"Is he breathing?"

"Yes, but barely."

"We should move him."

"Where's Kirara?"

"Oh god."

"Shh, Kagome. He'll be okay."

"This is my fault."

"It's no one's fault. Let's just get him back to the village."

"Over here Kirara."

"Lift him up."

"Oh god."

*********** ************ ************

His ears began working before his eyes. He could hear the wind blowing, birds chirping and someone moving to his left. They were cooking something, the smell drifted over him. Maybe it was Kagome making ramen.

Inu-Yasha sat up, wincing as pain ran up his side.

"Kagome?" His mind raced. It was coming back to him now, the woods, the lizard demons, Kagome screaming.

"She's fine Inu-Yasha." Kaede walked over from her cooking pot, carrying a small bowl.

She sat down by the hanyou, offering the bowl to him, "Eat this."

He ignored the food. "Where's Kagome?"

"She's outside with the others. She's been worried about ye, Inu-Yasha. Ye has been unconscious for several days."

"What happened? I remember fighting the lizard demons, but that's it."

"Ye was separated from Tetsusaiga and transformed into a full demon. According to Kagome, ye vanquished the lizard demons then turned on her. Her miko powers restrained ye, but I'm afraid they were too strong. They transformed ye back to your true form but put you in a coma as well."

The old miko held out the bowl to him again. "Here. Eat this. Your strength won't return unless you do."

Inu-Yasha nodded and reached for the bowl. Kaede noticed him wincing as he did so.

"It appears that Kagome's powers did some physical damage as well."

"I'm fine." Inu-Yasha snapped as he took the bowl from Kaede.

"Kaede, Sango and Miroku were wondering...."

Inu-Yasha and Kaede both turned their heads at the sound of Kagome's voice. The girl was frozen in the doorway of the hut, staring at the hanyou.

"Yes, Kagome? What were Miroku and Sango wondering?"

The old woman's voice seemed to bring the girl back from whatever she was thinking. Her gaze shifted from Inu-Yasha to Kaede.

"They were wondering when dinner was going to be ready."

"In a few minutes."

"Okay. I'll tell them. Thanks." Glancing once more at Inu-Yasha, Kagome quickly exited the hut.

"Kagome." Inu-Yasha called after her, but it was too late, the girl was already gone.

"What was that all about? She didn't even speak to me."

Kaede returned to her pot and began to stir. "Do not be angry at Kagome, Inu-Yasha. She feels guilty over injuring ye."

"That's ridiculous. I was the one trying to kill her, after all."

He stood up and began walking towards the door. The pain in his side was considerable though, so the process was slow.

"There's a cane in the corner, if ye would like to use it," Kaede said, still looking at her pot, "Just try to be sensitive when talking to Kagome. She's been worried about ye."

"Who said I was going to talk to Kagome?" Inu-Yasha said, retrieving the cane.

"Sensitive, Inu-Yasha."

"Whatever." The hanyou grumbled as he walked out the door.

*********** ************ ************

He found Kagome outside, sitting on a large rock on the outskirts of the village.

"Hey," he called as he approached her, "What was all that in there for?"

She looked up at him. Her face was first startled, then sad. Inu-Yasha hobbled over and sat down next to her. Kagome took in his pained expression as he sat down.

"You really shouldn't be walking."

"Keh. Don't tell me what to do," He said. Then, remembering Kaede's advice added, "I'm not hurt that badly. I've had worse."

"Not from me."

She turned her head and continued, refusing to look at him. "I almost killed you. I didn't even mean to attack and I almost killed you."

"It's not your fault. You didn't mean to."

"That's not the point. Whether I meant to or not, I almost killed you. I'm not safe to be around." Her voice quivered and Inu-Yasha could tell she was holding back tears. He reached over and grabbed her hand. Surprised, she turned and look at him.

"Listen to me, Kagome. It's not your fault. I would have killed you in my demon form, you know that. What you did doesn't make you dangerous." He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Hell, I've almost killed you several times when I've been in that form and you've never considered me dangerous. You were defending yourself, that's all."

Kagome tried to speak but tears began to roll down her face instead. She leaned into Inu-Yasha and he cradled her against him.

"I can't control it," She whispered into his chest, "I can't control it and it scares me."

"It's alright. Kaede'll find a way to help you. You'll learn to control it, just like I learned how to control my demon blood."

"I don't want this."

"I know." Inu-Yasha said, holding Kagome tighter as she began to cry again.

As the two friends comforted each other, they were unaware of a pair of red eyes watching them from the trees. The wasp had been following them for weeks now, waiting for something to report. Satisfied that what it had seen would be of value, the wasp flew back to its master.

*********** *********** ************

"So the little miko has new powers, does she? Interesting. You may go now." Naraku dismissed the wasp, sending him back to his hive.

"What do you think, Kanna?"

The small girl tuned her blank eyes towards her master. "The miko's powers are great. She could be a threat."

"Or an advantage," Naraku snapped his fingers and a young man appeared before him, "Hideo, take some of your brethren and retrieve the miko for me."

"Yes, Master." Hideo turned and began walking towards the door.

"Oh, and Hideo?"

The young man paused. "Yes?"

"Inu-Yasha is in a weakened state. We shouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. Bring me back his head."

The young man looked over his shoulder at Naraku and smiled. "As you wish, Master."