Shikon Asylum Chapter 7: Experiencing.

Seventeen doubted he could ever get enough of Kagome. Though she was only dressed in a simple blue sundress and sandals, the simple sway of her hips, the most playful of grins from her lips, and the knack to know when something was bothering him had always managed to keep him roped, hooked even. Walking beside her down the populated streets, he felt as though he had a gem that no one else had, something precious that he could call his own. He didn't have any possessions, never did, but now that would change. Kagome was his, and even her boyfriend couldn't do a thing about it.

"How's about a visit to the mall afterwards?" Lifting her brow, Kagome folded her arms behind her back as she eyed her silent friend, "Or maybe the arcade?"

"…I'm up for anything." Both ideas were worth exploring. It wasn't as if he had been to either place in his life, so the order in which they did them didn't matter. In fact, at the moment, nothing mattered, not Gero, Linda, or the trial that would transpire the next day. He was at peace, as he always was when he spent time with Kagome, times when it was merely them, talking about whatever it was he wanted to talk about, not that he ever had much to say. Just knowing he could tell her anything was enough.

'I sense…something inside of you…can it be lust?' Pain forced its way through his head. All morning, the voice didn't seem to be able to control how he affected him when speaking. So far, it had been the most random of headaches after another. Deciding to ignore the statement, he glanced over to the girl at his side, "When are we going to meet Eighteen?"

"I figured we could meet them for lunch. I planned to take you around, you know, visit the hot spots…Where'd you get your clothes from?" She asked, tilting her head as she eyed him.

"What, these?" His hands were somewhat crammed in his pockets, but he shrugged, "Supposedly, Gero had them for me. They were found in his office, Bulma told me." Glancing down at his white long sleeved shirt, overlapping black T-shirt, his jeans, and blue converse, he decided that he liked the look. It was a far cry away from the usual stark white uniform.

"Looks good on you. Adds to your demeanor, you know." She nudged him, granting him a small smile, "You wanted to go to Wac Donald's last time. Still want to?"

'Or is it love? A crude emotion, boy.' The voice spat, yet no pain followed suit, "…That's fine." When they did arrive, he was surprised to see so many people packed into such a small place. Finding a booth to sit in wasn't too difficult thankfully, but Kagome sat in front of him, the table separating them. That, he didn't like.

"While we're waiting, I wanted to ask you about my key card. You never gave it back." Toying around with the napkin dispenser, she ever so often glanced up to his rather indifferent gaze. She hadn't noticed it before, yet though Seventeen appeared human, something was different. Of course, the demon might have had something to do with that, but when she scanned his features, she couldn't help but to notice he had perfect symmetry, like a life sized doll. Before long, she was staring.

"Your key card?" He knew what she was talking about, but he wasn't willing to give it back. Just in case Gero didn't get the sentence he deemed fitting, he was going to use the key card to leave Shikon Corp. Lifting up the menu, he pretended to scan through it.

"Yes, you put it in your pocket, I remember." She murmured, leaning back against the padded surface her seat provided.

"Did I?" He asked dully, closing the menu and deciding to give her his full attention.

"Yes." Stressing the word, she folded her arms, "I need it. I can't keep sneaking around the hospital. If I don't have it, I'll be escorted out."

"You've been managing so far." He was going to make it difficult for her, it was obvious.

"Seventeen, give it back." Her voice left no room for arguing.

"Are you sure?" Lifting his brow, he eyed her. He was sure she didn't know exactly what she was asking for.

Moving to his side of the booth, she nodded, holding her hand out to him as she wiggled her fingers, "Give. It. To. Me-" Before she could completely finish the statement, her lips were captured in a tender kiss, a kiss that caressed her senses. Her knees nearly buckled, but before she could rationalize what was happening, it ended. He had pulled away, leaving her stunned, confused, and flushed.

Xx

"How could you? After all I've done, all the work! All the fucking time spent analyzing that brat!" Screeching, Linda tossed down the stacks of blue prints in her hand, sending the papers spiraling out of control. Lazily, they fell to the ground, yet Gero remained passive, merely eyeing her.

"I hope you rot in jail! That damned creation of yours is the reason why you're going to die behind bars! I hope you're happy!" She screamed once more, but firmly, Gero took hold of her forearms and shook her harshly.

"You're in this too dammit! You stole their bodies, it was you!" He spat, yet Linda tore free.

"Both of their abilities lay dormant! Your research has failed! Give it up!"

"My androids are not failed experiments!" He shot out a protruding finger, "They are marvelous in their creation!"

"What's so marvelous about broken toys Gero?" Linda sobbed, nearly slumping to her knees, "What's so great about them?" She continued on, trembling as she swallowed a large lump in her throat, "They tor our marriage apart! And you, you disgust me!" She seethed, "Setting me up like I'm some type of fool! You're still ill, and I refuse to go down with you!"

"If you do not assist me, I'll make sure they you go down in the process! I was chair of the science department back then, and I have adequate footage of your trials with the brats to ensure your demise too. No matter what happens, you are to assist me! I refuse to die licking my wounds in idleness. I will retrieve my androids!"

Xx

She had slapped him. He wasn't sure why, yet it hurt more than any punch or kick the guards had delivered. It hurt more than shock therapy even, leaving him staring at her, his eyes somewhat widened.

"Seventeen..you..you can't do that again." Easing her words out, she knitted her brows, eyeing him. She wasn't sure why she had hit him, yet it was a natural reflex. She had panicked. It seemed as though she could feel every ounce of his raw emotions in that brief moment they bonded, and it was unlike anything she had ever felt, unlike Inuyasha's usual affections.

He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was confused, yet still, she hadn't pulled away from him. In fact, he believed she liked it. "Why, why can't I?""

Honestly, she didn't have an answer for him. Gnawing onto her lower lip, she shook her head, "You can't…"

"Why, your boyfriend? I can take care of him." He wasn't too concerned by any competition at this point. He wouldn't be discouraged after coming so far.

"It's complicated, okay?" She readily said. No, Inuyasha wasn't officially her boyfriend, but they were getting there, at least she thought they were. He tended to always send mixed signals, but it was obviously because of his love for Kikyo. She never thought of it really ,but eventually, Inuyasha would have to choose. It made no since to turn Seventeen down, but a feeling of guilt had washed over her. She couldn't betray Inuyasha that way.

"What do you mean complicated?" He bit out, becoming somewhat agitated. Either she liked it and was denying her emotions, or she didn't like it and he was an idiot for trying.

"Sorry we're late. Maron threw up in the car." Eighteen's husky voice broke them from their thoughts. Both of their heads jerked in her direction, and Kagome forced a smile, "Oh, hey! I'm glad you could make it." She cringed at the awkwardness that was about to follow suit. Seventeen was still staring at her.

"Krillin is up ordering the food. He'll be over in a little…Heh, Seventeen, can't speak to your older sister?" Scooting over inside the booth, she glanced between her brother and Kagome, "Well?"

"Hey Eighteen…" He dully said before slowly taking his eyes from Kagome. He could tell he was making her nervous, and that was something he didn't want, at least not in front of Eighteen and her husband.

"Hey babe, I got Maron a glass of juice to settle her stomach." A short male came over, Maron in his arms and resting her chin on his shoulder,

"Just give her to me…" Eighteen murmured, taking Maron gently and settling the whimpering child in her lap.

"You're Eighteen's husband? Nice to meet you." Ironically, the aggressive Eighteen had fallen for a softy. The guy was nothing like she imagined, "I'm Kagome."

"Yeah, Eighteen told me about you…and you must be Seventeen. Eh, you look just like her…" Shoving his hand out for a shake, Krillin smiled brightly.

He was Eighteen's husband? Seventeen blinked, "…Where the hell is the rest of him." He barely finished before Kagome harshly elbowed him in his side.

Laughing, Krillin nervously rubbed the back of his head, "Short jokes, huh? Don't worry, I get them a lot. Well, not as much as I used to get the bald jokes." Running a hand through his full head of hair, he couldn't help but to laugh, "I tell you, you two have an uncanny resemblance. You're the youngest twin, right?" He asked, settling in next to his wife.

With a stiff nod, Seventeen eyed him. On the outside, he looked like a simple runt, but something told him that he was anything but. Eighteen, as far as he could remember, which wasn't really far at all, didn't seem like his type, "Yeah, I'm the youngest. How'd you two meet?" He called himself pretending to be somewhat interested. At the moment, he could only think of the slap Kagome had given him. Where would their relationship go from there?

"I think she's running a fever…" Eighteen interjected, resting the back of her hand against Maron's forehead and cheek. Her whimpering only continued.

"She doesn't look too well either. Maybe she has a cold…" Frowning, Kagome peered over closely at Maron. "Did she get into anything?"

"No, pretty much stays in the house actually…" Eighteen's brows furrowed as she adjusted Maron in her lap, "Sorry about this, but I think I need to get her to the hospital…"

""Think it's that serious?" Seventeen asked.

Parting her lips to speak, Kagome was halted by a heavy aura, one that nearly shattered her nerves. She could on only sit paralyzed before it vanished, almost if it never appeared. "I…I…"

"Kagome?" She appeared as though she'd slump over any moment. Instinctively, Seventeen grasped her around the waist.

"Give me Maron…Give her to me." This would be her only chance in purifying Maron. She couldn't afford to have a demon manifest inside a child. "Please?"

Slowly releasing her, Seventeen lifted his brow, observing her warily.

'...We will see if she is as powerful as I remember…' The voice gave an all familiar chuckle, creating pressure along Seventeen's temples His teeth gritted.

Hesitantly, Eighteen guided Maron's crying form over to Kagome. "You know what's wrong with her?"

"Could just be a simple cold, like you said…" Krillin added, gnawing onto his lower lip.

"It's not a cold…." She couldn't necessarily tell them a demon was trying to possess their baby. They'd probably just tell her that she was crazy. Closing her eyes, Kagome chewed onto the inside of her jaw. Focusing her energy was always difficult. She wasn't an expert like Kaede, Tsubaki, or Kikyo. Her powers merely appeared, and forcing them had always been strenuous.

'Oh yes….Seventeen. I know who this girl is. Kagome…the reincarnation of the priestess Kikyo...' His head felt as though it was going to be torn to pieces any time soon. Grinding his teeth, he closed his eyes as the lights around him became unbearably bright, "Shut up."

'I have far much more to say, boy.' The voice flatly said, causing pain to trace its way over Seventeen's brow. His began to lose the feeling in his limbs, as he usually did, "I once could only hear the things you did…yet now I have captured your sight. '

The four around him were oblivious to his suffering. They were too focused on Kagome curing Maron, "..My sight?" He regretted those words entirely. As he spoke, a blanket of darkness took hold of him, rendering him blind. His entire form tensed over, his gaze flickering around briefly before his vision returned. He could only swallow the growing lump in his throat.

'I'm merely warning you…I haven't forgotten about that sutra the girl has. If you allow her to purify me, then I will make your world void of senses…No hearing , feeling, and seeing, and especially, a world without your beloved Kagome.' With that warning, the voice dissipated. His pain was gone, entirely, leaving behind the smallest of throbs.

"Uh…Seventeen?" Krillin asked, his head tilting as he eyed him, "You zoned out there."

Blinking a few times, he hesitantly glanced around. Kagome was staring at him, as if confused, Eighteen as well, and Maron was merely squealing happily. "I uh…." Waving it off, he shook his head, "Let's eat…"

Xx

"He ran off after Kikyo again…" Sango muttered, pressing a kiss to her sleeping daughter's cheek.

"Drats! I wanted to show him a few tricks I learned." Shippo pouted, his nose wrinkling, "Inuyasha's never around when I need him."

"Old habits die hard." Miroku sighed, forcing a few logs into the fire before him,"You're too young to understand."

"I'm not too young to know that he's being selfish." The small kit stuck his tongue out at the monk before taking a seat on the ground, "And Kagome was supposed to come back. I wonder if they got into a fight or something…"

"Nope. They were both alright, last time I checked." Tapping her chin thoughtfully, Sango nodded, "Yup, I don't remember any arguing…"

"Whatever the case, it is not up to us to judge Inuyasha's actions. Its none of our business. We should merely hope for the best in whatever he does." With that said, Miroku stood.

Xx

"Eighteen's husband seems like a pretty nice guy…" Kagome murmured, currently sitting on a bench in the center of what appeared to be a small fair. Instead of visiting the mall or the arcade, Seventeen had wanted to go in as soon as he spotted it. Now resting from the long day's walk, they simply sat, watching the scores of people drift by. Some held balloons, sticks of cotton candy, and large stuffed animals they had won.

"Heh…too nice." He wasn't exactly too happy with Eighteen's choice, but then again, he'd support her anyway he could.

"I hope you had fun today. I know that you haven't been out in a while, but after the trial, we should visit more places." No, she hadn't forgotten about the kiss he had given her, yet if he did not mention it, then she wouldn't either. Bringing it up would have made them uncomfortable, yet again.

"You seem so sure that we're going to win…" He had always been pessimistic when it came to the outcomes of things. Nothing had ever gone his way.

"Well, enough evidence is against Gero, and with you testifying, he'll be sure to get locked away."

"I have to testify?" Telling total strangers about what Gero had done to him was ludicrous. He was too prideful to admit any of the things happen. He squinted.

"If you don't testify, then Gero goes free. I know that you can do it, you've managed so well so far…Try not to think about it too much. Just answer the questions as best as you can."

"You told me that the relationship you were in was complicated. You didn't get a chance to explain." He was going to get to the bottom of this, even if it killed him. "No" wasn't an answer he could accept, not from Kagome. He wanted her, and would be damned if he lost her to some loser.

If she didn't explain, then he was going to continue asking. Rolling her eyes with a sigh, she folded her arms before her chest, "I told you about demons. He is a half demon. I'm the reincarnation of his lover Kikyo who happens to be of the living dead."

"That is complicated…" Kagome wouldn't lie to him, so her story was solid. Obviously if demons did exist, then the living dead existing wouldn't be too astounding, "And all of this is going on in the other world you told me about that day in the cafeteria?"

Dropping her stubborn act to smile at him, she nodded. She doubted she could stay mad at him for long, "Yes, it is sure is, right on the other side of the well."

"So I'm assuming he chose you over her."

Her shoulders slumped, "Nope…"

"Then it isn't so complicated…"

When she dwelled over the thought, it was obvious that he was right. Inuyasha had chosen neither of them. He hadn't taken claim to her. Nodding for a moment, she couldn't help but to laugh bitterly, "Yeah…I guess you're right."