My God people, I'm so sorry, but now that I'm on my last year of high school and in VCE it's really hard to get time to write the story between homework and work, but I managed and hope you continue to stick with this story. I'm not sure if this chapter is good. Oh Jesus, I hope this chapter is alright... Anyways...
Chapter seven: Fever
She was always there, in his mind. He couldn't understand why he couldn't just forget her. But then Akito had ordered him to watch her. And that he did. He had parked near, but not too near to her house and waited. He watched Sesshoumaru and others enter and leave her house. Every once and a while she would leave for shopping, Shippou's wife along with her. It was as if they were all guarding her. Watching her with great worry and concern. Something was happening and he didn't know what.
Finally, a month after she had last talked to them, she left her house and for once she was alone. It was rare to catch her alone and was about to get out of the car and follow her when his mobile phone rang and he cursed under his breath as he reached and answered the small device.
"Hello?" he said with his usual annoyed tone.
"Ah, Hatori," the voice of the dog zodiac came through and Hatori's brow twitched. "Apparently Kisa's missing and she has a fever and Haru and the rest are worried she might have turned into a tiger."
"What?" Hatori said frowning, "Where do you think she is?"
"The park," Shigure said, "Well, that's the only indication we've got and since we know you were nearer to the park than we are, we thought we'd ring you up for you to go ahead and get her, before we catch up."
Hatori sighed. "Alright." And he hung up and drove away towards the park, passing Kagome, who was walking so determinedly away from the house to somewhere else. When he arrived at the park, he met up with Hiro, the young sheep zodiac. He looked annoyed more than panicked and he was holding, what Hatori thought to be, Kisa's clothes. "What happened?" He asked the young boy.
But Hiro was truly worried. After Kisa abruptly changed as they were walking home, she had run off in panic. The reason they were going back in the middle of the day was because she was beginning to feel sick and they couldn't risk her turning into a tiger in the classroom. "She transformed because she was sick. She's around here somewhere, but I can't find her." Hiro explained to the doctor.
Hatori nodded. "Where have you looked?"
Hiro pointed at a random direction. "I looked over there, but I can't find her."
Hatori sighed. "Okay then, I'll go this way," he said pointing ahead of him, "You search at this direction. Shigure and the others will be here soon to help out." Hiro nodded in understanding, running the opposite way as Hatori walked the direction he assigned himself to.
Walking, he could see parents playing with very young children since the older ones were at school. He searched looking between bushes and trees, ditches and rocks. He sighed and stared straight ahead.
And he stopped.
His heart beat faster as he saw the girl who he thought would never look at him again, her brown eyes searching, her raven coloured hair swayed to the wind. It was then that movement in her arms caught his attention and his heart froze when he saw the tiger.
Kisa! Kagome had Kisa! Kisa, who was sick with a fever and was bound to turn human anytime soon. Hatori looked from the tiger to Kagome, back at the tiger and then back at Kagome. Seeing this, Kagome glared and held the tiger closer and Hatori felt slight alarm as he saw Kisa bite her hand, but Kagome looked like she couldn't even feel it as she turned away.
"Kagome, wait!" the words came out of his mouth before he could think, his heart beating fast that he could hear it in his ears. He needed to stop her, yet he was nervous. Why? The reason was unclear and Kisa lay in her arms. He also felt that one wrong move would be deadly… somehow.
Kagome stopped in her tracks and looked at Hatori, hurt and anger evident in her eyes. "What Hatori-san? Sesshoumaru warned you to keep away and I'm sure you don't want to feel his wrath." He could hear. Her voice wavered a bit and her eyes were now downcast at the young tiger biting her hand. "There are many dangers when it comes to me." She looked up at him with a glare, "So, what on Earth do you want?"
Hatori opened his mouth, then closed it at a loss of words before he said, "Th-the tiger. She's mine. My cousin was playing with her before she ran off." He said looking at Kisa, who was weakly struggling to get to Hatori in Kagome's arms.
Kagome looked at the struggling tiger, her eyes blank, before she said, "I can't return her until I know she would get better. You may come along if you want." He flinched. There was something in the tone of her voice that he didn't like. It slightly hurt him.
"I-I can't. Kisa… she…"
Kagome glared at him. "I'm taking her with me. You can come, take it or leave it, but I'm going to bring her home, because there are skilled… veterinarians that can look at her." She failed to mention that those so-called 'veterinarians' were specialised in any kind of demon sickness. She looked at him before turning away and Hatori followed after her, unable to do anything until there was a chance to take Kisa back.
"Can I just have the tiger back?" He attempted again as they walked nearer to her house. "Please, the tiger is special to us." And we would be punished if she learned of their curse. Hatori thought to himself worriedly.
She glanced at him before looking back ahead, "All the more reason to get her checked to see if she's okay, since she's special to you." She said having an idea that Akito was behind his pleading, "Anyway, we're at my house already," she said and Hatori realised she was right as she walked through the gate with her.
Hatori could sense it. Kisa had been in her tiger form for far too long. It would only be a matter of time before she turned back into her human form. "Kagome," he said almost desperate this time, "I'm serious. I could take care of her on my own, without your help. I'm a doctor."
She looked at him, turning to him just before her front door and Hatori noticed that her hand was uninjured, despite Kisa's biting earlier on. "You seem to mistake that I'm doing this for you," she said, "I'm doing this for the tiger, since she is sick. I found her and I can't be completely sure that she's yours. Also, yes, I agree you're a doctor, but you aren't a veterinarian. You help humans, not animals. Now, are you coming in or not?"
Hatori sighed, knowing now it would be hopeless to argue or reason with her for Kisa back, he followed the woman into her house, the maids bowing as both he and Kagome passed by. As they passed a door that was wide open he saw who he least didn't expect to see in the house at the moment. Sesshoumaru. He shouldn't be surprised actually, but Hatori thought he was a far too be busy man to be always with Kagome… but then again, it was probably just him. And wasn't that Inuyasha with dog ears on top his head? But he couldn't be too sure since they had only passed the room.
A 'poof' alerted him out of his thoughts and he was brought back to his situation and he panicked and quickly remembering that Kisa would be naked he took off his jacket and ran into the cloud of smoke that would soon and quickly dissipate. He blindly grabbed Kisa's arm and pulled her into his jacket and covered the sick girl in it.
"What the hell?" Kagome's unmistakeable voice as confusion took over her and she looked at Hatori who she saw now was holding a sick naked girl wrapped in his jacket. He was cursing to himself as he lifted the small girl. "Who's that girl and what…" she trailed off as Kagome felt the tiger demon spirit reside in her and she sighed. "So, that's what happens," she laughed like she couldn't believe the situation, "Sesshoumaru was right after all. You do turn into the animals in you, even if that was a joke."
"Huh?" Hatori was half listening as he thought of a way to get out this mess as Kisa leaned onto Hatori weakly in her fever. All he could think of was to erase her memories… And everyone else that is here that saw. Still in his shock he did not realise that Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Kirara and Shippou had come out of the room to see what the commotion was about.
Kagome narrowed her eyes and could only guess what his thoughts were. She knew he had the power to erase one's memories, so she wasn't dumb. Hatori's look said it all. She glared then turned to walk away, but on second thought she decided to glance back. "I'm immune to your memory erasing," she lied and Hatori stiffened. "Fine, go. That's what you wanted to do, right? Return to Akito and stay out. But leave the girl here. I'll see to it that she be healed and return her safely back to you. I am not one to leave a person in need of help."
Suddenly, Hatori felt pain breaking into his once ice heart. He shook his head. "No, Kagome, that's not what I meant when I was trying to get Kisa…" He paused thinking about what he could do, "…Can I stay here with you… until Kisa is better. That way she wont be scared when she realises that she doesn't know where she is."
Kagome looked at him with a frown before sighing. "Machi!" she called and one of the maids came to her quickly and bowed saying 'Kagome-sama, what can I do for you?' Kagome looked at her thinking where to put Hatori and his sick niece. "Give them the guest room near the Phoenix."
The maid's eyes widened and Hatori thought about what that could mean. "But Kagome-sama," she protested, but Kagome cut in before the maid could continue on. "Are you questioning my orders?"
"N-no, sorry Kagome-sama. I'll prepare the room immediately," with that the maid scurried off.
A chuckle was heard and Hatori froze, realising for the first time, Sesshoumaru and the others were there. "Kagome, you've been with me far too long." Sesshoumaru said as she rolled her eyes, "You've developed some of my persona." He looked at Hatori critically before speaking, "And didn't this Sesshoumaru tell you to keep away from Kagome?"
"Y-yes! But she's got my niece and…" Hatori stumbled over his words. True, this wasn't the usual him, but anyone who was approached by the regal figure of this billionaire would practically lose their cool.
She sighed and walked up to Hatori. "Nice excuse, we're not blind not to notice you watching me for quite a while now." Hatori turned to Kagome, wide-eyed. She shook her head and held out her arms. "Anyway, give me the tiger girl," she said softly as she looked at the sick form, "I'll bring her to a room and get her dressed appropriately. You can follow and check on her once she's in bed."
Hatori nodded, dumbfounded and handed the sick girl to Kagome, who carried the child with care and walked the direction where the maid had scurried off. Kagome looked at the child in her arms and put a palm on her forehead still carrying her. "Sorry little one," she said, "Sorry you had to wait. We'll get you better soon." She said as she entered the room and changed her into some spare nightclothes.
Hatori then came in to check on her. Kagome stayed by him as he did. He looked up at her. "Her fever is high, but she should be better in a few days. Is it alright if we stay here for that long?" he asked her in a soft voice.
Kagome sighed and nodded. "It's alright." She answered and then sat on the edge of the bed moving the slightly sweaty hair out of Kisa's face. She looked at Hatori. "So… is this what your family tries so hard to hide." She moved away from Kisa and almost gave a bitter laugh. "If that is all, you have no idea what the world really hides."
"What do you mean?" Hatori demanded. He didn't know what she honestly meant. Were there… other things besides their curse? Right… he should have realised that if this curse existed there were bound to be others. Did she know of them? Or did she have one?
She raised an eyebrow and sighed. "I'm not saying your curse isn't bad, per say. I mean you turn into animals with whatever triggers it… what triggers it by the way?" she asked in pure curiosity.
Hatori looked at her, and then back at Kisa, "I suppose I can tell you since you have already seen Kisa in her tiger form. We turn into animals when we are either weak in health or get hugged by the opposite sex. However members from the zodiac can hug each other, even if they are the opposite sex."
"So not even family members?"
Hatori shook his head. "Not even family members can hug us. When we are born, we're born premature and the parents would either totally reject them, heart and body, or be over protective of them."
"Oh, that's pretty bad…" she said thinking thoughtfully, "But it's not that bad since you could gain friends within the same gender and have nothing to worry about. However," She frowned, "There are some… beings that will gain no friends because of their background and sometimes even the family would reject them." She sighed. "One would be lucky if they grew up with a family that simply didn't care about that and cared for them."
"You speak as if it's from experience." Hatori stated.
She smiled ruefully at him. "Yes, but not my experience."
Silence stretched into the room. Only the slightly laboured breaths of the sick young girl in the bed. Kagome grimaced. Poor girl. They should've spent less time talking and more time healing. No worries, she's going to heal her anyway, only taking a little longer than what would have been.
Kagome sighed. "Your room is the one near the door with a symbolised phoenix on it. And before you ask," she said remembering how the maid acted when she said 'room near the phoenix', "There's nothing special about that room. The maid just overreacted is all."
Hatori nodded. "Okay." He answered, although he was suspicious.
-:-U-:-
Rin looked at the man nervously. "You want to me to what?" She asked him. The last time they had met, it was a month ago and the man before hadn't told her what he wanted to do for her. Just simply satisfied with the fact that she had agreed to help him on the terms that he break the curse and just left leaving her to wonder what he was up to.
And now he was back with the most ridiculous terms ever. "Yes, you heard me correctly." He stated.
"In order for us to get you to get rid of this curse, you want me to befriend this girl named, Kagome." She stated incredulously. "I'm guessing that won't be all, would it?" she stated dryly.
The man smiled, but the smile seemed far too creepy to be considered that his thoughts were innocent at the moment. "Ever the observant one, aren't you." He more stated than asked. "Yes, there is more to that, but I will tell you later. It's best that I'll tell you little by little, rather than all at once."
"Otherwise I won't like it right," she said dryly, knowing that she was right.
He smirked. "What a smart girl you are." He said with a hint of amusement. "Anyway Rin darling," he said with a smirk as a black hole appeared behind him, "Do not fail me."
Rin felt as if her heart stopped as he went through the now disappeared black hole. His voice was so dark and scary with those last parting words that she thought she'd never been this frightened, even with Akito, the head of their curse.
She looked at the door of the room as she wobbly got up and walked towards it. Looks like I have no choice but to find this Kagome person, she thought to herself as a shadow crossed her face and left the room.
In the distance an evil laugh was heard.
-:-U-:-
Dinner was quiet, only the sound of chopsticks hitting the plate and slurping noises of food entering the mouth. It was only Kagome and Hatori in the dining room for the rest had either gone home, to work or went to check on friends in the feudal era.
The silence was quite uncomfortable. She sighed and looked at Hatori who was eating in obvious silence. He eyes wondered to the left side of his face. "Hatori-san," she said as he looked up at her. "I was wondering…" she stopped her question as his inquisitive stare was on her and she decided to change what she was going to say and gave a half-hearted smile, "Hatori, have you contacted Shigure and the others. I'm sure they're pretty worried now."
"Ah, I forgot with all the commotion. Thanks for reminding me Kagome-san. Do you mind if I go use the phone now?" He asked and she nodded. "Thanks." He said getting up. He blinked, realising he didn't know exactly where he was going. "Uhm, where…?" he began.
Understanding what he meant, she smiled and pointed to the door on the left hand side with her chopsticks. "That room. The phone should be on a small table in the corner."
He smiled slightly. "Thanks." He walked through the door and searched around the room and seeing the small table and the phone on top of it. As one would do with the intention of using the phone, he dialled Shigure's number and while waiting for the dog to answer Hatori's eyes roamed around the room. His eyes paused on a photo and since the phone he was on was cordless he was able to walk up to it. It was an odd picture. He was sure the girl was Kagome, and there seemed to be a monk in purple and a girl who had a large boomerang on her back. But that's not what he found odd. It was the little kid with a fox-like look and a tail, and the angry boy with ears on top of his head that looked a lot like Inuyasha.
A voice distracted his observations as Shigure had finally answered. "Hello?" Hatori thought he sounded really distressed.
"Shigure, It's Hatori—" He couldn't say anymore than that before Shigure interrupted.
"Ha-kun! Is it really? What happened? Where's Kisa?" Shigure's frantic voice came through, which caused Hatori to sigh.
"She's ok. We're at Kagome's now until Kisa is better. Best not to move her in this fever." Hatori said. "Although, the problem is that Kagome found Kisa in her tiger form and there was no way I could keep the family secret from her this time."
"Why didn't you erase her memories?"
"I couldn't erase it. Not only did she say she was immune to it, there were also her friends, Inuyasha, Shippou and others that seemed to have witnessed it and what's really odd was that they seemed unfazed by the entire event like it was a normal occurrence."
"And here I thought you were making a simple call," a female voice said and Hatori turned abruptly to see Kagome leaning on the doorframe, "But, no, your reporting your findings to Shigure. I was wondering what was taking you a while."
"Ah… Kagome…" Suddenly Hatori felt guilty, but he wasn't sure why. It wasn't like he was betraying anyone, right? "Uhm, Shigure, I have to go now. We should be back once Kisa is better." He said into the receiver and then hung up before Shigure could say a word and put the phone away.
"Why'd you stop?" Kagome said in a dry tone. "You could've continued your conversation and ignore the fact I'm here."
Hatori looked at Kagome and then sighed. "Sorry, I did not mean it to look that way."
She stalked up to him and pulled him so that his face was only inches apart. "Oh? And so what was it meant to be?" She slowly drawled out. Her eyes flashed with predatory gleam.
Hatori gulped. The only other girl he had been this close to him was Kanna. He tried to pull away, but her grip was strong and he was sure that if he stayed in the position any longer, he might do something he might regret. Kagome's eyes were drawing him in, in a way he knew it shouldn't, especially with a high school student.
Seeing this, Kagome decided to play cruel and pulled him closer so that only their breaths were mingling. "Don't you want to answer, Hatori-san?" she asked, a slow smirk forming.
"I…"
Suddenly the bell of her house was rung, startling them that Hatori managed to pull apart with a small blush staining both their cheeks. After a bit, a maid came in. "Kagome-sama," she said bowing, "There's a girl named Rin at the door. She said she wanted to talk to you."
"Rin?" she asked. The only other Rin she knew of was the one in the feudal era. "It's not Sesshoumaru's ward, is it? Because that seems quite impossible."
"No, Kagome-sama."
Kagome sighed, rubbing the back of the neck. "Okay, let her in." She turned to Hatori as the maid did as she bid. "You can go to your room or check on Kisa. In the meanwhile, I'll just see why this person wants to see me."
Hatori nodded and eager (but not showing it) to get out of there, he went to Kisa's room to check her temperature and give her medication just before he went to his room.
Kagome on the other hand showed the girl about her age to the living room. When they took their seats, Kagome smiled softly at Rin. "I assume you're another Sohma?" she asked, suddenly sensing the horse in Rin. The startled look on Rin's gave her answer right away. She sighed. Sohma's were everywhere. She looked Rin in the eye.
"So, what, dearest Rin, is the reason of your visit?"
Again, I hope this chapter's alright. Had to do it in the intervals of my homework, school and work so I hadn't had much spare time to look over it properly.
Please review!
-SxT
