Chapter 2-

Wednesday, 6:00 a.m.

"Mom!" Kagome called, dragging herself out of bed. "Mom, why didn't you tell me my alarm clock didn't go off? Why didn't you wake me up? I'm gonna be late!" She said as her mother entered her room. "Kagome, you had a fever all through the night, and I want to be sure you're ok. You're missing school today, which shouldn't be such a huge shock, considering you do all the time. Go back to sleep, sweetie."

Kagome sank down into her covers, feeling upset because she felt sicker when she got upset. "Oh..." she moaned, "my head is throbbing."

Maybe if I'm lucky Inuyasha will stop by...though he'll only probably get on my nerves and remind me that I have to go back to the Feudal Era with him soon. Nag, nag, nag, that's all he ever does.

Kagome sat in silence, unable to fall back to sleep, even though she felt as though she could sleep forever. The morning passed on—she could hear Sota leave for school, and her mother left for work. Grandpa had promised to make sure Kagome was all right through the day.

Kagome dragged herself out of bed, opening the curtains to her window, and unlocking the window door. For some reason her mother had locked it last night—she had never approved of Kagome leaving it unlocked, even if Inuyasha did visit. Kagome would from time to time bath in the warmth of the sunlight by just standing in front of it. She found it nurturing, and somewhat, uplifting.

But instead she crawled back underneath her covers, feeling weary and downhearted. She tried to return to sleep, but it was unreachable. In all irony she had been tired of being tired and unable to fall asleep. The stress welled up as tears in her closed eyes. She sniffled, the salty, hotness dripping down her cheeks. She whimpered, pulling the covers over her.

I just want to sleep...I can't even have that much...

"Kagome?" A hand gently shook her quivering body. She did not move; she didn't want to reveal her face now red from the crying. The hand, however, pulled the blankets aside anyway. She looked up into familiar, golden eyes. Inuyasha crouched worriedly over her bed.

"Inuyasha?" She said through the sniffles. Inuyasha nodded. "How are you holding up?" Asked he. Kagome averted her eyes. Inuyasha stood, crossing his arms. "Why were you crying?" He said, not demanding, but as though it really bothered him. Kagome did not have the strength to answer. The lack of sleep had left her with a feeling of exhaustion—such as yesterday afternoon.

"I know what you're going to say—" Kagome managed to force out. If she did not relieve herself of these thoughts, though tired she was, she would never have a chance at sleep. "You're going to say that I have to get better in order to come back with you, and you're going to nag me about it. But I already know! I already know..." She mumbled. Inuyasha's expression remained blank.

"Actually, I was going to say you should get better soon, because everyone is worried about you. Shippo gave me this to give to you," he finished, handing her a piece of parchment. Kagome reached out to grasp it, opening the folded parts to reveal a picture in bright crayon. The picture was a cartoon of Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Inuyasha waving—except Inuyasha had hearts drawn around his head to symbolize he was in love. Kagome giggled at the picture, and read the words written to the left of the portrait.

Get well soon! –All of us.

She smiled, tucking the picture under her pillow.

"So...I'm staying here for a while. Go to sleep," said he, sitting against the wall as he always did. An unusual thing for him to say indeed. Kagome sunk further into the comfort of her bed. Inuyasha kept a steady watch. On a normal occasion she would have told him to stop staring and Sit, but she felt he only meant to comfort her, no matter what the excuse he gave.

Amazed to find that she eventually found sleep, Kagome drifted lightly—already feeling refreshed.

She awoke to find Inuyasha, in the same spot. His eyes were shut—but Kagome knew he was only resting them. She looked over to her alarm clock.

"Seven-thirty? Oh my gosh already?" She whispered to herself. I can't believe he stayed for this long! But...why? Kagome sat up, realizing she felt almost seventy percent better. Inuyasha opened one eye. "Awake? Feel any better?" Inquired he, an ear twitching. "Much," she replied. He sighed, standing. "I'll be back in a few hours. Go back to sleep," he grunted, jumping through the window and out of sight.

Hmph. Easy for you to say.