Inuyasha growled softly at himself as he finished tying his hakama, fighting valiantly against the blush that threatened to creep up his face. Stupid idiot. Can't even wait to put your damn clothes on before you make the damn girl cry. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Inuyasha bit back a regretful sigh as he flicked one ear behind him to check on his female companion. From the sound of her muffled sobs, he knew she was still huddled in the corner, crying softly. All because of him. Stupid, stupid, stu-

"Here," came a soft voice, followed by a cup of hot tea set in front of him.

Inuyasha looked up to see the red haired man smiling softly at him. Wondering how he could have possibly gotten so close without being heard, Inuyasha sniffed cautiously at the cup on the floor before him. "I don't need your damned tea, idiot. I've slept long enough."

The red haired man merely smiled in a way that told him he knew something Inuyasha did not. "This unworthy one did not say it was for you." He gestured at Kagome, "She has spent the better part of the day helping you recover, and should rest for a bit. However, this unworthy one thinks it is likely that she will not find sleep easily."

Inuyasha stared at the man in front of him for a moment before nodding his thanks and moving to where Kagome sat huddled in the corner. Sitting down next to her with a small 'thump', he ducked his head slightly as he held out the cup of hot liquid.

Mustering up what little courage she had left, Kagome set her features to a harsh glare before looking up, determined not to let Inuyasha bully her. Upon seeing the dejected looking hanyou before her, his ears flattened against his downcast head in a forlorn manner, she softened slightly. Sighing, she gave voice to the most pressing question on her mind.

"What do you want, Inuyasha?"

He looked up and met her gaze with an apologetic one of his own. "Drink this. It'll help you sleep."

Kagome sighed softly and took the cup from his outstretched hand before setting it on the floor between them. "I'll be fine, Inuyasha. You take it. You're sick remember? You need to rest more than I do."

Inuyasha snorted softly, "I'm fine, wench. It takes more than stupid snow to kill me." Kagome turned away from him slightly, missing the worried look he cast at her. "Oi…"

"You really scared me, you know," she said softly, just barely loud enough for his sensitive ears to pick up. "You're skin felt so cold, and you weren't moving or anything. I thought…" She shook her head, "If Kenshin hadn't shown up when he did I don't know what would have happened…"

Inuyasha frowned thoughtfully and cast a glance back at the red-haired man and the young woman lying unconscious on the floor. Though he knew that his hanyou body could handle any human ailment, he too found himself wondering what would have happened, as the sickness he'd felt could not have been any simple human illness. Lost in thought, he nearly missed the small sniff and scent of salt that came from the girl beside him. SHIT! immediately turning his full attention to her, he quickly thought of a sure-fire way to comfort her.

"Keh. Idiot. It's not like I would've died or anything."

Contrary to Inuyasha's plans, Kagome started to cry softly rather than stop and grace him with that smile he loved. "But you could've died, Inuyasha. You were barely breathing by the time I found this cabin and if Kenshin hadn't known what to do you could've died and I wouldn't have been able to do anything and it would've been all my fault!" she sobbed, still trying to fight back tears.

"Ka-gome…" Inuyasha began softly. Forgetting what he was going to say after her name, he let out a soft sigh. Gently, he gathered up the small girl in his arms and settled her comfortably in his lap. Softly, so that only she could hear, he whispered against her hair. "Please don't cry, Kagome. I hate it when you cry."

She sniffled and wiped her eyes, trying to give in to his gentle request. "But… but it's my fault you were hurt in the first place…" she muttered just as softly.

"Inuyasha shook his head. "Stupid wench, you should know better than anyone that if I'm hurt it's my own damned fault."

She half smiled up at him through blurry, tear filled eyes. "I guess you don't need me to get in trouble, do you?"

He rolled his eyes, "Nah, but havin' you around sure brings more of it my way. Here," he said offering her the tea once more, barely revealing a small smile of his own. "You need rest or you'll be the one gettin' sick next."

She wiped her eyes once more and accepted the cup, smiling a little wider. Drinking it all in a matter of moments, Kagome set the cup down on the floor and curled up against Inuyasha's chest, exhaustion making her ignore the warning voice in the back of her head that usually cautioned against such actions. "Thank you… Inuyasha…" she whispered as she fell asleep.

Inuyasha simply shifted slightly, making sure she'd be as comfortable as possible, and for once allowed himself to enjoy the feeling of Kagome's small frame fitted against his. Lulled into a pleasant drowsiness by the rhythmic sound of Kagome's breathing, Inuyasha closed his eyes and allowed himself to rest while keeping his senses alert for any signs of trouble from the red-haired man and his unconscious companion.

Kenshin gazed at the dozing couple and smiled fondly for a moment, before shaking his head and checking on Kaoru, leaving them to enjoy their moment together.