Hello all. Hopefully someone will read this. One of my first fanfics, and I'm not that great a writer. Please read and review, and I might continue the story. I have ideas for where this can go. And PLEASE no flames. I really don't need anyone to tell me how bad this story is. Constructive criticism is a good thing. –Akihanah

Kodomo: Ice and Wind

Kagome trudged onward, keeping her face down, shielding it against the wind. The sky had been clear that morning, but now it was full of swirling black clouds.

Of all the times to be wearing a short skirt Kagome thought as she pushed her leg through the now knee high snow. She looked up the trail, where Inuyasha was trying to break a path through the snow. It was his fault they were out here in the first place.

He had smelled Naraku, and took off into the woods, without looking back. Kagome had grabbed her bow and arrows and took off after him.

And here they were, several hours later, fighting their way through the storm. Worse, Kagome felt the cold beginning to affect her. Her feet and hands were beginning to go numb. Each step became a battle between her body and her mind. She knew that she had to stay with Inuyasha, but her body was about ready to give out.

Inuyasha...don't you notice? I don't think I can keep moving much longer. Where are you going?

Kagome stopped, as a wave of dizziness passed over her. My body, its not responding. Inuyasha......don't you notice? Do you even care? Am I...am I just a jewel detector? I love you...my heart is for you, but you don't care? Is Kikyo the only one who has a space in your heart? The only one....... no room even for me?

An extra strong gust of wind blew into her, and she was picked up and thrown into the snow bank to her side. As she hit, she didn't notice several pricks on her skin. She tried to fight her way out of the snow, but she was unable to summon the strength to pull herself out of the snow. She lay, and darkness pulled at her consciousness. She looked weakly into the distance, searching for the red kimono of Inuyasha. He was walking into the distance, fading from her vision. Blackness filled her mind.

Inuyasha...

Inuyasha pushed aside snow, pushing his way forward. Kagome was behind him, and she seemed to be struggling to walk. He knew that the extreme cold and wind was bad for her, and that he should find shelter soon, for her, and for himself. He heard Kagome stop, but continued to walk, thinking that she would continue moving in a second. However, she did not move. He then heard a thump, and turned to find Kagome lying in a snow bank, unconscious.

What!?!? How did she?-....... Oh no, she fainted from the cold.

Inuyasha sprinted back to Kagome. He gently pulled her body from the snow. Her skin was cold, her face and hands were pale, her breathing shallow. He lifted her up, and proceeded to run through the snow. He needed shelter fast. Kagome was dangerously close to death.

In the distance he spotted a shack. Gods, just in time Kagome didn't feel right. She had gotten too bad too fast. This wasn't normal. She was already completely still in his arms. He barely heard her breathing.

Inuyasha kicked open the door. The hut was recently abandoned. There were still supplies stored on shelves. He pulled out several blankets, and lay Kagome on them. She was still completely still, showing no reaction to anything. Inuyasha noticed her soaked clothing. He gulped.

Her clothing, it-.......it has to come off.

He searched the cabin, and found a kimono. He loosely wrapped it around her. He then reached under and pulled off her clothing. He tied the kimono, satisfied that he hadn't seen anything. He then grabbed several more blankets and lay them on top of her.

An hour later, a fire was roaring in the hearth, the temperature in the hut had risen greatly, but Kagome was still unmoving.

That is strange. She should have responded by now. Why is her breathing so shallow and her skin pale?

Inuyasha was worried. Kagome was sick, and lay dying, and there was nothing he could do.

Why? Why must I watch her die?

Inuyasha slammed his fist through the floor in his rage. Then a light bulb went off on top of his head.

I could get in with her, and keep her warm. She will kill me in the morning....... but she means more to me than my bruises. She is.....she is Kagome. My----my Kagome. She loves me.......and I----I

Inuyasha slipped in under the blankets. He wrapped his arms around Kagome and tucked her body into his chest, his face in her hair.

Please Kagome, live. I don't want to live if you aren't there.

Suddenly Inuyasha noticed a slight change in her scent. It had been there for a while, gradually growing stronger, but it had taken him until now to notice.

She smells......different. What happened? Wait..... blood?

There were several pricks on her body. They were just big enough to draw blood.

How did those get there?

Inuyasha noticed a slight movement from Kagome. She shivered.

"That's good Kagome," he said aloud. "You're going to get better." Kagome stirred and started to shake in his arms.

Whoa...this ain't normal. What the hell...?

Kagome didn't respond but continued to shake.

Hehehe...cliffhanger. Don't worry; I have an idea for where to go from here. Please review.