#bows in front of reviewer# GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN!!!!!!!!!! Sry it took so long! I finally finished dis chap lol. And u can't whine cuz its extra long! I hope u guys enjoy it cuz I had fun writin dis chap. Aldoe I think I'll have more fun writing da next 1 mwahahahaha. And thx 4 ur feedback on my lemon! So many ppl liked it and it wus my first #pumps her hand into the air# YEAH! Lol. Guess I'll hafta do sum more den wont i? ENJOY!!!

Leomae don't worry, I plan 2 have much lemony goodness in my fic lol. Sry nuthin about fluffy in dis chap but dere will b in da next 1. and I noe about da kikyoU thing, it's just easier 2 have it w/out da 'U' lol.

sleep walking chicken and HAP I noe, kagura and fluffy r so kawaii lol. Sry nun pf dem in dis 1, but I think u'll like it just da same!

Kaye u guessed dad a silver tiger wus a lot of ppl lol. U'll just hafta wat e 2 find out if ur rite or not lol.

Firebug29 I noe aren't agura and sesshy cute 2gether? Ore fluff of dem next chap dun worry lol.

ladykaa28 sry no Kikyo bashing in dis fic… its coming up doe lol.

hanyou007 omg ur rite. SO many fluffy/kag fics out rite now! Bleh, im sry I'm a pure inu/kag fic peron. Sesshy should b paired up w/ kagura or rin! And if I had an inu and kag plushie I would never b unhappy again rofl. And wen is ur fic coming out? I wanna read!

Melisssa Byrd I noe how SLOW a 56k modem is lol. Dats y cable is SO much better #grins#

"---" talking

'---' thinking

-italics- song lyrics

/---/ inner voice

----- letter / note

Disclaimer: I don't own shit. Need I say more?

Chapter Ten

The Chill Of Winter

"Ashiteru." Kagome felt herself smile as she ran her fingers through his long, silver hair. She had waited so long to hear him say those words. He held her close and his fingers were tickling her spine. Kagome looked up and her gaze met his. She immediately felt lost in a warm, golden aura and she never wanted to leave.

"Will you always be with me, Inuyasha?" She asked tentatively. Kagome may have loved him ever since she could remember but she was still a little shy about what she was feeling. The silver-haired man smirked and pulled her even closer.

"Of course wench," he said, "Where else would I go?"

'You may be confident about this but I know you still have feelings for Kikyou,' Kagome thought to herself, 'It's too soon for you to be completely over her.' She brushed a strand of hair away from his face and tucked it behind his ear. He was too handsome for words but beautiful at the same time. She still couldn't believe that it was really her in his arms. Inuyasha trailed his fingers down her cheek and held her chin for a moment. Kagome couldn't steal her eyes away from his face.

His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. Kagome could feel his body heat through her clothes and she shuttered. She put her hands on his chest, his heart beating steadily in time with hers. They were linked; no matter what, they would always be linked. Her hands went up to his neck and over his broad shoulders. He was so well built.

'He must work out every day,' Kagome thought to herself, 'Not that I'm complaining.' Kagome smiled as she ran her hands over his arms. She lightly massaged them with her fingers, memorizing every dent in his skin. Her gaze had fallen and she closed her eyes, willing time to stop. Kagome did not want to move; she wanted nothing else than just to stay in his arms forever. That had been her wish ever since she had realised her true feelings for her best friend.

She could not remember when his gaze had not pierced her heart. Even when she had first met him and he was wearing those incredibly cute dog ears, she had been mesmerized by the odd colour of his eyes. His golden orbs would drown a person if they looked long enough and that's exactly what Kagome wanted to do. Every time she looked into his demonic eyes, she felt like she was in paradise, because now they were full of love. Love for her and her only. Never again would Kagome have to endure the pain that made her want to run and hide. The pain that she felt every time her cousin had been the recipient of that look.

Kagome felt tears weld up behind her own azure eyes. She didn't want Inuyasha to see her cry, so she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. He must of felt the tears through his shirt because his grip on her tightened.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha's voice was full of concern, "What's the matter?" Kagome shook her head, unable to do anything else. She continued to cry into his shirt and suddenly she was bombarded with memories of Hojou and the day Inuyasha had finally saved him from his abusive behaviour. The painful recollection caused her to cry harder. The gleam in Hojou's eyes, as he left the shrine, had sent chills down her spine. Kagome had seen the same look in Kouga when she had beaten him up the week before. The evil glint hadn't been as intimidating this time because he hadn't been a real threat. Kagome knew she could take him and she had.

'Why am I thinking about Hojou?' Kagome wondered. He hadn't entered her mind for over four years; why was he suddenly intruding her thoughts now? Her tears had stopped flowing but her face was still wet. She felt Inuyasha's right hand running up and down her spine, trying to calm her. The other was slowly combing her long raven hair. Then he clasped her chin and brought her head up to meet his gaze. Her vision was a bit blurry from her tears, but Kagome could still see the worry in Inuyasha's golden orbs.

"I'll always be with you," he said, as if reading her thoughts. Kagome let out a choked sob but was cut off by Inuyasha's lips on hers. The kiss was so tender and gentle that Kagome almost burst into tears again. He didn't force anything on her, just barely touching making contact. He had left it up to her to deepen the kiss because he had seen her tears. Kagome's heart swelled and she melted against him. Her arms slipped around his neck and she tried to pull him closer. She could taste her salty tears as they fell onto her lips, tainting the sweetness of Inuyasha's flavour she was looking forward too.

Kagome ran her tongue long his lower lip, willing him to open his mouth. Inuyasha moaned and pushed against her, allowing her the access she wanted. Kagome didn't stick her tongue all the way in; she merely ran it along his teeth, teasing him. Every time he tried to suck her tongue into his mouth, she pulled back. He moaned in protest and Kagome giggled.

"Impatient aren't we?" she giggled, pulling away slightly. Inuyasha growled in the back of his throat.

"Very," he whispered, grabbing her. He attacked her with a savage hunger that turned her on with a passion. The love that she could feel in his embrace suffocated her and gave her life at the same time. There was enough space between them to fill a small cup and still Kagome struggled to get closer. Her hands ran through his thick silver hair and felt his silky locks across her fingers. Kagome loved his hair; he was probably the only boy in school that had hair that went passed his back. He even had longer hair than she did!

Kagome felt Inuyasha's hand run over her hip and down her thigh. The simple caress was all Kagome needed. She returned the kiss with violent hunger that made Inuyasha moan in delight. Their tongues danced and intertwined, battling for domination. Eventually needing air, Inuyasha pulled back. They were both breathing hard and Kagome was sure her face was flushed with colour. She could feel his heart beat rapidly in his chest. Inuyasha brushed a strand of hair off her face and smirked.

"You're so beautiful," he said before kissing her again. His tongue caressed her teeth and Kagome smiled as she tasted him. If anyone had told her twenty four hours ago, that she would be kissing Inuyasha, she never would have believed it. Then again, if anyone had told her she was addicted to honey and spices, she never would have believed that either. Inuyasha was so unique in so many ways, it was a wonder to Kagome how he kept all the women away from him. Every female loved a challenge and that was exactly what Inuyasha was.

Inuyasha pulled on the back of her head and started to trail light kisses down her neck. Kagome's eyes fluttered open and she stared at the ceiling. He got to the junction where her neck met her shoulder and Kagome shivered with pleasure. He bit down, sending electric shocks through her entire body. Kagome felt her knees give out from under her and she slumped against him.

#-#-#

Kagome fell to the floor with a crash, her chair skidding away. She blinked and looked around. The whiteness of the hospital room blinded in the morning light and she struggled to stand. She saw Inuyasha lying in his bed, like he had been for the last three weeks, and she cursed under her breath.

"Fuck, that's the fourth time in the last week and a half." Kagome said, walking over to her chair. She grabbed the back of it and pulled it over to its normal place, beside Inuyasha's bed. She sat down with a sigh and took his hand in hers, holding it tightly. She brought it up against her cheek and looked at his pale face.

"How much longer are you going to do this to me, Inuyasha?" She kissed his hand and put it down on the bed, "You tortured me every day by being with Kikyou and now you're torturing me in my dreams as well." Kagome turned around and looked out the window. The sun had risen enough for it to be passed ten o'clock and Kagome was extremely glad it was Saturday.

'Not that it would really matter anyway,' she thought to herself, 'Kaede-sensei would have understood.' Kagome let go of Inuyasha's hand and stood up. She put her hands over her head and stretched, trying to get rid of the stiffness in every muscle she possessed. Sleeping on a plastic chair every night was starting to get to her but she did not care. Kagome would have slept on a bed of nails in order to be able to wake up to Inuyasha's face every day; even if he was in a coma.

Kagome wished on a different star every night for Inuyasha to wake up but she hadn't found the right one yet. Of course, he hadn't gotten any worse so she couldn't really complain. Every machine he was hooked up to beeped steadily, creating an uneasy feeling in the pit of Kagome's stomach. She hated those things; they constantly reminded her why she was there every day and why she hadn't had a good night's sleep in nearly a month. Kagome was either awakened by Inuyasha's body drenched in blood or the tingle of pleasure of his body against hers. She had already experienced the first image and she desperately wanted the other one to come true.

"You won't think much of my cousin when I'm through with her," she told the sleeping man, "I'm sorry it had to come down to this Inuyasha, but you have the right to know about what she's really like. You deserve better, even if it's not me..." Her gaze lowered to the floor and then to the door as she heard the knob turn.

"Ohaiyo Kagome."

"Ohaiyo Anne." The old woman looked at Kagome sceptically.

"You had another bad dream didn't you?" Kagome felt her face heat up and she looked away.

"I wouldn't call it a bad dream but it woke me up, yes." Anne nodded knowingly and walked over to Inuyasha to check his status.

"Ah, one of those dreams. I'm sure you enjoyed it intensely," she said, accenting the last word. Kagome blushed even more and nodded. She watched as Anne went through her daily routine, inspecting the machines that were hooked up to Inuyasha.

"Anything different?" Kagome asked, hope evident in her voice. Anne looked over at her with a sad smile.

"Every day you ask me the same question and every day I give you the same answer. Gomen Kagome, he's no different than yesterday." Kagome just nodded and sat back down in her chair. She had not expected anything to be different...okay so maybe she had but deep down she had known it was wishful thinking. Inuyasha hadn't even moved the whole time she had been here. A simple twitch would have been enough; he almost looked dead and Kagome needed some reassurance that he was really only in a coma.

"How are you holding up?" Anne asked from across the bed. Kagome shrugged her shoulders.

"Alright I guess." Kagome sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I mean how should I be?"

"Well you're holding up a lot better than most. I've seen some people break down within the first few days."

"I just believe in him more. I know that he's going to be okay." An alarmed look suddenly flashed over Kagome's features, "He is going to be okay right?" Anne sighed and looked over at the silver-haired man.

"All I can say is that he needs to wake up soon."

"What do you mean?!" Kagome said in an extremely shaky voice, "Is something wrong with him?" Kagome could not control the fear in her voice. She would never forgive herself if Inuyasha never came out of his coma. She wanted more than anything to see his smirking face again, to watch him beat up on Miroku or even Kouga for that matter. She just wanted to see him up and about.

"He needs to wake up soon or I may need to admit you." The colour drained from Kagome's face as she processed Anne's words.

"Nani?" The old woman smiled and walked around the bed. She stood in front of Kagome and put her hand on the raven haired girl's forehead.

"Your immune system can't be doing to well with the amount of sleep you've been getting Kagome. You already have a slight fever."

"Kami, you scared me Anne! I thought you were serious." Kagome's breath came out in a relieved sigh; she hadn't even realised she had been holding it.

"I am serious Kagome," Anne said sternly, "You're wearing yourself down. You should go home for a few days and get some proper rest."

"I can't."

"Yes I know." Anne sighed and squeezed her shoulder. "How about I send up some ramen and orange juice." Kagome smiled at the woman. She had been like an unofficial grandmother to Kagome and she appreciated it. She nodded her thanks and Anne walked out of the room. Kagome felt her forehead and sighed.

"I guess I am getting a bit of a fever but it's nothing compared to Inuyasha. You must understand Anne, I need to be here when he wakes up; whenever that is. I need to be the first one he sees, to show him how much I need him." Kagome raised her hand to run it through her hair, but it got caught halfway through.

"Kami! I must look awful!" Kagome got up from her chair, grabbed her overnight bag and marched into the bathroom. She took one look in the mirror and almost swore. Her hair was all over the place and her cloths were wrinkled from sleeping in them. She dumped her bag on the floor, stripped off her clothes and turned on the water. Kagome didn't even wait until it had reached the right temperature; she just stepped into the shower and immediately regretted it.

"Holy shit! That's fucking cold." She quickly reached for the knobs and turned the hot water on full blast. In no time at all, steam was seeping out of the shower and Kagome knew the mirror was going to be fogged up when she got out.

She stood still under the hot water and let it run over her body. Her muscles finally relaxed and Kagome sighed in content. She flattened her hair against her head before turning around and actually getting it wet. Her thick, black locks reached all the way down to the end of her tailbone now and she reached over for her shampoo. After lathering up her hair and piling it on top of her head, she opened her body wash and inhaled its fragrance.

Everyone loved the scent of strawberries she gave off, especially the males. Even though she only wanted the attention of one particular male, Kagome still did not mind the waves and winks she got in the halls at school.

"Except maybe Kouga. That guy needs to have his ego shrunk. I can't believe that he's still after me! I mean how many times have I told him to fuck off?!" Kagome said aloud, 'Not to mention how many times he's been threatened by Inuyasha.' Kagome giggled to herself and squeezed some of her strawberry smelling body wash onto her shower puff.

After she had lathered her entire body, Kagome washed out the shampoo and put in some conditioner. She let it sit in her hair for about five minutes before washing it out, along with the rest of her body. Watching the last bubbles go down the drain, Kagome heard her name being called from inside Inuyasha's room.

"I'll be there in a minute!" she called, stepping out of the shower. She quickly dried herself off and wrapped her long hair up in her towel. She slipped into a faded pair of flared jeans, a black long sleeved shirt and a pale blue vest that went past her knees, then she took her hair out of the towel and ran a brush through it, parting it o one side. Adding a touch of mascara and lip gloss, Kagome hung up her towel, stuffed her old clothes in her bag and opened the door to see Sango and Miroku standing in the middle of the room.

Well, technically only Sango was standing. Miroku was on the floor with a dazed look on his face. Kagome smiled and shook her head.

"Fucking hentai," Sango grumbled. Kagome laughed and gave her friend a hug. She hadn't had much time for Sango since Inuyasha had first been admitted to the hospital but she completely understood. Sango would have done the same thing if it had been Miroku even though she'd never admit it.

"Miroku, can't you ever keep your hands to yourself?" Kagome asked as she helped him off the floor. Miroku held his head with his hand and winced.

"I didn't touch her," he said and Kagome gave him a quizzical look, "I merely wanted to see if you needed any help in the bathroom my dear." Within seconds he was back on the floor, cringing in pain. This time it had been Kagome who had hit him, her face bright red.

"Fucking hentai," she mumbled and Sango laughed.

"See? I'm not the only one, Kagome." Sango said with a grin. Kagome just shrugged and walked over to Inuyasha' bed, putting her bag down by the bedside table. She glanced at him and lent over to caress his cheek. She heard Miroku and Sango walk up next to her and Miroku's hand on her shoulder.

"You need a break from this place Kagome. Inuyasha won't move while you're gone." Miroku said.

"But what if he wakes up? I'd never forgive myself if I left and he woke up. I need to be here." Miroku and Sango looked at each other and then back at Kagome.

"Demo, Kagome, I don't think he will wake up if you're not here. You two are linked. I know you'll be the first person he sees." Sango said in a soothing voice, "Now come on, I wanna take you shopping. Miroku will stay here and look after Inuyasha for you." Kagome turned to her friends.

"Demo—"

"Daijobou. If anything happens, I'll let you know right away, okay?" Miroku squeezed her shoulder before pushing her towards the door with Sango.

"Matte!" Sango rolled her eyes and was about to protest when Kagome cut her off.

"Don't worry Sango. I would love to go shopping with you but I doubt we'd get very far if I didn't have any money." Kagome walked over to her bag and pulled out her purse. Then she returned to Sango and was about to follow her out the door when she turned around.

"Miroku, if one piece of clothing is missing from my bag," Kagome threatened, "You'll be unconscious until next Wednesday." The violet-eyed man smiled guiltily and put his hand back in his lap as he sat down on Kagome's chair. She winked at him and closed the door behind her.

"Why doesn't anyone trust me?"

#-#-#

"Try on this one Kagome!" Kagome looked over at her friend and rolled her eyes. Sango had been 'helping' her find the perfect outfit for the Winter Dance for the last hour and Kagome had rejected every one.

"Sango it's green! You know I hate that colour!" she said, walking over to her friend. Sango held up a short, pleaded green skirt with a matching white blouse. The blouse had the same colour green trimming along the collar and the bottom of the sleeves. It also came with a bright red tie and Kagome almost gagged.

"Come on Sango! You have better taste than that!"

"I just thought it would look cute on you." Kagome rolled her eyes again.

"I'm not going for cute. I'm going for sexy. I'm gonna show Kikyou that she's not the only one that can look good."

"Right...and the fact that Inuyasha is going to be free at the dance does not have anything to do with it." Kagome blushed.

"How do you even know that he's going to be awake at the dance? He may still be in a coma."

"Trust me, if I know Inuyasha, he won't miss the dance. Or you singing." Kagome blushed again. The principle had asked her to sing a few songs at the dance and she had reluctantly agreed. That was another reason she wanted to look good at the dance. Every person in the club would be looking at her and she wasn't about to give Kikyou another reason to make fun of her.

Suddenly, Kagome felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned around and found herself looking into a pair of bright green eyes. The woman in front of her had long red hair tied up into two pigtails on the top of her head.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help but over hearing. My name's Ayame." She stuck out her hand and Kagome shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kagome and this is my friend Sango." Kagome said, indicating her friend as she walked up beside her. Sango waved and Ayame smiled. Then she led them to the back of the store. She went to a wrack with sale items on and pulled out a black leather outfit.

The outfit consisted of tight leather pants that flared out the bottom and a halter top. But it wasn't a normal halter top; it actually looked more like a bikini top that attached in the front. It tied up behind the neck but there was also another tie in the front that crisscrossed across each part which meant Kagome wouldn't be able to wear a bra with it. Ayame held it up and looked mischievously at Sango.

"Kami-sama! Kagome go try it on right now!" Sango squealed. She shoved the outfit into Kagome's arms and pushed her into a near by change room. Kagome looked at the leather in her hands and blushed. Could she actually wear this? She shook her head began to change. She got to the top part and sighed.

'Curse you Sango, there's no way I'm going to get away with wearing a bra with this top.' She took off her bra and slipped on the top, tying it as tight as she could. Kagome looked at herself in the mirror and her eyes widened in shock. No matter what, she couldn't cover her breasts completely and so a little bit showed in the middle of the top. But that wasn't what had Kagome so shocked.

She didn't look sexy.

She looked fucking sexy!

Kagome could not believe how good she looked. The leather accented every single one of her curves, including her flat stomach. Her pale skin contrasted nicely with the darkness of the leather and the ends of the halter were extremely long and dangled down in front of her stomach. Kagome took the ends and wrapped them around her waist and tied them up behind her back, creating two sideways triangles on her stomach. Kagome continued to look at herself in the full length mirror until Sango yelled at her from outside the changing room.

"Kagome! Get your ass out here now! Or I'll come in there and drag you out here myself and I don't care if you're only half dressed!"

"Hai, hai." Kagome opened the door and stepped out into the store. She looked at the two woman and smirked.

"You know, you're going to catch flies if you don't close your mouths." Both Sango's and Ayame's jaws were hanging wide as they stared at her.

"Sugoi...Kagome if you don't buy that out fit, I'm never letting you near the hospital again." Sango said, with Ayame nodding at her side. Kagome laughed and twirled around in order to show them the entire thing.

"Don't worry Sango, I was going to get it anyway." She turned around and headed back to change back into her regular clothes. But before she closed the door she turned to look back at Ayame.

"Arigatou."

#-#-#

Miroku sat in the chair across fro Inuyasha and watched his friend. It was almost like having a staring contest but the loser was the first person to move. Miroku willed Inuyasha to move and give him a sign he was still in this world but the silver-haired man was still as stone. Miroku sighed and looked out the window.

"This is not the time to be sleeping, Inuyasha," he said, "You have no idea how much this is hurting us, knowing you are here day after day; especially Kagome." Miroku had heard from Sango that Kagome hadn't spent a night at home since she had found him behind the school. And judging how she had passed out on the steps at school showed him how much sleep she was getting.

"It's unbelievable how ignorant you are, Inuyasha." Miroku got up and sat on his bed, "I think everyone except you knows what your beloved Kikyou had been up to. Oh, how Kagome is planning to ruin her social life." He said with a grin. Kagome hadn't actually told either of them what her plan was but Miroku and Sango were going to help her in whatever way they could. Kikyou and her friends had ridiculed all of them throughout the years and enough was enough.

"I hope you realise what we're doing for you," Miroku said, still staring out the window, "Kagome knows the most about you, my friend, and you seem to the only person that doesn't know how she feels about you." He turned around and noticed Inuyasha's jacket lying on the end of his bed. He could see a small bulge in the left pocket.

'Well if I can't go through Kagome's things, I may as well go through yours.' Miroku smiled to himself and picked up the jacket. He pulled the object out of the pocket and threw the jacket back on the bed. He looked at the small, velvet box and leant on the bed for support.

"Kami-sama...Inuyasha you wouldn't..." Miroku was in complete shock as he turned the box over in his hand. His hand shook as he opened it, almost dropping it as the object inside sparkled in the midday light. A small ring lay inside. It consisted of a pale pink pearl surrounded by tiny diamonds in the centre and on either side of the jewelled flower, stood a smaller pearl, the same shade as the one in the middle. It took Miroku a full minute to realise just what he was holding in his hand. He shook his head.

"Well if you ask me, this would suit Kagome much better than Kikyou." He turned to the man lying in the hospital bed, "I think you should have just found a nice piece of coal and put it in a ring band. It could symbolize her heart." Miroku pictured Kikyou's reaction when Inuyasha 'popped the question' and laughed. Then he pictured Kagome's reaction and the laughter died in his throat. She would be devastated!

Miroku cringed and closed the box. He picked up the jacket and put the ring back he found it. Then he walked back to the chair and sat down. He knew that he wouldn't be able to keep the secret about the ring and Inuyasha's intentions for long.

'I just hope Kagome's plan happens fast because if this comes out...' His thoughts trailed off as he gazed at his best friend, 'Inuyasha, what were you thinking?' He sat back in the chair and closed his eyes just as Kagome and Sango opened the door.

"Thanks for taking me shopping Sango." Kagome said with a smile as she opened Inuyasha's door, "I really did need a break." She looked around the room and found Miroku sitting in her chair, in the exact same position Sango had torn her away from.

"Addicting isn't it?" she said, putting her new outfit at the end of the bed. Miroku opened his eyes and blinked a few times before answering.

"Huh? Nani?" He stretched and got up from the chair. Kagome smiled at the violet-eyed man.

"The chair," she said, pointing at it.

"Oh...uh...hai." He said. There was something in his voice but Kagome couldn't put her finger on it. It was almost as if he was hiding something.

"You alright Miroku?"

"Hai, fine." Kagome's gaze lingered for a moment before she shrugged and walked over to Inuyasha.

"Anything?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"Iie." Kagome nodded and turned back to her friends. They were both looking at her with sympathy in their eyes and Kagome smiled.

"I'm fine, just a little tired. Thanks again for taking me out, Sango. I'll talk to you later okay?" Sango nodded.

"Just get some rest, Kagome," she said gently. Sango suddenly noticed the odd colour of her friend's face, "Your face is a little flushed, are you getting a fever or something?" Kagome shook her hands in front of her face.

"Iie, I'm fine. Like you said, I just need some rest," she said, waving them off. She didn't want to worry her and Miroku anymore than she already had. Sango raised an eyebrow at her friend but said nothing. She gave Kagome a quick hug before grabbing Miroku's arm and heading for the door.

"Ja ne Kagome! Get some rest and I'll talk to you later, okay?" Kagome sent Sango a smile. She really appreciated what her friends were doing for her. She brought her hand to her forehead and winced. It had gotten warmer since that morning when Anne had come to check on her. It had had all day to worsen; Kagome looked out the window at the darkness that shaded the world. She hadn't realized how much time had passed when she was with Sango. She felt a little dizzy but merely brushed it off as lack of sleep.

"Anne must have seen Sango and Miroku come into the hospital." Kagome said aloud as she sat down in her chair. "So she must have realised that I wasn't going to be able to eat that soup she promised me. I could really use it now." She buried her head in her arms and tried to stop the pounding in her temples. Maybe she really was sick; she hadn't been sick for a long time so she had thought it was merely a headache or something.

"This is not the time to be getting sick." Kagome scolded herself. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at the peaceful Inuyasha.

#-#-#

He snuck into the hospital unnoticed.

"Now is not the time to be seen," he muttered to himself, as he climbed the stairs. This was they day. This was they day that bitch was going to get what she deserved. He had waited, watched until her friends had left. Then he knew she would be alone. There would be no one to help her...no one to hear her scream.

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?

Leading you down into my core,

Where I've become so numb.

Kikyou had told him which room she would be in, so he didn't have to search for her. He stood outside her door; all he could hear was his own breathing. Then he heard a murmur from inside and smiled.

'This is your time bitch. This is your time...' He thought to himself. He took his dagger out of its holder and kissed the tiger. With one last look down the hallway, he opened the door and walked into his past.

Without a soul,

My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold;

Until you find it there and lead it back home.

Kagome heard the door open behind her and slowly raised her head. She figured it was Anne, bringing her the soup and juice she had promised. A smile tugged at her lips as she turned her head towards the door.

"Thank you for remembering, Anne." Kagome laughed. "I have a headache so if you could—" The laugh died in her throat as she stared at the person in the doorway. Her eyes widened in alarm. Memories came flooding back to her in a whirlwind of pain. The throbbing in her head strengthened and Kagome squeezed her eyes together tightly, trying to focus.

'This can't be real. This can't be real,' she told herself, 'He left...never come back...this can't be real.'

Wake me up, wake me up inside,

Call my name and save me from the dark.

"Konichiwa Higurashi, it has been a while," he sneered, moving towards her. He watched as she clutched her head in pain, as she struggled to her feet, as her hateful gaze wondered over his form.

Bid my blood to run,

Before I come undone.

Save me from the nothing I've become.

"Hojou." Kagome spat out his name as if it was venom on her lips. Her blood boiled as he looked at her with the same lustful expression he had always had.

Now that I know what I'm without

You can't just leave me.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Kagome growled. She held the back of the chair to balance herself. The fever was making it hard for her to focus and she needed all the strength she could get.

"You don't sound please to see me," he smirked, taking a few steps forward. Kagome automatically stepped back.

"No shit."

Breathe into me and make me real;

Bring me to life.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Hojou stepped forward again and a flash of silver caught Kagome's eye. She glanced down and saw what he was holding in his hand. It was a small dagger and it looked extremely sharp. Kagome swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She had just answered her own question. He was going to kill her...and there was no one around to help her.

Wake me up inside,

Wake me up inside.

Call my name and save me from the dark.

Kagome took another step back and felt the wall against her back. She had no where else to go and Hojou was mercilessly advancing. Her eyes darted to Inuyasha, willing him to come to her aid. Hojou noticed and he started to laugh. It made Kagome cringe because it wasn't the carefree laughter she remembered. It was a crazed laugh, like one from a horror movie she had seen on TV.

"You still believe he's going to save you?" he mocked. "I knew you were a dreamer, Higurashi, but that's a little bit much." He took his final step and grabbed her. He threw her to the floor and Kagome felt the wind being knocked out of her. She coughed a few times and tried to get to her feet but Hojou was too fast for her. He grabbed her hair and thrust her into the chair she had been sitting in for the last three weeks.

"Bitch!" he yelled, "Do you have any idea what you and your mutt put me through?!" Hojou went to grab for her again but Kagome rolled underneath the bed and spring to her feet on the other side. Dizziness surrounded her but she kept her balance.

Bid my blood to run,

Before I come undone.

Save me from the nothing I've become.

"Put you through?!" Kagome raged. "Put you through?! You fucking bastard! You're the one who was beating the shit out of me every day of my life since I started going out with you! You have no fucking right to accuse me of anything, you good for nothing son of a bitch!" She picked up stool that Anne had brought in that day and hurled it at him. Hojou barely dodged it and lunged at her from across the bed.

Kagome's fighting instincts flew into high gear and she punched him in the face. However, the fever had taken a lot of her strength so her punch was not as strong as she would have hoped. Hojou smirked and took hold of her arm, yanking her across the bed and onto her back. Kagome lay there dazed for a moment, trying to register what had happened. Then she felt a searing pain in her left leg and screamed.

Hojou had dug his dagger deep into her thigh. Kagome felt him linger before pulling it out and she screamed again. She rolled onto her side, trying to get away from him but he seized that opportunity to stab her in the upper part of her right arm. Kagome kicked him with her good leg and scrambled away from him as best she could. She could feel her warm blood seep down her leg and she clutched her arm in pain.

Bring me to life,

I've been living a lie...there's nothing inside.

Bring me to life.

Kagome glared at her ex-boyfriend with all the hate that was present in her soul. He had ruined her life once; he was not going to do it again. Unfortunately, he had the upper hand right now and Kagome's fever was getting worse. Things flashed in and out of focus and she struggled to stand. She could hear Hojou's laugh in the distance and his footsteps as they came nearer. Kagome barely had time to react as the sandy-haired man seized her bad arm and pressed his thumb into her wound. She cried out in pain and slumped to the floor.

She wouldn't be able to go on much longer if she wasn't able to pull herself together. Kagome closed her eyes tightly, willing her mind to focus. Colours swirled around her and her head throbbed. Then everything was black. Kagome opened her eyed and stared up at Hojou. He was standing over her with a smirk on his face. Kagome opened her mouth to speak but was instead kicked across the floor. She landed with a thud again the wall, right underneath the window.

Kagome didn't even try to get up. What was the point? She was just going to get kicked down again. She managed to pull herself onto her knees, her arms wrapped around her bruised body. She couldn't remember the last time she had been in this much physical pain. Sure, Hojou had beaten her up before, but never this bad. Kagome raised her head to look at the sandy-haired man. He was leaning against the end of Inuyasha's bed, staring at her with a smug smile on his face.

Frozen inside without your touch.

Without your love, darling,

Only you are the life among the dead.

"Enjoying this you worthless bastard?" Kagome spat. Hojou just smirked and raised his knife to his lips. He licked her blood off the silver blade Kagome cringed as he ran his tongue along his upper lip.

"You're disgusting." He started to walk towards her again, an ominous dark figure.

"Sticks and stones, love."

All of this I, I can't believe I couldn't see.

Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me.

Hojou bent down in front of her and Kagome glared at him. She tried to punch him but he easily caught her fist. Kagome cursed her fever; it was getting hard to stay conscious, let alone throw a good punch. Hojou smiled as he forced her hand down. Then he grabbed a chunk of her black hair and pulled her face up to meet his.

"I think you have to be the only girl who has ever fought back," he said with a smirk. Kagome could feel his hot breath on her face and she tried to pull away but he had a firm grip on her hair.

"So sorry to disappoint," she said, sarcasm dripping off her words. Even if he was going to kill her, Kagome was going to go with the last word.

I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems;

Got to open my eyes to everything.

Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to have the last word if she couldn't speak. Hojou had grabbed the back of her head and pulled her into a bruising kiss. Kagome was so shocked that she didn't have time to react. His mouth was pushed hard onto hers and his other hand had taken hold of her good arm. She tried to break free but she just didn't have the strength to fight against him.

Hojou's tongue licked her lips and tried to force itself into her but Kagome kept her mouth shut tightly. She was not bout to let this bastard assault her like this. Since he wasn't paying attention to her right arm, Kagome opened her hand wide and dug her nails into his growing erection. Hojou pulled away with a yell and Kagome could see the pain in his face. She smirked at seeing him in pain. Then he slapped her in the face and looked at her with harsh smile.

"Two can play at that game, Higurashi," Hojou hissed. He grabbed her bad arm and squeezed hard. Kagome screamed in pain and Hojou captured her lips again, shoving his tongue into her mouth. It ran along her teeth and Kagome felt like vomiting. His kiss was no where near passionate and the way he was kissing her bruised her lips. Finally Kagome couldn't take it any more and bit down on his tongue as hard as she could.

Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul,

Don't let me die here, you must accept the fall.

Bring me to life.

"You fucking whore!" Hojou yanked on her hair and banged her head against the wall. "I was trying to give you one more minute of pleasure before I kill you." Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Pleasure? Really? Is that what you were doing?" Kagome said innocently, "I thought you were trying to make me throw up." Hojou scowled and slapped her again. Kagome winced at the impact but didn't make a sound. She wasn't going to let Hojou know how much he was hurting her. No matter how hard it was not to cry, Kagome wasn't going to let him see her tears.

She wanted to get up but her body felt extremely heavy. Her whole head throbbed and burned. Kagome clenched her fists to try and focus but it was no use. She stared at Hojou and smirked. She could tell how mad he was; his emotions were clearly written on his face. That was one of the things Kagome never forgot: how easy it was to read Hojou's feelings. She didn't know if he ever tried to hide them; not much point she guessed.

Kagome was about to throw him another insult when Hojou hit her hard in the stomach. Then he took his dagger and sliced it across her face, leaving a thin line of blood across her cheek.

Wake me up inside,

Wake me up inside.

Call my name and save me from the dark.

Kagome bent over in pain, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't help it. The pain was just too much. She thought she was going to win in the beginning, but her confidence had been beaten into the ground with every blow Hojou had given her.

'This is it.' Kagome thought sadly, closing her eyes. 'This is my time. Gomen mina, I wasn't strong enough.' An image of a man flashed through her mind. He stood tall and regal, his arms open towards her, ready to embrace her. An invisible breeze flowed through his long hair and Kagome felt the pain of longing fill her heart.

Bid my blood to run,

Before I come undone.

Save me from the nothing I've become.

"Inuyasha," she whispered. "Help me." Kagome wrapped her arms around herself tightly, trying to give herself reassurance. Suddenly a maniacal laughter shook her out of her reverie.

"Inuyasha? Inuyasha?!" Hojou shook with laughter. "You really think he's going to suddenly jump off that bed and save you? I think I may need to hit again, just to knock some sense into you."

"Fuck you."

"Maybe after you're dead." Hojou said, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched a shudder go through the raven-haired woman. He was planning to do it anyway. Fuck, she was probably still a virgin; which would make it even more satisfying on his part. No matter how many times he had tried, Hojou had never managed to coax little innocent Kagome into his bed. She had always found some sort of excuse. Either that or Inuyasha had some how shown up to pull her out of his grasp. Hojou was never able to find out how Inuyasha seemed to know whenever Kagome was in trouble. But it didn't matter now. Kagome was finally going to get what she deserved and there was no way Inuyasha or anyone else could stop him.

"Even if Inuyasha did suddenly come to life," Hojou said walking over to Kagome. "I could beat that prick into the ground any day." Kagome trembled as the words left his lips. Her mind was transported back in time and suddenly she was in her old house again. Inuyasha had said those exact same words when he was comforting her. They had made her smile that day and now Hojou was using them against her.

Kagome searched her brain for what Hojou had said that day; she wanted to say them now and throw everything he had said back in his face. But she couldn't remember; she must have been in too much pain at the time. Kagome felt Hojou's shadow engulf her and she knew he was ready to strike. Her mind was numb as she sat there under the window sill, waiting.

Bring me to life

I've been living a lie… There's nothing inside.

"Care to put a wager on that?"

Kagome's heart stopped.

Her eyes flew open and she stared at the figure behind the sinister-eyed man. More tears welled up in her eyes, but Kagome just let them fall freely down her face. He looked like an angel, his silver hair glowing. Her mouth opened to speak but the words got caught up in her throat.

Sweat poured down Kagome's face. Even though her fever had increased, Kagome suddenly felt cold. She shivered but her eyes never left the angelic form that seemed to light up the room. Hojou had frozen in front of her; Kagome could see the look of fear that had overcome his face. She reached her hand up and clutched the edge of the windowsill, hoisting herself up. Blood rushed to her head as she got to her feet, but she didn't let go of the windowsill. Kagome knew that she would not be able to hold herself up without any help.

'Please tell me this isn't a dream,' she thought to herself. 'Please let this be real.' Kagome tasted her salty tears on her lips and was finally able to moisten her dry throat. She swallowed slowly before letting one word pass her lips.

Bring me to life.

"Inuyasha."

#-#-#

Matte – wait

Mina - everyone

a/n: #ducks from sharp and heavy objects# lol aren't I evil? Guess u'll just hafta update in order find out wut happens next… cuz unless I reach at LEAST 350 reviews I AIN'T UPDATING!!! Doncha just hate it wen uthors blackmail u? mwahahahahaha. And OMG like almost EVERYONE guessed who da silver tiger wus lol. Bleh I'm no gude at secret identities lol. And da song I put in at da end is 'Bring me to life' by evanescence. I LUV dat song lol. Review please!

--Sereia