InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Power II: Running ❯ Doctoring Shippou ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10:

"I told you not to let her use any more of her powers." The urgent whisper, despite being very soft, awoke her. Her eyelids fluttered open and she blinked a few times in order to see properly. She glanced up at the sun shining through the trees and guessed that she had slept for two hours. She sat up discreetly, sure neither of them had noticed since they were staring each other down.

"I didn't… she didn't use her powers. She only set his leg and then fainted." Jerry growled truthfully. Sesshoumaru scowled.

"Damn liar! Why would she have fainted unless she had used more of her power?" He said in a slightly louder voice. Kagome smirked. Once again, her mate was giving someone a hard time, how nostalgic. It seemed funny, to have him getting angry over her, right somehow. It almost reminded her of Inuyasha.

"I think it might be because my fatigue didn't catch up with me until after I stopped. I didn't even notice it while I was working." She said, surprising both of them. Sesshoumaru's angry expression softened almost immediately, still surprising her. After all, she still wasn't used to this new and less dispassionate Sesshoumaru, in her mind she had just fallen in love with him a little over ten months ago and then just found him again a few days ago. His acting so openly affectionate, the softness in his eyes, all made her stop momentarily and remember that it had been five hundred years for him. He squatted next to her and brushed her cheek lightly with his fingertips, making her smile languidly.

"Your fine." It was more of a statement then a question. She nodded against his hand and she saw a small smile draw his lips.

`I think you owe someone an apology.' She told him. He sighed and gave her a do-I-have-to look. She nodded to his unspoken question and he frowned. He stood up and slipped his hand slowly out of hers, turning unhurriedly to face Jerry.

"I believe I owe you an apology for accusing you of lazing in the order I gave you." He said stiffly. Jerry seemed taken aback but then he grinned.

"I think I understand. I would be just as protective of my girlfriend." He said thoughtfully. Kagome was inclined to smile once again; this time noting the differences she noticed when it came to Inuyasha and Jerry. Just as with her and Kikyou, there were some obvious differences in personality. It must be apart of the reincarnation thing.

"Now that I am better," She said, trying to gain their attention once again. "I need that pain-reliever for Shippou. He should be waking soon." She pushed herself up and almost fell right back down as her world swayed around her. She held out a hand for balance and found she was holding onto someone's arm, their hand steadying her. She glanced up gratefully into her mate's eyes and thanked him silently. His face was contorted in worry.

"You do not seem much better." He accused. She sighed and brushed his hands away, determined to at least pretend to be, even if she wasn't.

"I am FINE. Now where is the…" It was proffered before she finished her sentence. "Thank you."

She walked a bit tipsily over to where Shippou lay and then thankfully kneeled beside him. He was beginning to stir; she had timed it just right. His forehead knotted in pain, mostly remembered pain. She felt his forehead and noticed that it was slightly hot.

"Grab me a cloth, soak it in the stream over there." She ordered. She did not see Sesshoumaru hand Jerry the cloth and tell him to go and wet it thoroughly. He came back with it sopping wet as she was checking his pulse and heartbeat, which was easier with her youkai senses.

"Ring it out, please." She said as she noticed it dripping continuously. He spun it into a tight spring and squeezed until no water came out. He once again offered it to her and she took it, folding it neatly and putting it on Shippou's head, clearly agitated.

"What's wrong?" Jerry asked over her shoulder. Shippou twitched and groaned.

"Dammit! Why didn't I think of sickness? But youkai don't usually get sick do they?" She ranted. Sesshoumaru was at her side in an instant.

"What do you mean?" he asked gently. Kagome turned to him flustered.

"He has a fever. Its only slight, but I could have prevented it, had I been smart enough to check. But, stupid me didn't think of that." She said, angry with herself. She brooded a minute more before getting up and going to a bag in the corner, her stuff. She dug through it quickly; cursing as she realized what she wanted was at the bottom. The two down with Shippou glanced at each other every so often, silent words passing between them.

"What are you looking for?" Kagome jumped in surprise and saw Jax staring at her from his place by the tree, Riasha still on his lap asleep. Kagome could feel her consciousness heighten and knew the hanyou would soon be awake and want to help.

"I'm sorry if my muttering woke you. Shippou has a fever because I didn't think to check for it and I'm looking for some herbs to stop it beforehand." She started to go back to looking but rethought it. "Riasha will be awake soon. Tell her to rip a couple more pieces of cloth up and soak them in the stream when she is coherent." Jax nodded.

Kagome thought about what to give Shippou. What would be best for fever? She would give him willowbark, for any pain. She could boil down Boneset, and then dilute it, for it was strong enough to kill at a high dosage. Alfalfa leaves were good for blood clotting, for the injury on his arm and other numerous superficial injuries. She decided to save the medicines she had asked Sesshoumaru to pick up as a last resort and first made a tea with strong datura. The other meds would cause obscurity of the senses, one thing a youkai could not stand after relying on them so.

She noticed Riasha was awake and ripping up pieces of cloth, while Jax stood and watched, looking helpless.

"Jax!" She said loud enough to get his attention. He looked down at her expectantly. "I need you to make a fire, can you do that for me please?" he nodded and proceeded to do so, getting out the matches from his pack and a lighter. He was gathering tinder to start it with as Kagome turned her attention back to the waking Shippou. He was twitching and breathing heavily. She bit her lip in worry and then pulled out the amount of each herb she needed. She would need to just boil the leaves of some, while she needed to smash the roots of others first to add to his tea. His eyes snapped open and she swore, she didn't have the tea boiled and ready yet.

"JAX!" She yelled.

"The fire is ready." He answered. She turned to see Riasha bringing the few wet cloths down to her.

"Thank you. Now can you and Jax boil some water, quickly?" Riasha nodded and turned back up the hill to get a container for the water. Shippou turned his head and sat up suddenly.

"What's going…?" He stopped and winced from the ache in his body, falling back onto his makeshift bed. He passed out from the pain and she thanked her temporary luck. Next time she would be prepared to give him his tea and stop him from doing something like getting up. She rocked back onto her heels and stared at him for many moments, checking with her sensitive ears his breathing and heart rate. It was slightly high, but not too bad.

She got up and checked to make sure she had the right amount of each herb to give him before going up to check the water boiling. It wasn't quite ready so she gave the mix to Riasha to put into the boiling water. She set the leaves in the boiling water before heading back down to check on Shippou. The cloth on his head was warm so she replaced it with one of the still cold ones. He didn't look like he was going to awaken, but she dare not leave his side.

`Sesshoumaru,' she called silently.

`Yes?'

`Could you please get me a container with cold water to keep these cloths cold? The ice I asked for would also be helpful.' She asked. He did not answer but instead got up and fished a container out of a bag before going to fill it up. She watched him, glancing at Shippou every few seconds. He walked over to a tree and picked up a melting bag of ice she had failed to notice. He came back and handed them to her. She poured half of the ice in the water and then put the old cloth in it, as well as the other wet cloths. Shippou began to stir again and she measured his breath and heartbeat again, noticing it had raised a tad. His consciousness was still low so she went up and watched as Riasha added the herbs to the boiling water.

She found a knife in Sesshoumaru's stuff and used it to stir the tea until the essence of the herbs had circulated strongly in the water. She gasped as she smelled it, realizing just how bad it would taste. She quickly got out some mint from her herbs and added it, stirring it in carefully. She covered the top with her hand and poured the water into a cup, straining it. She gasped and clenched her teeth as the searing hot water hit her hand. The burning slowly became dull with the deadening of her nerves. Finally the stream of water slowed and the cup was full so she pulled her hand away, ignoring Sesshoumaru complaining irritably about her burning herself despite the fact that it would heal within an hour. She hissed as she made contact with the burned flesh.

She picked up the tea with her other hand and brought it down the hill to Shippou, quickly checking his mind. He was waking again quickly. She set the tea down next to him and put a new cloth on his head to help wake him. He groaned and his eyelids fluttered. Slowly they opened and he blinked blearily. His eyes finally focused on hers and she smiled reassuringly. The cup of tea was placed at his lips and he drank it gratefully while she held his neck up to keep him from choking. He gulped it all at her prodding. She watched as his brow uncreased and his body relaxed, no longer in pain. He fell into a deep sleep and she relaxed herself, grateful he was sleeping peacefully.

"Riasha?" She called gently. The half-dragon demon was down in an instant.

"Yeah?" She asked, getting down beside her tired friend.

"Help me heal his leg so he will be in less pain when he awakens." She requested. Immediately Riasha got down by his leg and sat ready. Kagome took off the splints and took Riasha's hands in her own, placing them on the broken spot on his leg. With her hands over the hanyou's, her power pulsed and then flared. Both of them let their light flow into his leg and concentrated on his broken bone. They both let go after a minute and stared at each other, connecting and speaking without words. Finally Riasha got up and helped Kagome up, motioning for Sesshoumaru to take her. Kagome tried to walk on her own, but her unsteadiness worried her mate. He wrapped an arm around he waist and brought her over to sit down.

Kagome was feeling very drained, and very tired. She hadn't had a good night's sleep last night, and she had only slept for a couple of hours since then. She glanced at the resting Shippou, Riasha making him comfortable, propping him up, before allowing her eyes to close. She drifted into sleep quickly, leaning against Sesshoumaru.

She would have to sleep to save her strength for tomorrow, when they would take back their mansion. Enough was enough.

~**~

Sesshoumaru shifted Kagome to a more comfortable position and wrapped his arms protectively around her. He would make sure nothing ever happened to her, ever.

Riasha was finishing up with Shippou, changing the cloth once again, then instructed Jerry to change it when it got warm. He didn't say he would, but Sesshoumaru could see that the human would do as she asked, when no one was looking. Riasha came back up the hill and collapsed against a tree, snuggling into Jax, who was watching the fire.

"Do you think we need the fire anymore? It is pretty hot out, we certainly don't need it for warmth." Sesshoumaru was about to agree with him when Riasha got up and placed a few rinsed comfrey roots onto a rock and smashed them up. She added some water, making a poultice of sorts, before taking a string and going over to Kagome, wrapping her burned hand in it, using the string to hold it in place. She sighed and mentally told Jax to get some water to put the fire out. He did as she asked before coming back and wrapping an arm around her as he sat down beside her at the same tree. She was asleep in his arms in minutes.

~**~

Kagome awoke to the snores of her mate, making her smile in surprise. Sesshoumaru, snore? It seemed FAR too undignified!! She giggled aloud before she heard a rustling. She looked down to see Shippou awake, staring up at her. He was sitting up, looking pretty good, and even from here she could tell his breathing rate and heartbeat were normal and strong. His eyes were clear and focused. She could see that he wanted to talk to her but dared not because it would wake Sesshoumaru.

`What?' She asked him, having to concentrate vigorously in order to do so in her tired and still slightly weak state.

`I feel much better, thank you Kagome.' He thought, and then added though she could tell he wouldn't have spoken it out loud. `I need to relieve myself, and I'm thirsty as hell.' He blushed as he realized she could read the thoughts he hadn't projected at her. Kagome smiled, trying to figure out how to get up without waking Sesshoumaru. There was no choice, she would have to…

Kagome concentrated hard and felt the tilt of the world veer, time slowing, particles moving in this slower dimension she created. Her quicker moving particles went right through his, effectively getting her out of his warm and comfortable embrace without him being any the wiser. She felt like she was flowing like this, rather than her body moving normally, it was like being water particles that were attracted to each other and magnetized together. It was such a weird feeling. She took a deep breath and slowly let the world speed up again, feeling a sick swoop in her stomach that suddenly reminded her of when she had been traveling through space and time in her dream. She swayed a second as the world picked up pace, trying to make it unknown to her foster son. Or would she be considered his Aunt since Sesshoumaru had been pretending to be his Uncle?

She walked down to him and helped him up, bringing him over to a tree he could lean against and turning away as he relieved himself. When he was done she brought him back over and settled him carefully back onto his makeshift bed. His leg was still very weak, though the muscles and sinew and bones and tendons had all been mended, it was not strong and still slightly painful. She restarted the fire and used what was there to get it going and start the water boiling for tea. She went to grab some wood for the fire and then added it slowly to make a nice hot fire to bring the water to a boil quicker. Soon it was and she made more mint tea for all of them, dividing it into cups for all of them. She heard a muted cough and saw Riasha watching her. She smiled up at her and then gestured to the still lightly snoring Sesshoumaru, trying not to laugh. Her grin was enough to make Riasha look quickly. She returned her grin and looked away to keep from laughing outright.

Kagome brought Shippou his tea, before taking her and Riasha's tea's up to the other trees to sit with her. She settled herself next to Riasha and Jax, sipping her tea thoughtfully. She watched Jax's face crease a little and reached out to him mentally, noticing that he was slowly waking. Maybe she aught to wake Sesshoumaru up before his tea got cold. She proceeded to do just that, suffusing herself into his conscious, carefully making her presence known and cajoling him into wakefulness. His eyelids fluttered and he opened his eyes to look directly at her, his eyes soft in the moment. They focused and he realized where he was and his eyes shuttered a little. The softness was not so prominent now, but still there.

"Come on guys, don't you want to talk to Shippou now that he's awake?" All three of the youkai suddenly looked very alert and not the least sleepy. Shippou was holding his already empty cup and watching as they approached. He raised his cup slightly in a silent request and she caught it when he threw it to her, going to the stream to fill it, noticing for the first time that Jerry was asleep with his back to the tree, facing the water. When she took a step toward him, intent on waking him, his eyes snapped open and he glared at her, pure malice written on his features. She took a step back in surprise and his expression immediately softened. Kagome was confused, and a little weary. What was that all about?

"Shippou is better, we are going to speak with him." Was all she said before going to the stream and filling the cup. She glanced at Jerry as she turned back around found his expression was one she could not read, troubling her. She walked over and gave Shippou his glass of water before taking shelter from her thoughts in Sesshoumaru's arms. But even that would not get rid of that short moment Jerry had glared at her so murderously. She suppressed a shudder and then turned to Sesshoumaru, encouraging him to start questioning Shippou about his venture, or maybe it should be considered a `painful experience'. Now, the only thing that should be at all painful was his arm, and his leg, as it would be a while before the pain receded totally, just like with his internal injuries.

"Shippou, I want a full account of what happened." Sesshoumaru commanded. Shippou squinted and seemed to think a moment.

"Well, it was really weird. I stayed where you told me to, above the tier, but they seemed to somehow know I was there even though I hadn't made a sound. It was like they had known I was there, because they found me as soon as you guys left. Actually, it must have been an hour, but still, not very long. They threw me in that dungeon Kagome found me in and then one day tried to find out where you guys were hiding. I don't know where they got their information, since I didn't tell them, but they apparently had some kind of connection that told them something about the well, because they searched the well on your shrine, Kagome. I heard them talking about it, and they even mentioned it to me while trying to get me to talk." He bit his lip and looked around at the others, noticing a few shocked expressions. Riasha was the first to speak.

"Well, they must have had a spy that told them we went down the well." She concluded. Kagome decided not to dash her hopes and just stayed silent, knowing that no one had been watching, she would have known. Although she was very stressed out about her Mother and Brother…

"We should eat something for supper and then try to sleep the rest of the night, it will get dark soon. We will need our rest for the morrow." Sesshoumaru informed them. Jax nodded his agreement and stood, taking Riasha's hand when she held it out and dramatically made a show of getting up, the comical point being lethargia. Kagome smirked and rose from her position after her mate did, slipping her hand in the crook of his arm when they headed back to their unofficially noted sleeping places. Kagome diverted from the said path and went over the bags, finding dried meat and giving everyone some. She took some down to Shippou, but decided Jerry would ask for food when he was hungry. Youkai may not need to eat often, but they did sometimes. She wasn't sure why Jerry wasn't complaining. He should be hungry more often.

She chewed on her piece of meat, getting comfortable next to Sesshoumaru. He ate just as immaculately as usual and she grinned, mentally shaking her head. Riasha nibbled at hers, while Jax's was already gone, having disappeared on three bites. Her eyes turned in the direction of Jerry and an involuntary cold shiver slid down her back like ice, making her force her eyes away. She wondered what had caused him to act this way, and why she was feeling so apprehensive about him suddenly. Sesshoumaru's arm around her comforted her slightly, but could not abate her troubled thoughts.

~**~

So here it ends, a fill chapter!! God those suck to read and write! But hell, sometimes you need them, plus there was some important stuff in here. I hope you all enjoyed, and will review, yatta yatta, you know the drill. I thank everyone who has reviewed and request that they keep on going, as well as ask more new reviewers, please. If you would like to email me, the address is angelyoukai@hotmail.com

RyuuAngel

Ps: Sorry this one was so short!!