On the Outside by SunsetMiko

Relief

Chapter 43 - Relief

*Act of Demon or Work of God* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome was once again sleeping against the taiyoukai in Inuyasha's hospital room when Sesshoumaru heard a soft groan. His gaze shot to his brother immediately and he watched as the hanyou opened his eyes. Sesshoumaru gently nudged the miko awake, directing her attention to the hospital bed.

"Oh, my gods! Inuyasha!" she exclaimed, apologizing as the hanyou winced at the loud sound.

"What in the hell happened to me?" he asked, his voice hoarse from disuse.

"Look at you! You look so much better," she said in a softer tone. Finally, his demon healing had begun to work on the wounds on his face, which told her that his internal injuries had already healed. "Oh, thank the gods. You're finally healing!"

"You were attacked outside the homecoming dance," Sesshoumaru explained, since Kagome was too busy fussing over the hanyou.

"I was?" he asked in confusion.

"By a huge group," Kagome added. "They almost killed you, Inuyasha. You've been in a coma for a week. I didn't think you were going to wake up." Tears were streaming down her face as she leaned in and hugged Inuyasha carefully.

"I'm fine, 'Gome," he assured her.

"They had to remove your spleen and half of your liver. They broke the bones around your eye, broke your ribs. You had a punctured lung," the miko explained. "Oh, I'm so glad you're okay." She turned to Sesshoumaru before continuing. "You should call your father."

"Can I get some water?" Inuyasha asked and Kagome was instantly pouring him a glass. Once he'd taken a large sip from the straw she held out for him, he tried to sit up, only then realizing just how much pain he was in. "Ah, damn it," he hissed, allowing his body to fall back to the bed.

"You're going to have to take it slow for a while, Inu," Kagome cooed at him while helping him adjust his pillows. She handed him the remote to adjust the bed and watched him like a hawk for any sign of pain as he raised the head of the bed.

*Enemy Unseen* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"How did they get me?" he asked. "The last thing I remember is watching you dancing with Sesshoumaru."

A blush spread across Kagome's cheeks at the memory and she sighed. "They got you outside somehow. When we found you, you were in the middle of a huge circle of people kicking you. The doctors said if we hadn't stopped it when we did, that you might have died."

"You saved me?" he asked.

"Sesshoumaru heard the yelling. We should never have left you alone, but I had no idea they would do something like that. The ringleaders have been arrested for assault and the rest are being suspended or expelled from school. How are you feeling? Do you need anything? I should let the nurses know you're awake."

"I will do it," Sesshoumaru volunteered, having just finished the phone call alerting his father to the change in Inuyasha's condition.

"I could use something for pain," the hanyou admitted. His entire body ached and his face was throbbing. He could barely open his left eye, and the light made him wish he hadn't tried.

"They'll give you something. Are you hungry? You'll have to eat to help your body keep healing."

"Calm down, 'Gome. I'll be all right, I promise." He was touched by her level of concern but he was more interested by what he saw when he woke up. Kagome had been sleeping curled up against his brother. Were they together finally? When Sesshoumaru returned, nurses in tow, he raised his right brow at the taiyoukai, tilting his head towards the miko in question.

"I will explain later," Sesshoumaru replied almost silently. There wasn't time for further discussion as the nurses took over, checking his vitals and fussing over him in a similar fashion to how Kagome had been moments before. His doctors were called and soon after his father arrived to join the circus surrounding the hanyou.

Kagome sat back with a sigh of relief. The worst part was over. He was awake and he would finish healing. He would be fine. Now, however, without the distraction of an unconscious Inuyasha, she would have to deal with the Sesshoumaru situation. What would she tell him? She hadn't really thought things through when she slept in his arms. She was just so tired and needed comforting. Did he think they were together now? Were they? She had no idea.