A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone! I was struck with inspiration for the other story I'm currently working on. Its called Mater Luna: Mother of Life. Check it out if you get the chance!

Anyways, here goes nothing!

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Nothing registered upon the face of the hanyou as he continued his mission to help Kagome. His legs were so taut from their constant use that he could barely feel the ache or the throbbing pulse that signaled the lack of oxygen going to his muscles as well as the strain they were enduring from overuse. His arms were screaming with the weight of Kagome and their constant tension to support her body within his grasp. However, any pain was quickly lost to his growling stomach and parched lips. It had been four days since he had began walking and he still had yet to eat or drink anything himself. Of course he had stopped to feed Kagome and made sure that all of her needs were met, but Inuyasha had been completely neglecting himself.

Kagome's temperature had been steadily rising since that night in the cool river. He had done everything in his power along the way, including another night time swim farther along the river and he had even treated her wounds again, but nothing seemed to quell the fever. Inuyasha knew that something was more serious with these injuries, but he only held onto Kagome and felt the heat rolling off of her being in waves with nothing in his power to stop it.

A soft splash of something cold hit the hanyou square in the forehead, but did little to slow his pace. He hardly felt the cool droplet running down his nose and he never noticed as it dripped onto Kagome's forehead, stirring her into consciousness. Inuyasha, however, trudged forward with his ears and eyes drooping. His fatigue was beginning to take its toll.

"Inuyasha?"

He allowed his gaze to travel to her face, but the smile that had began to blossom was quickly wiped away and a scowl took its place.

"Keh. You think I'll fall for that one again? You're not really awake. You're not really...awake..."

Kagome winced a bit as he tightened his grip upon her shoulders and she watched with dismay as his eyes misted over and began to flood with tears.

"You're not really awake and its all my fault! DAMMIT!"

Kagome shook in his arms, startled at the intensity in his voice. She had only ever heard Inuyasha this outraged once before and it had been the time that Kouga had kidnapped her to try to make her his mate. She blushed a bit in realization of how deep his feelings really must have run for her. Never had he been this outraged or upset when it came to Kikyo.

"Inuyasha, please. I'm...I'm awake. And you're tired. Why don't you stop?"

Rain began to splash on the ground more frequently as Inuyasha kept murmuring to himself about Kagome's sleeping state. The rain seemed not to phase him in the slightest and Kagome was terrified because there was a certain delirium deep within his bloodshot eyes. She only hoped that they could get to Kaede's soon so he could rest and return to himself.

Her allowed her eyes to wander a bit, feeling sleep raking at the back of her mind. Instead of giving into the fever that so desperately wanted to claim her, Kagome found her gaze traveling to a familiar tree just a few feet ahead. Had they really already reached the Goshinboku?

"Inuyasha. We're almost there. You did it!"

She again looked up at his face, squinting her eyes a bit to prevent heavy droplets from clouding her vision. She gasped as lightning ripped through the sky, but it wasn't the sight of nature's static that had alarmed her. She could feel warm tears sliding from her eyes as she looked upon the face of her savior. His complexion nearly matched his hair and there were deep shadows below his bloodshot eyes. His face was drawn and had a slight opalescent look to it. To Kagome, it appeared that Inuyasha was dangerously close to the brink of death.

"Inu...yasha...please...just stop!"

She watched as his eyes met hers and she could feel his body trembling even as he continued. She could feel his strength being sucked from his body as his mind fought to control his movement. She felt her own body begin to tremble with deep worry for the young man that refused to let her go.

"Kagome, just hold on. I can't lose you. I just...I can't..."

She noticed that his pace was slowing considerably and he had allowed his head to droop forward, covering his amber orbs with silver bangs. She could no longer see his pain, but she could hear his desperation in every shaky breath. His will was strong, but could it really keep him alive after all of the things he's put himself through?

"INUYASHA! KAGOME!"

Kagome turned her head slightly as she heard foot steps approaching, splashing rain water out from the puddles that were beginning to form. She recognized the voice as that of Miroku's and almost at once noted the panic in his voice.

"Inuyasha! Is everything..."

Kagome turned her head toward Inuyasha and felt her stomach lurch as his eyes rolled back and his eye lides slammed shut on top of them. His grip never loosened from her body as his knee began to give out. She could feel the earth rising up to meet there fall and she cried out in agony as she came into contact with the ground, harshly, on her knees. She supported Inuyasha as her tears mingled with the rain.

"Miroku," she started, "please Miroku. Just help him."

Kagome watched as the midnight blue and violet robes that were the monk's faded from view as she too slipped into unconsciousness. It was the last thing she would remember for some time to come.

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A/N: Let me know what you think!