Chapter 48

Touga flipped the page of the book he was reading, not really registering its words. It was just something to keep him busy. Izayoi was asleep against him, her head in his lap. They had been at the hospital for two weeks now, and the doctors had been warning them more and more that Miroku may not wake up. The swelling in his brain was gone. It had returned to normal days ago, but Miroku still hadn't woken. It wasn't a good sign.

With a sigh, Touga set down his book, leaning his head back on the couch. His hand rested on Izayoi, feeling her body tremble as she cried in her dreams. She was not taking losing Miroku very well at all. He didn't expect her to. She refused to admit defeat where it concerned Miroku. He was the same, but a hint of doubt was beginning to take its place.

He wasn't even going to think about Kagome. It was hard enough worrying about Miroku. Miroku may die physically, but Kagome was dying emotionally. Touga understood. If Izayoi died… his heart constricted at just the thought of it.

Shaking his head, he once more picked up his book, trying to pass by the time. It was like they were stuck in limbo, waiting on Miroku to make a decision. Would he live, or would he die? Izayoi began to stir, her face scrunched up as she dreamed.

"Miroku. Kagome." It was a whispered plea from her, and he knew she was having a nightmare about her two children. Running his fingers through her hair, he shushed her, helping her fall back into a dreamless slumber. Maybe he would take her out later. They could use the break. He would have to call InuYasha and see if he would be willing to watch over Miroku for a bit with Sango.

A sudden gasp had Touga looking up, seeing Miroku's eyes opened wide. Touga shot up, grabbing Miroku's hand as he tried to pull the tube from his throat. "Calm down, Son." Touga turned to a frozen Izayoi, tears in his eyes. "Get the doctor, Izayoi. Now."

Miroku was looking around frantically, eyes wide with fear as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Touga held both of Miroku's hands, keeping him calm. "Miroku, do you know who I am?" Miroku's eyes looked at Touga, and Miroku nodded.

Touga took a deep breath of relief, then looked to Miroku's hands. "Squeeze my hands for me?" Miroku did, and Touga pressed his forehead to both Miroku's hands. "Your feet, can you move them?" Touga looked down to the two lumps that were Miroku's feet. It took a few long seconds, but they both moved, and Touga let the tension fall from his shoulders.

A female doctor ran in with a few nurses, Izayoi behind them. They began to look over Miroku, carefully pulling the tub from his throat. Miroku coughed, gasping for breath as it was removed. "Kagome." He looked at Touga, but a nurse stepped in the way as they went through their routine. They checked Miroku's pupils, pressed on his feet and hands, and even gave him a few questions for him to answer.

After some time, everything seemed to slow down as the nurses began to head out, leaving the doctor behind to speak to Miroku. "I don't know how it happened. We didn't expect you to live, but you did. Your memory is intact, your body functioning perfectly. Anyone on the outside wouldn't know that you were in a coma for two weeks. You're probably hungry, but I wouldn't put too much on your stomach just yet. Keep it light. Soup, things like that. We will be back around an hour or so to check up on you."

She turned and left, the moment she was out of the way, Izayoi lunged forward, throwing herself over Miroku and crying into his chest. Touga rubbed her back, his own eyes wet with relief. "We were worried for you, Son. You scared us."

"Where is Kagome?" Miroku's voice was hoarse from not being used, his throat tender and sore. He looked around again, upset to see she wasn't there. When he saw his father look down, his face upset, Miroku began to panic. "Is she okay? The baby? What happened?"

Miroku had tried to sit up, but Touga pushed him down with the help of Izayoi. "We came upon the crash when we were heading home. She saw everything. You weren't breathing. You didn't have a heartbeat." Touga's jaw was tight as he looked away to try and compose himself. Looking back to Miroku, he continued. "Kagome became hysterical. Only Sesshomaru was able to calm her. He took her back to your home, and she had isolated herself. She won't talk to anyone outside of Sesshomaru."

"Call her. Tell her I'm awake." Miroku was pleading with his father, but Touga gave him a look that worried Miroku more than anything. Touga didn't think it would be enough. He thought Kagome would still refuse to come.

Still willing to try, Touga pulled out his phone, calling his oldest. He put it on speaker phone, holding it out to Miroku, who took it with a shaky hand. When Sesshomaru answered, Miroku smirked. "Hello, Brother."

It was silent for a moment, shock keeping Sesshomaru silent, and then he spoke. "Miroku! I never knew how happy I would be to hear your voice."

"You sound like you're smiling, Sesshomaru. That's not like you." Miroku chuckled softly. He was still too anxious about Kagome to fully enjoy their banter, but he was alive. He really thought he was going to die, and apparently, he did. It was something he would process later.

"Yes, Little Brother, at this moment I can admit that I am indeed smiling." Sesshomaru chuckled on his end, and then softened his voice. "I am glad you are awake. We have all missed you."

"Thank you. Can I speak to Kagome?" It was silent again, and Miroku's smile faded.

"Father, take me off of speaker." Sesshomaru's voice sounded tight, and Miroku quickly shook his head in the negative.

"No. I have already told him Kagome is not herself. We have to try." Touga's voice was firm, but they all saw the doubt on his face. He truly didn't believe this would work.

"As you wish." It went silent again, but this time they heard Sesshomaru shuffling around, making his way upstairs. There was a knock followed by more silence, and then Sesshomaru was speaking to Kagome. "Kagome, someone wants to speak to you."

"Why?" Kagome's voice was soft, broken, and Miroku felt his heart shatter. Kagome continued on, not realizing who was on the phone. "I told everyone to leave me alone. Why won't any of you listen?"

"Because you are our family. We will not let you drown yourself in your sorrows. Now say hello." Again, silence reigned for a moment, and they all waited on what Kagome would do next.

"Who is it?" Kagome wasn't speaking to the phone; her voice was too far away.

"Does it matter?"

"Why won't you answer?" Kagome went silent for a moment, and Miroku could imagine her sitting down with her hand clenched above her heart.

Unable to keep silent any longer, Miroku spoke, hoping that his voice would be enough to bring her back to him. "It's me, Love. I miss you. I wished you would have been here when I opened my eyes, but I will be happy if you come to see me."

There was no response for the longest time, and Miroku felt his throat begin to constrict. Then he heard it, a soft and frantic whisper. "Get out, Sesshomaru."

Closing his eyes, Touga gave his son an apologetic look. They had all known how it was going to end this way, but Miroku was now realizing that Kagome was locked in her own guilt and grief. She couldn't see past her belief that she had caused all of this.

"I'm sorry, Miroku." Sesshomaru was once more outside of the room, leaning against the wall. "She has not been well emotionally. She blames herself and believes that we are all better off away from her."

"It's not her fault." Miroku had his head leaning back on his pillows, looking away from everyone.

"As we have told her. Repeatedly." Touga sighed, and then took his phone back from Miroku. "Let everyone know that he is okay, Sesshomaru. Keep working on Kagome." He hung up the phone, placing it back in his pocket. Looking at his son, he could see that Miroku was really upset at Kagome's refusal to come and see him.

Miroku suddenly looked at him, trying to sit up once more. "Find out what I need to do to be discharged. I am going home." Izayoi tried to hold him down, but even after just waking up from a coma, he was too strong and too determined.

"Lay back down now." Touga grabbed Miroku's shoulders, pushing him back down to the bed. "You just woke up. You need to rest and be monitored until the doctors are sure everything will be okay. We will work on Kagome. Sesshomaru will not give up. You just have to be patient and heal. I know that is harder said than done, but we will get Kagome to listen to reason."

Touga hoped he was right. Miroku needed Kagome, and until she got here, he wouldn't be able to properly rest. He was worried for both his son and daughter, but now it was time for Kagome to step it up. She needed to realize that none of them blamed her and then get herself up to the hospital.

…

Kouga paced through the woods, making sure to stay hidden but to keep the house in view. He had come to get Kagome, but imagine his surprise when he realized she wasn't alone. The oldest Taisho son was there, and he never left.

That meant Kouga didn't have an opening to get inside and get to Kagome. So, he walked around, patiently waiting for the moment Sesshomaru finally left. The fool would have to leave eventually. No one could stay cooped up for so long without going stir crazy.

Phone vibrating in his pocket, Kouga pulled it out, scowling when he realized it was a text from Ginta. He opened, chest vibrating as he held back a yell of rage. It was a news clipping article. Miroku was awake and alive, perfectly fine after being in a coma for two weeks.

How?

Miroku should have died, Kouga had timed that crash perfectly. Again, his plans were being foiled, and he wasn't going to deal with it much longer. He was a patient man, but there was only so much he could handle before he lost his temper.

Kagome would be his. He didn't care if he had to kill the entire Taisho family.