Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any other anime - I just like making up stories…oh, and this is my third official fan fic and my first InuYasha fan fic so I'll just apologize now if it sucks. Sorry!


Chapter Nine: Putting Kagome to Sleep

When Sango returned to the cave, the environment that she entered into surprised her. Kagome sat near the fire, arms wrapped around her body and she rocked slowly back and forth. Inuyasha, Shippo and Miroku were standing several feet away speaking softly to each other. Inuyasha looked angry, but restrained. Miroku looked scheming and frustrated, and Shippo was looking rather depressed. Sango wasn't sure what had happened, but she cleared her throat and walked over to Kagome.

"How was your day Kagome?" She knelt beside her friend.

When Kagome looked up, Sango recoiled in shock. Kagome's face was so white she looked dead; she had no color at all except for the dark circles around her eyes. Her eyes were wild and ablaze with something that Sango couldn't put into words. But Kagome didn't respond instead she shook her head and continued her rocking; only now she was shaking her head while rocking.

Sango blinked up at the men with a panicked expression. "What is wrong with her?"

"That's just the thing; it appears that Kagome hasn't been able to rest, but the lack of rest is creating more problems. Like inconsistencies in her personality." Miroku hesitated.

"And she's totally freaking out on us!" Shippo whined.

"Well, I can see that," Sango crossed her arms and turned to Inuyasha. "Did you learn how to stop the demon?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Of course I did. We just have a few things left to do. First wait for her to go fall asleep, and then I can get into her dreams and kill the demon."

"Then let's put her to sleep." Sango turned back to Kagome.

"Wait! Sango, we tried asking her if she wanted to go to sleep, but, she refused to. I'm afraid she might be too exhausted to sleep." Miroku frowned.

"Too exhausted to sleep?" Sango looked back at Miroku.

"That's right." Inuyasha grunted. "She's so tired that she can't relax enough to sleep. She won't close her eyes."

"So, we've been debating on how to get her to sleep." Shippo said. "We can't decide what to do to get her to sleep."

"I think you should just let me bop her on the head, she'd be out cold and forced into sleep." Inuyasha scowled. "I don't see how else we can do it."

"You can't hurt her! There's gotta be another way!" Shippo shot Inuyasha an angry glare.

"Plus, as much as you don't want to hear this Inuyasha, you may need her help inside of her dreams. She is a priestess, and you don't know what sort of demon you'll be dealing with." Miroku said.

Inuyasha scowled, crossed his arms and looked away. The friends were silent, deep in thought for what seemed like an eternity. At last, Miroku spoke up. "I think I have an idea."


When Miroku had originally suggested the idea, it made sense, but as Inuyasha carried yet another heavy load of pails sloshing with hot, boiling water, he hated it. Of course, he knew that Kagome hadn't bathed in a while and that she always calmed down and relaxed after a nice, hot bath. He also knew that since she couldn't go to the bath the only way for her to have one was to bring one to her, but bring a bath to her was more of a chore than he originally thought. Damn, what a pain! Even making Totosai's bath was easier than this! But then I was in training, so I guess it made sense to work hard then. He frowned. Well, I'll just have to think of this as training.

After what seemed like days of work, the evening arrived and Sango shooed the men out of the cave so she could assist Kagome in her bath without having male attention. Sango had a new respect for her friend, as Kagome attempted to stand and undress herself. She swayed as she rose and fumbled with her collar. Sango shook her head and spoke softly to her friend.

"Let me help Kagome, you'll feel so much better when you're in the water."

Outside the cave Miroku and Inuyasha paced, shooting edgy glances at each other. The monk hated the tension.

"Well, it's not any fun knowing they the girls are completely naked and soaking in hot water, just inside that cave." He smiled. "Shippo has all the fun."

Inuyasha stared daggers back at his friend. "Damn Miroku, are you always thinking crap like that at the wrong time like this?"

Miroku nodded happily. "Pretty much."


Finally Sango came to the mouth of the cave, her hair still dripping. It seemed that their plan worked. After her warm bath, Kagome seemed unable to hold her head up. Shippo had made some fresh, steamy ramen and the friends ate hurriedly. Once they were finished, Sango, Shippo and Miroku laid the priestess down on her sleeping bag while Inuyasha nervously paced the floor. Kagome's eyelids fluttered as she attempted to keep her closing eyes open. Finally, they closed.

"Ok, it seems that she's out." Sango looked to Inuyasha.

"Alright, let's get to it." He grunted.

"Be careful Inuyasha, remember that we don't know what sort of demon he is, and Kagome is so weak right now, that she probably won't be able to help you." Miroku warned.

"Yea, right! I got it!" Inuyasha said impatiently as he plopped down next to the sleeping beauty. He pulled her hands together and held them in his. He closed his eyes and sat so very still that he barely seemed alive.

Sango, Shippo and Miroku stepped back and watched anxiously. This was the first time they'd ever seen Inuyasha not fighting a demon physically. He was fighting a demon of dreams.


To Be Continued…


Well…how about that for a cliffhanger? - lisa