Pen: Okay, since the reviews I have gotten ::bows politely in thanks:: have been positive I've decided to upload some of the chapters earlier than I expected. Thank you everyone who reviewed- I really wasn't expecting anything! Again, Inu Yasha and co. Do not belong to me, sadly. If anyone has a question or would like to offer some constructive criticism, my email is [1]KildareAngel@aol.com and I would be happy to hear from you (just please put something like, `Your Fic' in the reason box!) Enjoy everyone!
______________Chapter 4_____________
Behind the bedroom door...
I panted as I leaned against my bedroom door. I was immensely pleased that I hadn't fallen over while getting here. I tottered over to my dresser, finding another set of pajamas and fresh panties. God, I'd gone through so many pairs, it seemed like I should own stock. I dried off and put them on, wrapping my towel around my hair.
I still felt shaky; my hands trembled slightly while I changed. I looked longingly at my bed, finally shuffling over and sitting down on it. I wanted to lie down and sleep, nightmares be damned. I let my eyes close, feeling my body protest against moving. Even sitting, I was comfortable enough to fall asleep. If I didn't have a house full of people I would. I wanted my mom. I wanted someone to come in and take charge and let me sleep. Sleep... That sounded so nice right now.
Would they blame me? I wondered. I traveled with them for weeks at a time. Would they really get that pissed if I told them to please, go home? With a groan I fell back on my bed. `Give me a sign!' It was a line from a book or movie and was exactly how I felt. Give me a sign! Tell me what to do to make things better. I willed my ceiling to obey me, getting nothing for my effort. I closed my eyes. Sleep...
Strong arms held me. They held me close to his chest, as gentle as they could be while my carrier hurried. Hurried? Why were we hurrying? I opened my eyes, expecting to see Inu Yasha, expecting him to explain why I wasn't in bed. Imagine my surprise when the scene around me was forest rushing at top speed. And the person who held me wasn't Inu Yasha.
I frowned up at Sesshomaru. Yes, Sesshomaru. He held me, in his two arms. Now I was really confused. Sesshomaru had one arm, thanks to Inu Yasha, and hated humans. Why would he hold me? Unless... Unless I had been kidnapped. Slowly I began pushing at Sesshomaru, pushing at his chest to get leverage and push away.
He looked down at me, puzzled as to why I was trying to get away. "What are you doing?" He asked, eyeing me as if I'd lost my mind. I stopped pushing away- I wasn't getting anywhere anyway; his arms were like steel.
"What are you doing?" I countered. I sat up, trying to get my bearings. I was still in the pajamas I had changed into before I dozed off. Somehow I was back in the Warring States period. In my pajamas. Being carried by Sesshomaru of all people. Though my thoughts were foggy and slow, I knew I was dreaming. I knew I had fallen asleep in my room and was dreaming. I just didn't know why I was dreaming about being carried by Sesshomaru in the Warring States.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened. He slowed to a stop, glancing over his shoulder. He set me down, watching as I crossed my arms and looked up at him. My frown deepened as he frowned and ran a hand over my forehead. "You must have been hit harder than I thought," he murmured, gripping my chin in one hand and studying my face with the other. I should have been frightened and I wasn't. Standing here, in my pajamas, in front of Sesshomaru, I felt no fear- in fact, I trusted and felt an affection for him. I let him look me over in his brisk manner with his almost human concern. I blinked at that thought. He wasn't treating me like an enemy or an insect- he was treating me like a kid sister. His questing fingers brushed a spot on my temple that made me shy away, covering the spot with my hands and letting out a yelp of pain.
I felt dizzy, tottering to one side. Sesshomaru caught me, scooping me up and holding me close. "I got you," he said. "Rest." And with that he set off at a faster pace, his arms rigid to protect me from any jarring.
I curled up against him. "I had a weird dream," I said into his shoulder. The longer I was like this, being held, the more real it was becoming. This was becoming my reality; everything else was the dream. We were fleeing, I remembered. We had been attacked by Naraku and this time the toll had been high. Inu Yasha had had to change into his full demon form and hold off the hanyou's forces with Miroku. It must have killed the monk to watch his love, Sango, lead the enemy forces down upon the village. Sesshomaru had grabbed me from my sick bed. He had run into soldiers outside the house and fought. I had been too weak to defend myself decently and had been hit a few times. One lucky shot had connected with my temple. Sesshomaru had granted a painful death to the dealer of the blow before gathering me up and carrying me to safety.
"What was in the dream?" Sesshomaru asked. He smiled down at me and I felt his muscles bunch and the air whistle as he jumped over something that was in our way. I snuggled closer, cold suddenly. "A world- some place very different from here. Where there are no youkai, only humans. I had to go to a place called school and learn things." I sighed. It had been such a real dream.
"Do you know the secret?" Sesshomaru's voice was deeper and he was slowing down again.
"Secret? What secret?" What was he talking about? I didn't know any secret. Secret to what?
Sesshomaru sighed. He stopped running and set me down. He looked at me with pity, his features beginning to change. "I'll guess we'll have to try again, eh, Kagome?" He looked sad, even as he became monstrous. His lips pulled back to reveal teeth like stake knives. His claws elongated into obscenely long talons. I screamed. I screamed for all I was worth. I screamed for help, for Inu Yasha to save me. I screamed his name as Sesshomaru-no; the thing that wore Sesshomaru's form- attacked me. His teeth and claws cut through my flesh as if it were made of paper, spilling my blood on the ground. I felt him tare through my body, felt pain sear my nerves. My head lolled to the side, giving me a view of the way we had come. The village burned, bright and at the same time dim as my vision began to fade. My eyes began to close, what was left of me prepared for death. A woman leaned over me, her lips moving, my blood covering her front. "Learn. Learn the secret." She said it over and
over, until my eyes closed. The village burned in the background, a bright accompaniment to my death.
Downstairs...
Inu Yasha had his ears tuned to the room above him. He had tucked the sleeping Kagome into bed and had led everyone downstairs, leaving them alone and returning to Kagome's side. He had had to come back downstairs and keep everyone else out of trouble shortly after.
The hanyou had been by Kagome's side upstairs when he'd nearly jumped out of his skin at the loud noise that erupted from below. He had rushed downstairs to find everyone staring at the TV and ready to attack it. Shippo had jumped on the couch and landed on the remote. Inu Yasha had grabbed the clicker and shut it off, lest it disturb Kagome.
That had only been the beginning. Sango and Miroku had found the fridge, opened it and stared. Shippo then found the icemaker. The dog demon had come downstairs to a blizzard and a skating rink, the latter the more interesting to clean up in comparison to shutting the fridge door. The microwave had been the next object of curiosity- after a brief overview of how to work the machine (As Inu Yasha understood it, which you just know meant trouble). Sango had found the only aluminum foil covered dish and put it in. Inu Yasha had rushed down when he smelled something burning. While the hanyou dealt with the burning dish and sparking appliance, Miroku found the garbage disposal in the sink. The monk, curious after his initial shock, grabbed a fork and was in the process of poking at the drain opening. Inu Yasha had found him just in time to stop the action, and then had skidded across the floor to prevent the electrocution of Shippo, the kitsune having found a light socket. In the
end, a fuming Inu Yasha had sat them all on the floor in the living room, given them a snack, shoved a movie in the VCR and turned on the TV to an acceptable level.
The dog demon was beginning to feel like a parent. After Kagome had scared him half to death and then taken refuge in the bathroom, Inu Yasha had been looking after the others as if he were their father. Keeping all of them out of trouble and looking after Kagome was going to drive him nuts. He had reached Kagome's door when his ears caught a muffled scream. Immediately he rushed through the door to find a panting Kagome in a push up position. Evidently she had rolled over face down into her pillow when he left the room. "Kagome?" Unsure of what to do, he padded across the room and sat on her bed beside her.
Kagome sat up, her eyes blank. She was blinking and panting but she seemed to be calming down. Inu Yasha calmed down also- until Kagome started screaming, over and over as fast as she could draw breath. His ears flattened to his head, Inu Yasha lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight. He pressed Kagome against his body, felt her chest heave as she began to cry. Even after traveling with Kagome for so long, Inu Yasha still didn't know what to do when she cried. Acting on instinct, he rested his head on hers, one hand trailing idly through her hair, he held her until she calmed completely. Kagome looked up at him. She smiled at him weakly through her tears. "I'm ok. It was just a nightmare." She pulled back, wiping her face on her sleeve. Inu Yasha frowned. This many nightmares was not normal for anyone; human or youkai. Guilt reared its ugly head. Could it be that stuff that Kaede gave me is causing these dreams? His chest felt tight. He reached
out, tentatively, and touched her forehead. It was a consoling gesture but also allowed the hanyou to check her temperature. She hugged him lightly then pulled away again.
Kagome resettled and sat beside him, her legs dangling over the edge. Inu Yasha wasn't sure if it was a good idea for her to be exposed to the air, but her temperature was down. But still... Inu Yasha turned and sat beside her, a serious look on his face. "Hey, look at me." His tone broached no argument. In the year that they had traveled together, Inu Yasha had watched Kagome treat a variety of aliments, including cold symptoms. Thinking back now, he wished he had paid more attention to her ministrations. He remembered the rudiments- how well was another matter.
Obediently, Kagome turned toward him. She looked a little doubtful which was not inspiring to the hanyou. Inu Yasha sighed and began with false confidence. He took her temperature again, the back of his hand against the underside of her chin. He checked his own. They were equal, which meant Kagome had a low-grade fever. Inu Yasha checked her pulse and his own. Equal at the moment, but Kagome's pulse was slowing down as she calmed. She smiled at him, making his heart flutter. She allowed him to move her as he would, trusting him completely. He felt along her throat. At one point, she asked him what he was looking for and he answered that he wasn't sure but this was what she did when someone was sick. She laughed at him and sounded normal, though she coughed after. Inu Yasha smiled at her, silently relieved. She was getting better and she was still Kagome- that was all that mattered.
Her stomach grumbled. "I'm up for some food. You?" She shot him a mischievous look and stood slowly. Inu Yasha watched her carefully, ready to catch her if she fell. He paced her as she left the room and made her way down the hallway. She was still shuffling to get around but that wasn't as worrying as it had been an hour or two ago. Inu Yasha did draw the line when she attempted the stairs. In a less then graceful move, Inu Yasha picked up an annoyed Kagome and carried her downstairs and into the kitchen.
He was going to put me in a chair and follow my cooking instructions until I used to say the magic word. No, not that one; I asked nicely and said please. I was quite happy he didn't make me say the other word; it would have been mean after all he'd been through for me. I directed him to find certain containers in the fridge, the rest of the gang coming in to see what was up.
They all had that `slightly dazed yet wanting to ask questions' look. What they had been watching probably caused it- I mean, honestly, `Star Wars' would not have been my pick of movies to introduce them to. They asked how I was, and after I answered that I was feeling better, they exploded into a clamor of voices all trying to be heard at once. One question after another about the movie, life here, cars, my family- the list went on and on. I was the only one they could ask so I did the best I could, starting with what movies were and what was fantasy. I cooked while I talked; heating things in the microwave or giving instructions to Inu Yasha on how to work it. I pulled out TV dinners- I had the energy to heat up food but actually cooking was out of the question. Besides, I was sick; sick people should not cook food for others.
Halfway through, I went on automatic pilot. I still answered every question that they asked and cooked, but my mind had gone back to the dream. I could remember parts of this one, which was new. A secret? I had to learn a secret? About what? About who? I shook my head. This was all so confusing. Why was this happening to me? Was it a youkai or were the nightmares just meaningless fever dreams. "As if my life wasn't weird enough." I grumbled to myself. I frowned feeling hot. Oh, hell no- I would not go to sleep again without a fight. I was getting better and, by hell, I was going to stay that way!
I set the dinners on the table, the microwave having done its job. Everyone had taken a seat, marveling at how preparing food was so different between the two times. Inu Yasha shrugged as he helped me put out food. It was funny, I thought. Inu Yasha and I were the same age, still considered immature by society (in both eras) and yet, we were demonstrating the maturity that seems to only be seen in parents. I guess in a weird way, we were the parents. Each of us was knowledgeable about our respective times, and had become acquainted with the other so, though we may not understand everything, we weren't surprised by the strangeness we encountered. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo hadn't had the opportunity; it must have been complete culture shock when they came here. I could only imagine what Inu Yasha had had to put up with when they showed up. In this situation, Inu Yasha and I really were the parents and the others were the children.
I handed out chopsticks and forks and was about to sit down when the doorbell rang. Shippo jumped at the sound, looking for the source. So did the monk and demon hunter. "Doorbell." I explained around a mouthful and getting up. I caught Inu Yasha frowning and pushing out his chair to follow. I made a sit down motion and went to answer the door, stopping to grab the blanket in the living room and wrapping it around me. The doorbell rang again as I neared the door. "Coming!" I yelled. I unlocked the door, expecting to see my mom, Grandpa and Sota at the door- possibly ladened with shopping bags. Instead I got someone I didn't want to see.
"Hojo-kun!" I plastered a smile on my face and gripped the blanket around my shoulders tighter. Shit! "Wh-what are you doing here?" I hoped I sounded as polite as I should have. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted heads peaking around the kitchen doorway, and groaned internally.
"Higurashi-sama! I'm sorry! Did I wake you?" His smile wilted as he took in the blanket. He hurried on. "I ran into your grandfather and mother when I was out. They said you had the flu... or was it tuberculosis?" The kind hearted, ever dense boy looked confused. TB? I was going to kill Grandpa.
"Aha. It's the flu, actually." I coughed quietly, for necessity and emphasis. If I could get him to leave, I could go back and eat and deal with an undoubtedly fuming dog demon.
"Ah. Here!" And he thrust a wrapped package at me. "It's herbal tea and should help you feel better." I took the package, plastering a (hopefully) grateful smile on my face.
"Thank you, Hojo-kun! This is so nice of you!" I forced my voice to be high and pleased as I shivered from the cold air outside. The draft caused by opening the door was stealing the heat around me. I pulled the blanket tighter, beginning to feel my fever flare and my head throb. I heard footsteps from the hall. Inu Yasha had come to take charge.
"Kagome, you don't look so good." Hojo peered at me as if just realizing something. No, our boy Hojo wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box.
"Ah, well, Hojo. You're right; I should go back to-"
"Hojo-kun! What are you doing here? Would you like to come in for tea?" With horrible timing, my family had shown up. While Hojo turned to look and answer I shot my mom a look, leaning against the door. I released some of the blanket and shook my head at her. `No!' I mouthed at her as she looked at me quizzically and Sota (bright boy that he was) distracted Hojo. `Inu Yasha!' I pointed at the house and saw my mom get the meaning. Hojo looked back at me and I gave him a lopsided smile.
"Hey!" Oh hell. "Hobo or whoever you are- go home!" Inu Yasha marched purposefully down the hall and picked me up. I yipped in surprise and glared at the hanyou. Hojo turned around at the voice and blinked, staring. Inu Yasha glared back, his hand on the door to shut it.
"Oh! Inu-nii-chan!" Sota ran over, standing between the dog demon and the schoolboy. "Hojo is a classmate of Kagome's." The youngster said to Inu Yasha. He turned to Hojo who was beginning to object to a foreigner holding me. You could see the anger creeping from his shoulders up his neck, the objection written all over his face. "Inu Yasha is a close friend of Kagome's."
"Inu Yasha! Kagome!" Now the others had arrived. I wanted to curl up and disappear. I covered my eyes, pressing the heel of my palm against my eyeballs. Everyone simply stared at each other. My family hadn't met the others, just Inu Yasha. Right, this was not the way to start things. I reached a hand out, covering Inu Yasha's mouth as he prepared to speak. I felt him start. "Put me down please."
His brows drew together, obviously wanting to object. Miroku put a hand on the hanyou's shoulder and Inu Yasha reluctantly set me down. "Sango. Miroku. Shippo. Kitchen, right now." I pointed back down the hall. With a nod they all left, Shippo glancing behind him. Behind me, mom was doing the same thing with Hojo and Sota. I pushed Inu Yasha forward, all the way down the hall to the kitchen.
I sat down in the chair next to Inu Yasha. I held my head in my hands, wanting to go back to my room. Hojo, Mom, Sota and Grandpa came into the kitchen carrying shopping bags. My mom squeezed my shoulder as she walked by. She would take over now, the wonderful woman. Introductions were made all around, Shippo having his ears felt by my mom and Sota. I watched them with a small smile, glancing at Inu Yasha. He had had to go through the same thing on his first visit.
When everyone was seated and eating or enjoying tea, the silence began. No one knew what to say to explain.
Hojo tried. "So. Are you exchange students?" I looked around for the aspirin I had set down earlier as Sango and Miroku glanced at each other. Inu Yasha watched Hojo as if he might become a youkai and attack us. Shippo, taking his cue from Inu Yasha, hopped over and sat in my lap. He tickled me with his tail until I smiled. Cute little devil. I checked the time and read the back of the bottle. Timing was ok. Hmm...in all honesty I was a little afraid to go back to sleep- especially with a mess like this brewing. Best to get Hojo out of here with a believable story rather than telling him the truth and him thinking us insane.
"Actually, Sango and Miroku are my cousins. They're visiting from up north. Shippo is a friend they are babysitting." When Hojo raised his eyebrows, I said behind my hand. "Shippo has a thing for Halloween. He's getting therapy but still won't take off the costume." Eyebrows high, Hojo nodded and drank his tea. He turned his attention to the others. Miroku and Sango nodded, and the boy turned to Inu Yasha.
"Sota said you were a friend of Kagome. Are you from up north as well?" Inu Yasha frowned, and I could hear a low growl coming from him. I reached under the table, out of site, and squeezed his thigh to shut him up.
"I'm from this area though a bit south." Inu Yasha replied. Hojo seemed surprised.
"What school do you go to?"
Right. Time to get Hojo out of here. I laughed. "What Inu Yasha means is that he visits here so often from the south, it's as if he lives in the area," I squeezed the hanyou's thigh harder. "He's in the middle of a visit now. How fortunate that everyone came at the same time and could meet each other." Shippo took the bottle of aspirin from me and shook it. I scratched his ears under the table.
"Ah! Shippo-chan, you're so smart. It is time for Kagome's medicine." Mom stood and took the bottle from the kitsune. "Hojo-kun, I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut you're visit with Kagome short and send her to bed."
Hojo stood, finishing his tea, and bowing. "I'd better be going anyhow. Thank you for the tea. Kagome, feel better soon. I'll see you in school. Nice meeting you all." Mom walked him to the door and shut it when he left. I let out loud sigh and rested my head on my arms. "Thank God." Mom came up behind me, rubbing my back in small circles. Shippo hoped up to my shoulders, running his tiny clawed hands through my hair.
"That was close, sis." Sota sipped his tea. "How come Hojo showed up?" I pointed to the counter where I had set the present Hojo had delivered.
"Who was that anyway?" Sango asked me. Sota answered. "Hojo goes to Kagome's school. He always shows up with a present while Kagome's down the well. He likes Kagome a lot. Not the brightest penny in the fountain though."
"Sota...!" I growled in warning. Inu Yasha looked at me curiously. I gave up. I'd never be able to explain it accurately to any of them- especially Inu Yasha. I sighed quietly and hid my face in my arms. I heard my mom leave my side and disappear from the room.
"Shippo, what are you doing?" Miroku's voice. I felt the kitsune shift his weight as he became uncomfortable. His hands paused then resumed, this time his claws skimming my scalp. It made my head tingle. "My mom used to run her hands through my hair when I was scared. My dad did it for my mom when she didn't feel well." The fox child's voice sounded muffled.
"That's stupid." Inu Yasha added his educated opinion. Shippo began dividing my hair into sections. A short time later, his claws tickled the back of my neck. I squirmed, trying to not buck him off but also to make him stop.
"It's not stupid." My mom said as she came back. I felt Shippo's weight lifted from my shoulders and was afraid he'd been knocked off. I freed an arm and began hunting for him without looking. Tiny fingers tapped mine from the direction of the table where Shippo had been relocated to. Gentle fingers brushed my neck and I knew they belonged to my mom. She began rearranging my hair as she explained to Inu Yasha.
"Humans like to be touched," My mom said as she twisted my hair into position. "In fact, science has found that nearly all humanoid creatures like some sort of physical contact."
"Why?" Shippo and Inu Yasha asked together. I found Shippo with my hand and tickled his stomach, enjoying his childish laughter. I hunted for Inu Yasha, finding his arm and following it till I found his head. His silky hair threaded through my fingers as he either turned to watch me or pulled away. I tugged a lock of hair, pulling him toward me. I found his ears, tickling the skin behind it. Whether he did it unconsciously or not, he pushed against my hand inviting more contact.
"As Kagome just demonstrated," my mom continued dryly as she ran water in the sink. "Touch can mean a variety of things. It can express unspoken emotions. It can calm or comfort, cause pain or console. You may have noticed but humans typically hug a lot." I heard her set down a bowl and liquid slosh. The ice machine worked and more liquid sloshed as the ice cubes were dropped in. I knew what was coming now and was half annoyed. My mom used a clip to pin my hair up, her hands feeling along my neck for the pressure points.
"What are you doing?" Sango asked, her curiosity evident. I tapped my mom's hand and she went to get a towel. I raised my head to look at Sango as I answered.
"Sota, go get my Bio book please. You've heard of pressure points, right? You can use them to cool yourself or someone else down. If you apply something cold to key spots on the skin, you can lower your body's temperature." Sota returned and handed me the book. I flipped through the pages to the one I wanted. It wasn't a detailed map, but the drawing on the page showed an example of some pressure points located in the neck. None of them were lethal thankfully. I displayed the page to everyone, dog earring it for future reference. I hunted again through the chapters until I found the one I was supposed to be studying.
"This is why I am sick." I showed them a picture of a virus at high magnification.
"What kind of youkai is that?!" Inu Yasha looked at me in horror. He put a hand on Tetsusagia's hilt. If he pulled it, I'd sit him so hard... To my annoyance, I saw that Miroku had pulled out some sealing scrolls and Sango had pushed away from the table. Shippo had foxfire in his hand. Sota stood making calming motions at everyone, looking alarmed. Using the book as a guide, my brother began explaining what a virus was and, more importantly, what it wasn't. I watched the proceedings with mild interest, mostly to make sure Sota got the facts straight- it was an opportunity to see what I remembered from the chapter.
My mom touched my shoulder, drawing my attention away from the proceedings. She laid a towel on the tabletop in front of me. She put an extra towel beside me and dipped her hands in the ice water. I cringed but rested my chin on my hands as she expected. Inu Yasha had moved from beside me and taken Hojo's vacated seat in front of me. The youkai watched me warily, his eyes flicking from my face to my mother's hands. I saw him sniff the air and I smiled to myself.
"Kagome, how are you feeling?" My mom had asked me in English, honoring my privacy. Did I mention I love my mom very much?
"Not very good," I replied in the same language. I gave her a list of my symptoms, awaiting her prognosis. She frowned and shivered. She was ready. I bowed my head, allowing her full access to my neck, trying to prepare myself for the shock. But, really, can anyone ever prepare for someone placing ice cold hands on your skin. I sucked in a breath and locked my jaw.
Cold nimble fingers dodged my ears and found the pressure points near by. Two fingers rested near my earlobe, one against my pulse point, the last reaching up for my temple. Her other hand had done the same on the other side. Her thumbs and palms wrapped around the back of my neck. She had done it all simotaniously, making the shock all that more, well, shocking.
I let go of the breath I'd been holding between clenched teeth. I shivered and fought against the desire to pull away. My mom hung on, ignoring my movements. I lifted my hands, clenching them and unclenching them in the air. Clawed hands took mine, the fingers intertwining with my own. They applied enough pressure to get my attention and keep it. Inu Yasha held my gaze, smiling shyly from under his hair. Water dripped down my neck and into my shirt, tickling down my skin like icy fingers. I shivered, cold. Mom removed her hands, wiggled them in the water again and applied them to my throat. I had to watch the ceiling this time. I shivered against her touch but didn't pull away. Hands squeezed mine and I knew I wasn't alone.
After an eternity, mom removed her hands and I freed a hand to pat dry my skin. I stood and kissed my mom's cheek. "Thanks mom." I said in English and hugged her.
"Go lay down. It wouldn't do for a relapse." She replied in kind, drying her hands. Mom smiled and hunted through one of the shopping bags on the counter. She pulled out a small box. My heart sunk; she'd bought cough syrup.
Grandpa cleared his throat. "It's rude to speak in another language when others can't understand." I frowned at him, angry. He'd spoken Japanese and gotten everyone's attention.
"Rude?" I stood beside him and saw him shrink back. "Rude? Who told Hojo I had TB?" Grandpa started, then decided he had things to do in the shrine. I snorted after he left.
"What's TB?" Shippo asked. Sigh. Oh goody, another thing to explain. I picked up my Bio book again, flipped to a different chapter on bacteria. "Read." I said, picking up my discarded blanket and wrapping it around me.
"I was hoping Hojo hadn't heard him." Sota said, pulling up a chair. My traveling companions looked at him in confusion. "Because Kagome's over with you guys, we have to make up excuses for her absence. Gramps keep coming up with different medical conditions as the excuses."
"And they're all for old people! He needs to become a better liar." I said the last to my mom, hoping she'd take over in the excuse department.
"What have you had, Kagome? Gout, rheumatism, berra berra, arthritis..." and the list continued. Sadly, they were all what Gramps had told people I had. Everytime I return to school, I have to deal with the aftermath. I'm surprised anyone comes near me.
Mom tisked and set the little plastic cup that came with the cough syrup down on the table. I grimaced. "Aw mom..." She'd filled it three quarters full. Inu Yasha picked up the cup and sniffed the liquid. He frowned. "You have to drink this?" I nodded, took the cup and choked it down. "Blehk!"
I took the cough syrup box from mom, reading the back. It would treat everything I had but would eventually put me to sleep. I gave the bottle and packaging back to mom, laying my head back on my arms. I coughed then sneezed into my pajamas. My sneeze was echoed. I looked up and found Inu Yasha rubbing at his nose. He sneezed again, louder this time. My mom walked around the table, stopping by the hanyou's side. She felt his forehead, and behind his ears until he pulled away. He stood and walked away from her. He continued to rub at his nose, which was turning red.
"Inu Yasha, are you sick?" I asked, completely surprised. Sango, Miroku and Shippo stared at the hanyou. I glanced out the window; the last rays of sunlight were disappearing from the sky.
"Don't be stupid!" He snarled. "Youkai can't get sick!" And he coughed till he doubled over. The trio looked at each other then at Inu Yasha and me.
My mom blinked. "It may be best if you three went back through the well. If any of you feel sick though, come back here and we'll handle it. Kagome, you're sleeping upstairs. Inu Yasha, you get the couch."
"I AM NOT SICK!" Inu Yasha roared and headed for the door. Anger and heat radiated off him as he walked past me. I had a bad feeling. He grabbed the doorknob, turning around to glare back at us. He must have turned too fast for his now sick body to handle. Inu Yasha's eyes rolled back in his head and he keeled over. For a minute, we could only stare at his fallen form. Then Sango and Miroku rushed forward and dragged his reviving body to the couch.
References
1. mailto:KildareAngel@aol.com
______________Chapter 4_____________
Behind the bedroom door...
I panted as I leaned against my bedroom door. I was immensely pleased that I hadn't fallen over while getting here. I tottered over to my dresser, finding another set of pajamas and fresh panties. God, I'd gone through so many pairs, it seemed like I should own stock. I dried off and put them on, wrapping my towel around my hair.
I still felt shaky; my hands trembled slightly while I changed. I looked longingly at my bed, finally shuffling over and sitting down on it. I wanted to lie down and sleep, nightmares be damned. I let my eyes close, feeling my body protest against moving. Even sitting, I was comfortable enough to fall asleep. If I didn't have a house full of people I would. I wanted my mom. I wanted someone to come in and take charge and let me sleep. Sleep... That sounded so nice right now.
Would they blame me? I wondered. I traveled with them for weeks at a time. Would they really get that pissed if I told them to please, go home? With a groan I fell back on my bed. `Give me a sign!' It was a line from a book or movie and was exactly how I felt. Give me a sign! Tell me what to do to make things better. I willed my ceiling to obey me, getting nothing for my effort. I closed my eyes. Sleep...
Strong arms held me. They held me close to his chest, as gentle as they could be while my carrier hurried. Hurried? Why were we hurrying? I opened my eyes, expecting to see Inu Yasha, expecting him to explain why I wasn't in bed. Imagine my surprise when the scene around me was forest rushing at top speed. And the person who held me wasn't Inu Yasha.
I frowned up at Sesshomaru. Yes, Sesshomaru. He held me, in his two arms. Now I was really confused. Sesshomaru had one arm, thanks to Inu Yasha, and hated humans. Why would he hold me? Unless... Unless I had been kidnapped. Slowly I began pushing at Sesshomaru, pushing at his chest to get leverage and push away.
He looked down at me, puzzled as to why I was trying to get away. "What are you doing?" He asked, eyeing me as if I'd lost my mind. I stopped pushing away- I wasn't getting anywhere anyway; his arms were like steel.
"What are you doing?" I countered. I sat up, trying to get my bearings. I was still in the pajamas I had changed into before I dozed off. Somehow I was back in the Warring States period. In my pajamas. Being carried by Sesshomaru of all people. Though my thoughts were foggy and slow, I knew I was dreaming. I knew I had fallen asleep in my room and was dreaming. I just didn't know why I was dreaming about being carried by Sesshomaru in the Warring States.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened. He slowed to a stop, glancing over his shoulder. He set me down, watching as I crossed my arms and looked up at him. My frown deepened as he frowned and ran a hand over my forehead. "You must have been hit harder than I thought," he murmured, gripping my chin in one hand and studying my face with the other. I should have been frightened and I wasn't. Standing here, in my pajamas, in front of Sesshomaru, I felt no fear- in fact, I trusted and felt an affection for him. I let him look me over in his brisk manner with his almost human concern. I blinked at that thought. He wasn't treating me like an enemy or an insect- he was treating me like a kid sister. His questing fingers brushed a spot on my temple that made me shy away, covering the spot with my hands and letting out a yelp of pain.
I felt dizzy, tottering to one side. Sesshomaru caught me, scooping me up and holding me close. "I got you," he said. "Rest." And with that he set off at a faster pace, his arms rigid to protect me from any jarring.
I curled up against him. "I had a weird dream," I said into his shoulder. The longer I was like this, being held, the more real it was becoming. This was becoming my reality; everything else was the dream. We were fleeing, I remembered. We had been attacked by Naraku and this time the toll had been high. Inu Yasha had had to change into his full demon form and hold off the hanyou's forces with Miroku. It must have killed the monk to watch his love, Sango, lead the enemy forces down upon the village. Sesshomaru had grabbed me from my sick bed. He had run into soldiers outside the house and fought. I had been too weak to defend myself decently and had been hit a few times. One lucky shot had connected with my temple. Sesshomaru had granted a painful death to the dealer of the blow before gathering me up and carrying me to safety.
"What was in the dream?" Sesshomaru asked. He smiled down at me and I felt his muscles bunch and the air whistle as he jumped over something that was in our way. I snuggled closer, cold suddenly. "A world- some place very different from here. Where there are no youkai, only humans. I had to go to a place called school and learn things." I sighed. It had been such a real dream.
"Do you know the secret?" Sesshomaru's voice was deeper and he was slowing down again.
"Secret? What secret?" What was he talking about? I didn't know any secret. Secret to what?
Sesshomaru sighed. He stopped running and set me down. He looked at me with pity, his features beginning to change. "I'll guess we'll have to try again, eh, Kagome?" He looked sad, even as he became monstrous. His lips pulled back to reveal teeth like stake knives. His claws elongated into obscenely long talons. I screamed. I screamed for all I was worth. I screamed for help, for Inu Yasha to save me. I screamed his name as Sesshomaru-no; the thing that wore Sesshomaru's form- attacked me. His teeth and claws cut through my flesh as if it were made of paper, spilling my blood on the ground. I felt him tare through my body, felt pain sear my nerves. My head lolled to the side, giving me a view of the way we had come. The village burned, bright and at the same time dim as my vision began to fade. My eyes began to close, what was left of me prepared for death. A woman leaned over me, her lips moving, my blood covering her front. "Learn. Learn the secret." She said it over and
over, until my eyes closed. The village burned in the background, a bright accompaniment to my death.
Downstairs...
Inu Yasha had his ears tuned to the room above him. He had tucked the sleeping Kagome into bed and had led everyone downstairs, leaving them alone and returning to Kagome's side. He had had to come back downstairs and keep everyone else out of trouble shortly after.
The hanyou had been by Kagome's side upstairs when he'd nearly jumped out of his skin at the loud noise that erupted from below. He had rushed downstairs to find everyone staring at the TV and ready to attack it. Shippo had jumped on the couch and landed on the remote. Inu Yasha had grabbed the clicker and shut it off, lest it disturb Kagome.
That had only been the beginning. Sango and Miroku had found the fridge, opened it and stared. Shippo then found the icemaker. The dog demon had come downstairs to a blizzard and a skating rink, the latter the more interesting to clean up in comparison to shutting the fridge door. The microwave had been the next object of curiosity- after a brief overview of how to work the machine (As Inu Yasha understood it, which you just know meant trouble). Sango had found the only aluminum foil covered dish and put it in. Inu Yasha had rushed down when he smelled something burning. While the hanyou dealt with the burning dish and sparking appliance, Miroku found the garbage disposal in the sink. The monk, curious after his initial shock, grabbed a fork and was in the process of poking at the drain opening. Inu Yasha had found him just in time to stop the action, and then had skidded across the floor to prevent the electrocution of Shippo, the kitsune having found a light socket. In the
end, a fuming Inu Yasha had sat them all on the floor in the living room, given them a snack, shoved a movie in the VCR and turned on the TV to an acceptable level.
The dog demon was beginning to feel like a parent. After Kagome had scared him half to death and then taken refuge in the bathroom, Inu Yasha had been looking after the others as if he were their father. Keeping all of them out of trouble and looking after Kagome was going to drive him nuts. He had reached Kagome's door when his ears caught a muffled scream. Immediately he rushed through the door to find a panting Kagome in a push up position. Evidently she had rolled over face down into her pillow when he left the room. "Kagome?" Unsure of what to do, he padded across the room and sat on her bed beside her.
Kagome sat up, her eyes blank. She was blinking and panting but she seemed to be calming down. Inu Yasha calmed down also- until Kagome started screaming, over and over as fast as she could draw breath. His ears flattened to his head, Inu Yasha lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight. He pressed Kagome against his body, felt her chest heave as she began to cry. Even after traveling with Kagome for so long, Inu Yasha still didn't know what to do when she cried. Acting on instinct, he rested his head on hers, one hand trailing idly through her hair, he held her until she calmed completely. Kagome looked up at him. She smiled at him weakly through her tears. "I'm ok. It was just a nightmare." She pulled back, wiping her face on her sleeve. Inu Yasha frowned. This many nightmares was not normal for anyone; human or youkai. Guilt reared its ugly head. Could it be that stuff that Kaede gave me is causing these dreams? His chest felt tight. He reached
out, tentatively, and touched her forehead. It was a consoling gesture but also allowed the hanyou to check her temperature. She hugged him lightly then pulled away again.
Kagome resettled and sat beside him, her legs dangling over the edge. Inu Yasha wasn't sure if it was a good idea for her to be exposed to the air, but her temperature was down. But still... Inu Yasha turned and sat beside her, a serious look on his face. "Hey, look at me." His tone broached no argument. In the year that they had traveled together, Inu Yasha had watched Kagome treat a variety of aliments, including cold symptoms. Thinking back now, he wished he had paid more attention to her ministrations. He remembered the rudiments- how well was another matter.
Obediently, Kagome turned toward him. She looked a little doubtful which was not inspiring to the hanyou. Inu Yasha sighed and began with false confidence. He took her temperature again, the back of his hand against the underside of her chin. He checked his own. They were equal, which meant Kagome had a low-grade fever. Inu Yasha checked her pulse and his own. Equal at the moment, but Kagome's pulse was slowing down as she calmed. She smiled at him, making his heart flutter. She allowed him to move her as he would, trusting him completely. He felt along her throat. At one point, she asked him what he was looking for and he answered that he wasn't sure but this was what she did when someone was sick. She laughed at him and sounded normal, though she coughed after. Inu Yasha smiled at her, silently relieved. She was getting better and she was still Kagome- that was all that mattered.
Her stomach grumbled. "I'm up for some food. You?" She shot him a mischievous look and stood slowly. Inu Yasha watched her carefully, ready to catch her if she fell. He paced her as she left the room and made her way down the hallway. She was still shuffling to get around but that wasn't as worrying as it had been an hour or two ago. Inu Yasha did draw the line when she attempted the stairs. In a less then graceful move, Inu Yasha picked up an annoyed Kagome and carried her downstairs and into the kitchen.
He was going to put me in a chair and follow my cooking instructions until I used to say the magic word. No, not that one; I asked nicely and said please. I was quite happy he didn't make me say the other word; it would have been mean after all he'd been through for me. I directed him to find certain containers in the fridge, the rest of the gang coming in to see what was up.
They all had that `slightly dazed yet wanting to ask questions' look. What they had been watching probably caused it- I mean, honestly, `Star Wars' would not have been my pick of movies to introduce them to. They asked how I was, and after I answered that I was feeling better, they exploded into a clamor of voices all trying to be heard at once. One question after another about the movie, life here, cars, my family- the list went on and on. I was the only one they could ask so I did the best I could, starting with what movies were and what was fantasy. I cooked while I talked; heating things in the microwave or giving instructions to Inu Yasha on how to work it. I pulled out TV dinners- I had the energy to heat up food but actually cooking was out of the question. Besides, I was sick; sick people should not cook food for others.
Halfway through, I went on automatic pilot. I still answered every question that they asked and cooked, but my mind had gone back to the dream. I could remember parts of this one, which was new. A secret? I had to learn a secret? About what? About who? I shook my head. This was all so confusing. Why was this happening to me? Was it a youkai or were the nightmares just meaningless fever dreams. "As if my life wasn't weird enough." I grumbled to myself. I frowned feeling hot. Oh, hell no- I would not go to sleep again without a fight. I was getting better and, by hell, I was going to stay that way!
I set the dinners on the table, the microwave having done its job. Everyone had taken a seat, marveling at how preparing food was so different between the two times. Inu Yasha shrugged as he helped me put out food. It was funny, I thought. Inu Yasha and I were the same age, still considered immature by society (in both eras) and yet, we were demonstrating the maturity that seems to only be seen in parents. I guess in a weird way, we were the parents. Each of us was knowledgeable about our respective times, and had become acquainted with the other so, though we may not understand everything, we weren't surprised by the strangeness we encountered. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo hadn't had the opportunity; it must have been complete culture shock when they came here. I could only imagine what Inu Yasha had had to put up with when they showed up. In this situation, Inu Yasha and I really were the parents and the others were the children.
I handed out chopsticks and forks and was about to sit down when the doorbell rang. Shippo jumped at the sound, looking for the source. So did the monk and demon hunter. "Doorbell." I explained around a mouthful and getting up. I caught Inu Yasha frowning and pushing out his chair to follow. I made a sit down motion and went to answer the door, stopping to grab the blanket in the living room and wrapping it around me. The doorbell rang again as I neared the door. "Coming!" I yelled. I unlocked the door, expecting to see my mom, Grandpa and Sota at the door- possibly ladened with shopping bags. Instead I got someone I didn't want to see.
"Hojo-kun!" I plastered a smile on my face and gripped the blanket around my shoulders tighter. Shit! "Wh-what are you doing here?" I hoped I sounded as polite as I should have. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted heads peaking around the kitchen doorway, and groaned internally.
"Higurashi-sama! I'm sorry! Did I wake you?" His smile wilted as he took in the blanket. He hurried on. "I ran into your grandfather and mother when I was out. They said you had the flu... or was it tuberculosis?" The kind hearted, ever dense boy looked confused. TB? I was going to kill Grandpa.
"Aha. It's the flu, actually." I coughed quietly, for necessity and emphasis. If I could get him to leave, I could go back and eat and deal with an undoubtedly fuming dog demon.
"Ah. Here!" And he thrust a wrapped package at me. "It's herbal tea and should help you feel better." I took the package, plastering a (hopefully) grateful smile on my face.
"Thank you, Hojo-kun! This is so nice of you!" I forced my voice to be high and pleased as I shivered from the cold air outside. The draft caused by opening the door was stealing the heat around me. I pulled the blanket tighter, beginning to feel my fever flare and my head throb. I heard footsteps from the hall. Inu Yasha had come to take charge.
"Kagome, you don't look so good." Hojo peered at me as if just realizing something. No, our boy Hojo wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box.
"Ah, well, Hojo. You're right; I should go back to-"
"Hojo-kun! What are you doing here? Would you like to come in for tea?" With horrible timing, my family had shown up. While Hojo turned to look and answer I shot my mom a look, leaning against the door. I released some of the blanket and shook my head at her. `No!' I mouthed at her as she looked at me quizzically and Sota (bright boy that he was) distracted Hojo. `Inu Yasha!' I pointed at the house and saw my mom get the meaning. Hojo looked back at me and I gave him a lopsided smile.
"Hey!" Oh hell. "Hobo or whoever you are- go home!" Inu Yasha marched purposefully down the hall and picked me up. I yipped in surprise and glared at the hanyou. Hojo turned around at the voice and blinked, staring. Inu Yasha glared back, his hand on the door to shut it.
"Oh! Inu-nii-chan!" Sota ran over, standing between the dog demon and the schoolboy. "Hojo is a classmate of Kagome's." The youngster said to Inu Yasha. He turned to Hojo who was beginning to object to a foreigner holding me. You could see the anger creeping from his shoulders up his neck, the objection written all over his face. "Inu Yasha is a close friend of Kagome's."
"Inu Yasha! Kagome!" Now the others had arrived. I wanted to curl up and disappear. I covered my eyes, pressing the heel of my palm against my eyeballs. Everyone simply stared at each other. My family hadn't met the others, just Inu Yasha. Right, this was not the way to start things. I reached a hand out, covering Inu Yasha's mouth as he prepared to speak. I felt him start. "Put me down please."
His brows drew together, obviously wanting to object. Miroku put a hand on the hanyou's shoulder and Inu Yasha reluctantly set me down. "Sango. Miroku. Shippo. Kitchen, right now." I pointed back down the hall. With a nod they all left, Shippo glancing behind him. Behind me, mom was doing the same thing with Hojo and Sota. I pushed Inu Yasha forward, all the way down the hall to the kitchen.
I sat down in the chair next to Inu Yasha. I held my head in my hands, wanting to go back to my room. Hojo, Mom, Sota and Grandpa came into the kitchen carrying shopping bags. My mom squeezed my shoulder as she walked by. She would take over now, the wonderful woman. Introductions were made all around, Shippo having his ears felt by my mom and Sota. I watched them with a small smile, glancing at Inu Yasha. He had had to go through the same thing on his first visit.
When everyone was seated and eating or enjoying tea, the silence began. No one knew what to say to explain.
Hojo tried. "So. Are you exchange students?" I looked around for the aspirin I had set down earlier as Sango and Miroku glanced at each other. Inu Yasha watched Hojo as if he might become a youkai and attack us. Shippo, taking his cue from Inu Yasha, hopped over and sat in my lap. He tickled me with his tail until I smiled. Cute little devil. I checked the time and read the back of the bottle. Timing was ok. Hmm...in all honesty I was a little afraid to go back to sleep- especially with a mess like this brewing. Best to get Hojo out of here with a believable story rather than telling him the truth and him thinking us insane.
"Actually, Sango and Miroku are my cousins. They're visiting from up north. Shippo is a friend they are babysitting." When Hojo raised his eyebrows, I said behind my hand. "Shippo has a thing for Halloween. He's getting therapy but still won't take off the costume." Eyebrows high, Hojo nodded and drank his tea. He turned his attention to the others. Miroku and Sango nodded, and the boy turned to Inu Yasha.
"Sota said you were a friend of Kagome. Are you from up north as well?" Inu Yasha frowned, and I could hear a low growl coming from him. I reached under the table, out of site, and squeezed his thigh to shut him up.
"I'm from this area though a bit south." Inu Yasha replied. Hojo seemed surprised.
"What school do you go to?"
Right. Time to get Hojo out of here. I laughed. "What Inu Yasha means is that he visits here so often from the south, it's as if he lives in the area," I squeezed the hanyou's thigh harder. "He's in the middle of a visit now. How fortunate that everyone came at the same time and could meet each other." Shippo took the bottle of aspirin from me and shook it. I scratched his ears under the table.
"Ah! Shippo-chan, you're so smart. It is time for Kagome's medicine." Mom stood and took the bottle from the kitsune. "Hojo-kun, I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut you're visit with Kagome short and send her to bed."
Hojo stood, finishing his tea, and bowing. "I'd better be going anyhow. Thank you for the tea. Kagome, feel better soon. I'll see you in school. Nice meeting you all." Mom walked him to the door and shut it when he left. I let out loud sigh and rested my head on my arms. "Thank God." Mom came up behind me, rubbing my back in small circles. Shippo hoped up to my shoulders, running his tiny clawed hands through my hair.
"That was close, sis." Sota sipped his tea. "How come Hojo showed up?" I pointed to the counter where I had set the present Hojo had delivered.
"Who was that anyway?" Sango asked me. Sota answered. "Hojo goes to Kagome's school. He always shows up with a present while Kagome's down the well. He likes Kagome a lot. Not the brightest penny in the fountain though."
"Sota...!" I growled in warning. Inu Yasha looked at me curiously. I gave up. I'd never be able to explain it accurately to any of them- especially Inu Yasha. I sighed quietly and hid my face in my arms. I heard my mom leave my side and disappear from the room.
"Shippo, what are you doing?" Miroku's voice. I felt the kitsune shift his weight as he became uncomfortable. His hands paused then resumed, this time his claws skimming my scalp. It made my head tingle. "My mom used to run her hands through my hair when I was scared. My dad did it for my mom when she didn't feel well." The fox child's voice sounded muffled.
"That's stupid." Inu Yasha added his educated opinion. Shippo began dividing my hair into sections. A short time later, his claws tickled the back of my neck. I squirmed, trying to not buck him off but also to make him stop.
"It's not stupid." My mom said as she came back. I felt Shippo's weight lifted from my shoulders and was afraid he'd been knocked off. I freed an arm and began hunting for him without looking. Tiny fingers tapped mine from the direction of the table where Shippo had been relocated to. Gentle fingers brushed my neck and I knew they belonged to my mom. She began rearranging my hair as she explained to Inu Yasha.
"Humans like to be touched," My mom said as she twisted my hair into position. "In fact, science has found that nearly all humanoid creatures like some sort of physical contact."
"Why?" Shippo and Inu Yasha asked together. I found Shippo with my hand and tickled his stomach, enjoying his childish laughter. I hunted for Inu Yasha, finding his arm and following it till I found his head. His silky hair threaded through my fingers as he either turned to watch me or pulled away. I tugged a lock of hair, pulling him toward me. I found his ears, tickling the skin behind it. Whether he did it unconsciously or not, he pushed against my hand inviting more contact.
"As Kagome just demonstrated," my mom continued dryly as she ran water in the sink. "Touch can mean a variety of things. It can express unspoken emotions. It can calm or comfort, cause pain or console. You may have noticed but humans typically hug a lot." I heard her set down a bowl and liquid slosh. The ice machine worked and more liquid sloshed as the ice cubes were dropped in. I knew what was coming now and was half annoyed. My mom used a clip to pin my hair up, her hands feeling along my neck for the pressure points.
"What are you doing?" Sango asked, her curiosity evident. I tapped my mom's hand and she went to get a towel. I raised my head to look at Sango as I answered.
"Sota, go get my Bio book please. You've heard of pressure points, right? You can use them to cool yourself or someone else down. If you apply something cold to key spots on the skin, you can lower your body's temperature." Sota returned and handed me the book. I flipped through the pages to the one I wanted. It wasn't a detailed map, but the drawing on the page showed an example of some pressure points located in the neck. None of them were lethal thankfully. I displayed the page to everyone, dog earring it for future reference. I hunted again through the chapters until I found the one I was supposed to be studying.
"This is why I am sick." I showed them a picture of a virus at high magnification.
"What kind of youkai is that?!" Inu Yasha looked at me in horror. He put a hand on Tetsusagia's hilt. If he pulled it, I'd sit him so hard... To my annoyance, I saw that Miroku had pulled out some sealing scrolls and Sango had pushed away from the table. Shippo had foxfire in his hand. Sota stood making calming motions at everyone, looking alarmed. Using the book as a guide, my brother began explaining what a virus was and, more importantly, what it wasn't. I watched the proceedings with mild interest, mostly to make sure Sota got the facts straight- it was an opportunity to see what I remembered from the chapter.
My mom touched my shoulder, drawing my attention away from the proceedings. She laid a towel on the tabletop in front of me. She put an extra towel beside me and dipped her hands in the ice water. I cringed but rested my chin on my hands as she expected. Inu Yasha had moved from beside me and taken Hojo's vacated seat in front of me. The youkai watched me warily, his eyes flicking from my face to my mother's hands. I saw him sniff the air and I smiled to myself.
"Kagome, how are you feeling?" My mom had asked me in English, honoring my privacy. Did I mention I love my mom very much?
"Not very good," I replied in the same language. I gave her a list of my symptoms, awaiting her prognosis. She frowned and shivered. She was ready. I bowed my head, allowing her full access to my neck, trying to prepare myself for the shock. But, really, can anyone ever prepare for someone placing ice cold hands on your skin. I sucked in a breath and locked my jaw.
Cold nimble fingers dodged my ears and found the pressure points near by. Two fingers rested near my earlobe, one against my pulse point, the last reaching up for my temple. Her other hand had done the same on the other side. Her thumbs and palms wrapped around the back of my neck. She had done it all simotaniously, making the shock all that more, well, shocking.
I let go of the breath I'd been holding between clenched teeth. I shivered and fought against the desire to pull away. My mom hung on, ignoring my movements. I lifted my hands, clenching them and unclenching them in the air. Clawed hands took mine, the fingers intertwining with my own. They applied enough pressure to get my attention and keep it. Inu Yasha held my gaze, smiling shyly from under his hair. Water dripped down my neck and into my shirt, tickling down my skin like icy fingers. I shivered, cold. Mom removed her hands, wiggled them in the water again and applied them to my throat. I had to watch the ceiling this time. I shivered against her touch but didn't pull away. Hands squeezed mine and I knew I wasn't alone.
After an eternity, mom removed her hands and I freed a hand to pat dry my skin. I stood and kissed my mom's cheek. "Thanks mom." I said in English and hugged her.
"Go lay down. It wouldn't do for a relapse." She replied in kind, drying her hands. Mom smiled and hunted through one of the shopping bags on the counter. She pulled out a small box. My heart sunk; she'd bought cough syrup.
Grandpa cleared his throat. "It's rude to speak in another language when others can't understand." I frowned at him, angry. He'd spoken Japanese and gotten everyone's attention.
"Rude?" I stood beside him and saw him shrink back. "Rude? Who told Hojo I had TB?" Grandpa started, then decided he had things to do in the shrine. I snorted after he left.
"What's TB?" Shippo asked. Sigh. Oh goody, another thing to explain. I picked up my Bio book again, flipped to a different chapter on bacteria. "Read." I said, picking up my discarded blanket and wrapping it around me.
"I was hoping Hojo hadn't heard him." Sota said, pulling up a chair. My traveling companions looked at him in confusion. "Because Kagome's over with you guys, we have to make up excuses for her absence. Gramps keep coming up with different medical conditions as the excuses."
"And they're all for old people! He needs to become a better liar." I said the last to my mom, hoping she'd take over in the excuse department.
"What have you had, Kagome? Gout, rheumatism, berra berra, arthritis..." and the list continued. Sadly, they were all what Gramps had told people I had. Everytime I return to school, I have to deal with the aftermath. I'm surprised anyone comes near me.
Mom tisked and set the little plastic cup that came with the cough syrup down on the table. I grimaced. "Aw mom..." She'd filled it three quarters full. Inu Yasha picked up the cup and sniffed the liquid. He frowned. "You have to drink this?" I nodded, took the cup and choked it down. "Blehk!"
I took the cough syrup box from mom, reading the back. It would treat everything I had but would eventually put me to sleep. I gave the bottle and packaging back to mom, laying my head back on my arms. I coughed then sneezed into my pajamas. My sneeze was echoed. I looked up and found Inu Yasha rubbing at his nose. He sneezed again, louder this time. My mom walked around the table, stopping by the hanyou's side. She felt his forehead, and behind his ears until he pulled away. He stood and walked away from her. He continued to rub at his nose, which was turning red.
"Inu Yasha, are you sick?" I asked, completely surprised. Sango, Miroku and Shippo stared at the hanyou. I glanced out the window; the last rays of sunlight were disappearing from the sky.
"Don't be stupid!" He snarled. "Youkai can't get sick!" And he coughed till he doubled over. The trio looked at each other then at Inu Yasha and me.
My mom blinked. "It may be best if you three went back through the well. If any of you feel sick though, come back here and we'll handle it. Kagome, you're sleeping upstairs. Inu Yasha, you get the couch."
"I AM NOT SICK!" Inu Yasha roared and headed for the door. Anger and heat radiated off him as he walked past me. I had a bad feeling. He grabbed the doorknob, turning around to glare back at us. He must have turned too fast for his now sick body to handle. Inu Yasha's eyes rolled back in his head and he keeled over. For a minute, we could only stare at his fallen form. Then Sango and Miroku rushed forward and dragged his reviving body to the couch.
References
1. mailto:KildareAngel@aol.com