InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not My Fairy Tale ❯ Sweet Pea ( Chapter 12 )

Part Twelve

Sweet Pea

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“The little brother swam further out into the ocean and came face to face with the sea monster- His sister heard him shout and she dove in and swam as fast as she could to her brother's side. She grabbed him and pulled him out of the way of the demon before it even noticed they were there, they were so small next to it. She tugged him as quick as she could behind her and turned to swim away, making sure her little brother was out of the creature's reach- but as she began to swim away the demon lashed out his stinging tentacles and wrapped around the girl's ankle-”

 

“Ano . . . Kagome-chan, he's asleep.” Sango's light voice interrupted the girl's rather involved retelling of a verified historical event. This was a passionate recollection of her own past adventures from a few years ago on a beach trip. Only the giant, evil, hydra-like sea monster had been a good-sized, evil, pink jellyfish- she still had a faint scar circling around her ankle from where it grabbed her.

 

Kagome paused, still caught up in the scary memory, and looked down. The slayer was right. Shippo had crashed somewhere in the middle of her tale. She sighed. So her real life really wasn't as magical and exciting as the fairytales she usually told. Oh well.

 

The fox cub had fallen asleep in Kagome's weary arms and she watched his small face as he dreamed. The tears she hadn't brushed away had dried and the redness caused by his earlier crying had faded leaving only a tiny frown that was also slowly disappearing. Her eyes were gentle and soft, warm with contentment and affection as she studied the little boy. Her lips held a small smile that was little by little reflected by the child she held so delicately.

 

That was how InuYasha found them when he stormed in, dripping dirty water and mud like brownie batter on the floor. He nearly ripped the straw curtain from the doorway as he stomped inside, growling irritably.

 

`How dare she- what an idiot, what was she thinking the little bi-` He stopped short at the door frame, mouth still open in a forgotten curse. Whatever nameless thing had made his heart stop, that held his tongue and froze him mind and body where he stood, left him terrified in a way that he couldn't define as truly frightening-

 

Kagome looked up as she realized InuYasha had returned- she had been so concerned with getting Shippo taken care of that she'd forgotten to send Miroku and Sango to find the MIA hanyou. She'd been too sidetracked by her conversation with the kitsune to go look for him herself. Now InuYasha was standing there, a complete mess and livid beyond the average osuwari. Though it seemed he'd tried to scrape the worst of the mud off already he was still very filthy and almost as pathetic to look at as Shippo had been.

 

“Dammit, Kagome! What the hell-“ InuYasha snarled, when he regained control of himself. Her concerned eyes and the contrite way she bit her bottom lip stopped him again, unable to finish his angry tirade when he remembered she had all ready whole-heartedly apologized before he took off. She was still sorry, and obviously worried that he would be angry with her.

 

Well, damn straight he was still pissed! But what could he really do when she'd already apologized, and sincerely?! It was rare enough she was sincere, always brushing him off so casually- It didn't get the mud off or get him any warmer- it's not like he could drag her outside and drop her in a puddle- as funny as that'd be he wouldn't survive the Sits or take the chance of the weak wench getting sick again. As it was, he ended up growling evasively and avoiding her gaze.

 

“InuYasha, you're dripping everywhere!” Kagome's dismayed voice was low as she shifted Shippo to the floor and dug into her rucksack for another towel. “You're drenched, can you go shake it off on the steps? Then wring out your haori so we can set it out to dry.” She ushered him back outside, ducking back behind the bamboo curtain before he could accidentally splash her.

 

“Perhaps some food to warm you up, InuYasha?” Miroku offered as Sango rolled her eyes. “The lovely Sango has deemed us worthy of her culinary skills this evening.” The monk was fishing through the pot before it was ready to be served. The slayer narrowed her eyes and slapped his hand away.

 

The hanyou ignored the other couple as he returned indoors, not much drier than before he left but there was little more he could do about it.

 

“Keh, woman, this is all your fault!” He reminded her as he wrung out his hair and stripped his coat, hiding the shiver that enveloped him. He was a demon dammit, he didn't get cold.

 

“I know, I know, I said I was sorry!” She took his damp haori from him, and exchanged it with the towel she had found. She wished he had some other clothes to change into, he was quite thoroughly soaked and she knew, despite his protests to the contrary, he was just as likely to catch cold as she or Shippo was- Well, obviously, not just as likely, maybe really the least likely but she still didn't want to take chances with him. She was surprised he was actually listening to her- or rather, letting her take care of him, grumbling or not. He must be cold.

 

She waited for Sango to remove the stew and hung InuYasha's fire rat coat across the wooden tripod they had used to hang the cooking pot over the fire and leaned it as close to the fire as she dared. It would probably dry out pretty quickly and then he'd at least have something warm to wear. Her lips were a firm line as she cast a worried glance at him, studying him for any sign of weakness. Of course, there was none.

 

“I'm fine, wench, quit looking at me like you expect me to friggin' collapse! It's just a little water!”

 

“I'm allowed to worry, InuYasha! Now be quiet before you wake Shippo.” She retorted, yelling just as loud as he was. The fox cub was unaffected by their raised voices anyway. She took the bowls of soup Sango offered and handed one to her puppy-eared friend as he finished toweling off as much as he could. He took it without further complaint and tossed the grimy cloth to a corner, out of the way.

 

They both sat close to the fire with Sango and Miroku, continuing their bickering until it the reached the point that his cursing about “weak, human wenches” and her “stubborn, foolish idiots” did manage to pull Shippo from his nap.

 

The little kitsune cub quietly made his way over to Kagome who readily handed over the stew she'd barely touched and allowed him to sit in her lap while he slowly ate, watching the couple fighting again. He would normally enjoy watching InuYasha losing a battle of wits with his foster okaa but this time he was too distracted by what Kagome had said before he'd fallen asleep. He watched the way the hanyou interacted with Kagome, seeming to know her replies before she stated them, his white ears strained forward listening to his opponent, as if he could hear her thoughts, his eyes danced in the weak light and his smirk was warm, not in any way harsh. They were only playing after all, this banter kept them from being too serious and took their minds off whatever had really started the argument.

 

Kagome was the same way, her rich brown eyes narrowed, studying her antagonist for any weakness, her skin flushed with the heat of the battle, her heart beat a little faster. A small growl escaped her as InuYasha drove home some point and her slender hand rose in a fist by her face. InuYasha was slipping on the knife's edge of getting reacquainted with the floor but Kagome's restraint held.

 

“Oi! Wench, if you wanna worry about someone, worry about yourself and that runt. He's more likely to get sick than I am!” At this, Kagome's eyes darted to Shippo sitting silently with her. She quickly examined his slight form as if searching for some sign of pain or frailty in the young fox. The boy just looked up at her with his big blue-green eyes and blinked innocuously. Her glaring eyes rose through her thick lashes to meet InuYasha's cool ones, sizing up the inuhanyou with a fierce glower.

 

How dare he use her concern for Shippo as a weapon of distraction against her! `THIS is what I get for caring about their health?!'

 

“I wouldn't have to worry about either of you if you hadn't been acting like a pair of idiots, running around in a typhoon!”

 

The kitsune suddenly turned his anxious face back to hers, hearing her words. His thoughts were clear on his open face: Was he in trouble too, did Kagome think he was stupid for letting InuYasha chase him outside? They'd only been playing- running for his life but it was still fun-

 

The girl noticed his attention and dropped a small smile on him, patting his head in reassurance. “Not you, Shippo.”

 

The youkai child gave a small grin in return and watched the young miko return to her battle. Of course Kagome didn't think he was stupid. Just InuYasha. He was glad he wasn't in trouble. Kagome's opinion was very important. The fox cub turned back to his soup and swirled its contents absentmindedly about ready to officially give up on the food.

 

Before he could, InuYasha had stood, retrieved his now mostly-dry haori, and tossed it over his shoulders. His critical gaze fell on the little boy solemnly staring at his bowl before looking away, nose in the air. “You should put that brat to bed. Stupid kit, runnin' around in the rain.” He scoffed and went to sit down by the door. Shippo looked up, a tiny indignant expression on his face but the older boy was already walking away.

 

Shippo watched as the hanyou wrapped himself in his coat and laid his sword across his knees, stuffing his hands into his warm sleeves purposefully. He closed his fierce gold eyes, for all intents and purposes ignoring everyone in the room. He was hunched over and tucked in close the wall so . . . Maybe he was cold too?

 

“Doesn't matter that it was you he was running from.” Kagome muttered under her breath. She turned her soft eyes back on the little one daydreaming between her crossed legs. “Are you finished, Shippo-chan?” She asked brightly.

 

He nodded and set his unfinished dinner aside and reached for the girl's shirt, wearily crawling up onto her leg and resting his head close to her middle. She bent over so her nose was close to his, a dark curtain of raven hair cutting them off from the rest of the world, and smiled. “Are you ready for bed?” He silently nodded again and she kissed his forehead then gathered him in her arms. As she set him down on the pillowed part of her sleeping bag and tucked him in, she asked if he wanted a bedtime story.

 

He yawned and blinked at her which she took for a yes and knelt down beside him. She reached into her backpack and pulled out her hairbrush and began running it through her hair as she thought of a tale to tell. By the time she had come up with one he hadn't heard before, the little fox was asleep. Kagome grinned down at him, and brushed his ginger-red bangs away from his eyes. She lightly placed her hand on the kitsune's forehead, gently checking his temperature against her own.

 

“How is he, Kagome-chan?” Sango asked the girl as she returned to her friends by the fire.

 

“A little warm but you can hardly tell.” She was casual enough but they caught her gaze lingering on the youngest member of their group. Kagome would worry over him like a mother hen until he was well beyond the chance of even thinking of falling ill.

 

Kagome buried her concern, a little self-conscious of her fretful actions. She knew the others were watching her and her over-protectiveness for the kid. She couldn't help it! He was her responsibility, she'd do the same for any of them. She didn't know what she'd do if he got sick, if any of her friends fell ill. He was still just a child, granted a youkai child, but he was the least able to take care of himself. In this day and age, the medical science wasn't much to speak of, if something happened to any of them it was a hundred times more serious here. Things that were almost silly were life-threatening here. Pneumonia and infections killed people, there were no inoculations or antibiotics, no blood banks, no hospital, or anything like at home. She really hoped he didn't get sick.

 

Kagome restlessly moved again to sit near where her hanyou friend was sulking against the wall. There was little more she could do for Shippo, she had medication for him if he did come down with a fever and she kept him dry and warm. That was the best she could do.

 

InuYasha was another story though. He was still being stubbornly distant despite her apologies and their usual banter. She sat close, somehow feeling better with him near. She and InuYasha remained silent while their companions finished eating and cleaned up. Kagome watched their playful interaction with drowsy amusement. The monk and demon slayer were like a romantic comedy play that she got to sit in first row for everyday. She grinned as Miroku made a subtle move and Sango caught the offending hand with a swift smack before any groping could be done.

 

“I swear, hoshi, one more time and you won't have reason to fear Naraku anymore.”

 

“Dear Sango, I don't know what you mean . . .”

 

Kagome was starting to doze off before she realized her head had already fallen onto InuYasha's firm shoulder. “Ah . . .” She sat bolt upright, shaking off the haze of sleep. “Sorry.” She muttered to the silent young man. He was probably uncomfortable the entire time- how long had she been out? When did she close her eyes?

 

Long enough, evidently. Glancing around, the monk was no where to be seen and Sango was lying beside her firecat, apparently asleep. The miko turned her head a little to watch the silver-haired boy sitting next to her.

 

He was blushing. And he wouldn't look at her though he must know she was staring at him. He was probably embarrassed by her falling asleep against him. How shy could the guy get? If he was so uncomfortable, why didn't he just wake her up? `He was sure quick to send Shippo to bed but heaven forbid he disturb me? Does he think I'll bite?' Kagome conveniently forgot any and all previous occasions when the teenager had chosen the wrong moment to rouse her and ended up with a slap in the face for his trouble.

 

Kagome bit her lip, trying not to smile at her own suppressed hypocrisy. Oh well, she was cozy cuddled up with him, but he was probably restless- she had no idea how long she's kept him from moving for fear of waking her. She should probably get up and go to bed . . .

 

In a minute . . . Or two . . .

 

She felt herself slipping back up against the wall, her head once more on his shoulder, a hand wrapped lightly around his elbow. It was so comfy and warm . . .

 

Warm? A little too warm actually. Kagome blinked a suspicious eye up at her fire-rat robed pillow.

 

Maybe he hadn't been blushing. The brunette's eyes softened as she studied the half-demon. He looked okay, snuggled into his softly furred haori, his ivory hair slowly air drying, a few silver strands still lining his face, his thick bangs hanging heavily over his ruddy gold eyes. His eyes were half lidded, as if he too, was on the brink of sleep but the girl knew better. Those obscenely adorable ears of his were flicking at every little noise, ever vigilant to the sound of predators or bandits. But they trembled, every now and again, as if trying shake off a persistent tickling drop of water.

 

Before she could think twice, her hand lifted to brush away his hair and press against his forehead. He flinched away, trying to duck out from under her hand but she snatched one of his forelocks, freezing him place instantly. “Hold still.” She held her palm to his skin for a moment, soaking up the heat radiating off him then touched her cheek with the back of her hand to compare. “You're a little warm too.”

 

“Feh, like I'd get sick.” He growled, ignoring the young miko as her small hand fell away.

 

`Touchy, aren't we?' She thought, a little peeved that he would still act like this. It's not like anyone was looking- Miroku was outside and Sango and Shippo were obliviously asleep. He'd been so dour and sullen since he returned. Was it because of her Sit incantation? Was he really not feeling well? Why was he being extra surly, even for him? Did she say something particularly callous or offensive . . ? What had she done to put him in this bad humor?

 

“You're so stubborn. Miroku's on guard duty, you can at least try to get some sleep.” She advised, glaring weakly before giving up and turning away, her nose in the air.

 

The memory of this afternoon drifted into her thoughts and she sighed. Maybe it was something someone ELSE had said. Maybe if she could lay to rest some of his uneasiness concerning the little misunderstanding between him and Shippo he'd be more willing to listen to her? Not likely, but it wouldn't hurt to bring it up. “Ano . . . InuYasha . . . Shippo didn't mean what he said today. I'm sorry if he hurt your feelings.”

 

“Keh. Don't make me sound weak, wench.” He grumbled. “I don't give a damn what the brat says.” His expression was blank and carefully stoic though his voice was sharp and cold. That look always gave him way, he'd be the worst at playing poker. Dog-boy was lying to her. The more he denied it, the more obvious it became. Kagome shook her head, hiding a faint smile. He should know better, they were friends.

 

And she knew better than to press. He'd talk about it if he wanted to, she'd just have to wait him out. It was good thing she prayed for patience so often.

 

“All right.” The schoolgirl gave in, whether he believed her or not, wanted to hear it or not, it would be best if it came from Shippo himself rather than her. It was her two boys that needed to work things out with each other, not with her. “Good night, InuYasha . . .”

 

She reluctantly pushed herself away from him and the wall, and crawled over to her sleeping bag. Gently she pulled away the top and wormed her way in around her kitsune pup and quickly joined him in sleep.

 

The night was mostly spent when Kagome woke again. Dawn was probably not too far off judging by the strange grayness outside, the lightness in the sky that wasn't really daylight. She listened hard, willing her heartbeat to quiet and fade, holding her breath as she waited for what she was expecting to hear.

 

Silence.

 

Kagome's heart skipped as she realized what was missing. She gasped at the sudden shock, then rolled her eyes at how completely pathetic she had become.

 

Shippo was missing again. She was far too used to sleeping with the warm, fuzzy body, the soft heartbeat and breathing was something she couldn't sleep well without anymore. The girl rolled over, mentally shaking her head at herself. Her dark eyes searched the pre-dawn shadows for her handsome hanyou. If the kitsune had left the hut, InuYasha would have noticed, he could tell her where he'd gone, if he was alright-

 

The young man still slept by the door, white hair glowing even in the dim light as it rolled over his shoulders. His Tetsusaiga leaned against the wall beside him, his ears were relaxed and only twitched when she moved. Kagome studied his ghostly form, the opalescent glimmering of his beautiful mane, the cute way a fang broke the line of his lips, the way his robed body looked relaxed but she knew he would be ready to leap at the smallest disturbance. His arms were folded into his haori sleeves but- what was that?

 

Kagome grinned. Surprise of surprises, a tiny, auburn-haired fox pup was sleeping in her puppy-eared hanyou's arms. Shippo was tucked in close to InuYasha's chest, one arm holding him, a long red haori sleeve blanketing the kit as he slept.

 

It looked like the child had been comfortable in the half-demon's arms for a long time. She had no idea when he had actually crawled from their bed to join InuYasha by the door. It must have been hours ago. So why had she only just now awoken?

 

As she raised herself up on her elbow to watch the two boys slumbering, she caught a tiny movement. Shippo was restless, his paws kicking and his arm brushing over his head as if to swat something away, face scrunched unhappily. His little voice rose in a hoarse murmur.

 

“Okaa . . .” His voiced distress brought the inuhanyou awake instantly as she watched. Tawny eyes snapped open, studying the cub before suddenly raising to meet Kagome's. His frown was immediate, whether he hadn't expected she would be awake let alone witness this show of weakness or that the pup had to wake him up in the first place. He glared down at the unfortunate kitsune.

 

The miko bit her lip before scooting up to her knees, her eyes silently asking if she was allowed to join them- But he was no longer looking at her.

 

She watched as InuYasha's hand lifted to cup the child's face, his warm eyes widening before he scowled. His gaze rose once more, spilling emotions too quickly for her to grasp- annoyance, uncertainty, worry, guilt- Everything summed up in three words she dreaded hearing. “He's burning up.”

 

The whispered confession brought Kagome to his side in an instant. Shippo woke as soon as she was close enough for his weary mind to recognize her scent. “Kaa- Kagome . . . I don't feel good . . .” He coughed weakly. He held out his arms for Kagome to lift him from InuYasha's evidently helpless hands.

 

She cradled the little one close, feeling his forehead and petting his hair. He was very warm, his bangs were damp with sweat, his jade eyes were bleary when he slowly blinked them open. She could feel the rattling of his breath as she held him. Her worried eyes met InuYasha's and he sighed and looked away, gracefully rolling to his feet and disappearing outside. He returned a few moments later with a basin of water and had scrounged up some cloths from somewhere. She was in the middle of wrapping the child in her extra blanket when he set the water beside her and sat down near the two of them.

 

“Where does it hurt, Shippo-chan?” Kagome asked softly. She didn't want to disturb Miroku and Sango from their sound sleep. No point in everyone losing a good night's rest especially when they wouldn't be able to help. She set the boy down on the floor in front of her and took the cloths InuYasha had brought in.

 

“My head hurts . . .” Shippo sniffled. His voice was hoarse, his throat was probably sore. He coughed, a fit that was feeble but unending. He couldn't catch his breath he was coughing so much. Kagome pulled him onto his side and placed a warm hand on his back hoping to relax him enough to breathe. It was a long minute or two before he could.

 

The kit whined piteously, tears slipping slowly from his eyes as he watched his foster mother watch him, hoping she could make it go away. Kagome frowned sympathetically, placing a wet cloth across Shippo's forehead. “I'm sorry, Shippo-chan. We'll get you better as soon as we can, okay? Just rest for now, we'll take care of you.”

 

She turned her hopeful gaze on InuYasha and he met her uncertain eyes with a similar expression. “Can you get my first aid box?” She requested quietly. The hanyou's expression hardened and he got up to retrieve the brunette's backpack for her.

 

Inside she found some cold meds and aspirin. She didn't have anything for his sore throat but the aspirin would bring down his fever and the medicine should help with just about everything else. She got the boy to take the pills with some water and set a can of juice aside for him. He'd need to drink lots of liquids while he was awake but she hoped he'd sleep enough for his immune system to fight back.

 

“I'm cold, Kagome . . .” Poor kid. He was shivering, a lot, his breath hissed between clenched teeth, but he was sweating under the blanket.

 

“I know.” She turned to drag her sleeping bag over. She could bundle him up in it until he felt better. To her surprise, InuYasha picked the kit up and laid him down in the warm nest she prepared. “Thanks.” She smiled her appreciation as he just turned away.

 

“Keh, stupid brat shouldn't've been runnin' around in the rain.”

 

“Neither should you. Are you still okay?” She asked as she reached up to check his forehead too. He tried to dodge her hand again and gave her an arrogant snort.

 

“Feh. Gettin' sick is for kids and weak humans, wench, what do you think I am?!”

 

“A little warm, maybe you should take a couple of these too.” She sidestepped his question and offered two more cold pills to the growling, flat-eared boy.

 

He pushed her hand away and she shrugged. “Just want to be sure. You were both out there in the freezing cold, soaked from fuzzy ears to bedraggled tail.” He scowled but Kagome could see the uncertainty behind his amber eyes. “Don't worry about Shippo,” she whispered, “he'll be fine, it's just a little cold.” InuYasha blushed and twisted away from her, nose in the air. He had his like-I-give-a-damn attitude on again but the doubt and insecurity she'd seen before was gone now.

 

Kagome brought a warm smile back to her little fox cub. “Shippo, you need to get some sleep, `kay? Would you like me to tell you a story?”

 

He coughed before he could answer and tried to clear his rough throat when it caught. The boy finally just sniffed and nodded mutely.

 

“Once upon a time there was a woman who lived with her little girl named Pea Blossom. The little girl was very sick and had to stay in bed for almost a year because she was too weak to even stand. Pea Blossom's mother was very sad and feared her daughter would die and join her sister and father in the next world and leave her alone. But the months passed and the little girl stayed, always smiling and good company for her hard-working mother. One day, when spring came, the child was looking out the window and was surprised to see something green growing in a crack in the wood. She asked her mother what it was and the woman told her it was little pea that had taken root and was growing there. They were both curious as to how it had gotten there and the little girl was so amused that her mother moved her bed closer to the window so that she might pretend the small pea vine was her very own garden.

 

“That night when the mother came home from working all day, Pea Blossom was very happy and told her mother how the pea plant was thriving on the warm sunshine. She told her, “I believe I will get well again, it was so warm and bright in the sunlight and my pea plant is growing so strong and well that I, too, shall grow stronger.” The mother was glad to hear her daughter so happy but could not believe that it would be so. Her child had been sick for too long for her to hope she'd get better. But the woman wanted her daughter to be happy and to have hope so she used a little stick and bit of string to stake the pea vine so it could continue to grow strong.

 

“Every day the vine grew taller and stronger and put out more and more leaves until finally one day there appeared a little bud where a flower would bloom. As the plant flourished, so did the little girl. Pea Blossom was able to sit up in bed and before long she could walk and on the first day she could walk on her own she happily kissed the beautiful flowers of the pea plant.

 

“Soon she was cured, healthier and happier than she had ever been all because she had wanted to take care of the little pea. She and her mother lived for a very long time, happily ever after.” Kagome smiled, scrunching up her nose as she bent over Shippo and kissed the top of his head, brushing back his bangs from his warm skin. “Now, it's time for you to go to sleep, sweet pea.”

 

Shippo wrinkled his nose at the nickname and grinned up at his girl. “Good night, Kaa . . . gome.” He yawned, smothering more coughs as he rolled over to face her, closing his eyes and seeming to fall instantly asleep. He shivered, just a little, and she placed her hand on his pale cheek. The little kitsune's skin was still so warm and damp. `Poor baby . . .'

 

“Good night.” She whispered and tucked him in once more. She leaned back on her heels and met InuYasha's bored eyes. He was lying on his side behind Shippo, elbow propping his silver head up. His skin was just barely redder than normal. Kagome suspected he was at least a little feverish, even if he absolutely denied it. There was little she could do if he wouldn't let her help him though. “Are you sure you don't want some of these? Just in case?” She wheedled, trying to shake the bottle of cold medicine enticingly.

 

“Keh.”

 

“Fine.” The girl sighed. She placed two little pills between him and the fox child. He was being as contrary as a two-year-old. Maybe he'd do it if she wasn't watching. She had to make it available to him just in case. She wasn't about to make him suffer just because he was proud and stupid. Even if he deserved it and might even learn something about not chasing little kids around in nasty weather- The last thing she wanted was for anyone else to get sick.

 

She reached over to her schoolbag and pulled out a couple of books, a notebook, and a pencil. She crawled over to the slumbering fire and stoked up the embers to bring some small flames to life. She might as well do some homework. She couldn't very well go back to sleep if Shippo was sick. He might need her.

 

“Thanks for your help, InuYasha.” She whispered.

 

InuYasha's glance rose to meet hers through the darkness. She could barely see he was trying to scowl at her. His voice was low when he spoke, sounding almost concerned. “You should go back to bed, wench, there's still at least an hour till dawn. I'm not gonna go easy on ya tomorrow just because the runt woke you up.”

 

She smiled wryly. Like him, Kagome kept herself to a whisper, knowing they shouldn't chance waking rest of their group. “Hmph. We won't be going anywhere if he's still sick tomorrow. So don't even plan on it. And be quiet, if you wake him up so help me-”

 

“Ha! What'll you do, wench?”

 

“I'll- I'll see to it, when you DO get sick that no one will be there to take care of you, give you medicine, bring down your fever, sit with you-“

 

“Like I'd need all that! You make me sound as weak as that pup-”

 

“We'll see how well you take it when you've got a fever, migraine, and everything ELSE that comes with being sick! Now be quiet! I'm trying to study!”

 

“Tryin' is a loose term for what you-“

 

Kagome choked on a screech of indignation. “Baka, baka, baka! You're so mean!”

 

“Am not, just honest, bitch!”

 

“Osuwari!”

 

Crunch. If the deepest sleeper hadn't awakened at the onset of the loud argument, they had by the time InuYasha smashed to the deck. As it was, Miroku was watching the entertainment with a yawning grin, Sango was struggling to keep from laughing, and Shippo was peeking up at them from behind his blanket.

 

“Feh, stupid wench.”

 

“Stubborn idiot.”

 

And that concluded that conversation.

 

Until InuYasha sneezed and Kagome cracked up laughing.