Chapter 4

Inuyasha sprinted to Kaede's hut, gently carrying Kagome. He hoped with all his heart that Kaede could tell what was wrong and help her. Only when he stepped into the hut and burst into the middle of the room did Inuyasha notice his brother follow him into the hut.

Everyone was there, and all looked flabbergasted at the sight before them. Between Sesshomaru in the doorway and Inuyasha holding an unconscious and bandaged Kagome, they were almost in a state of utter shock.

"What happened to Kagome?" Kaede tried to avoid an awkward situation and got straight to the point.

"I don't know! When Kagome didn't come back, I went to look for her. I followed her scent to a clearing and found Sesshomaru holding her." Inuyasha immediately stopped to glare at the demon at the door. "She had a huge gash down her back that was already turning green."

While Inuyasha explained the part of the story that he knew, Kaede dressed Kagome in a robe and unwrapped her wounds. "Ye were not lying, these wounds are nearly fatal. What gave her these wounds?"

Inuyasha glanced at Sesshomaru again. "Well, I don't know but I have a feeling."

Everyone knew what his feeling was and Sesshomaru knew too.

"I have done nothing wrong. I came across a cat youkai in a clearing and killed it when it attacked me. The girl just happened to be there. She already had the wound down her back, but it was not green last night." Sesshomaru then made the decision to sit down in the hut.

As he sat down, the whole group stared at him.

"So you wrapped Kagome's wounds and took care of her through the night?" Miroku couldn't believe it. He had to hear the answer to his question.

"I do not need to explain myself to any of you."

Which means yes.

Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a moan from Kagome. Everyone crowded around her, but only Miroku noticed Sesshomaru. The worry was evident in everyone's faces, but it went away for the most part when Kagome opened her eyes.

Kagome opened her eyes to six concerned faces looking at her. It was just a little overwhelming, but the most surprising face was Sesshomaru. Then, remembering what had transpired this morning, she sat up quickly then groaned in pain. She looked at her back and almost passed out again. As she pitched forward, a strong set of hands caught her and held her steady. As she looked up to see who was holding her, Kagome opened her eyes to Sesshomaru's golden orbs staring at her. She also thought she saw a glint of concern in his eyes, but it quickly vanished.

Behind Sesshomaru, Inuyasha was trembling in fury at his brother's closeness. Pushing him away, Inuyasha directed his attention at the injured priestess in front of him.

"Kagome! Are you alright?" Inuyasha had clear concern in his eyes, and it didn't waver.

When Kagome nodded, everyone began asking questions all at once. Kagome got so overwhelmed and disoriented, she started to tremble again. Inuyasha noticed and got behind her. When he was in an ideal position, he pulled Kagome into his lap and steadied her.

Slightly blushing, Kagome did her best to answer her friends' questions.

"So how did you come across the youkai?" Miroku was the first to ask a question.

"I was walking away from our camp when I came to a clearing and stopped for a little bit." I won't tell them that I was crying. "Anyway, I was about to continue walking when I heard something behind me. I was about to turn around when there was a searing pain in my back. That was when I lost consciousness." Kagome started to tremble again recalling the event. She was glad that Inuyasha was behind her.

"Lord Sesshomaru, can you continue the story from when you came in?" Miroku wanted to know the whole story.

"I will tell you all that I wish. I came across the clearing alone and slayed the cat youkai that made the mistake of pouncing at me. I then saw the girl and wrapped her wounds, because she saved Rin. Inuyasha came by in the morning, jumped to his stupid conclusions, and here we all are." Sesshomaru smirked at Inuyasha.

"I see." I do not believe Sesshomaru is telling the whole truth. Miroku then became immersed in his own thoughts.

"Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, what do you think is wrong with Kagome?" Sango began her own questioning.

"How should I know? I do not concern myself with humans and their problems. But if that is the case, why am I still here, watching the girl? Sesshomaru shifted his gazed to the frail miko in his brother's lap.

"I have no idea either, but maybe Kaede has an idea?" Inuyasha turned to the experienced miko with a hopeful expression.

"I do not know exactly what is ailing Kagome," Kaede looked, concerned, at Kagome's pale face, "but I do believe that it is some kind of poison. Allow me to take a good look at her wounds. Ye all may stay since she will be on her back."

Kaede reached a hand out to Kagome, but she didn't respond. Inuyasha nudged Kagome, and she looked at him, a little frightened. He slowly got up, gently picking up Kagome. He brought her to Kaede and laid her on her stomach. Kaede peeled the bandages off her back and looked at the wounds.

They were quite deep and had become a slightly deeper shade of green. However, when Kaede barely touched it, Kagome screamed out in pain. Kaede could barely clean them without causing Kagome so much pain that she passed out. When it was all over, everyone except for Sesshomaru looked a little green and very concerned.

After Kaede put new bandages on, Inuyasha helped Kagome up. He got back into his position behind her and again pulled her into his lap. As soon as she was comfortable, Kagome fell asleep. Everyone else also settled in for the night, except Inuyasha, who kept a close eye on Kagome.

She looks so peaceful in her sleep. I wonder why that is?

Inuyasha was so deep in his thoughts that he did not notice Sesshomaru slip silently out of the hut. The demon ventured a small ways before stopping by a tree just outside the house. He stayed there all night, waiting for the miko to awaken.