InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Lifetime Loving You Part 1; Seasons in Owari ❯ Recovery 2 ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4; Recovery II

(Kagome)

The next morning came without mercy. Two days after my body was beaten like a rag doll and I still felt like it had only happened five seconds ago before my odd black out. I was so scared wondering what had happened to me. All my senses were cut off, like I was dead but still breathing.

My sense of smell returned though, and I'll never forget the first thing my nose caught. Inu-yasha's wonderful smell, and this morning the comfort and security of it were equally thankful. He stayed with me all through the day yesterday. I was so weak I must have slept a lot, but with all of his efforts to find me and get me to aid, I'm sure he needed his rest as much as I did.

When morning broke through the night sky I stirred like I had yesterday morning. No sooner did I feel his hand in my hair again. I felt so gross not taking a bath in two days. I must have smelled like ass, but it didn't seem to bother Inu-yasha. I opened my eyes and watched him as he dozed. His face was so close to mine. It was like he wanted to make sure he was close enough to look at me in order to ensure I was still there. His nose still touched mine, and I new he smelled me in his sleep. He did everything to make sure I was still there when he opened his eyes.

His presence, however, didn't stop the on going pain in my body. My arms felt like they had stones tied to them and wires were cutting into my skin as I tried to move any of the limbs on my body. My injuries didn't stop me from struggling to lift myself. I wanted to get on my feet. I pushed myself up in agony, but I kept my mouth shut so I wouldn't wake him. Inu- yasha looked so peaceful when he slept, and so beautiful. His silver locks strewn across the floor and his slight child pose, which was meant to cradle my head. His head resting on the arm on the side he had chosen to rest on. Like I said, Inu-yasha looked beautiful.

I sat up and watched him to make sure he didn't stir. I then realized my school uniform was in the corner of the hut and I was once again wearing one of Kikyo's old things. A white robe with string, and bandages with herbs covered my body's broken appearance. It was the first time I looked at the damage since I couldn't see a thing during the time of the beating.

I lifted one leg and held my breath as the pain shot through my body. A tear formed in my eye, but my stubbornness kept me moving. I picked up the other leg and pushed myself forward so that my legs could start to support my weight again. I pushed and put one hand in front of me to catch my fall if I pushed to hard. Having that hand in front and one hand in back supporting all my weight killed me and tears streamed down my face with every agonizing moment. I found I had little strength to push with one hand, and decided to risk falling forward. I placed my other hand back and pushed with both hands, and sure enough I lost my balance and fell on my side with a loud thud.

Inu-yasha shot up and search franticly for me when he realized I wasn't the first thing he saw. He looked up since he was still on his side, and found me shivering in pain. "Kagome!"

He got to his knees and picked me up once he shuffled over to me. He held me close to his chest and I placed my ear to his heart. It was racing slightly, and I hated myself for attempting to get to my feet and making him going to a panic for it. I placed on hand on his chest and saw the stains of blood on his skirt for the first time.

"I'm sorry! I want to get on my feet, again."

Inu-yasha brought his nose to mine and nuzzled my cheek. "You're still too weak!"

His voice was full of pain almost, but he watched me softly. I just wanted to be closer to him.

"I need a bath, Inu-yasha! I have to try and clean myself up somewhat. I must smell horrible this morning."

He pulled me closer trying not to hurt me. Inu-yasha tucked my head under his chin and he sustained my shoulders with his well-built arm. I reach up with one arm and touched the physique of his upper chest through the stained cloth. He smelled so good.

"You're wrong, you know," he spoke softly with sadness in the back of his throat. "You smell beautiful! You always smell beautiful!"

I wanted to call him a liar, but the sound of his heart beating feverously was enough to tell me he was being honest.

"I still want to wash up!"

I felt one of Inu-yasha's arms move to curl around my legs. I felt so crippled, and ashamed that he were my legs that morning.

Still, I was never more thankful for having him so close. I wanted to stay that way forever, not crippled though. I just wanted him to stay close by.

~~~~

(Inu-yasha)

When I brought Kagome to the hot springs to bathe, I realized some things never change. Kagome still wanted me to keep my back to the spring and not look, even though everything in my head was telling me to watch her to make sure she didn't drown.and maybe catch a glimpse of her.

I could hear her splashing around and the sound of her taking the bandages off to clean her cuts. Her hair seemed to be of great concern for her though.

I wandered not far from her so that I could still smell her and hear her. I removed my white shirt and began to clean the blood off of it in the hot spring. I knew hot water wasn't the best for the stains, but the clots of blood came apart in it. I picked at the cloth with my claws and got most of the stains out.

I hung it over a branch in a tree and climbed to the limb that was next in succession to the top. I waited for Kagome now, and the odd thing was I didn't hear the sound of water splashing.

Thump...thump, thump!

My heart skipped one of its beats, and I sat up from my limb and looked in her general direction. "Kagome?" I hollered.

I waited for a response, and called out again, "Kagome?!"

"I'm fine!" I heard her call, "I'm just getting out!"

I blinked my eyes a few times and hopped down form my perch. "Are you dressed?"

She didn't exactly answer the way I would have wished for her to. "In a minute, I'm just having difficulty getting to the robe."

I closed my eyes for a moment, and then thought, to hell with it! If she sits me, she sits me, but at least I'll know she's not in pain.

This was pathetic; I grabbed my pre-wet shirt and stomped off. "Get in the water, Kagome."

I heard her body slink back into it with a slight splash. "What are you doing?"

I stomped over to her bathing area and grabbed her robe. I then turned to her direction and averted my eyes just enough so I could still see her out of the very corner of my eyes. She of course wrapped her arms over her breasts like always. I placed the robe to my side and gestured her to turn around. She did so and looked over her shoulder at me.

I reassured her. "I'm not looking, I swear. I just want to help. Even if I do see anything, it won't matter. I'm more concerned with helping you get out without you hurting yourself."

I opened my shirt and whipped it in the air to shake the excess water off of it. I then turned to look at Kagome, and saw for the first time the wounds my brother had inflicted on her. Her once soft smooth back was now covered with red scratches and cuts. I looked at them for a long time before shaking my head and finally walking toward her. She smelled better somewhat now, but still nothing hid her scent. If anything the hot water warmed her body's scent even more. I wrapped my kimono over her shoulders and left it up to her to cover the rest. "Ready?" I said trying to be completely serous about the matter.

Kagome slipped her arms through and closed the front of the nagajugan (undergarment) to offer her more comfort with my presence. Obviously that was the idea of giving my shirt to her in the first place. She looked over her shoulder, "I'm ready!"

I then walked over and wadded into the spring with my hakama (pants) still on (Thank you Angel of Diamonds!). I placed one arm around her back and curled my arm under the water to take hold of her legs. She flinched though when I got ready to lift her. I realized she went to grab hold of the hemming of my shirt to hide her middle. "No!" she persisted, "Your shirt's to short!"

I found this of little concern since I wasn't really trying to focus on any part of the feminine anatomy, especially hers. So, in all aggravation I looked at her. "You can't hold on to me while covering yourself, Kagome. It will be a lot worse if I have to press you to me."

Now, it wouldn't have made any difference. I would have still enjoyed it either way, but no matter what I wanted to earn her trust with this whole "peeping tom" thing.

However, in this case it wasn't about to start now. With her disapproval, I went with the first idea that came to mind. I really didn't have any sort of plan for the whole thing, but it served its purpose, and another.

I brought my nose to her face and gently rubbed it to calm her and opened my eyes to look into hers. I could see my golden spheres mirrored in her bluish-brown eyes. She gasped from the slightly unexpected motion, but she seemed calmer now. I felt the muscles in her back and legs relax and it was like feeling butter melt in my hands. The steam of the hot spring made her scent so much stronger now, and I liked it. Feh, I loved it!

"Now will you hold on to me?"

Kagome blinked a few times and then I felt her wet palm touch the back of my neck. It sent shivers up and down my spine and through out my entire body. I closed my eyes for a moment just to savor it a bit. I opened them for a moment and looked at her, only to close them again as I exhaled and picked her up and out of the hot water. I opened my eyes but stayed focused on her as I pulled my legs out of the water. I bent down a took hold of the robe with the hand that supported her legs, and then took a few steps to a tree and put her feet down on the ground. Her legs wobbled and I knew she wasn't strong enough still to hold her own. Our eyes never left their focal point, and I wrapped her robe around her body. Slowly I held her upright as she passed her arms through the sleeves. Once the robe was secure I broke my stare and grinned, "See? Didn't look once!"

My body felt so weak after that, but it was far different just looking in her eyes that whole time. My heart felt weak and strong all at one. I didn't know if I was going to be able to pull her out of that water, or grab the robe, or even hold her while she dressed. There were two cuts on her face, one on each soft cheek. I wanted to just fall back into that water and remove my nagajugan from her body and just feel her sore body. I wanted to know if my touch could sooth her pain, if my gaze could make her trust me, and if my kiss could satisfy the emptiness in her mind. The only thing that held me back was the fact that I didn't know if she was ready.

~~~~

(Kagome)

Something fluttered in my stomach and I wondered during all those moments Inu-yasha was staring into my eyes if he was feeling the same thing. He carried me back to Kaede's hut in silence, but it was mostly because all of the warm water made me sleepy. I waited to rest again when I felt the reed mat and my blanket.

Inu-yasha watched me for a moment, and then he brushed the hair away from my face. I grabbed hold of his hand and held it with the little strength I had in my palm. His fingers curled around my tiny hand and he placed the back of my hand against his bare chest; against his heart. I felt each racing heart beat, and I loved the warmth emitting from each one. I couldn't help myself, and I decided to place my full palm over his breast. I saw him lower his head and his eyes close for a moment. He touched my hand and began to gently run down my arm and under the sleeve of the robe. Each cut acknowledged his touch with a slight sting of pain, but it wasn't enough to make me urge him to stop.

He finally lay down beside me and withdrew his hand from my arm, but held on to my hand and let his fingers play an innocent game with mine. Inu- yasha's breathing was somber and soothing, and he closed his eyes a second time. I watched him and knew he was still awake because his fingers were still mingling with mine. I pushed my body toward his and he opened his eyes to make sure I was comfortable. He discovered I wanted only to be a little closer, and he turned on his back as I placed my head on his smooth chest to listen to his heart beat a while longer. It soon became my lullaby and I fell asleep again with his other hand's claws and fingers tracing my spine.

I stayed in the feudal era for five days until my wounds healed enough to not be seen by other prying eyes at school. I finished my finals and waited for my responses, which would come in a week. Still, those five days were some of the best days spent with Inu-yasha. However, it was this day that I asked what was going through my mind for sometime.

"Inu-yasha?" I whispered.

"Hmm?" he moaned, still tracing my spine.

"Did I ever tell you about the Spring Fling?"