He had been staring at her nearly the entire time while trying to not be and focus on the matters at hand. She was choking and practically unable to breathe. What she could draw in was shaky and shallow. Sesshoumaru's brows furrowed. Kagome was deathly white and a few tracks of sweat were beginning to line her forehead as if from some unknown internal struggle. Was this the first corpse she had ever seen or perhaps was this a reminder of another past horror that she wished to forget? Her face screwed up for a minute, but her eyes never left the girl on the table. Her eyes were wide, but Kagome would squint often because of the bright light above the examining table.

Sesshoumaru did not forget Kagome's frequent interactions with the patients in the ward. She was good enough to go at least once a week and if she could help it even more often. Also judging from the sparse and short conversations with the nurses kept on habitual duty for the ward as well as his own observations, Kagome had been quite close with this particular victim. The same nurses were kept on duty so as to give a sense of familiarly and gain trusting relationships with the children, another of Kagome's ideas apparently as he had been told by one of Bankotsu's updates.

She was shaking, a shivering earthquake starting at the pit of her stomach and spiraling outward. Her arms wrapped around her torso, but as she fought to keep balance one hand shot out to the wall behind her. It was if she could no longer hear Shiori's voice. Kagome was in her own world once again. She withered so easily. Kagome was certainly no weed, but rather the delicate flower that could wilt beneath an overbearing sun or drown beneath one drop too much of water. Yet, her ability to snap back and accept situations was extraordinary. She grieved and continued on her path in life. It was strange behavior and almost inhuman. Kagome dwelled on certain subjects and actions, but others slid off her like she was scotch guarded.

Kagome stumbled from the room; his eyes never left her form. They flitted to the body every now and then during Shiori's explanations of her posture and cause of death that they speculated to date. However the coroner ceased when Kagome's hand hit the door knob. There was a catch in his chest when her pace increased as she moved out of the room and further away from his sight. His foot moved one step forward unconsciously. There was a pull in his body and he wanted to go after her to make sure she was alright. Even though Sesshoumaru knew he'd find the woman he'd begun to respect once again in fragments, he needed to see her for himself. Sesshoumaru started and forced back to lean against the wall. He needed nothing and purposely chose to do the exact opposite that his male instincts urged to do.

Inuyasha frowned at the open space of the door and looked at Miroku when he asked where the woman was going. Her assigned partner chased after her and Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. His station allowed him no such liberties with those below him. She was just a humble college student with no name for herself established. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. That was changing hastily with her active participation in this epidemic case. More than once he'd been asked who the enchanting woman was that so loyally attended the children of her own will without thought of herself possibly catching the same disease. He was also asked 'where' it was that he found her. Sesshoumaru's answers were curt and to the point per usual before he strode off in his preferred direction.

Inuyasha's concern flooded Sesshoumaru hitting him with the realization and jealousy arose rebelliously within his thoughts. However the male remained at his fiancée's side, which Sesshoumaru was slightly thankful for, more like relieved. At least he didn't have to use his preciously short time to go out and find them. Sesshoumaru's slithered towards the door when Miroku returned empty handed, his face wilted with guilt and his shoulders hunched. Sesshoumaru sighed. Kagome was obviously squeamish and too compassionate for her own good.

She made quick attachments, which would seem impossible knowing as much about her past as he did. Kagome wasn't normal. Anyone in her situation would be loathed to open herself at all to anyone and wallow in self-pity, but not her. Kagome was no doubt planning to adopt the orphan, Shippou, and made friends quite easily. Her blame was always focused inward if not a little towards Naraku. The woman asked for nothing, but the respect she deserved and struggled to whittle it from Sesshoumaru persistently. Sesshoumaru had no choice besides releasing the slack and letting her have it, albeit he didn't do it without reluctance. Kagome was a unique creature for sure and one that stole his undivided attention, or rather she'd stamp her foot in irritation if she didn't receive it immediately no matter how mundane the conversation was. That was who she was, but there was that minuscule shadow in her heart, that wasn't necessary negative, that Kagome kept to herself.

The meeting was shaky from there on out. With the outburst, the professional calm was disrupted and Shiori seemed to be more hesitant so as to not offend anyone else as she no doubt thought she had. Hisoro approached him during an extended pause of silence in which Shiori was allowing herself and others to gather their thoughts before they prepared to leave.

The conversation wasn't much and Sesshoumaru lent half an ear to it. Normally it'd be rare for him to do even that, but this was the president of the Hamasaki Corporation and his soon-to-be partner. Now, Kagome was different also in this respect, but that was more of a snide indulgence as a chance to poke fun at her incessantness. Or that was how it had started out as, simple entertainment really, but now he was discovering Kagome's opinions on topics such as politics, religion, and philosophy. He also found the college student to have an impeccable taste in art.

These conversations were usually shared when they played attendant at the park while Shippou and Rin partook of their daily wrestling match with the sandbox much to Sesshoumaru's chagrin. Rin came out covered from head to toe with sand, but Kagome only laughed when Shippou jumped out with a face splitting smile and shook the stuff off much like a dog. Sesshoumaru always ended up watching her from the corner of his eye. Her chin would lift and her eyes narrow with her mirth. She would attempt to cover her smile with her hand, but usually ended up bent over holding her sides. Her laughter was contagious and at times he found the warmth leaking contentment into his own consciousness. Sometimes, he'd even bare a smirk or a small smile when she was listening just to see if the expected affect could be drawn out of the woman by his side on the bench. A gasp or a shocked look was all it took to arouse his speculations on how fast this girl could switch the gears of her emotions. It was fascinating- really.

Hisoro was asking reverent questions regarding Kagome with the soft tones of his voice a mere murmur in the empty room. Hisoro's way of politeness was admired and well-known. It was never his wish to upset or offend anyone. Sesshoumaru replied in an equally quiet voice with curt answers that were directly to the point, but still left a shade of vagueness about the woman.

"Sesshoumaru-san, isn't that woman the same you escorted to the Christmas gala?" Hisoro asked.

"Indeed it is."

"I've seen her several times over the past few months here in this hospital. Is she, perhaps, the one whom you spoke of making such leaps in the development of the epidemic?"

"Yes, the same."

Hisoro stepped back a moment touching a hand to his chin in thoughtful reserve. His eyes were hard and undecipherable and his face remained passive, but it was obvious his thoughts were awhirl processing this information. Very little emotions or even interpretations could be seen through the man's barriers. He would have done well as an attorney.

"You hold her highly in your respects."

Sesshoumaru didn't respond, but the elder man's wisdom was perhaps one of the only to ever seen beyond into Sesshoumaru's mind. It was a talent that all of Inutaisho's closest allies possessed, the other being the insufferable Haruyama Hazuna. Sesshoumaru felt no uneasiness; he had nothing to hide after all. Let the old businessman settle his mind on whatever it is that plagued him.

"I plan to hire her permanently, should she wish it after the young lady finishes college of course."

Sesshoumaru blinked. That wasn't exactly unexpected for he himself had considered scooping up the resourceful bundle of feminine intelligence in his own company. The only reason he hadn't was the fact that Kagome was better suited for Hama Corp. It was more associated with her degree and Kagome worked wonders with patients, not machinery and Taka Tech. was, in a nutshell, a supplier.

"It would suit her." Sesshoumaru replied.

Hisoro nodded in agreement. He said little else and turned to Shiori gesturing a hand towards the door. The woman smiled a little, but she held up one finger asking for 'just one minute' more of everyone's time. Hisoro hooked his hands behind him at his lower back waiting for Inuyasha and Kikyo to cease their observations on the body. The two looked up in the silence. Kikyo pulled back and Inuyasha grunted for some reason or another.

"We do believe there may be a cure." Shiori replied, hope in her tone.

The room went silent. Kikyo glanced up at Inuyasha and he returned the gaze. He hooked an arm around her shoulders so that his hand rested at her elbow. Sesshoumaru's eyes glinted slightly with triumph. Finally things would be concluded. His second thought was of Kagome. If the woman had only lasted five minutes longer she would have been here to no doubt jump and squeal with happiness with this simple sentence. Miroku, her partner, shoved his hands in his pocket with a satisfied and relieved smile on his lips. Hisoro clapped his hands rubbing them together lifting them in front of his lips. His appeared to be praying, but his wrinkled fingers curled over onto his palms.

Shiori continued, "This patient will provide us with samples and allow us to examine her internally. Someone, I presume you," Shiori glanced over at Miroku, "will scrutinize the results and with luck, come to a conclusion on this disease. If we can, but classify its effects and dissect it down to its beginning factors than a cure is only waiting to be found."

Miroku interjected, "The problem being the wide range of its symptoms."

"Yes." Shiori agreed, but she was still hopeful.

The meeting concluded as Shiori handed Miroku the results of the first tissue, blood, and organ samples as well as a few cultures of the diseased areas themselves. There were visuals and statistics. A lot of it looked similar as to what he had already seen Miroku realized with a sigh. He offered the coroner a smile anyway and exited the room followed by the other attendees. Shiori stayed behind to cover and replace the body to the morgue for storage. A few scans and x-rays were due to be taken, but not for a few hours. The woman ran the back of a hooked finger down Shi's cheek a subdued sadness in her eyes.

"So young…but you will save so many lives."

Shiori covered the dead corpse with the blue plastic-like cover.

…With Kagome…

Her feet dragged in the grass. Dew splashed onto her feet where her sandals left the skin bare. Kagome pushed a rebellious strand of wavy hair behind her ear. With a sound of agitation Kagome harshly ran her hands into the thick tresses until her fingers clasped underneath at the crown her head. She closed her eyes and whimpered softly. Her head bowed between her elbows. Hopelessness overrode everything she felt right now. There was nothing she could do and that was what she hated most. She should have been holding Shi's hand, rubbing her back, maybe crying along with the girl. Even though Kagome knew Shi was too proud and courageous to let herself cry, maybe the girl had broken down and then there was no one there who understood how the improbable had occurred.

Kagome, eyes still closed, lifted her head achingly slow and took a deep breath filling her entire lung. Kagome felt her stomach stretch and gripped onto the feeling enjoying the pull on her jumbled muscles that kept tightening in her plight. The swings squeaked in front of her as the wind forced their inertia to begin with their pulling breaths. Kagome headed for them sitting in the closest one to the end.

She didn't know how long she sat there, not swinging, just staring into space. Kagome relived every conversation, ever visit she had with Shi. Had Shi been in pain when Kagome was selfishly indulging in herself? Kagome had been revisiting her past in order to find some sort of inner peace, but all the while Shi was being dealt, was Kagome knew for a fact, was so gut-wrenching that death in the end would be accepted gladly. Well if you were anyone besides stubborn little Shi whose spirit and strength was beyond her years and exceeded the size of her body. Shi had been almost unnatural. The girl was in constant pain, but took few pain relievers, which she found out from interviewing one of the nurses on duty.

"It's just like before. I've lost two now to cancer, I refuse to lose another!" Kagome replied angrily.

Kagome wearily sighed. The park was empty. She knew for a fact that Sango was still in class and for once Kagome was glad for the peace. There was a part of her thought that wanted company, but she knew not where to turn. Shippou had been so frantically busy lately with an upcoming festival for his school. He was hosting a booth for some activity that he wanted to keep a secret from her. It was a surprise, as he'd said. She'd called him yesterday late at night and was shocked when he was still up. Kagome had been two steps from scolding him when he explained his case for staying up rather methodically.

Kagome pictured Shippou in her mind feeling her heart ache the moment she did. She missed her little kid like she never thought she would. He meant so much to her. Shippou was a concealed comfort she'd discovered at the shelter that day. He was an extraordinary gift that Kagome felt grateful for being blessed with. At times, his enthusiasm and chipper attitude would wear her down, but the little boy brightened her spirits and warmed her heart. A perfect trade in her mind, love was worth the trouble.

Kagome's thoughts strayed to Shippou for a few minutes before she heard a soft voice call her name. Her eyes widened with surprise. It was as if her thoughts had manifested for there down beyond the sandbox not thirty feet away was Shippou, her beloved bundle of chipper laughter. He was wearing a striped scarf of pale sea green and lime green that fell to his waist even when wrapped at least once around his neck. He wore a pair of khaki pants, an olive green tee shirt with a black zip-up sweater over top, and black skater sneakers. Kagome smiled spotting the pair of 'Vans' she'd bought him for Christmas on his feet, the laces untied she noticed with a shake of her head.

Kagome must have looked worse than she thought for Shippou was staring at her wonderingly and as if he barely recognized her. He tilted his head to the side jostling his bangs. Shippou walked over not removing his eyes from her face. When he reached her, he held up a hand to her and Kagome kneeled down. Shippou touched her cheek. The skin was cool to the touch and not filled with the usual warmth.

"Okaa…you okay?"

Kagome cried then. The small tears were even colder against her skin. Her breathing didn't change and her lips didn't quiver. It was like the rainfall feel of its own accord and Kagome didn't even realize it. Before she knew it, Kagome had pulled her son against her. He fell into her arms willingly and wraps his small arms around her neck. Kagome buried her face into his hair and just above his shell-shaped ear. Kagome completely encompassed Shippou's small body and he noticed how thin his idol had become over the past few weeks.

"Are you not eating enough?"

Kagome pulled back, her brow knitted and her face one of confusion. In her eyes was a silent question, but there was also a dull sparkle of mirth at his sudden inquiry. The light in her sapphire orbs paled in comparison to what Shippou had come to recognize, but at least there was something familiar. The woman he'd seen, but a few minutes ago seemed to be a complete stranger. Then she hugged him though and Shippou's heart soared, despite his surrogate mother's pain because finally, finally she was letting him in.

He'd known Kagome a long time, longer than anyone who wanted to be his friend. There were many volunteers for the orphanage house, but most were attracted more to the infants than anyone else. Kagome spent her time with him though. She made him laugh, made him happy, but there was always this rift between them. It was like she was trying to shelter Shippou from herself. He never knew why, but maybe he'd get his time to ask. Not now, but maybe soon.

Kagome tapped Shippou on the nose briefly. The boy blinked and blushed. He'd totally zoned out on her and surprisingly she laughed. It was a little hollow and chafed Shippou's ears. He was so used to her ecstatic mirth that this outburst was truly pathetic, nearly forced. He then blushed again and answered her question hesitantly, wondering how Kagome would take it.

"Well…it's just that you're so skinny…"

Kagome's mouth fell open. That was unexpected for sure, but she shocked herself and him with a grin that was much more like herself. Kagome picked her boy up by his waist and spun him around. Unfortunately centrifugal force and inertia plus their added weights only equaled the two plundering forward before toppling over head first. Kagome managed to stifle the blow for Shippou somehow without injuring herself either. It was a miracle. She'd been a klutz and hadn't hurt herself!

The wet grass ate through her jacket and dampened her hair, but Kagome didn't care. Shippou lay out on his back next to her with Kagome's arm pillowing his head. He sighed, comforted by his mother's presence. He'd missed her. He had no idea what she'd been up to over the past few days, but with setting up and coordinating his booth it was difficult to even find time to sleep when you subtracted the time it took for homework as well. Then he had to eat and shower…Shippou's stomach grumbled at the mere thought of food. He smiled and rolled over onto his side further wetting his clothes.

"I'm hungry!" He said enthusiastically.

"Oh dear we can't have that!" Kagome said with a fake old-fashioned drawl to her voice.

Shippou jumped up.

"I'll race you!"

"Ok!"

Kagome stood up not quite as fast as the agile child beside her. She quirked a smile at how all it took to forget her problems was one little hug from her favorite little person. It was amazing and really portrayed how far Shippou had weaseled his way into her heart, the little bugger. Kagome smiled.

Just as they were about to take off, Shippou slipped his hand into Kagome's. He looked up at her with a worried expression.

"Maybe we shouldn't…I mean you're getting old and stuff…"

Kagome gasped and hooked Shippou into a headlock. Shippou squirmed with a yelp, but didn't escape the punishing noogie from the taller woman. Shippou, being so thin and flexible, twisted out of Kagome's grip. Kagome chased after him as they made their way, more or less, towards her apartment with the idea of scavenging for any food might be contained there in.

Kagome's heart lightened as she followed her soon-to-be son. The woman was sincerely glad to have found such a priceless, beautiful treasure in a muddy world so sullied by greed and lies. The only repeating thought in her mind was to visit Shippou's adoption agency and make things one hundred percent official. She was ready now. She was ready now.

…For the reviewer who asked: Yes, I named Shi 'shi' on purpose. The name does mean death and actually this is usually the name I use for any of my original fictions. If you go to my site, I've used it often. The character usually dies or severely in angst.

I gave Sesshoumaru's POV this time because someone wondered what he was doing the entire time Kagome was deaf to the world. It isn't too boring is it?

Updates will remain irregular as things are hectic right now. Hope this will tide you over a little, but bear with me once again. Also I plan to do a special chapter for when I hit 500 reviews (ASSKS) and 300 You should all look forward to it. …