quickly he secured his illusion and minimized his sense of smell. Jumping out of the well, he wondered what alibi to give the hospital. For one thing he looked strange enough in his clothes. Not to mention that he was some type of celebrity.

Clothes didn't matter now. She needed to get to the hospital and fast. He jumped from the well, not even thinking about going in the house and instead headed for her car that had drove the two there. They should have driven his car. It was faster.

It was strange seeing her car. It hadn't even been two weeks since they had left; and yet so much had happened. So much that he didn't think was possible. He had yet to figure out what exactly the emotions he was feeling were, (mainly because he did not want to) but it was apparent that this limp girl meant something to him. And by how sickly he was worried right now, it was more than anything little. Damn his father's tale and that stupid jewel. He looked down at her face. Of course now, he couldn't imagine not running into her. He could not believe that he had never sought her out; never thought her worthy of it.

"Hey!" He looked up to see Souta running out to him from the front door. "You're back- what happened to her?!" Souta's face became worried at the sight of Kagome. Sesshoumaru racked his brain as to what should be done. Why was it so hard to think?

After a half a second of Souta demanding an answer, he continued to the car only to find that it was locked. Damn it all. There was a faster way.

"I am taking her to the hospital. Get there as soon as possible." And with that he ran and jumped into the air, leaving a confused and slightly amazed Souta behind.

Souta hurried into the house and grabbed Kagome's keys. "Mom! Mooom!!" his mother hurried down the stairs.

"Souta what is it?" she asked him seeing the crazed look on her sons face.

"It's Kagome. She's in the hospital", he told her, hurried and out of breath.

"The hospital?" his mother questioned, already moving towards her purse and shoes.

"Yeah, I'll explain on the way." He told her, glad that she had not demanded the answers now.

"And are you a relative?" He was beyond annoyed. First he had to deal with the looks and screams from those seeing 'Kyo Kesuma'. He was beginning to think that he should have changed to a different appearance. Then there was the whole "is this really an emergency" from the nurse. And after finally forcing them to take her to a doctor immediately, they were giving him the third degree.

Really he wanted her family to get here so he could leave. He needed to have tenseiga by his side just in case. Of course he had yet to think of a way to get a sword into the hospital. It would go with the "outfit" though.

"Yes." He answered, lying, knowing that they would only let family see her.

"What relation are you to her?" the receptionist asked.

"Her fiancé", he answered and distantly wondered what Kagome would think of him saying that. The lady seemed to falter but recovered quickly.

"And what is wrong with her?" He paused. What was wrong with her?

"She had been sick; we thought it was nothing serious. But now she won't wake up." He answered smoothly and the woman wrote something down with a nod.

"Okay…And is she allergic to any medicine? How did she become sick?" she asked and he felt like kicking himself. He shouldn't even have brought her here!

"No she isn't and I don't know", he answered roughly and the woman nodded.

"Okay would you like to wait in her room?" she asked and he nodded. "Through the hall, she's in room B13." She hit something that unlocked the doors and he went through and found her room.

They had her hooked up to machines and IV's ran through her. The doctor on seeing him walked over. "Mr. Kesuma, an honor to have you", he said with an easy smile and Sesshoumaru felt like taking a leaf out of Kagome's book and rolling his eyes. But he didn't.

"How is she?" he asked, ignoring the greeting and the doctor looked through the glass window at her.

"To be honest we have to wait until the lab tests get back. I assume that it is some kind of poison. Have you been camping?" Well it wouldn't be a lie.

"Yes." He answered knowing that he had to be careful. The press would be all over this. "She became sick the day we returned."

"Which was when, Mr. Kesuma?" he asked

"Yesterday." Now he just needed Souta to back his story. "If you'll excuse me, I need to see to her family's arrival."

With one more glance at Kagome, he walked back into the waiting room just in time to intercept Souta and his mother.

"Sess- I mean Kyo. Or whoever you are. What happened to Kagome?" Souta demanded and ushered them to an empty area. Already out side he could see a few flashes from a camera.

The three sat down; Souta upset, his mother white as a ghost and him; outwardly calm and collected.

"She fell ill in the past. I thought it best to see if the hospital could help", he started calmly and then immediately wished to take the words back.

"What do you mean if?"

"What kind of illness?"

He forced himself to remain calm. "I am not sure if the hospital can to detect the illness." He cut them off before they could continue. "However in my home I have a sword that can bring the dead to life."

At this the two were speechless, unable to fathom why their Kagome would need to be brought back to life by a magic sword. He too was having trouble with it; he still didn't know how he was going to get a sword into the hospital.

"My hope is that it does not come to this. I will now go back to your home, change and get my cell phone." He paused trying to think, finding it hard once again. "Is Kagome's car still there?"

"Yeah, we took mom's car", Souta answered him softly. Sesshoumaru nodded; realizing that they were both scared stiff.

"I'll take her car. Go to my house and get the sword", He told them and they nodded. Kagome's mother looked to the hall way where Kagome lay longingly.

Sesshoumaru grabbed paper and pen that lay on the desk nearby. He wrote his cell number down and handed it to them. Souta took the paper. "My cell. Call on any and every update", he said and the two nodded.

He stood and so did they. "She will not die." This seemed not to comfort them at all. Remembering his lies, he said "They think she's my fiancée and that she got sick while we were camping." They nodded once again. He felt like he should say something more but there was no time right now. He had to have Tensegia; just in case.

The two looked through the glass at Kagome, who lay sleeping. "Are you the family?" the doctor asked.

"Yes", Tonia Higurashi answered with a small sniffle. It always scared her when Kagome went to the past, but she had never been rushed to the emergency room on her return.

"I am Doctor Cloud. We have detected a poison in her blood but it's like none we have ever seen. I hate to dismiss hope, but her breathing and heart beat are too shallow for our liking. We are regulating those the best we can and are working hard on trying to see if an antidote for snake poison can be used, but we are not certain."

Tonia shook her head slowly as tears clouded her eyes. "We are doing all that we can." Souta put an arm around his mother.

"It's okay mama. Sesshoumaru will take care of this", he said quietly, even though he, too, was very worried about the serious news.

The doctor seemed to be looking for the third person. "Is Mr. Kesuma in the lobby?" he asked, and Souta shot him a glance. Even the doctor was going to be all fame crazy?

"He'll be back later", he said distantly.

"Very well then. I will keep you updated. Please, it's best if you wait in the lobby", he said more gently and Souta nodded and lead his crying mother to the lobby.

Sesshoumaru's cell rang as soon as he pulled into his estates. He answered it on the second ring.

"What is it?" he asked, knowing that it would be Souta.

"They say that its poison but they've never seen it before. They're trying to find an antidote." Sesshoumaru said nothing as he turned off the car.

"Is she awake?" he asked.

"No…but the doctor doesn't want to give her an antidote because he can't find a bite mark." The voice replied. "And you gotta come and stop all the dumb media people."

He threw his keys at one of the servants that usually parked cars, and ignored his bewildered look. "Sesshoumaru-sama!" Gochie, his own personal security guard, greeted him with a hurried bow.

"Guests have arrived all day, and I do not know where it is that you want them. Not to mention that they have been-"

"That is not my concern at the moment. You should have found the rooming list in the office. Deal with it if something's wrong. I am leaving shortly and will return when possible." The half-youkai looked as if he was going to argue but seeing Sesshoumaru's dangerous face decided not to.

"Of course my lord", he said with a bow and then added, "Is this about Kagome, My lord?" To this, Sesshoumaru tensed but said nothing and pushed past him. Souta's voice was still in his ear.

"Its cobra", he answered calmly to Souta, to which Souta was quiet. "Tell them its cobra and rattlesnake." He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of it before! The wench that did this had cobra and rattlesnake blood in her veins.

"Okay…well they won't if they can't find a bite…" he answered with a bit of sarcasm. Which Sesshoumaru decided to ignore.

"I will deal with it when I get there", he said roughly.

"Okay well, hurry because her heart beat is slowing down to a dangerously low speed." Sesshoumaru cursed under his breath.

"I'll be there", he answered and then hung the damn thing up, almost choosing to throw it.

Five minutes later he was in his own car, Tenseiga thrown in the back seat.

"I am sorry, but I don't feel comfortable giving her an antidote with no reason. It could kill her organs", the doctor argued with the boy.

Sesshoumaru had thought of reasons the whole drive but had not come up with any. "Her organs will go soon enough if nothing is done", he said smoothly capturing the doctor's attention.

"Mr. Kesuma, you returned. I take it that your future brother-in-law has kept you informed." He nodded curtly.

"Yes that you are refusing to give her medicine." The doctor tensed.

"It is more complicated than that", he answered stiffly. Sesshoumaru gave him a hard glare.

"If she dies, you will have a lawsuit on you. However, I am sure that that is the poison in her. It fits your research does it not?" Sesshoumaru quizzed him and Souta stepped back to let him do the talking.

"Yes but-"

"Then give the medicine", he stated firmly. "This is a wish of the family."

The doctor looked hesitant but sighed. Sesshoumaru was sure if it was not for his fame, the doctor would not have submitted. Which would have been right in any other situation.

"Very well. You'll have to sign paperwork that says you denied my help", he told him, irritated.

"Done. Give her the antidote."

"Okay but it's very risky. We've never mixed the two." Sesshoumaru nodded.

"Do it." The doctor gave them one more glance and turned. Sesshoumaru looked around the lobby and then back at Souta. "Reporters?" he asked simply, and Souta grunted with frustration.

"So many! All asking what it felt like to be the new brother-in-law of Kyo Kesuma."

Kagome opened her eyes to fluorescent light. Not sun, nor fire, but electrical light. She was home. She lifted her neck to find that it was sore and ached.

"You'll be sore for a day or two, but that should go away", a woman dressed in scrubs told her with a smile. "I'll tell your family that you are awake."

Family? Sesshoumaru must have taken her to the hospital and called her family. The question was- was he still here? If he wasn't, she admitted she would be greatly disappointed.

"Kagome!" Her mother's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "I am so glad that you are okay! You gave me such a scare! I had no idea what had happened!" she said through tears, giving her a hug.

"Yeah Kagome, this was the first time you actually had to be rushed to the hospital. Cutting it kinda close weren't you?" Her mother pulled away and Kagome was able to see her teenage brother.

"You know me." She joked with a slow smile.

"Yeah well if it wasn't for your fiancé who knows what would have happened", he told her seriously and she frowned.

"Fiancé?" she asked and Souta laughed and even her mother smiled.

"Kyo Kesuma told the receptionist you were engaged so that they would let him back here to see you", she explained and Kagome felt her stomach turn. "But I wonder Kagome, is there something else you need to tell me?"

"Where's Sesshoumaru?" she asked, ignoring the question with a slight blush. Even if she wanted to tell she wouldn't know what to say.

"He's on the phone", Souta answered her. "He hasn't left! Well he did for a little while but only cause he had to. And then he got some people to tell the reporters to back-"

"Reporters?! What reporters?" she asked, forcing herself to sit up in her bed.

"Duh Kagome. Kyo Kesuma called you his fiancé. Of course there's going to be reporters. His phone's been ringing like crazy, but he didn't answer until we knew that you were okay."

Kagome leaned into her pillows with a smile. He had stayed. He had cared. "So he didn't use Tenseiga?" she asked and Souta shook his head.

"Didn't have to after demanding the doctor to give you medicine. Long story, tell you some other time." He added seeing her look.

"When can I leave?" She was ready to be out of the hospital.

"The doctor says you're good to go", her mom answered sweetly. "You've been asleep for nearly twenty four hours. But you need to play it slow. The medicine and poison are gonna make you feel sore."

"That long?" she asked, amazed she had been asleep. "Well let's go! This bed is not comfortable at all!" she exclaimed.

"We'll go check you out", her mother told her, standing up and the two left. Kagome knew she would have to tell them about her adventure at home soon enough.

As they left Kyo Kesuma walked in. She smiled at him. "Wow, Kyo Kesuma coming to see me?" she teased but he hardly smiled.

"You're well?" he asked, examining her.

"Why of course, my fiancé." He gave her a stern look and at this she laughed. "You're the one that said it, my dear."

It took a few steps closer. "So I did", he replied and a fit of butterflies erupted in her. What did that mean??

"You will go home." She wasn't sure, but it sounded like a question. It was strange to think that she wouldn't go where ever he was going.

"Yeah I guess so. They went to check me out. They said that I would be sore for a few days", she told him, unable to control how happy she felt that he was there.

"It is to be expected." A moment passed and they fell silent. It was hard to see him like this, when she had grown use to the silver hair. Not that he wasn't nice to look at like this. She smiled; no way could Sesshoumaru make himself look like a non attractive person.

"Soo…what now?" she asked, and his phone rang. He glanced at it and ignored the call.

He turned his back slightly and her heart fell. He would leave and they would not be friends anymore. Or anything more. This was it. Back to normal. "Your car is at my place. I'll be in touch with when you can come get it." With that he left the room, leaving her completely confused and greatly annoyed.

"Jerk", she mumbled.

"Heard that Kagome", he called from down the hall and she rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see it.

Hello!!! Sorry sooo much :[

I went to alabama for spring break where i had not internet access!! But anyway. chapter 11 is written but my awesome beta reader has to comb through it first :] so show her so love [Nyphetamine] So yes big thanks to her!!

so yes updates will come! fear not. Im moving this week though so to any who are reading my other stories...im workin on them! just super busy with school moving and emotional problems[weird breakup] lol

:]

thanks for all the reviews!! you'll are so great- i hope this chapter satisfys!!