Short Notice: Hey all! I would just like to say that updates might be slow from now on because school has started! So, I will have to juggle my priorities. However, it will help if you can give me ideas, comments or the like. Thank you!

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Chapter 3: Love

Gasping, she knelt at the bedside for a closer look and his finger moved once more. Then she heard him whimper, "Take it off…take it off…nng…"

She quickly took off his oxygen mask and stared as his beautiful emerald eyes fluttered open.

Kagome held her breath in as Shippo mumbled, "Mama?"

His eyes flickered groggily, it was hard to keep his eyes open when all he wanted was to go back to sleep. He felt like he hadn't had a good rest in ages.

"No darling. I'm Kagome, remember?"

"Yea, but you're the mama I like. The one that loves me and brings me things I like…you…You're my mama right?"

At that point of time, it was safe to say that Kagome tear ducts were now definitely unleashed. Swiping her tears away, she placed a soft kiss on Shippo's forehead and ran to call the doctor in.

Soon, the doctor and nurses flooded into the hospital room.

However, this seemed too much for an overwhelmed little boy who had just regained consciousness. He was terrified, now that Kagome, his only anchor was nowhere to be seen while people he didn't know kept trying to get closer to him.

Shippo started struggling frantically and was now openly wailing, and like the 5 year old that he was, he didn't care that the everyone on the entire floor could probably hear him.

He screamed on the top of his lungs while nurses tried to restrain his kicking.

"Mommy! Mommy! I want my mommy! I'm scared! Where's my mommy? No! No! Go away!"

Upon hearing this, Kagome broke out of her daze of Shippo awakening.

She pushed through the nurses who were asked to be present in case of an emergency while the doctor to a patient that was in critical condition.

Finally after shoving everyone away, she hurriedly scooped Shippo up. Her top was then seized in a tight grip while she soothed him, hushing his wails and gently stroking his back.

Kagome talked to the doctor softly, "I'm sorry for all this commotion, but I think Shippo is still afraid of this new environment upon waking up. Could I speak to him first and maybe be at his side during the check up?"

The doctor was extremely accommodating. With her experience in the pediatric department, she was more than happy to step aside for a time so her patient could calm down.

During the whole episode, Shippo was giving off loud, muffled sniffles while he buried his face in the crook of Kagome's neck.

Climbing onto the bed with him still in her arms, Kagome was careful of the wounds that he still had not recovered from.

"Shippo, remember the last time Shiori fell down and cried? Didn't you tell her that she had to be strong?"

She felt him nod, so she continued, "I need you to be brave alright? You have to let the doctor see you, then she can make you strong again…Don't you want that? Can I call the doctor in now?"

At the last question, frantic shakes followed.

"Shippo, I'll be here with you the whole time. I won't let anything hurt you anymore, is that okay?"

When no response was made, Kagome brought him out of her grasp, placing him before her.

"It hurts, make it go away…" Shippo whimpered almost inaudibly.

"Only the doctors can make it go away, but you let her see you first then I'll kiss all your hurts alright?"

Shippo pouted but Kagome smiled inwardly, knowing that he had finally capitulated, she kissed his forehead and went to call the doctor in.

When the doctor reached the stethoscope towards his chest, Shippo whimpered. Leaning against Kagome even harder, he grasped her shirt in fear, as if the stethoscope was an alien that was going to eat him up.

When the check up was finally over, Kagome wondered why her shirt hadn't had a whole yet. However, she was relieved that Shippo was now healthy, but he still had to be put under observation for a few days since his accident was quite severe.

A small tug on her sleeve was the only thing that shook her out of her reverie, after all that happened in one day was enough to keep her in a periodical daze.

She lay on the bed with Shippo as he snuggled into her. She glanced across the room to Inuyasha to make sure he was alright.

Now that Shippo was alright, she felt the reduction of the burden and worry that had mounted onto her shoulders since the accident happened.

It seemed like she hadn't slept a restful sleep for a long while now and she was more than grateful to fall into a deep sleep under the emotion of relief.

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Sango and Miroku hefted bags over their shoulders. Clothes, food and other daily necessities were brought, even Shippo's favorite soft toy was brought along.

They opened the door quietly, looking around for Kagome. When they saw her with Shippo, they smiled at the beautiful picture of parental love.

Their mouths gaped out when they saw Shippo get up looking for his bolster and fell back asleep. The shock soon turned into relief and happiness, at least one of their family was up and about.

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It was total darkness.

Although one's own fingers could not be seen, a pungent smell of burnt rubber could be smelt.

Stepping forward, there was the sound of glass crinkling beneath shoes.

NO! There was a smell of fuel, and if there was smoke, something was bound to be burning.

Put two and two together, there would most probably be an explosion.

RUN! RUN AWAY! RUN! NOW!

Two feet pumped as fast as they could, like the adrenaline coursing through one's veins.

NO! I might lose you!

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