Chapter 28 Reaching For You
When I came back out wearing nothing but the white gown, I took in the blood splattered on the wall and the bed with a grimace. Just looking at the blood made me feel like my wounds were still bleeding even when I stuffed the deepest wounds with some of my ripped clothing. The rest of the clothing was still on the bed. I sat next to Rin against the wall, pulling her close to lean on me, facing the bloody mattress. "We'll get out of here soon. Inuyasha is still searching for us. I can feel it."
"It won't matter when he comes," Rin mumbled. "This barrier hides us from anyone who comes in except for Naraku and the things that came from his body."
I pointed at the blood. "But they'll see that, right?"
She lifted her head to look at it. "Probably. Anything moved around or something that came off your body will take at least a day to become visible to the outside. Meaning that your blood and clothes will become visible to whoever rescues us if you don't touch it."
I pressed my lips together. "I'm gonna try to contact Inuyasha again. Can you be silent for five minutes?" When she nodded and sat up, I closed my eyes. I concentrated on nothing but Inuyasha, remembering every little detail about him. Just thinking about him made me miss him dearly. I will forgive everything he did if he comes to find me, I thought desperately.
Something clicked and I was suddenly standing on a tall building in the snow. Inuyasha was kneeling down, breathing heavily. Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth and stained the snow. He looked so cold and pale and all alone.
His blood is leaving his body, I thought with alarm. "Inuyasha!"
His head snapped up and looked around with wide eyes. "Kagome! You have to tell me where you are. I can't find you!" he said quickly, as if I was about to leave.
"I would, Inuyasha. But I don't know either." I tried to keep tears out of my voice. He was risking his life to find me without any potion of Kikyou's. It was really taking a toll on him. The potion must've had an after-effect when he didn't take any for a while and his wound is opening quicker. "You don't know how relieved I am to see you..." Searching for me? Away from Kikyou? Alive? I didn't know what to add to that.
"Kagome..." He swallowed hard and stood up. "Don't say anything like that. You're gonna see me again. I promise... I'm sorry, Kagome."
I noticed the thickness of his voice as he looked out at the falling snow. Oh, dear. He was going to cry. If he was going to cry then I won't be able to stop myself. "For what?"
His hands clenched and unclenched. "What do you think! Everything! I-I... I want-need- you safe with me. If anything happens to you, I'm never going to forgive myself. It's my fucking fault!"
I tried walking closer to him and bringing a hand up to grab his. My body here was transparent but I could feel him. He stiffened, meaning he could feel it too.
"A-Are you alright, Kagome?" his voice softened and his hand squeezed mine.
"...Yeah... Inuyasha, please don't give up, okay? Rin and me are waiting," I whispered, my voice betraying me and cracking as I said, "If I don't live to see another day... I-I love you and-"
"Damn it, Kagome," he shook his head violently, "You're not gonna die! So don't you dare say that! I'm going to save you and Rin!"
I slid my hand out of his, his touch was making me lose my energy.
"I can feel you. You're close by somewhere." Inuyasha said, closing his eyes. "I'll find you, Kagome. Just hang on for me."
I was about to reply but before I could get a word out, I was thrust back into my body. My head snapped up in surprise and hit the wall behind me. I groaned and put my hands to the back of my head, probing for injuries.
Rin looked at me, "Did you speak to him?"
After seeing that there was nothing to worry about, I answered, "Yeah. He's trying to find us."
She didn't look as happy with the news as I thought she would. "He doesn't know where we are?"
"He said he can...feel me close by," I rested my back against the wall. What exactly did he mean by that? Could he have felt my presence with him or is he guiding himself to me? I wouldn't doubt it, since I could contact him through our Marks. He could have an unusual ability as well.
Rin's gaze shifted to the wooden floor. "It wouldn't matter even if he stood where we are now. Naraku placed a concealing barrier around this place so it wouldn't be found by slayers. It's how he evaded them for years."
I stood up and walked to the window, barely seeing out of the blurry glass to the world outside. "Inuyasha will find us. I'm sure of it." As long as Kikyou doesn't call for him again, I added bitterly and sighed, barely catching myself when I leaned closer to the glass and the barrier crackled. The walls of the barrier rippled at the smallest contact and I frowned.
I turned to Rin. "Do you know how strong this barrier is?" I asked lightly.
She looked up and shrugged. "It takes your power from you and uses it against you. But Naraku made sure to make it strong even before he left to get you. He must be cautious."
I looked around the room, watching the ripples smooth away on the pale wall. It absorbed my spiritual power so that I couldn't fight, but...
"Well, priestesses usually are only good in one category out of three. That's what the Base found out a couple years ago. It's either offense, defense, or healing. But you've been fighting and healing."
I closed my eyes and looked within me for my spiritual power. It wasn't nearly as strong as before but it was still there and that fact put a smile to my face. "He only took my ability to purify," I said, "If I could just know how to erect a barrier, we could get-"
Something moved out of the corner of my eye and I looked to the window to see a flash of red and then a bright light that vanished as soon as it came.
Rin looked alerted as she crawled over to the still-open door. "Naraku left and the demons are still here but I just felt the concealing barrier break."
I nodded, feeling it too. My heart thumped wildly as I stared out of the window as one thought fluttered in my mind: Inuyasha?
Inuyasha
Just as soon as Kagome's presence faded away, he jumped into action, quite literally, and quickly descended down to the ground. He could feel Kagome. And she was very, very near.
It was like her heartbeat was calling to him, leading the way. He could only hope that it was her calling him and not his own heart thumping in his ears.
His feet touched ground and he landed in a crouch to take some of the impact. Half-demon or not, jumping off a skyscraper would end his life if he wasn't careful. He started running towards the outskirts of the city, feeling every pulse of Kagome pulling him to her until it abruptly stopped.
He was very confused and could only assume the worst. But he didn't really need her help anymore, a thin scent of miasma was near.
Before he lost himself in the thrill of possibly, finally, finding his mate after a week of searching. He pulled out his cellphone and speed-dialed Sesshomaru, waiting impatiently as it rang. No telling how many of Naraku's demons were waiting for him. He needed some back-up if he didn't want Kagome hurt.
"Sesshomaru! I think I found her."
"Tell me where you are."
Inuyasha glanced around before finding a street name and address. Sesshomaru could check on his GPS if he needed directions.
The cellphone instantly slipped out of his hand when he ran into a wall hard. He was thrown back and rolled into the snow until he landed on his stomach. Inuyasha took a moment to catch his breath as he helped himself on his elbows and looked up at a purple barrier surrounding a whole abandoned neighborhood. Glancing up, he found himself in a weaker, concealment barrier. It was only a couple feet from the barrier that sent him flying backwards.
His ears twitched at a sound and crawled to his cell phone, finding Sesshomaru still on. "When you get here, make sure to slow down. There's a barrier." He warned him as he sat up and stared up at it. He could barely see another barrier on the inside, surrounding a house. "Get someone to bring me Tetsusaiga."
"I will," Sesshomaru answered. "Stay out of sight until we arrive. We don't want Naraku fleeing with Kagome if you're discovered."
Inuyasha snorted softly as he closed the phone and dusted snow off his sweater before quickly hiding himself behind the nearest house. He sniffed and caught the faint scent of Naraku. That would mean that he either arrived or left a few hours ago. He tried to sense Kagome's spiritual power, as he could when she's near by but got nothing, which made him worry more.
I gathered Rin up and away from the door when I couldn't catch any more movement and sat against the wall. We both remained deathly silent, holding our breaths as we waited for any other sound.
Another light flashed outside along with the sense of a barrier breaking before a door downstairs broke. High pitched squealing of demons were cut off one by one until rapid footsteps came up the stairs.
Kouga stopped at the doorway, surveying the room with a grimace as he sniffed the air. "Damn..."
"What is it?" Sango nudged him aside and looked inside.
"Sango!" I cried out as she looked around the room curiously, Hiraikotsu banged against the wooden floor as she set it down. I knew that nobody could hear us or see us but I could hope.
"What's with this room?" Sango whispered and turned back to Kouga.
"I smell Kagome's scent in here. It's fresh. But the amount of blood..."
"Do you think she's...?" Sango worried her bottom lip. "No! She can't be dead. She's stronger than that!"
Kouga nodded solemnly. "It doesn't really mean she's dead but Naraku probably took her away again. If Inuyasha can't get a hold of her again, she's done for." He turned away from the door.
"Move. Get out of my way!"
I sobbed at the sound of Inuyasha's voice. He was so close...
"Mutt, nothing's up here. Go back down and check-"
"Don't lie to me! I smell her up here. Kagome!"
"Let him go." Sesshomaru's voice ordered, "Let him see for himself."
Inuyasha stopped in front of the door, his wide eyes looking all around the room. "Kagome..."
"Inuyasha," I cried softly and came to him when he walked further in the room. He looked so lost as he took in the blood splattered on the walls and the bed.
He went up to the wall and brushed his hand against the blood. It was dried. "Was I... too late...?" he said as he took in everything.
I fell to my knees and cried uncontrollably as he drove a fist through the window, cursing himself out. "Oh, Inuyasha." Rin was hugging her knees, unable to look up and her shoulders shook with silent sobs.
"Damn it!" Inuyasha roared as he drew his fist back from the glass. It cut his skin with the violent movement. "No! Not Kagome!"
When he turned towards me, I noticed bloody tears falling from his eyes.
" Unfortunately, it wouldn't go away completely and I visited her every time it got too bad."
"What happens if it does?"
"My blood leaves my body until I'm drained and dead."
He knelt down right in front of me, and for a split moment, I thought he was looking at me. But he was looking at the bed behind me with a pained expression. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Kagome," his voice wavered as he stared at the bed, probably thinking of what possibly happened on it.
I brought a shaky hand up to cup his cheek, trying to imagine that I could feel his warm skin.
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha wiped his eyes before looked at Miroku, who stood at the door with a grim expression.
"The building is empty. Besides the demons we killed. No one's here," Miroku said quietly.
He nodded. "We need to find Naraku. The stupid bastard must've fled when he sensed us coming."
"If there's any hope," Miroku replied, "Kagome is probably with him."
Inuyasha nodded again and stood up. "Yeah."
I watched as Inuyasha followed after Miroku. "Inuyasha!" I shouted in desperation.
He looked over his shoulder hopelessly.
Body thinking faster than my mind, I jumped towards him, watching him snap his gaze back to the hall where Sesshomaru stood. My body collided with the barrier and I screamed as I was flung backwards onto the floor.
"Let's go, Inuyasha. Naraku obviously abandoned this house." Sesshomaru said.
"Yeah..." he replied and left, leaving me and Rin crying and screaming after them.
Rin was wiping tears away, her shoulders trembling as she leaned against the wall. I walked over to the window and watched hopelessly as Inuyasha slowly walked over to someone's car. Sango was staying strong by not looking in the direction of the house but when Miroku placed a hand on her shoulder, she broke down against him. Sesshomaru was exchanging words with Inuyasha, who nodded with a grim face.
There had to be some way to get their attention. I brought my hand up and pressed it against my prison trying to feel the glass of the window underneath my palm but all I felt was the unbelievable shock. I let out a shriek as I pulled my hand back, almost flying off my feet with the force it sent me. As before, no one heard a sound except for me and Rin.
Rin hugged her knees tighter, her eyes on the door Inuyasha left open. "Master Naraku's gonna come back," she whispered out of fright. "He's gonna kill us."
She didn't need to tell me something I already knew. Once Naraku finds the corpse of his demons on the ground, he's going to figure that someone found his hideout.
"I said I was supposed to save you, even if that means I won't save myself," I said, my voice detached as I watched my rescue team leave in three cars. "You won't die, Rin. I'll bring you safely to Sesshomaru."
Rin sniffled and hugged my waist. I hugged her tightly, ignoring the pain of my wounds. I thought of Inuyasha. How he vowed to protect me, even when I had my doubts about him. I wanted to do the same for Rin.
A movement caught my eye and I looked up to find the wall rippling. Like water that was disturbed. The whole room was moving.
Rin was looking around too. "Something's wrong with the barrier."
I walked up to the open door and slowly brought my hand through the barrier, watching it stretch outwards with my hand. My skin was glowing a dull pink as it came in contact with the barrier. It started to strain against me and I felt a tingle of shock. "It's weakening. What's left of my spiritual power... it's acting like another barrier against this one."
"Can we go through?" Rin asked.
"We better try before I lose everything I have now," I tugged Rin to my side. "Don't let go, no matter what." Rin nodded, clutching what was left of my shirt and I backed up before running into the doorway. My teeth clenched tight against the shock as I pushed through.
Rin was pushing me as well and the barrier finally shoved us out, not wanting to strain anymore. My shoulder slammed into the wall of the hallway with a force that should have fractured my arm. With my barrier, though, I only felt a throbbing pain.
I looked over to the room to find the barrier go back to place. I only had a second to think if it had triggered a response to Naraku before Rin took over and ran, clutching my hand tightly. The front door only had a few deadbolts that were broken in from being kicked in.
We ran as far as we could in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Until I collapsed with exhaustion. Rin stayed by my side, shouting for help. I tried my best to concentrate and sent something to Inuyasha but blacked out before I could get a response.
I heard the calm beep, beep, beep, of my heart rate as I came to in a world of hurt. I sighed when I realized I was in a hospital. I'm saved, I thought incredulously and relaxed against the pillow under my head. I looked over to the other side of the room, expecting to see Rin laid down next to me but instead saw Inuyasha.
He slept soundly on the other medical bed and I felt relieved to be so close to him. He was in his human form and looked a bit troubled even in his sleep. I remembered his red tears and knew that he was starting to die. He had escaped Kikyou to find me. But I knew that even if he didn't left Kikyou, he would've still been dying without me.
"I don't think you're allowed to sleep there," I said and frowned at my raspy voice.
Inuyasha's eyes opened as soon as I spoke and he quickly sat up. "Kagome!" he said in surprise and was at my side in an instant. "How're you feeling?"
"I've felt better," I whispered, taking him in. He looked exhausted and hurt. I started to regret waking him up. "Where's Rin?"
He smiled slightly and pulled up a stool. "She's reunited with Sesshomaru. They both send their thanks to you."
"I only did what I promised. Naraku would've killed us if we stayed any longer." I didn't want to say that we were stuck in the same house where he broke in to try and save us. It'd probably make him feel bad.
Inuyasha's gaze turned guilty and regretful. "I know. Rin told us everything." I cringed as his shoulders fell. "I was in the same room that you were, wasn't I? You could see me in there?"
I slowly nodded. "But if you didn't come, I wouldn't have found the strength to escape," I said before he could turn any blame on himself.
"It doesn't change the fact that I could have-"
"You didn't know we were in there. It isn't your fault," I cut in. "I'm just glad that you even tried to find me."
"Why wouldn't I?" he asked softly. "You're my mate, Kagome. It's my job to protect you."
"Even if I regret being yours?"
He looked away. "Even then."
I frowned and tried sitting up. Inuyasha quickly put an arm around me to support me. "You're not being healed by Kikyou," I blurted and watched him wearily as I waited for denial.
Instead he answered, "I know."
He doesn't. "She's is only using you to live longer."
" I know,"He glared halfheartedly at me. "Anything else you wanna point out?"
I sucked in a shaky breath and heard my heart rate quicken slightly and calmed again. "I don't regret being yours, Inuyasha. I just-"
"Mr. Takahashi. You really need to let- oh, you're awake!" the nurse quickly walked in and came by my side, checking the stats the heart monitor was giving. "It looks like you're healing quite nicely, Kagome. How are you feeling?"
"Fine," I muttered automatically. "When can I get out of here?"
Inuyasha snorted as the nurse replied. "Well, we hope to keep you for a couple more days. You were injured pretty badly when you came in."
My brows drew together, "How long was I unconscious for?"
"Three days," Inuyasha answered, "You woke up a couple times. Although, you were completely out of it."
Three days? I thought incredulously.
"Mr. Takahashi. I'm gonna need you to leave the room while I change my patient's bandages now," the nurse explained.
"Keh. I'll be right outside the door. If I hear her scream for any reason, I'm blaming you," Inuyasha warned before walking out, closing the door behind him.
"What's gotten into him?" I wondered aloud.
"Well, he came in with your body a bit infuriated. I suppose it's because your his wife. Could you lean up for me, sweetie?" she asked and she untied the hospital gown I now wore, setting it in my lap.
"Was I really that bad?" I asked as she unwrapped the bandages that covered my chest to my torso. I frowned at the blood splotches that covered it. I didn't feel that much pain though, only a huge headache.
"You suffered external and internal injuries. It's an absolute miracle you survived." She discarded the used gauze in the trash and gasped. "Oh, my!"
I blinked and looked down at my half-bare body. It looked perfectly fine. "What's wrong?"
"I could have sworn..." she stared for a moment longer before clearing her throat. "Excuse me for a moment."
I pulled up the gown warily as she stepped out. Inuyasha came back in. "What's up with her?"
I shrugged. "She took one look at me and then left."
"Is there anything wrong?" He walked over and sat back on the stool.
"My scars are completely gone," I said with sudden realization. How could I ever forget what Naraku did to me? Leaving me a bloody mess for Rin to find.
"Your wounds healed without a single mark. I kinda figured they would," he said as he helped tie the gown back on. "You were... glowing while you were sound asleep. It was the same light that came when you healed my wound."
I gave him a questioning glance, "How do you know?"
He shrugged, taking a seat again, "I was in here the whole time you were. But I had a shower yesterday."
I sent him a glare at the 'shower' comment. No doubt that I probably stunk to him. I looked down at my scarred arms with a frown."Why am I healing now when I couldn't before?"
He glanced down and went back to my face. "Maybe it has to do with how relaxed you are or something."
I thought it over before shrugging. "As long as I don't have to go around with a wheelchair or crutches, I'm fine." He rolled his eyes.
There was a small knock at the door. Inuyasha frowned slightly. "Come in...?"
A pause, then the door opened, revealing Miroku, Sango, and Shippo. I smiled brightly as Shippo ran to my side eagerly. "Hey, you guys!"
"Shh. Visiting times are way over," Miroku hushed.
Sango rolled her eyes, "They have video cameras in the halls. They're bound to figure us out sooner or later." She looked at me and smiled, "You know you gave everyone a scare."
"Wait a minute," I turned to Inuyasha, "How did you stay with me?"
Shippo answered. "He threw a big fit when the doctors tried to push him in the waiting room and threatened to 'de-cap-a-tate' them and throw their bodies out the window." He stumbled over the word 'decapitate'.
My brows rose as I looked at Inuyasha, who flushed lightly and looked away. "Didn't happen."
Sango smirked, "Did happen. Though, with you two being mates and all. I didn't blame him when he growled and threatened every time the doctor came in with a needle."
I glanced at him again. He really did care about my well-being. I heard my heart beat quicken slightly on the monitor.
Another woman came in, looking more strict as she closed the door behind her. I could sense the demonic aura in her. "Kagome?"
"Uh, that's me..."
She nodded. "You're allowed to go home today if you wish. But I should recommend that you stay at least one more night just to make sure all wounds have closed and that absolutely no harm came to the baby."
The room fell silent.
"Kagome's having a baby?" Shippo asked. His voice echoed in the tense silence.
The doctor nodded. "Congratulations. I'll leave you all alone now."
When the door closed behind her, my two other friends snapped out of it. "T-That's wonderful!" Sango said as she placed a hand on my shoulder, not hugging me because of my "wounds".
"It was practically bound to happen. I've heard that newly mated mates tend to go into a heated phase." Miroku patted Inuyasha's back, who was still in shock. "Congrats, Inuyasha."
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Shippo asked me.
I shrugged, moving my legs over the side and stood up, clenching the back of my hospital gown together. "Um, let's go home."
Inuyasha was totally silent on the way home, or my mental panicking blocked him out. A baby? I knew I shouldn't be so surprised. After all, Inuyasha and I haven't really been careful. But still, how can I go risk my life chasing after demons knowing a child was growing inside me? Inuyasha's child...
It's certainly going to make me handicapped when my stomach gets huge. I self-consciously pressed my hands against my body with a frown. Sango had thankfully held some of my clothes for me while I was unconscious so the hospital gown was thrown out.
"A-Are you feeling alright?"
"Mm-hmm..." I hummed nervously. It was his first words since he found out I'm pregnant. I still didn't know if he was either happy or not with the news. I knew for sure that I wasn't really either happy or disturbed but his decision could definitely tip the scales.
He stopped by the apartments and I gazed at my home a bit sadly. It's been a long while since I've been back here. Inuyasha opened my car door and picked me up carefully. I still felt a bit sore from sleeping for three days straight and winced when my spine curved as he carried me.
"You sure you're okay? Maybe you should've stayed one more night," Inuyasha said as he nudged open the gates.
"I'm just a little sore. It's just the stiffness of my body that's bothering me," I said offhandedly and reached to open the door when he was about to adjust me.
He set me sitting on the sofa before turning on the lights. He sat down facing me. "I'm the father, right?" he asked lightly.
I nodded with certainty, "You should be. You're the only one-... unless..." I cringed and shook my head. It can't be Naraku's infant, it would be too early to know about it.
"Unless..." he prompted, frowning.
"No. It can't be Naraku's child, thankfully," I sighed in relief.
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed angrily. "He touched you?"
I closed my eyes, trying to push away the memory. "Inuyasha, do you mind talking about this later?"
"...Fine. But I'm just saying this now that he will have a painfully slow death."
I tried to smile but felt that I failed. Inuyasha took off his demonic-binding sutra off as I struggled with my feelings. "I... I don't know if I can handle this."
"Handle what? The pup?" he asked.
I felt my bottom lip quiver as I nodded. "I'm too young to deal with this."
"You're fine handling Shippo," Inuyasha said helpfully.
"Hardly! He ended up living with Sango instead of me."
He tentatively shifted closer to me. "You'll be fine. And you have-what?- nine months to get used to it?"
I nodded, glancing up at him. "The baby needs a daddy too, Inuyasha..."
He automatically got defensive. "Of course he needs a father! You think I'll leave you and my kid alone? What do you take me for, Kagome?"
"So, you don't mind?" I asked warily.
"Course not!" he growled, leaning towards me, "I'm happy we have a child. It's one more reason I want to stay with you."
"But..." I knew there was a 'but' about this.
"But... it's up to you whether I can be the pup's dad. After I hurt you so much, I doubt you fully want me-"
I slowly stood up, wincing slightly. "I'm going to take a shower. Then a long nap. Then we'll talk about what we're going to do about you and Kikyou." I turned to him to find him looking concerned and confused, "All I'm saying is that I want you to be my mate right now and worry about everything else later."
Inuyasha quickly stood up and held my waist when I swayed slightly, making me lean against him for support. "Alright. Mate now. Questions later. Shower first." He swept me up again, ignoring my sputtering protests that I didn't want to take a bath with him as he closed the bathroom door behind him.
He closed the toilet seat and made me sit on it before starting the shower. I watched him as he felt the temperature of the water. "I can take a shower by myself."
He sent a frown at me. "You can barely stand still. The last thing I need is for you to fall and bump your head on something."
I glared and proved that he was wrong by standing up- having him quickly catch me when my knees gave out.
He grinned slightly, "Told you so." He stood straight, holding my arms to keep me on my feet before 'helping' me take my clothes off. His claws got caught and stretched out the shirt.
The sound of fabric tearing and the cold air that hit my body made me reflexively screw my eyes shut and keep down a shriek that sounded in my throat. After a moment, I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at his eyes that carefully hid his emotions as he stared back. I felt heat rise to my face as I muttered, "Sorry. I-"
"It's fine," he said quickly, grimacing. "It's okay."
I closed my eyes gently when he moved to have me sit down again to remove his own clothes. "It's not your fault. It's-"
"I get it, Kagome." Inuyasha said in a hard tone before softening it. "You just escaped him, so I wouldn't expect you to be strong right now. I understand what happened."
I opened my eyes and looked at him, allowing him to help me up. "Thank you."
He nodded and lifted me into the shower with him. The fact that he kept himself away from me, only having his hands hold me upright, brought sudden tears in my eyes but I hid under the spray of the water and washed my hair and body and tried to ignore that he was there.
I ran a comb through my wet hair absently while staring at my reflection. Much better... I thought as I inspected my flushed face. No longer deathly pale like it had been in Naraku's house. I shook my head, feeling my hair cling to my face and push it back. I might have looked better but I was back to square one like last time I was rescued from Naraku. A depression haunted me just like the last time but this time it was more bearable. Nobody had to die because of me this time. I knew within my soul that Souta was still alright living with Kaede and Rin (as far as I know) was unscathed and well. No one's parents had to die.
The comb slipped from my hand and onto the tiled floor as I clutched the counter tightly. My head felt like it was spinning and my knees still felt too weak from disuse. I blinked as Inuyasha's hands instantly held me still and I realized that I almost fell to the floor when he pulled me up and turned me around slowly to face him.
"Are you feeling alright?" His hand came up and cupped my cheek.
"I'm feeling dizzy," I mumbled as I avoided his gaze.
"Maybe you need some sleep-" When he tried to pick me up, I resisted and shook my head. He looked at me questioningly.
I slid my arms around his neck and pressed my face against him. He didn't move but instead stood stiffly as I breathed in his clean scent. He comforted me by his presence but it wasn't good enough.
"Kagome? You-"
"Do you know how much I missed you while I was with Naraku?" I asked against his damp skin. I felt tears overflowing as I spoke. "Even when my last memory of you was being attacked by your claws. I felt every emotion for you except hatred. I can't hate you when I don't even know you as well as I thought I did. I need to know, Inuyasha. I need to know what I should feel for you. Please."
"What's this all the sudden?" He pulled me away from him and I let go with some reluctance. His thumb rubbed off my tears that kept coming. "Don't cry."
I waved his hand away and covered my face with my hands. "You're acting like I'm going to leave you as soon as I can walk when I don't want to."
"I'm not." he defended.
"You are!"
"Look, Kagome," he gently took my hands away, "I'm just trying not to get you to freak out. It's obvious Naraku frightened you again and you're trying to be all strong in front of me when I know you're hurt." I was shaking my head as he continued, "I don't want to give you what you want until you feel better to think clearly."
I hesitantly glanced up at him, feeling the truth of his words. I wanted to say I need to know and Just tell me the whole truth and I'll see if I leave or not. Instead, I murmured, "Hold me."
Inuyasha quickly responded by wrapping his arms around me tightly and rested his cheek on my head as I cried against his chest, letting out all the fear and vulnerability I felt. His hold didn't lack as the minutes passed and he waited patiently, whispering comforting words and nuzzling my hair.
When I calmed to just sniffles and hiccups, he gently moved me into the bedroom and set me on the bed, covering me with the heavy comforters and kissing my temple. "Sleep, Mate," he whispered. I only closed my eyes when he laid next to me and rested an arm around my waist, assuring me that we weren't going anywhere for a while.
A/N: I had a bit of trouble with this chapter and ended up writing bits and pieces of it before connecting it together. It feels too short to me so I added another Inuyasha part.
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