Tick Tick Boom

Chapter 2: The Color of Blood

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."

"W-What?" Kagome stuttered, her eye lids sliding open as wide as they could.

"You heard me."

"B…But I can't kill --"

"Oh, sweetie, don't worry. You don't have to kill anyone," said Kenji's voice sweetly.

Kagome stared at him oddly. 'This guy is nuts!'

"Keep a close eye on him. I don't want him ruining my plan." he said sternly, then grabbed a fistful of her hair, gripping it tightly. "If I find out you're plotting against me, the outcome won't be pretty."

Kagome's right eye closed and she winced with a nod. After he released her hair, she ran her fingers through it, attempting to detangle it.

Sesshomaru had remained in his place the whole time, his eyes closed, his alerts on high. Though, it wasn't really necessary. This second-rate demon was pathetic. How can one call themselves a demon if they need a bomb to kill humans? Still, his mind wondered back to the question he had been thinking of ever since Kenji broke out the device. 'Why do I insist on remaining in this place. The stench of humans is overwhelming; it disgusts me.' he thought to himself. His eyes opened as he saw Kagome coming back over to him. "I suspect he wished me dead."

Kagome looked at him curiously at first, then her gaze softened as she took a seat next to the Ice Prince. "I'm not even really sure what he wants…One moment he's yelling at me, and the next he's all nice."

"It's called being psychotic. You should be used to it."

Kagome's eyebrows furrowed. Why would he insult her? "Listen, buddy, you don't even know me!"

"I know that you're human. A weak human, who spends their time worrying about senseless things."

"Is that so? And what senseless things do you think I worry about, hm?" she asked bitterly.

"Finding a proper mate, your appearance, school."

"Hmph. Well excuse me for wanting to have a happy life!"

Sesshomaru simply closed his eyes again, not a care in the world if she were upset. On the inside, he was smirking. It was fun to toy with her emotions, as they were overly out of balance.

"And another thing!--"

BAM.

Kagome's head jerked at the sound of a gunshot. She first looked to Kenji, whose arm was extended, a small handgun in his tight grip. Her eyes averted to where his line of shot was, seeing a young man on the ground, a pool of blood growing around his body. 'N-No…' she thought to herself, the cries and screams of other hostages filling her ears.

Sesshomaru's eyes peeked open, shifting to the crying girl at his side. 'Why is she so emotional. Did she know of this man?' he questioned himself, looking to the human in a puddle of blood.

"YOU MONSTER!" Kagome yelled, standing up and running over to the corpse, however, was stopped halfway. She tried to shake the grip around her wrist. "Kenji you ba--" she caught herself. She couldn't anger him, he had a bomb. Bombs equal boom. And boom was definitely not a good thing.

A smirk played across Kenji's face. "Don't you like the color red?" he asked, staring her up and down, then looking to the dead body. "I love the color of crimson. So dark, yet so colored. Blood is my favorite color." he added, then looked back to her. "You know, that green doesn't suit you. You would look better in red."

Kagome's body started to tremble and she quit trying to struggle free of his grip. 'He's going to kill me?'

"Twenty minutes."

"Huh?"

"I'm going to give you twenty minutes to go find a red outfit. Make it nice." he said, his eyebrows moving up and down suggestively. He looked deep within her eyes, past the puffy red from her tears. "And wash your face."

Kenji walked over to Sesshomaru, dragging Kagome along. "You. You're a male, you know what looks good. Make sure she finds something tasteful."

Sesshomaru stared coldly up at the demon. More orders? Did he not KNOW who he was dealing with? Sesshomaru stood up and walked past Kenji, but first stopped and said something so quietly that only Kenji and himself could hear. "By the end of tonight, you'll be wearing you're favorite color."

Kagome and Sesshomaru walked into a deserted boutique. Upbeat techno music was playing on the store speakers. Kagome walked around, searching for something red. A sigh filled her lungs. 'Could this night get any worse?' she asked.

Kagome pulled out a pair of tight black dress pants and a red (crimson, much to her luck) top. It had a V-neck in the front, and a ribbon that tied around right under her breasts. She went into the changing room and took off her clothes, putting the new ones on. "Um, can you please tie this?" she asked, opening the fitting room door.

Sesshomaru's eyes dulled and he walked over, tying her bow in the back.

She turned to face him. "How is it?" she asked nervously.

"Fine." he said carelessly and started walking out of the store.

Kagome followed and saw Kenji walking their way.

"Oh, Kagome, it looks lovely!" he shouted happily.

Kagome laughed uneasily in reply. "Yeah…Um, so Kenji…Do you think you could let some hostages go?" she asked, mustering up the most courage she could.

Kenji walked over to her and swung an arm around her shoulders, walking alongside her and guiding her back to the room. "My sweet, sweet Kagome. You're a good person, putting others before yourself, you know that?" he said, a sinister smile crawling upon his lips as hostages came into sight.

Kagome was flung into Sesshomaru and Kenji walked over to an elderly lady. "Sorry." Kagome whispered, pushing off of Sesshomaru. Her eyes widened in fear as Kenji pulled out a gun. "No! Kenji stop!" she cried out at the top of her lungs.

Tick. Tick. Tick-tick. Tick-tick.

That seemed to be the only noise as Kenji raised and pointed his gun toward the old woman. Bang.

Kagome's eyes widened at the sight before her.

Sesshomaru stood, standing between Kenji and the old lady, his hand raised in the air. Between his index and middle finger held a bullet. He dropped it to the floor and walked toward Kenji. "Do not underestimate me again."

Kenji only smirked at this. "So you aren't just full of talk, you can actually move. Quite fast might I add. Very nice."

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"Why did you do it?"

"What." Sesshomaru inquired solemnly, almost a hint of emotion to his voice.

"You saved that old woman. Surely you aren't developing a liking to humans…" Kagome said with a grin. Her and Sesshomaru were seated against a wall in their normal spot, most hostages had fallen asleep or run out of tears to cry.

"Girl, this Sesshomaru suggests you do not put words in his mouth."

Kagome's smile widened even more. "You don't have to be so tough, ya know. It's okay to cry."

If Sesshomaru had a sense of humor, he would've busted out laughing. Did she honestly think he would cry? She obviously did not know how high and superior he was. "Human, I do not care to know your feelings."

"Yes you do." Kagome said through a frown. "Otherwise you would've left by now."

Sesshomaru's eyes slanted over to her. "You're right."

"I'm…I'm right?"

"Yes." he said and then closed his eyes. "You're an odd human. Even though your body is weak, you still protest as if you're as strong as I am."

"You may be stronger than me physically, but spiritually, I knock you out of the park."

"Is that so."

"Yes, it is so. And another thing, why do you have to sound so careless all the time? I understand men wanting to be macho, but you take it to another level! Smile for goodness sake!"

"Will smiling cause a cease to your constant babbling."

"Yes." Kagome said, a clear pout in her voice.

"Too bad." he said, letting a long breath out through his nose.

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Sesshomaru stared down at the shivering form next to him. She looked angelic in her sleep, a little mewing noise coming from her when ever she breathed out. The new top she had wasn't too warming to the body, its texture being thin and satin-like. His eyes searched around the room, why, he did not know.

Kenji walked over and lovingly placed a blanket over her. "I gave her the blanket, got that?"

"Hn. You're a fool."

"Say it again." Kenji said threateningly.

"You're a fool. Do I need to spell it out for your underdeveloped mind?"

"Heh. Watch your back."

"I suggest you watch yours."

It was now around four in the morning. Kagome was jerking in her sleep, a nightmare apparent. "No.." she mumbled, along with other words not able to be made out.

Sesshomaru looked down to her and placed a hand on her forehead. She was burning up, but he could tell she was still chilly by the way she shivered. 'Hmm, the human immune system is so feeble.'

Kagome's mumbling stopped at the touch of his hand. She was awakened by a loud series of bangs. Her eyes flashed open and she hopped to a standing position. A few bodies hit the floor and she could feel tears well up in her eyes again. 'Why is he being so cruel?' she asked herself. He just kept shooting…There was now about only half of the hostages remaining as Kenji shot down dozens. She let out a grunt and started running as he aimed for a little girl, looking to be no older than five. 'No, I won't let him take away a life that has yet to even begin.' she thought, dashing in front of his hand as a bullet went flying out of the gun.

She let out an 'oomph'.

Breath ran wildly inside her lungs as she looked up at the person whose arm was wrapped around her waist. The same person who had swung her out of harm's way. 'But that means…' Her eyes filled with even more tears that threatened to spill over. She stared down at the little girl sprawled across the ground, surrounded by red. "Why…?" she asked Sesshomaru as he released his grip from around her.

"It is foolish to risk your life."

"But she was young! She had so much to live for! Why! Why would you do that!?" she started screaming, pounding on his chest violently.

He was getting irritated. For one, he disliked the fact that he had just saved a human. For two, she was complaining about it. Hasn't she heard of the term 'grateful'?

Kagome then turned her eyes full of hatred toward Kenji. "You…You monster." she said lowly, a death threat in her tone though everyone knew if was an empty one.

Kenji held a look of surprise. His expressions were always unique. His short, spiked black hair gave him the edgy look, his tanned skin giving him a more clean appearance. His black pants and crimson muscle shirt gave him the masculine touch. His height was intimidating, but not as much as Sesshomaru's. "I could've shot you, silly girl." he said and walked over to her. He slapped the gun across her face, knocking her to the ground. "You'll be the last to die, so do try and stay alive, love."

Kenji felt nails dig into his shoulder and he quickly jerked from the attack. 'He actually managed to hit me.' he thought, shock filling his face. "I'd watch it if I were you. I die, and so does everyone else."

"Like I've said before, you insignificant little demon, I do not care for what happens to these humans."

"Then why, pray tell, did you just save dear Kagome?"

Kagome looked over to Sesshomaru, her rage instantly subsiding and curiosity filling her mind. Why did he save her?

"I owe you no explanation."

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The Sun had risen and Kagome was now onto the stage where she was planning a way to escape. There were under ten people left, so it would be easier to get them out. The entire mall smelled of dead bodies, but Kagome had gotten used to the scent after a few hours. Sesshomaru had not. It was hard enough baring the scent when they weren't bleeding, but now his nose burned with the foul smell.

Kagome now had a nicely swollen and bruised cheek from being hit with a gun the night before. She was on her way to the food court for ice, as Kenji said a few minutes ago, "That cheek doesn't fit you well. Go get an ice pack."

This time, she had went alone, without the aide of Sesshomaru. She needed to plan this herself. She went behind a small Italian Ice stand and found a cooler filled with ice. She had some paper towels with her and used that as a bag. She pressed it against her cheek, the cold feeling soothing to her burning bruise.

She sat down at a table and sighed. 'I wish this was all just a bad dream.' she thought to herself. "Okay, now I need to plan this out." she said quietly to herself. "He's been worried about Sesshomaru more than anyone. So, if I can direct his attention to Sesshomaru for a good ten minutes, I can get into the security room and unlock all of the doors. Then, everyone can escape."

"You forgot the part where I already know your plan."

Kagome froze, resembling a trembling statue.

Kenji walked over to her and smiled. "Didn't I tell you not to plot against me? Didn't I tell you there would be consequences?"

Kagome tried to think quickly. She stood up from her chair and started backing away slowly as he inched toward her. "I-I was just kidding, you know I would never plan against you." she lied. Was it convincing enough? Most likely not.

A smirk resided on the demon's face. "Do you want to know what my demands are for this whole thing? Do you want to know what I want in return for letting hostages escape?"

Kagome nodded hesitantly.

"Heh. I asked them for something that they couldn't get. You."

Kagome's eyes slightly widened. "M-Me?"

"Yes. I told them that there was a girl named Kagome that I wanted. I gave them your description, and they're now looking all over Japan for you in hopes of bringing you here."

"But…I have people who know me. They'll tell them that I went to the mall and they'll know I'm inside."

"Well it seems like no one had said anything yet. It's as if…No one cares."

Kagome's eyebrows furrowed. "No, I am NOT like you! I have family and friends who care for me, so don't even go there."

Kenji said nothing, but instead stepped closer to her. He now had her backed up to a rail, the first floor could be seen below it. His fingers gripped around her throat and leaned her back over the railing. "I bet you all the money in the world that if I push you over this edge, that other demon will catch you." he said with a large grin.

Kagome tried to speak but couldn't as the fingers closed off her airway. She then felt herself thrusted over the railing, the wind pushing against her as she went soaring to the ground.

Tick. Tick. Tick. That sound played in her mind in a loop, clouding her every thought.

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Author's Note: For those of you who haven't already noticed, I changed my name. I got bored with xBankotsu.

So? How was it? Did it not meet its potential, did it suck, did it rock? I, personally, liked it but I have no clue what you guys' thoughts are.

Next Chapter: Two Kenji's? That's impossible, right? Find out how many hostages Kenji plans to keep alive, and also, I'll have a special part on Sesshomaru's thoughts. Has he found out why he can't seem to leave?

I really hope you enjoy this. Now go review lufflies. -Ami