When he opened the flap, he saw Kagome sitting with my head on her lap. "Hey, what did Koga want?"
"He just came to tell me that I'm an idiot… same as usual." She narrowed her eyes, "not same as usual, Inuyasha. I can see right through you…" He looked down. "How's she doing?"
"Pretty good." Inuyasha sat down, folding his legs as he gazed at me. He blinked when he saw tears form in my eyes again. I whispered in my sleep, "Inuyasha…"
"Kagome, would you mind…"
"Sure Inuyasha, I'll be right outside." She gently laid me down as she walked out. Inuyasha shifted over for a closer view. He put a hand to my stomach, "seems like the bleeding has stopped at least."
"Inuyasha…" I kept whispering in my sleep as I continued silently crying. Not knowing what came over him, Inuyasha gently picked me off the floor and held me close to him. He whispered as he shut his eyes, "I don't know what you're doing to me… I wish I knew what was going on… I used to think I knew everything about myself, but this leaves me puzzled. I promise to do everything I can to protect you… I don't ever want you to give your life for me. That would just open up old wounds because I wanted to do the same for Kikyo. I just don't want to have to go through that again; having someone's death weighing on my shoulders because I couldn't do anything to stop it."
He opened his eyes, stroked my bangs with one hand while still holding me with the other. I shifted a little. I opened my eyes and saw myself in an unusual position. I looked on my right shoulder and I saw Inuyasha's clawed hand. I whispered, "If you were this worried about me, you should have just said it. You don't have to always hide your emotions." I looked up until his gaze matched mine. I repositioned myself on his lap and brought my right arm around his back for a better embrace. I whispered, "That's better…"
"You… you didn't hear anything I just said, did you?"
"No, I was dreaming again…"
"Why… why were you crying in your sleep? Were you reliving what happened last night?"
"No… I saw myself unable to help you. You were in your human form and were paralyzed by some sort of attack. I too was injured and I was unable to reach you in time. I just want you to live, Inuyasha, but you always seem to be dying in my dreams. That just scares me so much."
"Well, the thought of you dying for my sake scares me enough as it is!" He held me tighter. I moved my head until I heard that familiar heartbeat. My eyes glistened with tears, "It's been far too long since I've heard that wonderful heartbeat of yours." I sighed, "Hush, Inuyasha… let us sleep now. Tomorrow, we resume the training… and this time we're going to finish it."
I waited for a moment, but he was still tense. "Just relax," I let out a little laugh, "you've already revealed enough to me. Try not to think so much…" I let out another sigh, but it was a more cleansing sigh. A second later, Inuyasha let out a similar sigh. His breathing lessened to a whispered breath, letting me listen to his heart with the same calmness as the first night I've stood by him.
The heartbeat I heard was exactly the same as it was that first night. It beat strong, but also had an ounce of doubt. I know now that Inuyasha had truly stolen my heart and there was no way I couldn't put myself before him. No matter how much of a jerk he can be, or how he begs me not to give up, I can't see my destiny going any other way. Nobody had ever cared for me before and I cared enough for the both of us. Even if Inuyasha doesn't feel the same way about me that I do for him, I'd put my life on the line for him any day. If any strong half-demon is to carry us into the future, I'd rather it be him than me.
I looked up at Inuyasha as I heard him softly snore away. I put my other hand on his chest. I whispered so softly not even a silent cricket could hear me, "I love you, Inuyasha… and my wish is for you to live, even if I am to die making that wish come true." That's when Inuyasha's heartbeat slowly lulled me to sleep in the warmness of his arms.
