"The End to the Feudal Fairy Tale"

Chapter 9

Author's Notes: Hey, I still have readers! HOORAY! Okay, once again, thanks to all of you who take a few moments to review, I am eternally grateful. I think I'm going to go back and edit my early chapters to fix the missing scene break lines that I hadn't figured out how to put in at the time. A lot of my formatting gets overridden in this crazy site. And relax; there will be more fluff and happy stuff later…

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, why not? He's really expensive to keep, and kind of illegal too. All characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. This story is mine though, so please respect it.

"Just a few minor preparations." He nodded and Kanna disappeared. He was long overdue for his time of weakness, but he would only become stronger. After all, what better time is there to increase power then while your enemies are helpless to stop you? Naraku allowed his body what it demanded. He laughed. "Once the jewel is complete, I will be able to become a complete demon! No longer will Onigumo have a grip on me! Then, I will make everyone suffer."

vvvvvvvvvv

Kaede set the pillow on the futon stretched across the floor. Sighing deeply, she paced over to her shelves. "Let us see now-" she reached down to find a poultice for cleaning wounds. Kaede felt it was better to be prepared than to have another near death visit from Kagome and her friends. Setting the jar down near the futon, Kaede went reluctantly to the door. She had a bad feeling when Sango and Miroku went to fetch Inuyasha. That fire had started so suddenly and without natural cause, she knew that someone terrible had to be behind it.

Stepping towards the door, Kaede flipped it aside and looked for signs of the battle's end. A light cloud of smoke drifted lazily into the sky where the fire had roared only an hour before. "They should be back any time now." Kaede turned. "What be this?" she noticed two dots in the sky, heading in her direction. Rubbing her eyes to clear away illusion, Kaede stared once more. "Kirara?" she mumbled finally able to distinctly see the fire cat. "And that must be-"

"Kaede-sama!" Miroku yelled.

Kaede stepped out from her hut and waited for her companions to arrive. Where was Inuyasha and why would Miroku be riding with Shippo, unless- She stilled her mind. Someone had to be injured and it was probably Inuyasha. "The fool is very reckless." Kaede whispered to herself.

Sango steered Kirara to the ground, landing slowly so Kouga wouldn't fall off. Upon landing, she leapt from her seat to aid Shippo who was sweating profusely under the effort. Kaede blinked when she saw the two injured demons. "So the both of them be injured?" she approached Kouga first. "This is not good. Shippo-chan?" the fox returned to his normal form breathing heavily. Sango and Miroku now supported Inuyasha with their shoulders.

"Huh?" he huffed.

"Please come inside and help me prepare a second futon. You two-" she nodded to Miroku and Sango. "Bring Inuyasha inside."

They replied with a stiff nod and began stepping carefully into the hut. Inside, Shippo rolled out the spare futon and wiped his brow. "Are they gonna be okay, Kaede?" he asked.

"We shall see young one. Their wounds are very severe." Kaede's eyes wandered across the unconscious bodies on her floor. There were deep slashes all over Inuyasha. It looked like a few of his ribs were either broken or badly bruised. His left leg didn't look very good either. Kaede wasn't surprised, these were simple injuries that needed cleaned and a few bones that required setting. He would yell and curse when he woke, but Inuyasha would surely survive.

"Kaede-sama-" Sango breathed hard, sitting near Kouga. "They were injured fighting Kagura and Mouryoumaru, Kouga was almost dead when we picked him up." She stared up into the old woman's hazy eyes. "Will they be alright?"

"Easy child." She moved nearer to Kouga's body. "This be no time to lose focus. Please get me some clean water and a cloth." Sango seemed to relax a little. She stood slowly and grabbed the bucket from its place by the door.

"What can I do to help?" Shippo tugged lightly at her pants, his tiny fingers shaking.

She put on a small smile, "When Sango returns with the water, ye will need to boil some." Shippo released his grip and raced out the door.

"Sango! Wait for me!"

Miroku sat quietly in the corner, observing. Inuyasha's wounds were nothing terribly serious. At least they weren't anything that he hadn't survived before. It often befuddled him just how durable Inuyasha was, especially considering he was only half demon. Reality pulled him out of his musings as Miroku assessed Kouga's injuries. His legs were both broken and cut deeply where the jewel shards had been removed. There were many scratches and burns across his arms and chest, but the worst part was his back. Something was out of place. Miroku guessed it had happened when Kouga was slammed into the cliff. He shuddered slightly. Kaede appeared to be making the same assessment. She shook her head.

"Miroku-sama, ye will need to assist me." Kaede squatted and placed two fingers at Kouga's pulse point on his neck. She closed her eyes and listened. It was faint, but present. This man was still alive. "Quickly! Bring me the salve on the third shelf!" she commanded.

Miroku found his feet moving before his mind registered the command. He did as he was told and handed the odd looking bottle to Kaede. "Help me to turn him on his stomach." She set the bottle down at her feet.

"Ah-" he moved to Kouga's side and held him firmly by the shoulder and hip.

"On my word-" Kaede prepared to roll him over, "Now."

Sango entered the hut with a bucket of water and immediately blanched. Miroku and Kaede were standing over Kouga, now lying on his stomach. She had the presence of mind to set down the bucket before gasping and dropping to her knees. Shippo rushed to her shoulder in order to see, but Sango held him back. "W-what?" she stuttered.

Kouga's back was entirely bruised. Small cuts littered his shoulder blades, while a deeper one adorned the middle of his back. The worst part was the lump near the deep cut. It was as if someone had tucked a large fruit under his skin. This was truly bad.

"What are ye waiting for child? Bring me the water!" Kaede snapped Sango back to reality.

"Y-yes." She complied, slowly walking the bucket to Kaede and Miroku.

"Now. Please get a cloth and clean Inuyasha's wounds."

Sango nodded and Shippo ran to grab a cloth. He meekly deposited it in Sango's open hand and she set about cleaning Inuyasha's wounds.

"Where be Kagome?" Kaede asked as she rubbed the salve into the lump on Kouga's back.

"She went through the well." Miroku answered.

"Very well, we shall make do. Now Miroku-" she pushed into the lower part of Kouga's spine. "Please do as I do and push on that spot there." Kaede indicated another point on his back.

Miroku nodded mutely. When they pushed, there was a sickening crack that made everyone except Kaede cringe. She instead turned Kouga's head so that she could see if he was waking. His teeth gritted and his face squinted, but he did not wake. Kaede sighed, relieved. The salve had helped. He couldn't feel all of the pain, but if he had survived setting his spine into place then surely the wolf prince would live as well.

They worked through the night with few words. Kaede occasionally spoke to give instruction. Even Shippo had been quiet, falling asleep soon after they began working. By morning, everyone was exhausted. Giving her assurance that both would survive, Kaede leaned back against the wall and drifted into sleep. Sango and Miroku soon passed out as well. Sango didn't even seem to notice that she'd fallen asleep leaning against Miroku's shoulder. Miroku had been so tired that he didn't try to grope her when she did. For now, the danger had passed.

vvvvvvvvvv

"Pencils down!"

Kagome bubbled in her last answer and let her face fall to the desk. Yuka stared at her friend, a worried expression on her face. She knew that Kagome hated math, but surely the test hadn't been that bad. Maybe something else was wrong with her, like another illness, or maybe that two-timing boyfriend of hers was up to something again. Yuka handed her test to the teacher and resolved that she'd find out just what was wrong with Kagome, whether she wanted to talk about it or not.

The bell rang and Kagome still had her head against the desk. She'd been up all night cramming because her grandfather suckered her into shrine duties the day before. It was during those times that she wished Inuyasha would come and carry her off to the Feudal era. At least there was only one day of testing left. She picked up her head and sighed. Then there'd be no convincing Inuyasha to let her come home. Kagome furrowed her brow. But what if he wanted her to stay in her time. This last time, he'd asked her to go home. Then he'd- She blushed slightly.

Yuka stared in confusion. It looked like Kagome was arguing with herself. At first she'd frowned, then sighed. Yuka watched as her expression changed to one of annoyance, then confusion, followed by sadness, then she blushed. Something very strange indeed was going on in that girl's head. Maybe she really was sick. "Kagome-chan?"

Kagome was visualizing Inuyasha yelling at her, it even sounded like he was yelling her name. Although, she mused, when did his voice sound so high pitched and feminine. Wait, feminine? That stopped her train of thought cold. She laughed so hard that she fell on the floor.

"Kagome-chan?"

"Kagome-chan!"

"Huh?" Kagome sat up abruptly.

"Kagome-chan!" Yuka grabbed her shoulder and tried to stand her upright.

"Oh- Yuka-chan. What are you doing here?" she smiled nervously.

"Class just ended, remember? Why don't you come with me?" It was more of a command than a suggestion, so Kagome found herself absently following Yuka.

Outside, Eri and Ayumi were waiting for them. "Kagome-chan!" they cheered. "You have to come with us today!"

"Huh?" Kagome skidded to a halt, finally released from Yuka's grasp. "B-but, I can't you see-"

"Kagome-chan! We're going to go to WacDonald's to discuss the graduation festival. We're on the committee!" Eri chimed merrily.

"Yeah, you have to help us plan the decorations!" Yuka put her hands on her hips.

Kagome gulped, she sensed that she was about to be roped into something. "But I can't go-"

"We signed you up too!" Ayumi smiled and grasped Kagome's right hand. "Since you weren't at school that day."

"You what?" she gasped. "But guys, I-"

"You have to help out!"

"Yeah, the teacher said everyone in the junior class has to do something!" Ayumi dropped her hand. "It was either this or cleaning detail." She smiled.

"Uh- thanks guys." Kagome returned her grin.

"And we need to talk to you, Kagome-chan." Said Yuka. "You were acting really weird today."

"Are you sick?" Eri asked.

"Is it that two-timing boyfriend again?" Ayumi stared at Kagome.

"N-no! No! It's nothing like that! I'm fine, really!" she stuttered.

"Kagome-chan! You know you can tell us about anything." Yuka placed a hand on her shoulder.

"T-thanks guys, I know."

"Oh! Here he comes!" Eri pointed at a bicycle approaching rapidly.

"Who?" Kagome turned her head slowly, willing it not to be whom she thought it was.

"Hojo-kun!" the three girls cheered.

Kagome dropped her shoulders and faced the ground. Just great, the girls were going to try and fix her up again. She didn't want to hurt the poor guy's feelings; after all, Hojo was just being nice. He was too nice; he just wasn't her type. Not that Inuyasha was her type! Kagome shook her head wildly in an attempt to clear out thoughts of Inuyasha.

"Higurashi-san?" Hojo looked at her, worried.

"Oh- H-hi Hojo-kun!" she recovered and smiled brightly. "How are you today?"

"Now's your chance!" Yuka whispered, elbowing Kagome lightly.

"Yuka-chan." Kagome mumbled.

She turned back to Hojo. "Hojo-kun, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm on the decorating committee too. And I kinda wanted to ask you something."
Oh no. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait until we get some food, right guys?"

"No!" they cheered, "We can wait, go ahead Hojo-kun."

"Higurashi-san, would you like to go to the graduation festival with me?" he bowed slightly.

"Um- Hojo-kun, that's very nice of you-"

"Great! Can I pick you up at five?" his eyes sparkled.

"Hojo-kun, that's not what I meant-" she pleaded, trying to find a way to turn him down politely.

Eri roughly pulled her friend aside. "What's wrong, Kagome-chan? Don't you want to go with Hojo-kun?"

"Yeah! He's so nice!" Yuka chimed.

"But- you see- I know, I just can't-" her mind whirled as the girls assaulted her with reasons to go with Hojo.

Hojo just stood dumbfounded, watching the circle of girls as though it was a car wreck. There was something oddly interesting and entertaining about it; he couldn't pull away. Kagome wanted to scream, her friends were so pushy. There didn't seem to be a nice way to let the guy down. There was definitely not a nice way to get her friends to leave her alone. So she did the only thing she could. Kagome turned on her heels, stepped boldly over to Hojo and stared him straight in the eye.

"I already promised to go with my boyfriend. I'm very sorry Hojo-kun, but I can't go with you." She struggled to hold a straight, calm face. She desperately hoped he'd believe her.

"Oh, Higurashi-san, I didn't know." He frowned for a moment. "He must be a really great guy."

Kagome held her breath. "Thank you, Hojo-kun."

"Then I will see you at the festival! I'm glad that you won't be missing it this year!" he was smiling again. "I'll meet you guys at seven, by the fountain! Okay? Bye!" he pedaled off.

Kagome's jaw nearly dropped. Now she was expected to be at the festival. Not only that, but she was expected to be there with Inuyasha. What was she going to do now? The festival was only a week and a half away.

"Kagome-chan?" Yuka tapped her lightly on the arm.

Kagome flinched, her arm was still sore. "Eh? Huh?"

"You're actually going to bring him?" Ayumi almost squealed.

She weakly nodded.

"Great!"

"Let's go plan!"

"We have to find a yukata for you!"

"Does Inuyasha have any yukata for himself?"

"Doesn't matter! Let's pick one out for him too!"

"Yeah!"

"We have to ask him a lot of questions too!"

"Yeah! Like about that other girl!"
The girls looped their arms under Kagome's and started to drag her towards the restaurant. They chattered and giggled the whole way. Kagome just sighed and let her heels drag on the sidewalk. How did she always end up in these types of situations?

vvvvvvvvvv

Sango leaned back in the grass and closed her eyes. She still didn't feel rested, even though she'd slept through an entire day. Kirara stirred from her spot nearby and approached Sango. She mewed a little and nudged Sango's arm. "What is it?" she sat up and patted the cat's head gently.

"Eh-hem." Miroku stood a few paces behind her.

"Houshi-sama." she replied quietly.

"May I sit down?"

Sango didn't speak, but reluctantly tapped the ground next to her.

"Thank you." He sat and neatly folded his legs beneath him. "Sango? I wanted to talk with you."

"Hmm?" she leaned back and closed her eyes again. If he touched her, she was going to hit him so hard that he'd sleep through several days. This time it looked like he wanted to be serious, so Sango decided to listen. "Go ahead. I'm listening."

Miroku stared lovingly down at the demon slayer. She was perfect in every way. Despite all that she'd been through, she still had a strong spirit. He fought off the urge to touch her. It wasn't easy. "You see, Sango, I've been thinking." He paused. She didn't move. "The Tetsusaiga has been stolen by Naraku. Without the sword, Inuyasha will not be able to control his demon blood. He may well kill us all."

Sango sat up, but said nothing.

"And, without the sword, we have no way of breaking through Naraku's barrier without Kagome's help." He ran his hand over the smooth grass next to him.

"So you're saying that Naraku will target Kagome-chan next?" she stared blankly at the sky.

"Kagome-sama is the key. She's got the last shikon shard and she's the only one capable of doing him harm, other than Kikyou." He returned his hand to his lap.

"She's also the key to breaking Inuyasha." Sango turned to the monk. Miroku's eyes met hers, realization obvious in them.

"If Naraku is able to take or-" Miroku swallowed hard, "or kill, Kagome-sama-"

"Then all is lost." Sango's gaze fell.

"So it's finally come to this." He turned his right hand, palm up in his lap and stared. "We will have to protect Kagome-sama at all costs."

"But we can't keep her safe forever, especially without Inuyasha's sword." She said. "No, we must make him come to us."

"How do you mean, my Sango?" he asked, intrigued.

She ignored his comment, "If Naraku has to come to us, and perhaps we can get the sword back." Sango thought hard before continuing. "Why is it that we always fall into his traps and go where he wants us? He lures us there. This time, we'll draw him out. If we're prepared, we stand a much better chance." She finished.

"Sango-" Miroku swelled with pride. "Do you really think that will work?"

She gingerly placed a hand over his cursed one. "It's the only hope that we have."

He blinked and struggled against his perverted instincts. "Sango-" She was holding his gaze; she looked like she wanted something. All of a sudden the memory of her calling him by his first name popped into his head. "Sango, earlier, did you call me Miroku?"

She drew her hand back and looked down. "I am sorry, Houshi-sama, I couldn't get you to close the wind tunnel and I blurted it out like that-"

"I liked it."

Sango's eyes went wide and she tried to hide her blush. "But- but it was a mistake and the others-"

"Well," he reached over and clasped her hand in his again, "How about you call me that when we are alone?"

She stole a glance at his eyes. She was doomed. Those blue eyes pleaded with her, called for her agreement. She nodded. "Okay, Houshi- I mean, Miroku." As long as she was being brave here, Sango decided to continue her bravado. "Miroku?"

"Yes my dear Sango?"

"Would you close your eyes for a moment, please?" she asked quietly.

"Certainly. But why?" he fought hard keep back the grin that threatened to surface.

"Just close them for a minute." She mumbled. He complied. Nervously, she tried to move closer without making a sound. If she could just muster up the courage for a moment, she could do it.

Miroku silently thanked the gods for what he hoped was going to occur. He hadn't said anything to merit a thrashing, so she wasn't going to hit him. At least he hoped not. It very much seemed like she wanted to kiss him, and that was worth any silly formality like closing his eyes. He waited, but nothing happened. Suddenly he wondered if she had gotten up and walked away. Maybe Sango was- he pushed away his doubts. It wouldn't hurt to peek would it? Miroku took the chance and let his eye open just a little. The sight made his breath catch in his throat.

Sango was leaning towards him, blushing like mad, her lips pursed together. Her eyes were pinched shut and she was barely moving. She had to have been nervous. Miroku couldn't hold himself back, she was so close. "Sango." He whispered. Her eyes snapped open and met his. Before she could react, Miroku leaned forward and captured her lips with his own. Sango's eyes widened, but she let them fall closed as she kissed him back. They stayed like that for a few moments, lingering as they pulled away.

"I- I- j- just wanted to do- do t- that in case-" Sango stuttered.

He gathered her up in a warm embrace. "Sango, my Sango. We will be alright; we will survive this fight." She leaned into him. "Remember, you promised to live with me and bear my children when this is all over."

Sango pulled back a little to stare into his eyes. "I did promise you that, didn't I?"

"Uh-huh." He nodded, squeezing her a bit. "And I'm going to hold you to it."

Sango just smiled. "Miroku?"

"Yes?"

"Can we do that again?" she asked.

"Why Sango, I thought you'd never ask!"

vvvvvvvvvv

Kagome placed the last dish in the cupboard with a sigh. It was Wednesday, and it was lunchtime. Her exams were over and Inuyasha hadn't been at her window this morning. She'd even kept it open since she returned from school yesterday afternoon. Where was he? Her mother and brother sat in the kitchen and watched her pace.

"I don't get it! First he tells me to stay, then he tells me to go-" she turned on her heels. "Now he doesn't even come to yell and drag me back!"

"It seems she's upset that Inuyasha hasn't come to get her." Her mother whispered to Souta.

"How long before sis loses it and jumps in the well?" Souta replied.

"I give her ten minutes."

"And then he has the nerve-" Kagome continued her rant.

"I'd say five." Souta held up his hand, clutching a coin.

"You're on." His mother pulled another coin from her pocket and set it on the table.

"That's it!" Kagome slammed her fist down on the table, causing the coins to jump. "Ouch!" she yelped, the reverberations climbing up her arm. She rubbed her shoulder tenderly. Then Kagome noticed that others were still in the kitchen. "Sorry." She said.

She turned and ran up the stairs. Some crashes and booming footsteps announced that she was packing for another trip to the Feudal Era. Souta stared at his mother. She patiently waited and checked her watch. After two minutes, Kagome raced down the stairs.

"Sorry mom, but I'm going to visit. I'll see you in a while!" she was already out the door.

Souta just stuck his hand out.

His mother sighed and handed him the coins. "Four minutes, thirty-eight seconds, you were lucky."

He just smiled and pocketed the money.

vvvvvvvvvv

On the other side of the well, Shippo was perched on the edge. He really didn't have anything to do, except to wait for Kagome. Inuyasha was still asleep and couldn't go get her. So, he'd decided to guard the well, so that no one could intrude and so that he'd be the first one there when Kagome did return. The small fox peered over the edge. He'd been out here every day since they returned to Kaede's village. Several days now he'd waited, and she hadn't returned. Shippo stood up to reach for a butterfly. As he was about to reach it, the well glowed blue and he lost his balance. Shippo fell helplessly into the well, curling into a ball-

"Shippo-chan?" two soft arms caught him.

"Kagome!" he jumped up and hugged her tight.

"I'm glad to see you too, Shippo-chan! Where is Inuyasha?" she asked, prying the boy from her face.

"He's- he's- Kagome he's hurt!" Shippo sniffled.

"Where is he?" panic pervaded her voice.

"At Kaede's."

"What happened?" she started to climb out of the well, slowly because her yellow backpack was quite heavy.

"Well, he was- fighting Kagura and that blob thing and- he got hurt bad, Kagome." Shippo managed.

"Shhh, shh. It'll be all right, Inuyasha's strong. Here." Kagome set her pack down beside the well and grabbed a small box of pocky. "Let's just go to him, okay?" she smiled.

"O-okay." He munched on the pocky.

Kagome picked Shippo up and held him tight. She then started to run. Silently, she hoped that Inuyasha was all right. Even if he was a half demon and he could survive terrible things, Kagome didn't want to see him hurt. When he was seriously injured, Inuyasha was vulnerable. It made him grumpy; it made her sad. She hated that he was always getting hurt in her stead. Bad things seemed drawn to him like bees to honey. Kagome tried to stay calm for Shippo's sake, but panic and guilt laced her thoughts. It was her fault, she hadn't been here to help him. She might have been able to do something. What if he died? She shook her head, something like that just couldn't happen, it just couldn't!

She reached the edge of the trees and didn't waste any time to greet Miroku and Sango, who happened to be outside. Instead, she dropped her backpack and continued running into the hut.

"Inuyasha?" she called, scanning the floor.

"Kagome-sama? Ye have returned." Kaede stood from her chair to greet the young girl.

Without an answer, Kagome flew across the floor to Inuyasha's side. "What happened to you? What stupid reckless thing were you doing! Wake up! Answer me!" she yelled.

Sango and Miroku peered in from the door, but walked away when they heard the yelling. She was taking it hard.

"Easy child, easy!" Kaede held her firmly by her uninjured arm. "He will survive, he will be fine. Both of them will live."

Kagome went pale. She hadn't even noticed Kouga, who lay next to Inuyasha with even more bandages and bruises. "Oh- I didn't even-" she held a hand over her mouth. "They both-"

After a few minutes of explanation, Kagome had the gist of the battle. Kagura and the other incarnations came for Kouga's jewel shards, she got them. Inuyasha and the others had tried to stop them, but to no avail. The Tetsusaiga had been stolen, and these two were badly injured.

"Do not fret so much, child. They are healing themselves at a good rate. With rest, they will be just fine." She lightly patted her arm and holding her back as she stood, Kaede shuffled out of the hut.

Kagome sat next to Inuyasha's head. "I'm sorry I wasn't here." She absentmindedly stroked his hair. "I promise I'll stay with you until you're back to you usual, grumpy, yelling self." She chuckled, trying to stifle her tears. It didn't work. A drop fell on Inuyasha's face. Kagome reached down and wiped it dry, but continued the motion to sweep over his cheek. He looked so handsome. She sniffled. "You know, without the scowl, you're very cute."

vvvvvvvvvv

"Do you think we should tell her dinner's ready?" Miroku glanced at the hut. Kagome had been in there all day.

"Let her stay with him." Sango pulled the fish from their place next to the fire. "She needs some time alone. She'll come out when she's ready."

"Aye. Kagome-sama will be fine." Kaede stiffly rose from her seat on a tree trunk nearby. "I believe I will be needing ye tonight, Sango, Miroku, Shippo-"

"Huh? Why?" Shippo turned. He bit into the fish.

"I have to help a young lady in the village with a bad fever." Kaede said.

"But why do you need all of us for such a small-"

Sango elbowed Miroku sharply in the ribs. "We'd be happy to help you." She smiled.

"Yes, yes, very happy." Miroku coughed.

"Thank ye."

vvvvvvvvvv

"Oh there's this festival at home," she started rubbing his ear again, "I kinda promised the girls that I'd be there- um- with you-" she gulped. "You'd like to go, right?" Inuyasha remained unconscious. "Well, it's possible that he'll say yes." Kagome shook her head. "Oh, who am I kidding, he's never gonna want to go to that stupid thing." She thought out loud.

She turned her gaze to Kouga. The poor guy. He had just helped them with a serious problem, only to turn around and be attacked, his jewel shards stolen. What about his pack? If this had happened to their leader, Kagome didn't even want to know what remained of his pack. If there was a pack anymore. "Maybe there's a way to call for them?" she whispered. "I'll have to ask Kaede."
"Kagome-sama?" the old woman stepped into the hut.

"Yes?" she looked up, a little startled.

"We are going to the village to help with a feverish girl. Ye will need to stay here and tend to them." She instructed.

"But Kaede-"

"Nonsense child. Ye will be fine. Miroku has fetched a clean bucket of water, here." Kaede gestured toward the bucket at her feet. "There be a clean cloth on the table. Make sure ye clean out the wounds on both well and use new bandages."

"Okay." She curtly nodded.

"Do not worry, ye will be just fine. We shall return in the morn." She slowly exited the hut.

"Morning?" Kagome gasped. "Surely she's not going to-" She reluctantly approached the bucket. Kaede was going to leave her here, all alone, all night, with Inuyasha and Kouga. What was she supposed to do if one of them woke up? "Maybe this won't be so bad." She sighed. At least she'd get more time with Inuyasha. It was easier to talk to him when he was sleeping.

Kagome moved the bucket next to Kouga. "Let's start here. At least I know he won't kill me if he wakes up." She shuddered. Gingerly, she removed one of the bandages from his arm. "Those cuts are still so deep!" she was shocked. The gashes were still nearly to the bone, and the fight had occurred three days ago! Her hand shook a little as she dipped the cloth in the cool water. "I'm so sorry, both of you." No time for tears now, with resolve, Kagome squeezed the excess water out of the cloth and tentatively rubbed it along the gash. It was going to be a long night.

vvvvvvvvvv

A/N: Return of the fluff! I hope you enjoyed! I had actually meant to cover more with this chapter, but the characters took over and decided how much was going to happen. Sorry! I promise I'll update soon! Don't kill the writer! Next time: More Sesshoumaru and one of the guys is waking up! Which one? You'll see! Please read and review!