A/N: Here is the sequel to, 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'. It is rated M. This chapter does contain a small taste of lemon and mentions of traumatic physical injury.

This will not be an easy road for them back to one another but we all know eventually our pair does. Let's get to it. Enjoy!

The sound of a deep rumbling sound along with a whine of sorts pulled Kagome from sleep. She turned over spitting messy hair out of her mouth and pulled it away from her cheeks.

"Gross." She muttered with a yawn. The sound of a crunching sound from outside met her hearing and she sighed sitting up. "The one day I could have slept in..."

Standing she adjusted her yukata opening the sliding door from her bedroom that led into her main sitting room. Walking past the hearth she moved aside the large bamboo curtain to her front deck. "Oh! You crazy dragons!"

An-Un looked up at her. Un immediately stopped what he had been doing while An continued to chew on the flower garland she had made with Rin that adorned the long railing.

"Stop chewing on my porch and I'll make you something better to eat." She reasoned pushing him off of the wood and assessing the damage. Teeth marks had scraped the wood with a few flecks and chips missing but nothing too severe.

Expectantly they looked to her both careening their necks towards her. "Yeah, yeah I know what you want." She said with a smile reaching forward and scratching both of their manes and behind their ears.

"I haven't seen you guys in a while." She stated. "Is Sesshomaru in the village?" At the mention of his name the two stood to full alert. "Don't worry, I won't tell on you. Go to your stable and I'll make you some rice porridge that you guys like."

She pointed towards the building that she had had built for them. After she and Sesshomaru had begun visiting with one another again the dragons had followed happily eager to see her.

For a time they had become extremely attached to her not leaving her side no matter how many commands Sesshomaru had given for them to leave.

Kagome had acquiesced saying that they would be good company and the best watch dogs she could ask for. She blushed at the thought remembering the near eye roll he had given her.

An-Un made their way to their enclosure jumping up to sit on top of it. Kagome shook her head at them, why they always preferred to sit on top of the stable rain or shine was beyond her understanding.

Busying herself inside she made a fire, fetched water from the stream. She ground down the cooked rice she had from the other day mixing it with a small amount of milk she had been saving mixing it with the cream.

It was a recipe that she would often give to pregnant women that she and Rin attended too as it was good protein and fat. Looking at her food stores she shrugged pouring the rest of the milk in.

"The milk was going to to go bad soon anyways." She said to herself. Once she had cooked the porridge and it was the right consistency she mixed in more cooked rice bringing the pot out to them.

"Oh! Hey Sesshomaru!" Kagome called out. He sat against a tree by the waterfall with his eyes closed. She knew he had heard her. "Okay you two. Here you go."

They began to fight over the pot with Un hissing at his brother. "No. None of that...share." She chided. "Don't try to play innocent with me buddy, I just saw you being mean to An."

She kept an eye on them for a few minutes certain they were only behaving because she was standing there, before she made her way over to Sesshomaru.

"You're visiting earlier than usual." She said sitting next to him.

"It is mid morning." He opened an eye glancing at her. "Late day?"

"Yeah." She ran a hand through her still sleep tousled hair. "Work in the village has been slow. It's been nice to just relax, especially now with the warm weather. I didn't think winter would ever end."

"You fared well?" He asked bringing his gaze to her fully.

"Oh yeah. I do just fine out here." Straightening out the tangled locks of onyx she let them fall to her shoulders. "I missed you."

Staring out at the waterfall she smirked wistfully. Sesshomaru held his breath in his throat bringing his attention to the water as well.

"After our last encounter I had thought perhaps we needed space to clear our heads." He replied exhaling.

"I get it but we could have talked about it." She replied moving her eyes down to the grass. Absently she plucked at a few strands.

"We can talk about it now, if you like." He offered.

"Do you want to talk about it or are you just saying that to placate me?"

"Yes. It is something that needs to be discussed."

"Yeah."

As the seasons turned from summer to autumn the village celebrated. The harvest that year had been fruitful and a feast had been prepared by all the villagers.

Rin had naturally invited Sesshomaru who stood away but spoke with their small group sparingly. Kagome smiled watching him with Rin and Yukimes small children before they were ushered to bed.

As soon as the children had trickled away the men had brought out the alcohol. Some of the women drank, Sango was among them, but Kagome stood back watching.

She had learned many years before that it wasn't seen as acceptable for her to drink in excess given her position in the village. Letting out a sigh she decided it was better not to drink at all during these celebrations and would officially get wasted once she was in her own home.

Bidding her good nights to her friends she accepted Sesshomarus offer to accompany her home. Unceremoniously she brought out her jug of sake with two saucers to sip from.

"Wanna drink with me?" She asked sitting on the deck across from him. "Regardless I am so figured I'd offer."

"It is not something this one generally engages in." He replied.

"Neither do I." She said pouring some out. "It's just something for every once in a while, so why not?"

As she sipped the liquid Sesshomaru grabbed for the jug pouring himself some as well. Kagome knew when she should stop but that probably meant Sesshomaru would leave.

Their visits were far and in between, she wanted to spend time with him, talk with him, and generally be close to him.

As her inhibitions began to loosen she placed her saucer down clearing her throat. Sesshomaru sat with his back to the wall of her house and his eyes closed.

"You okay?" She asked. He nodded his head once cracking open his lids.

"Drank too much." He whispered.

"Me too." She said bringing a hand to her head. "Fun while it lasted nows the regret."

"Kagome, do you ever think about...us?" He questioned suddenly catching her completely off guard.

"Of course I do." She replied honestly edging closer to him. "All the time."

"As do I." Sesshomaru turned to her taking her in as she took his hand. "I should never have brought you up there."

"It's done." He grasped her hand with his pulling her closer to him. "Sesshomaru, I want you back." She placed a hand to his cheek as she situated herself in his lap.

He wrapped his arms around her waist wishing he had removed his armor earlier in the night. Even still she leaned forward mindful of it and brought her lips to his.

The pressure of her lips against his immediately shot down to his groin. He pulled away from her breathing out.

"Sorry." She whispered immediately being silenced by his mouth crashing into hers. Desperately she kissed him back digging her nails into his neck.

"It's been so long." He said breaking their kiss.

"I know." Kagome clumsily moved her fingers to the ties that held his armor in place fumbling with them.

"Move." Sesshomaru stood undoing them and dropping everything onto the wooden deck, even his swords clattered to the floor, not caring in the moment where they went.

Kagome had sat on the railing and embraced him as he grasped her effectively holding her in place. She wound her legs around him as he licked at her jaw moving back towards her mouth.

"Yes." She met his tongue with her own sucking it into her mouth. Her hands moved to under his kimono and she moaned running her fingers and palms across the coiled muscle of his shoulders and torso.

His lips moved down to her collarbone and further still to her breasts. Pushing aside her fabric he growled at her exposed breasts.

"What is this?" He asked raising a brow at her. "No bindings?"

"What? I'm home, I wanted to be comfortable." She quipped. He seized the flesh between his teeth sucking and teasing it with his tongue.

She ran her fingers through silver tresses and leaned her head back slightly giving him better access which was took liberally.

"I have missed you." He mumbled against her. "You are the only one for me Kagome."

"Let's just start over." She replied holding him closer to her. He stopped bringing his lips to hers again.

"Not like this. Not intoxicated." He said pulling away from her slightly. Kagome took the hint and removed her legs from him.

"You're right." She said allowing the help he offered for her to stand. "You're always right."

"We should sleep on this."

"Yeah...together?" She asked hopefully offering a smile.

"That would defeat the purpose of..."

"I know I was teasing." She said fixing her top. "Tomorrow when I don't have a hammering headache, we'll talk about it."

"Yes." He said watching her go through the doors heading to her room.

Sesshomaru didn't remember falling asleep but it unnerved him that he did.

Awaking to the sound of the thundering falls and the trickle of the stream he sat up quickly. He took in his surroundings noting he had passed out on Kagomes deck close to his swords and armor.

Righting himself he stood stealthily moving into Kagomes taking in her sleeping form. He leaned against the door frame crossing his arms in front.

She was pale and sweating. Undoubtedly she would have a rough morning. Finding her water canister he gathered her some in the stream leaving it next to her.

Images from the night before came to mind and in the fast approaching morning light he found himself embarrassed by his behavior.

Taking a breath he exited the comfort of her home gathered his things and left. Glancing over to the stable Kagome had made for An-Un he called for the dragons and for the first time in three years they listened following behind him.

"You could have said good-bye." Kagome said. "I was pretty embarrassed too you know but if we could have talked it out then maybe we wouldn't have been. And I would have seen you maybe once last winter."

Sesshomaru moved his head quickly towards the clearing that led to the village. "What is it?"

"Kohaku." He said before he was visible to her. They both stood with Kagome moving the short distance to meet him. His face told her this was not a casual meeting.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Lady Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru." He said clearing his throat. "Rin and Kimi are ill. They've both developed a fever early this morning and are now bed ridden."

"I'll get my stuff." Kagome said sprinting into the house. Dressing in her white top and red hakamas she grabbed the travel bag she always had ready filled with different herbs, salves, and ointments.

Running out of the house she began walking back towards them. Sesshomaru remained impassive as always but his eyes betrayed him. They were a sea of emotion. "Kohaku, tell me, who Rins visited the last few days." Kagome asked as they began walking quickly.

"I'm not too certain." He said. "I know that she brought some food to a family that lives on the outskirts of the village quite a few days ago now."

"When I'm done I'm going to have to go and check on them." She said. "Hopefully it's just a summer fever."

"Rin used to get those a lot when we were children." Kohaku said nodding his head.

"They'll be alright." Kagome said glancing behind her slightly to see Sesshomaru a few paces behind them listening. "I'll be out in a few minutes."

Kohaku nodded as Kagome went into their hut. It was hot inside and dark. She found Rin laying on her futon with Kimi and her youngest daughter, Cho, huddled together sleeping.

"Rin." Kagome said placing her hand to her forehead noting the heat that was coming off of her. She moved little Cho away from her feeling her feet relieved she wasn't feverish. Kimi however had ice cold toes. "Fever."

Pulling Kimi away from her mother slightly she moved to rouse Rin again. "Rin, wake up." Shaking her shoulder Rin groaned.

"Kagome?" She whispered out.

"Hey, what's going on?" Kagome asked standing to light the brazier for some light.

"I told Kohaku not to worry but he doesn't listen." Rin replied sitting up slowly.

"He was worried about you." Kagome said placing her hand on Kimis forehead. "I told them it was probably just a summer fever."

"Them?"

"Oh, Sesshomarus outside too. He stopped by to see me I'm guessing on his way here." Kagome heard the audible groan escape Rins lips as she stood tightening her yukata.

"I love my husband and my lord but honestly, those two men will be the death of me over their constant worrying." Rin stated with a small huff.

Biting her lower lip Kagome offered a small smile. "Poor girl, to have two good looking guys always fussing over you." She joked. Standing Kagome wrapped an arm around Rins shoulder. "Yes, your life is terrible."

"Stop teasing me." Rin laughed out lightly. "You know what I meant."

"Come on. Let's put their fears to rest." Kagome said moving aside the bamboo curtain to allow Rin to lead her out.

"Rin." Kohaku said walking towards her. Placing tender hands to her shoulders Rin smirked at him.

"Don't worry husband, Kimi and I are alright. I told you this much last night when we began to become ill." Rin said gently. "And now you've worried Lord Sesshomaru and called Kagome here for no reason."

"I just wanted to make sure that you were both alright." Kohaku said moving his hands down her arms to grasp her hands. "Other villages have been experiencing illness and I grew worried, forgive me."

"Always." Rin said. Letting go of his hands Rin walked to greet Sesshomaru. "My lord, I'm sorry for worrying you needlessly over the state of Kimi and I."

"You are both well then?" He asked his eyes scanning her as he breathed in her scent as to any hint of her condition.

"We will be with some rest." Rin offered a small smile and a reassuring nod. "I will have Kohaku take Cho for the day to Sangos so we can sleep."

"I will deliver her." Sesshomaru said moving towards her hut. Kagome stepped aside as he walked in and exited with the still sleeping toddler.

"Oh, thank you Lord Sesshomaru. That will be very helpful."

"Be well Rin. Kagome, we will further our discussion at your domicile." Locking eyes with her Kagome gave a nod.

"Sounds good." She smiled. Kohaku went back into the hut when they heard Kimi whine, undoubtably having seen Sesshomaru and upset that he hadn't stayed.

"Good news?" Rin pressed once both males were out of earshot.

"Hmm?" Kagome asked curiously.

"You and Lord Sesshomaru are talking about things?"

"About some thing that happened, yes." Kagome replied with a blush crossing the bridge of her nose.

"When I am better I expect to be told over tea, at your place." Rin said. "I will bring tea cakes."

"Okay, I'll invite Sango and Yukime over. We can all talk about our sexual misadventures." This caused Rin to raise a brow at her. Hearing her eldest daughter call for her she let out a sigh. "See you soon. If you need anything just send Kohaku. Feel better."

"Thanks Kagome." She said entering her hut. With a sigh she began racing towards Sangos figuring she could invite her friend for tea and walk back home with Sesshomaru.

"Win, win." She mused to herself. Glancing around she noticed a few smaller children next to the stable. With a frustrated sigh she made her way over to them. They were the troublemakers of the village with their mothers too self absorbed to care about what their kids did.

Kagome had thought that the, 'not my kid', mentality must have been reserved for her time but apparently it was ageless. No matter how many words were spoken or by whom it was always someone else's fault that the little 'angels' were in trouble.

"Hey! Get away from the stable!" She yelled causing three of them to scatter. The elder of the group stood his ground.

"Sorry Lady Kagome. We just wanted to feed him some apples." The boy said with a snarky tone.

"Uh-huh." She placed her hands on her hips shooing him aside. "You never approach a horse from behind, you're liable to get kicked in the head and have your brains scrambled all over the ground."

Frantic children's screams brought people to the stable. One boy lay off to the side visibly shaking with tears streaming down his face.

Sesshomaru handed Kimi to Sango who in turn gave her to her eldest daughter.

"Lady Kagome got kicked by the horse! Lady Kagomes hurt!" A small girl ran by them screaming going towards Rins it looked like.

Sesshomaru felt his breath seize as he forced his way past people aside to get to the stables.

"What the hell happened?!" Inuyasha shouted hearing the commotion and raced alongside his brother and friend to the stables.

"Move out of the way!" Sango shouted forcing her way past the villagers. "Kagome!" Sesshomaru stopped beside her momentarily dropping down to the ground next to where Kagome had fell.

A large pool of blood seeped around her head and into the ground staining her white top as it grew in size by the moment.

"Give me your scarf Sango." Sesshomaru commanded. Shakily she handed it to him taking her kerchief out of her hair as well. Assessing the damage it looked as if her face had been crushed.

Placing the cloth to her head Sesshomaru attempted to stem the bleeding as to better assess the physical damage.

Deep lacerations peppered her face around her left eye which was more than likely destroyed upon impact. Her forehead had been spit open to resemble a gaping maw before Sango also applied pressure to that wound.

"Don't move her!" Rin shouted as she forced her way towards her friend. "Kagome."

"She is unconscious." Sesshomaru said. Rin watched her breath noticing it was steady for the time being. Reaching to her side she grasped her water canteen and took the rag from Sango.

"I have to figure out where the bleeding is coming from." She said wetting the cloth and wiping at her head looking through her hair finding the deep gash.

Moving to her forehead Rins breath hitched as she felt the bone under her fingers feel almost flimsy as if it would snap under her gentle prodding.

"A fracture. I need a stretcher, take her to the sick hut."

"Rin." Sesshomaru whispered out. Glancing up at him Rin took in his pained expression as he stared at Kagome.

"I will do everything I can my lord to save her." Rin said. As the stretcher was laid down Inuyasha and Sesshomaru lifted her as instructed following Rin and Sango with her to the small hut that sat somewhat on the outskirts of the village. "Place her down. Wait outside"

"Sesshomaru, come on. We gotta let them work." Inuyasha stated grasping his brother by his sleeve and tugging. Much to his surprise he followed him. "Sit down."

Staring straight ahead Sesshomaru seemed stunned, in shock. Inuyasha kept a close eye on him his heart pounding wildly in his chest. "If anything, if she dies, you can bring her back right? With Tenseiga?"

"If it allows me too." He replied softly.