Author's note- If I don't get at least one new review, I won't update. Come on guys, I didn't get any reviews for the last chapter! If any of you are still reading this, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
The Colors of Emotions
Chapter 6
Awakening
Inuyasha sat in a tree a fair distance from Kaede's hut. He needed time to sort out his thoughts, and since all he could do was wait for Kagome to wake up, he figured now was as good a time as any. The hanyou began trying to decipher his feelings for Kagome. But this proved impossible. 'I was so scared when I saw her lying by the well. I don't think I can live without her.... Does that mean I am in love with her? No, I love Kikyo!'
Inuyasha had repeated those words to himself over and over again as some sort of reassurance. But every time he told himself he loved Kikyo, the words got less and less meaning. 'Ok, so if I do love Kagome, how do I know it is not just because I loved Kikyo and Kagome looks just like Kikyo?' Inuyasha already knew the answer to this question too.
'Kagome is nothing like Kikyo. She is smart, funny, trusting, and at least she's alive. Kikyo was never very funny or warm, and besides, Kikyo's dead. That clay model of her isn't Kikyo.' So Inuyasha knew he had feelings for Kagome. 'But how deep do they go? I thought that I loved Kikyo, but the bond I share with Kagome is so much stronger then anything I ever felt for Kikyo.
'But I can't love Kagome... if I even do love her that is. Kagome could never love a worthless half-breed like me.' But Inuyasha couldn't stop the little voice in the back of his head that insisted on mentioning what Kagome had 'almost' admitted before she thought she was going to die.
"Inuyasha, I have always lo..." The words repeated themselves in the hanyou's head.
'Kagome didn't finish what she was going to say. Besides, I was betrayed by Kikyo even though Kikyo said she loved me. Whose to say Kagome won't do the exact same thing? And who's to say I even love Kagome. I am showing weakness if I let her know I care. Enemies will attack her to get to me. Grrr, I hate thinking! All that ever happens when I try to make sense of my feelings is that I confuse myself more!!!'
So Inuyasha decided to leave it at 'I care for Kagome, but I don't know how deeply yet. I trust Kagome, but I am not ready to believe someone if they say they love me again. I need proof. Actions speak louder than words.' Inuyasha was pleased with his analysis. He decided he would act like he always did around Kagome, and as soon as she was awake and healthy, they could go look for the shards again.
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha jerked his head towards the direction in which the voice had come from. Shippou was standing by the base of the tree looking up at the hanyou. "What do you want brat?"
Shippou scowled but knew he had to relay the message he had to Inuyasha.
"Kagome's awake."
* * * * * *
Within one minute Inuyasha was hovering next to Kagome. All thoughts of being indifferent towards Kagome, as he had said he would be, were banished from his mind. The young miko was currently stirring from her deep slumber. She was pale and began to cough as soon as she had begun to sit up. Inuyasha put his arm around her shoulders to help her stay steady and rubbed her back in soothing circles.
Miroku, Sango, Kaede, and Shippou watched with interest as the usually gruff hanyou tenderly took care of the wounded girl. Inuyasha looked up and scowled at them, but none of them moved.
Kagome opened her eyes and immediately regretted it. The light in the room, though dim as it was, was giving her a headache like none she had had before. She moaned and tried to lie back down and block the light. She wanted to return to the peaceful blackness she had just woken up from. Kagome's chest was burning and she was having trouble breathing. But as soon as she tried to lie back again, a firm arm around her shoulders held her in place.
Kagome painfully tried to wriggle out of the arms grasp, but it hurt to move. Giving a defeated sigh, she slumped against the arm that was holding her in a seated position.
"Kagome, you need to stay awake."
Kagome recognized that voice. "Inuyasha?" She weakly gasped out. It hurt to talk.
"Shhh, don't talk. Point to where it hurts most."
Kagome picked up one of her hands and pointed to her head.
"Kaede, did Kagome have any head injuries?" Miroku questioned. Kagome was unaware of who else was in the room besides Inuyasha having barely opened her eyes for a brief moment. She was startled to hear another voice. Inuyasha noticed her jump in surprise.
"Can't you sense anyone Kagome?"
Kagome was shocked at her discovery to find she couldn't sense anyone's auras.
She shook her head.
Kaede spoke up, "We can deal with the affects of the magic later when Kagome is feeling better. First, we must do what we can to ease her pain. And no Miroku, Kagome had no head injuries that I noticed."
Confused, Miroku questioned, "Then why would her head hurt?"
"That might be because of the two magics fighting for so long for domination. Her mind and spiritual power is worn out, which would explain Kagome's lack of sensing auras." Kaede tried to reason.
"Do you think Kagome has any powers left? Or are her miko powers gone?" Miroku questioned.
"We will not know until Kagome is better." Kaede informed the curious monk
"Inuyasha, can you get me some aspirin from my pack? It is a little red bottle in the front pocket." Kagome hoarsely whispered out. She couldn't stand all the talking. It was making her headache worse.
"I thought I told you not to talk." Inuyasha scolded.
"Shut up and get me the medicine." Kagome grumbled. She was in no mood to be lectured, as she could barely stay conscious.
Inuyasha responded with a 'feh' and snapped at Shippou to get Kagome her pills. Kagome squinted her eyes open, took the bottle offered to her by the little kitsune, grabbed two pills, and downed them in no time at all. With a last effort, she pushed Inuyasha's arm away and landed against her pillows.
Immediately, Kagome was asleep.
* * * * * *
Kagome awoke later to more talking. She felt well rested and after rolling around a bit, she sat up and stretched. A jolt of pain shot through her chest causing her to whimper slightly. Opening her eyes she discovered a curious kitsune and a distressed looking hanyou.
Kagome felt better than she had before and smiled at them. She tried to say good morning but failed when a burning sensation stung her throat as she attempted to speak. Shippou lunged himself at Kagome landing around her neck shrieking, "You're okay!"
Kagome would have hugged him back had it not been for his little kitsune feet accidentally kicking her on the bandage that covered her chest wound.
"KYAAA!!!!" Kagome wailed before slumping back down on her bed trying to resist the pain not only in her chest, but from her throat for screaming as well. Shippou bounced off of her in fright while Inuyasha ran to her side. After a few deep breaths, Kagome whispered out, "I'm fine now. It's okay you guys. I'm sorry I scared you Shippou." Kagome sat back up to look apologetically to the kitsune.
"I told you to leave her alone!" Inuyasha roared while suddenly pouncing on the kit.
"I didn't know I would hurt her!" Shippou wailed.
"Oh, did you miss the large bandage on her chest that you just happened to kick with your feet!" Inuyasha began to chase the kitsune around the room.
"Stop it you two." Kagome tried to yell out. But it came out as a barely audible whisper and it only caused her more pain. She watched helplessly as Inuyasha grabbed hold of Shippou's tail and made a fist ready to hit the kitsune right on the head. 'Shippou didn't mean to hurt me Inuyasha. It was an accident. Leave him alone!' Kagome tried to scream with all of her might to overcome the screaming kitsune, but no noise came out of her mouth. She watched as Inuyasha began to pull Shippou's tail.
Suddenly, green zaps of light shot from Kagome's fingertips. Inuyasha was struck in the shoulder by one of the small green lightning bolts and yelped in pain as it seared his flesh. The kitsune he had been holding was dropped unceremoniously to the ground. Then, the streaks of light disappeared leaving a ghostly pale Kagome, a shocked yet unharmed Shippou, and a stunned Inuyasha who was grasping onto his shoulder.
Kagome's eyes rolled back in her head as all energy left her body and she fell hard against her makeshift bed. She was out cold in seconds.
Miroku startled Shippou and Inuyasha as he walked into the room. "I have never felt such power. The aura that was just surrounding her was incredible...apparently Kagome does have some power left in her." The monk chuckled while Inuyasha gave him a death glare.
The hanyou quickly got up, ignoring his own pain, and ran to retrieve Kaede.