A/N : First of all, I'm SORRY for not updating in such a long period of time ! Please don't kill me yet and let me explain ! (dodges rocks and sharp knives) You see, the reason of my long absence (for those who don't already know) was that my computer had decided to go crazy on me and there was almost nothing I could do with it ! Damn these machines ! (kicks computer) Anyway, that's why I couldn't update. Please will you forgive me ? (makes a cute puppy-pout)

Anyway, enough of that. Now my computer is working again and here's a new chapter to prove it ! And I assure you that the others will follow soon after !

I also wanted to thank everyone who sent reviews. A BIG thank you to you all !

Well now, on with the fic !

Chapter ten : Settling down again

Inu-Yasha's POV

Inu-Yasha looked at Kagome like she was crazy. Ten months ? No, that couldn't be right... But Kagome wasn't lying. He could smell it, and... feel it. So, he had been in a coma... for TEN MONTHS !

- Oh shit ! he suddenly exclaimed, falling back on his pillows.

He was definitely not prepared for that... Hell... Ten months ! It was almost a year ! And he had been out all this time ?...

He felt his headache return full speed as he slowly covered his eyes with his hand. A moan escaped his lips at the throbbing pain in his skull. Suddenly, everything was too much for him ; there was too much light, too much noise, too much emotions in the other's scents, too much thoughts running through his blurry mind... too much questions that needed answers... Damn, he had just lost ten months of his life ! Just like that, vanished in thin air ! What had he missed ? What had happened during that time ? How had everybody been ?

Inu-Yasha felt so distressed at that precise moment. So... lost. Disorientated. Come on, how would you feel if you'd wake up only to learn that you had been asleep for ten months ? It's not exactly a little nap !

- Inu-Yasha, are you Ok ? Kagome suddenly asked him.

He could hear the concern in her voice. Hesitantly, he uncovered his eyes and looked at her ; she was staring at him with worry and love, and it reassured him somewhat. The others seemed worried too, especially Sesshomaru. Inu-Yasha forced a smile on his lips and said :

- I'm fine. I just have the King of all headaches !

Kagome smiled at him, and he smiled back. Ah, sweet Kagome... How he loved her... Then Sango, who had somehow managed to regain her composure, told him softly :

- I'll go ask a nurse if they can give you something. This is a hospital, after all ! Bite me if they can't even relieve a simple headache !

Inu-Yasha chuckled a little and said :

- Good idea, Sango. Thank you.

She smiled, kissed a blushing Miroku on the cheek and exited the room. A strange silence fell upon them after she left. No one really knew what to say. And Inu-Yasha didn't know what to ask. His eyes wandered around the room, taking in his surroundings. It was kind of funny : he had passed ten months in this room, but to him it was as if he was here for the first time. It was the weirdest feeling ever...

Then his gaze fell on Sesshomaru's hand, which was still holding his. Inu-Yasha hadn't even noticed that his brother hadn't let go. He had been way to confused... But now, he realized that he didn't want Sesshomaru to let go. Having him there, holding his hand, was making him feel... safe. Usually, he would've rejected such feelings. But right now, he just wanted to make sure that this feeling wasn't going away anytime soon.

He tightened his grip on his older brother's hand, and raised his gaze to meet his. Golden eyes stared back into his own. Inu-Yasha never thought he would live to see such a soft expression on Sesshomaru's face, or such warmth in his golden irises. He wasn't smiling, but he was so close to it... And then, just there, Inu-Yasha realized how much his brother cared for him. Oh he had always known that Sesshomaru cared, after all he had done for him through the years... But... how to say ?... He just hadn't stopped to really think about it. It was... a given, you see ? It was just like that, and no questions were needed. Or so he had thought...

Now it was all dawning on him. What would he have done without Sesshomaru ? Where would he be now if his big brother hadn't been there for him ? In deep trouble, that was the answer. He was so young when their parents had died, he would've never made it through so well if it wasn't for Sesshomaru being there to reassure him. And all those times at the orphanage, when all those people wanted to adopt his older sibling because he was so smart, so good-looking, so perfect... All those times Sesshomaru had said no, not if they weren't willing to adopt his little brother as well. All those chances he had missed, just for him... And then later, when their adoptive father had died and that Sesshomaru had signed to be his tutor, taking every responsibilities upon his own shoulders... protecting him... like he had always done... Inu-yasha couldn't even begin to imagine what sacrifices Sesshomaru had probably made to keep him. It didn't look like it, with how successful he was today, but Inu-Yasha knew better.

And had Inu-Yasha ever said thank you ? No. Never. How selfish and ignorant could he be ?... He looked up at his brother again. Still that soft expression gracing his features. Still holding his hand. Still there. Always there. Like always, when he needed a calm and strong point to hold on to in his moments of uncertainty, Sesshomaru was there.

- Oh Sessh... Inu-Yasha suddenly whispered, his chest aching.

Sesshomaru frowned, confused at his brother's sudden solemnity, and a little worried too at the sight of his expression that seemed to waver between sadness and happiness. Concerned, he asked :

- What's the matter, Inu-Yasha ? Aren't you feeling well ?

Inu-Yasha just pushed himself up, his headache long forgotten. He passed his arms around his brother's waist and clung to him tightly. They seemed to do a lot of that lately... But who cared ? Certainly not Inu-Yasha. And Sesshomaru either, apparently, seeing as he immediately hugged his brother back. He stroke his younger sibling's hair, waiting for him to speak. Sighing softly, Inu-Yasha simply murmured :

- Thank you, Sessh... thank you so much...

Sesshomaru's POV

Sesshomaru continued to hold his brother, more than a little confused. Was he hearing things, or had Inu-Yasha really just thanked him...? For whatever reason ? From his own opinion, he had done nothing to deserve it. Wasn't it his fault if his brother had fallen into a coma in the first place ? Wasn't he responsible ? Hadn't he failed him ?

Strangely, Inu-Yasha didn't seem to think so. He was still hugging him fiercely, as to make the words he had just said even more meaningful. And to his own surprise, Sesshomaru found himself relaxing, like if an enormous burden had just been taken off his shoulders. He didn't even know what Inu-Yasha was thanking him for exactly, but somehow, hearing those words coming out of his brother's mouth made him feel so much better... so relieved and happy... And there was more : he knew now that Inu-Yasha wasn't holding any grudges at all against him. It was so obvious in his tone of voice, in his actions... He was happy to see him ! Happy to be with him !

Sesshomaru couldn't hold it back this time. Still hugging Inu-Yasha, a content sigh escaping his lips, he smiled...

No one's POV

Miroku and Kagome observed the exchange between the two brothers, not really getting what was going on, but somehow understanding that it was very important and not to be disturbed. So they just stayed silent, giving them time and waiting patiently.

Then, Sesshomaru smiled. A beautiful smile, a true one, warm and caring. Never had they seen him smile like that. They stared dumbfounded as happiness suddenly seemed to radiate from his whole being, any sign of worry and guilt erased from his face as if it had never been there. Right now, Sesshomaru just looked so peaceful, so... alive...

What had brought that on, they didn't know. But it was sure a welcomed change ! And, though they couldn't really explain how, they knew that Inu-Yasha had something to do with it. Somehow, without so much as a few words, he had healed Sesshomaru...

They glanced at each other ; Miroku smiled at Kagome, who smiled back. God it was good to have their hanyou back ! Everything was already starting to get better ! Silently, they thanked every divinities listening for their friend's return.

Suddenly, Sango entered the room with a frown on her face, chasing away the almost religious atmosphere that had settled in. Inu-Yasha and Sesshomaru didn't parted this time. They just looked at her questioningly, so as Kagome and Miroku. Sango walked to the bedside table, ignoring or not caring about the looks, and slammed the small bottle of pills she was holding on it, making everyone flinch.

- I can't believe this hospital ! she finally declared angrily. Three arrogant doctors, five stupid nurses and one angry receptionist, that's what I had to go through just to obtain a simple bottle of Aspirins ! Do they treasure them or something? Is it classed with the "forbidden medical material" ! What the Hell did they think I would do with it ! Start a medicine traffic in the hallway ?

The others sweat-dropped, not daring to interrupt her (not even Sesshomaru) as she continued ranting...

- And to think those people are saving lives ! Well, the idiots I just met weren't really fitting that role ! Have they locked every intelligent beings of this building in a secluded area or what ! This is a hospital for God's sake ! How hard can it be to give Aspirins when one asks for it ! Do we need a "written agreement" for that too? What a joke ! I swear I'm gonna send a complaint to whoever is in charge of this circus !

She took a deep breath and pursued more calmly, though there was still anger in her voice :

- Anyway, after I had to practically beg that witch of a receptionist, she finally gave me what I was asking for. And good for her too, because one more second of her ramblings and I wouldn't have been responsible of my actions !

- Well, thanks Sango... said Inu-Yasha, bravely deciding to step in.

Sango's face immediately softened as she turned her gaze on him, and she answered gently :

- No problem, Inu-Yasha.

- Sorry for the trouble you had to go through, the hanyou added.

- Oh no, it was nothing.

Kagome and Miroku fell back anime style while Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. Nothing ? And all that ranting had been for...?

Inu-Yasha just smiled and took two pills with some water. He was still cradled in his brother's arms and he wasn't planning on moving away anytime soon. Sango didn't ask any questions about it and just went to sit beside Miroku. Kagome approached the bed and sat on it too, taking Inu-Yasha's hand in hers. He smiled to her lovingly.

Another silence passed, but this time it was a comfortable one.

After a moment though, Inu-Yasha sighed and said :

- So... what happened exactly ?

Everybody froze. Nodody answered. It wasn't that they didn't know what he was talking about... It was the total opposite... And that was what scared them... They knew Inu-Yasha would ask that eventually, but they didn't really have any desire to answer... even if they knew they had to...

Inu-Yasha, not yet noticing the pained expressions on their faces because his was still burried in his brother's chest, pursued thoughtfully :

- It's... kind of blurry in my mind... I remember... you, calling my name, and then... this car... a red car, I think... coming toward me, really fast... I didn't know a car could go that fast !... And... well... I thought about moving aside, you know ?... But before I could... there was this pain in my chest... I didn't even know where it was coming from ! It was so weird... It hurt, but I couldn't quite understand why... I... I don't think I like this sensation... Anyway, after that, all went black and I can't recall anything from that point.

He finally looked up and was taken aback by what he saw : Kagome was crying softly, staring at the floor, gripping his hand like it was her lifeline. Sango was leaning against Miroku, trembling slightly with her eyes closed, and Miroku himself had a very pained expression on his face. As for Sesshomaru, Inu-Yasha finally noticed how tight his hold had become. He was clinging to him as if afraid to let go, and when the hanyou met his brother's gaze, he saw the golden depths swirling with a mix of fear and sadness.

- Guys...? he asked nervously, a bit frightened by the reaction he was getting.

What had he said ? Why was everyone so sad ? He was alright now, wasn't he ? There was no need to be sad anymore ! So why were they ? Inu-Yasha didn't understand... Confused, he asked again with a very little voice :

- Guys ?

This time, they looked at him. But it's only Kagome who talked :

- We're sorry, Inu-Yasha... It's just that... it hurts... to remember that day... You see, you may not recall it too well, but we do... like if it had just happened... and it hurts... to talk about it...

She stopped, unable to continue. Tears were flowing down her cheeks, as the horrible memories of that day flashed in her mind... She didn't want to see it... didn't want to remember it... Neither of them wanted to...

Inu-Yasha just gave them a pensive look. Somewhere while Kagome was talking, his body had relaxed and a wise sparkle had appeared in his eyes. He understood now... Smiling warmly, he told them with a reassuring tone :

- Well, if it hurts to talk about it, let's not talk about it.

Surprised, they stared at him, a bit stunned. Inu-Yasha's smile widened and he added :

- What importance could it have now, anyway ? It wouldn't change anything. What would it serve to bring it up ?

Still stunned by his reaction, none of them were uttering a word. Inu-Yasha chuckled.

- And stop staring at me like that, you look like fishes !

That said, he bursted out laughing, as their faces took an even more surprised look.

- Ha ha ha ! Priceless ! You should see yourselves right now ! That's hilarious !

They all looked at him, then at each other, then back at him... and finally... a little grin appeared on their lips. They surrounded Inu-Yasha, positioning themselves around the bed and Sesshomaru still holding him. The hanyou was oblivious, too caught he was in his outburst of laughter. When he finally raised his head and saw them, he stopped laughing all at once.

- Hum, guys...? he said nervously. I don't like that look in your eyes...

But before he could do anything, Sesshomaru pushed him down on the bed (but not too harshly, of course) and they all started tickling him mercilessly. After a good ten minutes and many pleas from Inu-Yasha, they stopped, a smug look on their faces. Inu-Yasha glared at them.

- That wasn't very nice, you know ?

- Oh ? And calling us fishes was ? said Sesshomaru.

Inu-Yasha looked thoughtful for a moment.

- Well, not really, I suppose... But you did look like fishes !

They started advancing on him again.

- Ok ! Ok ! I take it back !

Silence. And then... they all started laughing, even Inu-Yasha. They were feeling so much better now. Just so stupidly and simply... happy. But it was so good to feel like that again !

Inu-Yasha stopped first, because there was still at least one thing he needed to know. Seriously, he asked :

- Look guys, there is one thing I want to know. Please.

Freezing, they all waited nervously. Inu-Yasha locked his gaze with theirs and said :

- Who was driving that car ? What's their name ?

They hesitated. Long. Finally, it's Miroku who answered, reluctantly :

- It... it was a man. His name is Naraku.

A/N : Ah ah, it was evil Naraku who was driving the car ! Come on, I'm sure you expected it ! Well, I thought about making it Koga, but then again it's Naraku who's the real vilain of the story. And I didn't want to hurt all Koga's fans !

Koga's fans : (glare) Yeah, wise decision.

Hum... heh heh...yeah well that's about it for now. So did you like it ? I made the chapter long to amend myself a bit... Did it work ?

Readers : (frown) A little... But don't think you're out of the woods yet, though !

Oh damn... I'm in deep trouble... Anyway, see you in the next chapter !

Readers : (grab rocks and knives) Which will come...?

Soon, I promise, soon ! (hides from angry readers)