punkish furball – Hello, all! XD

Words to Ponder:

Thank you for reviewing: SHINeeFan23, Aryenne, redangel2463, Otaku Neko Ninja Miko Tenshi, Spastic Freak, Silversun XD, Sillvog, inuluvskags1, GiggleboxGirlie, ChikaneUchiha666, Orihime-San, fallingyuki, Kitsune's Den, callmeBaby'08 (2x), xXxBloodyPrincess01xXx, and Kishin Asura90! X3

So I felt badly about how Raph ended up in the first installment that I wrote this little follow-up piece. I hope you enjoy it! X3

Installment 4: Remedy

Kagome quickly sat up when she heard a knock at her bedroom door ready to greet her latest visitor. For the past three days, she was confined to her bed with what her classmates and teachers believed was food poisoning from cheap sushi. Three, wretched days of spewing bodily fluids, constant dry heaving, and stabbing pains in her abdomen.

'At least, it's finally over!' she thought, relieved. Better still, her uncle Murakami allowed her an extra day home to relax before returning to school.

"Come in," she called out. As instructed, April O'Neil, her new friend and classmate, walked inside and approached Kagome's bedside.

"Hey, Kagome. How are you feeling?" she asked her bedridden friend.

"Much, much better," Kagome answered. She paused then added with a crooked grin, "So you can ditch the med gear anytime you want."

April sheepishly chuckled as she slipped the surgical mask from her face and tucked it in her back pocket. "Sorry. I was just being cautious. I can't handle anymore absences this semester."

"I understand; I'm only teasing you," Kagome replied, "Thanks for checking up on me while my uncle's running the restaurant."

"No problem. When do you think you'll be ready to go back to class?"

"Maybe in a day or two once I finish all this work I've missed," Kagome said, tiredly glancing at the assorted pile of textbooks, binders, and paper printouts on her desk, some of which April delivered herself.

April grinned. "Don't worry. I promise I'll bring you all the answers by tomorrow."

"You're a life saver, April!" Kagome gratefully replied then looked at her bedside alarm clock.

"You better get going before you miss tonight's training."

"Yeah. You need anything before I leave."

"Just tell sensei I should be back on my feet in time to make it to tomorrow's session." Based on what April told her, Master Splinter was concerned with her absence and awaited her return to her training without asking for specifics.

"Got it. See you later, Kagome."

When April stood and stepped into the hallway, she ran into Raphael before she could reach the stairwell. She was noticeably shocked. He didn't seem to be aware Kagome was sick before now, and Kagome would have mentioned if he was coming to visit especially if she told her she was sick. Curiously, the turtle was carrying a large serving tray and wearing a shoulder bag and a surgical mask fastened around his head.

"Hey there, Raph," she greeted him, "What brings you here?"

"I came to see Kagome," he answered, his voice flat and muffled.

"Oh, you do know she's sick, right? I don't think…"

April trailed off when she saw the defeated look on Raphael's face, a very uncharacteristic expression for the gruff, confident turtle. It seemed that, not only did he found out his girlfriend was ill, he also found out exactly how she got sick.

"I mean, go right ahead," April quickly amended and stepped away from the door, continuing her path out of the apartment. As curious as she was, the couple needed their privacy. Besides, she could count on Kagome to fill her in later.

With the redhead gone, Raphael took a deep breath before he opened the door to Kagome's room without knocking, balancing the tray on one hand.

"Raphael!" Kagome exclaimed when she saw him in her doorway, surprised but happy to see him. Then again, she should have expected he would show up sooner or later. Her illness—and the embarrassment that resulted when she learned how she contracted it—prevented her from contacting him.

"Hey, K," he nervously greeted her, "I heard you're sick so I came to see you."

"That's sweet," she told him with a grin, "I wanted to tell you, but—"

"It's okay! I don't mind," he insisted, "I just wanted to bring you something to make you feel better. So here!" By the time he finished speaking, Raphael's voice rose to a rough shout.

Kagome blinked owlishly as she looked down at the tray Raphael abruptly placed in front of her. On top of it was a simple table setting with a large bowl full of a murky, red liquid that emitted a displeasing, burnt odor.

"Raph, what is this?" she asked, wide eyed.

"Vegetable soup," he answered, "I made it myself before I came, and Murakami let me heat it up downstairs."

Kagome gingerly picked up the spoon from the tray and dipped it into the bowl, swirling its contents. There was definitely more contained inside than she first thought.

"Well, it's very interesting," she shakily commented, "When you cook something, you definitely make sure it's thoroughly cooked."

Raphael panicked. "I'll get you everything else!"

"There's no need for that," Kagome reassuringly said, "You made this just for me. How could I not at least try it?"

She slowly ate a spoonful, thoughtfully chewing the limp veggies mingled with the cloudy broth before swallowing with a loud gulp.

"So what do you think?" Raph tentatively asked.

"The flavor is certainly unique. Honestly, this is the worst thing I ever tasted," Kagome reluctantly admitted.

"I'll go get you some water!"

"I'd rather have tea," she said and began to get up, "I'll go make us some."

"No way!" Raphael protested, "I'll do it. You just sit tight. I'll be right back." He hurriedly left the room leaving the tray and Kagome behind.

"What in the world is his problem?" Kagome vocally mused, irritated with Raphael's erratic behavior.

Keeping his distance because she was ill was something she could understand, but, if he was going to behave like this, he could have easily stayed home and waited for her to show up. She huffed and stood, donning her house slippers before walking downstairs to the kitchen. When she peeked inside the entryway, she saw Raphael hanging his head over the counter with his hands planted firmly on its surface.

"What is wrong with me? This is all my fault, and I can't do anything about it!" he berated himself, "I can't even make Kagome a cup of tea!"

'So that's what this has been about,' Kagome realized. She should have known the bogus sushi excuse wouldn't hold up but suspected Raphael had a little help coming to the correct conclusion.

Smiling, she approached the crestfallen turtle from behind and wrapped her arms about his neck.

"Kagome!" he shouted, stiffening, "What are you doing? You should be in bed!"

"I'm fine, Raph," she insisted, "You worry too much."

When he turned around to scold her, she slipped the surgical mask off his face and kissed him, placing her hands on his shell for leverage. In his surprise, Raphael jerked away from her, holding Kagome an arm's length away.

"Don't do that!" he shouted.

Instead of getting upset, Kagome cheekily grinned and retorted, "Why shouldn't I? We are dating, aren't we? It should be expected." Raphael blushed; he always did whenever anyone brought up their relationship so bluntly.

"Because—I'll just get you sick again!" he blurted.

"I'll take my chances."

"But—"

She reached up and pressed a gentle fingertip to his lips.

"Now that we both know about turtle cooties, we'll be careful so I don't get them again, okay?" she told him.

Finally relenting, Raphael smirked and removed her finger, enclosing her hand in his. "As long as I can still kiss you."

"Of course you can," she replied, "Now more over. I'll make us tea and something to eat."

Raphael cringed as he stepped aside. "Was the soup really that bad?

Kagome giggled and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Face it, Raph. You're an amazing boyfriend, but an awful cook."

-O0o0O-

punkish furball – I've hope you've all enjoyed this latest installment. The next one will be a Chris Bradford/Kagome followed by a friendship piece with April O'Neil and Casey Jones and another one with Mikey. Remember, if you have any requests, please let me know. Until next time, TCB! = ^.^ =

(edited 02.24.2014)