Chapter Five

            Kagome had calmed, and was sleeping peacefully in his arms.  Inuyasha smelled her hair, breathing in her scent made his own heart calmer.  He leaned back against the wall, letting her head rest on his chest, his arms wrapped around her shoulders.  Shippou was napping with his head in Kagome's lap, Sango and Miroku were talking quietly over the cauldron, discussing whatever medicine they were making for the ill villagers.  Inuyasha let his eyes close, but he didn't fall asleep.  He felt Kagome breathing, deep and even, and for the first time he felt fairly sure that she would really come out of this all right.  It felt right, holding her.  He wondered what she could be dreaming about right then, with that gentle half smile on her face.

            At least she doesn't seem to be having that nightmare anymore.  Sango said she might never be the same after these nightmares.  His breathing was slowly matching hers.  She had calmed soon after he picked her up, and he hadn't let go of her since.  Miroku could say that Kagome's spirit felt familiar and protected by Inuyasha's presence, but Inuyasha wasn't so sure about that.  After all, during her nightmare, it had been his name she whispered, as if he were the cause of her pain, not the comfort.

            But when he felt her heart beating, he knew that he never wanted to cause Kagome pain.  Remembering the way she had been shaking and crying, whispering "Why Inuyasha, why?" was enough to break his heart.

            Kagome has gotten so strong.  She's become so skilled with the bow, and we've all come to rely on her in battle and everywhere else.  I'd forgotten that's she's just a human, that she can get hurt as easily as anyone.

            Inuyasha remembered when he had tried forcing her back into her own world, after Sesshoumaru tried to steal the tetsuaiga.  He had been so afraid that she'd be hurt, or worse, killed, that he'd stolen her jewel shard, and pushed her down the well.  That hadn't worked.  She'd made it back anyway, worried about his own wounds.  He'd been miserable while she was away, anyway.

            Is there no way to keep her safe, and keep her with me?  Inuyasha thought as he took another breath of her scent.  It only reminded him of yet another time he had needed her.  When he transformed to full human, during the dark moon.  She had stayed with him, even though a spider demon was trying to kill them both.  She held off the demon with the tetusuaiga's barrier, and let Inuyasha rest his head in her lap until the sun rose.  He had taken comfort in her scent then, and he hoped that he was somehow comforting her now.

            Kagome hid among the trees, staring out at Inuyasha.  He knelt as if in pain, clutching the necklace around his neck.  Kikyou appeared, as if she were a spirit, out of thin air.  Kagome could hear her words as she spoke to Inuyasha.

            "My sister Kaede's work, no?  She always did think ahead, and she came up with this fascinating tool.  That foolish girl could only get one command out of it, but I, Inuyasha, I will have your complete obedience."  She touched the hanyou's forehead, and he immediately knelt before her, an absolute slave. 

            Kagome couldn't bear it.  Now she knew what her fear was.  She wasn't afraid of Inuyasha, or even of Inuyasha loving Kikyou.  She feared the power Kikyou had over him.  Inuyasha was not choosing Kikyou over Kagome; he was being forced to serve the priestess, for her own vengeance.  The fact that he had loved Kikyou only made what Kagome saw more sickening.  She dropped from her tree, there was no point in trying to hide from Inuyasha anyway, he could find her scent no matter where she went.  Her fear was slowly turning into rage

            How dare she!  He loved her, and she treats him like this!  How dare she, How DARE SHE!  I won't let her.  Not like this.  She cannot take him like this.  I won't let her!  Kagome wanted to run to Inuyasha, to save him from her.  But she stopped.  Something told her that she couldn't save him just yet.  She didn't even know how to save him, so she just waited, listening and watching.  Inuyasha had told her to run, to leave him.  But Kagome couldn't bring herself to do that.  She couldn't abandon him.

            She thought about all the times he had saved her.  All the times he had risked his own life to save hers.  Of course, he was always gruff, always dodging her.  But he always came through, and he always saved her.  I will save you, Inuyasha!  I will set you free.  I will not leave you, Inuyasha.  I promise!!

            Kagome suddenly had a flash, as if Inuyasha's face were right before her own.  His amber eyes were filled with concern, he was very worried about her.  She reached out and touched his face, and said the words quietly.

            "I will not leave you, Inuyasha.  I promise." 

            The face before her faded away, still appearing very worried.  Kagome couldn't help but smile, Inuyasha's ears twitch when he's worried.  I had never noticed before.  She looked out at Kikyou and Inuyasha in the clearing, and began to climb the tree again.  She had to watch, and listen, and wait.  I promise, Inuyasha.

            Inuyasha felt Kagome's body become tense, and she gasped briefly.  He thought she might be having another nightmare, but though she remained tense, her breathing was still even, and she was relatively calm.  The look on her face was intense, but determined.  What is she dreaming about now?  He wondered, absentmindedly stroking her hair.  She's got that look, like when she wants me to help her rescue some kid, usually from a demon with no jewel shards.  I kinda like it when she gets like that…  Inuyasha shook his head slightly, to get rid of the thoughts infringing upon his mind.  Thoughts like that only made him more confused, and he didn't like being confused. 

            He gazed at her face, smiling at the crinkle between her eyebrows.  She was looking more and more angry.  Inuyasha cringed, half expecting a resounding "Sit!" to flatten him.  But she must not have been angry with him, because nothing came from her lips.  Her jaw was clenched, her mouth frowning.  Her whole face was a picture of rage.  He wondered who could evoke such rage from the peaceful Kagome.  Kagome, who truly hated no one.  Inuyasha didn't even think she hated Kikyou.

            He gently stroked her cheek with his finger, becoming more curious about what she was dreaming about.  He decided that he should probably move, just in case she did "sit" him, so he gently lay her down, and sat by her side, holding her hand.

            Kagome, I hope you wake up soon.  I don't know how much longer I can bear this waiting.  Inuyasha had always preferred taking action to patience.  Probably because when it came to patience, Inuyasha had none.

            Suddenly, as if in an answer to his prayers, Kagome shook her head slightly, and her eyes fluttered.  The hanyou watched her face, worried and excited.  Her eyes opened slowly, and she looked into his face.  He gasped, and touched her cheek, not knowing what to do.

            "I will not leave you, Inuyasha.  I promise."  Her voice was faint, but clear and firm.  She lifted a hand, but was too weak. 

            Inuyasha took her hand, and held it tightly as Kagome's eyes closed again, and she fell back into her calm slumber.

            "Kagome?  Kagome!"  Inuyasha gripped her hand, as if he could keep her awake by his will power alone.  When that didn't work, he called to Miroku and Sango.

            "Hey you two!  Get over here!"  The priest and the exterminator were soon at his side, kneeling over the sleeping Kagome.

            "What happened?"  Miroku asked, feeling Kagome's forehead.

            "She opened her eyes and she spoke!  But then she went right back to sleep again…" Inuyasha wanted answers and he wanted them right now.

            "What did she say?"  Sango asked.

            "She said–" Inuyasha stopped, and for the first time realized what Kagome had said.  'I won't leave you, Inuyasha.'  What was that supposed to mean?  "Nothing.  Just gibberish."  For some reason, he just didn't want to share her words.  He wanted to keep them all his own.

            "Hmmm… she does still have a fever.  But at least she's calm."  Miroku looked to Sango for her opinion.

            "I think that she will make it.  It may be some time before she wakes, but I think that she definitely will.  Perhaps the nightmares are over, and she's just healing now."  Sango smiled.

            Inuyasha looked at Kagome's face.  It was still very intense, and determined.  Perhaps…