Wounded

"Kagome-Chan."

Karappo opened one eye to see a blurry figure hovering over her. She closed her eye and opened it again. This time, she could see clearly. She saw Rin hovering over her. She closed her eye again when her head began to pound. She tried to roll onto her side but she couldn't. Her entire lower body was numb. As she tried again, she moved her arms and pain like never before. She bared her teeth as she continued to try. Then, she felt two small hands on her right shoulder. She opened her eye to see Rin trying to help her. When she was finally lying on her front, her face away from the sun, Rin began to talk.

"Is Kagome-Chan thirsty?"

Karappo nodded her head. Rin retrieved a container full of fresh water. Rin helped her to drink it.

"Does Kagome-Chan hurt?"

Karappo nodded her head again.

"Rin is sorry."

"Where am I?"

"Kagome-Chan is at SesshoMaru Sama's campsite with Rin!"

"Rin, please don't yell."

"Rin is sorry."

"How did I get here?"

"SesshoMaru Sama brought Kagome-Chan back last night. SesshoMaru Sama said Kagome-Chan was hurt really bad and that Rin and to take care of Kagome-Chan when Kagome-Chan woke up in the morning."

"Where is SesshoMaru?"

"SesshoMaru Sama is hunting for breakfast."

Just as Rin said that, SesshoMaru stepped into the clearing with a large deer over his shoulder. He sat the deer on the ground as Rin ran to him. She latched herself to his leg as he patted her head and asked her if anything happened. She looked up at him with a smile that melt even Naraku's vile heart and said that Kagome-Chan had woken up and was in pain. He looked to the fire pit Jaken had created last night and saw Karappo lying on her front, her head facing him with a look of pure agony. He smirked at her as he grabbed the deer. He began to cut portions for everyone. He handed Rin to pieces, on for her one for Karappo.

"Rin, I want you to mash the meat for Kagome, then mix it with some water, do you understand?"

"Yes, Rin understands SesshoMaru Sama."

Rin grabbed a flat rock and began to pound the meat while eating her own. After the meat was nice, tender and in small pieces, she placed every piece in a container of water and shook it really hard. When she found that the meat and water had mixed together, she went over to Karappo and tried to figure out how to get her to drink it without moving her much since she hurt a lot. SesshoMaru watched with a hawk's eye as Rin tried to feed the painfully immobile Karappo.

"SesshoMaru Sama?"

"Yes Rin?"

"Rin can't get Kagome-Chan to drink Kagome-Chan's breakfast."

SesshoMaru watched as Rin continued to struggle. Every time she thought she had it figured out, Karappo would yelp in pain. He smirked as Rin tried again. Rin was a smart girl, she could figure it out and if she didn't, he would step in and help. He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a cat like scream. He looked to see that Rin had accidentally stepped on Karappo's tail and Karappo's face contorted in pain as tears fell down. It was then he decided to help Rin, he did think Karappo could handle anymore pain.

"Rin, you need to be careful."

"Rin is sorry SesshoMaru Sama."

"You shouldn't say sorry to me, you should say it to Kagome."

"Rin is Sorry Kagome-Chan."

The only response Rin got was a whimper of pain.

"I'll help you Rin."

"Arigato SesshoMaru Sama! Rin doesn't want to hurt Kagome-Chan anymore."

SesshoMaru wrapped his arm around Karappo's waist while he wrapped his tail around her shoulders. Then, very slowly, he lifted her up and sat her down. He put his arm behind her when she nearly fell backwards. Rin then handed her the cup. She grabbed it with a shacking hand so Rin helped. After she had drank all of the meat water, she felt better. She could move her upper body without pain but her legs were still numb, though the feeling would return soon.

Rin talked to Karappo non stop until SesshoMaru decided they should move if the were to stay on Naraku's trail. SesshoMaru picked Karappo up and placed her on AhUn's saddle with Rin. Once she was settled, SesshoMaru began walking. Jaken grumbled as he pulled AhUn's reigns and followed his lord. As they traveled, a familiar scent filled the air.

"Inuyasha."

SesshoMaru growled at the scent, knowing they were about to run in with the stupid child. Karappo, on the other hand, was some what excited. She knew that Shippo was with Inuyasha and she wanted to see him. When the Inu gang was in sight, SesshoMaru was ready to draw the Tokijin but Karappo stopped him. When Inuyasha drew the Tesusaiga, the rest stood in shock. SesshoMaru had not drawn his sword and Karappo was alive. The gang had stopped by the hot springs and found it filled with her blood, they had assumed that she had died.

Karappo smirked when she saw the shocked faces. She began to shift her weight as she tried to get off of AhUn. Rin grabbed her arm as she lowered herself to the ground. At first, she couldn't stand without having to hold onto AhUn and Rin. Then, the feeling returned to her legs and she began to wobble towards the group. Then, a large orange fur ball launched from behind Sango and collided with Karappo, causing her to fall to her knees next to Jaken. Karappo hugged the fur ball as she climbed back onto AhUn's saddle. Rin screamed with excitement at seeing Shippo.

SesshoMaru merely looked at his little brother before turning and leaving. Jaken followed, pulling AhUn along with Rin, Shippo and Karappo. As they went by, Karappo smiled at Miroku and Sango. When they smiled back, she continued to listen to the two teens talk. They traveled for the rest of the day. When night fell, they set camp. Shippo helping his still weak foster mother get settled. Rin got fire wood while Jaken tried to start one without setting himself on fire. Of course, he failed. Everyone laughed as he ran around screaming 'I'm on fire!' SesshoMaru scouted the area to make sure it was safe. Once the fire went out and everyone went to sleep.