InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ It is you I have loved ❯ Forgiveness ( Chapter 18 )

Sesshomaru stood dumbfounded, staring at the ruined well top. What…What had just happened? Why hadn't he smelled her? He was worse than Inuyasha if he wasn't even able to smell the return of Kagome's sweet scent because he was too engrossed in fighting. Although he may still have been confused, he regained his outward composure quickly. Not quite quick enough though, since Inuyasha had already lifted an unconscious Kagome from the well.

 

Inuyasha was furious, murderous, and…scared to death. Kagome's heart was barely beating, her pulse a slow, tiny off-beat thrum. She'd already lost quite a lot of blood, and she was barely breathing; only taking sharp random gasps of air in her unconscious state.

 

“Stay. Back.” Sesshomaru had moved to take Kagome from Inuyasha. Though, the command had not come from Inuyasha. Both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha watched as Sango shook with fury and fear. She was glaring at Sesshomaru from between the veil of her bangs, tears slipping rapidly from her eyes. She'd seen the whole scene unfold. She'd figured that they were all safe hidden from the battle. Though, she had not counted on Kagome's early return.

 

There was a strained silence as everyone thought about what to do. Sango wanted to help her friend-the friend she saw as sister. She knew that this was near impossible though. Kagome had always been the one who knew how to heal the wounded soothe their pain.

 

Inuyasha's mind was running on full speed. Rather than allowing him to form a plan, his rapid-fire thoughts were merely blurring his grasp with the reality of the situation, sending him spiraling into a black hole of confusion and fear.

 

Miroku was holding a flailing Shippo back. Shippo had never seen his `mother' in such a state. He was furious with the man holding him. Why was he not allowed to run to her, to hold her? What Shippo didn't know was that Miroku himself was fighting not to run to her to try to somehow preserve her life.

 

Sesshomaru was the worst off. He'd done this. He'd harmed the innocent Kagome. He was the reason she was covered in blood. He was the reason her eyes were not open, shinning as she smiled.

 

Five necks snapped simultaneously as a small, garbled cough left Kagome's mouth. Inuyasha jumped as the form in his arms began to stir. Her heart rate was still very low and her breathing still erratic but she was still alive. Alive and awake.

 

“Kagome!”

 

“Inuyasha! Quiet! Set her down!” Unwillingly, the hanyou complied and nervously leaned over Kagome to watch as her eyes fluttered half-open.

 

She groaned. Her eyes met with the sight of Inuyasha leaning over her, Sango kneeling beside her, holding her hand and looking more afraid than Kagome had ever seen her before. And just before she slipped back into the void she'd just woken from, she saw a face filled with emotion that she thought that person incapable of. Sesshomaru looked scared, so very scared. And sorry, like he'd done something unforgivable and he knew it. As her eyes closed she wondered what had happened to make him seem so worried.

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She wanted it to stop. It was too much. Her whole body stung, and ached, and she was so cold. Sometimes, she'd even hear screams. Whenever she heard the screams she would hear voices too. They were voices that comforted her but the nearer she got to them, the more pain she felt, the more she felt that she wanted to just stop everything. She had to stay away from those voices, had to stop the pain.

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Deciding Kagome was way more important than dealing with his brother just yet, Inuyasha scooped Kagome up and brought her to Kaede's small hut. Hopefully the woman could help Kagome.

 

Nearly four days had passed and the only hope the group could gather was from Kagome's random screaming fits. She was restless and often reopened her wounds in her fits of unconscious writhing. Whenever she'd start to stir, they'd call her name, trying to bring her forth. They had no way of knowing though that their attempts only served to push her back into herself. Kagome, already having been malnourished from two weeks with very little food, was losing weight even faster. Having finally been convinced to leave Kagome's side to fetch some more food for her, they had not yet found anything easy enough to get down her throat, Inuyasha left. Sango and Kaede were thoroughly worn out. They had not allowed themselves to sleep a wink since Kagome had been injured. Though, even if they'd wanted to, they couldn't have. Inuyasha's stressed aura was too much to allow for rest. Miroku had taken poor Shippo away from his “mother” so he would not have to be exposed to the same pain he'd felt as a younger kit. He'd already lost one mother and being placed in this situation again might send the poor thing over the edge. Kaede had told the group that she was almost positive Kagome would fully recover from this ordeal, but the precaution was still taken for Shippo's sake. Whenever Kagome finally woke up he would never leave her side if he was allowed to sit here and watch her suffer now. Sesshomaru was the only one left awake at Kagome's side. Inuyasha had been against it as had Sango but Kaede knew the Taiyoukai meant no harm. In fact he'd been more than willing to gather anything needed. Whether it be wood for fire, cool clean water for Kagome's body, anything- he was willing to get it.

 

 

He stared at the face of the woman whom he'd seriously endangered. The old woman had assured them all that the girl would survive. It didn't matter any to him. He felt responsible for this. He knew this remarkable woman would blame him for her pain and suffering. How could she not? He would blame himself, why shouldn't she?

 

Sesshomaru was knocked from his brooding suddenly. He'd heard a rustle and thought maybe Kagome was going to go into one of her screaming fits again. Though something was different…her eyes…they were…open!

 

“Ses-Sesshomaru…?” His eyes widened. When he'd focused on her, Kagome locked her watery eyes with his. She looked so tired, so helpless. His inner demon battled with itself. It wanted to protect her from something like this ever happening to her, but growled at the knowledge that Sesshomaru himself had done this to her, unwillingly or not.

 

“Miko…” She smiled and returned in a voice scratchy from lack of use,

 

“As articulate as ever.” Sesshomaru's mind ground to a stop. He could only think of one thing. She was talking to him….?

 

“Miko? Are you not mad at this Sesshomaru.”

 

“Mad?” Sesshomaru's heart dropped. Of course she wasn't mad at him…yet. She did not know who had put her in such a state. The truth was best though. Something about this girl made him want to tell the truth, to be free from lies.

 

“This Sesshomaru was the one who has caused your pain. This Se-”

 

“I know.” He stared at her. “I saw…the green light.”

 

“Why are you not more upset? Your pain and suffering was caused by-“

 

“Sesshomaru. I'm not mad.” She paused, coughing slightly. Her dry throat protested being used after so long. “I know you didn't do it on purpose.” If she had not been in so much pain, and so dizzy, she would have laughed. Sesshomaru's face was priceless. If Kagome had ever seen anyone ever look like a deer in headlights, it was Sesshomaru right now. After a short moment though, he regained some kind of cmoposure.

 

“This Sesshomaru's purpose is not the point. The point is that you were injured, intentionally or not.” Kagome chuckled, earning an odd somewhat indignant glare from the taiyoukai.

 

“Sorry, but it just seems like you are trying to apologize.” Sesshomaru bristled.

 

“No one said you had to accept it. This Sesshomaru could not care less if you did!”

 

“No, Sesshomaru, you've got me wrong. I wasn't-” Kagome coughed violently a few times, grabbing at her ribs as the sudden movements aggravated her injuries. “-excuse me. Wasn't laughing because I think it's laughable that you're apologizing. I just never thought I'd hear you apologize to anyone…especially not me.”

 

“Then, you are willing to accept my apo…apol…” The powerful taiyoukai's pride was being smashed into tiny little pieces but he could barely feel it, “apology?” He looked stricken, like it was the last thing he was expecting her to do-but hope that she did.

 

“Of course I will.”

 

“How is this so? That you are able to `forgive' so easily. Is there some reason you are trying to trick this Sesshomaru into something? What exactly are-”

 

“No, Sesshomaru-” She'd lifted her arms to wave them in front of her face-in a placating manner- only to hiss when she felt pain shoot in her shoulders. Sesshomaru's eyes flashed for the briefest second as he watched Kagome tense in pain. He'd caused that pain but she was forgiving him. No questions asked, no `now-you-owe-me's', not even a scared glance. Where her friends had loathed just being in his presence since the incident, Kagome was openly forgiving him. It didn't make sense. He'd never met someone so kind, so gentle, so unquestioningly forgiving. Everyone but the person that should be blaming him, blamed him. It was not fitting. He needed to think, to escape.

 

Kagome watched the battle of emotions play across Sesshomaru's face. And although it was quite amusing, a few things were bothering her. Why was Sesshomaru being so openly apologetic? Sure he bit back when he'd thought she was going to refuse his apology but he seemed sincere and concerned enough. The second was why had he stayed? Had he wanted to make sure she was safe? That she would live? The third was simply that she was still really sore. So sore that she was slowly losing consciousness. As her eyes slipped closed she saw the venerable taiyoukai stand and walk fierce and fast from the room she was lying in.

 

A/n: wow. So I had a REALLY strong desire to make this a Sess/Kag fic when I was writing this chapter, but I didn't. I had originally intended this to be an Inu/Kag fic and I wasn't backing down. Oh so I guess you know now, it is definitely an Inu/Kag fic. Sorry about the wait on this (and the other) chapters. I am having serious trouble in my chemistry and bio classes. Like I wanna cry every time I think about it. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't need exemplary grades in at least Bio to get into the nursing program at my college. So please forgive me and write me happy reviews to get my mind off of how frustrated and scared I am.
EEEK! I know the story may seem a little boring and slow right now but I PROMISE within the next few chapters it will pick up again and Inuyasha and Kagome get to have a little alone time ;p