_____________Chapter 2___________
Meanwhile....
"Hey Inu Yasha! How was Kagome?" Shippo bounded over to the returning dog demon eagerly. The kitsune had been worried about his female friend when she hadn't shown up today. When no immediate answer was forth coming, Shippo jumped onto Inu Yasha's shoulder and bit his ear with a vengeance.
"Ow! Kagome's sick, you brat! Now let go!" The last had the ring of a command. Shippo, unaccustomed to dealing with the dog demon when he was like this, let go and jumped to the ground. The two walked to the village silently. At Kaede's hut, Sango and Miroku demanded the same information that Shippo had. Inu Yasha snarled at them angrily and sought out Kaede. "Oy! Kaede-baba! Do you have anything for a cold?"
"Kagome's sick?" Miroku and Sango exclaimed. They looked at each other briefly, blushed, then looked away. Shippo stared at Inu Yasha, horrified. "We have to help her!"
"That's what I'm doing." The dog demon replied gruffly. Kaede was looking at him expectantly and Inu Yasha began listing what symptoms he had seen. "Fever, fatigue, cough...." The old priestess listened to the full list then began making something that would help Kagome. While she worked, the others sat on the floor and questioned an impatient Inu Yasha.
"What did Kagome-chan say when she found out you were there?" Sango's voice had a teasing edge to it that irritated the hanyou.
"Didn't stay to find out." Came the gruff reply.
"You left? Was Kagome's family home?" Miroku was frowning.
Inu Yasha shifted uncomfortably.
"She's sick and you left her alone?! What if she needs something?" Shippo was ready to bite him again; the desire vibrating the air around him. With perfect timing, Keade announced she was done and gave Inu Yasha a bottle containing a green liquid along with usage instructions. Inu Yasha was ready to charge back to the Bone Eater's well and jump through when he noticed that everyone else was doing the same. "What the hell are you guys doing?" he growled.
"I should think that would be obvious, even to you." Miroku replied dryly. He had his staff and was heading out the door, Shippo on his shoulder. Sango, in her casual clothes, was right behind them, her boomerang strapped to her back. The flap to the hut shut behind all three leaving the dog demon sputtering in fury and the priestess looking on in amusement. With a highly intelligent snarl, Inu Yasha left the hut and took to the trees, jumping from branch to branch toward the well.
The others had made considerably good time to the well. Because they couldn't travel through time like Kagome and Inu Yasha, they planned to simply grab hold of the dog demon and hitch a ride to Kagome's world. The three surrounded the well, moving in a unison born from countless battles. In the trees above them, Inu Yasha swore. How was he supposed to get to Kagome now?
His demon side warred emotionally with his human side. His human side just wanted to see Kagome and take care of her in her mother's absence. That side didn't care that Sango, Shippo and Miroku wanted to come too. Bring them, it said, what harm could they do aside form help in an area you know nothing about? Inu Yasha thought about that. His human side had a valid point- Inu Yasha had never been sick, nor had anyone around him been sick. He had no idea how to care for someone who was sick except through his instincts.
Even against all that logic, his demon side was roaring in fury at the idea. Kagome was his. His! An overwhelming urge to protect her from danger welled up within him. His demon side had integrated Kagome into itself; subconsciously making her it's primary importance. It felt guilty- he would face untold dangers to protect her but he couldn't help her this time. Somehow, she had become ill- unnoticed by Inu Yasha- and he hadn't been able to protect her from it. As illogical as it was, that thought summed up his guilt. This was his problem, it snarled. He would handle it without the humans' help. He'd figured it out on his own; he hadn't been doing too badly before.
Inu Yasha continued to watch the others, knowing they'd get clumsy in time. He stifled a snarl and tried to calm his anger. He tucked the bottle into his shirt, and sat back to wait. Inu Yasha could be patient when he had to be- he just hoped Kagome could be too. Involuntarily, he glanced at the sky. The sun was still high but it would set soon. Too soon. It's probably best she's sick now and not while we're traveling. He wouldn't be able to protect himself tonight, let alone a sick Kagome. He tore his gaze from the sun, and returned to watching the ones below him. Hold on, Kagome.
Back in the twentieth century....
"AHH!" I screamed, waking from a nightmare. I panted, my lungs laboring to get air around the phlegm in their passageways. Another coughing fit followed and it took me several minutes to get enough energy to look for my glass of water. I took several sips then lay back down to think and calm down.
I was wide-awake now despite any fatigue my cold had caused. My hands shook as they wiped the sweat from my face. So real, I thought. The dream was so real. Thinking about it didn't help- like any fading dream, the more I tried to remember it, the less I could. Blood, death, fighting, screaming; I could remember those elements vividly but not the actual theme or plot. Maybe it had just been random scary images strung together with no plot at all- like a really bad B movie. I shuttered. I was right; thinking about it didn't help me at all.
My pajamas stuck to me; I needed to change out of the sweat soaked clothing. My stomach rumbled. Food and fresh clothes; worked for me. I left the comfort of my blanket and shuffled slowly into the kitchen. I put some soup in the microwave - mom had put the extra in a Tupperware bowl- and began the arduous task of climbing the stairs to my room. It was slow and tiring work but I finally made it to my room. I changed clothes, put the dirty ones in my hamper, and began carefully down the stairs. Why hadn't I had a shower? I was afraid I'd fall asleep and accidentally drown myself. Simply changing clothes was safer.
I smelled the soup before I heard the microwave beep. My stomach rumbled, urging me on. Once I was settled at the table, I took more flu medication (it was that time again) and started eating. The soup was good even after being reheated and revived me. I was up for some TV. I relocated to the living room again, wrapped my feet in the blankets, and turned on the TV. I surfed through the channels as I ate. The more I clicked the channel button the more disappointed I became. There was nothing on. Typical. I finished my soup, tilting the bowl up to drink the broth, and sat back to watch the images change. After a while, I picked up my English book; I was supposed to read a story in it anyway. The TV clicked off, and I flipped open the book to the story I had to read, some legend revolving around a youkai prince or something.
I was near the end of the story when the fatigue came back. It had been good reading so far, but it was time to call it an hour. I set the book on my TV tray by the empty soup bowl. I drank the remainder of my water and settled back into the couch with the blankets around my chin. I was hot and uncomfortable instantly and I knew my fever had flared to life. Great. I pushed the blankets back off and sighed. I stared at the ceiling, counting the tiles.
It was then that I heard a sound. A soft thump to be exact. My room was above me; the sound seemed to come from there. I tracked the sound of footsteps that followed with my eyes. Back and forth, back, forward... back. Stop. I blinked. It sounded like someone pacing. Inu Yasha? I frowned. Why would Inu Yasha be pacing my room? I was hallucinating again. I had to be. Even so, I pushed off the couch and stood unsteadily watching the ceiling. The air was cool on my skin and only served as a reminder as to how hot I was.
No more sounds. I frowned and headed slowly for the stairs... again. Even as I climbed them, I struggled to stay upright. The dizziness that had been absent for the two times I had climbed the stairs was coming back with a vengeance. I had pushed my luck and the old saying of `third time's the charm' had come true. I had to rest at the top, panting, and leaning against the wall.
Inu Yasha came out of my door, his ears swiveling toward me before the rest of him did. "Kagome!" He looked like he wanted to smile. "You should be in bed." He said in a more serious voice. Well, I wasn't hallucinating; that was a plus. I frowned and blinked. He was still there, now just getting annoyed and walking toward me. He gripped my shoulders and shook me. I watched his mouth work, realized he was saying something, and tried to pay attention.
He stopped talking and looked at me, cocking his head to one side. "Kagome?" He shook me gently and I fell against him, unable to stand upright any longer. I rested my head on his shoulder and felt his muscles move as he lifted me and settled my weight in his arms. He did it easily and I was reminded of how strong he was, how little effort he would use to crush me. It was a sobering thought to say the least, but as he carried me down stairs and resettled me on the couch, it didn't seem real. He was Inu Yasha- my friend, my protector, and secret love- and he was taking care of me.
Meanwhile....
"Hey Inu Yasha! How was Kagome?" Shippo bounded over to the returning dog demon eagerly. The kitsune had been worried about his female friend when she hadn't shown up today. When no immediate answer was forth coming, Shippo jumped onto Inu Yasha's shoulder and bit his ear with a vengeance.
"Ow! Kagome's sick, you brat! Now let go!" The last had the ring of a command. Shippo, unaccustomed to dealing with the dog demon when he was like this, let go and jumped to the ground. The two walked to the village silently. At Kaede's hut, Sango and Miroku demanded the same information that Shippo had. Inu Yasha snarled at them angrily and sought out Kaede. "Oy! Kaede-baba! Do you have anything for a cold?"
"Kagome's sick?" Miroku and Sango exclaimed. They looked at each other briefly, blushed, then looked away. Shippo stared at Inu Yasha, horrified. "We have to help her!"
"That's what I'm doing." The dog demon replied gruffly. Kaede was looking at him expectantly and Inu Yasha began listing what symptoms he had seen. "Fever, fatigue, cough...." The old priestess listened to the full list then began making something that would help Kagome. While she worked, the others sat on the floor and questioned an impatient Inu Yasha.
"What did Kagome-chan say when she found out you were there?" Sango's voice had a teasing edge to it that irritated the hanyou.
"Didn't stay to find out." Came the gruff reply.
"You left? Was Kagome's family home?" Miroku was frowning.
Inu Yasha shifted uncomfortably.
"She's sick and you left her alone?! What if she needs something?" Shippo was ready to bite him again; the desire vibrating the air around him. With perfect timing, Keade announced she was done and gave Inu Yasha a bottle containing a green liquid along with usage instructions. Inu Yasha was ready to charge back to the Bone Eater's well and jump through when he noticed that everyone else was doing the same. "What the hell are you guys doing?" he growled.
"I should think that would be obvious, even to you." Miroku replied dryly. He had his staff and was heading out the door, Shippo on his shoulder. Sango, in her casual clothes, was right behind them, her boomerang strapped to her back. The flap to the hut shut behind all three leaving the dog demon sputtering in fury and the priestess looking on in amusement. With a highly intelligent snarl, Inu Yasha left the hut and took to the trees, jumping from branch to branch toward the well.
The others had made considerably good time to the well. Because they couldn't travel through time like Kagome and Inu Yasha, they planned to simply grab hold of the dog demon and hitch a ride to Kagome's world. The three surrounded the well, moving in a unison born from countless battles. In the trees above them, Inu Yasha swore. How was he supposed to get to Kagome now?
His demon side warred emotionally with his human side. His human side just wanted to see Kagome and take care of her in her mother's absence. That side didn't care that Sango, Shippo and Miroku wanted to come too. Bring them, it said, what harm could they do aside form help in an area you know nothing about? Inu Yasha thought about that. His human side had a valid point- Inu Yasha had never been sick, nor had anyone around him been sick. He had no idea how to care for someone who was sick except through his instincts.
Even against all that logic, his demon side was roaring in fury at the idea. Kagome was his. His! An overwhelming urge to protect her from danger welled up within him. His demon side had integrated Kagome into itself; subconsciously making her it's primary importance. It felt guilty- he would face untold dangers to protect her but he couldn't help her this time. Somehow, she had become ill- unnoticed by Inu Yasha- and he hadn't been able to protect her from it. As illogical as it was, that thought summed up his guilt. This was his problem, it snarled. He would handle it without the humans' help. He'd figured it out on his own; he hadn't been doing too badly before.
Inu Yasha continued to watch the others, knowing they'd get clumsy in time. He stifled a snarl and tried to calm his anger. He tucked the bottle into his shirt, and sat back to wait. Inu Yasha could be patient when he had to be- he just hoped Kagome could be too. Involuntarily, he glanced at the sky. The sun was still high but it would set soon. Too soon. It's probably best she's sick now and not while we're traveling. He wouldn't be able to protect himself tonight, let alone a sick Kagome. He tore his gaze from the sun, and returned to watching the ones below him. Hold on, Kagome.
Back in the twentieth century....
"AHH!" I screamed, waking from a nightmare. I panted, my lungs laboring to get air around the phlegm in their passageways. Another coughing fit followed and it took me several minutes to get enough energy to look for my glass of water. I took several sips then lay back down to think and calm down.
I was wide-awake now despite any fatigue my cold had caused. My hands shook as they wiped the sweat from my face. So real, I thought. The dream was so real. Thinking about it didn't help- like any fading dream, the more I tried to remember it, the less I could. Blood, death, fighting, screaming; I could remember those elements vividly but not the actual theme or plot. Maybe it had just been random scary images strung together with no plot at all- like a really bad B movie. I shuttered. I was right; thinking about it didn't help me at all.
My pajamas stuck to me; I needed to change out of the sweat soaked clothing. My stomach rumbled. Food and fresh clothes; worked for me. I left the comfort of my blanket and shuffled slowly into the kitchen. I put some soup in the microwave - mom had put the extra in a Tupperware bowl- and began the arduous task of climbing the stairs to my room. It was slow and tiring work but I finally made it to my room. I changed clothes, put the dirty ones in my hamper, and began carefully down the stairs. Why hadn't I had a shower? I was afraid I'd fall asleep and accidentally drown myself. Simply changing clothes was safer.
I smelled the soup before I heard the microwave beep. My stomach rumbled, urging me on. Once I was settled at the table, I took more flu medication (it was that time again) and started eating. The soup was good even after being reheated and revived me. I was up for some TV. I relocated to the living room again, wrapped my feet in the blankets, and turned on the TV. I surfed through the channels as I ate. The more I clicked the channel button the more disappointed I became. There was nothing on. Typical. I finished my soup, tilting the bowl up to drink the broth, and sat back to watch the images change. After a while, I picked up my English book; I was supposed to read a story in it anyway. The TV clicked off, and I flipped open the book to the story I had to read, some legend revolving around a youkai prince or something.
I was near the end of the story when the fatigue came back. It had been good reading so far, but it was time to call it an hour. I set the book on my TV tray by the empty soup bowl. I drank the remainder of my water and settled back into the couch with the blankets around my chin. I was hot and uncomfortable instantly and I knew my fever had flared to life. Great. I pushed the blankets back off and sighed. I stared at the ceiling, counting the tiles.
It was then that I heard a sound. A soft thump to be exact. My room was above me; the sound seemed to come from there. I tracked the sound of footsteps that followed with my eyes. Back and forth, back, forward... back. Stop. I blinked. It sounded like someone pacing. Inu Yasha? I frowned. Why would Inu Yasha be pacing my room? I was hallucinating again. I had to be. Even so, I pushed off the couch and stood unsteadily watching the ceiling. The air was cool on my skin and only served as a reminder as to how hot I was.
No more sounds. I frowned and headed slowly for the stairs... again. Even as I climbed them, I struggled to stay upright. The dizziness that had been absent for the two times I had climbed the stairs was coming back with a vengeance. I had pushed my luck and the old saying of `third time's the charm' had come true. I had to rest at the top, panting, and leaning against the wall.
Inu Yasha came out of my door, his ears swiveling toward me before the rest of him did. "Kagome!" He looked like he wanted to smile. "You should be in bed." He said in a more serious voice. Well, I wasn't hallucinating; that was a plus. I frowned and blinked. He was still there, now just getting annoyed and walking toward me. He gripped my shoulders and shook me. I watched his mouth work, realized he was saying something, and tried to pay attention.
He stopped talking and looked at me, cocking his head to one side. "Kagome?" He shook me gently and I fell against him, unable to stand upright any longer. I rested my head on his shoulder and felt his muscles move as he lifted me and settled my weight in his arms. He did it easily and I was reminded of how strong he was, how little effort he would use to crush me. It was a sobering thought to say the least, but as he carried me down stairs and resettled me on the couch, it didn't seem real. He was Inu Yasha- my friend, my protector, and secret love- and he was taking care of me.