On the Outside by SunsetMiko

Bedside Vigil

Chapter 39 - Bedside Vigil

This was written for Stella's Word Prompt Game, Prompt: Abrade

Sesshoumaru sighed softly as he adjusted the way Kagome leaned against him. She was going to be so sore when she got up, but she refused to leave Inuyasha's side. At the movement, the miko awoke with a start.

"What's happening? Is he awake?"

The taiyoukai shook his head. "Nothing has changed, Kagome. He is still sedated. Please, allow me to take you home so that you may rest. There is no reason for you to be here."

"No reason?" she repeated. "Inuyasha needs me. I have to be here when he wakes up!"

"The doctor told you, he will be sedated for several days still as he heals. He is not going to be waking up any time soon."

Kagome looked over her hanyou friend, tears welling up in her eyes once again. She couldn't believe what they'd done to him, all because he was a half-demon. She couldn't understand that level of hatred. How could they justify doing such a thing? They'd nearly killed him!

Sesshoumaru had been trying to convince her to go home for two days now, refusing to leave her side just as she refused to leave Inuyasha's, but he was slowly wearing her down. She was exhausted and uncomfortable. She still wore the dress they'd spent so much time picking out and she was sure she smelled unpleasant. She needed to curl up in bed and really sleep, but she was afraid to leave Inuyasha. The last time she'd taken her eyes off of him, he ended up in the hospital. What if she left and he took a turn for the worse?

He could see the worry in her eyes and patted her hand gently; wary of touching her even though she'd been sleeping against him for two days now. He didn't want to push things, especially with the state she was in. "Everything will be fine. He is out of the woods now. He's recovering. If you continue on as you are, you will end up in a hospital bed beside him with exhaustion. Please, Kagome, allow me to take you home."

"I..." the miko looked up at him, her bottom lip quivering. "I don't want to go home."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because every time I close my eyes, I see him, bruised and broken, coughing up blood. I don't... I can't... I... I want to stay with you."

Sesshoumaru fought down the desire to smirk victoriously. "That can be arranged. Would you prefer I come to your house or would you like to stay at mine?" he asked her, unsure of what she desired.

"If I go home, Mama's going to fuss over me. Would it be all right to go to your house?"

"Of course it is, so long as your mother approves."

After a short phone call in which Mrs. Higurashi was relieved that her daughter would finally be leaving the hospital, if only for a short time to rest, Sesshoumaru was leading Kagome outside and to his car, all the while wondering what would happen when they reached his home. Did she intend for him to simply be in the room while she slept or did she desire to be held? He was hoping for the latter. He ached to hold her again. Their short time dancing together wasn't nearly enough.