Kagome blinked groggily as she tried to remember where she was and why she was there. She sat up and reached to touch her head when she noticed the IV in her arm. Scowling at it, she snatched it out. "…" She'd opened her mouth to speak only to find a mask over her face. Snatching it off, she looked around the room. Her memory slowly resumed, and Kagome shot up with a gasp. "Sesshomaru?!"
Doctors and nurses swarmed around her the instant they heard her cry. "Oh, you're awake, Mrs. Taisho!"
"Where is my mate?" She asked. Until she knew he was alright, she wouldn't be able to relax.
"Why, in the room next to yours. However, you are not to leave this room until you are healed."
"Riiight." Kagome rolled her eyes, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "I'm going to see my mate."
A doctor, who Kagome recognized as Enai Takashi, grabbed her arm. "Lady Taisho, it really is in your best interest to rest up. Lord Sesshomaru will be furious if he wakes up to find you out of bed."
Kagome shrugged. "Well, Sesshomaru will just be mad at me, won't he?" She pushed past the doctors and nurses that tried to keep her in the room, rushing over to Sesshomaru's. Glaring at the doctors behind her, she hissed, "Follow me in, and I will have your heads." With that, and a small huff, she entered Sesshomaru's room.
She'd never seen Sesshomaru so pale. Well, his natural skin tone was pale. But now it was a sick pale with no shine whatsoever. She stroked his cheek gently. "Oh, Sesshomaru." She looked toward the door when it opened.
Inutaisho crept in with a sleeping Amaimaru in his arms, worry obvious on his face. Izayoi followed behind him, her expression just as worried. One by one they filed into the large hospital room, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Kenji, Ayumi, Sota, Bankotsu, and Banryu. "Kagome, how is he?"
"He hasn't awakened yet." She replied softly, running her fingers through Sesshomaru's hair. He was sweating. Was it a nightmare?
"Kagome," Ken called to his daughter.
Deep in thought, Kagome did not answer. She closed her eyes to fight back her tears, resting her forehead against his. 'Is it my fault? Did it have to do with my being with Naraku? I swear, if this is my fault, I'll never forgive myself.' A tear rolled down her nose, sliding onto Sesshomaru's and down his cheek.
"Kagome!" Kenji called again.
"What?!" Kagome snapped.
Taken aback, Kenji muttered, "I only wished to see how you were."
"I don't know." She shook her head. "I don't care."
"Kagome, he's a demon. He'll be fine." Inuyasha assured her as he looked out the window. He couldn't stand seeing his elder brother so weak. Sure, Sesshomaru was an ass, but they were related. He didn't want him dead.
Kagome narrowed her eyes at him, glaring. "Has my mate ever fainted before? I don't think so." Turning soft eyes to Sesshomaru, Kagome bit her lip. "Sesshomaru, can you hear me? I'm sure you can with those ears of yours." Smiling a little, she tweaked his ears. "I'm really worried, so if you could wake up and tell me you're fine, that would be greatly appreciated." She suddenly felt like her body was on fire. She could've sworn that her skin was blistering, and her blood boiling. "Sesshomaru, please wake up. I don't know what I'd do without you." She reached up to wipe her eyes.
The door opened again, but this time a male doctor entered. "Lady Taisho, my name is Michu Ryu. I'll be watching over you during your stay. It is time for you to return to bed, and you will do so even if I must drag you there."
"I'd like to see you try." She said, aggravated.
Dr. Michu walked over to her and grabbed her arm, only to snatch away with a hiss. "You're burning up, Lady Taisho!"
"I know."
"Forgive me for my tone, Lady, but as your doctor, I have every right to order you to bed."
Kagome stood up and stalked toward him confidently. Even though she was perhaps a foot shorter than him, she stood, shoulders squared, as though she were three feet taller than him. "And as your Lady, I have every fucking right to castrate you should you take me from my mate."
"I-I…"
"You?" She taunted.
"B-bu-"
"But what?"
"Kagome," came Sesshomaru's deep voice, "return to your bed."
Kagome's eyes lit up. "Sesshomaru!" Ignoring her pounding headache, she dashed over to him, tossing her arms around his neck and kissing him for all it was worth. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru stared at her, a foggy look in his eyes. When it cleared, he frowned at her, "Your temperature is far too high for a ningen."
"Please don't make me go back to bed, Sesshomaru." She pled, lying her head on his chest. Not bothering to answer, he motioned for the doctor to ready the thermometer. Pulling Kagome to sit on his lap, he held her down. "What are you doing? Sesshomaru, let go."
"Doctor," Sesshomaru nodded to Ryu.
Kagome's eyes widened as the doctor approached her with the thermometer. She moved to jump off Sesshomaru's lap, but he held her there, forcing her down. "Well, I'm not opening my mouth!" She clamped it shut.
Her mate rolled his eyes. "Miko, you realize that there are other places you may stick a thermometer?"
"Oh, ew, Sesshoma-" She nearly choked as the thermometer was forced into her mouth. Glaring at Sesshomaru, she closed her eyes.
"So, doctor, what's wrong with my Sesshomaru?" Izayoi asked, pulling a comb from her purse. "Just let me comb that hair for you." She smiled as she combed her son's hair.
Dr. Michu looked to the chart that rested at the foot of Sesshomaru's bed. "It seems he had a fairly mild heart attack, for a youkai. Were he human, he'd been six feet under. He should take things easy for a while."
"My poor baby." She pulled his hair into a ponytail, tying a blue ribbon around his silver hair.
Sesshomaru arched a brow. Her…poor…baby. Hn.
Ayumi stepped forth. "And my baby girl? What happened to Kagome?"
"I'm not quite sure. Since she checked in she's been rather warm. She had trouble breathing also. She was also clutching her abdomen in her sleep."
"That has nothing to do with what happened. She has been experiencing those pains for quite some time." Sesshomaru looked to Kagome who was sitting perfectly still in his arms.
At the sound of the beep, Ryu pulled the thermometer from her mouth. "Lady Taisho, you have a temperature of…105! You are so lucky you have a demon mate! You can't possibly tell me that you felt this hot and decided that it was okay!" When Kagome didn't reply, he grew concerned. "Lady Taisho?"
"Kagome, you hear the man, don't you?" Bankotsu touched her shoulder.
Kagome opened her eyes slowly, taking a deep breath, "Yeah (breath) I (breath) heard (breath) him (breath)."
"Kag, dear, are you alright?" Miroku called to her. "You don't sound well."
Kagome smiled tiredly. "Sesshomaru's (breath) fine (breath), so (breath) I'm fine. (breath) I prom (breath) ise."
Ryu frowned, but did not object. "We need to get you to your room."
"I can (breath) walk." Leaning over, she kissed Sesshomaru's forehead before sliding off his lap. Stumbling toward the door, she leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"Kagome, are you sure you're alright?" Sango asked her friend, approaching her.
"No. (breath) I think (breath) I'm (breath) going to (breath) faint." She collapsed immediately, her head smacking against the floor.
"Kagome!"
Sesshomaru sprung forth from his bed, scooping his mate up off the floor. Her skin was turning a terrifying shade of red. She was nearly too hot for him to hold.
Ryu rushed to the door, hollering out, "I need a bed for Lady Taisho stat! We need to rush her to the ER stat!" His eyes widened as he saw people with cameras and notepads racing down the hall. "Shit! The media found out!"
"Lady Taisho?! Is she ill?!"
"Is the Lady Pregnant again?!"
"What's with the stomach pains we've been hearing about?!"
"Is Lord Taisho here as well?!"
"Is one of them dying?!"
"What will become of their rule?!"
Ryu cursed, closing the door.
Sesshomaru held Kagome tighter too him. This wasn't good. If they couldn't get through the media, Kagome couldn't get the help she needed. Without that help, his mate could…no. No! He wouldn't even think that! Standing, he said, "Open the door. I will kill them if I must. My mate is dying!"
"Lord Sesshomaru, it'll only take a moment for security to-"
"Fuck security!" Bankotsu yelled. "My baby sister is dying!"
Sesshomaru nodded in agreement, pushing past the doctor and opening the door. Ignoring the flashing lights and questions, he made his way through the ground, knocking some over as he went.
{Sesshomaru's POV}
I glare up at the ceiling, my eyes narrowed in hatred, anger, fear, confusion, annoyance. I despise that Kumo for doing this to her. I am furious with that male who considered himself her doctor. He had the nerve to tell me that I could not be at her side. She awakened as I carried her into the ER. I swore to her that I would be there, and yet they will not let me be at her side. She will awaken afraid like a child in the dark. I am afraid like a child in the dark. I lean my head against the wall.
My mate could die. She could leave this world. She could leave me and Amaimaru. She could disappear and never return to me. My chances of holding her in my arms will have vanished. My chances to kiss her, to make love to her, to tell her that I do care, that she is my everything…I will have been too late. I yank at the youki binding restraints that hold me in bed. I need to see her, to tell her that I love her.
"Sesshomaru, don't stress yourself out. You had a heart attack for God's sake." Father paces back and forth, rubbing his hands together.
"I want my mate," is all that I say. It is all that I have been saying for hours.
"I know, son. I want Kagome too."
I still do not understand why Kagome kissed me. She wished for my mating mark to be gone. She wished to no longer be mine. Or else she would not have gone through such pain. Unless…Naraku forced her. Yes, that makes so much sense. He is one dead kumo.
There is a knock at my door and I sit up as best I can. "Enter."
Ryu strolls in, his clothing disheveled and his arms and face tinged lightly. Clearing his throat, he says, "We are done. We've done all that we can."
"How's Kagome?" Banryu presses. It is truly amazing. Kagome hasn't known him for long, nor are they related, and yet, he is a worried as the rest.
"Well, things did not go so well. She had a heat induced seizure. Her heart stopped also. We had a pulse, but no heartbeat. So her time of death was technically 10:52 pm. I-" My mind nearly shuts down.
"Oh my God!" The women in the room cry out, burying their faces in the chests of the men they are with.
Amaimaru taps my shoulder. "Daddy, what's death? Is it bad?"
I yank at my restraints, growling loudly. "Yes. Death is bad. Death is horrible. You! You did nothing to save my mate?!"
"Milord-"
"Damn these restraints! I will kill every doctor in this damned hospital!" My mate! I never got to tell my mate that I loved her! I never got to hold her as we slept again! I never… I never…Grrr! I snatch my arms free of my restraints. "You will die!"
"Milord, she isn't dead!" Ryu shielded his face.
Calming immediately, I sit up and nod at him, giving him a chance to explain his words.
He sighs, wiping a hand down his face. "She died, yes, but we managed to resuscitate her with the paddles. She is alive. Terrified and confused, but alive nonetheless, milord."
"And where is she?" A knock follows my question.
"I assume there." He nods toward the door. "Bring her in, please. She refused to sleep in her own room, milord."
A nurse pushes my pale mate in. By her scent, she has cooled considerably, and her heart beat is strong. The nurse pushes her bed close beside mine and smiles. "Your mate, milord."
Kagome's eyes flutters open, and dart around the room. They lock with mine, and fill with tears. "Sesshomaru!" Her voice is hoarse, I assume from misuse, but my heart tells me from death.
{Kagome's POV}
Sesshomaru pulls me into his arms, inhaling my scent. I clutch the front of his shirt. "Sesshomaru, I was so afraid. You weren't there, when I woke up. I thought you left me to die." I sob into his shirt. The fear I felt in me when I woke up was so intense. I never want to feel it again.
"Shh, it's alright. I am here, Kagome. I will never leave you." He whispers in my ear, his nose practically glued to the side of my face. "I thought that I had lost you." He says, this time a little louder. Perhaps he wants me to know that he isn't afraid to say it aloud. "I was afraid that I would never be able to tell you how much I truly love you."
I look up at him, stunned. H-he said he loves me. Sesshomaru hasn't said he loved me in forever. "I love you too. Always have, always will, Sesshou." I cringe a little as the half of my mark that was gone reappears. I look up when Daddy clears his throat.
"May I hug my wife please, Sesshomaru?" He asks playfully.
Sesshomaru growls at him. "My mate."
"Forgive me, Lord Sesshomaru. You know what I meant." Daddy laughs, embracing me when Sesshomaru lets go. "Scare me like that again, princess, and I'll personally kill you."
"Sorry, beloved." I apologize with a smile.
Everyone takes turns hugging me, some even hugging Sesshomaru, if he let them. I stiffen as the ringtone that I set for Naraku rings out. Bankotsu answers my phone, thank god.
"Yo…oh. Look, I don't think Kagome wants to talk to you right now…" He hands me the phone.
"Hello?" I pull my hair behind my ear as Sesshomaru and the others look at me.
"Love, are you well? I would come to see you, but I've been thinking a bit. Also, Sesshomaru would never let me near."
I glare at the phone. If he loves me the way he claims to, nothing should have stopped him from coming to see me. Flexing the youkai muscles in my arms, I smirk a little. Gripping the phone, I turn toward the open window and fling it out.
"Jeez, Kagome, you that mad at the person on the other end?" Inuyasha chuckled.
I ignore him, looking to Sesshomaru. He has a smile on his face, and it makes me wonder if he knows. He probably does. I don't see any way he can't. Cuddling into his side, I peck his cheek. I have Sesshomaru, and I love him as I always have. Naraku can go to hell.
{Naraku's POV}
I stare at the phone. Did she hand up on me? I redial the number and it goes straight to voicemail. She turned off her phone. Is she that angry with me for not showing? I thought I was doing the best thing for us...and besides that, I've been a tad busy. I've got to make accomadations. Sesshomaru is going fire me. I am sure of that. And when Kagome is better, and we've removed the rest of her mark, I'll be moving her in. Then there are the accomodations we'll have to make for the baby whenever I can successfully manage to get her pregnant.
Tossing the phone onto my bed, I sigh. "Damnit, Sesshomaru must have done something. I know him. He tried to trick her, the bastard. Yes. He must have kissed her or something. Told her he loved her. And my gullible little woman fell for it."
And what am I supposed to do to change her mind when she won't even listen to a word I say. I'll have to say it with more than words then, flowers, jewelry, money, love. I'll change her mind and I'll take her back. Then we'll work on her mark.
'Her mark! She nearly died from that damned mark!'
'She will not die this time! I will strengthen her! I will make sure she is ready when we next attempt to remove her mark. This time, Sesshomaru was lingering in the back of her mind. Next time, though, he won't even be a drip of that delicious saliva on her tongue.'
"Stop putting her in danger! Just let Sesshomaru have her!'
'I can't. I refuse. I love her, and will always. I will not lose her to that pathetic excuse for a male. I'll be damned if I do.'
I'll marry her and make her mine. Taking the ring I bought for her, I slide it into the back of my drawer. She will be my mate and wife in due time. Sesshomaru Taisho, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into.
