God you people are so gullible. You actually thought I was mean enough to leave you hanging like that? Haha. The only reason I didn't update sooner was because my house was being fumigated. Oi. Now I know a LOT of people are mad at me now. But anyway…here you go….


CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Miracles Don't Always Happen When We Need Them.

Inuyasha sat in the waiting room. Everything was blind to him, he could see, and yet he couldn't. He bent down, resting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, as he stared blankly down at the floor. He was so confused, what was going on? He didn't understand what had happened, where he was, or what was he even doing there. He was in a state of shock. Everyone was…especially Spike. Even though Inuyasha wasn't very aware of what was going on around him he could distinctively here muffled cries coming from Spike's direction…if it was Spike's direction.

They had been at the hospital for what seemed like days, even though it had only been a few hours. Most of the team members had been revived and informed of what had happened. Only Kagome, Miroku, and Sion remained unconscious now. Everyone had been treated for their wounds and whatnot, only Kagome, Miroku, and Sion had been taken to rooms. Demona had been pronounced dead on the spot by the paramedics.

Inuyasha was so damn confused that it was driving him crazy even though he wasn't thinking about it…he wasn't thinking about anything. His mind was blank; nothing but Kagome's dead eyes haunted him. He couldn't comprehend what was happening to Kagome, he couldn't comprehend what the doctors and nurses meant by "comatose state" and "she's in a very bad condition" or "coma." He felt like in the back of his head he understood everything…it's just that he couldn't tap into the answers, and he was just left there clueless and in disbelief. He didn't like not knowing what was happening. He was afraid. Mostly for Kagome, but then there were other things. Like how were they going to explain everything that happened at the peace center?

Inuyasha felt Sango's presence before him, he stared up at her, both of her, his eyes were blurry and unfocused, giving him two Sango's to stare right through. She sniffed, tears visibly pouring from her cheeks.

"Tell me Kagome and Miroku and Sion are going to be all right." She growled angrily.

Inuyasha just resumed back to staring down at the tile floor, leaving the poor girl unanswered. He didn't know what to tell her.

"Tell me damn it." Sango cursed, stomping her foot on the ground.

"I can't." Inuyasha snapped; a silent tear trickled down his cheek, but with his head ducked it went unseen.

"You asshole." Sango's face was blanched from her anger. "You always have the answers…you always know what to do and what to say…you're always in control. So tell me Kagome and Miroku are going to be okay."

"I can't." Inuyasha sighed, "I don't have the answers, I don't know what to do, I don't know what to say…and if I was in control I would have been able to prevent this from happening in the first place. I couldn't even protect her." He sobbed.

Sango fell to her knees, wrapping her arms around them and burying her face into her arms. "Then just lie to me…" she whispered. "Just tell me…I need to hear it. Truth or not…just lie."

"…"

"Please." She pleaded, still cradled into the ball before him, not caring who saw her, or what they thought. She could feel eyes on her, coming from the other people in the waiting room.

Sango heard one old woman tell her friend sitting beside her, "that girl's crazy…she's better suited for the psychiatric ward than a hospital." But Sango just ignored their gossip to beg Inuyasha one last time.

"Please."

He didn't answer her; he just wanted to be left alone with his empty thoughts. Thoughts of what might have been, what could have been…had he just been there to protect her from the beginning.

A doctor slowly made his way over to the large teenage mass. He walked over to Coach Hiei, and smiled comfortingly.

The Coach stood up, accepting his role of responsibility for Kagome, Miroku, and even Sion in the absence of their mothers. "How are they?"

The doctor sighed, removing his glasses, readying himself to tell the bad news. Everyone turned to stare at him, praying inwardly for good results. "The boy…Sion Barzahd is…dead. He died ten minutes ago in his hospital room. We are unsure as to the cause of death…he didn't seem to sustain any fatal injuries…but we'll keep looking into it."

Coach Hiei nodded. He truly felt bad for the boy; he could only wish that he was at peace wherever he was. "And Miroku?"

The doctor gave out a deep sigh. "Miroku is fine. He's conscious and stable at the moment. He has a slight amnesia. He doesn't seem to remember how he acquired his injuries. He has a broken arm, a broken wrist, and five broken ribs…one is completely shattered. But it can all be fixed. We want to keep him over night…we've already done all that we can for him. All that is left is for the boy to heal naturally…but we want to keep him under surveillance just for tonight. To make sure everything is alright before we release him tomorrow and let you take him home. But other than that he should make a full recovery."

The Coach nodded. "And of Ms. Hirugashi?"

"Very critical…it doesn't look good. She's had a severe amount of blood lose. She's unconscious at the moment…"

"Is she going to make it?" Inuyasha blurted out, standing to his feet.

The doctor shook his head. "I doubt she's ever going to wake up, son."

Inuyasha didn't believe him; he wasn't going to settle for this doctor's lies. It wasn't true. Inuyasha refused to believe it. "You're lying." Inuyasha snapped; his fists were clenched so tight that his knuckles were white.

The doctor flashed him a small and comforting smile. "I wish I was."

Spike stood to his feet, Rei at his side as she cried into his sleeve. He stared at the doctor as his words began to sink in. She's not coming back…he quickly shook that thought out of his head. "Is there any possibility she'll wake up?"

The doctor nodded, glancing down at his clipboard. "If you believe in miracles." He turned to stare Inuyasha in the eyes. The doctor wasn't sure why he chose to direct his comment to the boy with abnormally long black hair, it just seemed like his words were meant for this boy imparticularly. "Prayer." He sighed. "It is all I can advise you to do. I have seen many miracles while I've worked in this hospital…many people who lived when it seemed they should have died. Perhaps it will be the same for Ms. Hirugashi."

"Can…can I go see Miroku now?" Sango whimpered as she staggered to her feet.

The doctor smiled at her. "It is usually not permitted…but I think I can make an exception just this once. We just moved him into room B-12." Sango thanked him before she stumbled blindly towards his room. Everyone stayed behind, knowing that Sango needed to be alone with her boyfriend.

"Can I at least see her?" Inuyasha whimpered, "can I at least see Kagome one more time…" so I can say good-bye.

The doctor shook his head, putting his glasses back on. "I would not think it wise."

"Please." Inuyasha whimpered.

The doctor sighed, his mind was telling him that it was against regulations, but his heart couldn't bare to see this longhaired boy's heart broken. "Very well then. But only for a minute. I could get fired for permitting it. She's this way. Follow me."

Inuyasha slowly walked towards him, his heart pounding. Could this be the last time I ever get to see her? No. He pushed that horrible thought away. She's going to be fine…she's a miko…she's full of miracles. She killed Demona after all.

Inuyasha followed the doctor blindly around the hospital, weaving in and out of hallways. The doctor stopped in front of room A-43. He turned to glance at the youth standing beside him. "I warn you now, boy. This won't be pretty." He opened the door and let Inuyasha enter before him before he walked in and closed the large soundproof door behind him. He smiled over at a nurse who was changing Kagome's IV. Inuyasha couldn't see Kagome…and it hurt him worse than he could explain. She was hidden behind a curtain that had been pulled all the way around her bed.

"Dr. Hitosama." The nurse greeted him cheerily. Inuyasha didn't understand how people at the hospital could always be so damn happy with patients dying left and right.

Dr. Hitosama ushered the woman out of the room; he turned to the frail white curtain and gently glided it out of the way to reveal an even whiter Kagome sleeping in the bed. Inuyasha's face fell instantly, as he stared at the tubes that were in her mouth and nose, the heart rate monitor giving off a slow and unsteady hum.

"Oh God…" Inuyasha practically fell to his knees as he reached out to touch her, but Dr. Hitosama stopped him, giving Inuyasha warning look.

"That's not very wise boy. Her immune system is very weak…she could easily get sick from you…and then not even a miracle could save her." Inuyasha's heart stopped as he recoiled his hand. He refused to hurt her even more. The doctor smiled slightly, catching the look of horror in Inuyasha's eyes. "You can stay in here…" he sighed rubbing his temples in circular motions. "I'm probably going to loose my job but…I think the best thing for Ms. Hirugashi right now is a familiar voice…talk to her." He urged Inuyasha into a chair that sat beside Kagome's bed, which the boy took. "She may not be able to answer you…but she can hear you…though." The doctor took out a spare mask from a drawer under the sink, it was a mask similar to the one he was wearing, the ones that cover the doctor's mouths and nose so they could not transmit or catch diseases from a patient. "This should help keep her from getting anything from you…and you need to go wash your hands and arms and any other bare skin…there's some disinfectant by the sink." Dr. Hitosama motioned to the bathroom across from Kagome's bed.

Inuyasha stood up, giving the doctor a grateful look before he went in and washed his hands. He came back out with the mask on, "Do I need gloves." His voice muffled through the mask.

The doctor shook his head. "I don't think that is necessary…so long as you promise not to touch her."

Inuyasha nodded as he took the seat next to Kagome, his eyes stared wildly at her almost translucent skin. It scared him, but she was alive…that was all that mattered.

Just then the nurse walked back in, the second she saw Inuyasha she almost fainted. "Doctor." She scolded. "What is he doing in here?"

"It's alright, Anya…he has my permission." She went to protest but he deliberately cut her off. "What does it matter." He whispered in her ear so only she could hear…but Inuyasha's sensitive ears caught every word. "There's no miracle that could save her…let him…and her enjoy what few moments she has left. Let him say his good byes."

And with that they left, leaving Inuyasha and Kagome's body alone.

Inuyasha felt like he was going to be sick. His palms were sweaty, his stomach felt like it was doing summersaults, his hands were shaking, his mouth was dry, his head hurt, his body ached, and yet he was in far better shape than Kagome. Why did she have to be human? Inuyasha hated himself. His demonic healing factor had already kicked in. But Kagome…she had a long ways to go…if she made it.

The boy took a deep breath; if this truly was the last time he was ever going to see her he was going to tell her everything.

"Ok…Kagome…oh shit," he took another breath, "how in the hell do I say goodbye? I've never said a true goodbye before. Not even to my parents." They were gone long before he could have even started one. "Kagome…I know you can't answer me…but I know you're in there and I know you can hear me. I never meant what I said…I've never meant anything I've ever said to you before except…this…Kagome, I've never met anyone like you. I mean, it's like you…you're so positive about everything…even though you try and act like you're not." He laughed bitterly. "You always try and act so tough and in control when you and I both know you're like glass. You're always smiling…even though your life sucks. No offence, but you have to admit it does. I mean all this stuff just always seems to keep happening to you…and yet…you don't deserve any of it. You don't deserve to die. At least not like this. You're supposed to go when you're like in your hundreds and have great-great-grandchildren."

Inuyasha ran his fingers through his hair, trying to get it out of his face. "You always make me smile, you know. It's like every time you walk into a room everything stops…and the whole world isn't so bad…like just seeing you fixes everything. And when we argue…I always feel like some kind of…asshole. I don't know why…I can argue or fight with anyone else and it doesn't phase me…but with you, I always feel guilty afterwards. I hate seeing you upset, I hate seeing you cry, which is pretty ironic considering I'm always the one who ends up hurting you in the first place. And that's not even the beginning of how I feel.

"Do you remember when we danced at the tournament?"

He took her silence as a yes.

"I've never gotten so…so pathetic before. It's like you were different from every other girl in the world and I didn't know how to handle you…okay maybe not handle, but I couldn't act like I usually do. And…and…I hated it. I hated the way you seemed to be able to just wrap me around your little finger. But then…it's like sometimes I can be myself around you more so than anyone…even Aunt Misao…like…like I'm the most comfortable around you. And then there's the way you smell…you've always smelled…perfect. And then there's the way you sleep." He laughed. "Like that time at Sango's in seventh grade when we all slept in her basement. And me and you ended up sleeping on the pool table because Duo and Katsumi had to have the couch and we couldn't sleep on the floor because Sango's mom spilt bleach all over it and on our blankets and pillows by accident. And she hadn't washed them because their washing machine was broken. And Spike slept on the blankets anyway…his hair had yellow spots in it for months. But what I remember the most was how peaceful you slept…even if you did end up on top of me in the morning."

He watched her, hoping for just some kind of response. It didn't matter if it was her eye twitching; he just wanted one sign that Kagome was still there. There were none.

Inuyasha sighed and continued. "The truth is…I…I…I love everything…about you. I love the way you talk, the way you laugh, the way you smell, the way you sleep, the way you dance, I love the way you make me feel when I'm around you. I love…everything. I love how you don't care that I'm a half demon. I love the fact that you don't hate my demon appearance either. Kikyo had a heart attack when she saw the real me. She told me to never take my necklace off around her again. But you…you're different. I love you, Kagome. I love you. You may have hated the real me, but it wasn't because of what I was…it was because of who I was."

Inuyasha sighed as he removed the mask. In a weird way, taking it off was like a sign to him, a sign of acceptance. She was truly gone.

"Kind of funny, huh? You hate me, I love you but I act like an ass around you." He snorted. "You're probably in love with Kouga…or Spike, or that Sion guy." Inuyasha froze. "Sion. Kagome…I've got bad news for you…and there's no good news to follow it. Sion Barzahd is…gone. Kagome, I am so sorry. I know that even though you had just met him…you thought of him as a friend. You thought of everyone as a friend."

He stared down at Kagome's pale hand. Then and there he refused to give up. Inuyasha put the mask right back on.

"I believe in you, Kagome. I know you're strong…and stubborn. You're going to live…and things are going to be exactly like they were…" he paused, after their traumatizing experience it was impossible for things to really go back to the way they were, "…I promise I won't leave. I love you" He vowed before he stood up and grabbed a spare pillow in the supply closet. He reclined the seat as far back as it would go before he laid back down. He didn't sleep that entire night.


The next day the team came up with a cover story. Which basically said Demona was a serial killer/terrorist who had kidnapped Kagome. Kagome had fought Demona in self-defense, while the rest of the team had formed a rescue squad to safe her. They had not called the police because the note Demona had left behind on the mirror had spooked them. The reason everyone was in such bad shape, and the arena was completely destroyed was because Demona had detonated a small bomb, and she had taken the full blow because she had been holding it. That explained why her body was in complete shreds and why there was a huge crater in the middle of the peace center. It turned out that two days later the foundation gave way and the entire building collapsed into a pile of rubble. No one was present.

The police believed she had done it out of suicide, fearing of prison life if she was caught and convicted, and because of that no one was charged with her murder.

And the story just kept going from there but the police never doubted them. A couple of officers had done a search of Demona's home and found her entire basement filled with bones and other relics from her victims, not to mention thousands of torture devices. She was a sick woman.

Dante's body was never found, apparently vampires' bodies turn to ashes when they die. Sion was declared a hero, the others told of his story and how he had tried to help them.

Coach took the responsibility of calling everyone's families, telling them the same story they had told the police.

The tournament was canceled, never to be opened again. And November 30, 2004 was marked down as one of the most tragic days in Texas history. This being the day of the "Sigfreed Suicide" as the press had dubbed it.

And so life went on, most people finally gave up and went home until only a few remained by Kagome's side.

It had been a week since the incident and yet Kagome still lied motionless. The doctor said he doubted if she'd ever wake up. Kagome had been declared a hero as well. A true hero. It was something she deserved. She had fought until the bitter end. But a small trophy and her name in the papers weren't enough for her friends. They wanted to see her open her eyes and sit up. The doctors said it would never happen.


Sango entered the waiting room, her eyes red and puffy from the lack of sleep.

"How's she doing?" Miroku asked, readjusting his sling.

Sango collapsed into a chair. "Who? Kagome or her mother?"

"Both."

"Kagome's…the same, nothings changed. And Mrs. Hirugashi…she hasn't stopped crying since she got here on Wednesday."

"That's been eight days."

Sango nodded, staring down at the floor. "Yeah…the poor woman has to be dehydrated."

"What about Inuyasha?"

She snorted. "Hasn't moved from that bloody chair. He won't eat, he won't sleep; he's like a freaking zombie. It's not healthy. Kagome…Kagome wouldn't want him or any of us to be acting like this."

Miroku sighed as he tried to scratch his arm but his cast was in the way.

"Miroku, do you think she's going to wake up?"

He sat there silently, almost pondering the question before he nodded. "Yeah. I do. I really do. But I think when she does she's not going to be the same as she used to be."

"What do you mean?"

"This has been a traumatizing experience, and just think…it was bad for us…imagine how hard it must have been for Kagome. She took more of a beating than any of us…and she's the one that killed Demona…"

"So do you think Kagome's going to be really depressed?"

He nodded. "Yeah…I have a feeling her case is going to be severe too. Far beyond the help of anti-depressants."

"You know, Dr. Hitosama said that if she does wake up - when she does wake up - that she might come out with amnesia."

Miroku smiled. "I wish my amnesia had lasted. Maybe she will get it…that would be the best thing for her. Sure she might not remember us…but in time we could build up our relationships again. They might not be as strong as they used to be…but it would be for Kagome's benefit. And for Inuyasha's…he's still really upset about that fight they had, afraid that when she wakes up she's going to give him the same treatment she gave Demona."

Sango smacked him in the head with her hospital pillow. "That's in no way funny, Miroku. You shouldn't joke about that."

"I wasn't joking."

Sango bowed her head. "I know." She sat there silently for a while before she finally spoke again. "My mom says we have to go home tomorrow. She told me that she can't afford to stay in the hotel another week…and that I have to go home with her. She doesn't want me missing anymore school."

Miroku nodded.

"What about your family? They haven't even come to see if you're alright?"

Miroku smiled sadly. "You know my family…they're hippies. They refuse to leave the 'family' to come see me. They think that if they leave they'll bring me even more bad luck." He laughed. "But I'm allowed to stay here as long as I like…they don't really care much anymore."

Sango patted him on the shoulder. "I don't know how it feels, Miroku…but I do know what it's like to feel alone and abandoned."

Miroku nodded. "I guess…I just…when you leave, it's only going to be me and Inuyasha now. Everyone's gone. Spike and Rei left yesterday, and then the day before that Katsumi, Hiro, Ryoko, and Duo left. And then the day before that…. I mean even Kikyo left to go stay with her aunt and uncle back home."

"It feels like we're abandoning Kagome doesn't it?"

Miroku shook his head. "No, it feels like everyone is…giving up. It's like we don't care about her anymore."

"We do, Miroku, we do. But we have lives…and families…and school…and homes to go to…and this hospital is just so depressing, and so-so far away from home…not to mention it's like a constant reminder of what happened."

He nodded. "The doctor said they're going to fly Kagome by helicopter to a hospital back home on Saturday…so she could be closer to us…and easy to visit…but I don't think I want that…and I feel so selfish because of it though."

Sango laid her head on his shoulder. "You just want to forget? And she reminds you of it."

He nodded. "But so does this broken arm of mine…so in a way it's sort of pointless."

"I feel the same way. But…Kagome would do the same for us…she'd stick around for you…and me. She'd endure all the memories…even the ugly ones."

"I know. But I'm not as strong as her."

"Inuyasha is. He hasn't left her side. It must be so painful to just sit there all day and stare at her. He told me what happened, you know? About their fight that they had just before Kagome was kidnapped."

Miroku nodded. "I over heard him telling Duo the other day…he would have told me but I told him it was between him and her…and when she woke up she'd be mad at him for sharing it with everybody. He just smiled at me and said thanks."

Sango gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You're sweet…even if you are a pervert sometimes. I love you, Miroku."

He wrapped his good arm around her. "I know…I love you too, Sango."

She laid her head in his lap and dosed off to sleep as the clock stroke eleven p.m.


The next morning, Thursday December 8th, things went as usual, Kagome's IV was changed by the nurse. Dr. Hitosama came to check on her. Her few visitors arrived. Inuyasha sat in his chair, never moving - never grieving - never crying - never speaking - never breathing. Kagome's mother cried until the doctors had to force food and water down her throat. Sango went and gave her one last visit. And then Miroku would go and have a talk with a couple other patients. He had started doing this in the children's ward. He played with them, taught them magic tricks, sneaked candy in for them and whatnot. It was a way to pass the time.

It began to snow that day, it didn't stick to the ground, but Miroku found it peaceful to stare at. He liked snow. It could take the ugliest landscape, and with its blanket of white, the snow could make even a swamp look like swan lake.

Kagome received calls, Mrs. Hirugashi answering them all, telling everyone of her daughter's 'progress.' Mrs. Hirugashi swore that she saw Kagome wiggle a toe the day before, and then that morning she said she saw Kagome's lips twitch. No one saw but her.

Inuyasha finally took a shower and then joined Miroku downstairs in the cafeteria for something to eat. He didn't eat much; he mostly just poked at it with his fork. He spoke very little, mostly about the snow, and Christmas, and of his Aunt Misao, who was coming to visit him today.

And when she finally did, she brought the whole family along; she even brought along Shippou.

Inuyasha smiled as he picked up Rin. "Hey squirt." His voice had a sad dragged down rasp to it, and so did his appearance.

Rin scrunched her nose, and even though she couldn't speak he knew what she was thinking.

He laughed sadly. "I smell funny because of the hospital soap."

She smiled and hugged him.

Sesshomaru stuck his nose in the air. "It's a very…indignant smell isn't it?"

Aunt Misao elbowed him in the side. "It's a hospital. What do you expect?"

"How's she doing?" Kouga finally asked.

The rest of the group fell silent to listen.

"Honestly? Shitty. She just lies there…like…a dead body."

Kouga nodded, but it wasn't till that second that Inuyasha had noticed a girl standing by his cousin's side. Inuyasha didn't recognize the girl at first. But then the name 'Ayame' reached his mind. He recognized her from PE in sixth grade.

Ayame held Kouga's hand, but you could tell by the look on Kouga's face that he didn't feel comfortable. Inuyasha guessed it was because of Kagome. At first he was angry with Kouga…but then he remembered that it was Kagome who broke up with Kouga, not the other way around. He still was a little angry, but Kouga knew Kagome better than he did. Kouga had always paid attention to Kagome…when Inuyasha ignored her. Kouga would know what would upset Kagome, and what wouldn't.

"What room is she in?" Shippou asked.

"Come on," Miroku sighed. "We'll show you. But I warn you Mrs. Misao…it's…she's very depressing to be around." Just look at what it's done to Inuyasha. His spirit has literally been broken.

Misao nodded. Her jovial face was stern, even more so than her husband's as they followed Miroku and Inuyasha.

When they got to Kagome's room they entered. The room was cold as Mrs. Hirugashi and Aunt Misao hugged each other and cried. Uncle Jinn talked with a nurse; Sesshomaru actually looked like he'd seen a ghost. His face was whiter than his hair. Shippou, Ayame, and Kouga just stood there motionless while Miroku tried to entertain Rin. Inuyasha sat in his chair and stared off into space.

It stayed like that for an hour or so, no one really looked at Kagome, they were too frightened to. Seeing her there just hit so close to home. Even Sesshomaru couldn't come up with anything mean, nasty, or hateful to say. Rin 'asked' a lot of questions though. No one could really answer her. She kept wondering why no one would wake Kagome up. Or why Kagome had that funny tube up her nose. Or why Kagome was so pale. The long interrogation just went on from there. She was just about to ask why Kagome was even in the hospital in the first place when Aunt Misao said they should be on their way home.

They left one by one, each giving Kagome a sad look and telling Mrs. Hirugashi how sorry they were, leaving only Kouga, Ayame, and Inuyasha behind.

Kouga sighed. "I can't believe this happened…I didn't believe it when Sango called me and told me. I still don't believe it…" he turned to Ayame and Inuyasha. "Can I have just a few minutes alone with her?"

Ayame and Inuyasha nodded and left, Inuyasha gave Kagome a kiss on the cheek before he walked out the door. He knew he wasn't supposed to touch her…but he didn't understand how a kiss could be harmful.

The second the door shut behind them Kouga turned to stare at Kagome. "Kagome…I miss you, I really do. I can't believe this happened to you. I wish I could have been there to stop it. You had so much ahead of you…you were going to be a great song writer…you were going to loose your stage fright and become a singer with PACK…you were going to go far. And I loved that about you. I loved you. You had such…a future. I was hoping when I came here…I could have talked to you, that you would have opened your eyes. That you could have told me what happened. Why you broke up with me. And just…so many unanswered questions. But I really just wanted to see you smile again…so I would know that you still had that big future that I dreamed of."

He sat down in Inuyasha's chair. "I hope you will wake up. Soon. I'm sorry if I ever did anything to upset you. I never meant to hurt you in any way. I know you would have wanted me to move on…and I did. Sort of. I met a girl…just like you said I would. She's nice. I haven't really asked her out or anything…not yet. I need awhile to try and get over you. If I ever will. But she's helped me…helped me…to get…over…you. God, why do I feel so terrible about saying this. She's…understanding. Like you were. She's a little too chipper and happy sometimes (ex cheerleader) and she even has pigtails…never thought I'd date a girl with pigtails…but she's very…patient with me. I've known her forever…since kindergarten…but I'd never really talked to her till the day you left. Not that I cheated on you, I promise. It was weird. She just walked up to me and said that she heard about me not being able to go to the tournament and that she said it was awful. She said that the tournament was like a chance of a lifetime and I deserved to go. She's a blue belt…she was hoping to go next year but…since it's closed down." He sighed.

"I feel like this is all my fault. Like I knew I could have prevented it. I could have prevented everything…I know I could have. I just want to make you happy. And I can tell…if Inuyasha will just get his head out of his ass…he could. Sorry, but you know he is an asshole…at times. But I think…I think he really does care about you. I know he does. I've never seen him this worked up over anybody before. Not even his parents. That's why I know he's the reason you broke up with me. I'm not mad. I could never be mad at you. Never. Besides…I pretty much did the same thing with Ayame. I even took her to 4-C. She used to work there surprisingly enough. She even told me she was there the night you sang on stage. It seems like everybody was there that night, huh? She said it was one of the best performances she'd ever seen. She told me that she liked that little prank you pulled at the beginning when you acted like you were too scared to sing." He laughed. "The funny thing is you weren't even acting.

"I'm sorry if I'm rambling…There's just so much that I've wanted to say. And now I can. I have to get it off my chest. But I really haven't even started-" Kouga froze instantly when he heard a coughing noise. His heart leapt up into his throat. He didn't look at Kagome…he refused to. He was afraid that if he did then his hopes would be shattered. But he was positive of what he had heard.

He heard it again.

He stood up immediately and ran to the door, only glancing back for an instant to see Kagome groan and grab her head.

Kouga burst through the door. "SHE'S AWAKE!"

A couple of nurses looked at him funny until he repeated himself.

"KAGOME'S AWAKE!"

Everyone came running. But no one was as fast as Inuyasha.

Inuyasha ran into the room, he had to see her. And if Kouga was playing some kind of cruel joke he was going to personally wring his neck. What he saw was a picture that would subconsciously be in his mind for the rest of his life.

Kagome seemed to be fighting to sit up. She held her head and moaned.

"KAGOME YOU'RE AWAKE!"

Inuyasha couldn't breathe, or move. His eyes stayed glued to her as she groggily turned to stare at him.

At first she didn't recognize him, but then he heard his name.

"Inu…yasha?"

The doctor and the nurses pushed past him, quickly going to Kagome's aid.

Inuyasha and the others stood there in the doorway as Mrs. Hirugashi fell to her knees in the hallway and cried tears of joy. "My baby…" she sobbed. "My baby's going to be okay. Thank God." Aunt Misao assisted her as she fainted from exhaustion

"It's a miracle." Dr. Hitosama breathed. "It's…it's a miracle."

The doctor approached Kagome slowly. "Ms. Hirugashi, my name is Myouga Hitosama…you're at the Texas Memorial Hospital…now there's a lot that's happened…."

The second Kagome's blurry eyes landed on the doctor she screamed. "Where is she? Keep her away from me. Make her go away." Kagome began crying.

The doctor cleared his throat. "Please Miss, calm down…Demona Sigfreed is dead. You're safe now. It's all over."

Kagome curled up into a ball, and dug her head into her knees, covering the top of her head with her hands. "Please don't let her come near me." She was shaking. "I don't want to die. She's going to kill me. She killed everyone…get her away from me."

Inuyasha looked worried, but the doctor just patted his shoulder.

"This is typical behavior for someone who went through something like Ms. Hirugashi went through. She's perfectly fine, just a little shaken up. Once she realizes that everything is alright again she'll calm down."

The doctor approached Kagome again very slowly. "Now Miss…do you know who you are?"

Kagome sniffed. "N…o…."

"You don't know your name?"

"It's…Kag…Kagome?"

"That's right. What about your last name?"

"Hirugashi."

"Correct. What about this boy, do you recognize him?" He pushed Inuyasha closer to Kagome's bed.

Kagome peeked up at him. At first she shook her head, she was confused, but then she said his name again. "Inuyasha…."

"What about his last name?"

"I don't remember - Osu…Osuwari?"

"Correct. Can you tell me your phone number?"

Kagome thought for a moment. "867-5309?"

"You got it. Do you know what school you go to?"

"Deep Forest…."

The doctor looked at Inuyasha to make sure the answer was correct. Inuyasha nodded.

"Well she seems to be able to remember a lot of her personal information. She has her memory back…that's a good sign." He wrote something down on his clipboard. "Patient seems to remember everything prior to the incident. Let's see if she recollects what happened. Ms. Hirugashi do you remember the night you were kidnapped?"

Kagome shook her head no violently. She didn't want to remember.

"Ms. Hirugashi you don't remember anything that happened that night? And yet you recall Demona Sigfreed. Is this correct?"

Kagome whimpered.

He scratched something else onto his clipboard.

Inuyasha felt like he was on top of the world. Kagome was awake. But then he felt horrible when he saw just how terrified she looked. He went to her side, even though Dr. Myouga protested.

"Kagome…it's me, Inuyasha. You're safe now. I promise. It's all over."

Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder, he could feel her body racking with sobs.

He rubbed her back. "It's ok. It's ok."

"Is everyone okay?" She whimpered.

Inuyasha nodded. "Everyone's fine. They're at home, safe and sound." He didn't have the heart to tell her about Sion. "You're a hero, Kagome. You saved us."

Kagome's sobs visibly quieted.

"I want to go home."

"Of course." This was so surreal. Inuyasha had just come to terms with the fact that she was in a coma. And now here he was, holding her, and she was awake. This was the best and most overwhelming moment of his life.

Kagome pulled back ever-so-slightly so she could look into Inuyasha's eyes. "You're alive." She breathed. "I thought you were dead." He could see tears forming under her eyes, which he knew, was a rare display for Kagome. She hated showing emotion to anyone, even though she was bursting with it.

"I…I thought you were, too."

Kagome hugged him again; he could feel her body tremble, as she buried her face into his chest. "Promise you won't ever do that to me again."

"I promise."

"Well I think we should be heading home." Aunt Misao announced, ushering everyone, save for Kagome and Inuyasha out of the room.

"Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital, it's been eight days since Demona died. She's gone Kagome. You're perfectly safe. Everyone is at home, back at school. No one was hurt that badly either. You've been in a coma for a while but everything is okay. It's done."

Kagome sniffed. "Did you really right that poem?"

Inuyasha stiffened. So she remembered. "You remember me saying that?"

Kagome nodded as she clenched her fists in the material of his shirt. "Bits and pieces."

He stroked her hair. "Yeah…I wrote it."

Kagome began to grow slowly calmer from the sound of his voice. "Do you regret it?"

He sat there silently. "No…I don't."

"Do you regret anything? Even before…" he could feel her body shiver, "even before Demona?"

"Yeah…a lot of things."

"Like…what?"

"Like…" it was either win the girl of his heart or leave without an undamaged pride, "like everything wrong I've ever done to you. I'm sorry. But don't worry, we'll take you back home soon." He added as a thought.

Kagome relaxed, she felt sheltered in his strong arms. She felt like this was where she belonged. Her body was so frail and weak, she had to use all her energy just to keep herself from zoning out. "I am home aren't I?" She was home in his hanyou arms.

He nodded.

"I love you…Inuyasha."

With her words he felt like a tsunami hit him full force in the chest. She said she loved him…and that meant…she was his….

"Kagome." He held onto her as tight as he could without crushing her. "I'll never let you down, I promise. I love you." She had already fallen asleep.


Whoa…only one more chapter and Rumors Ruin Reputations is over…it seems like yesterday I started it in English glass.