InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beneath It All ❯ Cold Sweat ( Chapter 8 )

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Beneath It All
MiserablySweet

Chapter 8 - Cold Sweat

Previously...

"You think everything belongs to you oh mister high and mighty! Just because your rich you..." her voice droned on and on as he found himself staring at her lips. Her raspy voice hurt his ears, he wanted her to shut up. Really. A weird feeling bubbled in the pits of his stomach, gnawing him. Out of impulse to shut her up, he gripped each side of her face and smashed his lips against hers. Kagome squealed in shock as she saw him staring at her face and a split second later he was kissing her.

'GOD DAMN!' his mind screamed the moment their lips touched. Just as fast as it happened he pulled back and swiftly left the room. Kagome's hand flew to her chest, her heart pounding frantically, "What... just happened?"

Present...

Sesshoumaru slammed the door of his hospital room shut, "Why the hell did I just do that?!" He clenched his hands into fists tightly at his side and took several deep breaths to calm himself down. He limped over to the couch and flopped down lazily. Sesshoumaru sighed, still flustered from that unexpected kiss with Kagome.

He groaned and slid a hand on top of his head, entangling his fingers with his long silky hair. He shook his head softly, "Stubborn girl." Sesshoumaru sighed and leaned his head against the soft couch, "How can one measly kiss from an annoying girl affect me like this?" He could feel his lips tingling from Kagome's pale, cold lips. A slender finger touched the corner of his lips, 'My first kiss...' He snorted and tossed that idea out to window,

"That was not even a kiss" he said denying the fact that it was a kiss. He shifted on the couch until he laid his head on the low arm rest, he was feeling rather exhausted. Sesshoumaru noticed his trip from Kagome's room to his took quite a toll on his body. He was short of breath, and he felt terribly cold and yet he was sweating.

"It must be from the smoke," he closed his eyes and took in several deep breaths, 'I'll just sleep it off.' Sesshoumaru willed his body to relax on the sofa and he soon drifted into a deep, cold slumber.

-0-0-0-0-0-

A soft knock sounded through Kagome's room, "Come in" she answered. A nurse smiled warmly and headed towards a still flustered Kagome on the bed,

"How are you feeling?" the nursed asked politely. Kagome smiled, "I've been better" she managed to say through her breaking mask. The nurse handed her a sleek, cordless phone, "There is someone on the line asking to speak with you. He says it's urgent." Kagome tilted her head, 'who can it be?' She thanked the nurse and removed her breathing mask. Kagome coughed as the oxygen levels changed, she placed the phone against her ears, "Hello?"

"Good afternoon, Ms. Higurashi," a deep baritone voice sounded from the other end.

"Mr. Taishou?" Kagome asked in shock, 'Oh... we're in for it...' Kagome flinched and held the phone away from her ear thinking her principal will scold her.

"Yes, I am terribly sorry for the trouble my blasted son have caused you. I would've never thought he would do such a thing," she heard him mumble. Kagome let out a sigh of relief, "It's alright Mr. Taishou, the fire was unexpected for the both of us."

"Ms. Higurashi, I assure you I will discipline all the students who were involved with this accident when I return." Kagome shivered, the intensity and firmness of his voice gave her the goosebumps. It's save to say that Kagome was feeling rather sorry for Sesshoumaru and his friends when Mr. Taishou returns. 'Wait, return?'

"Sir, are you on leave?" Kagome curiously asked. Her throat was still burning her with each word she spoke, but she wanted to know where her principal was.

"I left after meeting with you in my office, my company in Hong Kong had some troubles that had to be dealt with in person." Kagome mouthed an 'Oh.' Her mind drifted back to Sesshoumaru, 'he didn't expect the fire either, and he at least didn't abandon me and tried to save me. Maybe I can help ease his punishment a little.'

"Mr. Taishou?" Kagome began, "Is it possible for you to go easy on the punishments? After all, they didn't expect there will be a-" Kagome was interrupted.

"Ms. Higurashi, it matters not they expected the fire or not. A school is a school, and I will not tolerate such stupendous acts in my school! They will be dealt with according to the school rules, it is bad enough they wanted to 'bruise' you." Kagome swallowed hard, she was really fearing for their lives. Her principal just now sounded so fierce and calm at the same time, it was unnerving.

"I understand, have you spoken with Sesshoumaru yet?"

"I haven't, I will speak to him in person when I return in a few days. Your hospital bill will be covered by the Taishou family, do not worry. That is all," her principal hung up on the other line.

"But -" Kagome was cut short by the dialtone. She sighed at the resemblence between father and son, "Why can't they understand I want to pay the bills myself?!" She leaned over to the night table and placed the phone on the surface softly. She glanced over to the clock that hung on the wall next to the television, it read six o'clock p.m.

'Television?' Kagome, for the first time scanned her room. From what she could tell, the sofa was made of pure leather, the curtains were of expensive silk. Her eyes widen, "I can't believe there's a hospital for the rich!" she exclaimed. Kagome shook her head and sighed, "unbelievable..."

It had been at least two hours since Kagome last saw Sesshoumaru. Kagome blushed when the memory of his warm lips on hers flashed in his head. 'Second kiss,' her mind subconsciously told her. Sesshoumaru's stern expression haunted her, he still smelt of smoke and ash but Kagome found his presence comforting. Kagome groaned and buried her head in the soft pillow, "I can't believe this! I lost my first kiss... TWICE! To that... JERK!" She fisted the sheets and growled, 'Sesshoumaru... you will pay!'

Kagome cautiously shifted her legs to the side of the bed. She noticed there were a pair of slippers that laid neatly on the floor and slipped her feet in them. A light tug on her inner elbow caught her attention. Kagome grimaced as she slowly pulled the IV needle from her arm. She shivered, 'Needles...' she thought grimly. Kagome wrapped one side of the torn blanket around her back like a shroud and braced herself to stand on her feet. She took a deep breath and slowly eased herself on her feet. Her knees wobbled for several seconds, she gripped the nightstand for support. Kagome let out a sigh of relief and slowly took her first step. That alone was putting strain on her body, 'Maybe I should head back to bed?' She discarded that thought and slowly headed towards the door.

Kagome gasped for breath when she reached the receptionist desk, "This... is harder than I thought." She gripped the counter and noticed the bubbly receptionist talking on the phone, "Excuse me, Miss?" Kagome attempted to get her attention.

"And you know what totally happened? He yelled at me saying he doesn't have time for me! Yeah, that was like totally rude! But he was so hot," the receptionist ignored Kagome and continue to chatter away to the other line. Kagome narrowed her eyes at the older girl, 'What an airhead...'

"Excuse me Miss?" Kagome tried again with a louder voice. But the receptionist girl glanced at her and looked away, "I'm on break" and laughed from what the other line told her. Kagome gritted her teeth together. She reached over the counter and pressed the 'End' button on the cord phone. The receptionist looked at the reciever, "Hello?"

The receptionist noticed a finger pressing against the phone, "Hey! That was so rude!" Kagome raised an eyebrow in irritation, "I need the room number for Sesshoumaru Taishou... please" she hesitantly said 'please.' The receptionist rolled her eyes and checked the computer, "Room 221." Kagome sighed and thanked the airhead receptionist, 'Room 221... that's pretty far from here' as she glanced at the room number closest to her, 'Room 231.' Kagome began the ten room journey to Sesshoumaru, "When I get there, you are so dead!" she cursed.

Kagome gasped for air and wiped beads of sweat from her forehead. It took fifteen grueling minutes to travel 10 rooms, needless to say Kagome was beyond exhausted. Kagome sighed and turned the knob of the door and headed in, "Sesshoumaru?" she called out. The room was dark, the only source of light was from the headlight at the bed. Sesshoumaru was nowhere to be found.

"That's weird," Kagome walked over to the nightstand and poured herself a cup of water, "One little cup wouldn't hurt" she strolled over to the dark couch and attempted to sit. Something groaned and shifted underneath her, Kagome squealed and stumbled onto the floor. She noticed several strands of silver hair that reflected the light from the lamp.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome could hear ragged breathing and wondered if Sesshoumaru was alright. She stumbled near the door and flicked on the room light. Sesshoumaru's arms and legs were dangling off of the couch, his shirt soaked with sweat and his hair clung onto his skin, "Sesshoumaru?!" Kagome was scared. She had never seen anyone look that ill before. She wobbled over to Sesshoumaru and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Sesshoumaru?" she called again.

Sesshoumaru groaned but his eyes remained closed. Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat, she moved her hand to his forehead. The instant her hand touched his skin, she pulled back. Kagome gasped, "You're so cold..." She watched helplessly as Sesshoumaru shivered, beads of sweat continued to sprout from his body. Kagome instantly lifted his legs and arms back on the couch. She covered his body with the blanket that was wrapped around her. Kagome wobbled to the hospital bed as fast as she could and bundled up the blanket in her arms.

"Something's wrong," she mustered out loud as she covered Sesshoumaru with the blanket. She went to the bathroom and soaked a cloth in warm water, and rushed back to Sesshoumaru. "I'll be back with help," she whispered to Sesshoumaru as she placed the warm cloth on his forehead. A hand instantly darted out from under the blankets and gripped her wrists,

"No... I'll be fine," he gasped, his chest heaving for air. Kagome shook her head, "No Sesshoumaru, you need help!" His grip on her wrist tightened and cracked his eyes open. "Stay..." Kagome gasped, he looked so helpless. She couldn't help but nodded and sat on the floor with her head resting against the sofa. Sesshoumaru's ragged breathing unnerved her but she couldn't do a thing except sit next to him. Kagome try to gently pry his grip off of her wrist, "Stay..." she heard him whisper again.

"I will Sesshoumaru. Don't worry, I'm going to change your towel" Kagome patted his hand. Sesshoumaru reluctantly released his grip on her hand. Kagome went into the bathroom once more with Sesshoumaru's dripping wet towel. She noticed a bright red object at the corner of her eyes, 'a basket?' Kagome took a closer look, it was a small red plastic basin. "This can help," she whispered aloud and filled the basin with warmer water. Kagome placed the basin on top of the coffee table and soaked the cloth in the warm water. She began soaking up the sweat on his forehead, neck and shoulders with the warm cloth then placed it on his forehead.

Kagome sat silently besides Sesshoumaru and turned on the television, setting the volume to mute. Sesshoumaru coughed, "Water..." Kagome nodded and grabbed the container of water and cup. She filled the cup to half way and lifted his head, "Here" she placed the opening of the cup to his lips. Sesshoumaru opened his mouth slightly and the cool water slipped in. He choke and coughed the water out when his throat refused to comply with what his brain was telling it to do.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome panicked when the water poured out of his mouth. 'He can't swallow the water?' Kagome quickly soaked up the water before it seeped under the blankets. Kagome tried again, she slowly poured the contents, little by little into his mouth. But it was the same result, 'What is going on?' she paniced. Sesshoumaru gasped for water again, his throat felt like it was drying up by the second. Kagome saw the pain in his eyes and reacted quickly without thinking. She saw this in a TVB drama before, she poured a little water in her mouth and grasped his chin and opened his mouth. Kagome's heart was pounding in her chest, the girl in the drama was much calmer than she was. She closed her eyes and gently touched his lips with hers. Her hand flew to his throat and massaged the sore muscles as she released drops of water from her mouth to his.

Kagome pulled back in time to see the water drain down his mouth, his muscles around his throat quivered; he swallowed the water with a little help. Kagome smiled and continued to feed him water with her mouth until he was satisfied. She sighed in relief when she noticed his body was warming up again. She was extremely tired, she was ready to sleep until the next day. Kagome shook her head, Sesshoumaru was in bad shape and she needed to help him. She rolled her eyes at her conscience, 'I hate you...' He tried to hurt her, and yet here she is, taking care of him. Kagome sighed as she dipped the cloth into the now luke warm water and soaked the cold sweat from his body. Kagome leaned against the sofa and stared at the mute television.

Kagome's eyes began to droop, her head bobbed to the side. The sound of Sesshoumaru's soft breathing relaxed her. Sesshoumaru, was slowing coming through.

'A little nap... won't hurt,' she thought as she let herself drift of to sleep, to much relief of her exhausted body.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Sesshoumaru groaned softly when a source of bright light blinded his eyes. His hand attempted to rub his aching forehead, he realized there was a cloth on top of his head. "What is this?" he removed the cloth and stared at it, "Where did this come from?" he wondered out loud. Sesshoumaru turned his head slightly and noticed a head full of midnight blue hair, "Kagome?"

His eyes widen when clips of Kagome taking care of him throughout the night played in his head. Unknowingly, a smile formed at the corner of his lips, "Stupid..." He noticed she was asleep, with only her gown. He shook his aching head and eased out of the sofa hoping he wouldn't wake her up. He flinched slightly when the pain from his burned knee crept up his leg. 'How annoying,' he thought grimly.

Sesshoumaru hooked an arm under her knees and another around her shoulders and hauled her up. He carefully limped to his hospital bed and softly laid her on the mattress. He headed back to the couch and retrieved the blankets for Kagome. He placed the blankets over the sleeping Kagome and stared at her, "You're too compassionate for your own good" he whispered. He pulled up a chair next to the bed and watched the television silently.

Sudden images of Kagome's face hovering over his flashed through his head, 'What the heck?' He propped an elbow on the bed and rested his head on his hand, and closed his eyes. The image of Kagome's face intrigued him, 'when was that?' He concentrated harder. The background was light, he saw the light flicker on her skin. Perhaps that was the television. He concentrated harder, he remember he ached for water to quench his ever growing thirst.

Water? Had she fed him water? He furrowed his eyebrow and buried his face on the bed, 'I... don't remember.' He groaned and lifted his head to stare at Kagome once more. She had dark eye-bags under her eyes, her lips were still very pale. "Lips," he whispered as he brushed a finger on her soft appendage. He pulled back immediately and shook his head, "What is going on with me?" He sighed and returned his attention back to the television.

Sesshoumaru can hear soft padding outside the room, "She's gone!" a feminine voice said. That voice was strangely familiar to him, it almost sounded like the girl who was yelling at him. The door swung open to reveal a frantic Sango and a very worried Dr. Masuyo.

"OHH!" Sango screeched and stomped towards Sesshoumaru. She shoved him off his seat and stared down at him, "Where is Kagome?!" Sesshoumaru growled at the annoying girl in front of him, "Open your eyes fool." He nodded towards the bed. Kagome was sleeping peacefully on Sesshoumaru's hospital bed.

Dr. Masuyo stepped in and helped Sesshoumaru to his feet, "How are you feeling?" Sesshoumaru shrugged and headed over to the couch. He watched silently as Sango woke Kagome from her slumber.

"Kagome?" Sango softly shook her shoulders. Kagome moaned and shrugged Sango's hand off of her shoulder, "Two more minutes" she begged. Sesshoumaru inwardly smirked at her sentence. Sango groaned, "Kagome, wake up you lazy butt!" She poked Kagome's side.

Kagome cried out softly, scaring everyone in the room. Sesshoumaru unknowingly jumped to his feet, "She has a broken rib fool, don't cause her any more pain than she already is in." Sango slowly turned around on her heels, "Stop calling me a fool!"

Sesshoumaru snorted, "Stop acting like one, then I will cease calling you a fool." Sango growled and opened her mouth to speak until Kagome's voice broke through the heavy tension, "Sango? Dr. Masuyo?"

Dr. Masuyo nodded, "How are you feeling?" he asked as he checked her pupils with his flashlight. Kagome sighed her voice was hoarse and her throat was worse than yesterday, "I feel terrible" she mumbled. Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru standing up by the couch.

"Sesshoumaru! Are you alright? You made me so worried yesterday," Kagome began. Sesshoumaru turned his head to face a wall, "I'm fine."

Dr. Masuyo raised an eyebrow at the two, "What happened yesterday?"

"It was horrible! I came in to give Sesshoumaru a piece of my mind and I found him on the couch breathing heavily and his body was dangerously cold, but he was sweating at the same time," Kagome said, her voice quavering. Sango offered her some water which Kagome gratefully drank.

Dr. Masuyo noticed their IV's were detached from their body. The doctor walked over to Sesshoumaru to check his breathing and pulse, then he handed him a thermometer "Here." Sesshoumaru stared at the object with disbelief, "What do you want me to do with that?"

"Put it in your mouth...?" Kagome retorted. Sesshoumaru shot her a glare and placed the thermometer under his tongue. He ignored Kagome's snicker and sat on the couch impatiently. After several seconds the meter beeped, and Dr. Masuyo checked the temperature, "101.2 Fahrenheit" he read it aloud. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, "Shouldn't it be 98.6 Fahrenheit?" The doctor nodded, he then retrieved an instrument to check his blood pressure.

"Hmm... I believe you were suffering cold sweat that was caused by heat exhaustion," the doctor concluded.

"Heat exhaustion?" Kagome asked out of curiosity. Dr. Masuyo nodded, "It's fairly common with those who were trapped in high temperated places. In both your cases, you were trapped with no ventilation for quite a while. With the lack of oxygen, your bodies was shutting itself down very slowly."

"Why did it appear so many hours after the fire?" Kagome asked.

"There are certain symptoms that arrive later, and in Sesshoumaru's case he was dehydrated, which caused his body to have cold sweat, his pulse fast but weak, and ragged breathing. Kagome let me check over you just in case," Dr. Masuyo walked over to Kagome and began taking her temperature and her blood pressure. He shook his head, "Kagome it's best if you do not remove your IV, and keep your oxygen mask on."

Kagome swallowed, she felt like she was being chided for doing something awfully wrong, "Sorry... I'll go back to my room then." Kagome attempted to stand on her feet but her knees gave out. Her head swam, her vision blurred and she felt very nauseous. Sesshoumaru limped next to Kagome and pulled Dr. Masuyo to the side.

"Doctor, I believe she should stay in the same room as I am," Sesshoumaru didn't believe what just came out of his mouth. 'Why the heck did I say that?!'

Dr. Masuyo shook his head, "Each patient can have their own room, no need to share rooms."

Sesshoumaru shook his head, "It'll be better for her if I can monitor her condition as well." Sesshoumaru mentally groaned, 'What is this junk coming out of my mouth? I don't want to share rooms with her!' Dr. Masuyo rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Very well, you do make a good point. I want you both to stay in the hospital for at least two more days. I will go make the arrangements to add an extra bed in here." Dr. Masuyo left the dumbfounded Sesshoumaru in the room.

Sesshoumaru groaned and rubbed his temples, "Why did I say that?"

Sango pampered Kagome, offering her water, fluffing her pillow, asking if she wanted more blankets. Kagome shook her head and thanked Sango for her kindness. A soft gurgle interrupted the girl's conversation. Sango stared at Sesshoumaru who had his face to the wall, avoiding their gazes. Kagome giggled, "Sango, can you go buy some food for us?" Sango shrugged,

"Sure, what would you like?" Kagome patted her stomach softly, "How about... Congee with pork and preserved egg?" Sango nodded and turned to Sesshoumaru 'Might as well ask him too.'

"What about you?"

Sesshoumaru glared at Sango, "Water Chestnut and Coconut muffin, Pork-chops stuffed with barley and apricots, cranberry apple desert risotto and side of orange juice" he said casually, as if he ate this daily. Sango and Kagome's mouth dropped open, "What?" Kagome asked in disbelief.

"That is my breakfast, surely you can buy something like that" he arrogantly replied. Sango huffed in frustration, "You'll eat what I buy you" she stomped out of the room, slamming the door shut. Kagome laughed and shook her head. For some odd reason the corner of Sesshoumaru's lips tilted up into a light smile, her laughter was very pleasant.

His eyes trailed away from Kagome and to the coffee table, where he noticed a cloth had some writing on it. He eyed the material, "Wasn't this on my head?"

Kagome looked at where he was pointing and nodded, "I used it to soak your sweat... why do you ask?" Sesshoumaru's hand clenched into fists at his side, his body shook with anger, "It came from the bathroom didn't it?" he said in clenched teeth. Kagome looked at him wary,

"Where else would I get it then? The convience store?"

Sesshoumaru growled, "Did you know where it touched?" Kagome shrugged,

"Hey! I was trying to save you. I didn't have time to do an experiment on it," Kagome retorted. She was growing a little scared. Sesshoumaru was raging with anger,

"Did you put this rag on my head?" Kagome nodded. Sesshoumaru shook his head in disbelief, "You stupid girl!"

Kagome's anger flared, "I was trying to save you Sesshoumaru! Stop calling me stupid! The cloth can't be dirty!" Sesshoumaru glared at her, and grabbed the cloth and limped to Kagome. He stood next to the bed with his chest heaving in anger, he untangled the cloth and held it to her face.

"Read... It..." he said through clenched teeth. Kagome diverted her eyes from Sesshoumaru's face to the cloth he was holding up.

"I don't know why you're making a big deal out of this," Kagome began as she focused on the text, "Toilet seat cleaning cloth." Kagome's eyes bulged. She was speechless, "Oops..."

Sesshoumaru was raging with anger, "OOPS?! All you can say is OOPS after you put a cloth that have everyone's butt print on it on my head?!" Kagome shrunk into the bed and threw the blanket over her head, 'This will be a long two days...'

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MS - hahahahahahaha

I loved the "butt print cloth"

Tell me what you think guys!

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As always, if you have any questions/comments just review!