Tesseiga Stolen!
(Chapter Two)
Kagome sat up with a horrified scream, a cold sweat having broken out on her forehead. The piercing noise continued for a long moment, before dying away when Kagome buried her head in her hands and drew her knees up, muffling the sobs that wracked her thin shoulders. Miroku and Sango both looked up quickly and worriedly from their places by the fire, which was cheery and bright compared to the dark looks on their faces. Shippo looked up as well, his green eyes sad, after covering his ears to protect them from Kagome's horrific scream. He got up and moved to her, bouncing up to stand by her on the edge of the bed as Sango and Miroku trailed him, after glancing warningly at each other.
Sango made her way to Kagome's right, as Miroku went to her left. Sango seated herself on the edge of the cot and wrapped her arms around the younger girl comfortingly. Her deep brown eyes reflected the fire as she stared quietly at Miroku over Kagome's head. "Shhh. Hush now, don't cry." She said, her hands gently stroking the girl's hair.
After a moment or so more of her agonized sobs, Kagome stifled them, slowly composing herself once more, and looked up over the edge of her sleeve at the woman, who smiled at her gently. She glanced at Miroku, who offered his own version of a reassuring grin and patted her head awkwardly. The she looked down at Shippo, who hugged her tightly. She felt her sigh of relief rise in her throat as she cleared it and said hoarsely, looking down slightly ashamedly. "I'm sorry if I woke you guys, it's just I had this awful dream of Inuyasha being killed by Sesshomaru." She was so engrossed in her hands at that moment that she did not notice the glances Miroku and Sango traded over her head. The woman who was so good with the boomerang, looked down, her eyes infinitely saddened as she hugged her friend tighter.
Kagome felt Sango tense and looked up, "It was really scary. What's wrong?" He own eyes were wide in question as she tilted her head in confusion, noticing, as she always did, the subdued reactions of her friends. Then the monk stepped closer, his eyes flickering angrily, as his grip visibly tightened on his staff. "Sesshomaru did attack Inuyasha, Kagome." He said gently, his eyes searching her face and reading her body language. Kagome stiffened and he felt that she might scream again so he hurried on, taking a patient and hopefully, reassuring tone.
"Inuyasha was not killed, Kagome. But, he was hurt extremely badly, worse than ever before. We." He indicated Sango and Shippo with his hand, "We don't know if he will survive. Kaede can not do anything more for him." He hated to tell her this, hated to tell her that the half-yokai might die. Closing his eyes, he stepped back from the girl, looking away from her so he wouldn't have to see her heartbroken eyes and the tears now running from them.
Kagome felt her stomach drop to her feet, and dread crept in, wrapping its icy fingers tightly around her fluttering heart. "No.. He can't die.. Inuyasha! Where is he!?" Her voice was raised in near panic as she stared helplessly at Miroku her brown eyes were pleading with him to tell her that it wasn't real, that she hadn't seen Inuyasha receive such a horrible and life threatening wound. After a moment of silence, Miroku answered, thoughtfully, and carefully.
"He's in the next room. But." He trailed off as Kagome pushed Sango's arms away after prying Shippo off of her body. His eyes narrowed slightly as he grabbed her arm. She froze and looked at him with those wide, sad, eyes of hers.
Sango stiffened when Kagome pushed her away, and she looked down sadly at Kirara, who was rubbing forlornly against her leg. Sango reached down and picked up the tiny cat demon, setting her in her lap. When Miroku grabbed Kagome's arm, she said softly, "Let her see him Miroku." She didn't want to say that this could be the last chance Kagome had to say goodbye. The monk looked at her for a long moment, then nodded and dropped the girl's arm with a sigh.
Kagome walked into the room next door, her face blank. She looked around, and her eyes traveled to the corner of the room, where she could see Inuyasha lay. Her face contorted in a look of pure anguish as she rushed over and fell to her knees beside him. His golden eyes were closed and the only light in the room came from a single small window on the wall. The light that showed through the window danced across the half demon's facial features, but no matter how hard she tried, Kagome could not make herself believe that the light made him look that pale. She knew that Inuyasha was as close to death as he had ever been, this fact was betrayed by his harsh breathing and sweaty forehead. She could not bear to look at the hole in his chest, knowing that if she did, it would somehow seal his fate. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears as she leaned over him and ran her hand down his cheek.
Kagome was in pain, her shoulder was burning from where she had been struck by Kikyo's arrow. She paid it no attention, all of her being was concentrated on Inuyasha, as she whispered to him. "Inuyasha.please.. Don't leave me. " Her slender hand traveled down his cheek again as she stifled a sob.
As Kagome left the room, Sango winced. Miroku caught it out of the corner of his eye and turned, holding out a steadying hand. "Sango, are you alright?"
"Yes, Hoshi-sama." She said, her eyes fixed on Kirara's smooth fur. "I'm fine. It's Kagome I'm worried about. What if Inuyasha dies? What would we do? What could we do? What.." She trailed of as Miroku leaned over and raised his hand over her mouth to silence her. "Shhh.. Sango, don't talk like that. I'm sure Inuyasha will be fine, he's always pulled through before." Miroku sounded braver than he felt, and he hoped he was right. Shippo looked at the fire, still sitting where Kagome had left him, the saddest look on his face either Sango or Miroku had ever seen him wear.
It was many long hours that Kagome sat by the hanyou, her eyes were always on his face, always silently pleading with him to come back, to take her in his arms and tell her everything was fine now. She didn't even react when Kaede returned, with a large pouch on her side full of herbs. She almost wished that she had died, then maybe he wouldn't be like he was. She talked to him, sadly and angrily, demanding and begging, hoping her voice, her love, could pull him from the cold and foreboding doorstep of death. She was coaxing and teasing, saying anything that popped into her head, clinging desperately to her last remaining vestiges of hope, when Inuyasha stirred.
It was early in the morning, and the dawn was cold, grey and more lifeless than Inuyasha. A thick mist hung over the village, blanketing all the houses as it roiled around, seething and almost frothing it seemed. No animal stirred, not a bird dared chirp to break the silent monotony. Kagome was asleep, with Inuyasha's head in her lap. She remembered the first time that they had sat like this, when Inuyasha had turned human, she was dreaming that he was human now. Remembering it made her heart pound. Something woke her, a hand on cheek? Inuyasha?
She opened her eyes and looked down, catching her breath in a gasp of relief. Inuyasha's golden eyes were open now, dilated with pain, but he was awake, he was alive. She released a sob and leaned over, her glassy brown eyes searching his for something. It was not a hand on her cheek that woke her, but her own salty tears that had made her skin tight and taught across the bones.
Inuyasha could smell these, through his own pain, and the heavy scent of his and her blood in the air, he could still smell her tears, could still feel her relief over her masked despair. It hovered like a shadow at the back of his mind as he lay there, looking up at her, startled that he could sense so much pain for himself. He voiced one word, and that one word was the connection with which he held to life. "Kagome."
She opened her eyes startled, to here him rasp out her name and quickly cupped a hand over his mouth. "Shhh, don't speak. Hold on, let me get Kaede." She lifted his head and scooted from beneath him, looking down at him with happiness shimmering in her eyes now. She stood, laying his head down gently as his eyes closed and then opened again, before turning and running to the door. She peered out at Sango and Miroku, who were asleep, of course, on opposite sides of the room. Kirara and Shippo were curled up near her, preferring the gentle kind woman to the lecherous monk. She looked, but saw no sign of Kaede. So she tiptoed over to Sango and gently tapped her shoulder.
Sango awoke, and found her-self staring into Kagome's worried gaze. "What's wrong?" She asked, her heart thumping madly. She feared the worst, and she held her breath, her body tensed as her hands curled into fists.
"I must find Kaede-sama, Inuyasha has awaked." Kagome said softly, glancing back toward the door to the next room were Inuyasha lay, finally awoke from his deadly stupor.
"I think she went out to find more herbs Kagome. She said we have a long time to wait before Inuyasha heals completely." She didn't have to say the rest, Kagome could read it in her eyes. *That is.if he heals.* She shook her head, staring down at her hands for a moment as Sango shifted Waking up both Shippo and Kirara.
"He will heal. He will get better, he just has to!" Kagome said quietly as she turned and walked back into the room. Inuyasha's head was turned and his eyes were focused on the door where Kagome had left. "No luck huh? Granny is never around when you need her." Kagome stared at him blankly for a moment, then, offered a weak smile.
"Are you feeling better Inuyasha?" She asked, taking her former seat and pulling his head back into her lap. She hoped that the bit of personality he was showing meant that he was on the mend. She absently ran her hands through his hair, as she looked up at the window, pursing her lips.
"I'll feel better once you stop yanking on my ears." He said as her hands traveled down and did just that. She froze and blushed, removing her hands and setting them in her lap. "I'm sorry. I was just worried about you." But she was content because, now she knew that Inuyasha would get better.
She thought it must have been the light or her fatigue playing tricks on her, but she thought she saw, just maybe, his eyes soften as he saw her worried expression. Then, just like that, he was asleep again, and this time she was certain that he had some of his color back.
The others were awake by the time she walked back in, Miroku's eyes were shadowed with worry for his friends. Kagome let out a sigh and sat on the bed she had laid in yesterday. Her right hand traveled slowly toward where the arrow had almost killed her. After Inuyasha had fallen, she had thrown herself on top of him, and the pain had been so severe she blacked out. She had awoken in Kaede's hut. Suddenly her eyes narrowed as she thought of something.
"He is asleep. Sango? Can I ask you something? "
The brown haired warrior looked up at the questioning tone of voice, after glancing momentarily at Miroku. "Yes, Kagome-sama?" Miroku looked up as well, knowing what she was going to ask.
"What day is it? How long has it been already? Since the attack?" The girl's eyes were wide as she stared at the fire, trying to remember any passage of time between that day and this. Shippo blinked and ran over, hopping quickly into Kagome's lap.
"It's already been four days. You were knocked out for two days, three if you count the day you were shot. And today, that makes four. Doesn't it?" Miroku raised a finger to his chin, thinking, staring upwards. He glanced back toward Sango, who gave a nod and continued where he had left off.
"Kagome, I don't want you to tell Inuyasha this yet. Sesshomaru is alive, and he has the Tesseiga. We don't know how Inuyasha tried to kill him. All we know is that it didn't work. When you screamed, we came running. He saw us, grabbed Rin and the sword and ran. "Her voice was quiet, in order not to wake the sleeping Inuyasha, or alert him to the predicament.
Kagome nodded slightly, her eyes downcast. "I know, I saw it was gone when I was in there, with him. " She gestured toward the room and shook her head lightly, hugging Shippo tightly to her. Then she smiled and announced. "At least we know he'll be alright. He told me not to pull his ears anymore. "
That, to her, was one of the best things she had ever heard.
(Chapter Two)
Kagome sat up with a horrified scream, a cold sweat having broken out on her forehead. The piercing noise continued for a long moment, before dying away when Kagome buried her head in her hands and drew her knees up, muffling the sobs that wracked her thin shoulders. Miroku and Sango both looked up quickly and worriedly from their places by the fire, which was cheery and bright compared to the dark looks on their faces. Shippo looked up as well, his green eyes sad, after covering his ears to protect them from Kagome's horrific scream. He got up and moved to her, bouncing up to stand by her on the edge of the bed as Sango and Miroku trailed him, after glancing warningly at each other.
Sango made her way to Kagome's right, as Miroku went to her left. Sango seated herself on the edge of the cot and wrapped her arms around the younger girl comfortingly. Her deep brown eyes reflected the fire as she stared quietly at Miroku over Kagome's head. "Shhh. Hush now, don't cry." She said, her hands gently stroking the girl's hair.
After a moment or so more of her agonized sobs, Kagome stifled them, slowly composing herself once more, and looked up over the edge of her sleeve at the woman, who smiled at her gently. She glanced at Miroku, who offered his own version of a reassuring grin and patted her head awkwardly. The she looked down at Shippo, who hugged her tightly. She felt her sigh of relief rise in her throat as she cleared it and said hoarsely, looking down slightly ashamedly. "I'm sorry if I woke you guys, it's just I had this awful dream of Inuyasha being killed by Sesshomaru." She was so engrossed in her hands at that moment that she did not notice the glances Miroku and Sango traded over her head. The woman who was so good with the boomerang, looked down, her eyes infinitely saddened as she hugged her friend tighter.
Kagome felt Sango tense and looked up, "It was really scary. What's wrong?" He own eyes were wide in question as she tilted her head in confusion, noticing, as she always did, the subdued reactions of her friends. Then the monk stepped closer, his eyes flickering angrily, as his grip visibly tightened on his staff. "Sesshomaru did attack Inuyasha, Kagome." He said gently, his eyes searching her face and reading her body language. Kagome stiffened and he felt that she might scream again so he hurried on, taking a patient and hopefully, reassuring tone.
"Inuyasha was not killed, Kagome. But, he was hurt extremely badly, worse than ever before. We." He indicated Sango and Shippo with his hand, "We don't know if he will survive. Kaede can not do anything more for him." He hated to tell her this, hated to tell her that the half-yokai might die. Closing his eyes, he stepped back from the girl, looking away from her so he wouldn't have to see her heartbroken eyes and the tears now running from them.
Kagome felt her stomach drop to her feet, and dread crept in, wrapping its icy fingers tightly around her fluttering heart. "No.. He can't die.. Inuyasha! Where is he!?" Her voice was raised in near panic as she stared helplessly at Miroku her brown eyes were pleading with him to tell her that it wasn't real, that she hadn't seen Inuyasha receive such a horrible and life threatening wound. After a moment of silence, Miroku answered, thoughtfully, and carefully.
"He's in the next room. But." He trailed off as Kagome pushed Sango's arms away after prying Shippo off of her body. His eyes narrowed slightly as he grabbed her arm. She froze and looked at him with those wide, sad, eyes of hers.
Sango stiffened when Kagome pushed her away, and she looked down sadly at Kirara, who was rubbing forlornly against her leg. Sango reached down and picked up the tiny cat demon, setting her in her lap. When Miroku grabbed Kagome's arm, she said softly, "Let her see him Miroku." She didn't want to say that this could be the last chance Kagome had to say goodbye. The monk looked at her for a long moment, then nodded and dropped the girl's arm with a sigh.
Kagome walked into the room next door, her face blank. She looked around, and her eyes traveled to the corner of the room, where she could see Inuyasha lay. Her face contorted in a look of pure anguish as she rushed over and fell to her knees beside him. His golden eyes were closed and the only light in the room came from a single small window on the wall. The light that showed through the window danced across the half demon's facial features, but no matter how hard she tried, Kagome could not make herself believe that the light made him look that pale. She knew that Inuyasha was as close to death as he had ever been, this fact was betrayed by his harsh breathing and sweaty forehead. She could not bear to look at the hole in his chest, knowing that if she did, it would somehow seal his fate. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears as she leaned over him and ran her hand down his cheek.
Kagome was in pain, her shoulder was burning from where she had been struck by Kikyo's arrow. She paid it no attention, all of her being was concentrated on Inuyasha, as she whispered to him. "Inuyasha.please.. Don't leave me. " Her slender hand traveled down his cheek again as she stifled a sob.
As Kagome left the room, Sango winced. Miroku caught it out of the corner of his eye and turned, holding out a steadying hand. "Sango, are you alright?"
"Yes, Hoshi-sama." She said, her eyes fixed on Kirara's smooth fur. "I'm fine. It's Kagome I'm worried about. What if Inuyasha dies? What would we do? What could we do? What.." She trailed of as Miroku leaned over and raised his hand over her mouth to silence her. "Shhh.. Sango, don't talk like that. I'm sure Inuyasha will be fine, he's always pulled through before." Miroku sounded braver than he felt, and he hoped he was right. Shippo looked at the fire, still sitting where Kagome had left him, the saddest look on his face either Sango or Miroku had ever seen him wear.
It was many long hours that Kagome sat by the hanyou, her eyes were always on his face, always silently pleading with him to come back, to take her in his arms and tell her everything was fine now. She didn't even react when Kaede returned, with a large pouch on her side full of herbs. She almost wished that she had died, then maybe he wouldn't be like he was. She talked to him, sadly and angrily, demanding and begging, hoping her voice, her love, could pull him from the cold and foreboding doorstep of death. She was coaxing and teasing, saying anything that popped into her head, clinging desperately to her last remaining vestiges of hope, when Inuyasha stirred.
It was early in the morning, and the dawn was cold, grey and more lifeless than Inuyasha. A thick mist hung over the village, blanketing all the houses as it roiled around, seething and almost frothing it seemed. No animal stirred, not a bird dared chirp to break the silent monotony. Kagome was asleep, with Inuyasha's head in her lap. She remembered the first time that they had sat like this, when Inuyasha had turned human, she was dreaming that he was human now. Remembering it made her heart pound. Something woke her, a hand on cheek? Inuyasha?
She opened her eyes and looked down, catching her breath in a gasp of relief. Inuyasha's golden eyes were open now, dilated with pain, but he was awake, he was alive. She released a sob and leaned over, her glassy brown eyes searching his for something. It was not a hand on her cheek that woke her, but her own salty tears that had made her skin tight and taught across the bones.
Inuyasha could smell these, through his own pain, and the heavy scent of his and her blood in the air, he could still smell her tears, could still feel her relief over her masked despair. It hovered like a shadow at the back of his mind as he lay there, looking up at her, startled that he could sense so much pain for himself. He voiced one word, and that one word was the connection with which he held to life. "Kagome."
She opened her eyes startled, to here him rasp out her name and quickly cupped a hand over his mouth. "Shhh, don't speak. Hold on, let me get Kaede." She lifted his head and scooted from beneath him, looking down at him with happiness shimmering in her eyes now. She stood, laying his head down gently as his eyes closed and then opened again, before turning and running to the door. She peered out at Sango and Miroku, who were asleep, of course, on opposite sides of the room. Kirara and Shippo were curled up near her, preferring the gentle kind woman to the lecherous monk. She looked, but saw no sign of Kaede. So she tiptoed over to Sango and gently tapped her shoulder.
Sango awoke, and found her-self staring into Kagome's worried gaze. "What's wrong?" She asked, her heart thumping madly. She feared the worst, and she held her breath, her body tensed as her hands curled into fists.
"I must find Kaede-sama, Inuyasha has awaked." Kagome said softly, glancing back toward the door to the next room were Inuyasha lay, finally awoke from his deadly stupor.
"I think she went out to find more herbs Kagome. She said we have a long time to wait before Inuyasha heals completely." She didn't have to say the rest, Kagome could read it in her eyes. *That is.if he heals.* She shook her head, staring down at her hands for a moment as Sango shifted Waking up both Shippo and Kirara.
"He will heal. He will get better, he just has to!" Kagome said quietly as she turned and walked back into the room. Inuyasha's head was turned and his eyes were focused on the door where Kagome had left. "No luck huh? Granny is never around when you need her." Kagome stared at him blankly for a moment, then, offered a weak smile.
"Are you feeling better Inuyasha?" She asked, taking her former seat and pulling his head back into her lap. She hoped that the bit of personality he was showing meant that he was on the mend. She absently ran her hands through his hair, as she looked up at the window, pursing her lips.
"I'll feel better once you stop yanking on my ears." He said as her hands traveled down and did just that. She froze and blushed, removing her hands and setting them in her lap. "I'm sorry. I was just worried about you." But she was content because, now she knew that Inuyasha would get better.
She thought it must have been the light or her fatigue playing tricks on her, but she thought she saw, just maybe, his eyes soften as he saw her worried expression. Then, just like that, he was asleep again, and this time she was certain that he had some of his color back.
The others were awake by the time she walked back in, Miroku's eyes were shadowed with worry for his friends. Kagome let out a sigh and sat on the bed she had laid in yesterday. Her right hand traveled slowly toward where the arrow had almost killed her. After Inuyasha had fallen, she had thrown herself on top of him, and the pain had been so severe she blacked out. She had awoken in Kaede's hut. Suddenly her eyes narrowed as she thought of something.
"He is asleep. Sango? Can I ask you something? "
The brown haired warrior looked up at the questioning tone of voice, after glancing momentarily at Miroku. "Yes, Kagome-sama?" Miroku looked up as well, knowing what she was going to ask.
"What day is it? How long has it been already? Since the attack?" The girl's eyes were wide as she stared at the fire, trying to remember any passage of time between that day and this. Shippo blinked and ran over, hopping quickly into Kagome's lap.
"It's already been four days. You were knocked out for two days, three if you count the day you were shot. And today, that makes four. Doesn't it?" Miroku raised a finger to his chin, thinking, staring upwards. He glanced back toward Sango, who gave a nod and continued where he had left off.
"Kagome, I don't want you to tell Inuyasha this yet. Sesshomaru is alive, and he has the Tesseiga. We don't know how Inuyasha tried to kill him. All we know is that it didn't work. When you screamed, we came running. He saw us, grabbed Rin and the sword and ran. "Her voice was quiet, in order not to wake the sleeping Inuyasha, or alert him to the predicament.
Kagome nodded slightly, her eyes downcast. "I know, I saw it was gone when I was in there, with him. " She gestured toward the room and shook her head lightly, hugging Shippo tightly to her. Then she smiled and announced. "At least we know he'll be alright. He told me not to pull his ears anymore. "
That, to her, was one of the best things she had ever heard.