Already There

Chapter Two

Snakebite

Inuyasha turned around. Somebody had called his name. A few steps away was, Kagome. She was walking toward him. As he watched her coming closer, something caught his eye. There, right in front of Kagome-right where she was about to step- was a snake.

"Kagome! Get out of the way!"

He jumped down from the branch he was sitting on, and pushed her out of the way. He felt the snake dig its fangs deep into his leg, and he yelled out in surprise.

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Kagome screamed in surprise as Inuyasha roughly pushed her away.

"What was that f . " her words faded away when she saw the snake bite Inuyasha.

She looked around frantically, searching for something to kill the snake with. Fortunately, the snake let go of Inuyasha's leg, and slithered away. Inuyasha clutched his wounded leg; which was now beginning to swell.

"Are you okay?" asked Kagome. Her voice sounded very concerned.

Instead of replying, Inuyasha tried to stand. He cried out in pain, and crumpled to the ground.

"You're hurt. We need to find Shippo and the others. What if that snake was poisonous?" said Kagome. She was really worried now.

'If it was poisonous, then.no, that won't happen, it's Inuyasha after all.'

"Come on."

Kagome helped Inuyasha to his feet. Slowly they made their way back to camp. Kagome looked around desperately.

'I can't remember the way back.'

The bushes in front of them parted and Shippo appeared.

"Kagome, what's wrong? We heard you scream, but we couldn't find you," he asked.

"Shippo, where're the others? Inuyasha's hurt real bad," answered Kagome. She tried to hide the panic in her voice, but it didn't work.

"Over this way." Shippo motioned them to follow him.

With Shippo leading them, they quickly found the camp. Sango and Miroku ran over to them, as Kagome layed Inuyasha on the ground.

"What happened, Kagome? Are you alright?" asked Miroku. He bent down and examined Inuyasha's swollen leg.

"I'm fine. There was a snake, and Inuyasha saved me, but he got bitten."

"I see," Miroku felt Inuyasha's forehead. "He's burning up. Shippo go get some water."

Shippo nodded his head, and hurried off.

"Why don't we take him to Keade?" asked Sango. "She would know what to do."

"I'm afraid there's not enough time," answered Miroku gravely, "the poison's spreading too fast. He doesn't have a lot of time left."

Kagome could feel the tears forming in her eyes. They threatened to fall.

"Kagome?" came a soft voice.

She looked down at Inuyasha. His golden eyes met her brown ones.

"What is it, Inuyasha?"

"Can I talk to you? Alone."

Sango motioned for Miroku to follow, and they walked off in the direction that Shippo had gone.

"Kagome, I . I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"For calling you a wench, and all those other things. I didn't mean them."

"That's okay."

"And Kagome I . "

"Inuyasha! Are you okay?" shouted Shippo, running up to him. Sango and Miroku were chasing after him.

"Shippo! Can't you see I'm trying to tell Kagome something?!"

"It's just that . I don't want you to die!"

"Shippo I . I'm sorry."

"Shippo, come on. Leave Kagome and Inuyasha alone for a while," said Sango gently.

She reached out, and grabbed the sobbing fox-demon. She walked off a little ways away; all the while trying to comfort him.

"Inuyasha, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" asked Kagome, wiping a few stray tears from her face.

~`~`~ End of Chapter ~`~`~