Disclaimer: I was recently made God, and so I took InuYasha for my own. But then people claimed I was abusing my power, and they kicked me out. So Rumiko Takahashi still owns InuYasha.

Special thanks to Kame Hime for pointing out that Sesshoumaru did not "kill [Kagome's] weathered cheek."

Also thank to sumigoddess for pointing out that Sesshoumaru has lived for nearly a millenium, not a century.

LOVE MEANS PROTECTION


"Kagome?"

Go away.

"Kagome."

Leave me alone.

"Kagome!"

I don't want to talk.

"Kagome Higurashi, get up right now!"

Just let me be.

"That's it!" Someone grabbed her sheets and dragged them off of her. Kagome didn't bother to move.

"Go away, Mom." Kagome muttered. "I'm not feeling well."

"You've been moping for three days now." Mrs. Higurashi shouted. "It's time to get up. Move, go to school, do something. By kami, Kagome, I haven't seen anyone this since your Aunt Kamiya got preganant." Mrs. Higurashi turned, then froze. Eyes wide in panic, she turned back to Kagome. "You didn't-"

"You'd have to have sex to be pregnant, Mom." Kagome snapped. "I'm still a virgin."

Mrs. Higurashi frowned at her, but relaxed a bit. "Get up and get out of my house. I don't care where you go, but I don't want to see you again until at least six o' clock."

"You're kicking me out of the house!" Kagome shouted.

"That's not how I would put it, but yes, I am." Mrs. Higurashi shouted. "I don't know what happened, and I know you won't tell me, but I won't let you mope around like some pathetic piece of trash! You are not going down that road."

"Fine!" Kagome screamed. "I'll go out! Why don't I fulfill your expectations and get pregnant as well? Would that make you happy?"

"Kagome Higurashi, don't you dare speak to me like that!" Mrs. Higurashi screamed back. "I am your mother, and I demand to be treated with respect!"

Kagome almost screamed back, but just as she was about to, a tear fell from her mother's eyes. Kagome stared at it, uncomprehending. Her mother had never cried. Even when her father had died, Kagome had never seen her mother let loose a single tear. It was one of the unbreakable laws of the universe. Gravity always pulled down. The earth circled the sun. Kagome's mother did not cry. To see her mother crying now. . .

"Mom, I'm sorry." Kagome's tone was quiet, almost pleading. "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean it, I swear."

Mrs. Higurashi quickly wiped away the tear. "Oh, I know you didn't. We both let our tempers get the best of us." Mrs. Higurashi sighed. "I just worry about you. Especially when you come back like this. Sometimes, I wonder what I'm supposed to do."

"It's my fault, Mom." Kagome answered, rushing forward to hug her mother. "Really. You're one of the major reasons I like coming home from the Feudal Era."

Mrs. Higurashi hugged her back, then let her go. "I'm serious about you getting out, though. It's not healthy to be holed up like this all the time."

Kagome smiled. "Let me take a shower and stuff, and I'll go out as soon as I'm ready."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled as her daughter ran off. She really was lucky to have Kagome, even if she was a hormonal teenager with no ability to control herself. She shook her head and remade Kagome's bed, her smile growing as she heard the shower going. She knew that once Kagome got herself going again, she would soon be back to her old self. She hummed to herself as she went down the stairs, sure that she would have her daughter back very soon.

Once again, Kagome found herself running in Tokyo Conservational Park. She still didn't know why she always felt the need to run here. There were other places she could be running, but somehow, Tokyo Conservational Park seemed to be the only place she could find respite when she needed. She ran for a good two hours, just feeling the wind rush passed her. The cold air pushed against her skin, and though she could feel it going numb, she felt more exhilarated than she had in a while.

When she finally felt that couldn't run another step, she slowed down to a walk. One loop of cool downs, and then I'll head home. She looked up at the sky, and saw that it was starting to cloud up. Looks like rain. I hope it holds off until I get home.

"For the last time, I'm not finished!"

Kagome stopped in her tracks, and a smile spread over her face. She turned around to see Ao and Kin walking up the path. She almost ran up to them, but she stopped when she got a good look at the couple. Kin looked very annoyed, or as annoyed as Kin ever looked, while Ao's annoyance was plain for the world to see. Kagome was rather curious, as she had never seen them seriously fight before. They always teased, but this time, Ao actually seemed angry with Kin. She stopped a few yards away, not wanting to intrude if they were having an argument. Seeing that Kin was about to speak, and that he actually looked angry, Kagome started to back away. Okay, now might not be the best time to-

"Kagome!"

Mentally, Kagome cursed as Ao recognized her. She didn't want to be in the middle of a fighting couple. "Hey Ao, Kin!"

Ao ran over and grabbed Kagome in a fierce hug. "Thank god! Someone to save me from this lunatic!"

Kagome chuckled nervously. "Um. . . I really don't know what to say to that."

Kin just nodded to her before turning back to Ao with a scowl. "You are being childish and immature. As you have proven with your irresponsible actions, you are incapable of taking proper care of yourself. It is only natural that I do it for you, seeing as how it is my duty and responsibilty."

Ao made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a growl. "I'm sorry to burden you with such a responsibility! You arrogant, cold-heart, ba-" Ao stopped herself and took a deep breath before she spoke again. "I think you need to go, Kin. Before you say something else you will regret." Ao linked her arm with Kagome. "Will you take a walk with me, Kagome?"

Kagome was nearly tempted to say no, but she had a feeling that she'd never get over the guilt of denying that absolutely pleading look on Ao's face. She looked over helplessly at Kin, who sighed and nodded. Feeling a bit better, though a bit guilty about asking Kin's permission to take his wife with her, Kagome smiled at Ao. "Alright. Anywhere in particular?"

"Not especially." Ao answered. "Although, I've heard that there is this amazing little fast food place just around the corner-"

Kin was instantly on edge again. "You are not going to enter any such place, Ao." He practically growled.

Ao tightened her grip on Kagome and began to walk away. "Kagome, I am begging you, do not listen to him. I swear, I am not going to die because of a gods damned hamburger!"

"Ao, what's-"

Ao didn't give her the chance to ask. She just grabbed Kagome's arm firmly and walked away, leaving behind a very frustrated Kin. Kagome was going to comment, but something about Ao's face warned her that now would not be a good time. So she followed Ao in silence as the older woman dragged her into a nearby fast food place. She sat in a booth heavily, a scowl on her normally serene face. Kagome sat across from her and finally spoke.

"Who'd he kill?"

Ao looked up sharply, confusion written on her face. "Sorry?"

"Who did Kin kill?" Kagome answered. "I can't think of any other reason why you'd be upset with him. The two of you hardly ever fight, at least form what I've seen. And for you to just leave him behind like that? You must be extremely angery at him. So the only thing I can think of for him to deserve that is if he killed someone."

Ao's look of anger softened, and she sighed. "I suppose I overreacted just a little bit." Ao looked up and saw Kagome's look of disbelief, and she chuckled. "Alright, I overreacted a lot. I was really unfair to him. But really, I do not need him hovering over my shoulder expecting me to keel over at any second!"

Kagome waited a moment for Ao to settle down before she tried again. "So why are you so angry at Kin today?"

Ao glared at the table for a moment before her expression softened once more with a sigh. "I went to the doctor today for the yearly check up, and now Kin is being an overprotective idiot. Honestly, I love him to bits, but the man gets so upset over the stupidest things."

Kagome chuckled. "You do know it's because he loves you, right?"

Ao sighed. "I know. But sometimes he gets to the point that I just want to smack him. He went through every piece of food in our house, and got rid of nearly everything! Honest to kami, the only things left in my house are tofu, bread, and a few fruits. He got rid of the strawberries because they have too much sugar. I nearly cried."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Okay, that's a bit over the top. I mean, strawberries are fruits."

"Try telling him that." Ao grumbled. "I need a big fat hamburger, with lots of carbs and cholesterol."

Kagome laughed and stood. "One heart attack inducing hamburger, coming right up."

"Thank you kami!" Ao answered. Kagome laughed again and headed over to the counter to place their order. When she went to the side so that she could pick up the order, she caught a flash of silver outside the window. On instinct, fearing to see InuYasha, she turned to get a better view. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw that it was only Kin, who was getting settled on a park bench across the road from the fast food place. She smiled at him, and he nodded in return.

How sweet. Kagome thought. Even though she's furious at him, he's still following her to make sure that she's alright. She raised a hand to her lips and turned her hand, indicating that she wouldn't mention him to Ao. He nodded again before pulling out a newspaper and settling into the bench. He obviously trusted Kagome to keep Ao safe, at least a little.

Kagome got back to the table, and Ao grabbed her burger. "Thank kami for carbs!" She nearly shouted. "I'm dying."

Kagome just laughed. "I hardly think you're dying, Ao. Just deprived." She pulled out her own burger and drink before sitting down across from her elderly friend. "Are you sure you're not being too hard on him?"

"He nearly incarcerated me for running in the park!" Ao grouched. "He said it was too much of a strain on me."

Kagome winced. "Okay, maybe he's a bit too much. But you know he's only doing it because he loves you, and couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you."

Ao sighed. "Dang it. When you put it like that, how am I supposed to stay angry." She sighed again. "Alright, I'll apologize when I next see him."

They were silent for a few minutes, before Kagome felt a pair of eyes nearly burning into her skull. She looked up and saw Ao staring at her intensely. She quickly ducked her head, but Ao just kept staring. Finally, Kagome slammed her drink down. "What!"

"Nothing, nothing." Ao answered, a smirk on her face. "What makes you think I want something?"

"You've been staring at me for at least ten minutes, if not more." Kagome growled. "What do you want?"

"Me thinks she doth protest too much." Ao answered with amusement. "A guilty conscious, perhaps? Maybe there is something that's bothering you? Something that you want to get off your chest?"

Kagome glared at her. "You do this on purpose, don't you?"

Ao placed a hand against her chest, as if to say who, me? "I am hurt, Kagome. How could you possibly think that I would purposefully draw you into a conversation that would explain to me exactly why you look as if the weight of the world is perched on your very wonderful yet heavily weighed down shoulders?"

Kagome scowled and grabbed her burger again. "It's none of your business."

"Of course not." Ao answered calmly. "I wouldn't dream of getting involved in your personal affairs."

"You wouldn't be interested."

"The world of the average Japanese teenager could never interest me."

"You wouldn't get it."

"You are an enigma to me. How could I possibly understand your life?"

"It's complicated.'

"You would know."

Silence reigned while Ao finished up her burger. With one last bite, she went to work on her soda. "Kagome, I'm not going to force you to tell me anything. It's your life, and if you choose to keep silent with your problems, then I have no right to tell you differently. However, if you should need a listening ear, then I'd ask that you keep me in mind."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you. And I will, I promise."

Ao grabbed her garbage and stood. "Well, I'll trash this and then we'll go find Kin." Ao answered. "I know you're right. I have been a little harsh."

"A little?" Kagome mumbled. Ao elbowed her, and they both burst out laughing. After depositing their trash, they headed out. Kagome noted how Kin waited until they passed before folding up the newspaper to follow after them. She surreptitiously motioned to him, letting him know that it was okay to get closer. In the process, she nearly ran into Ao, who had stopped in the middle of the street.

"Sorry about that!" Kagome exclaimed. "Are you alright?"

Ao had a strange look on her face, and she rubbed her chest absently. "Oh, yeah, I'm-" She stopped mid sentence, and the look on her face deepened. Hesitantly, she raised her right hand and rubbed her left arm.

"Ao?" Kagome asked.

"My left arm hurts." Ao whispered. Then she collapsed on the ground gasping for breath.

"Ao!" Kagome shouted. She reached down, not sure exactly what she was supposed to be doing, but knowing she had to do something! "Ao, don't jo-"

Kagome froze as jiaki swarmed around her. Her heart clenched as she sensed the rage and fear emanating from the jiaki. Then a familiar pair of hands knocked hers out of the way and lifted Ao off the ground. Her head shot up to see Kin beside her, jiaki rolling off of him in waves. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Kagome read the terror and fear in his eyes just as he read the shock and worry in hers. Then he was gone, using demonic speed so fast that the only way Kagome could track him was by the jiaki he was emanating.

Kagome stared after him, ignoring the people around her who were staring. Kin is. . . a demon!


There had been very few times in Sesshoumaru's life when he had felt like a complete and total idiot. After living for nearly twelve hundred years, there had been a total of seven times when he'd done something reckless and stupid. This, unfortunately, made his total eight. Kagome was going to hang him from the rafters by his toes for this. Her younger self wasn't supposed to know about him, about them. He could have just blown everything to pieces by his actions.

But as he sat in a chair directly in front of the surgery doors, he couldn't make himself regret it. Had she gotten to the hospital any later. . . no. He wasn't going to think about that. The point was, she had arrived at the hospital just thirty seconds after the heart attack began, and she was going to be fine. She was Kagome, the Miko no Shikon, the woman who defeated Naraku. Her heart had helped so many people over the years; surely it wouldn't abandon the one that it truly owed allegiance to when she needed it most.

"Mr. Nishinoshu?"

Sesshoumaru looked up to see one of the nurses standing in front of him. "Yes?"

"I'm very sorry, sir, but I need you to fill out these forms so that we can treat your wife." The nurse answered softly.

Sesshoumaru growled and grabbed the front of the nurse's uniform. "You mean you have yet to treat her!" The nurse tried to speak, but all Sesshoumaru heard were squeaks. His eyes started to bleed. These infernals humans-

"Kin!"

Sesshoumaru whirled and Kagome's scent knocked into him. But it was wrong. . . a younger Kagome raced up to him, and he realized that his Kagome's scent held the aged quality that was missing from this Kagome's smell. Seeing her panicked face calmed him a bit, at least enough to release the terrified nurse.

"I apologize." Sesshoumaru said softly, giving the young woman a slight bow. "As you can imagine, I am rathered stressed."

The nurse cleared her throat, and Sesshoumaru watched as the panic seeped from her eyes. "It's alright sir, I phrased myself incorrectly. Your wife is being treated, I can promise you that. We just need you to fill out these forms for the billing, and for her treatment after surgery."

Surgery? Sesshoumaru's mind couldn't help but replay that one word over and over. Robotically, he took the forms from the nurse and settled back down in his chair. He pulled out the pen that was always in his shirt pocket and started filling out the form. He was only vaguely aware that the younger Kagome sat beside him.

"Have you seen any of the doctors yet?" Kagome's soft whisper, her scent that was so close to his mate's, and the gentle way her hand reached to stroke his arm helped to take the edge off the battle he was fighting with his instincts. They were demanding that he find his mate, that he see for himself how bad she was. He was only just barely forcing himself to stay in one place.

"Only to sign a release form." Sesshoumaru answered.

"Well, at least you got her here quickly." Kagome murmured. "She'll be fine, I'm sure."

"How did you find us?" Sesshoumaru asked. He really didn't care, but he needed to do something to get his mind off of the thought of Kagome on an operating table.

"I followed your jiaki." Kagome answered. "You're releasing enough that I could probably find it in my sleep."

Sesshoumaru finished filling out the form and brought it up to the nurse's station. When he came back, he saw Kagome on the phone. ". . . late, Mom. I'm at the hospital. No, I'm fine, but an older friend of mine is here. Yes. Okay. Of course not, Mom. Alright. Love you too."

Sesshoumaru sat beside her again, and saw that she did not flinch away. It didn't surprise him, but she would expect him to be. He had become quite accomplished at anticipating people's reactions, and the way they expected him to act in return. "I do not frighten you."

It was a statement, not a question, but Kagome still answered. "You're not the only one with power." She said softly.

Sesshoumaru smirked. "Of course not, miko." He nearly chuckled at the way Kagome jumped. He'd forgotten how excitable she was when she was younger. "I assume since I am still alive that you will not be purifying me."

"Not if you don't attack me first." Kagome answered. "But I assume, since you have yet to do so, that attacking me is not your intention." She looked down the hallway, as if just by looking she could make a doctor appear. "How old is Ao?"

"Eighty." Sesshoumaru answered. 520.

"Is that her real age?" Kagome asked. "Or is it just what you're using at the moment?"

Sesshoumaru smirked. "It is her real age." Or at least, how old her body is.

"She looks a bit. . ."

Sesshoumaru's smirk grew. "She looks old because she is human. She does not have the life span of a demon."

Kagome was silent for a few moments. Then she finally spoke up. "Why did you do it?"

Sesshoumaru blinked and looked over at her. "I don't understand."

"You knew I was a miko, and you knew I'd know what you are." Kagome answered. "And I'm sure you know that most mikos would purify you instead of giving you the benefit of the doubt. And yet you still took the chance. So why?"

Sesshoumaru stared at her in open shock. "Ao would have died."

"I know that." Kagoem answered. "But why-"

"Ao would have died."

"Yes, but-"

"Ao would have died."

"I know but-"

"Ao would have died."

Kagome stared at him for a long moment, and Sesshoumaru watched as realization dawned. "That's really all the reason you need, isn't it?"

"I would do it again, if it meant that Ao would live." Sesshoumaru answered. "I'm sure that you would do the same for someone you care for."

Kagome smiled at him. "Yes, I would." She sighed as she looked away, a look of pain crossing her face. "I just wish there was someone who would do that for me."

The last part had been mumbled, and obviously not for Sesshoumaru to hear. Luckily, his demonic senses had not lessened over the years, and he heard it anyway. He clearly remembered the group Kagome had once traveled with, and they all seemed to have adored her. At the very least, InuYasha would have laid down his life for hers. So why did she sound as if she truly believed her words?

"You sound as though you believe yourself to be the only one." Sesshoumaru said cautiously. "Wouldn't those you care for do the same for you?"

Kagome closed her eyes as her aura became saddened. "Sometimes I wonder."

Sesshoumaru could tell something was definitely wrong. Had she had a fight with InuYasha? Or perhaps there was something wrong with another in her group? He was fairly certain that he was not yet one of her main focuses, so it couldn't have been him. He mentally growled to himself. His Kagome was so much better at dealing with this kind of thing.

"Perhaps the boyfriend you mentioned to Ao?" Sesshoumaru suggested.

He knew at once he'd said the wrong thing. Kagome's eyes filled with tears nearly instantly. Panicked, he scrambled for something to say. "I'm sorry if I have brought up a delicate topic. Please, ignore my prying, I was merely curious. Forget I said anything."

"No, it's not like that." Kagome whispered. "It's just. . . I guess I can't really explain it."

Sesshoumaru hesitated. One option would be prodding her to continue, entering into territory that he was very unfamiliar with. The other would be to keep silent. At first, Sesshoumaru was content to let silence reign, but then the oppressive air of the hospital set in. Visions of Kagome flashed before his eyes: her chest rising as she gasped for breath, her wrinkled face turning blue, her wizened eyes slowly draining of life. . .

"Did something happen between the two of you?" Sesshoumaru asked gently. Better to be awkward than let his fear overtake him.

Kagome bit her lip, a sign that she was unsure of something. Then she let out a breath, meaning she had made her decision. "My boyfriend is a hanyou."

Sesshoumaru almost laughed. She was going to try to explain his own brother to him. Well granted, she didn't know he was Sesshoumaru, so it made sense in a way. "Is that so? I was not aware that many existed anymore. Most of the ones in the area are related to me in some way. Perhaps I know him."

"He's from out of town." Kagome quickly answered. "An inuhanyou."

"Really?" Sesshoumaru was having fun with this now. "And here I thought that my family was the only one with any inuyoukai blood. I'd love to meet him."

"He's not in town a lot!" Kagome blurted out. "He only stops by once in a while!"

He was barely holding back a smirk now. He had to get serious. "Some other time then." He nearly chuckled when she instantly relaxed. "Is your boyfriend's hanyou status the reason for your concern?"

"No!" Kagome nearly shouted. "I would never blame him for being born!"

He knew that she was not as racist as many of that era had been. But it was an excellent way to segway into his next question. "Then what happened?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"We. . ." Kagome paused, once again biting her lip. After a moment, she sighed. "We had a fight."

Sesshoumaru waited, and when she didn't continue, he prodded. "About?"

Kagome sighed again. "He saw me with his brother." She whispered. Sesshoumaru realized with a start that he could smell her tears. What had that bastard half breed done to make his Kagome cry? "He saw us, and he made some assumptions that made no sense whatsoever. And he wouldn't listen to me."

"He does not trust you." Sesshoumaru accused.

"He's had a hard life." Kagome whispered. "It's difficult for him to trust."

"You are making excuses for him."

Kagome glared at him. "I'm trying to tell you what's happening, and all you're doing is being nasty!"

Old habits die hard, I suppose. "I apologize, Kagome. I will attempt to keep an open mind." Sesshoumaru would have let her continue, but when she turned back to him, he noticed a very faint hand-shaped mark on Kagome's cheek. His hand snapped out and gently took her chin. He pulled her face to the side to confirm what he saw: the last traces of a hand-shaped bruise on her face.

"He hit you." There was no question in Sesshoumaru's voice.

"He didn't mean to." Kagome whispered.

"That is not in question." Sesshoumaru snapped. "He has harmed you."

"He was just angry." Kagome protested.

Sesshoumaru snapped. "If his response to anger is violence, then he is dangerous."

"He's not dangerous, and he's not violent. . ." Sesshoumaru could hear the doubt in her tone as her voice trailed off, and understood it. He remembered well the whelp's tendency to strike out when angered, and time had never changed him. If he had already attacked her, then it would be easier to do so the next time he was angry.

Kagome finally shook her head. "He loves me. I know he does."

Sesshoumaru growled. "Do not insult me."

Kagome looked up with a start. "I don't-"

"By your definition, if you love someone, you will beat them and undermine their confidence." Sesshoumaru snapped. "Do you really think I could ever do that to Ao, now or ever? Do you think that I would risk my life for her if that was a basis for love?" Sesshoumaru returned to his seat. "Do not ever insult myself or Ao in that manner."

Kagome stared at him, and Sesshoumaru could smell the tears that were trying to escape. "I'm sorry. I didn't. . . I mean, you know. . . I'm sorry."

Sesshoumaru sighed and leaned back in his chair. He was too old for this stuff, and much too impatient. Where was the Sesshoumaru who would listen to council members drone on and on for hours on end? It couldn't have been that long ago.

"Kagome, I want you to listen to me." Sesshoumaru said softly. "If you love someone, you protect them. You don't do it because it's expected. You don't do it because it's right. You don't do it because you want to. You don't even do it because they want you to. You do it because when that person is in danger, there's no time to think. You do it because when they are in danger, all you can think about is protecting them. When you love someone, your first instinct is to protect them, no matter what the cost."

Kagome was quiet for a long while before she finally spoke. "Like you did with Ao today."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "When I saw her colla-" He cleared his throat, hoping to hide the catch in his voice. Judging by the look on Kagome's face, he hadn't done a very good job of it. "When she fell, I didn't think. To me, the only thing that mattered was getting to my mate. It didn't matter that a miko was right there, a miko that could kill me in an instant. The only thing that went through my mind was 'Ao needs a hospital.'" He looked at Kagome, making sure to remain in eye contact with her. "That is love. Anything else just belittles the real thing."

Kagome didn't answer him. But she didn't try to deny what he said anymore either. She even took his hand after a few minutes of silence. But now that he was done speaking, thoughts of his Kagome filled his mind. Was she done with surgery? Was she already—no. Sesshoumaru refused to believe that Kagome could have died. She was too damn stubborn for her own good, and this time was no different. She wouldn't die on him. She wouldn't.

The doors opened, and Kagome's doctor entered the waiting room. Sesshoumaru was instantly on his feet, his jiaki flaring as he lost control of it again. The doctor appeared solemn, but he did not smell of fear. It took only ten seconds for the doctor to cross the room, but to Sesshoumaru, it felt like hours. He nearly collapsed when the doctor looked at his worried face and smiled.

"Your wife is safe."

Sesshoumaru stood outside Kagome's hospital room, hesitant to enter. The doctor had said the operation was a success, but what if it was all some sick, twisted joke? What if she was really in there dying, just waiting to say good-bye one last time? What if she was putting on a brave face for him? What if –

What if InuYasha were to die his hair red and become one of the nekoyoukai! Sesshoumaru mentally growled at himself. It was all Kagome's fault he was a worry ridden old fart. Before her, he had never had any reason to worry, especially about a frail human that could die because their heart failed. He sighed to himself, used to the conflicts that raged within him when it came to his mate. She was a weakness and a strength wrapped in one, and she knew it too.

Cautiously, Sesshoumaru opened the door and peeked inside. Kagome lay on her bed, and judging from the look on her face and her even breathing, she was fast asleep. All that worry for nothing. Sesshoumaru thought as he pushed to door completely open. He smiled softly as he approached the bed, making for the chair that sat beside the sleeping Kagome. He took his place, grimacing slightly at the poor quality of the chair. Then he reached forward and gently took Kagome's hand, ignoring the wires and tubes that were clamped around it.

"You really scared me, Kagome." Sesshoumaru whispered. "I've lived for nearly a millennium. I've seen things that would make even the bravest of men or demons wet themselves or run away screaming like children. I've faced it all without fear." He chuckled as he squeezed the limp hand in his. "And yet all it took to nearly give me a heart attack of my own was the thought that you might die on me."

Sesshoumaru spread his jiaki to check that no one was around before he dragged the chair closer. He wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist and carefully pulled her towards the side of the bed, watching closely for any signs of distress. Finding none, he returned his hand to hers and bent in half so that he could bury his face in the crook of her neck. He took a deep breath in, reveling in the scent of his mate. Her scent, so much like the younger Kagome's, was so uniquely hers. It told of trials, of death, of endurance, and of life. Even now, after so close a brush with death, his mate's scent radiated life.

"Don't scare me like that again." Sesshoumaru whispered. "I put up with a lot, koi. But if you even pull a stunt like this again, I will never forgive you. You still have a lot to do, and I won't let you wimp out like this." A small smile, the one that was reserved solely for his mate, played over his face. He briefly lifted his head to nuzzle her weathered cheek before returning his head to her shoulder. "I love you, Kagome Higurashi. Now wake up, before I really think you're dead."

Sesshoumaru knew better than to expect an answer. Even with the bond between them, Kagome's body was that of an old woman. It would take several days, if not longer, for her to wake from the coma they'd had to place her in in order to operate on her. Sesshoumaru leaned back and got himself comfortable. He would admit, he was no longer the patient young inudaiyoukai who could sit through the droning of inferior beings. His behavior in the waiting room was proof enough of that. But he knew that if it was for Kagome, he would wait for as long as was needed.

He was prepared, but that didn't make him any less joyful when Kagome slowly opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Love you too." She whispered softly, before closing her eyes again and drifting back to sleep.