A/N: Is anyone still out there? I am soo sorry for taking so long to update. My life has been insane lately, but that's no excuse. So as I cannot explain it away, I will simply let you read the next chapter. Thanks for sticking around!!!

Disclaimer: I own nobody, nobody owns me. Now let's just get on with the story.

' ' = thoughts

" "= spoken

What Happens Now?

Chapter 7

By: Ks-Starshine

'I'm dreaming,' the young miko thought as she drifted in silence.

I'm so tired of waiting here

Suppressed by all my childish fears.

If you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave.

Your presence still lingers here and it won't leave me alone.

'Don't leave me alone.' Kagome hovered in a dark, starry mist. She was trapped. . . suspended within the well in the space between her two lives. In her heart she knew Inuyasha was nearby. She could feel him, but no matter where she looked, he was nowhere to be found. 'I have to keep looking. Somehow I know he's here with me, . . . somewhere.' She could hear his whispers, feel his touch, but no hint of silvery hair or golden eyes was in sight.

These wounds won't seem to heal,

This pain is just too real,

There's just too much that time cannot erase.

'My chest hurts so badly. What happened? Was this from the battle against Naraku?' she thought. 'No, that can't be. Inuyasha would never let something happen to me. . . unless something happened to him!'

'Is this heartache?' she gasped. 'Is my heart trying to tell me what my mind cannot yet fathom? Gods, please let it not be true! Let my Inuyasha be safe!'

When you cried I'd wipe away all your tears,

When you screamed I'd fight away all your fears,

I held your hand through all these years you still have all of me.

Truly, he had always watched over her, but at this moment, she couldn't help but recall all the times she had been there for him as well. She remembered one day, they had passed by a village whose people had shown undeniable disdain for Inuyasha. Even the children pointed at his ears and mocked him. Kagome had looked up into his eyes and saw the usual anger there, but deep within those amber orbs, she also saw a great deal of hurt and sadness. At that point she realized just how lonely and sad his life had been. In typical Inuyasha fashion, his face became set; a virtual blockade of emotion was formed. However, Kagome took his hand and gave it a little squeeze to let his know she was there for him. A look of shock crossed his face at first, quickly hidden behind his emotional mask once again. As they continued to walk on, she noticed his anger dissipated and at one point, she could have sworn she caught him giving her a look of gratitude. She made a silent promise on that day to always be there for him, to help heal his heart of the fears and distrust of the past.

'Where are you now, Inuyasha? I can't have lost you!' She closed her eyes against the tears threatening to burst free. Her pain only increased, making it harder and harder to draw breath. Suddenly she felt herself moving. . . falling downward, only she didn't know where down was. Suspended in the mist she couldn't tell if down was modern or feudal Japan, or perhaps, gods forbid, neither of the two. She wanted to open her eyes for a clue as to where she was, but now found it impossible. In fact, she wasn't able to move at all. Barely breathing against the pain, she suddenly felt ground below her. She was laying on her back in what felt like familiar surroundings.

Keeping her eyes closed, she took a deep breath, taking in the herbal scent of Kaede's hut. Her breath caught in her throat as pain seared through her body. Her eyes squeezed tightly shut as a burst of memory reminded her of the events that had taken place during the final battle with Naraku.

Kagome lay silent and still while trying to process what had happened that day. She felt someone wipe her forehead with a cool cloth. Shortly after, a gentle kiss caressed her lips. A small smile began to form as she began to return the kiss, her train of thought forgotten for the moment.

"You little faker. I knew you were awake," chuckled Inuyasha.

"I never said I wasn't," she replied, keeping her eyes closed. "I just didn't feel like opening my eye's yet."

"Are you ready now?" he asked impatiently.

"Almost," she whispered, pulling his face toward hers once again. Their lips met in a rush of passion. She felt his relief at her awakening. He felt her relief that he was safe and their fight with Naraku had ended at last. A whirlwind of other emotions surrounded them both as they deepened the kiss. When neither could wait any longer to breathe, they separated, gasping.

Kagome opened her eyes and locked her gaze with glimmering amber, basking in the love they radiated. "Now that's a sight worth waking worth waking up for."

"How do you feel?" he anxiously asked.

"Like I was hit by a truck," she smirked, and then catching his confused look, changed her response. "I mean, like I just fought 100 demons. Can you help me sit up?"

"No," he said seriously. "Kaede says you need to rest here for at least another week."

"ANOTHER week?!"

"Yeah, you defeated Naraku over a week ago. You were pretty bad off after the battle." Inuyasha broke eye contact, hiding his eyes behind his bangs. "We were so afraid you might die."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome began, caressing his cheek with her thumb. "It's okay. I'm fine."

"You have no idea how worried I was. . .how worried we all were," he whispered, looking up and revealing the tears in his eyes. His hand held hers against his cheek, entwining their fingers until two hands seemed to become one. Kagome had known for some time that she loved Inuyasha, but until this moment she hadn't realized how much, and she could feel it was just as strong for him.

"Hold me," she whispered.

"I. . . I don't think," he stammered nervously. "I mean, in your condition. . ."

"Please, Inuyasha," she begged, pulling his hand down for a light kiss. "You won't hurt me. Just hold me. Don't let go."

"I'll never let go of you, Kagome," he whispered back. He slipped off his red fire rat coat and gently covered her. Then he moved to situate himself at her head. Lifting her head ever so slightly, he rested it gently upon his lap. "You held me like this the first night you saw my human form. That was the first time in an awfully long time since I had anyone show me that kind of caring. I'm glad I can do it for you now." He bent over and tentatively kissed her forehead. "Now get some rest."

Kagome smiled at his sudden change of attitude. 'It's amazing how much he's opening up to me, now,' she mused. 'I wonder what brought about this change?'

Little did she realize Inuyasha had also been considering his sudden openness with her. The difference was that he knew the answer. 'It's all because of you,' he thought with a rare smile. 'My Kagome.'

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

A/N: Well, what do you think? I've given you so many chapters with Inuyasha's thoughts and feelings, I'd thought I'd give a little more insight to Kagome in this one. I know it's still a little short, but I'm afraid it will have to do. Once August is closed out, I should have enough time to dedicate myself to finishing this. I hope I haven't lost too many people by taking so long to update! Thank you all for your reviews!

Kaginu=love: First to review chapter 6. Thank you so much for your continued support!

Kaitie: Thanks for understanding. Hope you liked this chapter!

Palmtree: Hope you liked the mush in this chapter! I know I had fun writing it.

Endless Moonlight: Thanks for sticking around. I always enjoy reading your uplifting reviews. They always help spur me on.

Chibi Rouyakan: Yea! I have a cheering section! Just what I've always wanted! Thanks for your great review.

Sesshomaru-luver: Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this chapter as well as all the rest!