Hold On For Me

Chapter 3: Unconscious

"Rin!" Sesshomaru called, reaching a hand out towards the two despite the distance. He rushed over and looked over the side of the well. There was no luck. They were one. Sesshomaru turned back to the demon. "What did you do to them?!"

"It didn't do anything, Sesshomaru!" InuYasha called out. "They went to Kagome's time!"

Sesshomaru growled and raised the Tessaiga, killing the demon with one swing

"Sesshomaru," Sango whispered as she approached him. "Kagome can travel through the well, between the two eras. Besides, they have better treatments there for Rin."

Sesshomaru remained silent, throwing the Tessaiga InuYasha's way before jumping over the edge of the well. "InuYasha! What is this? Why can't I travel through?" Sesshomaru barked.

"I'm not sure," InuYasha admitted. "I can travel through, though."

Sesshomaru jumped out. "Show me how."

InuYasha looked down into the well. "I'm not sure exactly how I can travel through. I just do."

"Then go and return. I must know how Rin is."

InuYasha nodded curtly at his brother. "Sango, Miroku, watch over Izayoi while Kagome and I are gone."

Sango gave a short nod as InuYasha jumped through the well.

***

"We have tended to her," a doctor informed Kagome. She had been waiting outside of the room Rin was in and had jumped up when the doctor came out. "Her puncture wounds have stopped bleeding, but it is still uncertain if she will survive. She is currently in a vegetative state, presumably from hitting her head."

"What's the difference between a vegetative state and a coma?" Kagome asked.

"Individuals in a vegetative state can open their eyes and make sounds like moaning. It's like they're asleep but can't do anything while they are awake. Individuals in a coma do not do these things."

"Okay," Kagome murmured softly, sitting back in her chair.

"May I ask how she acquired these wounds?"

"I, uh, I found her like this," she stated. "I don't remember where. All I knew is I had to get her here."

The doctor arched an eyebrow but didn't push the matter further, as his job was to make sure the child didn't die, not to question others.

"Kagome?" InuYasha called gently, resting a hand on her shoulder. He knelt down to her. "How's Rin holding up?"

"Oh, InuYasha," Kagome cried softly, burying her head into his chest. Unsure, he pat her back before wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"What's the matter? Is she..."

"N-no, but she's unconscious and will be so for a while."
"Then wake her up. She'll wake up right?"

"Th-they don't know. I-it's a vegetative state. Sh-she hit her head hard wh-when we fell through th-the well."

"That's what the blood was? I noticed the smell first, then I saw it."

"Th-that was from her injury. O-oh, what are we going t-to tell Sesshomaru?"

InuYasha rubbed his forehead. "I'm not sure, exactly. He hasn't ever really cared for a human before. And Rin can't be revived again. If she doesn't make it, he..."

Kagome nodded. "You should go tell him, InuYasha."

InuYasha gave a small nod and gave her a gentle kiss. "I'll be back soon, okay?" he murmured, brushing hair away from her cheek.

***

"You're back so soon, InuYasha," Sesshomaru stated.

"Yes," InuYasha replied with a nod.

"Well?"

"She hit her head when they fell into the well. Doctors in Kagome's time are giving her better care than she can get here. She's in this thing that Kagome called a vegetative state. She's unconscious and won't wake up for a while. They managed to stop the bleeding from the bite."

Sesshomaru stood and turned away from the well, walking off.

"Sesshomaru? Where are you going?" There was a pause. "Damn you, answer me!"

Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks and turned to InuYasha. "Does it matter to you?"

"Well what about when Rin returns and finds out you already gave up on her?"

"I am not giving up on Rin. I am simply going for a walk to clear my mind. You gave me a lot to think about, InuYasha. Besides, I wish to be alone." Sesshomaru turned away and continued to walk.

***

"Who is she?" Sota asked Kagome, looking at Rin in her hospital bed.

"Rin. She's InuYasha's brother's ward in a way."

"And what happened?" Sota asked, lowering his voice. he gently stroked Rin's long hair.

"We were battling a demon. It was trying to eat us. It bit her and we fell through the well, and she hit her head."

"It left a big gash. How come she was able to come through?"

Kagome held her index finger against her lips. "I'm not sure. Maybe there's a god/demon that controls it. Maybe it's because she was with me."

Sota nodded, looking over at Rin. The only thing keeping her alive was the oxygen machine.

***

"Rin," Sesshomaru murmured to himself. "Rin, you aren't going to die. I'm not going to allow it. If you die. I can't revive you this time. Don't you dare give up on me, do you understand that, Rin?"

Sesshomaru stopped and scoffed at himself. He shook his head gently. Look at this, I'm talking to myself now. He collected himself and leaned his head forward slightly and prayed, for the first time in his life and out of pure desperation. "Please, whatever Greater Being there is out there. don't take Rin. She's gone through enough already. I know I've prevented you from having her twice now, but she's just a young girl." Sesshomaru took a deep breath and headed back to the well. InuYasha had gone. Sesshomaru sat with a sigh, murmuring, "Rin, I love you."