Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Chapter 3: Within My Grasp

Kagome knew that she should be an emotionally jumbled mess. A mess that would be so overwhelmingly bombarded with elaborate visions on how and when it would be done. Would it be painful or will it be quick...with a gun or with a meat tenderizer just like Keno. Would he wait until she was asleep or would he do it when was awake.

Again those same words kept repeating in her head over and over.

Leave your bedroom window unlocked...

She couldn't believe it. After years of living underneath Hojo's abusive hands, she was finally going to be free, and all she had to do was open a window.

Leave your bedroom window unlocked...

In her bedroom, along the paint chipped wood of her window, just a small metal hook was standing in the way of freedom.

Leave your bedroom window unlocked...

Almost like she was operating on autopilot, Kagome calmly walked down the hallway and into the bedroom. Coming to the window that was on the far right wall, Kagome slowly lifted her hand...and with a simple flick of her wrist the deed was done.

Letting out a deep sigh Kagome backs away from the window slowly, then does an about face and returns to the living room, picking up exactly where she left off. Balancing the laundry basket on her hip, Kagome grabs her keys and quietly exits the apartment, not even bother to lock the door.

She had witnessed a murder of a man. A very doubtfully innocent man, but still it was a crime none the less. And that said murderer was going to be doing the same thing to her tonight. That silver hair man was going to end her pain, give her the freedom she yearned for, and he was going to give it to her through death. Considering the circumstances, she felt there was no point locking the door.

-Later That Evening-

With her finishing the laundry and straightening up the apartment the day quickly flew by for Kagome. Before she knew it, it was already past the time her husband usually got home. The clock was slowly dragging onto 10:30, yes he was running late but Kagome didn't pay it any mind, it was Friday. Not only was it Friday, but it just so happened to also be the first of the month, and to any working and non-working class citizen that meant only one thing, Payday.

Just as she finished tying off the garbage bags, Kagome heard the front door open. Not even looking up she heaves the trash bag out of its holding bin and places it next to the sink. However before she could replace the trash bag, Kagome heard a grunt and a small shuffle followed quickly by the front door slamming shut.

Kagome frowned and finally looked up only to be greeted with her very inebriated husband. Not only was he obviously drunk, but he was also tweaking on some sort of substance, she could tell by the way his pupils had dilated and how he was pressed up close to the door as if he was trying to mold his body into its metal enforced frame.

"Gome...Did anyone call asking about me?!" Kagome quickly answered with a no and a sharp shake of her head. "Did you leave the apartment at all?!" She watched as Hojo shoved away from the door and stumble his way further into the apartment. Those series of questions had become routine. Everyday after he got home, he would want to know 'Who called asking for him and if she left the apartment? If so, for how long ? Did she talk to anyone about him?' Clearing her throat Kagome softly called out to Hojo. "I left for a few hours to do the laundry…"

She watched as Hojo fall down upon the worn beat up couch. Watching him carefully, Kagome made her way to the fridge and pulled out a cold bottle of Bud Light. Walking over to her husband, Kagome leaned over the back of the sofa and held the bottle in front of his face. This was also routine, as soon as he walks through that door he expected a ice cold beer to be given to him. If not he would beat it into her thick skull until she remembered. Literally.

She waited patiently for him to take the bottle, not wanting to startle him. He was twisted on something and Kagome didn't want to be on the receiving end of another one of his violent hallucinations. She didn't have to wait long. As soon as the beer was in his face Hojo snatched it out of her hand and proceeded to pop the cap off. Before she even turned her back, a third of the bottle was gone.

Grabbing the forgotten trash bags Kagome heaved them up and wobbled to the front door. Ignoring how hot her back felt from Hojo's stare, Kagome quickly opened the door then closed it behind her, completely missing the flash of silver that came from down their bedroom hallway.

The garbage shoot down the hall wasn't opening so instead of leaving the trash there, Kagome took the elevator and rode the next few floors down to throw it out, wanting to stay away from Hojo as long as possible. She was very familiar with the look he shot her when she walked out the door, and wasn't looking forward to what awaited her back home. When Kagome returned she made sure to take the stairs up, making her trip even longer. Reaching her door, dread filled Kagome as she slowly opened it and glanced at the couch and immediately sighed in relief when she sees how her husband had passed out, the empty bottle of beer on the floor.

Closing and locking the door behind her, Kagome quietly moved over to her husband's slouched form, being careful not to wake him. Picking up the overturned bottle, Kagome straightened up and headed to the kitchen. Placing the bottle in the skin to be washed out and recycled later, Kagome heads back to the couch and picks up the folded up blanket draped over one of the arm rest. Walking up to her husband Kagome, spreads out the blanket and carefully places it over his body, she was going to tuck it under his chin but stopped when she noticed something strange about her husbands form. There where two large ugly dark-red almost purple marks on his neck. And his neck was twisted in an odd angle. Stepping closer Kagome noticed something else.

Hojo wasn't breathing.

'H-Hojo ?' She called his name softly but before she could even hear an answer from her husband a sharp pain suddenly shot through the back of her head making her loose her balance, but Kagome never felt the hard impact of the floor, right has her world went black she felt a warmth engulf her back and words so soft she thought she imagined them as they were quietly being whispered into her ear.

"Live Free..."

-2 Days Later-

Bright lights assaulted her eyes when she finally opened them. Kagome didn't need to look around to know where she was. The hospital and her were on very close terms. Sitting up ever slowly, Kagome winched when unwanted pressure was forced against her hand. The IV needle protesting movement. She wasn't even up for 5 minutes yet before a nurse came bursting in. She was a dark skin woman with the most unique hazel eyes Kagome had ever seen. "Good Morning Mrs. Akitoki we were worried that you were going to sleep forever. We were about to start putting out Prince Charming wanted ads in the paper." Kagome ignored the woman's odd sense of humor and opened her mouth to speak, but it was difficult with how dry her mouth was and how thick her tongue felt.

The nurse knew exactly what she needed because an ice cold cup of water was placed in front of her. Grabbing the cup, she quickly downed half of the cup in one grateful gulp. She heard the nurse chuckle before speaking again. "That is a side effect of the Demerol Plus being asleep for over 32 hours, how are you feeling?"

Panting slightly Kagome finally tried speaking again, "Sore…what happened?"

The nurses hazel gaze turned solemn, "I think that answer would be best if it came from the authorities. They also have a few questions, you up for it?"

Kagome answered with a short nod, and the nurse disappeared. 'The authorities? the police, was it something that Hojo did?"

Kagome didn't have time to ponder any longer because 2 men in blue came into her room. "Excuse Me , but would just need to ask you a few questions about Friday Evening. Is that alright?"

"Friday Evening? What do you mean? What happened?" A cop that Kagome suddenly recognized spoke up. "Its Sunday Morning Kagome…you've been out for quite sometime. Frankly you had me worried." Purple eyes shined under the florescent light. "Miroku…?" The other cop spoke up again, and she could tell they were in a hurry, not because of his brash words but because of the glare Miroku shot the young man. "Do you remember anything that happened that night Mrs. Akitoki?"

Even though Miroku didn't approve of his tactless partner he didn't voice it, instead he looked calmly at Kagome wanting to hear her answer. Narrowing her brow, Kagome slowly began thinking back to Friday her memories a complete blur, but all she needed to do was concentrate because vivid images began flashing through her head. The nurse made herself known again, calmly soothing Kagome by rubbing her hand. "Don't force it sweetheart, the pain medication has also been known to effect memory, Just let it come naturally."

Kagome could only nod and slowly open her eyes, not even knowing she had closed them. Staring at the thin blue hospital bed sheets she quickly yet quietly began reciting her evening. Completely leaving out the very important phone call she received.

Miroku and his Partner quietly listened to her, only to interrupt her when they needed to know certain time frames. It wasn't until she was done telling them about finding Hojo on the couch, did something occur to her. Hojo...where was her husband?

"Where is he, where is Hojo?" She whispered it, making everyone in the room strain just to hear it.

The other cop spoke up again, "I'm so sorry but he didn't make it ma'am"

'Hojo was dead...' The thought was given time to even process when she was asked another question.

"How long have you known Hojo, Kagome?"

"We dated for a year, before we got married 4 years ago…so 5 maybe 6 years."

Kagome stared at Miroku, wanting to know what his was getting at.

"Does the name Muso Onigumo sound familiar to you?" Kagome shook her head, even though the last name did ring a bell she couldn't place it. She watched as Miroku and his partner exchange looks, before turning back to her and proceeding. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this Kagome, but Hojo's real name is Muso Onigumo, brother to Naraku Onigumo…"

Naraku…Onigumo…now that was a name she knew. Everyone who lived from New York all the way to Texas knew who Naraku was. He was a terrible vicious man that always left a trail of red behind him….and she had married his brother.

Hojo Akitoki…

No his real name was Muso Onigumo…

The name man named Hojo never existed.

His name is Muso Onigumo.

Hojo Akitoki was a lie.

The past 5 years of her life was a lie.

And her marriage, her marriage of 4 years was the biggest lie of them all.

It was all a lie.

A loud beeping noise started going off, and suddenly the room was tilted to the side as if the world was off kilter. Kagome was aware of the shouting happening over her head, and of the doctors and nurses that rushed into her room, but it all faded. Right as her world seeped into black two words floated to her again.

'Live Free…'

And she answered. 'I will…'

To be continued…

A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait, I didn't forget about this story! I was just struggling trying to make the chapter long and also trying to find a good stopping point, I was really debating with myself if I should reveal Hojo's identity or if I should drag it out, very happy that I didn't because as you can see, it is a major detail.

Also for those of you who are confused. If you remember Muso was in the series he was Naraku's Human Half he tired casting out. Muso's incarnation had no face of his own so he stole the faces of men. One being a monk.

Thanks again for all the lovely reviews and I truly am glad you all enjoyed it. Until next time!

~Leann Tin