They made their way back home at a leisurely pace, Kagome draped over Inuyasha's back as her arms hung loosely around the sides of his. She drifted in and out of sleep along the way, her deep, warm breath gliding along Inuyasha's neck, reminding him that she was alive and with him once more. She didn't talk, and he didn't ask questions, allowing her to bathe in the peace of the crisp and quiet morning. There was no need for her to relive anything from this night so soon. She would talk when she was ready.

They reached the small, homey village where it all began, and Kagome peeked her head up from behind his shoulders. Men and women were already getting a start on their day, farmers heading into the fields with their tools and children running about, playing with others and helping their mothers with the chores. Inuyasha noticed a young girl sitting just outside her hut, legs folded beneath her as she kept a steady eye on the trees to her side. In her hands, she clutched the burgundy bow while the quiver with arrows laid to her side. Her head turned to scan the field, and Inuyasha watched her entire body noticeably perk up at the sight of the two in the clearing. She shouted for her sister, the smaller child poking her head through the entry mat and jolting out of the hut to race towards them.

"We just have to make a small pit stop, okay?" Kagome hummed in approval, resting her cheek back against his shoulder.

"Lady Kagome! You're okay!" The girls shouted in unison. Inuyasha knelt, allowing them to greet their priestess but reminded them to be gentle in their excitement. He could feel Kagome's cheeks curve upward along his scapula in a ginger smile at their joy, expressing that she was fine, and they didn't need to worry anymore.

"They ran all the way to Kaede's to get me, Kagome." Inuyasha mentioned.

"You two were so brave." She sighed happily, reaching over to them one at a time and stroking their cheeks, rosy from the cold air. "Thank you so much for saving me. I don't know what I would have done without your help."

Inuyasha collected her weapons from the girls as they said their goodbyes, adjusting his hold on Kagome as he stood. They continued their silent trek, her body melting into his as she murmured a soft thank you to him. He didn't know why for, and he didn't ask. He just smiled, relishing in the feel of their synchronized breathing.

He approached Kaede's hut, ushering for Rin to stay quiet as she ran towards them so that she wouldn't wake Kagome. Rin understood and turned to get Kaede. He needed medicine for her wounds, and he knew Kaede had a reserve. Kaede's brows arched in concern as she looked at the sleeping girl Inuyasha carried, handing over a small jar of cream. The half demon cocked a slight grin in response, hoping it was enough to confirm that Kagome was alright.

"Do the others know what happened?" Inuyasha asked, his voice soft and low.

"Yes, of course." Rin answered, her octave matching his.

"Do me a favor. Let them know she's okay, but not to stop by. She needs as much rest as possible right now."

Kagome stirred as they approached their hut, a soft whine leaving her mouth and filling Inuyasha's ears. He gently set her down on their bed, setting her things off to the side. He gazed at her and she smiled back sleepily, the dark circles under her left eye blending in with the purple and blue hues along her cheek. He grazed his thumb against her jaw, placing a soft kiss to her forehead before heading to the cabinet for some fresh clothing. He retrieved her night robe, deciding the lighter the better, and returned to her side.

She helped him remove her clothing, but he slowed down her movements, his golden eyes trailing down her bare sides and taking in each and every forming bruise. The tips of his fingers slid along the curve of her waist, lingering over the thick finger markings the demon left behind. He followed the path down to her hips, and bit back the growl that crept its way up his throat.

He pushed the robe from her shoulders, her upper body completely revealed to him, and he swallowed the harsh taste of the dark patterns on her neck, the few down her arms, and then her poorly-bandaged hand. How could he have let this happen to her?

As if to silence his thoughts, she placed a cold hand to his cheek and smiled up at him. After all of this, she still found it in her to smile, and Inuyasha could feel his face growing hot. He leaned in, placing soft kisses all along her bruised cheekbone, then to the slight discoloration at the corner of her mouth. He knelt further and kissed the fingermarks that covered her neck, around her shoulders one-by-one, and down her arms. He kissed her unmarked collarbones and her bare sternum that led to her tender waist and her bruised hips, knowing the whines that left her mouth as he brushed his lips along the inflamed spots weren't of pain. Inuyasha ran his fingers down her bare legs, watching them twitch at his gentle touch as he reached the rusty coloration that stained one of her ankles.

He told her to stay still and went outside for a pail of water, grabbing a washcloth from the cupboard as he came back. He returned to his spot before her, dunking the cloth into the water, ringing it out, and rubbing it down her arms. Kagome hissed at the cold shock, but didn't shy away from him, allowing him to wash Akiro's tainted scent and the remainder of the horrifying night from her skin. Inuyasha unwrapped her right hand and gently rubbed the rag along the sides of the cut, making sure to clean it thoroughly. He continued to run the washcloth over her body delicately, removing all traces of dirt and dried blood, taking his time as she leaned into his touch.

He rubbed the cream Kaede had given him into the few lesions she had, dressing her hand in a tight bandage to keep infection out, and placing her night robe over her clean body, tying it at the waist. Once more, Inuyasha ordered her not to move, his voice low and gruff. He moved over to where she kept her hygienic belongings and retrieved her brush, taking up residence behind her and combing the tangles from her hair. He started from the bottom, having learned from all the times she'd brushed his that it prevented snags and yanks, slowly working his way up until the brush moved smoothly through her raven locks.

He wanted her to eat, but she didn't think she could stomach any food at the moment. She promised she would try later, and he could tell the exhaustion was swallowing her whole. Inuyasha helped her get adjusted in their bed, offering to grab an extra blanket for added warmth from the chill of the oncoming winter. Kagome declined, asking him to lay with her, wanting his body heat.

How could he say no? Her voice was so soft, slightly broken from the damage her throat had taken, and there was nowhere he'd rather be. The half demon removed his robes, sliding under the blankets and holding her close as she cuddled into the heat of his chest. He ran his nails down the length of her spine, his breath hitching as she kissed his collarbones, her lips so gentle along his hot skin it caused goosebumps to travel down the entirety of his front and back. His arms flexed around her and he pulled her even closer, resting his chin on top of her head as she giggled into his neck.

The sound caused something in his stomach to flutter, and he found himself being comforted when he was the one that was supposed to be comforting. Inuyasha melted into her touch, her breathing eventually deepening, her warm breath dancing over his chest as she drifted off. He closed his eyes to take her all in; the feel of her curves pressed against him, the cold from her body dissipating as she quickly absorbed his heat, and the way her fingers always made their way down his sides and hooked into the hem of his pants to make sure he didn't go anywhere, even in sleep.

This was where she was the safest. This was where he was the safest. In bed. In each other's arms. The world couldn't harm them here.