In Memory

Chapter Four: Reverie

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi.

"She'll have a hard time coming to terms with the death," the doctor who was currently taking care of Kagome said. Mrs. Higurashi couldn't help but notice how much emotion this man seemed to lack. He didn't even look sorry, though she could hardly blame him. This was probably just another everyday occurrence. People died, get on with it. Get paid.

She shuddered. This was exactly why she had become a seamstress. The only human drama she had to deal with on a daily basis was the rare ripped hem or missing button.

"We'll be taking Kagome off most of the sedatives and painkillers so she may be more alert and capable to take the news in a few days. Your daughter has recovered amazingly well for all she had been through. I'm expecting her to be released some time next week." He said in his same tired voice. It had been a long night in the E.R. for the doctor. More patients then ever.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded at the doctor, speechless. The happiness she felt at hearing the good news about Kagome couldn't do much to ease the pain in her heart when she thought of Inuyasha.

Kagome awoke yet the unbearable sensation of falling wasn't wearing off. She had a nightmare of something that had seemed so terrible. Now that she was in a bright hospital room her fears, whatever they had been, seemed rather silly. She shifted uncomfortably on the hard bed and looked up to see an elderly nurse standing by her bed. Kagome couldn't help but jump. Sure, the woman looked friendly enough, but Kagome hadn't heard her approaching. The nurse set a tray of food by her bed.

"It's good to see you awake. I hope you are feeling better." She spoke, and her eyes crinkled in the corners when she smiled. She was one of those grandmotherly folks that could make anyone feel at home. Kagome managed a smile, but couldn't find the words to describe how she felt.

"I see child. You are the girl who lost a good friend in that tragic accident, be ye not? You don't need to answer."

The woman continued to set up Kagome's lunch tray, pausing once to gaze into her eyes.

"It's hard, losing someone. Especially in a way like that. I lost my sister once, a long time ago. I was only a young girl, but she was about your age. Looked exactly like you too." The nurse smiled again, though her smile missed it's mark. Kagome could tell the smile was not intended for her.

"It's… really hard to understand… that I'll never see him again…"Kagome choked. The woman nodded, placing a wrinkled hand on her shoulder.

"Yes it is. I've been in this hospital many a year and the losses don't end. In the end, many of the workers here become numb to the pain all others are experiencing. It just becomes their job. I don't see how I could ever stop mourning for all the victims, people we couldn't save. Every day it seems that someone's life is changed or ended because of a stupid mistake, accident, or their days have expired. It's really sad. I guess the only reason I'm here still is that more often then not we can save a life or two. It really makes my day." The elderly woman sighed, and looked at the lunch she had brought Kagome. Kagome couldn't help but feel guilty when the woman mentioned mistakes.

'Inuyasha shouldn't have given me his seatbelt…'

"If you ever need anything while you're here don't hesitate to call for me. My name is Kaede." She almost whispered, a faint smile sketched across her ancient lips.

"I'm Kagome." She said as Kaede turned and started walking towards the door. With a final wave, Kaede left Kagome to her small lunch which she could only pick at.

Later that morning her mother came in, her eyes swollen and red and a fake smile stretched across her face. They sat in silence, neither of them wanting to say anything or even having anything to say for that matter. Mother looked so different now, so much older. Her eyes were dull grey instead of the lively hazel that used to sparkle with happiness. Her once radiant hair now hung limply and she had dark bags under her eyes. It was almost as if she could feel her mother aging, and finally crumbling away to the end that all humans are destined to: death. She felt a chill run up her spine, and suddenly the silence felt awkward, wrong, and painful to her.

"Mother… do you think Inuyasha felt any pain?" She asked suddenly, and instantly wished she could take it back. Her mother's eyes flashed with pain and she swallowed painfully.

"Honey… I don't know. I do know that he loves you, wherever he is. Don't try to dwell on it." She whispered in a soothing, motherly voice. She stroked her daughter's hair, trying her best to avoid looking at her daughter's black eye or the bandages on her legs. She got up, excusing herself, and turned out of the hospital room, the sounds of her sobs biting at Kagome's heart. She lay awake listening to the monotonous ticking of a clock and wondering when her sleeping medication would arrive. It never did, so she finally slipped into a light sleep, trying her best to battle the demons that the darkened hospital room had brought.

Her sleep wasn't the dreamless sleep of whatever the medication induced. Lurid thoughts of Inuyasha, death, and many other things ran through her head, blurring her sense of reality with her imagination. When she awoke, a hazy sunrise was filling her room, bouncing of the aluminum blinds and scattering rays of sunlight across the ceiling. Kaede stood next to her bed, but instead of being surprised by her appearance from seemingly nowhere Kagome was somewhat calmed.

"Good morning child, I hope you slept well." She said in her slow steady manner of speaking. Kagome, with the fresh dream still bouncing around in her skull, shuddered involuntarily.

"I dreamt of Inuyasha…" She whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the hospital. A siren suddenly blared to life, causing her to jump and glance fearfully at Kaede. Kagome blushed, feeling silly, trying to calm her racing heart.

"Inuyasha loves you, child. I know not how many times you have heard that, though I think it would be safe to assume that it is what everyone is saying. Take it to be true, child. Do not doubt it, or fear it. Inuyasha will watch over you, until one day you can join him in heaven, in limbo, in paradise… whatever you want to call it."

Though what Kaede had said was what everyone else: doctors, friends and relatives were telling her it sounded different from Kaede. The small hairs prickled on her back of her neck and a chill ran up her spine. She was too stunned to reply, or to even say goodbye as Kaede turned and walked through the door, but just before she left she paused in the doorway.

"I don't think you need me anymore. Inuyasha's love saved your life, don't you ever forget it. Goodbye, Kagome."

With a turn of the doorknob Kaede was gone. Kagome could hear the sounds of her white keds squeaking in the waxed halls of the hospital.

A.n: I've finished this story, but it's all written in a notebook. I'll type it up sooner if I get more reviews! There are three chapters left entitled Seraph, Scattered, and Healing. Sorry it took so long. I've been busy with my cabin, soccer (OUR TEAM IS GOING TO STATE!), and the 6th Harry Potter book. I'm done with it now, so yeah. It's awesome. I cried. I'm such a dork.

Preview of chapter 5, Seraph:

Inuyasha's parents had come to see her. She almost wanted to shout at them to go away, that she wasn't ready for this, that she couldn't take it. Kagome knew that she couldn't, and wouldn't though. They hadn't just lost a boyfriend. They'd lost a son.

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