Full Summary: A demon is holding the mall hostage, as a bomb is tied to his lifespan. Once he dies, so does everyone else. His demands are great, and he keeps a close eye on two of his hostages: Sesshomaru and Kagome. They've never known each other, but can the warm-hearted girl and cold-hearted Lord work together in attempt to save themselves, let alone everybody? What happens when an unwanted feeling occurs between them?
Disclaimer: This goes for the whole story - I don't own Inuyasha nor do I own the characters.
Tick Tick Boom
Chapter 1: That Ticking Noise
Kagome was on her way toward the exit, her bag hoisted up on her shoulder and a few handbags in her grip.
Tick.
'What was that?' she asked herself, but shook it off. She had more important things to worry about. She was giving a speech at her school on "Staying Drug-Free" and she couldn't miss it.
Tick.
There it was again. It seemed to be like a clock of some sort, but extremely slow.
TICK.
It was getting faster now. Where was that annoying noise coming from?
TICK!
Kagome looked to her right and saw a man who looked like he wasn't even on planet Earth. He must've been zoning off or something.
Tick-tick. Tick-tick. Tick-tick.
Now it was faster and she looked at the man again and noticed he had a red wire sticking out of his pocket. She took in a large gasp as she figured out what the ticking noise was.
The man stepped closer to her, noticing her gasp, and grabbed her arm in the best attempt to not cause people to notice. "Say a word and I'll kill you." he whispered through a smile as he looked forward.
He could smell it in the air. Chemicals. Sesshomaru walked toward the scent until he came to a man walking with a young girl.
This man wasn't a man, though. He was demon. And being demon, he could sense the Lord from behind him. Damn, too many people were catching on. "Alright! Listen up!" he yelled, flinging Kagome to the ground carelessly. He tossed his jacket on to the floor, exposing a bomb tied around his waist.
Screams could be heard everywhere as people instinctively hit the floor, covering their heads.
"I've got a bomb!" yelled Captain Obvious. "And--" he jerked around and swiftly dodged an attack. He stared to Sesshomaru whom gracefully landed on his feet. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." he whispered with a grin. "The only thing that will set this bomb off is if either I die or I push the button." he explained, showing the little remote he held dear in his hand.
Sesshomaru stared, unamused as the cocky demon boasted about his malevolent creation. "Genius, is it not?" he asked in a loud voice so that everyone could hear him.
Kagome stood up and stared to the demon with the bomb. "Why are you doing this?" she asked.
The demon turned around. It made him wonder why she was standing up. Everyone else was scared out of their wits, crying and screaming. Yet she…She was different. He could understand someone like that other demon not backing down, but a human? "Come here girl." he said with a smile. When he saw her not moving, he frowned. "I suggest you do as I say. I have no moral objections of blowing this place to pieces."
Kagome ground her teeth and walked over. She was frightened, no doubt, but she wasn't about to let him think he had complete power over everyone. That's what he wanted.
"You're going to be my little 'assistant' throughout this little hold up, kay?" he asked.
Kagome's eyebrows furrowed. Maybe this would be an advantage, though. She'd be able to get closer to him and possibly detach the bomb. A girl can dream, right? She nodded hesitantly.
"First, you will accompany me to the Security Office and lock all of the doors."
Kagome looked around. The Security Office was only a few feet away. So, no one would be able to escape. She sighed mentally and followed him to the office.
"I want these cameras to stay on." he said, watching the monitor screens. He saw Sesshomaru still standing on one of them. He would've assumed he would try and help the others escape, but he looked as though he could care less. "Turn all of the blue switches on." he ordered.
Kagome flipped all the dark blue switches up and on a screen read 'Security System Enabled. All Exits Locked.' Once she did so, she stared at his bomb. There were wires flying out everywhere. Some were attacked to his chest, and some attached to places she did not know.
The man caught her studying the bomb and smiled. "Girl, if you so much as think of getting this bomb off of me, I'll kill you."
Kagome's head bobbed back a bit as his comment.
"I'm Kenji." he said, then looked at her and waited for her name.
Kagome rolled her eyes. He didn't need to know her name and she didn't plan on giving it to him.
Kenji's smirk remained as he stepped closer to her, cornering her to a wall. He raised her chin up and looked at her sinisterly. "Come on, what's your name girl?" he asked soothingly.
Kagome closed her eyes tightly and jerked her head away. "Kagome." she muttered.
"Heh. Kagome, then. We need to get back outside." he said.
Kagome walked past him rather hurriedly and just as she was about to exit the door, Kenji was standing in the way, facing her. "You're going to have to follow my rules, got it?" he asked.
Kagome looked simply horrified. This day was the worst day of her life!
"You will listen to me no matter WHAT I say. If I say jump, you better ask how fucken' high." he said, anger reining in his voice.
'This guy is psycho. Bipolar. Something! He's really weirding me out.'
"I want you to figure out what that other demon is up to. He can't be trust--" he was cut off by an interrupting voice.
"I suggest you get back out there. Your hostages are starting to doubt this is really an attack." said a cold and nonchalant tone.
"WHAT?!" yelled Kenji as he stormed past Sesshomaru and started yelling to all the people who dropped to the ground again.
Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru. Did he just help her? "Th-Thanks." she said weakly.
"I did not help you, but I have things to do. He plans to keep us here for days."
Kagome's eyes widened at this. 'How would he know that? Unless…He's working with him!' she thought to herself. She quickly backed up as far as she could. "St-stay away! I know what you're up to!" she yelled.
Sesshomaru didn't answer. He simply stared over at her.
"You're supposed to be the 'good guy' here but in reality you two are partners!" she yelled.
"Think what you wish. If I were going to hold up a place, I wouldn't need a bomb." he said and turned around, exiting the office.
Kagome's body relaxed a bit. "Well, he doesn't…Sound like he's working with him." she whispered.
"KAGOME!" yelled Kenji's voice.
She sighed and walked out of the room and into the mall center where all the hostages were.
Kenji walked up to her. "I need you to go round up all the shoppers from the top floor." he said. He looked over to Sesshomaru. "Ey, you, go with her." he commanded.
Sesshomaru did NOT take orders from anyone, but he couldn't stand being around so many whiny humans at once. One was better than nearly a hundred. He followed Kagome whom was walking toward the escalator. He stood two steps below her as it carried them up.
"So…Um, what's your name?" she asked politely.
Sesshomaru's eyes dulled. Great, she was a "let's be friends!" kind of human. "Sesshomaru." he said icily.
"I'm Kagome." she said and stuck out her hand. When he didn't shake it, she reeled it back in with a forced smile. She laughed uneasily as she stepped off the escalator. "Doesn't look like anyone's up here. They must've had time to escape." she said optimistically.
The two walked toward the food court. Kagome said they were going "just to check things out" but in reality, she was shaky from not eating all day, and to top it off, she was scared out of her wits.
Sesshomaru knew she was going to get food, and didn't stop her. Not that he cared if she was alright or not, but without her he'd be under constant surveillance.
Kagome went behind a WacDonald's counter and grabbed a sandwich that was already made. She grabbed a cup and held it under the Ice Tea dispenser.
"Hey! What're you doin!" yelled Kenji's voice from afar, causing her to drop her drink as she jumped in shock. Kenji walked over to the food court and went behind the counter, snatching the sandwich and tossing it somewhere far away. "I didn't ask you to eat. Have you forgotten that this place is being held up or did you just not care if everyone dies?" he asked snappishly.
Sesshomaru glanced to Kagome whom looked pale in the face and wobbly, as if she were ready to just pass out. "She'll faint if she doesn't eat." he stated, not a care in his tone.
"I don't give a shit. Let's go." he said and grabbed Kagome's arm, dragging her away as Sesshomaru followed.
Once they were back on the ground floor, Kenji pushed Kagome to the floor. "Nobody move!" he yelled and went into the Security Office.
Sesshomaru walked over to the weak girl whom was leaned against a wall tiredly. He dropped something on to her lap and then sat besides her.
Kagome's eyes widened as she unwrapped the sandwich. "Thank you!" she exclaimed and started taking huge bites.
Sesshomaru rested an arm on his half drawn-up knee as he closed his eyes while sitting against the wall.
Kagome seemingly finished the sandwich within seconds and stood up. She felt a lot better. She started walking toward the bathroom as an arm grabbed her.
"Where do you think you're going?" asked Kenji sweetly.
"To the bathroom…" she trailed off hesitantly.
"Make sure you wash your hands." he said with a soft smile.
Kagome nodded and went in to the bathroom. She still had her bag on her shoulder, but had lost the handbags somewhere. Once she got into a stall, she took out her cell phone and dialed a friend's number.
"Hojo?"
"Well hello Kagome! It's a change, you calling me for once!"
"Listen, Hojo, I'm at the Shikon Mall and it's being held up."
Kagome didn't even bother to hear the slight creek of a door opening.
"It's being held up? Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure!" she yelled in a whisper. She looked up to the top of the stall door and saw Kenji's head poking over it. She gasped and stood up, dropping the cell phone into the toilet. 'No!' she yelled in her head and watched as her phone sunk to the bottom.
A smirk resided on his face. "Making a call are we?" he asked with malice painted in his voice.
Kagome turned around from looking at the toilet and no longer saw his face. She slowly ducked her head down low, peering under the stalls to see if he was still there. No feet. She sighed in relief and unlocked the door, stepping out only to be slammed back in.
"I swear to God, you pull one more stunt like this and this place is going to be blown to pieces." Kenji muttered, pressing her throat against the relocked door.
Tick-tick. Tick-tick. Tick-tick.
It was nerve-wracking hearing that sound. Her heart was pounding and her breath was uneven. Tears started rolling down her cheeks and she started sobbing.
Kenji put a hand and clamped it to her mouth, now using his free arm to pin her body.
"You don't know what it's like, do you? You don't know what it's like to never have someone to love. No one has ever even given me the chance of day for a shot at love. This world hates me. It wants me gone." he said angrily. "So, if It wants me gone so badly, I'm taking as many people as I can with me."
Kagome stared into his eyes, tears blurring her vision. Did this mean he was going to blow the place no matter what? This meant it was the end of her life.
"I think I can consider you as a friend. I mean, most people in your position would've killed themselves or rather be blown up than aide me. I love you, Kagome." he said, his free hand now traveling up and down her waist.
Kagome's sobs were muffled through his hand. Maybe if he thought she loved him, he wouldn't kill all of these people. It was the only thing keeping her from doing something that would no doubt anger him.
"Shh." he hushed her in a soft voice. He could see her eyes widen as his hand traveled down to her skirt and he smirked. He let go of her. "Are you going to misbehave again?" he asked.
Kagome shook her head. "No." she said silently as he unlocked the door and allowed her to walk through.
Sesshomaru opened his eyes as he saw Kagome and Kenji walk out of the restroom. His teeth clicked together for some unknown reason as he saw her wiping away tears. He cared not what the fool did to her, so why did his nonexistent heart jerk at the sight?
Kagome walked back over to Sesshomaru, forced a smile, and took her earlier seat to the right of him.
He wanted to ask. But that would mean she would assume he cared. Which he didn't. But, still…He wanted to know. "What happened." he asked casually, closing his eyes once again.
Kagome glanced over, a little shocked. "N-Nothing." she stuttered and looked down at her knees.
Sesshomaru peeked his eyes open and glanced at her. Liar. She was terrible at it. Why did he feel the sudden urge to accompany her to the bathroom every time she went? He wasn't her protector. He didn't even know her name. Oh, no, wait. It was Kagome. She told him, now that he thought back on it.
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It was now well into the night and most of the hostages were asleep, including Kagome whose head leaned (unknowingly to her) on to Sesshomaru's shoulder.
Kenji had been walking around the ground floor, continuously going in to the Security Office to check on the cameras. Cops were sitting outside, waiting for a negotiation acceptance. He had talked to the negotiator, and was stubborn. His demands were precise and it was proving to be rather difficult getting them. The more time, the better.
Whenever Kenji walked near all the hostages, he'd shoot Sesshomaru a glare. He didn't like the sight that Kagome had fallen asleep against him. He wanted to wake her up, but was still trying to think of a reason to. Wait…Reason? He needed no reason. He held every ones' lives in his hands.
He walked over to Sesshomaru and Kagome, staring down at the two.
Sesshomaru, eyes still closed, asked, "What is it."
"Wake her up." he said.
"You." Sesshomaru replied casually.
Kenji grinded his teeth together. "I'll blow you up!"
"No you won't. My body can withstand explosions and I have no care toward these mortals."
"Then why are you still here, hm?" he asked snottily.
"I'm interested as to see what you're up to."
"Well, that's easy. Blowing up the place!"
"Hn." Sesshomaru let out. He knew Kenji was lying, but he also knew he himself was lying as well. He wasn't quite sure why he was staying here. He had things to do, so why didn't he just leave?
Kenji shook Kagome with his foot. "Wake up." he spoke.
Kagome's eyes opened slowly and she took in the sight before her. She sat up straight.
"Let's go."
Kagome groggily moaned and stood up, following Kenji to God knows where.
Once they were in a secluded area, he gave her the order. "I need you to kill that demon. He's proving to be quite an nuisance."
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Author's Note: Well, I'm not sure how many people will like the plot, but I do. It's different from most and is challenging for me, which I like. Sorry if Sesshomaru isn't perfectly in character, it's hard to keep him on point in a story like this.
Next chapter: You'll find out what Kenji's demands are, as well as more Kagome/Sesshomaru interaction. What will Kagome do when Kenji starts killing off hostages one by one? What will Sesshomaru do?
I really hope you all enjoy this. Now go review lufflies -Ami