Sesshomaru gently picked up Rin and walked over to the couch to sit in between his parents.

"Rin, you are glowing!" Kimiko gushed over her.

"My beautiful granddaughter is all healed," he glanced over at Kagome, "and it is all thanks to you, Kagome. We are forever indebted to you."

Kagome blushed slightly, "It was no big deal…I would do anything for…or" she suddenly felt light-headed, dizzy, and heavy, causing her to lose her leg strength. Before she could fall, Sesshomaru was standing next to her faster than light, and Rin was in Toga's lap.

"Kagome, what is wrong?"

She tried to shake off this weird feeling she was having, "I am just exhausted; I have never taken out that much poison before."

He gently guided her over to the other couch to sit down, "Do you need something? Can I do something?" He asked urgently.

Tashio and Kimiko just stared at each other shocked, yet again by their son.

"No, I will feel better once I have rested."

Mrs. Higurashi came into the room with Izayoi right behind her, "Here, sweetie," she handed Kagome a herbal healing tea, "You should probably head back down and rest." She looked at everyone before her daughter, "You know what is to come."

The whole room froze.

Sesshomaru tensed up, then looked at Kagome, "What is your mother talking about…what is happening?"

Kagome, still feeling the side effects tried to calm her breathing and focus her vision, "I…I may have overexerted myself healing Rin. My body may host a tremendous amount of power but is not used to using it. So, I may or may not slip into a deep sleep for a while."

Sesshomaru fisted his hand, "Kagome, why would you not tell me?"

"Or me, for that matter?" Toga looked at her as hurt flashed through his eyes."

"I did not want to worry anyone, and I wanted to heal Rin so badly. She has been hurting for so long due to a fake illness. I had to do something."

"Yes, but not to the point you make yourself ill. You could have done it in small doses."

She shook her head, "Sesshomaru, you don't understand. She should have died a long time ago, but your blood kept her alive. She had too much poison in her, and my power would nullify your blood. If I did heal bit by bit, there would not be a guarantee that she would survive. So, I had to take it all out to ensure her life."

Sesshomaru pulled her into a hug, "I will never be able to express all of my gratitude in my long lifetime."

Kagome pulled back, "I would do anything for…" she did not get to finish her statement before passing out.

Sesshomaru caught her before she fell back while the rest of the room gasped. He looked up at her mother, "how long with this last?" While listening intently to the steady slow rhythm of her heartbeat.

She shook her head, "There is no telling; she only ever tried this once and was out for a few days."

Toga sprung up, "Why didn't I know about his? I am in charge of her protection."

Mrs. Higurashi looked at him, "I know, but she begged me not to tell you, and she had that determined look in her eyes. None of us would have been able to stop her." Then she glanced at Sesshomaru, "It would be best to bring her into her bunker. We do not know what can be released in this state."

"What you will leave her down there alone?", unsure if he was able to let her go like that after what she did her him, for Rin.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded, "Yes, it is for the best that way. So, she doesn't unwillingly hurt someone or bring unwanted attention her way."

"Will she be okay?"

"Her body will heal in all aspects, and she will be fine once she wakes."

Sesshomaru nodded then went back to the underground bunker. Whatever magic fueled the bunker seemed to sense Kagome's distress and opened without delay. He gently laid her down on the makeshift bedding that Rin laid on earlier, then covered her up. He looked down, gently brushing her bangs out of the way, and gently kissed the top of her forehead.

"Wake up soon, Kagome, and thank you." Then, reluctant to leave her, he slowly got up and made his way out but not before glancing at her very peaceful resting body.

Between his newly healed daughter, who is now using all the energy she can to run wild around the house and do things she hasn't been able to do in so long, and worrying about Kagome, Sesshomaru was thoroughly exhausted, which he did not know could even happen to an Inu like himself. So, he finally called his parents to take Rin to the Zoo, and of course, they happily did without a second thought.

As much as he was enjoying his time with his daughter, he had taken time off work, and with both him and Kagome out, things were piling up.

He stayed in his office all day, constantly looking over at her empty office.

It had been almost a week since Kagome fell into the coma. He was elated that Rin was healthy again but saddened that Kagome endured what she did. He was not sure of how to handle these mixed emotions. Thus, he continued to work, trying to get his mind off things. But, of course, it did not help that everyone was asking questions, Koga, Sango, and even Inyuasha.

Inuyasha came barreling into his house demanding to know what he did to his friend. One look at Rin and then at his worry sick brother, he finally put two and two together that Rin being miraculously healed had something to do with Kagome, even though he wasn't sure how or why his bothers reaction confirmed it.

He finally placed his elbows on his desk and his head in his hands, sighing. "I am not sure how much longer I can endure this weight."

********ACROSS TOWN*********

Naraku was sitting at his desk trying to think of his next strategy, "So far, those damn dogs have hindered anything I come up with to destroy them." They were the only demons that could stop him and his master plan and his ultimate goal…Kikyo and the jewel. He was determined to conquer the world and have them both as well.

There was a slight knock on the door that woke him out of his thinking. "Enter."

One of his minions came in, and he couldn't remember his name, "What is it?"

The servant gulped, "We got word that Lord Sesshomaru stopped all treatment for his daughter."

A fist slammed on the desk, "What! Why?"

The little servant, terrified to answer, shook nervously, "Um, it is believed that she is fully healed…Sir."

Naraku stood up fast at the same time, flipping his desk over, "How the fuck is that even possible!"

The servant, now ready to pass out due to fear, "We are not sure, master."

"Well, find out why that little bitch did not die from my poison like the others!"

"Yes, master." The little servant hurried out of the room.

Naraku turned to face out the ceiling to floor window that overlooked the city, "I will take what is mine from your filthy bother and make no mistake, Sesshomaru I will bring down you and your father for my mistreatment one way or another, mark my words."

He picked up his phone and dialed a number, "Yes, master," replied the little voice on the other end."

"Kanna, dear, it is time to send her in again. Let her know that if she fails this time, I will kill her."

"Yes, master, I will inform her."

He slammed the phone down, trying to ponder how the little brat escaped him and his poison.

"Ayame, I cannot thank you enough for stepping up and helping as much as you have."

"It is no problem, Lord Sesshomaru. I just hope that Kagome comes back soon."

"Don't we both."

"You are missing her that much?"

"Do not kid yourself. She is a great assistant, and things went smoothly when she was here. That is all."

"Hmm, yep, okay, if you say so."

"Is that all Ayame?"

"We are all set, Sir," before she could say anything else, he hung up. "Grump, you do miss her." She stuck her tongue out at the phone.

She heard a chuckle and wide-eyed in shock as Kouga stood in front of her, "What did the phone do to you?"

She tried to gulp down her nervousness, "Oh, no, not the phone, the boss."

Kouga looked har her, shocked this time, "Bet you won't do that to his face?"

"Ha, I like my life. Thank you very much. I'll pass."

He laughed again, "Smart girl."

"Thanks, is there something I can do for you, Mr. Kouga?"

"Um, yeah, I was told to pick up some things for the boss."

Ayame jumped up, "Oh, yes, I will go grab it," she turned abruptly, losing her footing, causing her to fell forward, and before she could even yelp, Kouga had rushed behind the desk and pulled her towards him.

Ayame looked up and blushed when she realized just how close she was to the wolf demon,

"Are you alright? You should be more careful, hun."

All she could do was nod as Kouga slowly set her back while she straightens herself out.

Kouga rubbed the back of his neck upon sensing her nervousness, "I will wait here. Let me know if you need help."

She took off into Sesshomaru's office and quickly came back with a box and handed it to Kouga, "Here you go, thank you."

"Thanks, have a good day."

"You too."

Once Kouga was gone, she slumped into her chair, "OMG, Ayame, you are a mess!".

"Yo, I am back."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "You could use a more formal language with me."

Kouga strolled to the desk, placed the box on it, and slumped into a chair, "Yeah, but then I wouldn't get on your nerves as much."

"Do you not value your job enough, wolf?"

"Oh, please, you would not fire me?"

"Test me and found out?"

This time Kouga rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah. You talk tough, but we both know you wouldn't. You sought out the best, and I am the best at what I do, plus we are friends, so to speak."

Sesshomaru chuckled, "No."

"Say what you want, but you like me." He looked over at the empty office next door. "When is Gomes coming back?"

"Gomes?" Sesshomaru did not need to follow his gaze to know where he was looking.

"Gomes….Ka-go-me?"

"Why on earth would you call her that?"

Kouga shrugged his shoulder, "I don't know. It suites her."

"The hell it does," Sesshomaru chuckled again.

"Better than Sessy." Kouga laughed.

Sesshomaru pointed the finger at him, "Don't you start that, or I will fire your ass."

Kouga stood up and waved him off, "Yeah, yeah, Sessy. Off to my rounds," and walked out.

'I am to wonder my I even hired him,' he thought as he focused on the material in the box that Ayame sent over.

Once he finished his task, he found himself looking over at her office again. Finally, he stood up and made his way over to her office door, just staring at it. He finally got the nerve to open it, and when he did, her sweet vanilla and honey scent hit in the face and his gut. He took a deep inhale, trying to savor her aroma as much as he could… he indeed missed her: her sweet scent and even her wild mouth.

He worked his way over to her desk as he ran his fingers over her untouched items and sat in her chair. He leaned back, closing his eyes, taking in the atmosphere she left behind.

He was so caught up in his own emotions he had not heard the door open, and he had not sensed her come in.

"Miss me?"