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“Can you just leave me alone,” Kagome groaned into her pillow, lying face down on the bed. Her head hurt, her back ached, and all she wanted was for everyone to shut up so she could wallow in peace.“No,” Inuyasha barked from the other side of the door.Kagome screamed into the pillow, muffling the sound. Facing a horde of demons was nothing compared to this.“Just go back!” she screeched, sitting up just enough to chuck the pillow at the door. This had been going on for hours. He had started at the window, of course, only to find the curtains drawn and mechanical seals in place. When that failed, he had perched on the roof until Gramps dragged him down for tea and a few heavy lifting chores. And yet, he was still here.“I swear, if you don’t leave this house right now, I’ll s—”“Okay, okay!” She heard the scurry of claws retreating across the hall, followed by the sound of him bounding down the stairs.She groaned, grabbing her things and sprinting to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her with a satisfying thud.
“Finally.”
…3 Hours Later…
Kagome let out a long sigh as she descended the stairs, finally feeling somewhat human again. She plopped into her seat at the table, ignoring the twitch of white ears across from her. As she devoured two portions of food, Gramps prattled on about Cotard’s Syndrome being the perfect excuse for her next school absence. She kept eating, silently listening to Sota poke holes in the plan.“Thanks, Ma. I’m gonna go to bed now,” she said, petting Buyo as she headed back upstairs.“Aren’t ya gonna yell at her about getting back to the Feudal Era or somethin’? Sota asked, pointing his chopsticks at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha dished another helping.
“Nah.”
…3 Hours later…
Kagome stared at the ceiling, her body a riot of pain. Her back throbbed, her legs cramped, and her gut churned with the force of a storm. It was pure torture. She whimpered as another wave of discomfort crashed over her.The creak of the roof above her room made her freeze. Then came the faint sound of claws, followed by the window easing open.“You unlocked it?” she groaned, voice muffled by her pillow as she pulled the blankets over her head.“Thought you did,” Inuyasha muttered from the window sill. He hesitated. “If you want, I can go.”She sighed deeply. “Sota, that little twerp,” she muttered. Truthfully, she didn’t know what she wanted. For a long moment, she stayed quiet, letting the tiny demons inside her continue their war. Finally, she whispered, “You can stay.”
Inuyasha stepped into the room, moving to crouch on the floor next to her bed. He hesitated again, ears twitching as if debating what to do. Finally, his hand moved, settling carefully on her lower back. Kagome froze under the blanket. He began rubbing her back with deliberate care.She couldn’t stop the moan that escaped her lips before she bolted upright and scurried to the other end of the bed. “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, face burning.“Helpin’ you!”
he hissed back, his ears flattening against his head as he raised a hand defensively.“How is that supposed to help me?” she cried, curling into a ball as another cramp twisted her insides.
“It’s your blood moon, ain’t it?” Inuyasha shot back, his tone sharper than he intended.Kagome froze, her embarrassment surging. Red crept up her neck and face as she sputtered, “What did you just say? HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW THAT?”“You’re kidding me, right?” Inuyasha gave her a hard look, pointing to his nose.Her face fell as the realization hit her. “Oh. Yeah. That.” She groaned, her head dropping into her hands. “Of course.”Inuyasha hesitated, his fingers flexing as frustration flickered across his face. “It’s nothin’ to be embarrassed about,” he muttered, his tone softer, almost whiny.Kagome peeked at him from behind her hands, his words sinking in. He avoided her gaze but continued. “I got my new moon thing, you got your blood moon thing. The moon is fucky okay!” His voice was uncharacteristically gentle. “We all got… things.”
Her arms fell to her lap, and she blinked rapidly as tears welled in her wide eyes.Inuyasha’s expression twisted as he recoiled, panicking at the sight. “Hey, don’t cry! What’d I say?!”Kagome sniffled and shook her head. “Nothing. It’s just… stupid hormones,” she mumbled, rubbing at her face.Inuyasha let out a soft huff, crossing his arms. “Feh. I’ve fought demons scarier than that. I’ll live.”Kagome managed a weak smile. “Thanks… I think.”“Now are you going to let me help or not?” Inuyasha’s tone was annoyed, but his posture begged.
“No!” Kagome sobbed as she plopped down on the bed, pulling the blankets over her head again.“Why not?” He replied exasperated. “You force help on me whether I want it or not all the time.” Inuyasha’s ears twitched as a light chuckle came from under the blanket.
“I guess that’s true.” She sniffled.“So let me help.” Inuyasha's voice was soft, almost pleading.
Kagome laid still for a moment as another cramp caused her to curse every god she knew, until finally, she gave an almost imperceptible nod from under the blanket.
His hands found the tender spots instantly. Perfect pressure from delicate fingers fought against angry muscles until the agony was replaced with a warm ache. She let out a long sigh as her body relaxed.“How do you know how to do this?” Kagome whispered, half asleep.
“Kaede helps a lot of villagers, okay?” he muttered, his tone showing just how much he was concentrating. “Can’t help what I overhear.”Kagome smiled lazily as she melted into the mattress, exhaustion finally overtaking the pain.
“Thanks, Yasha.”