InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Drama of Edo High: A Modern Tale ❯ Recovery ( Chapter 49 )

CHAPTER 49: RECOVERY

The next few months were difficult for them, seeing as Kagome had limited motion in her limbs. Her pelvic healed nicely in a matter of three weeks, and though they still hurt a bit, the bandages were taken off her ribs. The only thing that needed to heal completely was her femur, snapped in half when the truck had collided with her. She needed help constantly, unable to hold things with both hands while standing, needed spotting when going up the stairs, and despite her attitude, the broken bone bothered her all the time. Painkillers helped, but her dosage was decreased when she had been released from the hospital. Not to mention it itched like hell. she was afraid to have the cast taken off. I mean...she hadn't shaved that leg in months. She didn't even want to think about it.

Physical therapy was another task for her. Her therapist, Ms. Kanna, was quiet and straightforward. She was paled skinned, and not very talkative. Frankly, it creeped Kagome out, but she was too busy in her sessions strengthening her muscles again to strike a conversation. And she was convinced that the woman was working her hard so she wouldn't have to talk. But the time wasn't all bad.

It was like a holiday when she went back to school, hobbling on her crutches and Inuyasha carrying her books. It had been a month since she had been in school, and she only kept up with work because either Sango or Inuyasha came by with her work, Inuyasha more than Sango. The minute she had walked into homeroom, they busted out in cheers, "welcoming" her back. Kagome's never had so many hugs in her life, she was afraid her ribs would pop out of place again. The whole day she was walking around, or more like limping, people stopped to welcome her back and chat a little. Ayame had almost plowed her to the ground if Kouga hadn't stopped her, making her give a normal hug. Kagome could have sworn her spine cracked when she did. Kenshin and Karou ahd stopped by at lunch, more hugs, more "welcome back". Yeah yeah yeah. Sango and Miroku fawned over her enough thank you very much. That girl was over her house every day, to do homework or whatever, any excuse to baby Kagome. And Kagome was seriously starting to get ticked. She wasn't a frickin cripple, she was just hit by a truck.

"Kagome?" a voice above her whispered, and she tilted her head up from her musings. She met Inuyasha's slightly worried golden eyes, staring down at her in his lap. She smiled. Now that was a nice change of subject.

"Yeah?" she whispered, snuggling back into his arms, mindful of her leg. She just hoped no sand would get in her cast, now that would make things itchier. He rested his chin on her head, his voice vibrated from his throat.

"You okay? You've been quiet for some time," he asked, eyes skimming over the waves that belonged to the private beach. They've been sitting there for the past couple hours, and the sun was setting slowly. They sat on the sand, Kagome sitting in his lap and his arms lightly around her waist. He eyed her cast and frowned. It was always a reminder.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, laying her head back on his shoulder. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing really," he voiced. He turned his head to kiss her forehead, right where a faint scar could be seen if you looked closely, right where a piece of windshield got her. She frowned slightly. He's been doing that a lot lately, not to mention he's been hesitant to touch her like he use to. She hugged him first, had to sit in his lap to get him to hold her, had to start the kiss because he looked so sorrowful. Her brows crossed. Come to think of it, his babying isn't like everyone else's. Sure, he walks next to her, carries her books, helps when he thinks she needs it. But...he just seems so distant when he does it, and turns away when he starts to look guilty. She hasn't gotten him to talk about it at all, and he sometimes refuses to meet her eyes. And she was getting worried. This wasn't the fun loving, arrogant ego head she loved, this was quiet, looking guilty and sorry boy who had taken his place. Why?

"Inuyasha?" Kagome sat up and turned in his lap, a small happiness lighting in her when his arms stayed around her. She looked deep into his molten gaze, looking for anything. She bit her lip. "Inuyasha...I want to know what's wrong."

He blinked and titled his head, smiling a bit that didn't reach his eyes, "what are you talking about?"

She blinked at his bold faced lie. She couldn't believe it, he knew how perceptive she was of him, and yet he lied in her face? What is wrong with him? She shook her head and got up with some effort, leaning down on one foot to get her crutches. He blinked up at her, mouth open in surprise as she positioned the wooden sticks under her arms. What the hell was that? She looked back at him disappointed, "if you don't want to tell me, there's no need to lie to me."

"What!?" he barked and hurriedly got up to go after her limping form that was having some trouble on the sand. He came up beside her and blocked her with an arm, "what is that suppose to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means," she hissed, and tried to move from behind his arm. The salty scent of tears mixed with the sea's. He scowled and took a step in front of her. She glared at him.

"No, I don't know what that means, tell me," he demanded, tensing to stop her again if she tied to avoid him again. But instead, her glare glazed over and worried her bottom lip. He eased up and raised a tentative hand, but he lowered it again. Like he had any right to touch her. She noticed the move and just exploded.

"That's what I mean! You always do that now!! You're always afraid to touch me, like you're doing something wrong! And I cant stand it!" her voice wavered and she looked away to the sea. He blinked shocked. She had noticed?

"Kagome...I..." he was cut off when she suddenly dropped her crutches and leaned forward to hug him, wrapping her arms tight around him. Her voice was strained and watery, and she buried her head into his chest. His arms remained by his side stunned.

"Why don't you hug me anymore? Why don't you hold me? I miss you Inuyasha, cause I don't like what you've become. I miss your kisses, when you smile at me, when you touch me. Don't you love me anymore?" she whispered into his chest, and she could have sworn his heart stopped before she was crushed in a giant bear hug. She felt him nuzzle her hair and welcomed the feelings it gave her.

Inuyasha tightened his hold and squeezed his eyes shut. "How could you even think that? I will always love you..."

She pushed away suddenly, stumbling a bit, "then why are you avoiding me?!"

He gritted his teeth and looked for the right words while running a hand through his loose hair, "I'm not avoiding you! I just..."

"Oh forget it," Kagome sighed, keeping a steady balance on one foot, "if you're just PMSing on me, I don't have to take it. Let me know when you plan on bringing MY Inuyasha back."

He didn't know whether to laugh or yell at her for that remark, but he sure as hell wasn't letting it go. "I'm not PMSing damn it! I just don't-Kagome hold on, elt me get those."

Kagome slapped his offering hands away from her crutches, a hard glint to her eyes she steadied herself down. He glared at her. "I can do it myself! I'm not some god damn cripple who can't pick up some freakin' crutches! Stop babying me!"

"I would if you would stop acting like one!" Inuyasha barked at her, going for the crutches but she caught the movement. She quickly bent down on one leg as best she could, grabbed the wooden helpers, and got up a bit too fast. His eyes went wide as her arms flailed and he went to catch her as she started falling. Just as she fell into his arms, the sand from under them slipped, sending both of them cursing to the beach. Inuyasha fell with a hard thump, Kagome held tight in his arms, her body weight pushing some air from his lungs in a whoosh. He felt her hands tighten on his shirt, and he quickly sat up with her in his lap.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, and she nodded tightly. Truth was, subtle little waves of nettles were washing over her leg and up her thigh, pausing her movements for a second. He knew she lied, and so held her gently, waiting till she moved again. When she did, she moved so that some pressed was taken off her leg. He hung his head. Damn it he couldn't even do that right.

"Hey Kagome?" he said softly, and she raised dark eyes to his, "I've been thinking..."

She gasped dramatically and pointed to the sky, "oh look, a flying pig!"

He scowled at her, making her giggle, but softened it when his thoughts came back to him. She waited patiently in his lap, not liking the far away look he had, "Kagome...I'm sorry..."

She rolled her eyes and sighed exasperated, wanting to smack him, "Inu, we've been over this..."

"Not that," he cut in curtly, and she blinked. He sighed, pulling her slightly closer to comfort him, "I've taken granted of you, I never fully appreciated you."

She blinked. Once, twice. "Okay, who are you, and what have you done to my love?"

"No, I'm serious!" Inuyasha licked his lips and tried again, "Kagome, come on. I just always felt you were going to be there for me, and me for you. And then the party, that imposter you...the accident...I just never thought my world wouldn't have you in it. And then I found you were almost killed, right after I said all those things to you, even though you never did anything. I was ashamed, that I had, and then empty cause I thought I'd lose you. I don't ever want to feel that again, in that way. If you were ever to leave me, I just-"

"Hold it! Hold the damn phone," Kagome held up her hands, then pressed a finger to his lips, "there is one thing that will always, ALWAYS be true. I love you, and will never leave you, no matter what. As long as you love me, I don't care if I'm taken for granted, as long as I get to do the same."

"But what if...you know, one of us dies?" he inquired, and she pouted in thought. But she smiled softly and caressed his cheek, sending a warm wave flowing through him.

"I don't know Inuyasha, cause I don't plan to die soon, and I'm sure as hell not letting you. No, we're gonna grow up, go to school one last time, make something of ourselves, and live the life we always wanted. And when we die, it'll be together, laughing at our foolishness in childhood," she replied softly, and nuzzled her forehead against his. He wanted to cry.

"You know Kagome, you should be a poet or something," he mumbled, and she flung her head back laughing. But she wrapped her arms around his neck, ignoring her leg.

"No, I should be kissing you right now, driving myself crazy until I get this cast off." She said smugly. He shrugged and sighed, giving her a weary look.

"Well, if you insist...guess I gotta do what I gotta do," he quipped, and she leaned closer grinning.

"Oh but I do."

&------------------------------------------------&

"Alright, five more," Ms. Kanna's soft voice commanded, all the while writing down Kagome's progress on a clipboard. Kagome sighed and braced herself on the bench, looking down at her still casted leg, but the doctors said after one more therapy session to see if she was ready, they'd take it off. And Ms. Kanna had worked her today. Kagome didn't know how many leg lifts she had to do, with the weights getting heavier as time passed. Man she needed something to drink. And if Inuyasha got lost in this hospital after spending all that time with her here, she was going to hit him.

Kagome lifted her leg five more times, hopefully the last five times, and sat back relaxed. Ms. Kanna's white head bobbed approvingly, and she looked up from her clipboard to give Kagome a soft smile. "Well, it looks like that cast is coming off soon."

Kagome flopped back in happiness. "I'll be back, I just need to speak with your doctor. Don't go anywhere."

Kagome let out a snort at her dry humor, listening as her therapist walked away. She sighed happily. She was getting her cast off! She was going to be free! She was so going to pounce Inuyasha and lock them away for a week!!!

Okay...so maybe not a week, but a good amount of time. They had some major catching up to do.

"Boy are you for a surprise..." she muttered to herself, grinning like a fool.

"So are you..."