I've been really busy with work the past months. I know you probably don't want to hear the drama of my life but i owe you guys an explanation. I'm on probationary status now, for 6 months (until June 2014). And if i do pass the evaluation after, I'll be a regular staff nurse at my hospital.

Anyways, I was going to post this earlier today but thought it was short for a chapter, since I was hiatus for a long time. Special thanks to: crazykenz, rosaji, karrat, Taraah36, Happytello98, icegirljenni, blackacess, storiedfabric for continuously leaving reviews for me to read and to be inspired.

And to Dreamslongforgotten1989, sapphireagle, Kibachow, AnimexFreakz 0.o, Dragon's Maiden Slave, ginchi16, yoli, overninethousand, EmpathMagickGirl, kiti4life, AtlantaGeorgia for still reading and reviewing my other fanfic. I'm really grateful. I wanted to reply to you guys one by one but I just couldnt given my schedule.

Anyhow, hope you enjoy this chapter. ^_^

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Chapter 24: In sickness and in health...no leeks please!

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"Sesshomaru Taisho's residence, sorry can't get to you at the moment, busy being grumpy -ahh! *giggling in the background* -please leave a message- no not the toes! Stop tickling me -after the beep! "

Rin's animated voice rang through the living room. She took the liberty of changing Sesshomaru's voicemail tone. Of course he didn't approve but she was so persistent that he gave up soon enough. Thus, the scrawny background noise.

"Hey! It's Kanna. How's her fever going? About the meeting, I've called everyone and they'd agree on rescheduling. I'll drop by when i could. And get some shut eye, will you?"

Sesshomaru was on his way back to Rin's room when he heard Kanna's message drop to his voicemail.

He smiled at her concern. She had always been motherly to him and she's always been so dependable.

He settled the basin and washcloth at the bedside table, careful not to spill the cold water on his documents. Boy, he sure needs to start cleaning up his pile. Or Rin would throw a fit when she wakes up.

He sat at the bed and checked her temperature with the thermometer. He could relax now that her fever had gone down. Her fever was sky high that she had been delirious these past hours. Mumbling incoherent sentences; tossing and turning in bed.

At one point, she even screamed and sat up on bed; crying with her eyes still close.

"I'll be a good girl. I promise."

She only stopped trembling when he held her close to his warmth and joined her on bed.

Sesshomaru was helpless. He isn't used to taking care of other people, he's been alone for as long as he could remember. He hardly gets sick and when he does, it was his mom or Kanna when she passed, doing their magic to make him well again.

Kanna was laughing her ass off when he called her in the middle of the night to ask her what to do with Rin. Since he's already rendered tepid sponge bath and medication, warm soup and leeks were first on her list.

Leeks? He hates them. They taste awful. It has an onion-like taste. He didn't want to have her eat such awful food but if it would help her then he'd have to use his convincing prowess to have her take it in. Now he knows what his mom used to feel when he'd be stubborn as hell because he didnt want to eat it.

In the end, she couldn't down anything. She was too weak that he even considered bringing her to the hospital. But when he started carrying her she motioned no.

He looked up the clock and it was already 5:30am. He went for the bathroom to wash his face. He wiped off the steam in the mirror. And what greeted him is a stranger. He had dark circles on his eyes. And that five o'clock shadow needs shaving. The man on the mirror looked tired. A far cry from his stoic, confident, handsome self.

He proceeded with his usual morning routine. She can't see him like this. Knowing her, she'd only feel sorry and hate herself for being troublesome. Not that she is.

Feeling refreshed after, he decided for breakfast next.

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"Mm..." When Rin opened her eyes, a bright light was filling the room. That dream...

She slowly sat up. My body feels light. And my fever has gone down. But, my head felt strangely heavy. She took time gathering her surroundings. She vaguely remembered having went to school and then waking up to Sesshomaru's voice. She tried putting pieces together. She was feeling alright that morning, she didnt even feel feverish at all. What had i been missing?

Im not going anywhere with this. Thinking only made her head ache and her chest hurt. She knew there was something she had forgotten. She just couldn't point out what.

How long was i asleep?

"Anyway, I have to talk to Sesshomaru and the others at work." She got out of bed. It was then that she noticed him sitting in the corner of the room, asleep.

"Sesshomaru...You were taking care of me this whole time weren't you?" She whispered more to herself as she caressed his solemn face.

Sesshomaru sleeping peacefully. But he'll catch cold like that.

Rin dragged over the duvet and draped it over him.

"Mm..." he stirred. Oh, did I wake him?

Sesshomaru stretched and then looked at her. "Rin?" His eyes were open wide.

"Should you be up already?" He sounded authoritative. "You, are you okay, standing up like that?"

Rin turned at his voice. She pulled at the hem of his shirt. It only covered her mid-thigh and she felt rather exposed in his scrutinizing gaze.

"I feel okay now." Her cheeks started to flush. "Yes, my fever is gone and...eek!"

Before she could finish she was embraced. "Sesshomaru?"

"Dont worry me like that, stupid." He hugged her so hard it hurt.

"You were that worried about me? It was just a fever."

"Of course I was. And it wasnt just a fever. Next time if you're not feeling well, you tell me."

"Im sorry." His hold loosened, allowing her to look up at him and ask the other thing that's been bothering her since she woke. I was barely conscious, but I remember...

"Did you, u~uhm, change my clothes?"

"Yes. It needed to be off. You were sweating profusely and it would only make you worse."

She was fidgeting in his hold, making him smile.

"What are you so flustered about? I've seen your body. And I could worship you all day."

"B~but! This is an entirely different situation!" She smacked him on the chest.

"Ow! Ow! I'm sorry." He hugged her again so she would stop beating him. "But I couldn't wait for Kanna or Kagome to come."

"You're voice is loud." She covered her ear and tried shifting away from his grasps.

"Really, making me apologize and worry, you're an outrageous woman. "

"Sesshomaru, are your eyes wet?" She teased.

"You're imagining things." He pretended not to look at her, but could still see the pout she's wearing in the corner of his eye. Truth be told, he's just happy that she's recovered enough to start a friendly bickering."These past few days, do you have any idea how much time I've spent on you?"

"I'm sorry."

"This is going to cost you." He smiled mischievously.

"Huh? You want money? I dont have..." Rin played along, knowing where this was going.

"Then how will you pay?"

"Then I'll fulfill one request from you."

"Hmm, you're committed now." Sesshomaru gave a teasing smile."

Sesshomaru thought hard on this one, he already knows what he'll ask her for. "You have to fulfill any request, no matter what I ask for."

"Ooh..Are you going to ask for something really difficult?" He nodded.

"You can't refuse even if I tell you to dance naked or do a comedy routine."

"That's what you're going to ask? I don't think dancing naked is.."

She was appalled. She may have given him her v-card but she still really is innocent as a child.

"But you'd do a comedy act?" Boy, is he loving this.

"I could probably manage." He took care of me while I was ill, so I could do that much. Thinking this, she hardened her will.

Seeing how worked up she's become, "It's a joke. I wouldn't ask for anything like that."

"Eh, really? Oh good." She let out a relieved sigh.

"Although, I might like that one too."

"Sessho-"

*SMOOCH*

"I'll let you off with this."

Sesshomaru kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Wha.." So sudden...I'm going to get a fever again!

"Ah, I work for peanuts." Saying this, Sesshomaru let go of her. Leaving her sitting on the bed, flustered.

He's going to hold her to that promise, for now he'd settle for a simple kiss . Now's not the right moment to pop the question, yet.