Hey everybody. I am sooo sorry that it took so long for me to get this chap up. It's b/c HP7 comes out next wknd and I'm trying to jog my memory on what happens before I read that one, so I've been rereading 5 and 6. But, I'm gonna start working on ch 11 after I post this one, so it should be up late tonight or maybe tomorrow b/c I feel really bad that's it's been 2 wks since I last posted to Kiss. Um...Disclaimer: Inu isn't mine... Uh...everyone might be confused when they start reading, but don't worry--it'll make sense eventually. Well, Dozo!

"Slow down, Koga! "What're you taking off for?! We just stopped to rest 5 minutes ago!" Ginta yells, as he and Hakkaku race after the wolf-demon.

"The mutt was just here--I'd know his disgusting scent anywhere! I'm gonna see Kagome!" the young okami yells, sprinting even farther ahead of the two demons.

Hakkaku rolls his eyes before turning to Ginta. "You'd think he would have given up on Kagome by now. It's obvious to everyone that she only likes Koga as a friend."

"Yeah, but you know Koga. Once he makes up his mind about something...," Ginta says. "...it'll take a lot to convince him otherwise."

"Like someone else we're about to see," Hakkaku replies, as they huff and puff along the path after their leader.

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Inuyasha is smiling to himself. After Kagome had gotten rid of his fleas, they had spent a memorable, and--for the most part--pleasant, afternoon together, just the two of them. Apparently Miroku and Sango had decided they needed to spend some time alone--after everything that had happened the week before that day by the river. They had managed to amuse themselves for a few hours, and kept Shippo away, too. Inuyasha was grateful to them. He and Kagome had had very little time to talk about their relationship between the day he had kissed Kagome for the 2nd time...

... and 3rd...and 4th... the hanyou says to himself, grinning widely. Kagome, who had apparently been watching him out of the corner of her eye, turns to face the half-demon.

"What?" she asks, narrowing her eyes, but with a playful expression on her face.

"Nothing. Just...remembering that day," he says, leaning down to place a quick kiss on the girl.

Kagome smiles as he pulls away. "You mean, the one where you were kneeling in front of me? or the one where I tickled you into submission?" she whispers, as Inuyasha glares at her, a small growl escaping his throat. Kagome laughs, causing Miroku and Sango--who are walking on the path in front of them--to turn around, staring at her in confusion. Kilala and Shippo are playing tag even farther ahead and don't hear.

"What?" Sango asks, as she and Miroku stop walking.

"Nothing," Inuyasha says quickly, crossing his arms over his chest as he and Kagome pass the other two. Miroku and Sango look at Kagome, who shrugs and continues to smile as she passes. The demon slayer and the monk exchange bewildered expressions before walking again.

Inuyasha taps the fingers of one hand on his opposite forearm, trying to ignore the stifled giggles coming from the miko beside him. Before that day beside the river, he wouldn't have tolerated anyone laughing at him, even Kagome--though he knew she never meant any harm by it. The few days between their second kiss and the final battle with Naraku had not been enough time to figure out what their relationship was or where it was headed. But when Kagome had been knocked unconscious and hadn't woken up for almost a week, Inuyasha had finally realized how much she meant to him. How much he needed her. How much he loved her--though it would be a long time before he'd admit it.

The two of them had been able to talk things over and had fun that afternoon ... if you could call her tickling me until I'm curled on the ground begging her to stop fun..., the half-demon thinks, glaring at the girl. Kagome's watching Shippo and Kilala play and doesn't notice his look. He rolls his eyes. Stupid girl...you're supposed to look at me when I'm glaring at you...

Inuyasha walks in silence for a moment before he sighs, drawing Kagome's attention. "What?" she asks, looking up at him with concern in her dark eyes.

The hanyou stares at the two demons playing ahead of them before he responds. "Nothing... really. I just wish I could've gone home with you that night," he whispers, still not looking at her.

Kagome doesn't say anything. She knows he's talking about the evening after the two of them had decided to date, or court, or...whatever. Kagome had spent a good hour trying to explain what dating was--that it was essentially the same as courting, except that dating didn't always lead to marriage. Inuyasha had been upset when she told him this. Slightly confused because Inuyasha had been panicked when she asked if they were courting--because that usually did lead to marriage--Kagome had hurredly told him that you go out with a person to see if you might want to marry them, but there were no expectations--usually--that came with dating someone; you could always stop seeing them if you wanted. He finally seemed to understand this, and they had agreed that was what they were doing. Although--to Kagome at least--it always felt as if this was going to be much more...

The girl takes a deep breath, putting her arm through his and leaning against the tall hanyou. "I know...but I wasn't sure if mom had gotten rid of all of the fleas and I didn't want you to get them again. And I needed to get your clothes washed or that powder might have damaged them. It's only supposed to set for few hours--I was cutting it close as it was," she whispers.

"Yeah, but I still missed you," he says smiling at the top of her head. Kagome looks up at him and he kisses her quickly, not wishing to attract Miroku and Sango's attention. He glances back at them, but they seemed to be absorbed in a conversation about Kohaku. He kisses her again, longer this time.

"You're gonna have to get used to people seeing you do that," Kagome says with a mischeivous grin when he pulls away. "We've been going out for a month now."

Inuyasha narrows his eyes at her. "Did you tell your mom?" he asks, trying to distract the girl.

Kagome rolls her eyes. She knows what he's trying to do. "I already told you, I told Gramps and Sota and told them to tell mom because she was visiting a sick friend and I didn't see her. You weren't paying attention the first time, just like you aren't now," she says, putting her hands on her hips as Inuyasha stops walking and stands up straight, looking past Miroku and Sango, who are now arguing.

Anger, then annoyance crosses the hanyou's face. Kagome frowns. "What..." she starts to ask, but something slams into Inuyasha and sends him flying, smashing into the ground and barely missing Kilala and Shippo as they dodge out of the way. "Inuyasha!" she yells, taking a step toward him before she feels someone holding her hands.

"Yo, Kagome! It's been too long!" Koga says, lifting one of her hands to kiss the back.

"Hey...Koga. Uh, how've you been?" the miko asks while trying to withdraw her fingers from his grip. The demon's got a firm hold on them and is gazing at her--a goofy grin on his face.

Kagome gives him a nervous smile, glancing at Miroku and Sango, who are staring at her with wide eyes. She can almost read the question that's running through their minds. She turns back to Koga and opens her mouth, but hears Inuyasha yell instead. They both look at him.

"Get away from her, you mangy wolf!" the hanyou says, stomping back toward them. Koga smirks and drops her hands, turning toward the half-demon, prepared for a scuffle. He flexes his claws. Kagome looks at Inuyasha, who is doing the same.

"Koga...I need to tell you something...," Kagome begins, but the wolf interrupts her.

"This'll just take minute, Kagome. The mutt and I have something to settle now that's Naraku's gone," Koga says, his eyes narrowed at Inuyasha.

"That's right...," the half-demon replies, but he never reaches the okami. At the last second, Inuyasha turns away from the wolf, pulls Kagome into his arms, and kisses her deeply.

Everyone stares--including Hakkaku and Ginta, who had just arrived. Shippo starts to giggle, while Sango and Miroku grin widely, shaking their heads. Koga gapes, his eyes wide in shock. He finally finds his voice as the two of them break apart, Kagome smiling and Inuyasha smirking as he turns toward the demon.

"Well, all you had to do was tell me!" he yells, crossing his arms and huffing loudly.

Everyone groans and rolls their eyes at him--Inuyasha even smacks himself in the head. Kagome, however, smiles at him, though her arms are wrapped around Inuyasha's torso and half her face is buried in his haori. "You're right, Koga. We should have said something. I'm sorry," she says seriously.

The demon turns to look at her, a slight sadness flickering in his eyes. He sighs before looking at the hanyou. "You'd just better take care of her," he growls, pointing at Kagome as if Inuyasha didn't know who he was referring to.

Surprisingly, the half-demon simply nods instead of offering the okami a smart reply, tightening his arms around the girl. Koga stares at him a moment, then looks at Kagome, then back at the hanyou. He opens his mouth, but Inuyasha rolls his eyes and releases his grip on Kagome, turning her to face the demon. Koga pulls her into a hug.

"Well, thanks for asking me," she mumbles into the wolf's chest, earning small grins from the two boys. Kagome puts her arms around him and Koga holds her close before pushing her away and kissing her forehead. She smiles up at him. "You too, Kagome. Take care of the mutt--he's always getting into trouble," Koga says, releasing the girl and stepping back a little.

Kagome nods her head, tears forming in her eyes. "I..."

"You guys take care," he says, interrupting Kagome's attempt to apologize again. He walks back to Hakkaku and Ginta, who have been gasping until now--trying to catch their breath. "Let's go," he says, taking off back down the way they'd come. The other two demons exchange exasperated glances as they start running after him, struggling to catch up.

"Well, that went rather well," Kagome says, hugging Inuyasha as they watch the three demons disappear around a small hill. Inuyasha doesn't say anything, but she feels a deep rumbling in his chest.

"So are you over your shyness now, Inuyasha?" Miroku asks. He and the others are all smirking at the hanyou. Kagome looks up at the half-demon's face, which is slowly turning red.

"I'm working on it," he answers, bending his head to kiss Kagome again.

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"Hmmmmm. The mutt's been this way," Koga growls, sniffing the air. He frowns.

"We just saw them a few weeks ago, Koga," Ginta says, looking at the collapsed cave beside the clearing they're walking through. He shivers. I hope nobody was in there...

"Do you want to see Kagome again?" Hakkaku asks warily.

Koga hadn't mentioned Inuyasha or Kagome since their last encounter with them, and the two wolf-demons were not about to bring it up. They didn't know how their leader would react. He'd taken the news that Kagome and Inuyasha were together fairly well, but had been unusually quiet since then. They knew he wanted what was best for Kagome--even if she did want the half-demon. Koga just wanted her to be happy. But he didn't look happy now; he looked...worried. The three demons walk around the edge of the mountain with the collapsed cave, stopping to stare at a beautiful lake surrounded by a black beach. Koga growls as they start to walk around it, his frown getting deeper as they pass some fallen logs and the remains of a fire.

"We need to catch up to them," he mumbles suddenly, slowly increasing his speed until he's running. Hakkaku and Ginta are able to keep up with him--the demon is not using his normal lightening-fast speed.

"Why aren't you taking off, Koga?" Ginta asks, coming alongside him. Hakkaku pulls up on his other side.

"Because...something's wrong with the mutt...," he says, sticking his nose in the air to determine which way to go.

"What?" asks Hakkaku, frowning slightly. If Koga's worried, something must really be wrong...

"I...I don't know...but I'm gonna need you two...I think...," Koga mumbles. "We just...need to get to Inuyasha...fast."

Ginta and Hakkaku exchange surprised looks behind their leader's back as they run. Koga rarely said Inuyasha's name. This must be serious. The two wolf-demons speed up, passing Koga before he realizes what they're doing. He narrows his eyes at them, smirking at their backs before putting on a burst of speed and leaving them running through dust. He stops at the next hill to wait for them.

"Hurry up you guys," he growls, as Ginta and Hakkaku emerge from the cloud, coughing and wiping their eyes. Koga turns around, worry flashing through his blue eyes as he stares across the valley lying before him.

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"I've got you, Sango!" Shippo yells, transforming and catching the tajiya as she flies towards him. The slayer looks up as she lands against the fox, her eyes widening as Miroku flies in the opposite direction, heading for a large tree. Before he hits it, however, a brownish blur flies in between them, another sliding to a stop behind the monk, catching him before both tumble to the ground.

Sango gasps. "Gi...Ginta?" She hears an 'oomph' and a gasp from her right and turns her head, where Hakkaku has caught Kagome.

The miko stares shakily up at him before mumbling an awkward 'thanks' and getting to her feet. She stumbles back toward Inuyasha, glancing over the thrashing, screaming half-demon to see Koga running back with Sango's Hiraikotsu. Koga??

She stares with wide eyes as Koga dodges Inuyasha's flailing limbs and replaces the weapon on his stomach. Hakkaku and Ginta run up to the hanyou and somehow manage to grab the his arms, forcing his clenched hands apart and back onto the boomerang. Kagome can see lines of blood appear on their hands where Inuyasha's claws grazed them. Koga sits on Inuyasha's feet and wraps his arms around his knees, holding his legs together and keeping the weapon steady. Kagome stares at the scene before her for a second before kneeling by the half-demon's head and shoulders again, thinking that this situation might be funny if she wasn't scared to death.

They must have seen us a few moments ago...that's how they knew what to do... she thinks, before frowning. Inuyasha is still screaming. As far as I know...seizures aren't supposed to be that painful...what's wrong? Kagome asks herself while glancing over him. She notices his broken wrist, which is gripping the Hiraikotsu at a strange angle while blood soaks through the bandage wrapped around it.

"Ginta! Grab his wrist!" Kagome yells, somehow managing to make the okami hear her over Inuyasha's ranting. The wolf's eyes flicker to the joint, and he immediately repositions the hanyou's hand, wrapping his own around the injury. Inuyasha's yelling drops to a whine, which instantly stops--as if he's choking. The miko frowns again as beads of sweat trickle down the sides of her face. Now what? She wonders, looking back at Inuyasha's face. His lips are changing from a pale pink to a bluish-white color. Feeling a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach, the miko glances quickly at his nails, which are also turning blue. She can't help it--she lets out a cry of despair. The wolves glance at her, wondering why she would cry now.

They stare with wide eyes as she screams in Inuyasha's ears.

"I know you can hear me, Inuyasha! You have to breathe! Don't fight the seizure just breathe--please?!" she pleads, as each of the okami's faces pale. She watches his chest for a few seconds, but doesn't see it moving. Panic is starting to grip the girl as his lips and nails turn a light purple color and his face starts to pale. What do I do? What do I do? What...

Getting desperate, Kagome removes one of her arms and balls her hand into a fist. She raises it above her head and slams it into Inuyasha's chest, just below his ribcage, shouting, "BREATHE!"as she hits him.

Inuyasha's eyes fly open as he involutarily jerks his head up and takes a breathe--the branch that had been in his mouth falling out onto his chest. Ignoring it, Kagome watches in relief as color immediately coming back to his face. His head drops back onto Kagome's knees, his teeth clenched together and his eyes wide as he stares at her face. Tears are starting to fill the miko's eyes.

Kagome wraps one arm around his head and places the other across his his collarbone, holding his shoulders down as best as she can. She's losing energy rapidly. I...can't do this much longer...

Dropping her head so that their cheeks are touching, Kagome's whispers to the hanyou. "Breathe, Inuyasha. In..." She feels a muscle twitch in his jaw as he slowly, slowly takes a breathe. Kagome closes her eyes. "...out..." The hanyou lets out the air in his lungs.

The girl continues to talk to him as the seizure finally ...finally... comes to an end. Inuyasha's body slowly relaxes, his arms dropping to his sides and his legs relaxing under Koga's grip. The wolves warily release their hold on the half-demon, afraid that he'll start convulsing again. The miko can hear him slowly inhaling and exhaling, his mouth open slightly now that his teeth aren't grinding together. His eyes are closed again.

Kagome starts to sob quietly into Inuyasha's shoulder.

???????? Uh...I forgot what I was going to put down here...Apparently it's not that important... Hrmmm...