Chapter 21

Touga stepped out of his sons mouth, somewhat in a daze. He was more confused than anything. Half way to the hospital, all of the pain stopped and that could only mean two things. Kagome had died, and left them all, or she somehow survived. He just couldn't picture the latter, and that was what was making him freeze on the roof.

"Father," Sesshomaru called, his eyes wide as he looked over the male that raised him. He never thought he would see something like this in his life. It was…beautiful and very mush so refreshing. It could only mean one thing. "Father, your aura… the pink is back."

Touga's head snapped up, his eyes meeting his sons as he took in what he as hearing. The pink was back. The part of his aura that was Kagome was back. He didn't waste another second, turning from Sesshomaru and using his speed to get to Kagome's room. If her aura had returned, then that meant she was alive!

With every step he took, that bond he shared with Kagome flared and strengthen, and he could feel her emotions through it. It was nearly enough to make him cry and hit his knees. If she was feeling any kind of emotion then she was awake. Finally he would be able to see her beautiful blue eyes and he was most definitely going to be kissing those full lips. He had no intention of ever leaving her side again.

He burst through the doors, a little guilty as Kagome and a nurse looking over her vitals jumped at his sudden entrance. He pushed that thought away and looked towards the woman he thought had died. Her blue wide eyes didn't look away from his, and he could see and smell the tears beginning to form.

"Kagome." Was wrenched from his throat in the form of a desperate whisper. He hardly even noticed as the nurse took the last of her notes before making a quick retreat. Neither was aware of the amount of time spent looking at each other, both just so happy that they could.

"Touga." Kagome whispered in return, and gave him a large smile, and that was all he needed to move. In an instant he was by her side, his large hands cupping her face and his lips upon hers. The kiss was desperate, and filled with every emotion he had felt during the months of her comatose state. She could feel everything just through their physical contact, but somehow she could feel it through their emotions as well. It was enough to cause tears to fall down her face, in both happiness and sadness.

She knew, she knew then at that very moment, Touga was in love with her. She had no idea how, why, or when, but what she was feeling was most definitely love. There was no other way to describe it. While she was ecstatic to feel that coming from him, it also terrified her. The last person to love her, hurt her badly, and she feared he would come back. Even while unconscious she dreamed that he was here, and forcing her to sleep. It wasn't real, but it just went to show her that she was still paranoid about him.

If Touga found that out, found out what happened, what would he do. Would he shun her, thinking like Kouga, or would he believe her when she gave her side of the story. At the moment it didn't matter, because it would be a while before they crossed that road, and all she wanted to do was feel Touga's lips on hers.

And feel she did. She felt as he ran his tongue across her lips, begging for entrance and she didn't hesitate to open for him. His thick muscle flew into her mouth, tangling with her own tongue and he groaned, holding onto her face tighter, as if he was scared she would disappear.

That groan did something to her, and she felt it, deep down. Her stomach clenched in anticipation, while her blood heated, pumping through her veins. Her hands, reached up and tangled into his hair, her nails scrapping against his scalp, causing him to groan again. What was she feeling? She had never burned like this before for someone.

Tougas hands moved in that moment as well, one traveling back to cup the back of her head, the other going southward and resting on her lower back, fingers spread wide. His kissing became more urgent and hungry and she couldn't deny him. At this moment, she was eating up everything he was offering, and he was offering a lot.

Touga was struggling. He had dreamed of tasting Kagome this way, but he never thought it would have been so soon. He wasn't complaining in any way, he would take what was offered, but he also knew he needed to stop. The woman had just woke up after months of being in a coma, she didn't need to be ravished. At least not yet.

So he gentled the kiss, returning his tongue to his own mouth, and leaving small pecks of kisses behind. When he pulled away, both were panting and awed at what just occurred. After all, they had only kissed one time before. They skipped a few steps and dove right in, but neither of them could find it in themselves to regret it.

"Kagome, what happened?" Touga asked, his mind realizing the way he had felt only an hour before. He reached behind him, grabbing a chair and pulling it to her bed. His hands grabbed hers immediately, and began rubbing circles over the soft skin.

"I don't know. The doctors said they have no idea what happened. A nurse had been present, taking vitals, and then I… I died." She answered, and Touga took in a gasp of breath that sounded like a hiss. His hands tightened around hers and she had to hide the wince it caused. She didn't want him to know that he was hurting her, because she knew he didn't mean it.

"The doctor said they were getting ready to bring in the paddles when my heart started beating on its own randomly. They didn't need to do anything, and then I opened my eyes." Kagome finished quickly, knowing Touga needed to hear the rest. She could see just how her being in a coma affected him, and she didn't like it. She wanted to see the Touga she remembered, not the exhausted one before her.

Touga relaxed as he looked deep in thought. There were many things he and Kagome needed to talk about, but he wasn't sure right now was the right time. She had just woken up after all. He would wait for the moment, but he knew he had to talk to her before she was discharged from the hospital, and before her brother came up to visit.

Of course, the moment he thought that, his plan went out of the window as he heard his sons voice in the in the door way behind him. "Father. Rin called, she is bringing Souta and InuYasha." Sesshomaru warned, knowing his father wouldn't be pleased with the interruption.

"Did you not tell her to wait." Touga growled, not seeing the confusion form on Kagome's face. He had wanted more time with Kagome, and now he was losing that.

"Yes, though did you really think that will stop her. She watched as you fell to your knees in pain, she heard your whimpers and growls. Both her and Souta thought the miko dead. There was no stoping those two." Sesshomaru explained, looking towards Kagome and ignoring his annoyed father. "I am glad to see you awake Kagome."

"Thanks Sesshomaru." She replied, smiling to him, before looking back towards Touga who had a scowl on his face. She looked at Sesshomaru again, silently asking him to leave and he nodded, before turning and doing just that. "Touga, why don't you want everyone to visit me?"

"There are things we need to talk about. I had wanted to wait since you just woke up, but with the arrival of your brother, I cannot." Touga answered without hesitation. He sighed and turned towards Kagome, waiting for her small nod to continue. "The lesser of evils first, I guess." He mused, before continuing. "Awhile back, your apartment burned down. The entire complex is nothing but ash. Souta has been living with me since then."

"Its gone?" Kagome asked, her face that of worry. She couldn't help but to wonder what she would do now. She had no idea if she still had a job…anywhere. She knew the bar tending and waitressing job was gone, but there was a chance she could get her teaching job back. It still wouldn't be enough though. She would need to get a second to find a decent apartment. That still didn't help with the large deposit she was going to need.

"Stop it Kagome. Right now the only thing your going to do is sit back and relax. I don't care how long it's going to take, but until you are fully healed, you won't be doing anything." Touga cut into her thoughts, his tone reprimanding.

"But-" She started, but stopped when he held up a hand.

"But nothing." He stated, his tone not allowing any argument. "Souta has been living with me for awhile now, and when you are discharged, you will do the same. I won't have you hurting yourself further. When you get better, if you wish to get your own place, I will allow it, but not until then." Though he silently hoped she never left his home. His face softened as he took in the tears in her eyes. "Kagome. I thought I lost you. When I found you in that car-"

"You found me?" She asked, her face full of horror.

"Yes. That I will get to in a moment. Though I will add, if I ever catch you texting and driving again, I will take you over my damn knee. That was foolish of you, and you know it." He reprimanded again, and his eyes bore into hers until she looked down and nodded. It didn't matter that she never texted and drive. She did it once and look were it got her. So she couldn't argue with his words.

Touga sighed again, squeezing Kagome's hand in support. "I'm not angry with you. You just scared a lot of people. Souta… he has changed, for the better. He's the boy you told me about, and I can see why you cared for him so much." Kagome smiled, tears filling her eyes, and Touga wiped them away before they could fall. "You will see." He grew silent as his face turned into worry. This was the part he was worried about. She very well may hate him.

"Kagome… by time Sesshomaru and I found you in that car, you had been there for hours. You were so cold and lifeless. At first glance I thought you were dead, and you almost were. Your heart… it was hardly bleeding. Your reiki wasn't working, and if I just carried you to the hospital, you wouldn't have made it. So I did what I had to…" He looked up at Kagome, and this time it was her hand squeezing his in support. "I gave you my blood. It was the only thing that would heal you at that moment. But with that said, it means we are…partially…mated."

"Mated." Kagome breathed, her hand beginning to shake. This was her worst fear, being tied to someone for the rest of her life. She wasn't sure how to make a relationship work. Not to mention she was her, and not someone very special. What if Touga grew tired of her, then he would be stuck with her, never able to escape.

"Partially. You have been given my blood, but I have not taken yours. The bond isn't full, and won't be unless that is what you want. I know you can feel what you mean to me, and you know I would have no problem with having you for a mate but I will not pressure you." Touga reassured, helping Kagome to relax. He knew she wouldn't be thrilled about having part of her will taken from her, but he was trying to make this as easy for her as possible.

"I'm not…ready for that step yet." Kagome admitted, and Touga nodded, expecting that answer.

"Again, I will give you what ever time you need. I will accept what ever you choose, even if you never want to complete the bond." Touga promised. He meant it to. Ultimately, he wanted Kagome happy, even if that wasn't with him. That didn't mean he wouldn't try to woo her while he could. He wasn't going to waste anymore chances when it came to this woman.

"Thank you." Kagome whispered, smiling towards Touga and he knew he was forgiven. Gong by his new silent vow to never waste a chance, he stood enough to press his lips to Kagome's. No words could explain how happy he was when she returned the kiss.

…SS…

Kikyou was fuming. She had no idea what went wrong, but she knew it wasn't anything that she did. She did everything Kagura had told her, yet Kagome was alive. No, the bitch was past alive and awake. Most likely at this point Kagome was smooching it up with Touga, and the thought made her stomach churn. Touga was hers.

Not thinking twice about it, she barged into the restaurant, not stoping to speak to anyone as she stomped her way to the woman she was here to see. At least this time Kanna wasn't present. That was one good thing that had happened to her recently.

"I thought she was supposed to be dead. You told me, that poison would kill her." Kikyou accused, her hands on her hips as she looked down on the smirking demon.

"No I didn't." Kagura smirked, motioning to the set in front of her. She waited until Kikyou sat down before she continued. "In fact, I never said what the poison would do. I just told you how to use it."

"What did it do?" Kikyou asked, her ire growing to levels never before reached. She just knew in that moment she had been manipulated.

"The poison wasn't poison at all. It was reiki, stolen from a few miko's and monks, and corrupted. The moment you put that vile stuff into Kagome, her own pure reiki reacted, purging her body of it, and any other potions in her body. Therefore the thing keeping her asleep was destroyed. So, my dear Kikyou, do you understand now. You didn't kill Kagome, you saved her." Kagura laughed, her hand covering her mouth daintily.

"Why? Why do you want her alive when she is stealing Naraku from you?" Kikyou asked, and the laughing stopped instantly. Kikyou apparently struck a cord with he demon.

"Because when that bitch dies, it will be by my claws no one else's. The things I have planned for that woman are enough to make Naraku shudder in fear, and I won't have a disgusting human ruining that for me. You and the wolf will not stop me." Kagura answered, red eyes glaring straight through into Kikyou's soul. For a moment Kikyou was confused about a few things. Kagura, in her anger had let a few things slip and the woman wasn't about to admit that. Kagome was a miko, a being not heard of for some time. And there was another male who wanted Kagome, either dead or alive she wasn't sure. But he was the reason why the bitch was unconscious for so long.

She needed to decide what to do with this information, but for now she needed to leave. She couldn't trust Kagura, and she made a mistake coming to her. From now on, she would only trust herself or Naraku. She had to get Kagome out of her way, or she would lose Touga forever.

…sSs…

Now we know what happened to Kagome. Basically Kagura saved Kagome so she could kill her at a later time. She is sick and twisted, and has many plans for Kagome. Kagome remembers what Kagome did to her, with keeping her asleep, but she thinks it's a dream. Its why she never mentioned it. Touga and Kagome can now start forming and strengthening their relationship, but it will be a slow road. I hope you all enjoy.