A/N: I apologize for the short chappie, but I hope you like it!
Chapter 7:
Inuyasha POV:
I'm awake, but I don't open my eyes. I 'm warm and comfortable, lying on a soft bed instead of a cold metal table, and I'm tucked in with a thick blanket that smells of softener. The fiery agony that had gripped my body seemingly moments ago had dulled to a constant ache, like I had broken ribs or something. My sharp ears picked up soft breathing and I suddenly became aware of a small hand in mine. I opened my eyes drowsily to see Kagome sitting next to my bed. She had changed from those kitten patterned pajamas and into white shorts and a green 'Switchfoot' shirt. (A/N: Teehee, my favorite!) Her black hair was disheveled and deep purple marks stood out under her eyes, which were only half open as she drowsed in her chair.
"Wow Kagome." I said hoarsely. "You look like crap!" I meant this in a kind way, to show that I was concerned that she wasn't sleeping, but in my current disoriented state, that didn't really come out right. I smelled salt water as her eyes flicked open at my words. Her cobalt eyes traveled over my face as I gazed worriedly up at her. The tears started to fall. "Oh crap, that didn't come out right… I didn't mean… I… just stop crying already!"
Well, she didn't stop crying. Instead she lunged at me, hugging me close to her. It hurt, a lot actually, but it felt nice at the same time. I swear I'm not a masochist.
"Inuyasha I'm so glad you're okay!" she sobbed into me. I raised my eyebrows.
"Man, the way you're reacting you would think I've been out for a week!" I said jokingly. Kagome bit her lip. "Oh damn!" I said in sudden realization. "What's today?" Kagome looked a bit distressed when she answered.
"Um… Friday. It's Friday." She said slowly, watching my reaction. I furrowed my brow.
"What's the story at school?" I asked. She looks even more distressed at that.
"Well, Kikyo enrolled and…" she stops at the look on my face. Kikyo. Was allowed to enroll in high school. The same high school I'm attending now. Well, I guess I'd better start writing my will, 'cause I'm officially dead meat. Toast. A goner. I tried to make light of the situation, because the way I see it, she can't try anything in front of so many people. I can't hold her in court for my current state of injury because 1. She's a priestess and will make up some crap about me being a threat to her person, and 2. Sango was the only actual witness. I gave a weak smile.
"This should be fun…" Kagome smirked in return.
"Oh yeah," she said sarcastically, poking me in the ribs gently. "A real blast!" Shippo walked in to see her poke me in the ribs again. He watched as we got into full-on poke-fight and I didn't even realize he was there until he started laughing.
"Inuyasha!" he cried around the lollipop in his mouth. He ran over to join our poke-fest but was a bit… over-enthusiastic. He jabbed me in the side, sending shooting pain through my chest. I doubled over with a growl.
"Dammit Shippo, what the hell?" I say angrily. He looked away sulkily.
"You don't get mad when Kagome does it!"
"Kagome doesn't have friggin claws you idiot!" We continued to bicker as Kagome gave us amused glances.
Kagome POV:
The pair continued to squabble like siblings; that's what they acted like, brothers. Shippo suddenly pulled out a large bag of candy and tossed it onto Inuyasha's bed. He sat up and began to root through it with enjoyment.
"Hey, thanks Shippo!" he said happily. Shippo gave a sly grin.
"Looking for…. This?" he inquired, pulling out a Cup-O-Noodle. Inuyasha's eyes lit up gleefully as Shippo threw him the ramen.
"Yes!" he cried joyfully. "No crappy hospital food!"
"It's not that bad actually." I told him. He made a face at me.
"You've eaten that stuff?" he asked incredulously. "And you survived?" I nodded as the door opened a second time. Miroku walked in looking thoroughly downcast, eyes glued to the floor. I don't think he even noticed that Inuyasha was finally awake.
"Hey Miroku!" Inuyasha said with enthusiasm. Miroku's head jerked up in surprise at Inuyasha's voice. A huge grin broke out across his face as Inuyasha waved a candy bar at him.
"Yash!" he yelled as he crossed the room in three strides and fist-bumped Inuyasha. They can be such dorks at the best of times…
Inuyasha POV:
My best friend took a snickers bar out of my candy-bag without invitation and ate it as he told me about a funny instance at school. Miroku's face suddenly turned serious. "Hey, pretend to be passed out or something, Koga's here. Ahh, there he is!" the monk whipped around as I played dead. "Oh, wait, never mind, that's Sango. You know, black hair in a pony-tail, kinda disconcerting…" I laughed.
"I'm gonna tell her you said she looks like Koga!" I cried as Miroku vigorously shook his head. Sango walked in and looked uncomfortable and surprised.
"Oh, glad to see you're awake, but Koga's here…" she mumbled. I saw movement through the window in my door and quickly flopped over again. Not a half-second later I heard the door creak open, and that foul wolf-scent flooded the room. Another scent entered as well, like Koga's, but more feminine, mixed with flowers. It took me a moment to realize it was Ayame. Footsteps approach my bed side and the wolf-smell grew stronger.
"Hey Kagome." He drawled. His voice alone was enough to piss me off. I rotated my ears minimally to hear what was going on better.
"H-hi Koga." Kagome stuttered. She sounded nervous for some reason.
"You know Kagome, if mutt-face dies, I'm still an option…" What? That's cold. I smell salt water and soon after come to the realization that Kagome is crying. She's faking it…. I think. I hear the rustle of clothes and the sharp sound of flesh on flesh accompanied by Koga's grunt of surprise. I remind myself to kiss whoever just slapped him.
"How dare you!" Yelled Ayame. "You don't have any consideration for others do you? How could you say that when Kagome is so obviously upset? And worse, what about me?" Koga snorted.
"What about you?" he asked rudely. Ayame sniffed.
"You don't remember what you told me? You said… that we would be married one day… on the night of the lunar rainbow…" she said softly.
"Tch, no such thing as a 'lunar rainbow'. Besides, we're not even dating. I can do what I like." He said angrily. His scent receded and I heard the door shut. I remained limp, not sure if I wanted to talk to Ayame.
"Don't worry about it Ayame, he'll come around." Said Miroku comfortingly. I opened my eyes fractionally to see what her response would be. She wailed and put her hands over her eyes.
"You don't know how a woman feels when she's in love!" she cried, her red pig-tails whipping around as she shook her head. Miroku nodded wisely as he replied.
"No, but I've felt enough women to know how they feel to love. This is your queue to slap me, scream 'you pervert' whatever." Ayame smiled brightly.
"Okay!" Her fist collided with Miroku's face, and he hit the ground. I can only assume that she put all of her anger toward Koga into that punch, because he didn't get back up. I couldn't help it. I started laughing hysterically. Ayame looked like she was having a heart attack as I doubled up in laughter. Sango looked at me disapprovingly.
"I thought friends weren't supposed to laugh at other friends' pain."
"Sorry!" I gasped. "But he's had that one coming for years!" Ayame suddenly released a squeal, bringing me up short in my laughter.
"You mean you were awake when Koga said… and then I was… oh no!" She squeaked. I nodded, but I didn't really care about what had happened.
I spent the rest of the day messing around with my buddies. Ayame left shortly after four, and visiting hours ended at six. Kagome was still there at seven. A nurse asked her to leave and she complained feebly until I told her to get out and go to bed. Unsurprisingly, she didn't complain. She mumbled something about calling her mom and left.
About an hour later, I was incredibly bored. I counted the tiles on the ceiling. I counted the dots on the tiles on the ceiling; I got up to try to walk ( and leave the hospital on my own) but promptly fell over in pain; dragged myself back into bed; Counted the tiles again, and walked one lap around the room before collapsing onto my bed for the second time. I let loose a stream on curses as a tall, black-haired doctor strolled in. His name tag read: Suikotsu, member 6. I had no idea what the hell that was supposed to mean…
"Inuyasha Taisho?"
"What?" I growled through gritted teeth.
"I'm here to bring you up to date on your current condition. You had some internal bleeding but you healed quickly. There may still be some pain in your abdominal area…" he rambled.
"No shit Sherlock…" I muttered, and he narrowed his eyes at me but continued as if he hadn't heard.
"…And you will be released from the hospital tomorrow. I suggest you get some sleep." He left me staring at the closed door. Sleep? I had been asleep for the past 144 hours! I had never been less tired in my life! I started to count the tiles again. I was in for a long night.