The Importance of Being Kept

Kagome woke up slowly. Her vision was blurred when she opened her eyes. She could hear the steady beep of the heart monitor beside her and realized she was in the hospital. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust. Someone was holding her hand.

"Kagome? Are you awake?" Inuyasha's voice sounded close by her. He squeezed her hand gently in his and moved closer to her.

Her vision cleared and she found herself looking in his golden eyes. He bent down until his long white hair fell on each side of her face shielding her from the world.

"Kagome, how do you feel?" He whispered.

"My head hurts," she whispered back.

Inuyasha kissed her lips softly. "Don't ever scare me like that again..."

"Inuyasha stop hiding her from us," She heard Rin's voice in the room.

He moved away and Kagome looked around the room in surprise. Everyone was there. The room was packed. Shippou smiled brightly when she saw him. Miroku and Sango stood beside each other watching her with a warm smile. Sesshoumaru stood behind Rin who had her hands clasped together in relief. She walked to Kagome and gave her a big hug.

"I'm so glad you're all right!" She said with tears in her eyes.

Kagome winced in pain.

"Rin! Stop it, you're hurting her!" Inuyasha told her.

Rin backed away quickly looking ashamed. "I'm sorry..."

Kagome gave her a weak smile. "It's okay, just laying on the bed is painful. I bet I have bruises all over."

"The doctor said you have a mild concussion. You'll have to stay in bed for a few days," Inuyasha said.

"No she won't, right Sesshoumaru?" Rin turned to the tall youkai who was watching Kagome quietly.

"She is not in a life or death situation..." Sesshoumaru said. He didn't feel he had to waste his energy to heal a human that wasn't dying.

Rin glared at him.

"What are they talking about?" Kagome asked Inuyasha.

"Rin wants Sesshoumaru to heal you," Inuyasha told her but was staring at Sesshoumaru almost threateningly.

"He can do that?" Kagome asked turning to Sesshoumaru.

"Yes...I can," Sesshoumaru stared back at Inuyasha with a smirk on his face.

Kagome looked from one youkai to the next trying to figure out what was going on between them. She got dizzy and rubbed her head. There was bandaged wrapped around it. "What's this?"

"You hit your head and got a nasty cut. Luckily, it's not severe," Inuyasha turned back to Kagome.

"I must look a mess," Kagome mumbled, blushing at the way everyone's attention was focused on her.

"No you don't, you're beautiful," Inuyasha stroked her hair away from her face. His eyes full of love.

"Rin is insisting that I heal you of your wounds," Sesshoumaru said when Rin tugged on his sleeve and stared up at him.

Inuyasha's fists tightened. He didn't want Kagome to be in pain, he wanted her to get well as soon as possible, but not by his brother's hand. If Sesshoumaru healed Kagome, it would be a humiliating display that he could not take care of his own woman and needed his brother to do it for him.

Kagome glanced at Inuyasha. He tried to pretend as if it didn't bother him. He wouldn't deny Kagome getting better because his own insecurities. "It's up to you, Kagome," he said softly.

Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru. "No thank you," she said to everyone 's surprise.

Sesshoumaru was taken back. No one had ever refused his healing powers, besides he was looking forward to seeing the look on Inuyasha's face when he did it.

Kagome smiled politely at Sesshoumaru. "I'd rather heal the natural way. It's just a few bruises and a little cut. I'm sure I'll be fine."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "As you wish," he turned to Rin who was staring at Kagome in confusion.

"Come on, let's give them some privacy," Miroku said to the others.

"Kagome, we're so glad you're okay," Sango said giving her a smile.

"Kagome," Shippou walked over to her holding a large group of balloons tied around a basket of flowers. "No tricks this time. Real balloons."

Kagome smiled as he sat them on her desk.

"Thanks Shippou, thanks everyone for coming here to see me. It really meant a lot to me. I didn't know I had so many friends."

"Ofcourse you have friends, who wouldn't want to be friends with you," she heard a familiar voice and turned to see Koga leaning upside the way in a corner.

"Koga?" Kagome stared at him in shock and quickly glanced at Inuyasha who was watching Koga cautiously. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see how you were doing," Koga said. He moved towards the bed.

Inuyasha growled threateningly. Koga stopped and sighed.

"Don't kill each other," Miroku warned them. "Inuyasha tried to fight him when he arrived," he told Kagome. "I made them stop out of respect for you laying in the bed unconscious. I'm warning you two, don't let your egos get to you in front of Kagome."

"You'd be angry too if your rival came to see your girlfriend," Inuyasha snapped at Miroku.

"Yeah, I know I would be," Miroku said honestly. "But he refuses to leave and Kagome is not well. Have some respect, at least for Kagome."

"Come on guys, put your differences aside for one night and play nice," Sango said. She turned to Kagome. "You know they use to be good friends their freshman year. I'll call you and check on you tomorrow, Kagome."

Kagome watched all her friends leave at once except for Inuyasha and Koga. Koga had moved closer while Inuyasha was talking to Miroku. When Inuyasha turned back around, he was holding Kagome's hand and staring deep into her eyes.

"You bastard!" Inuyasha said angrily and flew around the bed. He pulled Koga away from Kagome and slammed his body hard against the wall. "I will throw you out the window." He was dead serious.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome shouted and coughed. It seemed her throat was sore too.

They both turned to her in concern.

"Let him go," she told Inuyasha.

Inuyasha released Koga and watched him fall to the floor. "Don't ever touch her again, you hear me wolf?"

"I didn't know you two use to be friends. What happened to make you hate each other so much?" Kagome asked.

"He started dating a certain girl who taught him that wolves were too low class to be in her group," Koga stood up brushing off his clothes.

"I didn't know any better at the time, I was young and stupid and infatuated with Kikyo," Inuyasha said.

"And now you're in love with her cousin, how ironic," Koga said sarcastically.

"Keep talking wolf, I will throw you out the window, don't tempt me."

"You guys should try to mend your friendship. It's not too late," Kagome wanted them to be friends. She liked Koga and loved Inuyasha.

Koga laughed dryly. "Kikyo turns you against me and her cousin tries to put us back together, very ironic."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and stood beside Kagome.

"Well, at least I like Kagome better," Koga smiled at Kagome.

"I don't care who you like, just stay away from Kagome."

"Why don't you let her make that decision," Koga challenged him.

"She's mine, Koga. Don't think you're going to steal her away from me?"

"I can't steal her away if she gives herself to me willingly."

"You guys, stop it," Kagome said.

They were both quiet for a moment. They glared at each other. Koga circled around Inuyasha to get a better look at Kagome. He stopped at the foot of the bed."Gods, Kagome. Naraku banged you up pretty badly." He turned to Inuyasha. "How could you let this happen to her?"

"He didn't," Kagome said quickly when she saw Inuyasha look down at the floor. He crossed his arms.

"He's right," Inuyasha mumbled.

"No, you can't blame yourself for this, Inuyasha."

"Kagome you were standing right behind me and I turned around too late..."

"You have no idea how to protect your woman," Koga said arrogantly.

"That's not true!" Kagome told him.

"Really? Then where was he when I rescued you from two of my wolves? Where was he when you were at "his" house alone and upset at "his" party?"

"Inuyasha can't watch me every moment of the day," Kagome said getting angry. "He has a life you know. Besides I wasn't be very cooperative."

"If you were my woman, I'd have you on lockdown, you wouldn't go anywhere without me on campus."

"Kagome is very independent, she values her freedom," Inuyasha told him.

"Doesn't matter what she thinks, as long as she's safe," Koga said.

"So are you saying that even if I was angry or didn't want you to follow me everywhere and keep me on lockdown, as you say, you would still do it?" Kagome asked.

Koga nodded. "If I had to tie you to a chair, I would."

Inuyasha smirked. "Kagome would hate you." He said. "Forcing her to do something she doesn't want will only cause you pain, not her. Believe me, I know from experience. She will rebel. She can be very stubborn."

"You don't let your woman control you, you control her," Koga said.

"Get out!" Kagome demanded.

Koga looked at in surprise. "What?"

"You heard me, leave Koga, you are worse than Inuyasha with that male chauvinist crap!"

Inuyasha smirked. "Told ya so..."

"Kagome..." Koga looked at her in disbelief.

"I mean it, Koga. I love Inuyasha. You and I will never be anymore than friends.."

Koga nodded. "I'm sorry if I've offended you, Kagome." He bowed dramatically. "Take care of yourself," Koga left the room.

Kagome sighed. She hadn't meant to hurt his feelings, but Inuyasha was right about one thing. She didn't like any man telling her how to live her life, especially by force.

Inuyasha pulled up a chair and sat beside her. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "He's right about one thing, I feel like I've failed you."

"It wasn't your fault Inuyasha, you can't spend all day protecting me. You have class, football practice, friends..," Kagome rubbed the back of his hand.

"Kagome why didn't accept Sesshoumaru's offer to heal you?"

Kagome shrugged and wished she hadn't. Pain shot up her shoulder. "I don't know, it just didn't feel right, you know? "

Inuyasha nodded with a smile. "You truly are mine." He stared into her eyes for a long while before leaning over and kissing her. Kagome let out a shuddering breath when he pulled away. "Maybe I can find someone to watch you while I'm away, like Sesshoumaru. He has Galieo and Jin to watch Rin while he works."

"No way, I refuse to have anyone following me around campus like my shadow. I love my privacy, Inuyasha."

"Kagome you're making it very difficult for me to protect you."

"I don't care. You protect me to the best of your ability, that's all I ask for, but don't make me feel like a prisoner."

Inuyasha sighed. "I hate to see you hurt. I hate this, Kagome. If you won't accept bodyguards when I'm not around then there's only one way I can guarantee your safety."

"What's that?" Kagome asked not sure she wanted to know.

"I'll make you my mate..."

"What?"

"You'll become my mate. You would become stronger, no human would be able to hurt you that's for sure and other youkai would have a hard time hurting you too. As a human, you're too weak and vulnerable, if you had some of my traits Naraku wouldn't have hurt you so badly."

"You mean like Sango and Miroku? She changed big time after she became his mate."

Inuyasha nodded.

"I don't know, Shippou, told me it would be like getting married. I'm not ready for marriage! I have my whole life ahead of me."

"Kagome, you can be my mate and still go to school. Yeah, we will be together for the rest of our lives, but it won't stop you from living yours and I wouldn't worry so much about you when I can't be with you."

"How does a human become a youkai's mate anyway?" Kagome asked curiously.

"I make love to you," Inuyasha said staring into her eyes.

"But haven't you done that with other girls before? They haven't became your mate."

"I didn't love them..."

"You loved Kikyo.." Kagome pointed out.

"It wasn't love, whatever I had with Kikyo does not compare to how I feel about you. Kagome I want you in my life, forever. I never thought about a future with Kikyo."

"So are you saying..."

"I'm saying the first time I make love to you, you will become my mate."

"Can't we do it without me becoming your mate?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha thought about it. "I don't think we can. I love you, Kagome. I truly believe you're my mate. I won't be able to make love to you without claiming you as mine." Inuyasha moved closer to her. "What are you afraid of Kagome? You told me you loved me."

Kagome remembered. She'd been sick and slightly drunk, but she had remembered. Her cheeks turned red. "I like to take it slow and develop a relationship. I haven't been able to do that since I've met you. Everything has gone so fast! I went from being kept for only a day or two, to being your girlfriend and now you want me to be your mate. This is only my first week at the university!"

Inuyasha nodded. "I understand. This is going too fast for me too, but I can't seem to help it. I know you're my mate, Kagome. You have to be or we wouldn't have gotten so close so fast."

"Miroku and Sango were together for three years and they just became mates."

"Miroku kept denying Sango, he wouldn't accept her as his girlfriend because he wanted to protect her. He loved her, believe me, and it was hard for him, but they ended up together anyway. You and I aren't denying what we feel for each other which is why it's happening so fast."

"You haven't bought me flowers..." Kagome said.

"I gave you a credit card with $5000 on it which you spent in one day. I gave you the key to my apartment. I gave you a cell phone and all you care about is flowers?"

"I appreciate all those things really, but I like flowers.."

Inuyasha leaned back in seat and laughed. "Kagome you're such a romantic..."

"And you haven't courted me..."

"What is that?" Inuyasha asked.

"Court...date...you know? You take a girl out to dinner, movie, theatre stuff like that?"

"Oh," Inuyasha smiled. "I haven't had the time, it was on my list."

"What else is on your list?"

Inuyasha pretended to hold a notepad in his hands and mark off each task. "Make Kagome my kept human. Check. Give Kagome whatever she needs to make her life more comfortable. Check. Make Kagome my girlfriend. Check. Make love to Kagome. Make her my mate. Hmm still have two more to go."

Kagome blushed and slapped at his hands. "Stop that!"

The doctor walked in. "Well, Kagome it's nice to see you're awake. You've been unconscious for two hours." He began to check her eyes and blood pressure.

"Doctor, how long will Kagome have to stay here?" Inuyasha asked.

"Well, she seems okay. She could go home today, but she won't be able to move around for the next few days. You'll have to miss a few classes young lady."

Kagome sighed. "But..."

"No buts, you heard the doctor," Inuyasha told her.

"She'll probably have a few lingering symptoms: dizziness, feeling nauseous, fatigue, maybe some memory loss, but that should fade with time."

Inuyasha stared at Kagome again. Kagome didn't like the look in his eyes. It was as if he'd finally made his mind up about something.

"You're a very lucky young woman. Your injury could have been worse than it is," the doctor said.

Kagome nodded. "Yes, I know."

"I'll prescribe you some painkillers that will help with your headaches and something to make you sleep. You're going to need a lot of rest young lady in order to heal."

"Okay," Kagome said.

The doctor turned to Inuyasha. "Is there anyone that can stay with her? She doesn't need to be alone in her condition?"

"Kagome is mine, she can stay with me," Inuyasha said.

The doctor nodded. "Good. Okay, young lady, we don't want to see you in here again." He scolded gently.

"Believe me doctor, I'll make sure she doesn't set foot in here again," Inuyasha was staring at Kagome with that determined look in his eyes again.

A shiver went through Kagome. What was he up to?