Chapter 2 – To Dream

She could see the light above the water. It was right up there, so close, she could almost reach it. She tried to swim up, tried to move, but the light kept moving further and further away. She could feel the weight of her clothes pulling on her body, pulling her down, down, further into the water. Slowly, sluggishly, she brought her hand up to her face. It was absent of the scars that marked the now worn appendage. It was pale, the fingers slim and smooth. It was the hand she had had as a fifteen year old. She looked down at her body frantically. She was wearing a wet white shirt, ghosting around her in the greenish half-light, and dark blue jeans. Her heart thudded with memory. This was the day she had died. And all the time the light was fading. She struggled upwards in vain, but now stiff hands snatched at her ankles. Looking down, she let out a strangled yelping sound.

Mama. Papa. Jii-chan. Souta…

They stared at her, their eyes ghostly wide, their hands clutching at her as she sank.

She was sinking, deeper and deeper, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't move, and all the time they stared at her with the eyes of the dead…

"Shit, wench, wake up! You'll wake the whole damn building at that rate!"

Kagome shot up in bed, panting, her body drenched and glistening with sweat. Her hair was mussed, her eyes were wide, her face was pale, and her skin was flushed.

More importantly, who the hell was in her room?!

She turned slowly, her arm snaking down to below her pillow, to grasp the hilt of the knife she always kept there.

In one smooth, fast motion, she whipped around, the weapon secure in her hand.

No one was there.

…

"In a bad mood this morning, Higurashi?" Yura drawled as she stalked past.

"Bite me," Kagome growled.

She was followed by the sound of Yura's laughter down the hall.

Continuing on her stormy way, she threw open the door to Sesshomaru's office.

"Tell me you have a job for me," she half-yelled at him.

He cocked an elegant eyebrow. "In a bad mood?"

"Don't push me," she snapped. "I had a hard night, and I need a job to take my mind off of it."

He rose gracefully, and walked to stand in front of her. he ran his eyes across her body.

"Have you eaten this morning, Kagome?" he asked suddenly, causing her to stop short.

She mentally counted backwards in her head. No, not this morning… not last night, either…

When was the last time she had had a proper meal?

"Who cares?" she spat out. "It's not like it matters.

"I care, Kagome," Sesshomaru cut her off. "I cannot use you if you are starving yourself. Your health must come before whatever vendetta you have for yourself."

"My health is fine," she ground out.

"I think not. You get plenty of exercise, and drink plenty of water, but you are not emotionally or physically healthy."

"What the fuck, Sesshomaru?" she demanded between gritted teeth.

He ignored her. "You are confined to the building and without training for two weeks," he said.

She stared at him in shock. What the…?

He looked at her, a mildly surprised expression on his face. "Did you want to say something?"

"Yeah, I did!" she screeched, striding forwards. "What-"

"This conversation is over," he told her solidly.

"You can't just-"

"Oh, I think you'll find I can," he looked at her angry face, and his features softened. Slightly. Maybe. "Eat proper food, read books, act like a slob, and we'll see how you are in two weeks."

"But-"

"Did you want me to extend your sentence, Higurashi?" he asked her, dropping his face to his paperwork again.

She stood there, dumbfounded. For a whole three seconds.

"Fine," she spat. And she turned, and stomped out the room.

…

Inuyasha was just tucking into a massive breakfast when she came storming into the room. He could easily smell her anger and annoyance, but underneath that…

Pain.

"Hey," he said as she walked past.

She paused, and turned, confusion in her eyes.

"Hey?" she said, with some trepidation. Then a light dawned. "Oh! You woke me up last night!"

"Uh… yeah, that was me," he said.

"Well… thanks, I guess," she said.

"Keh," he snorted. "You were screaming. I couldn't sleep."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah."

They sat in silence for a moment. Then he asked, "So… what's the problem? You smell pissed."

"I am," she said. "It's Sesshomaru. He's basically put me in solitary confinement for two weeks."

"You need it," Inuyasha said without preamble. "You're hungry, and tired, and underweight."

She stood, her eyes spitting fire. "I don't need to take advice from you!"

"Oh, sit down," he said irritably. "I'm not gonna force feed ya. Besides, I hate Sesshomaru too."

"Really?" she asked, sitting in spite of herself. "Why?"

"He's my half-brother," Inuyasha snorted. "And he looks like a girl."

Kagome laughed.

"Hey!" he said suspiciously. "Whatcha laughing at?!"

"You… hate… he's effeminate!" she giggled.

He raised an eyebrow. "As if I'd like him anyway. Bastard's got a big head."

"That's true," she admitted.

And she grinned at him. "Where do they keep the food around this place?"

…

Sesshomaru stood, watching them from high above.

She was smiling. For the first time since… he couldn't remember when. And his baby brother was actually engaging in conversation.

It was good for them.

He turned towards a photo on the wall. A woman, with black hair and crimson eyes, stared out of it.

You were right, Kagura, he thought to himself. I should have looked after him more. I'm going to set it right now. If only you were still around to see it.

Sesshomaru sighed, and turned back to the couple below him.

He hoped they would be happy.

And that Kagome would kick Inuyasha's arse when she was allowed to train again.

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Ok, guys, to be frank, I'm not amazingly fond of this story. So I'm gonna finish it, and it's not gonna be a very long one. Maybe... six chapters?

But thanks to everyone who has read/reviewed! Sorry I can't do it justice.

Libra Sorceress xx