The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Pillow

Chapter 48 - The Pillow *Tears of Heaven* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru hadn't meant to drift off. Hell, he hadn't thought it was possible after Inuyasha's cryptic words, but the comfortable weight and warmth of Kagome's body against his did something to him. Surrounded by her scent and aura, he had slipped off into the darkness without even noticing it was happening.

He was jolted awake by Kagome's sudden shifting. Her head thrashed from side to side and she whimpered, and Sesshoumaru realized that she was having another nightmare. Guilt flooded through him. It was his fault she was being exposed to such evil, dark magic, and she was suffering for it. The taiyoukai caressed her cheek with one hand, trying to pull her out of her frightening dreams.

"Kagome," he whispered. "Wake up. It's just a dream." He was shocked to see tears escaping from the corners of her eyes, and he immediately tried harder to wake her. "Kagome," he said louder, shaking her shoulders slightly. "Wake up."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and got to his feet, kneeling beside the taiyoukai and the miko. "You're pathetic," he growled at his brother before focusing on Kagome. "Yo, wench! Wake up already. We gotta go."

Kagome's eyes popped open, and she looked around wildly for a moment before her vision finally focused on the hanyou's face. "Oh, Inuyasha!" she cried out, letting go of the kitsune she had nearly strangled in her fear and reached for her best friend. He caught her, grinning as Shippo scrambled out of her sleeping bag and made his way to the safety of Miroku and Sango. The hanyou held her for a moment before pulling back. "What's up with you and these dreams, wench?"

The miko sighed and fell back against Sesshoumaru, only then realizing her position. "I wish I knew." She turned her head slightly to look up at the taiyoukai. "You know, for as muscled as you are, you're a pretty good pillow."

Sesshoumaru smirked and leaned down to nuzzle his nose in her hair, ignoring Inuyasha's growl.

"Oh, shut it, Inuyasha," Kagome whispered. "Not like you'd snuggle me like this to keep me from freezing to death."

"Of course I would!" the hanyou protested.

"I doubt it. You might put your arm around me, but this? Never happen. How's your hand?" she asked.

"A little better. I think the bones are pulling themselves together, which hurts like a son of a bitch."

"I can imagine. Do you want a painkiller? I can't believe I didn't offer you one before."

"Nah, I'm good. You know that shit messes me up."

Kagome laughed. "You can say that again. Gods, I wish there was some way to make sure I could sleep without dreaming."

"You are safe, Kagome," Sesshoumaru murmured in her ear. "No harm will come to you with me here, I promise you."

"Yeah, he'll take real good care of you," Inuyasha said sarcastically. "After all, he's got a debt to pay."

The taiyoukai shot the hanyou a dangerous look, but Inuyasha simply shook his head. He had something on his elder brother now, and he wasn't letting it go.

"What does that mean?" a confused Kagome asked.

"That he's not being so nice and helpful because he wants to. He feels like he has to after what you did for him." Inuyasha smirked darkly as he locked eyes with the taiyoukai.

"You don't owe me anything, Sesshoumaru," Kagome tried to assure the taiyoukai. "I don't want anything in return for helping you. I don't know why I can, but since I'm able to, I don't mind helping you bring down the barrier."

"Oh, that ain't what he's..." Inuyasha started, only to stop with a grunt of pain as Sesshoumaru nailed him in the gut. "Damn you," he muttered through his pain. "I'll kill you."

Kagome hadn't even felt Sesshoumaru move, and the low light made seeing all of her friend clearly impossible, so she had no idea why Inuyasha was suddenly making threats. "Just go back to bed, Inuyasha," the miko said with a yawn. "You'll have all day tomorrow to run your mouth."

"But he..." the hanyou started.

"Go on. You need to rest if you want your hand to heal."

With a glare and then a pout, the hanyou obeyed, returning to his previous spot. He couldn't quite stand all the way up, thanks to Sesshoumaru's gut punch, but he made it eventually. Once he was seated, he let out a low, threatening growl. "If you don't back off, you bastard, I'll tell her your secret."

The taiyoukai studied his younger brother in confusion. What, exactly, did Inuyasha think he knew?