InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The New Student and Kagome's Secret ❯ Chapter 16: Get Rest, Kagome! ( Chapter 16 )

Kagome closed the door softly behind her as she left Myouga's bedroom. She leaned her back against the door and heaved a heavy sigh. She was tired. She really should rest herself, but she knew that it was pointless. She wouldn't be able to rest for worrying over Inuyasha. Speaking of which, he was still outside.

* * *

The entire time Kagome had been tucking Myouga into bed, Sango and Miroku had been having their own conversation in living room.

"She really needs to lay off," Miroku said. "She needs her rest too! She just came back from the dead for crying out loud!" Sango nodded her head.

"I totally agree. Kagome needs to rest…even if it's nothing more than just lying on the couch," Sango said as she pet Kilala who was now in her lap. "But you and I both know that she won't comply with us easily." Miroku nodded his head in agreement.

"Yeah, I know," he said. He looked towards the direction of the door…where they had last seen Inuyasha. "Wonder how doggy-boy is doing?" Suddenly, Miroku received an extreme punch to the back of his head. Miroku and Sango looked up to find Inuyasha towering over Miroku.

"I heard that monk!!!" he said sharply, preparing his fist to pummel Miroku again. Miroku covered his head, convinced to just allow Inuyasha to get it over with. Inuyasha would have hit him again had Kagome entering the room not distracted his attention. She was bracing herself against the wall. She had walked into the room so quietly that had Inuyasha not caught wind of her scent, he would have never knew she was in the room. Everyone quickly examined Kagome's condition. She looked like death warmed over. She was clearly exhausted and had apparently used up almost all of the strength she had left. She was so weak that she could barely walk, and her face and eyes drooped in a very tired expression.

When she moved to let go of the wall, she began slowly falling forward. Inuyasha was there in a flash and caught her. He lifted her up so he could look her in the face. He brushed one hand through her hair to get the hair out of her face.

"Kagome, what the HELL are you doing?!" he demanded half-concerned, half-angry that she would be moving in her condition. She smiled at him weakly.

"I-I'm okay…" she said almost as if she was trying to convince herself of her statement. Inuyasha brushed another hand through her hair.

"No you're not," he said cupping her face with his hand while his other hand had a tight grip around her waist.

Meanwhile, Sango and Miroku stared on in admiration of the situation. Even though they too were concerned for Kagome, they couldn't help but relish the moment the priestess and the hanyou were sharing. Sango elbowed Miroku and gave him a little grin. He smiled back agreeing with what she was thinking.

Next thing they knew, Inuyasha scooped Kagome into his arms bridal style and was walking back to the bedroom with her. Sango tugged on Miroku's robe and said, "Let's go!" She drug him down the hallway until they arrived just outside the bedroom Inuyasha had carried Kagome into.

"What are you doing, Sango?" Miroku whispered.

"Shhh!" Sango said placing a finger to her lips. "I just want to see how they act around each other is all. I will explain my reasoning later." Miroku grumbled something about women and their spying on people before Sango hit him in the shoulder.

* * *

Inuyasha placed Kagome gently on the bed. Kagome started to protest.

"Inuyasha! I'm okay!" she said in protest. Inuyasha shook his head sternly and covered her up with the comforter and sheets.

"No you're not! You practically came back from the dead earlier…" he said as his voice caught in his throat at the memory. Kagome caught on quickly.

"You…you were worried about me?" she asked. Inuyasha growled.

"Of course I was worried about you, you idiot!" he said with a frown. Kagome looked shocked. She didn't know what to say to that.

"But…but I'm okay now," she stammered gripping onto the sheets Inuyasha had covered her up with.

"I didn't think you were going to be," he said distantly as he looked away. Kagome's heart began to pound harder in her chest. He took her hand. "You have to be careful in your condition, okay? Just promise me that!" Kagome nodded her head a little taken back by Inuyasha touching her hand. He released her hand.

"Okay," he said standing. "Now get some rest. I'm going to go into the living for a little while. I'll come back to check up on you." Were it not for Inuyasha's stern, commanding tone of voice, Kagome would have almost thought that he was being sweet.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," she said tucking herself deeper into the covers. He said nothing and walked out. Kagome looked where Inuyasha had once stood. `What? No `Feh!'' she thought.

* * *

Sango nearly tripped over Miroku trying to get away from the door. They both raced back into the living room and sat down as if they had been doing that the entire time. Inuyasha entered the room. He knew they had been by the door, but wasn't going to say anything about it. It was trivial compared to the stuff he had to think about, and besides…he could probably use their help in his decision. He walked over and sat on the couch across from where Sango and Miroku sat in their usual chairs.

"How's she doing?" Sango asked nervously. Inuyasha eyed her before responding.

"She'll be fine with a little rest. She just pushed herself too much," he said folding his arms into his haori. Inuyasha sniffed the air and sat up straight. "Where's Myouga?"

"Oh…" Miroku began, "that's actually how Kagome probably pushed herself too much. Myouga had been injured. Kagome doctored and bandaged his wounds and then sent him off to bed seeing as how he was obviously weary from his journey." Inuyasha seemed to grow more and more angry with each word Miroku spoke.

"That damn girl!" he said. "Will she ever learn to leave well enough alone!!! I understand that Myouga was hurt, but couldn't one of you guys have taken care of him?"

"Kagome was persistent," Sango argued. "You and I both know that there's no arguing with her once she sets her mind to something." Inuyasha grumbled.

"I'm not pointing a finger at you guys! I'm just saying that Kagome needs to learn to take care of herself too! It's like all she knows how to do is help someone even if it kills her!" Inuyasha growled angrily. Miroku smiled and decided to seize the opportunity.

"Is that such a bad thing when you think about it?" Miroku asked. Inuyasha whipped an evil glare in his direction.

"For Kagome to die helping someone???" he said preparing himself to pummel Miroku into a pulp if he said yes. Miroku put his hands up in protest.

"Absolutely not!!!" he said. "I was referring to her caring for others the way she does. I mean, there will always be people like you and me and Sango to make sure that she doesn't ever push herself too far, and with that in mind, is Kagome's unselfishness and compassion towards others such a bad thing?" Inuyasha just looked at Miroku. He rearranged his arms in his haori and said nothing.

"Didn't think so," Miroku said victoriously. Sango could feel the tension in the room. She knew where Miroku was going with this and she wasn't too sure if it was such a good idea. Inuyasha didn't admit his feelings freely, and those who tried to pry them out of him usually ending up beaten half to death.

"How's Myouga?" Inuyasha asked changing the subject.

"He's resting right now, but he's fine…just a little tired," Sango answered. Miroku and Sango just sat there. They wanted to know if Inuyasha had made up his mind, but were too afraid to mention it. They knew that they needed to wait until Inuyasha told them on his own rather than trying to pry it out of him. Inuyasha heaved a heavy sigh and stared out the window. They knew he was obviously thinking about the decision he had to make.

"You know, Inuyasha," Sango began. "Miroku and I are always here if you want to talk to us about anything." Miroku looked at Sango. Her eyes pleaded with Inuyasha and her face was full of concern.

"Yeah," Miroku said looking at Inuyasha who still stared out the window. Inuyasha sat there saying nothing for a few minutes. That was better than him yelling at them to stay out of his business they supposed. Finally, Inuyasha spoke.

"I just don't know what to do," Inuyasha said. Sango and Miroku were caught off guard by his sudden statement. They really didn't know how to react because they hadn't expected Inuyasha to talk to them about it.

"I don't want to disrespect my father by not returning to the castle," he continued. "But I also don't want to leave here." Sango and Miroku smiled. They decided they would translate that last statement into, "I am the happiest I have ever been having friends like you guys and Kagome. I can't find that back home." They really didn't know what to tell him. They were actually just happy that they didn't have to worry about it. It wasn't a decision placed on them, but they still felt sorry for the hanyou's decision…especially Miroku seeing as how he knew the "whole" story.

"I'm sure your father would want your happiness," Miroku stated. "So do whatever makes you happiest." Inuyasha turned to look at him.

"It's a lot more complicated than that," he said glaring at him. Sango was confused, but Miroku understood exactly what he meant. Inuyasha was also faced with his duties as the new leader of the Western Lands. Should he choose not to accept those duties, he would have to find a suitable replacement, so he was faced with a double-edged sword. He had a certain duties to adhere to whether he took his place or not.

"Would it help if you just went to visit the palace?" Sango asked. Miroku and Inuyasha looked at Sango and then each other. It really wasn't such a bad idea. Inuyasha had to admit that he would like to see what type of condition the palace was left in after Sesshomaru had left. He would also like to see if things had changed in the town since he had left it. He hadn't seen that town in years. He wasn't even sure if he remembered the way back. Miroku and Sango exchanged glances and then looked at Inuyasha awaiting his answer.

"I really don't know what difference that would make," he snapped.

"Well…you could at least see if the townspeople are the same people they've always been," Miroku suggested. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to live there if that holds true." Inuyasha said nothing and looked out the window.

"We'll go with you!" Sango said suddenly. Inuyasha whipped his head to look at her. His expression normally would have held anger, but this time, his expression was soft, yet confused as to why she would want to go.

"Huh?!" he said as if she were the biggest idiot in the whole world. Miroku nodded his head as if Sango had just had the most brilliant idea ever.

"That's a great idea! We'll all go!" Miroku said.

"ROAD TRIP!!!" Sango shouted sarcastically and jumped up dancing around a little. Inuyasha stared at her as if she was nuts! Miroku laughed at Sango and stood up.

"So what do you say?" Miroku asked Inuyasha who was still looking at Sango with a confused expression. He looked at Miroku.

"Who's `we'?" he asked. Miroku folded his arms.

"You, me, Sango, Myouga, and Kagome, of course!" Miroku said as if the answer had been obvious.

"Kagome's not fit to travel," Inuyasha said abruptly. Miroku and Sango's face held disappointment. Suddenly, Sango had another idea. Her face lit up and she ran in the kitchen. Inuyasha and Miroku stared after her wondering what she was up to now. Inuyasha looked at Miroku.

"Are you sure about her?" Inuyasha asked blatantly questioning Sango's sanity.

"Sometimes yes, and sometimes no," he said shaking his head. He smacked himself in the forehead. "I would assume this to be one of those `no' times."

"I'm back!" Sango announced as she walked back into the room with a little cup of medicine in her hand. Inuyasha sniffed the air.

"What's that?" he asked. Sango smiled triumphantly.

"It's medicine…for Kagome," she said. "It's the same medicine we've used throughout this entire battle. Remember? It helps get priests and priestesses back on their feet when they have overexerted themselves?" Miroku and Inuyasha's eyebrows raised and their mouths' formed an `Oh' expression.

"I swear!" she continued. "Sometimes you guys are so ignorant to the obvious!" And with that, she left the room heading for Kagome's bedroom. Miroku and Inuyasha looked after her and then at each other.

"Now, we're the ignorant ones?!" Miroku said sarcastically. Inuyasha grinned.

"She's your woman…you figure her out!" Inuyasha said folding his arms and staring out the window again. Miroku heaved a deep sigh and fell back in his chair.

* * *

Sango crept up to Kagome's bedroom door. Luckily her friend didn't seem to be sleeping…just resting. Sango opened the door gently causing Kagome to look up out of curiosity. Sango smiled. Kagome returned her smile. Sango walked happily over to her friend.

"Here," she said extending the medicine cup out to her. "Drink this." Kagome eyed the cup warily.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's medicine," Sango replied. "It will help you regain your strength." Kagome looked suspiciously at Sango.

"For what? I mean I know I need to regain my strength and all, but for some reason, something is telling me that there is more to this situation than that," Kagome said skeptically. Sango smiled. She knew her friend could not be fooled.

"We're going on a little trip, and we don't want to leave until we know you are fit to travel," Sango replied.

"Trip?" Kagome asked sitting up. "Where are we going?" Sango smiled again.

"Inuyasha has decided to at least visit the castle his father left him," Sango said unable to hide her excitement. Kagome's eyes grew wide.

"Really?" she asked gleefully. Sango nodded her head, a huge smiled across her lips. Kagome smiled broadly and snatched the medicine from Sango's hand drinking it down as quickly as possible. Both girls had wanted Inuyasha to at least take a look at the castle. Plus, Sango had been so busy with work, and Kagome had been so busy with school that neither of them had traveled in a long time…especially to go look at a castle that belonged to one of their dear friends. Finally, both girls couldn't hold back any longer.

"Eeeeeeee!" they both squealed holding each other's hands and bouncing on the bed. Within a second, Inuyasha burst through the door.

"What's wrong?! What's wrong?" Inuyasha asked with tetsaiga unsheathed.

"Aghhhhhhh!" the girls screamed hugging on to each other, startled by the sudden burst.

"Aghhh!" Miroku screamed losing his footing and falling on his back from being startled by the girls' scream. He had followed Inuyasha into the room, but he couldn't travel near as fast as Inuyasha so he had arrived in time for the girls to scream in his face.

"What the hell is all the screaming about?!" Inuyasha yelled laying his ears flat against his head. A slight blush crept onto the girls' faces. Inuyasha looked from Miroku to the girls, then, realizing what was going on, rolled his eyes and turned for the door. `I swear these girls are going to be the death of me!' Inuyasha thought looking at Miroku trying to get up only to fall back down. `Correction…the girls and a certain monk!' -_-

* * *

The next day, everyone was ready to make the long journey to Inuyasha's lands. They all stood on the front porch of Sango's house packed and ready to go. Cars wouldn't be possible because the battle had left the entire world in chaos. The streets were covered with ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks. Everywhere people were going wild. Mobs and riots had started, and it almost seemed as if every ounce of civilization had been destroyed.

"Do you think it will be a safe journey?" Sango asked looking out into the street.

"Highly doubtful," Miroku said closing his eyes. "Kagome may have purified the world of demons…but that was only so humans and demons could have equal battles. That doesn't mean that there aren't evil humans that still linger. They, too, will try to attack."

Myouga nodded. "Especially if they recognize Inuyasha. The castle and its lands are still left unclaimed so we will probably run into some trouble along the way…not to mention that the battle still has many in a panic. You may find some good-hearted humans and demons along the way that are just confused and try to attack us. The entire world is in chaos right now. Be on the lookout." Everyone nodded. Kagome took the first step down. She walked to the edge of the street.

"Let's get going then," she said turning around to look at them. They all smiled. "Myouga would you like to lead the way?" Myouga smiled. He walked down to Kagome. She smiled brightly at him.

"It will be an honor my lady," he said bowing to her. He walked in front of her and began the long journey. Kagome smiled at the others waving for them to follow as she began following Myouga. Sango and Miroku nodded to each other. Sango stepped down dressed in her usual clothes, exterminator attire underneath her normal kimono outfit, with her boomerang strapped to her back and Kilala in her arms. Miroku followed in his blue and purple robe, his staff in his hand, and a satchel on his back. Inuyasha couldn't help but smile at the entire scene that lay before him. He had a great group of friends supporting him. He finally had to admit that to himself. He knew that no matter what happened to him, he would never allow anything to happen to them. He took a deep breath and then followed the others. Inuyasha caught Kagome's eye as she turned around to make sure everyone was following her and Myouga. They exchanged a smile as Kagome slowed her pace so that Inuyasha could catch up to her. She looked up at him, and he looked down at her. He could tell that she was excited about the journey ahead of them. He had to admit that he was a little nervous about heading back to his old town, but with Kagome by his side he had nothing to fear.

Kagome gently slid her arm underneath his so she could hang on to him with both hands when she said, "I'm right here with you, Inuyasha…no matter what happens…I'm right here beside you." Her embrace had surprised him, but he smiled softly at her anyway. He touched her hand with his own.

"Thanks, Kagome," he said looking lovingly at her. "I'm right here with you, too. I won't let anything happen to you." Kagome smiled. They both had to admit that they felt safer with each other…each in their own individual way.

A/N: Yea!!! All done…with this chapter any way. As you can tell this is going to be a long story…but a GREAT one…I hope! * smiles sheepishly at fans *

Please continue to read and review! The next chapter will be up in about a week because I have some major tests coming up…AGAIN!!!

Next Chapter: The Journey Begins