A/N: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the other characters...if I did I'd be rich by now...sigh

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The cave wreaked with the stench of blood. It was almost too much for his sensitive nose to handle as he slowly started to wake up in the new morning. He could feel his stomach churning with the heavy tang of the metallic liquid that seemed to be all around him, but he drove its presence from his mind as his thoughts began to return to him.

Kagura. It was the new moon. I was hurt wasn't I?

Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes as bits of sun played along the amber wheat color deep within. He blinked back the intense light and found himself slowly sitting up. He grunted as he rose, feeling the wound in his stomach. He placed a clawed hand upon it and found that it had healed outwardly, but the damage inside would take much longer to heal as it usually did.

A dizzying whiff of blood clung to his nose and Inuyasha fought to control the demon boiling within his blood. He was only greatful that Kagome had slid the tetsusaiga back into its sheath before they had taken off on Kirara's back.

Inuyasha stiffened, realizing that Kagome hadn't said a word to him since he woke.

"Kagome?" he questioned the cave, but without a response to calm his frazzled nerves.

Inuyasha pushed his bangs away from his face as a tightness ran through his shoulder. It was the only reminder of the dislocated shoulder that he would ever have. He turned his head to the deeper, darker part of the cave. His stomach dropped as he took in the scene before him.

There was a spear embedded deep within the wall on the opposite end of the shallow cave. Attached was what could only be the purified remains of some kind of demon. It was hard for Inuyasha to tell because there were only fragile bones and the stench of death attached to the wall of the cave. Of course it would only take a great deal of miko energy for something like this to occur...

"Kagome!? WHERE ARE YOU!?"

Inuyasha jumped to his feet as Kirara squeaked in surprise next to him. His gaze shot down to the small firecat whose wound had long since healed, but the blood had matted in her fur. Kirara jumped into the open arms of the hanyou and chirped happily at his returned strength, but Inuyasha was studying the damage done to her body. He could see mud and dirt caked into her usually ivory colored fur. There was blood crusted along her shoulder and as Inuyasha dug in her fur to see what could have caused the bleeding, Kirara jumped from his arms, mewling for him to follow.

"What is it Kirara? Are you..."

Inuyasha's blood ran cold as his gaze flew a few paces in front of Kirara's path. Laying in the mud, unprotected and clearly unconscious was the miko that he had given his heart.

"KAGOME!"

There was a flash of red as he ran to her side, falling clumsily to his knees as he arrived. Her scent seemed somewhat weaker than usual. The fresh water smell and the lilacs seemed to smell of stagnant pond water and wilted flowers. His stomach dry heaved at the scent of her blood.

Kagome. Please. No.

Inuyasha placed a hand, gently on her back and froze when he felt jagged flesh beneath his palm. Fearing the worst, he pulled his hand away slowly and took a deep steadying breath before he turned his hand to survey the damage done to the young woman's body. Scarlet stained his palm, indicating that the wound was still fresh and therefore still bleeding. A whine escaped Inuyasha's voice as he fought back tears.

This never would've happened if I hadn't been injured.

Gingerly, he scooped the young woman into his arms, rolling her as he did, so he could look at her face. Her lips were tinged with the faintest trace of blue, despite the warm morning air about them. He allowed his fingers to caress her usually rosy cheeks, now gaunt and devoid of any color. He could feel tightness invading his throat as he fought to control the tears that were burning in his eyes.

He sat back, completely ignoring the mud of the forest as it squished between his toes, and pulled the miko tighter into his embrace. He hesitated momentarily before he buried his face into the crook of her neck, savoring the scent of her hair as he nuzzled gently. A single tear glided down his cheek and once more he nuzzled her neck, but suddenly he froze with his lips pressed against her neck. There was a pulse. Kagome was still alive!

"Kagome," he cooed, trying to walk her, "Kagome, please. You have to wake up."

He shook her gently, careful not to jar the still open wounds upon her back and left hip. Slowly and with great control, Inuyasha rose to his feet as Kirara transformed to her larger state behind him.

"No, Kirara. I can't...W-we can't..."

Inuyasha stumbled over his words as he choked on the sheer emotions running through his system. Never in a million years would he ever think he could be brought to his knees by his inferior human emotions. Never in a million years would he have guessed that a girl from the future would stumble out of a well and steal his heart either. If it weren't for the young woman in his arms, he would've punched the ground in frustration. Accepting the human half of his instincts as well as the demon half, that he had long learned to survive upon since his mother had passed, was something that Kagome had only recently taught him to do.

Don't leave me, Kagome. DON'T LEAVE ME!

"K-Kirara. You go on ahead. Go to Kaede's and...and...I don't know. Let the other's know we're coming or something, alright?"

The fire cat growled reassuringly, giving Inuyasha a slight nod before there was a slight increase in temperature signaling her take off and ascent into the sky. Inuyasha pulled the young girl closer to him, trying to warm her body with his own before he realized she would need more than a ripped shirt to keep in the warmth.

Inuyasha blushed realizing how much of her shirt had been destroyed as he carefully removed his haori, being sure to keep Kagome wrapped tightly in his embrace the entire time. He had wrapped the red fabric around the small woman's shoulders before he felt her stirring. His heart was immediately uplifted.

"In-Inu...ya...sha?"

He nodded as he picked her up, cradling her close to his body once again. He watched as she shivered against the cold set in her bones and pressed closer to his warm chest. Inuyasha blushed in response, but tried to pull her closer as her body demanded.

"S-s-so...c-cold..."

"I know, Kagome. Just hold on, alright? Can you do that for me?"

"Mhmm."

It wasn't really a word, but Inuyasha knew it was a promise. He clutched the girl, like a small present that would easily fracture, as he began his long journey. With his stomach not completely healed, his running would be uneven and jostling. Instead of risking Kagome's injuries and rushing back to Kaede's, Inuyasha knew that he would have to walk and compromise time to really save her.

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A/N: Weelllllll? Lemme know what you think:0D