On the Outside by SunsetMiko

Prayers

Chapter 42 - Prayers

*An Offering to the Gods* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru watched, his heart breaking, as Kagome prayed under the God tree at her family's shrine. She was making offerings, begging the gods for the hanyou's quick and complete recovery. The doctors had explained that the seriousness of many of his injuries was slowing his healing process. His body was fighting off infection from his ruptured spleen that they had been forced to surgically remove, along with half of his liver, and he wasn't doing well. Being a hanyou, his natural healing abilities were weaker than they would have been had he been a full demon, and Kagome was worried.

They had reversed the medically induced coma, and yet Inuyasha had yet to awaken. The smaller, more superficial wounds, remained as his body fought to heal the more severe ones. All of this knowledge was making the miko more and more upset. She was forced to look at his bruised and swollen face, which made her heart ache knowing what he'd suffered because of other people's bigotry and hate. The doctors had assured her in the beginning that her friend would make a full recovery, but that seemed less and less likely as time passed. Kagome had, thus, resorted to what she grew up with: offerings and prayers to the gods.

*Ambiguous Drum of Grief* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

She'd been there on her knees below the large tree for hours now, tears streaming down her face as she prayed, and it was devastating to watch. Sesshoumaru was just as worried about his little brother, but he was also very concerned about the miko he loved. She seemed overwhelmed by her grief. She wasn't taking care of herself. She was barely eating and she seemed unable to sleep unless she was held in his arms.

He knew it was terrible, but he was thankful, just a little, for what happened to Inuyasha. She'd fallen back into his comforting arms where she belonged. It felt as if their bond of friendship had been healed as she depended on him, just as she always had. He considered her his; his to protect and care for, and it felt like she truly was once again.

"Kagome, you have been at this for hours. You need to eat and rest."

"We have to go visit Inuyasha in the hospital," she said, looking up at him with puffy, red eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

"I will take you, after you have eaten," he said firmly.

"I'm not hungry," she grumbled.

"Hungry or not, your body needs food." He could sense the growing weakness in her scent. If she didn't start taking care of herself, she was going to fall ill. He understood her depression and all that came with it, but he would not allow her to fall apart if he could help it.

"Fine, I'll eat, but at the hospital."

"We will get food on the way," he agreed. He helped her off the ground and led her to the car, opening the door for her like the gentleman he was. "What would you like to eat?" he asked her.

"I don't care. I won't taste it anyway."

Sesshoumaru held back a sigh and started the car. His brother had better begin to show progress soon or their miko would end up in the hospital right beside him.