Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this long-awaited update... especially for the one who's fully invested. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Okay

Moments Later...

Inuyasha's daze couldn't be entirely blamed on his fever. Kagome was here, in his arms, and she was touching his ears, which felt amazing. No fear. No drama. His dreams had been haunted by disastrous reactions, but none of them had come to pass. She was just … here. And she was happy about that.

He nuzzled her neck and kissed her jaw.

She lifted her chin, inviting more.

More he could give, but … they weren't alone. Something Shippo pointedly reminded him of by raising his voice.

"Sango, this is Kagome Higurashi, who is normally a paragon of integrity, being a principal and all."

"Shippo," Kagome pleaded. "I was worried!"

"So was I. More than anything." The redhead took a careful tone. "Hey, you okay with all of this?"

"I mean … I'm surprised. Anyone would be. And I have questions." Her eyes took on an impish shine. "For example, do I get a reprise of your actual appearance?"

Shippo rubbed at his jaw and relaxed into a smile. "I'll consider it. But first things first. Doctor Sango Moriyama, this is Inuyasha Saiga, not that his family claims him."

"Oi," Inuyasha protested.

"Easier if I spell it out, isn't it?" Shippo's gaze held a glint. He was definitely still pissed at Sesshoumaru. "Principal Higurashi needs to know what she's up against. And why."

"Tell me." Kagome spoke softly, but she had her principal face on. "I want to know everything."

Inuyasha wasn't sure what was best. Hell, he was barely thinking straight. But he trusted Shippo more than anyone. "Go on, then."

His best friend nodded approvingly. "Basics to start. Inuyasha has an older half-brother, and the guy's not a nice person."

"He's a bastard," Inuyasha muttered.

"A certifiable bastard," Shippo agreed. "Though he considers Inuyasha the family bastard. The scandalous sort. The kind of family secret you don't want to get out. Or go out. Even with a lady as perfect as Principal Higurashi here."

"Keh."

Addressing himself more to Sango, Shippo went on. "Sesshoumaru inherited his mother's poison claws, and a few days ago, there was an incident."

"Accident," Inuyasha quietly corrected. "Pretty sure."

"A near-fatal accident," Shippo grimly allowed. "Most of the poison was purified on the spot by Miroku Kyoushi, who called me in."

Sango's eyes widened.

Shippo shrugged. "Miroku's untrained, so while he did his best—and that best is pretty darned amazing—I'm thinking he missed a spot. And Sesshoumaru's poison is as tenacious as he is. Inuyasha's been feverish, and his wound isn't healing anywhere near the usual rates."

"More light," ordered Sango. "I need to see."

With a soft clatter of rings, Shippo swept aside heavy curtains, revealing windows as big as sliding doors … and just as convenient for coming and going. Kagome squinted in the sudden wash of daylight, but her gaze never strayed from his face. He felt sweaty and smelly and probably looked scruffy, but her expression was unwaveringly pleased.

It was wonderful. It was also embarrassing.

Clearing his throat, Inuyasha said, "Oh, hey. Kitsune sighting."

Kagome's attention swerved to Shippo, and it was crazy watching her happiness double. No fear. No criticism. Just a bubbling giggle of sheer delight as Shippo playfully twitched all four tails in an overt bid for attention.

Inuyasha loved, loved, loved this woman. Why had he ever worried?

Sango gestured with both hands, and he reluctantly released Kagome, sitting up so the healer could unwind his bandages. Her assessment was brisk, and her confidence was reassuring. "I brought what I need. First, change everything. Change clothes. Change bedding. Change bandages."

"What'll it be, friend?" Shippo's expression was a little too studious. "You have two options—sponge bath with Kagome and Sango … or a chaperoned shower with your best friend."

Ears flat, Inuyasha said, "Shower."

"Fine by me! I'll turn him back over to you ladies in a few minutes."

While Inuyasha eased to his feet, Sango asked, "Could you bring Dr. Kyoushi here? A second purification would be best."

"Yeah, that'd be ideal." Shippo was already dialing. "I haven't been able to get through. Last I saw him, he was with Sesshoumaru."

Kagome asked, "Is that bad?"

"Maybe. Maybe not," Inuyasha answered vaguely.

Far less ready to forgive, Shippo sharply countered, "Or maybe we're looking at bastard levels of bad."

While muffled sounds of the shower and low conversation came from the direction of the bathroom, Kagome stripped Inuyasha's bed and located a stacked washer-dryer unit behind a set of bifold doors. Like the rest of their home, it was simple, ordinary. But now that she knew where to look, there were tiny hints. Unscented detergents and dryer sheets. Red fur in the lint trap.

In an adjacent cabinet, she found spare sheets. They were soft and faded. Old.

Once she'd put them on the bed, Kagome slipped back into the kitchen, where unusual smells dominated. Sango had arrayed the table with small pots and packets, and she was busy with a mortar and pestle. Inuyasha sat on the chair across from her, shirtless, and Shippo stood behind him, toweling his hair.

Kagome circled the table to get a look at Inuyasha's injury and winced. The wound didn't look fresh, exactly. It had closed. Apparently without stitches. But the skin was puckered and reddened.

Shippo immediately soothed, "It's healing slow, but it's healing. By the time Sango's done, there may not even be a scar."

"Is that even possible?" Kagome ventured.

"Sure. Folks like us are different from humans in that way. But we're the same in a lot of ways. Highly compatible. Inuyasha's a shining example, being half human."

Kagome managed a soft, "Half."

"On his mother's side," Shippo helpfully supplied. "He and Sesshoumaru share a father. He was youkai. Dog clan."

"And when you say … Sesshoumaru Saiga, are we talking about the same Dr. Saiga …?"

"At Dominion? Yeah." Shippo grimly warned, "He won't like your knowing his secret."

Sango interrupted, lifting a shallow bowl. "Apply this. Then I will bandage."

Shippo grabbed it, and Inuyasha sniffed resignedly at the green goop.

Kagome raised her hand. "May I?"

Inuyasha's ears snapped upright.

"Let me do something," Kagome insisted. "I can do this much."

With a solemn wink, Shippo passed along the bowl. "That'd be perfect. Sango, show her what to do. Principal Higurashi can take over Inuyasha's care, which lets you—and my grandfather—neatly off the hook if Sesshoumaru decides to kick up a fuss."

Inuyasha's ears drooped. "Sorry about this."

"I will not apologize to anyone for giving aid," Sango said stiffly.

Kagome knelt at Inuyasha's side, saying, "And I'm already committed." Dipping her fingers into the herbaceous mixture, she paused to ask, "Are you ticklish?"

Inuyasha glanced at her, then at himself. She was pretty sure there was color rising in his cheeks. He gruffly answered, "Do what you gotta."

"He'll be fine," assured Shippo, giving his best friend's shoulder a friendly squeeze. "Meanwhile, I'll make a couple of calls, do a little checking around."

"Oi," Inuyasha protested. "You're leaving?"

"Just a quick jaunt."

Kagome noticed that Shippo didn't reach for his keys as moved to leave. How did kitsune travel? And how fast, if cars were a hassle?

"Don't be stupid," Inuyasha growled.

"Me?" Pausing on the threshold, Shippo's jaw worked. With a gusty sigh, he promised, "I'll go carefully, but I'm going. I'm worried about Miroku."

End Note: Posted on December 8, 2021. 1,134 words. We've entered the holiday hustle-bustle, and I'm up to my twinkles in two new (original) stories, so you'll have to wait until January for the next chapter. Thanks to everyone for reading here. And double gratitude to those who've picked up the Amaranthine Saga (and attendant tales) and/or joined my , where I'm telling a DnD-inspired tale called Bard & Barbarian. More details can be found at ForthWrites dot com.