After All This Time

Ch.23 Happiness is Fleeting

Night and day passed while Kouga watched over Inuyasha. The demon was solemn. His eyes unfocused yet only thinking of one thing. Inuyasha.

He knew Inuyasha took a risk using his full demon form. Only because of his daughter. 

No.

Only because Kouga couldn't do anything more.

Inuyasha shifted in his sleep. The white blanket  sat unevenly over him. Kouga lightly adjusted it. His body would shake and tremble. It was like this for two days now. Kouga stayed by his side.

Masami came in to check on him but he was busy taking care of the lordship's work. Mr.Furukawa came but again only for a bit since it would be suspicious. They wanted to stay longer. It showed in their faces.

Miroku was the one who was treating Inuyasha. He picked up a thing or two from Kaede and he was the only one beside Inuyasha and Mr.Furukawa that knew what was actually happening to the half demon. His body is fighting the demon blood within him. He was constantly suppressing his demon nature till he used his full-demon form. He knew it would have been a struggle. No one could stop him, except Kouga. That's why he took the risk.

Now look at him. 

Miroku said that internally his body wants to decide if he's human, half demon or full. His body isn't made to be human or a full demon. So the best treatment was herbs to keep his vitals in check and allowing him to rest in his half demon state. 

The only other person who was there regularly was Moroha.

That night replayed over and over again in her mind. She had all the power in the world and yet she was so helpless. She was the one who insisted on coming. She insisted on her father's help. She was the reason this happened in the first place.

Moroha was a princess, with power, fame, wealth and strength. That meant nothing. She was just a little girl.

Moroha couldn't save Hijiri, but in the process she, with her own two hands, had hurt the person she loved the most. 

The girl would visit her father. He was there unconscious, vulnerable. She has to witness her father in such a state. He was always strong and proud. She would look up to him, never down.  

It brought tears to her eyes but it wasn't right if she let a single tear fall. Moroha had committed a horrible sin by injuring her father. So she had no right to cry as if it was out of her control. She dared not to touch him. The touch that would provide her with comfort she does not deserve. Motoha sat down next to him only gazing upon him.

She couldn't stay by her father's side all the time. From her hand to her elbow was burned. The first layer of her skin peeled off. The surface is covered with yellow boils. Though she would disagree, she needed to rest for that.

But no matter what time or hour she was there Kouga was also there. She didn't have the heart to say anything to the demon. But without fail, every time she came and before she left, the wolf demon gave her a hug. 

It was long and it was done with no words spoken.

He held her dearly. Moroha felt her father's love in the embrace. It's so hard to punish oneself when others act like this. 

Moroha had never seen the wolf demon in this light.

Family.

Moroha found it hard to offer the same comfort or warmth to Kouga. It was expected in some sense. She held responsibility. Moroha felt pitiful toward him, in the sense that where others are able to bury themselves in work or aid others to distract themselves, he could only sit and wait.