Chapter One: To Be Healed

Anger, worry, and impatience permeated the walls of the small hut. The small hut which seemed much smaller than it actually wasy when two grown demons, a hanyou, four adult humans, one child, one kitsune child, and one firecat demon were crammed into it. It especially seemed to shrink when the two grown demons and hanyou were arguing.

"You cold-hearted, unfeeling, shitheaded bastard!" cursed Inuyasha while shoving his half-brother in the chest. "Hell must have spit you out too, there's no other explanation for it!"

Sesshoumaru's expression darkened but before he could react Miroku stood up and grasped Rin by her hand. "Come Shippo, let's go for a walk with Rin. Sango?" he offered, holding out his free hand.

Sango looked up from where she was sitting by Kagome's head. Her friend had begun crying a short while ago with no explanation as to why. Absently shaking her head, Sango gently laid a hand across Kagome's forehead. "No, you go ahead."

"Very well," answered Miroku with a sigh. He was hoping to get Sango out of the hut for at least a little bit. After all, ever since this ordeal began barely two days before she had barely left the hut. Her worry for Kagome only increased by tenfold with each passing day. And, Miroku silently amended, there was a good reason for that.

Kagome's health had been steadily plummeting. The few additional times in the beginning she had woken up it had been like the first-the sheer mad raving of a lunatic. However, the madness slowly decreased while the pain increased. Now whenever she happened to wake up it was to scream with pain, cry with sorrow, or a combination of the two.

Knowing to dawdle any longer would result with a fight breaking out between the two brothers because of Inuyasha's foul language Miroku tugged Rin out of the hut with Shippo perched on his shoulder.

"There, now your precious little child is gone so explain yourself," growled Inuyasha dangerously. He had one hand clenched tightly around the hilt of Tetsusaiga, sure that if he left go all hell would break loose as he transformed.

"I never agreed to meld my mind with a human's," replied Sesshoumaru blandly. "Unlike you little brother I have pride which I wish to keep intact." In all truthfulness Sesshoumaru would save the miko. However, and in this he knew he was being entirely too egotistical, he couldn't bear to lose the battle too quickly for he would appear soft. And one thing Sesshoumaru would not be accused of being was soft. So he had to draw out the fight with his brother for as long as possible.

Sneaking a quick look at Kagome, Sesshoumaru knew his time was wearing thin to appear coldhearted. The girl was in immense pain and it was only a matter of time before her mind completely collapsed and she died.

"Your pride is already shot Sesshoumau," remarked Kouga from his position besides the hanyou. For once the two long time rivals were in complete agreement-Sesshoumaru was an ass and it was long time for that stick to come out of him. "After all," he continued, "You became allies with a hanyou and humans no less. And you couldn't even defeat Naraku or Akki by yourself. Pity, and now you can't even save a simple human girl."

That one actually stung Sesshoumaru had to admit. He could very easily save the miko, all he had to do was agree to connect her mind with his own. So why was he still holding back? He had withheld long enough that both Inuyasha and Kouga would still think he was a coldhearted bastard even when he did help Kagome. So why was he still holding back?

"Is there any chance the miko's purification abilities would harm my mind in any way?" asked Sesshoumaru bluntly. That's what had been bothering him. She was a miko after all, what if connecting his mind with her own killed himself? That would rather defeat the purpose of this whole saving-the-miko-ordeal they had going on.

"That should have no impact on you," answered Kaede. "Her mind will not run rampant in your own. The only way Kagome can use her purification abilities is if she forcefully thinks of using them or her body is in mortal peril. And if that were the case it wouldn't matter if you were anchoring her mind or not for demons have no defense against purification."

"See? So there's no reason why you shouldn't save her!" shouted Inuyasha. "Get your head out of your ass for once and do the right thing. It's not like we're asking you to save any human. It's Kagome. She's saved all of us at one time or another. Now she's dying and as much as I hate to admit it, you're the only one who can do anything to save her."

"If you weren't such an unstable pup you would be able to save your own mate," sneered Sesshoumaru.

Lowering his ears until they laid hidden in his hair, Inuyasha said softly, "What do you want from me Sesshoumaru? Would you like me to get on my knees and beg you to save Kagome? I will you know. I love her, I would sacrifice anything to save her. Even my pride to my half-brother."

Raising one eyebrow in appreciation for the hanyou, Kouga crossed his arms and waited for Sesshoumaru's response. It wasn't everyday the puppy would say he would beg. It would surely be amusing to see if Sesshoumaru took Inuyasha up on that.

"You need not do any such thing," answered Sesshoumaru slowly. "This miko saved all of us, including myself, from Akki in the last battle. This Sesshoumaru repays his debts."

"You'll do it?" asked Inuyasha incredulously. "You'll really do it?"

"If you insist on blabbering like a fool then I may just reconsider," replied Sesshoumaru in exasperation.

Shutting his mouth quickly, Inuyasha turned abrubtly to Kaede. "Kaede! You heard him. Now save Kagome!"

Rolling her eye, Kaede clasped her hands in front of her. "Now Inuyasha, do you have any idea how to anchor a demon's mind to a miko's?"

"Hell no. But that's why we have you. What else are you good for?"

"How about a roof over your head. Food to eat. Medicine and aid whenever you imbeciles get yourselves hurt which seems to be everyday," grumbled Kaede. "But no, it would be too much to ask for a thanks every now and then, wouldn't it?"

Appearing at a lost, Inuyasha finally said, "Fine then. Thanks for whatever you do. Now…save Kagome!"

Sighing, Kaede said, "Inuyasha, I've never anchored two minds together before."

"So wait," interrupted Kouga. "We know a process to save Kagome. We even got Mr. High and Mighty Ice Prince to finally remove the icicle from his ass to save Kagome. And now you're telling us…you don't know how to anchor minds?"

Deciding to punish the wolf later for assuming he had icicles in his ass, didn't the wolf know the internal body temperature was much too high to keep an icicle inside one's body from melting? Sesshoumaru spoke up. "It is ancient magic. I myself have only heard of how it's done. It is a blood to mind link, with the anchor infusing their blood with the injured. Three others are needed to cast the protective net about them so be sure only the injured's mind is open for the anchor."

"Um…that sounds kind of confusing," remarked Inuyasha.

"I couldn't follow any of it," confessed Kouga.

"Well we know who we won't be using to help," stated Sesshoumaru dryly.

"I'll help," spoke up Sango for the first time. "I've never heard of this particular magic being used, but I've learned of rituals like it when I was at my village."

"Miroku and Kaede will be the other two," said Sesshoumaru. "At least they appear to be able to think."

"Is anything else needed for this to work?" asked Kaede.

"I will need to teach you three the spell to continuously chant while I'm anchoring Kagome's mind. It is in an ancient demon's language so I would suggest practicing to get the enunciations correct. I don't wish for my mind to anchor Inuyasha's because of a faulty casting of the protective shield."

"Right. I'll go find Miroku now," said Sango while rising to her feet. "Sooner we get this done the sooner Kagome can start getting better." Taking one last look at her friend, Sango exited the hut.

"And you two," snarled Sesshoumaru, rounding on Inuyasha and Kouga, "No matter what I do, I repeat, no matter what I do, do not interrupt. Her blood must be spilled for this to work so you two must contain yourselves. I will be doing her no harm and if you interrupt the process she will die. Do I make myself clear?"

Gulping nervously, Kouga said, "Perfecting clear."

Inuyasha stiffly nodded while saying, "Fine. But if you screw it up and she dies, you will answer to me."

"She won't die," answered Sesshoumaru confidently.

"You better hope not," said Inuyasha quietly while easing himself down to sit by Kagome. Taking up one of her hands in his own, he rubbed one clawed thumb gently over it while staring blankly at her face.

"So I get to help save the lovely Kagome from certain death?" asked Miroku cheerfully while entering the hut. "That is wonderful to hear! After all, I still need to give her my thank-you-for-saving-my-life grope and it's just not the same when she's insane."

Whacking Miroku in the back of the head with an open palm, Sango rolled her eyes as she entered the hut behind him. "You just never learn do you? And I'm sure Kagome will be thrilled to hear you only helped save her so you could grope her. Really Miroku, that is so kind of you."

Grinning sheepishly, Miroku draped one arm around Sango's shoulders. "My my Sango, is that a hint of jealousy I hear in your voice? Don't want me groping your best friend even though she did make it so my hand could be healed?"

"Oh no, you can grope Kagome," answered Sango with a sly smile. "Just don't come running to me to save your pathetic life when both she and Inuyasha start hunting for your blood."

"Well, if you put it that way…" trailed off Miroku right before laying one hard fimly on Sango's backside. "Why grope anyone else when I've got you?"

Groaning in agitation, Sango stepped away from the monk and in one fluid movement grapped the offending arm, twisted it behind the monk's back, and pushed him to the floor.

"Frisky," teased Kouga as he watched the show. "Would you like me to get some rope for you Sango?"

The reaction was instantaneous. At the same moment Sango left go of Miroku and backpedaled until she ran into the wall of the hut Miroku jumped up and ran to Kouga.

"Oh yes Prince Kouga," groveled Miroku in front of the wolf. "I would very much appreciate some rope. My Sango can do whatever she pleases with me!"

"Perhaps Shippo would be a good replacement for the monk," grumbled Sesshoumaru in agitation.

"Ok guys, sit down and shut up," demanded Inuyasha as he shot the offending parties a glare. "Kagome still isn't saved and you're all fooling around. Just how much does she mean to you?"

Appropriately chastised, Miroku rose to his feet and took on a serious expression. "Forgive me Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. But when Sango came and got me she said Sesshoumaru had agreed and Kagome could be saved. I got a little excited."

"That is all good and well, but you three," said Sesshoumaru while pointing at Miroku, Sango, and Kaede, "Must come with me now so I can teach you the chant. We must perform the ritual tonight. She is falling faster and faster and we musn't wait any longer."

As the four left the hut Kouga eyed the hanyou who was still gently grasping Kagome's hand. Sighing softly, Kouga averted his gaze from the scene. Why couldn't he be the one offering silent comfort to the miko? "Dammit!" he cursed as he jumped angrily to his feet. He couldn't handle this any longer. He couldn't do anything to help save Kagome. He was nothing but useless baggage. Hell, he wasn't even much of a use in the last battle either. Kagome had to save him, the pure-blooded demon was saved by a human girl. It was pathetic. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were probably silently laughing at him.

"I've gotta get out of here," he mumbled to himself while quickly walking to the door of the hut. He was stopped in his tracks when Inuyasha spoke up.

"Kouga, where are you going?"

"Somewhere. Anywhere but here," he answered harshly. "Naraku is gone and you guys are going to save Kagome. There is nothing left for me here."

"So you're going to abandon Kagome when she's like this?" asked Inuyasha coldly. "She saved all of us, and you're going to leave her before we even save her? Just how much did you supposedly love her?"

Snarling, Kouga whipped around until he was facing Inuyasha. "Do not question me on how much I love Kagome. I'm giving her up to a half-bred mutt because I want her to be happy. Tell me Inuyasha, would you have done the same? If she wanted to be with me, would you have given her up?"

Curling his lip in disgust, Inuyasha said, "That would never happen so it doesn't matter. This is about you abandoning her when she's like this."

"I'm not abandoning her!" cried Kouga in a pained voice. "I could never abandon her. But you guys have it covered. There is no place for me here any longer."

"So what do you want us to tell Kagome when she wakes up and you're no longer here?"

"Tell her what you want," replied Kouga in defeat. "But…I'll be back. Yeah, I'll be back. Tell her I'm just going for a couple days to check on my tribe. I'll be back. After all, we've got a squirrel to hunt, don't we?" By the end Kouga's characteristic grin was back as well as his cocky voice. Yeah, that's right, he couldn't leave for long. Kagome would still need him because Akki was roaming loose. He'd be back to help his comrades settle the score with one little squirrel.

Nodding, Inuyasha was about to speak up when another voice, one no one had heard yet, broke the silence.

"May I go with you?"

Turning in shock, both Kouga and Inuyasha gawked at the young boy they had entirely forgotten about. Truth be told, it wasn't hard to forget about him. After all, he never spoke and barely ever moved.

"Please sir," continued Kohaku hesitantly. "May I go with you?"

"I…I…I…," stammered Kouga. "Why?" he finally got out.

"You said you needed to get away from it all. I…I need to also. Please sir, may I go?"

"I'll tell Sango," said Inuyasha while rising to his feet. "I'm sure she'll understand. But Kouga, keep him safe. And he better come back with you."

"I won't run away," said Kohaku softly as he rose to his feet. "My sister is here. I want to be her brother again. But…"

"You need to get away first," finished Kouga in an understanding voice. "You may come with me. But we leave now, is that all right?"

Nodding, Kohaku said, "Thank you sir."

"Oh yes, one more thing," continued Kouga as he walked out of the hut with one quiet boy on his heels. "None of this 'sir' crap. It makes me feel old. Call me Kouga, ok?"

Eyes lighting up with the first sign of life the boy had shown since being rescued, Kohaku said, "Thank you, Kouga."


Sorry for the long wait guys. Not much of an excuse except that I'm a shitty author. Sorry. I'll try to do better with chapter 2 but no promises.