Three hours later the most unusual crew Kagome’s mother had ever seen was making their way towards her door from the well house. Leading the pack was the tall and handsome Western Lord followed by two humans. Perched on the male’s shoulder was a small kitten. From the look of his clothes, he could have been a monk. In the woman’s arms was a small two tailed cat. She assumed the woman was Sango. Behind them were two wolf-demons, dressed much like the one upstairs with her daughter, with bizarre hairstyles. Following them was the familiar figure of Inuyasha.
Smiling, she stepped outside and held the door open, gesturing for them to enter. Once inside, as those that hadn’t been to this side of the well before oohed and ahhed over ‘Kagome’s world, she served them up something to eat, including ramen made just for Inuyasha.
Sesshomaru declined and excused himself, leaving the room. With a sinking heart, Inuyasha heard his brother’s footsteps go up the stairs then take him to Kagome’s bedroom. Through the walls he could hear him talking with Kouga.
After everyone had eaten their fill, Mrs. Higurashi was going to take them to see Kagome. Before she did she explained to those seated that seeing their friend now was going to be hard. That at this point in time Kagome was very different from the person they were used to. She was on some very powerful medicines to help her cope with what she was feeling. While they couldn’t make her pain go away they could help her deal with things until she got better and could do it on her own. She was going to be listless and sleepy, probably dozing off and on while they visited. In a couple weeks, as she got used to the drugs, she would start to return to normal.
After she was sure everyone understood the best they were able, she took them upstairs. Poking her head into her daughter’s bedroom, she announced that her friends were there to see her. Then she held the door open for them to enter.
Shippo bound in first, yelling, “Kagome!” but stopped cold by her bed, looking at her with wide eyes.
What Kagome looked like was startling enough. She was still really pale, making the dark circles under her eyes look as though she had two shiners. But most startling was she was curled up between Sesshomaru’s legs with her head resting on his chest. Covered up with his mokomoko, he had one arm wrapped around her and his other hand was softly stroking her back. Everyone just stood and looked at the scene when they stepped into the room.
After Shippo spoke her eyes drooped open and she looked down at the kit she saw as something like an adopted son. “Hey Shippo!” she said, her voice slurry and a bit uneven, smiling a bit. Reaching out, she rubbed his head.
Hearing her voice and seeing the stark, white bandages wrapped up her arm passed the elbow made Shippo want to cry. But the flat, blank look of her eyes frankly scared him.
The reaction of the rest of her friends wasn’t much better. Although he kept his normal face and smiled a bit, Miroku was stunned by her appearance but more so by her being in Sesshomaru’s arms. Sango felt tears sting her eyes and she put her hands over her mouth to keep from sobbing out loud. Sensing the emotional state of the woman he loved, Miroku slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
Ginta and Hakkaku said their normal, “Hey Sis,” but they were a bit pale and eyes overly large.
However, Inuyasha’s reaction was the worst. His face turned the color of milk with a green tinge to it. His eyes widened so much they looked like they would fall out. Honestly, he felt like he was going to puke or burst into tears. It hurt badly to see what shape she was in, knowing she had done it to herself and wanted to die when she did. It was also like twisting a knife in his heart to see that it was his asshole brother that was holding her and that Kagome was not only allowing it but taking comfort in it. It was him that should be doing that, not Sesshomaru. It was almost as if Sesshomaru could sense what he was thinking because he shot him a look that was warning him against doing anything foolish or that might upset Kagome. Fighting the urge to rear up to the taiyoukai like he always did, he nodded as if saying he would behave.
Sitting around, they talked to her a bit but she kept dozing off. Just as she slipped from a doze into a real sleep, Kouga came in from the shower wearing a pair of sweats. After shooting Inuyasha a glare he greeted everyone else. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he gave Kagome’s back a soft rub then looked at those assembled, grinning. “You have to try the shower! It’s like a waterfall that you can adjust the temperature on. It’s great!”