I'm just going to get on with the story

Chapter 18

The quiet and peace of that morning had been disrupted once Kaede and Cho had appeared to check on her and found her wide awake sharing a comfortable silence with the dog demon. They had both been happy to see her awake and had immediately shooed Touga from the room so they could make one final exam before they would send her to wash and get ready for the morning meal.

Kaede and Cho were both uncharacteristically chatty as they helped her around, knowing she would be weak for a little bit and stiff as well. Kagome livened up with their enthusiasm, happy to hear that she would be making the day brighter just by showing up at the morning meal.

Her curiosity of Sesshomaru's home had kicked in as well and she hoped she could tour around for a bit that day. Her cheerfulness had tampered down when Sango's absence was noted but she was determined to see her right after the meal and finally be able to greet their baby. No one had revealed the sex of the baby to her. Miroku was anxiously waiting to finish the meal so he could drag Kagome off to meet his son and surprise Sango. Kagome had followed along just as anxiously with help from Cho. Kaede ordered Cho to stay with Kagome so she wouldn't overdue herself.

Sango was just finishing her meal in bed and was picking up her son to hold him a while when Miroku had entered with a surprise for her. She was overjoyed to see Kagome walk through the door looking well if not a bit weak. Soon after her daughters, Shippo, and Rin had also joined them with their new friend Serenity. The kids were bouncing off the walls in their excitement. As soon as Kagome had settled them down with a promise to join them for a while later, they had run out of the room with quick goodbyes so they could run off their energy.

Kagome embraced Sango and the baby when she was finally seated. As soon as they parted Sango held her son out for Kagome to hold, introducing him all the while, "this is Keitaro. Keitaro, this is your Aunt Kagome." Kagome cooed at their handsome son. She didn't part from them until the midday meal was going to be served. She was going to request that she took her meal with them but Sango had said she wanted to rest after her meal was finished.

The midday meal proceeded with Inuyasha telling her all about what he has been doing in the dojo and complaining about being fitted with armor later that day. Kagome was surprised to see his hair being held up like his father's. She was still surprised that the great dog demon was the one to save her, especially being he had been dead.

After the meal she spent the day out with the kids and Inuyasha while Miroku left to check on Sango and the baby. Cho had come along as well and was currently helping Kagome make flower crowns and necklaces. They spent a while playing chase with the kids before Cho ordered Kagome to rest after seeing how worn out she grew. Inuyasha situated himself in a branch in the tree Kagome rested against and was eventually lulled to sleep.

She woke to being picked up and looked up to see Inuyasha carrying her inside. "I have to go get fitted for my armor so Cho requested I take you back to your room. I'm glad you're awake again. I'm sorry Kagome that I let you stay at the shrine alone; I never should have given in."

"Inu, Inuyasha!" She reached up and tugged on a lock of his hair. "Don't say that, I don't blame you. If they didn't attack me they would have gone after you guys and that would have been worse. Do not apologize again; I can't be so selfish to think any of this was your fault. Anyways, I'm fine; it just took a really long slumber."

"Keh, you're just as reckless as always wench." She gave him a sleepy grin as an answer. "Rest while you have the chance." She gave in and laid her head against his chest, closing her eyes and barely registering when he laid her down and tucked her in.

Touga had seen his son carrying the priestess back to her room. Slight worry and a stirring of jealousy had him staying put for a while before he gave in and decided to check on her himself. He brought the two newest scrolls he had found promise in from what he scanned in them. He ended up in there the rest of the afternoon until the evening meal came and woke Kagome from her rest.

They walked quietly together to the evening meal when Kagome stopped and fidgeted with the sleeves of her cream colored Kimono and traced the green designs on the edges of it. "Touga, I'm sorry, I never properly thanked you for saving me." She straightened out and bowed to him, "you have my deepest thanks for coming to my rescue. Rushing into a burning building must not have been the easiest thing to do after you had been revived."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, feeling humbled but yet he didn't like seeing her bow to him. "It was of no consequence. I had felt some sort of urging to rise from the grave and followed the pleas I heard. I assume someone had told you it was me that came to your rescue."

He sounded so much like Sesshomaru for an instant that it had kept her silent a few seconds longer. She had already straightened herself out and gazed up at the handsome demon before her for a few seconds, chewing on his words a second more. "Well no, I mean to say no one told me. No one has even brought it up."

His raised eyebrow had her rushing to continue. "I had dreams of what happened. The jewel gave them to me. I could even hear some of the conversations that happened but was unable to wake up. It was strange but I can only explain this was the doing of the jewel. I umm, well..," She lowered her head fiddled with her sleeves again as a dusting of pink settled on her cheeks.

Touga raised his hand to her jaw and lifted her head for her eyes to meet his. His thumb caressed her cheek as he took in the softness of her skin and his amusement grew as the blush darkened. She is indeed beautiful, a woman he was definitely feeling drawn to. "Yes Kagome."

She opened her mouth to speak and he found his eyes looking at the pink lips. After a deep breath she found her bearings, "I well felt your presence next to me and it well comforted me. I, thank you for your company, even if you had been unaware that I felt your presence, it was nice knowing someone was close by." He blinked slowly. That was an interesting tidbit of information. He fingered the jewel in his sleeve.

"That is certainly interesting. I would like to hear more later when we have time if you're willing to share." She nodded and he let his hand fall and offered his arm to her so they could continue their walk to the evening meal. They arrived last and everyone took notice to them entering together. Once they were seated Sesshomaru started the meal and the chatter began.

Kagome spent time with Sango after the meal. Sesshomaru had requested his father's audience in his study so their talk would be delayed. Sango was feeling much better and Kaede said she would most likely be able to get out of bed and move around as normal tomorrow. They were happy to hear that and they stayed up late chatting until they began yawning and Miroku came in with two tired girls.

Sayuri clung to his back, grasping his robes and Kohana was fast asleep in his arms. She bid them goodnight and did her best to make her way to her own chambers. She ended up running into Sesshomaru and he stated their rooms were near each other and escorted her to her room and they bid each other goodnight as well.

After the long and exhausting day she changed out of her kimono, taking the orange obi off letting the rest slide to the floor before picking up her cleaned yukata and slipping it on before folding her kimono and obi back up. She stared at the sky and took note of the moon's appearance. She gazed at the sky for several moments before she could no longer resist the temptation of her futon. Slumber came soon after she lay down and covered up. She didn't even stir to her door sliding open or to the footsteps that followed.