The nurse walked in, announcing that visiting hours were over.
Tai sighed and watched his wife, the mother of his two children, stood from his bed side and kissed his forehead affectionately.
"I love you."
He smiled, gripping her hand were it laid on top of his blanket, "And I you, my angel."
She smiled, though the notion was not one of joy. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned and swiftly walked out of the room.
Tai laid alone, listening to the sound of the hospital machinery. A cool breeze darted in through the window to play against his face. He closed his eyes and took in the scent.
It's going to rain.
Tai did not hear him come in, but his chakra signature was unmistakable. A wry smile coiled his face as his pupil walked up to the bed.
"Visiting hours are over, Sesshomaru."
He eyes split open slightly, "But you did not come here to visit an old dying sensei, did you?"
Sesshomaru stood by his bed side, his face forced into a detached mask.
"Always so perceptive, sensei."
Tai chuckled, "I take it the elders have become tired of my feeble cling to life?"
Sesshomaru did not move, his expression remained unchanging. Tai sighed and sat up shakily in his bed.
"It is to be tonight then?"
Sesshomaru dug through his pocket and brought forth a small glass cylinder. Contained with in was an acidic looking concoction, its murky depths holding Tai's fate.
He held the container out to his former sensei, "If you drink this there will be no pain. It will send you into a coma like state, killing your central nervous system first. You will feel nothing as it nullifies your major organs."
Tai nodded and held his hand out to Sesshomaru. The ANBU captain looked at his palm and felt regret pool in his stomach. But Tai had long since accepted his fate.
He pressed the concoction into his palm.
His job not yet done Sesshomaru took a seat on the window sill.
"Let me guess," Tai stated, holding the poison up to the light, "you can not leave until I have taken this and you have seen I have slipped into your coma?"
Sesshomaru nodded once and Tai sighed before laying the venom in his lap, "Then you have a few moments."
Sesshomaru felt his eyes soften, "Hai. But not long."
Tai nodded grimly, "What I have to say will not take long."
Sesshomaru watched as he tried to compose his thoughts, "I have not told Kagome of Akihiro's plans. Kunloon knows, but she is like me. I wish my daughter to have the same choice I had. To fall in love, raise a family. Not to be forced into it."
Sesshomaru stared out the window, unable to show Tai what he truly felt.
"But it has been done. I included something in the agreement though. Something your Otousan doesn't know about."
Sesshomaru turned back to him, one delicate brow raised in curiosity. Tai chuckled softly, "It is something that will help my little girl to take care of herself if something were to happen."
Sesshomaru nodded but didn't ask him to elaborate.
Tai turned to his side table and pulled a manila envelope from its surface.
"This is my will. In it is everything Akihiro wanted. But the only way he will get what he wants is if he stays to his part of our bargain."
Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow, "What bargain is that?"
Tai smiled, albeit forced, and fingered the envelope, "There is no possible way Kunloon will be able to pay the hospital bills, and the Hokage cannot wipe them clean. Akihiro has sworn to pay them in full and to make sure my daughter receives the training she will need."
Sesshomaru's frown deepened, "And the only thing he wants in return is for your daughter to be honor bound to marry Inuyasha?"
Tai nodded. It was more of a statement than a question.
"You were always so perceptive Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru nodded and straightened, his gaze focusing on the outside of the window, "You must take that, Tai-sensei."
Tai nodded and uncorked the bottle. He brought to below his nose and inhaled, taking in the scent that was to be his death.
Chuckling dryly he turned to Sesshomaru, "Is this supposed to smell good?"
A wry smile crossed Sesshomaru's face as he turned to watch his sensei drink the green toxin.
The effects were nearly instantaneous, something Sesshomaru liked but hated to see. Tai leaned back on his bed and relaxed, a tired look crossing his face.
"Sesshomaru?"
The young ANBU captain walked to his dying sensei's bedside, "Hai, Tai-sensei?"
"Take care of Kagome."
Sesshomaru watched as his sensei sighed and slipped into a deep sleep. Soon the machines beside his bed began to flare to life, but Sesshomaru paid no attention to them. He watched as a look of peace flowed across his face before standing and moving back to the window.
I will do all I can for her, Tai-sensei.
He did not turn back as the machines echoed out a sharp call. His sensei had flat lined, his body not able to fight off the toxin. He knew he had only a short window of time before ANBU came after him.
Closing his eyes he jumped from the window just as the sky opened and began to soak the earth.
…
Kagome watched out her window, dark eyes wide as the rain began to pelt the earth. Something had her awake well after her household had gone quiet. The feeling twisted her gut, making her usually comfortable sheets unbearable and the thought of sleep non existent.
So she waited.
The feeling in her gut tightened to an almost painful knot. Unable to sit still any longer she stood and began to pace about the room. Something in the back of her mind kept whispering to her, though the muted words could not be discerned.
The only thing she could decipher was one word, a name.
Sasuke.
It was impossible. Nothing was wrong with Sasuke. She had personally seen him earlier that day. Granted she wasn't able to go with him when he left her home, but she had still seen him.
And he was fine!
The feeling twisted harder, almost to the point she thought she would be sick. The only time she had ever remembered having such a strong feeling was just before her Tou-san had come home hurt.
Shaking her head she came to a conclusion. The feeling wouldn't recede until she saw her young friend and knew for certain he was alright.
Stripping from her sleeping yukata she dressed quickly before throwing a black hooded cloak over her petite form.
Turning back to her bed she grabbed her pillows and shoved them beneath the sheets giving it the illusion that she was sleeping with in.
Deciding her handy work would work well enough she turned to her window. Opening the glass slowly she took a moment to asses the outside. The rain was coming down harder now, giving the village a dreary and foreboding look. Lighting cracked the sky above her, causing her to jump slightly. Swallowing past her racing heartbeat she hopped from her window into the torrential down pour.
Just ten minutes, she thought, beginning to run through the streets, ten minutes and then I'll be back in my room. I just have to make sure he's ok.
Her speed increased making her a mere blur amongst the streets, her thoughts becoming a mantra as she moved.
The Uchiha district came into her view and she felt a small smile curl her face. She was soaking wet despite her short time in the rain. The gates were open, which was surprising for the young Higurashi seeing as what time it was.
Don't they close them after sun down?
The somewhat loosened knot in her stomach tightened once again.
Something was wrong.
She ran through the gates and came to a skidding stop, mud flying up around her. Tearing her hood from around her head she looked out at the quiet district with widening eyes.
People lay strewn about, dark fluid leaking from various wounds about their bodies. She dropped to her knees and felt what she hoped was water seep into her clothing. But water was not this thick, nor was it lukewarm.
A scream built from behind her lips but she couldn't release it. It was like her entire being was shutting down in sight of the carnage laid out before her.
Her mind seemed to work in over drive at the moment, trying to block out what she was seeing. It reminded her of her original destination. The reason she had forced herself out in to the rain.
Coming quickly to her feet she didn't care that her hood was still down. It didn't matter if anyone saw her anyway. She had to get there, had to make sure he was alright.
The Uchiha main house was eerily quiet. She ran through the house, her steps leaving a muddy trail behind her. She slipped and skidded across the hard wood floor, coming into the sitting room.
Her eyes widened a fraction more and instinct took over. It may have been a stupid move, considering Itachi held a katana and she was unarmed, but it was the only thing she could think to do.
She skid to a stop beside Sasuke who was laying face down, his eyes closed. Kagome glared at Itachi and took a protective stance before Sasuke.
"What did you do?" she cried, her blue eyes going hard.
Itachi simply raised an eyebrow, his katana covered in a dark substance. He did not move towards her as she glared back at him, tears welling in her dark eyes.
"What did you do to Sasuke?" She cried, her voice a bit frantic.
Itachi glanced down at his Otouto who still lay unconscious behind her, "Nothing."
"Kagome."
Her eyes widened a bit at the familiar voice. Kneeling in the window was the person she idolized, someone who she never thought would hurt her. His silver hair was pulled behind him in a low pony tail and his amber shining dangerously. His nails were elongated and cloaked in a dark substance she hoped was mud.
He looked from her to Itachi, "Its is done?"
Itachi nodded and sheathed his still soiled katana, "And yours?"
Sesshomaru nodded, "We have three minutes before the ANBU sentries change shift."
Itachi nodded and turned back to his still unconscious Otouto, his female friend still standing above him. Her wide eyes kept flashing back and forth between Sesshomaru and himself, tears running down her face.
"Sesshomaru-sama?"
Itachi turned back to the other boy and saw a emotion flicker behind his amber eyes. He walked forward, his clothing dripping water across the floor. Itachi said nothing as he knelt down in front of the girl.
"Be safe Kagome."
He ran a still clawed hand across her cheek, leaving dark lines across her pale flesh. He stood and smiled, though there was no warmth with in.
"I am sorry I could not do more for you, little one."
He turned away and with out another word he and Itachi left through the window. Kagome stood still for a moment, her eyes unfocussed. Suddenly her knees went weak and she toppled, closing her eyes tight. As if she could hide from the horrors she had seen that night.
Another scream built with in her, but this time her body wasn't fighting against her. It tore from her lips and pierced through the air as she tightened her shuttered eyelids and covered her ears.
That was were the ANBU found her.
…
Cold.
That was the first the Uchiha Sasuke felt.
Cold.
A small sound began to pierce through the fog that surrounded his mind and for a moment he panicked.
Where am I?
He attempted to move and a sharp pain had his eyes snapping open and down at his left arm. A tube jutted from it, a clear liquid filling it.
"You're awake!"
His eyes snapped up to the woman that was in his room. She looked frazzled, heavy bags beneath her eyes, but the dark depths of blue held concern and over all relief.
"Hello, Higurashi-san." he stated, curious as to why his voice was so hoarse.
She seemed to notice immediately and reached for a glass that was set on his bedside. Handing it to him he watched her smile sadly down at him.
"How are you, Sasuke-chan?"
He took a sip of water and cleared his throat before trying his voice again, "Sore."
She nodded, her smile never wavering as Sasuke leaned back in the bed. The memories of what had happened were like fresh wounds in his mind. But he would not allow them to affect him. Not yet. When he was alone, possibly, but now…
Now he would just close his eyes and focus on what needed to be done.
"Kagome wanted to be here."
Sasuke's eyes snapped open. He had never even thought to ask of Kagome! The last thing he remembered was her sitting beneath the tree in her back yard with Naruto…
What had happened that she could not be by his side?
Had Inuyasha hurt her once more?
Or, worse yet, had Itachi taken one more thing from him?Kunloon seemed to see where his thoughts were running to and put a stop to them before he could to far ahead of himself, "She's fine, Sasuke-chan. She's just hasn't been sleeping well recently. I was finally able to get her to sleep."
Sasuke physically relaxed, "Why has she not been sleeping?"
Kunloon sobered instantly, "She came to you…that night. Said she couldn't sleep and that something told her to go to you."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he stared at the ceiling. She had seen what he had seen. But Itachi had rendered him unconscious.
What had he done to her?
"The ANBU found her with you. She wouldn't leave your side. Not until the funeral and then she came right back."
Sasuke turned back to her once more, eyes curious, "Funeral?"
Kunloon nodded and sighed, leaning back in the seat, "I had forgotten you have been unconscious for nearly a week."
When she opened her eyes once more she looked years older, "Kagome's Otousan passed away the night that…"
She didn't finish her statement. She didn't need to. Sasuke knew and she did well by avoiding the subject.
"Is she…Is Kagome…alright?"
Kunloon nodded, a wry smile on her face, "She has yet to cry, though. Not even when they buried Tai."
Her voice hitched slightly and Sasuke saw her close her eyes and clear her throat. She was a strong woman. She would not cry in front of him.
But the fact that both he and Kagome had lost so much made Sasuke's eyes burn.
He snapped them closed, refusing to cry.
The doors to his room opened and closed and Sasuke wrote it off as one of the nurses. When he heard Kunloon sigh he kept his eyes closed, "I thought you would remain asleep."
"You should have come and got me when you came to the hospital."
Sasuke's eyes snapped open at her listless voice. He turned to her and watched her hands fly to her mouth with a sharp intake of breath.
"Why didn't you tell me he was awake?" Kagome stated, her voice breathy.
In an instant she was by his side and Sasuke was able to get a good look at her. If he thought her mother looked worn, it compared nothing to what Kagome looked like. Her dark eyes were listless, barely holding a spark of the life he was so used to seeing there. It looked as if someone had hit her, dark bruise colored circles covering the underneath of her eyes. She was pale and her hair looked tousled like she had slept restlessly. She dressed in a simple black kimono, the sign of mourning.
She sat on the side of his bed and offered him a watered down smile, "How are you, Sasuke?"
Her voice sounded broken and he could not take it anymore. He reached forward and ran the hand that did not hold his IV down the side of her face.
"Better now."
He saw her eyes light up slightly as she placed her hand over his on her cheek, "I was so scared…"
He sat up slightly and her eyes widened. Immediately her hands went to his shoulder as she tried to hold him down.
"Please Sasuke. Don't over exert yourself."
He rolled his eyes and continued to sit up. When she didn't move he did the only thing he could think of.
He grabbed her and pulled her down to the bed with him.
Kunloon said nothing as she watched the young man in front of her embrace her daughter. Kagome's shoulders loosened as she wrapped her arms around him. Shaking her head she stood and made her way out of the hospital room.
Sasuke laid his head atop of hers and just held her. Silence stretched between them as they took comfort in each other.
"I-I'm sorry."
His voice was broken and Kagome felt the first stirrings of tears. He had lost so much and he was apologizing to her?
It was too much.
She buried her face in his hospital gown as tears ran hot from her eyes, "You wouldn't wake up. No matter what they tried. I thought you would never come back."
Sasuke rubbed his hands up her back, comforting her in the most basic of ways. It was strange for him, to know she has lost her Otousan, and she was so worried about him she hadn't let herself feel anything.
She was either very strong, very stubborn, or very stupid. He had yet to discern which it was as of yet.
"I-I thought…I thought he had…And then what Sesshomaru did…"
Sasuke's hands stilled, "Sesshomaru?"
Kagome hiccupped, her voice softer than it was moments before, "Sesshomaru killed my Tou-san."
Sasuke felt his limbs turn to lead but he didn't release her. So their situations were even closer than he had realized. They had both had someone they never thought could hurt them so badly betray them.
He closed his eyes and for the second time felt tears prickle his eyes. But this time, instead of forcing them back, he allowed them to fall down his face. Once they started though they wouldn't stop. He cried for himself, for his family. He cried for her and how much she cared for him, how much she had lost. They cried together and held one another like frightened children trying to hide from the monsters in the night.
Minutes turned to hours and before long the nurse came in to do her rounds. Sasuke didn't move, his head laid across Kagome's as she lay across his body. The nurse made a sound and Sasuke turned to her. She looked down disapprovingly.
"Should I mover her, Uchiha-san? That cant be comfortable."
She moved to take Kagome from him before he could answer and Sasuke tightened his grip on her.
"If you touch her," he whispered, his voice harsh, "I will break every one of your fingers."
The nurse retracted her hands, holding them against her chest as her eyes widened in what appeared to be shock. She recomposed herself quick enough and nodded before turning back to the door and leaving them alone once more.
Kagome made a whimpering sound in her sleep and Sasuke returned his attention to her. Her face was scrunched up as her eyes flittered behind her closed eyes lids. He could only guess what she was dreaming. Unwilling to wake her he simply tightened his grip around her and whispered soothingly into her hair.
Its alright Kagome. I'm here. Shhhh…"
She relaxed once more and nuzzled deeper into his embrace. Sasuke sighed and allowed his eyes to close slightly.
I'll always be here, Kagome.
…
The next morning Sasuke was released. Kagome had remained by his side but not with out the protest of every doctor and nurse that had come into his room the night before. When they would motion like they would take her from him he would simply glare at them. If they persisted he would threaten.
He had even demonstrated how serious he was when a particularly persistent nurse had not taken the hint. He felt no remorse even when she had started to cry, three of her fingers were now wrapped heavily and a sickish purple green color.
Sasuke looked up at the sky, his eyes as dark as the clouds that continued to roll in. It had been raining for what felt like months, though it had only been a few days. Sasuke closed his eyes and listened to the wind as it whipped past him, brining on the heavy sent of wet earth.
Kagome remained by his side, her presence comforting even though he wouldn't admit it out loud. He was numb, which was a reprieve. He would much rather be numb then to feel the heart clenching pain he had felt that night.
"Kaa-san says you can stay with us, until they have your apartment ready for you." Kagome spoke quietly, her voice void of all emotion.
He turned to her and opened his eyes. Her eyes were half shuttered as she watched the village before them. The wind played in her tousled hair, knotting it even further than it was. He didn't need to say anything, she already knew anything he could say.
So instead he nodded and the ghost of a smile appeared on her face.
They walked together in silence back to the Higurashi household.
When they came to her house Kagome showed him mutely to the spare bedroom. He surveyed the bare room, noting that the bed was turned down already.
Higurashi-san must have put clean sheets on it.
Granted it was nothing compared to his room back at the Uchiha house, but he was grateful none the less. He didn't want to go back there just yet.
Kagome walked over to the bed and sat down, "I know its not a lot, but-"
He cut her off, "Its fine, Kagome."
She nodded and stood, "Lunch will be ready soon. Then the ANBU will be over to explain the…arrangements…to you."
Sasuke nodded and watched as she walked over to him. They stood in front of echo her silently, neither sure what to say now.
"If you need me," she spoke softly, unsure of herself, "my room is the last one on the right. I don't care what time it is," her eyes ignited slightly, "just come to my door and knock. Alright?"
He nodded and she smiled softly before walking around him and out of the room, leaving him to himself.
Sasuke walked into the room and sat on the bed she had been occupying a moment before. He sat in the same spot and looked around, studying the bare walls. There truly wasn't anything special about this room, but somehow he felt comfortable. Someone had offered him something with out wanting something in return. It was not something he wa familiar with. Everytime Itachi had done him a favor there was always one expected in return.
The thought of Itachi made his heart clench painfully. He couldn't understand, didn't want to. Itachi couldn't have created such damage with just the idea of power fuelling him.
What do I know? Sasuke chasted himself. It wasn't like he could see into Itachi's head. His Aniki was an engma in himself. Itachi did many things that others would think weird. But this, this was something Sasuke could have neither expected or understood.
Anger began to build with in, and from his anger birthed hate. It didn't matter why Itachi had done what he had done. The fact that he had slaughtered their clan, their family, and had left with out facing the reprocussins of his actions was unforgivable.
Sasuke stood up abruptly and walked towards the door, anger darkening his eyes. Now was not the time to think about this. Now was the time to plan, to train, to become stronger.
Then, one day, I will make him face what he has done, what he has created.
Sasuke stormed from his room to the dining room were Kunloon sat feeding a baby and Kagome sat at the table, a plate of nearly untouched food in front of her. Her eyes held a haunted look and she still looked pale even though the dark circles beneath her eyes had lightened slightly. She looked up and smiled at him before returning to her plate. The look she held only fueled Sasuke's anger. Not only had Iatchi taken something from himself, but he had been working with Sesshomaru who had taken something from Kagome. He had promised himself that he would let nothing happen to her, and yet Sesshomaru had wounded her beyond anything Sasuke could fix.
He took the seat across from her and pulled one of the plates Kunloon had made for lunch towards himself. He would make them both pay.
…
The next morning came dark and grey finding both Kagome and Sasuke in the public cemetery. Hundreds of fresh graves laid in front of them where the Uchiha were laid to their final rest. Naruto stood on Kagome's opposite side, somber in the thick atmosphere. The entire village had shown up for the funeral service and now the Hokage stood before them.
He spoke the the Uchiha clan as a whole, delving into the vast history of the clan with ease. Though Sasuke knew he should pay attention he could not.
Before him lay his family, his entire family. There was nothing the Hokage could say that would quill the raging torrent that was his emotions. Sadness for those who had cut down before their time, regret that he had been able to do nothing.
Rage for what Itachi had done so carelessly.
Moments, or perhaps hours, later Sasuke still remained silent. He stared at the fresh turned earth in front of him, eyes void of all emotion. He did not realieze that everyone had left until a cold drop fell on his hair. He blinked and turned his eyes up to the sky and watched as more heavy drops began to fall.
He still could not bring himself to feel.
Closing his eyes he allowed the rain to pelt his face, washing down his cheeks, feeling very much like the tears he could not seem to shed.
He felt something warm enclose his hand and opened his eyes. Looking down he saw a pale hand wrapped around his own, the slender fingers entertwining with his own.
Following the arm up he saw the one person who had not left him. Even as the freezing rain pelted her slight form she had taken leave of her basic senses to remain by his side.
As if feeling his gaze upon her she turned to him. Her dark blue eyes were hooded, her hair sticking to her face from the rain. A tense smile curled her pale lips and her hands squeezed his slightly.
He returned his gaze to the graves before him and squeezed her hand.
The rain began to seep into his clothing, and he knew he should be cold, but he couldn't feel anything. He felt a slight tremor from their conjoined hands and looked back down at the smaller girl who still stood by his side.
She was shivering.
Even though he could see it clearly, the slight way her shoulders trembled, the almost silent sound of her teeth chattering together, it seemed to go unnoticed to her. She was determined to stay by his side, no matter what.
He closed his eyes once more and turned from the grave sights, her hand still held tightly with in his own.
"Come on Kagome," he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear, "before we both get sick."
She nodded and followed behind him wordlessly.
…
The Higurashi household was silent and dark, but no matter how hard he tried, sleep would not come.
So he laid in bed staring at the ceiling.
Sasuke allowed his mind to wander back to early in the day. Kagome had stayed by his side when everyone else had left. She had stayed with out so much as a complaint, not willing to leave him alone.
Just like Itachi would.
That thought sent the young Uchiha's thoughts into a wirlwind he couldn't control. Before he knew it he was remembering so many times he had spent with his Aniki. Itachi helping him in training, praising him when he had learned the Katon, carrying him home when he had sprained his ankle.
The memories caused his eyes to sting, making him scrub at them. He would not cry. Not now.
No matter how hard he tried though tears welled up behind his eye lids to roll down his face. Sasuke's breath caught in his throat as he covered his face with his hands and rolled onto his side. Curling up as tight as he could he cried into his hands.
He never heard the door to his room open or close. Nor did he hear the soft foot steps as they walked across the floor to his bed.
When the bed sank under the persons weight he stiffened. Pulling his hands from his face he looked up at the stranger with clouded eyes.
Kagome sat by him, her hands hovering above her hair, a look of uncertainty crossing her shadowed features. When he made no move to stop her she began to smooth his hair back, trying to soothe him.
The motion was too much. Sasuke wrapped his arms around himself as a ragged sob tore from his lips.
She moved smoothly, crawling into the bed behind him, and wrapped her arms around him. Sasuke rolled to face her and wrapped his arms around her. Burrying his face in her yukata he cried, his body shaking from the force. She rubbed her hands up his back, whispering soothing things to him as he cried out, the sound muffled by her clothing.
He felt moisture fall on the top of his head and was able to compose himself long enough to look up at her. Her dark eyes were closed tight as crystalline tears fell from the edges.
"Why are you crying Kagome?" he whispered, his voice rough but soft.
She looked down at him and he could see sorrow deep with in the azure depths of her eyes, "Because no matter what I do, no matter what I say, I can't take this pain away from you. I can't make it better."
Her statement caught him off guard and before he could stop them fresh tears welled to his eyes. He tightened his grip on her and laid his face back with in her clothing.
"Just don't leave me. Please don't leave me."
She nodded and did something he didn't expect. She kissed the top of his head softly, her tears still falling.
"Never, Sasuke. I'll always be here."
"Promise?"
He spoke so softly she almost missed it. But the room was silent and his whispered question echoed off the walls, holding the last hope of his dying innocence.
Kagome nodded and pressed her face into his hair once more, "I promise."
He relaxed minutely in her hold, his arms never releasing her from his grip. Kagome soon felt his breathing even out, signaling he was asleep. She sighed and tried to move out of his hold, but his arms simply tightened around her like a child holding their favorite stuffed animal.
Smiling to herself Kagome simply made herself comfortable and allowed her eyes to drift closed. She fell asleep, the sound of his even breathing like a sweet lullaby, soothing her off to dreamlessness.