A/N: Goodness, I've been hooked on writing these FF. Thank you for those who left reviews; and those who didn't… REVIEW

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

The Child Within

Chapter 3: Therapy

"Kagome, I think we're done."

Kagome sat in a wheelchair, her eyes staring into opposite pools of aquamarine. Her lips curved into a smile, her cheeks rosy, her eyes bright, and her skin glimmering in the light sunlight that entered the room through the window behind the opposite being. It had been about a month since she had regained consciousness. She was informed that she would have to go to a psychologist before she would be given physical therapy. They feared that she was emotionally unstable; surprisingly they found her charmingly capable of handling the situation like an adult. She took it seriously and when it was all done, she'd smiled everyday and leave. Anybody who woke up and found out they couldn't walk, lost a father, and had a brother would've fallen into depression; but Kagome, didn't feel the need to cry and slouch around about it. She wanted to walk. She wanted to run. She wanted to be able to go back home like her mother had promised her.

"I don't think we'll be having these sessions anymore Kagome. I'm very impressed and proud of you." The man in front of her said as he rummaged through some papers. "You're handling things like a mature adult; something rare to see nowadays." He said and looked back up at her. He saw her smile. She always seemed to have a smile on; a part of him feared she would place on a smile just so it seemed like she as ok. He smiled meekly in return, stood up, walked around his desk, and knelt down in front of her. "If you feel like you have anything to say, problems, concerns, sadness; anything, I want you to come back and see me." The man said softly while reaching out to hold her hand.

Kagome smiled and nodded. "Thank you." She whispered softly as there came a knock at the door behind her. She turned her head and looked up at the clock. It was time for her to leave. She would probably never see him again, she didn't intend on coming back into the eerie quiet room that all that occurred in there were questions and answers.

The man stood back up, walked over to the door, and opened it. Her mother stood at the door looking worried, "How has she been doing?" She asked softly to the doctor as Kagome turned her head away and stared straight ahead through the window behind the desk.

"I don't think she'll need any more visits." He said and gave her a folder. "She doesn't have any signs of depression or distress. She's always positive and of course like I've mentioned in the past month; she mentions about Inuyasha a lot." He began, "It seems the boy has an impact on her; like an object she feels like she needs to hold onto just to feel the push to move on… her motivation. She told me you promised that she would return back home and the two would become best friends again; I think it would help her through her physical therapy if he came to visit her."

Mrs. Higurashi stared at her daughter as the doctor spoke to her. She felt relief wash over her that it was all done with. "Inuyasha." She muttered and looked at the doctor. She thought for a second and nodded. "I think you're right." She said softly, "But the boy went through shock when he found out what happened to her as a child; I don't know how he is now and how he'll handle seeing her again." She appeared stressed at the thought of trying to contact Inuyasha's parents again.

"Well if you feel it's difficult to have him come out here; then we shouldn't worry about it." He began as she interrupted him.

"No, no. I think you're right. He should come see her. It would push her to try her hardest… I know it would. It'd ease his mind that she's ok." She said softly.

The doctor stood there, nodded, then stepped aside for her to go into the room to get her daughter.

Kagome felt her mother begin to move her wheelchair. She sat silently and waved to the doctor goodbye as he waved to her in return; watching the two disappear down the hall then closing his door.

Kagome continued to stay silent the whole way out of the building on back to the hospital. She didn't know what to say to her mother at that very moment. She couldn't muster any words or think of anything to make her feel better. The two sat in silence on the drive back to the hospital as doctors came out to help her out of the car and into her wheelchair.

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A month had passed and Kagome and began her physical therapy with a young doctor named Houjo. He was young, handsome, and took a liking to Kagome already. He tried his bests to meet her needs on what she would need to regain all her muscles back.

Mrs. Higurashi spent her days wondering how she would explain to Inuyasha she wanted him out here to visit Kagome. Hours after days of worrying about a situation that only required a phone call.

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Another month had passed as Kagome pushed herself in physical therapy with her doctor Houjo. Her mother still hadn't contacted the Taiyokai family yet and she felt helpless. She stood outside the therapy room, watching as her daughter lifted small weights that would've been simple for anyone to carry. She tried to walk but all her legs really did was shake and wobble around for a while until she could just stand up still; but shed never take another step.

She stood outside as Souta sat inside watching his sister and cheered on for her while she made new accomplishments. The doctor had seemed to take a lot of his time to take care of Kagome past hours of their appointment; Mrs. Higurashi sensed he took a liking in her.

Kagome had regained some color in her complexion. She was still rather pale but had a bit of color in her skin, she was always smiling; her full pink lips, her eyes bright and shimmering; she was absolutely gorgeous. She had plumped out a bit from eating and the exercises she went through. She was an absolute doll.

Her mother slowly pulled out her cell phone and began to dial slowly on the touchpad; her fingers trembling as she slowly held the phone up to her ear. There was a ringing on the other end as she took a deep breath and waited for an answer. A part of her hoped no one would pick up; but unfortunately someone did.

"Hello, Taiyokai residence." Came a feminine voice.

"It's me." Mrs. Higurashi said softly into the phone, her eyes staring at Kagome intensely as she continued her exercises while Souta clapped and cheered her on.

"How have you been? Is everything alright?" Mrs. Taiyokai began as she heard a deep sigh come from the other end. "Talk to me."

Mrs. Higurashi spent an hour speaking to Mrs. Taiyokai, her eyes occasionally filling up with tears as she explain the pain that she felt watching Kagome exercise and the longing passion she dreamed for until the day Kagome was fully ok again. She explained how the doctor recommended that Inuyasha came out and visited Kagome and that she wanted to speak to him herself and explain the situation.

"Alright, I'll go get him." Mrs. Taiyokai said. She had been sitting out in the garden listening to her friend's emotional breakdown on the phone and hoped she'd be able to speak to Inuyasha without breaking down again. She walked up the long stairs of beautiful luxurious house; but at that very moment, her world felt dark and heavy as every step took her closer to her son's room. She knocked gently on his bedroom door as it echoed down the empty hall. All he ever did lately was sleep. She heard him talking to his friend once about nightmares and she feared it involved Kagome. She knew it did.

There came a groan from inside as she turned the knob and entered the room. She stared at her son as he lay outstretched on his bed; eyes half open looking at her.

"Mmm?" He grunted and moved his arm to cover his eye.

"Darling. There's someone I'd like you to talk to." She began as she entered the room and closed the door behind her. She came up to his bed and knelt down. She stared into his eyes as it slowly opened wider and looked at the phone in her hand oddly.

"Who?" She asked tiredly.

She covered the mouth of the phone and looked down, "It's Mrs. Higurashi." She began and noticed the sudden shift in movement on the bed.

His eyes grew wide. He hadn't spoken to Mrs. Higurashi ever since the day they moved away. The only thought that raced through his mind was "Kagome?" He whispered softly.

His mother nodded. "She needs your help." She said and handed him the phone slowly.

Inuyasha reached for the phone and realized his hand was shaking. He gripped the phone tightly, held it up to his ear, and began his conversation.

His mother stood up and sat at the end of the bed and watched him anxiously to see his reaction; she knew she'd have to calm him down in the end.

"Hello." He said hoarsely and tried to clear his throat.

"Inuyasha, how have you been," On the other end began.

"I've been fine, how have you been?

"Not so well. I know we haven't spoken in a while and I don't mean to call in for a favor; but this is more of a request. I don't know how to really portray this to you so I'll do it as simple as possible." She began and took in a deep breath and stared at Kagome as she took her first step. "Kagome needs you right now." She said softly. "She's out of her coma…"

Inuyasha's eyes crew wide when he heard that his childhood friend needed him and that she was awake. 'She's...' He thought to himself and continued to listen.

"She has been for the past few months. She's gone through some therapy and now in physical therapy. This is difficult for me to ask and I apologize for not informing you earlier about her arrival into the world again; but please understand." She spoke as her voice cracked.

He felt his chest tighten. He looked over at the stuffed animal on his bed; the fox that was given to him to hold onto and then held the necklace around his neck.

"The doctor said it might help Kagome through her therapy if you came to visit her. Once, twice; however many times you'd like. It would help motivate her to get through this. She mentions about you a lot and hopes to see you again. I know that's what she's pushing for and if she sees you; she might be able to finish her physical therapy faster than expected."

Inuyasha wanted nothing more than to help. He wanted to help his best friend. He wanted to help her mother. He wanted to help in any way possible. Why wouldn't he? He adored his childhood friend and as of lately, he kept having constant dreams about her. He felt like it was a connection.

"Inuyasha?" Whispered on the other end.

He jerked back into the world, "O-Of course." He said softly, "So you want me to come visit her?" He asked to make sure he had been hearing things correctly. He felt his body grow hot as he moved his free hand and rubbed his forehead and hair.

"Please." She said softly.

Inuyasha agreed as the two spoke a bit more and hung up. Inuyasha sat on his bed staring at the phone. It all felt surreal. He was expecting to wake up again and find out it was a dream. His mother fidgeted at the end of his bed that caught his attention.

Mrs. Higurashi had asked him to come out whenever he could, and if he did; call her. He was given the name of where Kagome was having her therapy and would just look it up and head there without a problem. He wasn't sure when he wanted to go. He felt his world spinning into an illusion.

"Inu, darling." His mother began as his head snapped back up and looked at her. She looked worried, her eyes sympathetic and loving. She got up and moved over next to him, brushed his forehead with her hand and kissed it. "Do what you feel is right." She said softly and began to leave the room.

"I'm going." He said in his thought as he threw the sheets off him and ran into his bathroom quickly and began to freshen up.

He couldn't believe it. She was awake. She was ok. She needed him. His help to pull her through. He hadn't felt useful his whole life; and now that he got a phone call to come out and help his other half, he felt like screaming at the top of his lungs.

His heart racked against his chest at the thought of seeing her again. His head ached at the thought of speaking to her. He was utterly amazed.

He felt joy wash over him as she came out of the shower and changed. He knew he'd have to call before he went but he wasn't sure if he could go at that very moment. He thought for a second, looked at the phone, grabbed it, and began dialing. He spoke to Mrs. Higurashi whom was stunned that he called back within an hour informing her he'd be going at that very moment. She offered him to stay at her house and come with her to visit Kagome; but that wouldn't be until tomorrow and that he'd have to rest for the night.

Inuyasha ached at the thought of not seeing her until the next day, but he complied.

He searched on the internet on the location of the hospital. He was a long drive. He looked at the clock. 2:00PM. He exhaled, grabbed his keys, wallet, cell phone, and the stuffed animal. The necklace remained around his neck as it glowed lightly.

He had bid his mother goodbye. She told him she'd explain it to his father when he came home. Inuyasha nodded and headed out only to hear his mother calling to him to go get something to eat on the way.

She felt like her son had grown up. All he ever did was sit around the house, occasionally go out with his friends, or was sleeping. He was about to be a senior in high school with no plans for his future; she worried about him, but now seeing that Kagome was awake; maybe she'd help him more than he'd be helping her.

--

Inuyasha sped down the empty road to the clinic. He had grabbed something to eat but didn't feel hungry, but he knew he'd need it for the long drive. He felt sick on the way there. He thought of what to say to Mrs. Higurashi and to Kagome when he met them. He hadn't thought of what to say; what to do. He knew he wanted to get Kagome flowers; irises.

---

His car approached the driveway of a two story house, his eyes stared at it. It was small. He remembered the Higurashi being a rather wealthy family. He knew that Kagome's father had passed away and they had the burial near their old house next to his; he had been there, but didn't speak to anyone and left early. He regretted not speaking to Mrs. Higurashi that day to see how she was, how she was doing, how Kagome was… he regretted it but nonetheless knew that there wasn't anything he could do about it; but do what he could now. He knew a lot of the money probably went into treatment on Kagome and felt pity. He got out of his car slowly and headed to the porch and knocked on the door lightly. He could hear the sound of shuffling feet from the outside as the door sprung open seconds later.

In front of him stood a short boy, brown hair, and brown eyes. He blinked up at the stranger in front of him as Inuyasha stared back down at him.

'Am I at the wrong house?' he thought as he looked at the address that was given to him on a piece of paper and raised a brow.

"Mom!" The boy yelled and turned back into the house as a woman came walking out slowly while whipping her hands on a cloth.

She raised her head and stared at what was waiting for her on her porch. He was tall. His hair was long and flowing down his back and his bangs somewhat covering his eyes, his skin tanned and toned, his face absolutely handsome. He looked so large compared to the child he use to be. Of course he had been years since she last saw him; but it felt like she was looking at a stranger.

She parted her lips, "Inuyasha." She said softly as the boy looked up at the young man in front of their house.

"This is who Kagome talks about?" Souta asked in awe as Inuyasha felt warm at the thought of her speaking about him. He looked at the woman. He didn't realize she had another child. Maybe he would've known if he had taken a bit of his time to speak to her at the funeral…

His mother nodded and walked over to Inuyasha quickly and grabbed his hands into hers. "Inuyasha…" She whispered and wrapped her arms around him. She released him after a short while and stared up at him, "You've grown so much." She said softly and noticed the necklace. "You…" She began and covered her mouth, "Still have it…"

Inuyasha looked down at the necklace and nodded. "Why wouldn't I…" He said softly and looked back at his car. "I also have the fox in the car…"

On the whole drive there, he felt like Kagome was next to him… her fox reminded him of her so much. How she'd always have it with her and on the day of going to the beach she had wanted to bring it but her mother refused to allow it. She felt like her presence was in the fox and necklace. He adored it.

Mrs. Higurashi pulled him into the house and spoke to him for a short while as Souta and listened. She explained about Souta and the approximate time Kagome had woken up and began to talk about Inuyasha and how he had been doing. He asked her in return how she had been as the sun began to fade outside; bringing the world into darkness.

Mrs. Higurashi headed into the kitchen and began to cook as Inuyasha went out into the car and brought him some of his things. She told him he could stay in the room that was meant for Kagome when she woke up; but it wouldn't be used since they'd probably move right back out when Kagome could walk again. He hadn't brought any clothes but he always had spare clothes in his trunk just in case something happened. He grabbed some of his clothes and the fox from the car and entered the house again. He headed up the stairs quickly, opened the bedroom door and looked it. It was exactly like how it use to be at the old house. A plain white room, decorated with stars and moons; her bed with millions of stuffed animals, and her dresser with pictures of when she was a child. He placed his things on the bed and walked over to the dresser and picked up a photo. It was a picture of him and Kagome in pre-school playing in a sandbox. He had accidentally gotten some sand in her eye and he was trying to blow it out for her. He smiled at the memory and heard footsteps coming upstairs. He turned to the door and saw Souta.

"Mom says dinner is ready." He said softly yet awkwardly.

Inuyasha nodded and placed the photo down and headed out the room with Souta. He wanted to say something to the kid but wasn't sure what to say. They both reached the kitchen to be greeted with a enchanting aroma.

They all had dinner in silence. They didn't know what to say at that moment. Inuyasha was eating slowly and seemed to stare off into space. Souta watched Inuyasha and so did Mrs. Higurashi. He seemed calm. His amber eyes staring at nothing, her lips parting to insert food into his mouth, and his expression blank.

The night passed by slowly for them all. They knew the next day would be an interesting day. They all hoped it wouldn't turn out bad.

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Inuyasha laid in bed with all the stuffed animals around him, but mainly with the fox on his chest. He stared at it and for a second he heard Kagome screaming at the top of her lungs. His body jerked and he stared at the fox. That day still haunted him. He knew he needed to see someone about it; but hopped meeting her again would resolve that finally…

A/N: Whew. I hope you guys like this update.

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