AN: Technically, this could be the last chapter. Yup so sad. :'( aww. Oh well. Now what did I wanna say…? Oh ya! No…no I don't remember…and this bother me forever until I remember…so while I think, enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: own = nothing = u can't sue = u get no $

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Chapter 14

I Hate You

If you've ever heard a heart monitor before, you'd know it's the most annoying sound to wake up to. Damn contraption going "beep, beep, BEEP!" every second. When all you want to do is sleep. But I guess it's better to wake up with that noise than to hear nothing. Because that's never a good thing…usually that means you're dead.

Kagome's eyes slowly opened. It took some adjusting to the light. Looking around the hospital room, she remembered that night's occurrence. Or at leased she thought it was last night…who knows how long she was unconscious for. Turning her head to one side, her arm was connected to several instruments. She turned to the other side. Sitting on a chair was Inuyasha. He had his head in his hands, remembering what Sango had said…

-Flashback-

"I can't believe you let that happen, you son of a bitch!" Sango held Inuyasha by the front of his shirt and slapped him with her free hand. Inuyasha had called Sango and Miroku after a while and told them the situation. Kagome was in the hospital room, still asleep because of the anesthetic. She had lots of stitches across her body from her many wounds, compliments of Naraku. Sango had come in followed by Miroku and immediately, she started to give Inuyasha a piece of her mind. "I don't believe you!"

Miroku could only watch his helpless friend face the wrath of the dreaded Sango. Even for a half-demon, after awhile, even punches from a human can hurt. "Please, Sango. Can you let Inuyasha tell us what happened?" Miroku said, trying to keep the peace.

"Fine. I'll let the bastard talk," she punched him once more. Inuyasha made a half 'keh' sound and half-choking at being punched…yet again. "You'd better tell us exactly what happened…or else!" Her tone was threatening. She was dead serious. "And start from the beginning…every single detail."

"Alright. It's like I explained over the phone. We had come back from the movies and were walking home. I could have sworn someone was following us, so I kinda turned around for a minute. Next thing I know, I hear Kagome calling my name. She was being carried off by some guy."

"Nice. So you just left her to get kidnapped. Why I ota – " Sango's anger rising in her voice. She was cut off by Miroku putting her hand over her mouth. He motioned for Inuyasha to continue, despite Sango kicking and screaming.

"Anyway, I followed her as best I could. But this guy was fast…even for me. And then, someone sorta lunged at me. I didn't waste time to see who it was and got up quickly again. But the next time, I wasn't so lucky. It turns out that it was Kikyo – "

"Oh I see now." Sango freed herself from Miroku. "You just ditched Kagome for Kikyo, your ex. I see. So in the end, Kagome didn't matter." She shoved him hard against a wall. People quickly ran in different directions, scared of the crazed woman. After all, it wasn't everyday you saw a girl beating the shit out of a guy. And a hanyou at that.

"Sango. Enough. You've caused enough damage," Miroku held her arms back before she could strangle the living daylights out of him.

Inuyasha was breathing hard. He managed a quiet chuckle. "No. Actually. If you recall, I dumped Kikyo in the 9th grade."

"Makes no difference!" Sango shouted, still trying to free herself. "You still abandoned her."

"For your info, I did not. In fact, I was pinned to a tree, with a miko seal. And as you know, demons, such as myself, can't do anything about that. A human has to come along and save the day. And guess who's the only person around for miles. Hers truly, Kikyo. She refused to let me go, and I had yet to find out why. But she told me, yes. And I really didn't want to hear it. So with my bare hands, I tried to remove the confounded arrow. And as you know, when you touch the seal, you loose strength. And once you close your eyes, you won't open them till someone comes and removes the seal. I was about to pass out when she said something that really got me. She said she'd wake me up in time for Kagome's funeral. The image popped in my head. It wasn't pretty. And I don't quite know what happened after that…I said something and the arrow just slipped out."

"Inuyasha…I'm sorry…I didn't know…" Sango felt somewhat ashamed. Blaming him for everything… when really he could have done nothing.

"And it hurts, Sango to see someone there…fainting in a pool of their own blood. You have no idea how that felt." He glared at her, but with a hurt expression.

"Inuyasha…I – "

"Forget it. Just forget it." He walked silently into her room and hadn't moved since.

-End Flashback-

His eyes stung with salt. But no way…he was much to strong for that. He rubbed them with his hands, clearing his vision that had gone blurry. Kagome was staring at him from her bed. He didn't like to see her like that. She was horribly pale and she just looked almost dead. "Kagome." He ran to her side.

"Inu…ya…sha? Is that you?"

"Thank God you're alright Kagome. You had me worried for a sec."

"Worried? You? Don't make me laugh."

"Don't hurt yourself trying."

"Kagome!" Sango exclaimed handing her coffee to Miroku. She ran over to her just as Inuyasha did. "You're okay. Can you move?"

"Sure. No problem." She pushed herself up only to feel a strong contracting feeling in her gut. "Shit!" Inuyasha and Sango helped her back down.

"What did I say about you not hurting yourself?"

"Oh, shut it." Just then the doctor came through the door.

"Ms. Higurashi! The anesthetic wore off already? I'm afraid you aren't supposed to be awake yet. You visitors will have to leave." He shooed Sango and Miroku out.

Before he left, Inuyasha placed a small pill in her hand. "If you want to heal fast, eat that. It has demon saliva in it. It sounds disgusting but trust me." She put it in the back of her mouth and swallowed it. The doctor finally managed to push Inuyasha out of the room.

The doctor placed the needle in her arm. She felt her arm so numb. And it soon filled the feeling from her feet up to her head. 'Damn stuff works too fast…'

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Her eyes opened into eternal blackness. Looking around, nothing moved or made a sound. She pressed the light button on her watch: 2:02 AM. She noticed that she felt much better than when she fell asleep. Not only that, but her vision, hearing and smell seemed to be at a higher state than usual. 'What the hell did he give me?' she pondered sitting up, without a problem this time.

beep, beep, beep

'Stupid monitor.' She yanked it off her arm, along with the other device. Removing the bandages from her stomach, all was left of the mark was something less than a scratch. 'Well, at leased it worked. I need to get out of here. This smell is getting to me.' She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and jumped off. Unfortunately her feet didn't want to support her. So, she found herself staring at the ground. 'Work.' She willed herself to move, but it wasn't happening. 'Does this medicine have a side effect or sumthin? I guess he forgot to mention that.' "Damn you, Inuyasha!" she said randomly to anyone.

"What did I do this time?" he asked from behind her.

Now, Kagome would have jumped…if her legs would work. "What the hell did you give me? I can't walk now because of it."

"Had nothing to do with it. You just haven't used your feet in awhile." He extended his hand.

"Hmph, I can do this on my own, thank you very much."

"Suit yourself, wench." He started to walk away.

"Wait, Inuyasha. I take it back! Help me!" He rolled his eyes and came to help her up. "What's so funny?"

"When you said that, you reminded me of Kikyo…always needing someone to help her."

"I resent that!" she said letting go of him, only to find herself facing the floor again. "I really have to stop doing that." Inuyasha nodded in agreement.

It took a while but Kagome finally got walking on her two feet again. And not a minute too soon either. "Someone's coming." She quickly ran back to her room, and pulled the covers on top of her. Inuyasha hid under the bed. A minute later, the doctor glanced into the room, making sure everything was in order. Not long after, he left. "Close one," she whispered.

"Ya… your hearing got better, wench. I'm surprised."

"Well it'll go back to normal soon, I'm hoping. I can hear every single possible thing."

"Live with it. I go through it every day."

"Well I'm not you…man…I need a drink. They obviously want me to dehydrate."

"Relax, I'll get something."

He came back five minutes later and saw Kagome pacing the room. "What are you doing?"

"Using my feet, so they don't get tiered."

"You're a nutcase, wench, you know that?" he carried her back to her bed. Only had sat down and she was on his lap.

"This is a random question, but why?"

"Why, what?"

"Why are you doing this for me? Like, staying here…and going out of your way…for me?"

"Feh…I told you ages ago. But you didn't believe me. So I'll say it one last time. I can't deny it, Kagome, I love you…and always will."

A tear escaped her eye. "I needed to hear that."

"And how do you feel?"

"I…I…Inuyasha…I – "

applause

"Very nicely said, Inuyasha." Kikyo said coming out from behind the shadow of the door. "You make a very nice couple."

Kagome gripped Inuyasha's hands tightly. My, this woman was crazy. "Kikyo, what are you doing here?" Inuyasha growled.

But Kikyo continued as though she never heard him. "Reminds me when we were together. You said nothing would come between us. You promised me." She broke down in tears, hoping that that would bring Inuyasha to her. But it didn't

"I didn't promise anything. And besides, Kikyo. That was long ago. A small fling. Nothing more. I've moved on and found someone better." He hugged Kagome closer.

"So…I just come second to her, then."

"Kikyo, you were always second. Actually, after we broke up, I never actually had a second thought about you." Inuyasha said, true to all his words. Kagome shifted in his arms.

"So…this is what it comes down to, I guess." Kikyo stood up, whipping the tears from her eyes. The tearful face was replaced with an angry glare. "I guess in order to get you, Inu, Kagome needs to be out of the picture." She took out a gold dagger. "Now die!"

Kagome screamed and looked up at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha looked down at Kagome.

Kikyo stood there, her eyes shaking.

(I wanted to end it here. But that would have been evil. So I'll continue)

"Inuyasha…" Kagome looked up at him, tears welling up inside.

He smiled back at her, "No big."

"Inuyasha…that knife wasn't meant for you," Kikyo stood there, holding onto its sheath.

"I know…but better me than her." he touched the spot in his shoulder were the knife was. Had he not moved in front of her, it would have stabbed Kagome right in the chest.

"What's going on in here?" one of the nurses came running into the room, hearing the scream. She looked from Kikyo to Inuyasha to Kagome. "Someone. I think we need help." She called into the hallway. Two more nightshift workers came in.

They took Kikyo, twisting her arms behind her back. "What the hell? Get your hands off me."

"Sorry Miss. But you have to answer a few questions…" one of the men said, dragging her away.

"Inuyasha…tell them it was all a mistake. Inuyasha!" Kikyo screamed as she was forced down the hall.

After sitting in a minute of silence, Kagome spoke first. "Here, lemmie take that thing out."

"No, that really isn't necessary." But she had already removed it and set the bloodied knife on the table.

"I'll clean it for you. It looks pretty bad."

"Feh, maybe for you. I'm not as weak as you humans." He felt the fabric being removed from his shoulders, despite his protesting. But still, the damp towel felt good. Then she took a roll of bandages from beside her bed, and began to wrap it around his shoulder.

"Weak human or not. Would you have liked for it to get infected."

"Guess not…"

"Good, now would you stop complaining? It's way to early for that." She laid back down on her bed, and Inuyasha pulled up a chair.

"So enough stalling, wench."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on. Answer the question…I told you how I felt. So how bout you?"

She managed a small laugh. "I've known you for ten months. And in the first few hours of school, I was your worst enemy. Remember, what happened in the gym? And I wanted nothing to do with you after that."

"What's your point?"

"My point being, that after ten months, how can I say this? I hate you. Despise you. Loath you." He flinched at each word. "Yet I came to realize, the first time when Kikyo showed up. I had instant jealousy. So I asked myself, do I hate him? Or was I just denying love?"

He looked up at her, "So?"

"I hate every single bone in your entire body, Inuyasha, that I've grown to love it. More than anything or anyone ever before." She sighed deeply and closed her eyes.

Inuyasha gave her a peck on the cheek. "Hate you wench."

"Hate you too." She smiled as she fell into sleeps grasp.

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Aww. Wasn't that sweet? And yet…I'm sad that there is only 1 chapter left. Well I hope this turned out how you guys hoped. So anywayz…you know how much I luv you reviewers. So do me a favor! Review!

And 1 more thing. The epilogue might take a little longer to post. I guess I'll see you then!

Ja Ne! (wow, that's the first time I said that. I guess it repplaces my little face.)