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Chapter Eleven - Don't You Dare!

With Miroku's help, she managed to get the wounded hanyou back to Kaede's hut. She sent the houshi. former houshi, to get clean bandages, water, a rag, needle and twine. While waiting, she stripped Inuyasha to the waist and removed the makeshift bandage made from cloth torn from Sesshoumaru's cloak. When Miroku returned she swiftly yet carefully cleaned the wound before searching for the nicked artery. She cautiously began stitching the ends back together.

"Miroku, how do dog youkai traditionally bury the dead?"

"Kagome-sama, don't think like that. He'll be all right."

She glared at him. "Not for Inuyasha, baka! He wouldn't dare die on me. I'd have to bring him back just to kill him again for doing that to me. It's for Sesshoumaru!"

The ex-houshi's jaw dropped. "You want to give him a proper burial after what he's done?"

She glared at him again. ""Everyone deserves a proper burial. If for no other reason then to make sure their ghosts don't bother us in the future. Go get his body. I won't leave him for the scavengers. He did help us fight Naraku in the end."

"But he just tried to kill Inuyasha." He snapped his jaw shut at the look on her face and left to do as told.

"Besides," Kagome murmured as she continued stitching. "Everyone deserves to be with the one they love."

She finished stitching and quickly bandaged the wound. Hopefully it hadn't become infected. Sighing, she pulled the blanket up to his chin.

* * *

Unfortunately, Kagome's hopes were dashed when she woke up in the middle of the night to find Inuyasha burning with fever. She quickly mixed up some herbs and forced them down his throat before wiping his brow with a wet cloth. It was early the next morning before his fever broke. She felt no relief. As much as she hated to admit it, there was a chance that he wouldn't make it. Even with his hanyou healing abilities she wasn't sure his heart could replenish his blood fast enough and he'd lost a lot. Not that she wouldn't fight like hell to keep him alive.

* * *

He floated in a vast sea of darkness that was unbroken by sight or sound. He was overcome by the sensation that he was sinking. He knew what this was. He wasn't stupid.

"NO!" He shouted. "I won't die! Not yet!"

He fought against the darkness. He fought harder than he had ever fought before. He refused to die. He couldn't. Not without telling Kagome. He had to tell her. There was no way he'd let her live the rest of her life wondering. Then, a sudden thought occurred to him. What if she doesn't want me to live? What if she doesn't mourn for me if I die? What if she isn't in love with me anymore? As those thoughts ran through his head he sank further. And he let it happen. If she didn't feel for him as he felt for her then he didn't want to live. Life wouldn't be worth it. At that moment, a voice echoed to him from the distance.

"Don't you dare!" It said. "Don't you dare die, Inuyasha! I'll never forgive you if you do!"

At first he was confused. Who.?

"Inuyasha, if you die I swear I'll bring you back to life just to 'Sit' the hell out of you."

He smiled. "Kagome!"

He immediately started fighting again. She wanted him to live! Gradually, the thick darkness began to separate. He continued fighting despite the pain in his chest causing his breath to come in labored gasps.

"Ka.gom.e!"

He chanted her name over and over as a litany to give him strength. As his limbs began to tire from the exertion he began to despair of ever winning, but he didn't stop fighting. He would live for Kagome.

Kagome clutched Inuyasha's hand tightly. His body was convulsing slightly and she could tell that he was fighting death. Then, his movements grew sluggish. She realized that he must be tiring. She tightened her grip on his hand, willing her strength to him.

"Dammit, Inuyasha! I swear I'll 'Sit' you if you don't keep fighting."

It wasn't what she wanted to say, but she knew the hanyou was more likely to respond to tough love rather then tender words. Those she would reserve for later. Kagome could feel him growing stronger, but he wasn't quite strong enough. She knew that he would ultimately lose this fight unless someone helped him. Her hand tightened even more, almost to the point of cutting off the flow of blood in his hand.

"Come on, Inuyasha! Remember all those youkai that used to make fun of you. Remember how they used to call you weak for being a hanyou. Don't let their ridicule be founded true. Most of those youkai have since tasted your blade." A little stronger. "You can do better than that. I've seen you!" Stronger. "Don't tell me you're going to let Sesshoumaru, the greatest of your tormentors, defeat you." Stronger still. "I'll never speak to you again if you die! Not even to your spirit. If you're not strong enough to beat this then you're not worthy of me." Not quite strong enough. "Dammit, Inuyasha! I've spent a year without you around, I'm not spending the rest of my life that way."

The convulsions grew stronger. She could barely keep him from falling off of the bed. Suddenly, they stopped. He was so still that she feared he hadn't been strong enough to make it. Her hand rested forlornly on his chest. Then, he took a shuddering breath and his eyes opened a crack.

"Ka.gom.e," he said in wonder.

Tears of relief sprang to her eyes. "Kami, Inuyasha! Don't you DARE scare me like that again. I'm getting tired of it."

His hand squeezed hers gently. "I promise." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shayril: Okay, guys, did you like that chapter? You know the drill. Send your opinions to tigerwitch13@yahoo. It was kinda sweet kinda not. The next chapter has a classic Inu/Kag fight, that much I do know. Now, I just have to write it...