Hospital Care

Villagers from the nearby town found Kagome, Inu-Yasha, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippo. They had been moved into the town but after more than a week Kirara and Shippo were the only ones to regain consciousness.

Inu-Yasha's condition worried Shippo. Somehow he had been purified and he wasn't regaining his demonic powers. The villagers had been keeping a closer eye on Inu-Yasha and Kagome, since when they were found the villagers weren't sure if the two humans were alive or not. Kagome's spirit energy had taken quite the beating and Inu-Yasha's throat was practically crushed so he was having a hard-time even drawing breath. The villagers also couldn't figure out why the demon slayer and the monk hadn't regained consciousness; they weren't that badly hurt.

A week later Shippo and Kirara had been to Kiada's village and returned with her. Kiada didn't understand how Inu-Yasha and Kagome had survived. She also didn't understand how Sango and Miroku were still unconscious. Kiada's healing abilities could not do anything for the group now so Kiada was just there to keep an eye on them.

Sango woke up the day after Kiada had arrived in the village. Sango was sore but she was more worried about Miroku. His kazana had been growing out of control when he was knocked out. She was amazed that they were both alive. In all her relief, she started wonder where Kagome and Inu-Yasha had run off to.

Kiada showed Sango to the room where Kagome and Inu-Yasha slept. Kagome and Inu-Yasha had been separated from the other two because they needed more care. They lay on opposite sides of the room on identical beds. Kagome and Inu-Yasha lay neatly tucked beneath warm blankets. Kagome's injuries were minor; it was only her spirit that had been drained. Inu-Yasha lay wheezing for air since his badly bruised neck had swollen.

Sango looked to Inu-Yasha first. The ever so proud half-demon was dying of a small injury. Sango then turned her attention to Kagome. Kagome appeared to be fine in deep sleep so Sango decided to wake her up.

Sango moved back to the area where she and Miroku were being cared for. When she entered she noticed the womanizing monk flirting with the three women who'd been caring for them. She shot him a death look before rummaging through her things. Miroku ceased his activities.

"How's Kagome and Inu-Yasha?" Miroku spoke up.

"You'd better come see for yourself." Sango answered him pulling a small container from her things.

Miroku followed Sango into the back room where the two lay.

Miroku moved his hand over Kagome's face. "Her energy has been drained." He concluded moving his hand down toward her chest. His eyes widened as he stared at her. Miroku quickly regained his composure.

Sango gave Miroku a "no shit" look then knelt down beside Kagome's body and lifted the container just under her nose. Kagome squinted her eyes several times before opening them. The room around her remained unfocused and she retained her pale complexion but at least she was awake. "Inu-Yasha…" She uttered weakly.

Sango and Miroku exchanged glances. They weren't sure if she could handle the truth …at least not in this condition.

Kagome moaned before calling his name louder.

Sango and Miroku knew if she kept this up something would happen and it wouldn't have a happy outcome. "Kagome," Sango started, "Inu-Yasha has been hurt."

A rush of energy shot through Kagome. Inu-Yasha would always be by her side especially if she were hurt. "Inu-Yasha!" She yelled at Sango while sitting up.

"Kagome you need your rest." Sango insisted.

Kagome's eyes widened as she laid them on Inu-Yasha's body.

Inu-Yasha may have been on the other side of the room but Kagome could make out his features. His black hair lay matted against his pale face. Every breath he took was labored and shallow that much she could hear. Tears streamed down her cheeks as her mouth fell open.

Sango didn't even try to hide Inu-Yasha's injuries from her. "I'm sorry Kagome…There's nothing…nothing we can do."

Kagome's tears suddenly stopped. Her eyes became cold and determined. "Maybe nothing you can do…" Kagome never finished.

"Kirara! Take me home." Kagome requested in a barely audible voice.

Sango was unsure by the sadness in Kagome's eyes if she was going home to run away or going home to find something that would help.

Kagome took off. 'What if' thoughts played over and over in her head. She needed to bring him to her time but getting him into a hospital would be out of the question. And what if he woke up? What if he turned back into a hanyou while there? What if she couldn't get the supplies he needed? What would she do if he… She immediately shook the thought from her head. She would help Inu-Yasha; she had to.

Sango and Miroku watched as Inu-Yasha continued to only get worse.

Hurry Kagome. Sango thought, she forcing herself to leave Inu-Yasha's chambers.

Miroku stayed at Sango's side. He knew she needed him there.

"You okay Sango?" Miroku asked.

Sango tried to hide her doubts but Miroku picked up on them.

"He'll be okay Sango. You'll see."

Sang buried her face in his robes. "I hope you're right, Miroku."

Kagome jumped in and out of the well several times. She concluded that she had been in her time for far too long. Getting the supplies she needed was tough; she was glad her teacher had helped her. She just hoped Inu-Yasha was still doing alright.

"Kirara!" Kagome called tossing the supplies from the well.

Kirara had been asleep next to the well waiting for Kagome to return.

Kagome grabbed everything hopping upon Kirara's back. "Go Kirara!" Kagome commanded breathlessly.

Kirara flew as fast as she could.

Kagome was actually impressed that Kirara could fly like that. She's only seen Kirara in battle with Sango; this was something else.

Before long Kirara landed outside the hut, but Kagome hadn't waited for Kirara to stop; she was too worried about Inu-Yasha.

Kagome flew through the door herself. She slid to a stop at Inu-Yasha's side. He looked even worse than when she had left.

Tears filled her eyes as she looked at her beaten friend. He looked dead.

"Oh Inu-Yasha." Kagome stated as her tears fell upon his face.

Inu-Yasha opened his eyes moved his head. His demon features returned to his face. He gasp for air then lie his head back down upon the bed.

Kagome brushed her hand against his pale face as he continued to gasp for air then passed out. Kagome watched helplessly as he seemed to slip away for her. "Inu-Yasha… no…"

Miroku happened to lead Sango into the room at the time.

Kagome fell to her knees at Inu-Yasha's side.

"He can't breathe." Miroku observed quickly moving to his side.

"Let's make him more comfortable." Sango stated moving Inu-Yasha back to the position he was in before.

Miroku knelt down beside Sango pushing Kagome back out of the way.

Kagome felt withdrawn listening to Miroku and Sango talk about Inu-Yasha.

"The problem is we can't open his windpipe for him." Sango said.

Sango's comment gave Kagome an idea…one so crazy it just might work. She ran to her stuff brought it all in the room before dumping her belongings onto the floor. Sango and Miroku glanced at Kagome as she sifted through the things on the floor. Kagome grabbed a small yet long plastic tube.

"Move!" She commanded them.

They were unsure what she was up to but decided to trust her anyway.

Kagome placed one hand on Inu-Yasha's forehead and the other just under his chin. She used the position of her hands to tilt Inu-Yasha's head back. Though he was breathing a little easier, his throat was still swelling from the battle. Kagome pried Inu-Yasha's mouth open and shoved the tube down his throat.

"Kagome!" Sango yelled surprised.

"What are you doing?" Miroku finished Sango's thought.

"Inu-Yasha's neck was crushed by Naraku…right?"

"Well yeah but…"

"But nothing. In any form, Inu-Yasha needs air to survive. Even though his demon powers have returned, his strength has not."

"What does the tube have to do with anything?" Sango asked.

Miroku spoke before Kagome had the chance to. "Oh I get. The tube will allow air to pass through his windpipe and no amount of swelling will be able to crush the tube right?"

"Mmm" Kagome agreed with a nod.

Kagome then asked "Shippo… Will you find me…?" which lead to Shippo searching for random things that were scattered amongst her dumped belongings.

Once completed with her tasks, Inu-Yasha was breathing fine with a neck brace around his neck to ensure he didn't further injure himself, straps holding him down to the bed, his mouth pried open by a clamp which held his tongue out of his mouth as well as the tube that reached down his throat, and an IV in his arm that was rehydrating his body. Kagome then knelt down next to his bed in a comfortable position placing her hand in his.

Shippo peered over her shoulder. "Inu-Yasha looks funny with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, almost like a dead dog."

Kagome glared at Shippo.

Shippo jumped on Miroku's shoulder then hid behind him.

Kagome placed her head on Inu-Yasha's bed next to his arm before falling asleep.

Sango and Miroku picked up Kagome's scattered belongings before retreating to the other room.

Kiada looked at them a bit puzzled.

"Kagome's with Inu-Yasha." Sango stated leaning against the wall. Miroku slid down the wall to a comfy position where Sango joined him. Kirara jumped in her lap and Shippo curled up in Miroku's.

Kagome's dreams consisted of flashbacks from the day.

She raced to her side of the well, threw the door open to her home, and yelled for her mother. "Momma!" She yelled with all her voice had to offer. It was weak, but effective. Her mother had been in the other room at the time.

"It's about time you came back; it's been almost three weeks. What's wrong? Why are you so pale?"

Kagome had used all her energy to get there but somehow needed to draw enough energy to get back. "Momma… I need …your help. Inu-Yasha's …been hurt." She spoke between her breaths.

"Where has he been hurt?" Her mother asked brushing her fingers through her daughter's hair.

Kagome placed her hand to her neck as she continued to pant.

"I see" Her mother stated turning around. "From your pale color, I'll assume his injury is bad. I'll have some things ready for you in an hour or so."

Kagome nodded with a smile before racing off to find her teacher. He had offered his help; it was time he followed through.

The sun was up…school would be in session. She raced off to the school.

She burst into the classroom door just as Inu-Yasha would have if she'd been captured.

Everyone in the class stared at her.

She froze.

Her petrified stance didn't last for long. The teacher looked at her pale complexion. "Kagome?" He asked unsure he wanted an answer.

"Can I speak with you?" Kagome asked a bit out of breath. She was less winded now than when she had first arrived at her house.

"I'm in the middle of class Kagome…Can it wait?"

Her eyes widened as she shook her head in a spooked manner.

Somehow he knew this was about her 'little' secret and she needed his help. He nodded his head and motioned her back out the door. "…In the hall."

Once in the hall, he asked "What is it Kagome?" That was when she lost it.

A stream of tears flowed from each eye as she clutched onto his shirt.

"Kagome, tears won't solve anything. Stop crying and tell me what's wrong."

Stop crying. That's what Inu-Yasha had always told her. She took a deep breath before asking for help. "Inu-Yasha's been hurt. I need help." She started crying again. "I don't know where else to go."

"Kagome let's go someplace more private, shall we?"

Kagome followed him silently.

They ended up in the nurse's office.

At first Kagome didn't want to say anything; she didn't trust the school nurse.

"Kagome, you wanted my help so that means you have to talk to me…you have to talk to us."

She really didn't want to say anything in front of the nurse, but she knew she was running out of time. "Inu-Yasha and I and …'our friends' were in a …'battle' with a de… an 'evil person.' The evil person tried to kill Inu-Yasha."

"How Kagome?"

"He …tried to crush Inu-Yasha's neck." She made the moment of strangulation as she diverted her gaze from the nurse.

"Then why not bring him here?" The school nurse added in.

"I'd prefer not to move him." Kagome snapped with her stubborn streak on full alert. "…please" She pleaded with her teacher.

Her eyes suddenly flared with raged disappointment. "You said you wanted to help… You offered your kindness. I trusted you. Inu-Yasha trusted you. …And now …you're going let him die?" Kagome's eyes turned cold as she stood up to leave glancing back over her shoulder one last time.

Inu-Yasha had told her that her teacher couldn't be trusted. Kagome had insisted that people are trustworthy if given the chance. She argued for her teacher and he'd let her down.

"Kagome, Wait."

Kagome stopped. She glared over her shoulder.

"Come…sit…" The nurse commanded her.

Kagome turned around but did not reenter the office.

"How long has he been in this condition?"

"Two weeks" Kagome answered honestly.

"And why haven't you come sooner?"

Kagome didn't want to tell her she'd been too weak to come through the well but she really didn't have any other choice. "I was …knocked out as well." Kagome answered under her breath.

This sparked her teacher's concern. "When did you wake up?"

Kagome diverted her eyes. Her rosy coloration was coming back into her ghostly face.

"I see." said her teacher; he was surprised that her secret life was so dangerous.

"You must help me." She pleaded again.

He nodded at the nurse.

"I'll show you to use this stuff." She pulled various items out of the closet and drawer.

She told Kagome what they were and what they were used for. Kagome nodded showing her understanding.

After about an hour and half, Kagome was sprinting out of the school with a bag of supplies.

"Kagome…" Her friends stopped her in the hall.

There was no escape from them.

"Kagome… You look ill."

"Yes…Ill…cough …Very Ill…I must get home right away."

"What's in the bag?" Another inquired.

"Uh…Medicine" Kagome spoke trying to back away.

"Since when is a neck brace medicine?"

"Inu-Yasha's been hurt. I have to go." Tears started to run down her face. "Please…I have to go."

Her friends backed down allowing her fly past them.

'Hold on Inu-Yasha' she thought 'I'm coming just hold on.' She flew into her house grabbed her pack and flew out the door again. She flew through the well. In her mind she'd spent way too much time on her side of the well. She'd only been gone for close to two hours. Kirara was waiting for her to return and quickly guided her back to Inu-Yasha's side. She was thankful she hadn't been too late.

The image of Inu-Yasha slipping away from her replayed over and over in her mind: first his pale complexion, then his eyes fluttered open sparking her relief, next he gasped for air, and finally his eyes rolled back in his head and he lost consciousness.

"Kagome…"

Kagome jumped.

A hand rested upon her shoulder. "Easy Kagome." Miroku's voice followed. "Why don't you come eat?"

Kagome shook her head. "I want to be here when Inu-Yasha wakes up."

"Just come out to the main room and eat with us then you can return."

Kagome looked at Miroku with a stubborn glare.

"Shippo misses you…" He taunted.

Kagome's eyes softened. She hadn't spent much time with Shippo since the battle. She missed him too. "Okay." She agreed weakly.

She stood up and followed Miroku into the main room.

"Kagome!" Shippo yelled racing across the room and leaping into her arms.

Shippo latched onto Kagome and stayed there. Kagome smiled at his affection.

"Good to see you well." Kiada spoke.

"Here" Sango stated handing Kagome a bowl of soup.

Kagome sat on the floor with the soup and Shippo curled in her lap.

Sango and Miroku tried to make conversation in order to get Kagome's mind off of Inu-Yasha's condition, but it was hard and eventually they gave up. Kagome ate in silence while Kiada crushed herbs to make a new medicine.

Crash. Slam.

Kagome jumped up dropping the bowl of soup onto the floor. Shippo leapt out of Kagome's reach and into Sango's arms. Kagome raced back to the back room closely followed by Miroku. The others trailed behind.

"Inu-Yasha" Kagome exclaimed bursting into the room.

Inu-Yasha was standing in the middle of the room frantically destroying everything around him. Inu-Yasha froze at her call then took a brief moment to look her over.

"Looks like you have a healthy dog-demon on your hands." Miroku commented leaning against the wall.

Inu-Yasha glared at the conceited monk.

The others crept in the doorway. Inu-Yasha proceeded to pull at the IV in his arm.

"Please Inu-Yasha" Kagome pleaded. "Leave it and Lie back down."

Inu-Yasha tried to growl at her but realized he couldn't with the tube down his throat so he tried to pull it out.

"Inu-Yasha…" Kagome pleaded with him. "Fine have it your way. Sit."

Inu-Yasha fell to the floor. When he hit the floor he was angry, but his anger faded when Kagome lie herself down on the floor next to him. She looks exhausted. Inu-Yasha thought. He lay paralyzed as he stared into Kagome's entrancing eyes. He watched them flutter open and shut. It wasn't long till she lost consciousness and only then did he realize that the sit had worn off. He opened his mouth then shut it. He had tried to call to her, but no sound came out. He lifted himself to all fours then moved closer to her. He then brushed one hand across her face moving her soft hair from her fragile face. He noticed that her breathing was slow; yet, normal. He exhaled. She was asleep.

"Poor Kagome." Miroku threw in his two cents. "She's been running around everywhere. She must be exhausted."

Inu-Yasha picked up Kagome's frail body. She moaned innocently as Inu-Yasha shifted her weight in his arms. His eyes softened at her soft objections.

Miroku decided that his presence was no longer needed and snuck out of the doorway pushing the others out as well. He closed the door almost all the way and peered in through the opening. Sango, Kirara, and Shippo joined him in spying on the two; after all, the two would never tell them what happened and they really wanted to know.

Inu-Yasha walked over to the bed where he had been lying; it was about the only thing he hadn't destroyed. Kagome reached her outside hand up to his robe and clutched it gently. In response Inu-Yasha lay her carefully on the bed.

Inu-Yasha knelt down next to her. He looked at her doll-like form. She was so perfect and he was…well, he was a warrior and a beaten one at that. He swallowed down his self-doubts. When he swallowed was when he realized that the tube was still in his throat. He lowered himself onto all fours before attempting to remove the tube.

The others pressed themselves harder into the doorway. They weren't sure if they should interrupt Inu-Yasha.

Inu-Yasha reached his hand up to mouth and grabbed onto the tube with his claws. Pulling on the tube, Inu-Yasha felt the tube rip at the inside of his throat. His throat had swollen around the tube so much that his throat had lost all its lubricant and the friction rubbed at his already raw throat. Removing it hurt…a lot. Inu-Yasha cringed and curled on the floor, but he was determined to get it out. Inu-Yasha finally managed to remove the tube; tossing it carelessly to the side, he began to cough. Blood splattered the floor.

Coughing as though he had a hairball Inu-Yasha replaced his hand on the floor and began to sway back and forth uneasy. Miroku started to move forward but Sango's sympathetic hand on his shoulder held him back. It was hard to stand back and watch Inu-Yasha struggle against his own natural being.

Inu-Yasha suppressed the cough to his best ability and climbed up into the bed next to Kagome. He wanted to be near her while he was unconscious. He curled up with his head next to her hair. Kagome rolled over closer to Inu-Yasha. Then she curled up against his chest. He smiled inwardly. She was just as infatuated by his presence as he was with hers.

Miroku noticed Inu-Yasha's shocked and surprised mouth. Obviously he hadn't expected Kagome to cuddle with him. After Inu-Yasha's momentary surprise, Inu-Yasha lowered his head to the bed and fell asleep. Miroku and Sango stared at Inu-Yasha and Kagome until they were sure that they were both fast asleep then they snuck away to the main area.