Tick Tick Boom

Chapter 7: Frozen Like Him

After hanging up the phone, Kagome mentally prepared herself for the act she was about to put on. Blinking profusely in attempt to dry up any potential tears, she forced a smile onto her face and walked over to the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Sesshomaru not there. Going down the stairs, she found him in the living room, working on papers at the coffee table. "Uhm...What's that?"

Sesshomaru didn't even glance up. "Paper."

Letting out a short sigh, she rolled her eyes and sat down on the couch across from him. "I know that, but like...Never mind, it's none of my business."

"You're right." He continued scribbling down endless words, and Kagome finally came to a conclusion it was work from his business.

"Well, I'm going to head up to bed. Thanks again for letting me stay here," she said through a painted-on smile.

Did she think he was dumb? Honestly, this charade she was putting on was a clear insult to his intelligence. But, he would humor her and act as if she was doing a good job. Even if she wasn't, and he could see the fact she was on the brink of breaking down, even through the corners of his eyes. She was a terrible actress.

Kagome walked up the steps, half-anxiously, half-frightened. She was in a rush to save her family, but at the same time feared Kenji. What would he do to her? It doesn't matter, just as long as they're safe, she mused. She always put others before herself, and this time was no exception. Taking in a deep breath, she walked into her temporary room and glanced to the window. She would have to wait until a little later, to ensure Sesshomaru was either too engrossed in his work to notice her, or too asleep. Probably the first.

Time seemed to be going by slowly, as if mocking her. She was somewhat grateful it took so long for the hour to pass, but also loathed it. What if Kenji was hurting her family?

And this remarkably beautiful woman, which may I add reminds me of you.

Oh God, what if he started treating her mother like he did with Kagome? She had to leave now, whether she was certain of Sesshomaru's status or not. Her family was at stake, and she loved nothing more than her family. Sliding the glass window up quietly, she stuck her head out and was able to feel the cool night's breeze. The chill nipped at her cheeks, but fear and tension washed over it in waves, pushing it to her subconscious. Souta, Grampa, Mom...Please be alright!

She hadn't thought her plan all the way through, because right now she was in quite the pickle. She was halfway down the tree that she crawled onto from the window, but couldn't see where the next lower branch was. The darkness was definitely not her friend right now, and she wished she had brought a flashlight. "Come on girl, you can do it! Everybody's counting on you!" she said through a whisper. Stupidly, she jumped down from the branch she had currently been on. It wasn't much of a drop, only about eight to ten feet, but it was enough to cause her ankles to push into her feet, pain engulfing them in the process. She ignored her limp as she ran in across the street and toward the direction of her house. It took quite a while until she arrived at the Higurashi Shrine.

Approaching the house cautiously, she noticed her front door was cracked open. Pushing it open further, she winced silently at the loud creaks it gave off. It may as well have screamed she was there, because she was sure anyone in the house could hear it. "Hello?" she asked, walking into the kitchen. Hearing a ruckus upstairs, she walked up the steps slowly, her heart pounding fast. The light was on in her room, she could tell by how the space under her door was lit up. Turning the handle slowly, she pushed open the door.

"Mom! Souta! Grampa!" She ran over to them and began untying the rope. She then proceeded to gently take the tape off their mouths. "Who did this to you? Is he gone?"

"Ha! As if I'd leave you, my cherry!" He smiled when she jumped and then faced him, but it soon faded. "I heard you killed my robot. Such a shame. Do you know how long I spent working on that thing? Eight weeks, six days, two hours, three minutes, and fifty five seconds. Now that time went to waste."

Kagome's mother had now stood in front of Kagome protectively. "You leave my daughter alone, you monster!"

Dragging the back of his hand across her face, he easily knocked her unconscious as she fell onto the bed. "I was hoping your mother would accept me. But when I told her we were in love, she disapproved! Ah, mothers. Can't live with 'em, but you can sure as Hell live without 'em."

"Mom!" Kagome yelled and quickly ran over to her. She glanced back to Kenji. "Leave us all alone now! Or I'll...I'll..."

"You'll what?" he remarked threateningly, all the while inching closer to her. Just a touch...

Kagome stood up to her full height and slapped him across the cheek.

More than just a touch, I like it. As she made a move to slap him again, he caught her wrist in his hand and smiled weakly. "It's time to go."

"T-Time to go where?"

"To my place."

Souta jumped up and started kicking Kenji's shin. "Run away, sis!" But his efforts were in vein, and she shin he was attacking attacked him back as it connected with his stomach.

"Don't touch him," Kagome said darkly, her wrists still in his clutch.

"Alright. I'll make you a promise. I won't kill your family, so long as you come with me."

Kagome's eyes widened, and she glanced back to her unconscious grandfather and mother, and then to her hurt brother. Her gaze adverted to her feet and she nodded. "I understand, just please don't hurt them any more."

Kenji nodded, and in one fluid motion, drove his hand in a chopping motion to her neck, knocking her unconscious. "Can't having you know how to get to where I live, now can I?"


Kagome's eyes flashed open as she felt cold water surround her. Her teeth began chattering, and she felt frozen. Where was she? She glanced around and noticed she was in a bathroom, and then glanced down. She was in the tub. The water came up to her abdomen as she sat, leaning against the wall the bathtub was positioned against. She also noticed many ice cubes floating in the already freezing water.

She was still in her normal clothes - jeans and a tight, black t-shirt, much to her thankfulness that it was what she was already wearing. Things could've been worse. She could've woken up naked in the tub. But still. Her lips were tinted blue, and she could barely think.

"Ah, you're awake. And I suppose you're wondering why you're in the bathtub, huh!" Kenji walked into the room and left the door open. "It'll cleanse any impurities that other demon has given you. Don't get me wrong, I trust you. But even his thoughts have tainted your skin! Don't worry, you're almost clean."

"B-B-But I'm...F-Free-eezzzing." She shook, and found herself unable to move her body. She was frozen paralyzed.

Looking down at his imaginary watch, he waited until a few moments later. "Ding! Time's up." His voice was gruff now as he went over to her and lifted her by her arms, up and over the edge of the tub. He then picked her up and carried her out of the bathroom. He was silent, in contrary to his usual attitude. And then he arrived in the basement, which was surprisingly warm. Setting her down on a pile of blankets, he glanced to the thermostat. 85 degrees. That should warm her up quickly, and then he would of course need to lower it once she was out of risk of going into shock or getting hypothermia.

"G'night, my little mouse."

Kagome heard steps going up the stairs and then the clanks of several locks. She was still freezing, and couldn't fend off the sleep that attacked her.


Sesshomaru finished his paper work and set the pen down on the table. He glanced to the stairs and wondered when she planned on leaving. Standing up, he walked over to the stairwell and ascended up them, and arrived at the guest room. He knocked three times. "Girl," he greeted, not caring if he woke her up. She was probably still awake, getting ready to escape. He opened the door and glanced around the room, his eyes finally settling on the open window.

Shit, how long ago had she left? And why hadn't he noticed? Was he too busy with his work that his senses dulled? One thing was for sure: she was headed for her house. Little did he know, he was hours behind her, and when he arrived at the Shrine house, he would only find her family.

Quickly flashing from street to street, he finally arrived at the Higurashi residence. Sniffing the air, he smelled humans upstairs, but only traces of the demon who had already left. When he arrived in Kagome's bedroom, he came upon a frantic little boy who ran from between his mother and grandfather. He froze at the sight of Sesshomaru. "Are you here to hurt us, too? Tell me where my sister is!"

His expression made him look bored. "Your sister, when was she taken?"

"Like I'm gonna tell you so you can follow that guy and help him hurt her!" Souta yelled, his tiny fists balled up.

"Boy, I plan to help your sister. Now tell me."

Souta's expression softened slightly. "She--She was taken by a crazy guy...A few hours ago...But, but I dunno where he went!" he cried out and gripped onto Sesshomaru's leg, much to Sesshomaru's annoyance.


Kagome woke up, still cold. It reminded her of Sesshomaru. How he was so frozen. So distant, so cold. She did feel much better though, but felt a throbbing pain in her ankles. Throwing the blanket off of her, she sat up and looked down to her feet, noticing the ankles were slightly swollen. "That's what I get for being stupid."

"You aren't stupid, my bunny. You're perfect. And mine! Oh what a lucky day."

His voice caused her to jump. "H-How long have you been there?"

"About half an hour. You're an angel when you sleep, you know that?" Kenji walked over to her from his spot in the shadows and knelt beside her, cupping her face in his palm. "I've got great things in store for you, lovely."

Kagome's eyes widened and panic started to fill her body. God, could this night get any worse?


Author's Note: Ahahahha, new chapter. Special thanks are in order to all who are still reading and enjoying this story as much as I am (: Since it took me so long to update last time, I did a quick one this time. And woops, guess I lied on the last 'Next Chapter' thing. No one died, aha.

Next Chapter: There were oh-so-many things about her he hated. And one of them was when she suffered.

Reviews would be appreciated greatly. Thanks loves. -Ami