~Chapter 9: Promises and Heartache~
Twenty-four hours in the hospital might as well been a week for Kagome as she was not use to so much activity in such a short amount of time. Every hour a nurse came to check vitals, temp, draw blood, administer medication and record data. Even when Kagome found herself drifting off to sleep, she was startled awake when a nurse came barging in to do her hourly routine. Kagome was getting bored of this and quick. She constantly found herself wondering how Sango's little brother, Kohaku, put up with this on a regular basis. When ever he had to do a week long stretch of physical therapy he'd be stuck in a hospital bed and constantly monitored due to the severity of the aftermath from his accident that nearly cost him his life. He was almost crippled and it had taken four years to be able to walk with a cane. Kagome couldn't help but let her mind wander back to the day of his accident and the hell they were all thrown into.
Kagome always had a love for cars, it took her father's passing to really drive her to become a mechanic. She was just out of automotive school when she started working for Naraku as an apprentice at his shop working under her best friend's husband, Miroku. Sango had pulled some major strings to get Miroku to bring her in under his wing and she excelled at it. Kagome remembered how quickly she was able to do basic diagnostics and she had a real ear for tuning, especially where classics were concerned. Before anyone knew it, Kagome was rebuilding engines, over hauling transmissions and getting her hands on custom race builds that Naraku would have driven at the track. Sango's little brother was never into building the engines or repairing vehicles, but he had a talent for driving. In much the same way Kagome had an ear for engine health, Kohaku had a natural talent for driving and understanding every rev spike, tire squeal and body pitch of the vehicle. He knew how his vehicle would respond going in and coming out of a turn, he was a pro at being able to drift around corners and speed ran through his veins. He was one of Naraku's top drivers, winning him big money by racing the professional circuit let alone the money passed under the table with the not-so-legal dealings Naraku ran in the underworld of racing.
That day, Kagome still had yet to grasp what went wrong, but it started out as any other day. It was bright and sunny. The warm July sun beat down on the black top of the race track. Kagome had just checked the readings of the engine and gave Kohaku the 'go ahead' to take the car out. It was an older Honda Prelude that was built to the hilt. Everyone laughed at the little pocket rocket at first. Until it cleared the quarter in under 7 seconds and it's lap time was just as competitive. That day they were doing laps and everything seemed to check out ok. Tires were at a good pressure, engine was running under 200 degrees and everything was firing correctly and unrestricted. The first two out of five laps went smoothly. Kohaku down shifting through the tighter corners and sliding around the snake bends while leading the pack by a good second or two. But once he rounded for that third lap, time seemed to have slowed down and flames started bursting from the under carriage and loud pops could be heard coming from the car as it seem to swerve and lose control. Kagome's voice ripped through the air as she screamed Kohaku's name while the car took a terrifying dive toward the pit and hit a barrier at just the right angle that the car flipped over and rolled two or three times while exploding into flames. Kagome was on the track and running the second she saw it hit the barrier and was almost upon the wreckage before it even came to a stop, screaming the whole way. Not even emergency services responded as quickly as Kagome did. She was there, at the driver side door, pulling an unconscious Kohaku from the window hole. As she dragged him out of the car, she felt the heat burst against her skin as the car became fully engulfed in flames. Emergency team members arrived quickly and pulled him from her arms and dragged him away from the wreckage while smothering the fire that had spread to his jumpsuit. Kagome sobbed when they pulled his helmet off to get him more air and his face was badly damaged and covered in blood.
He spent two weeks in a coma after extensive surgeries to repair his shattered legs, pelvis and collar bone. He had punctured a lung and several cracked and bruised ribs and several third degree burns. Kohaku was given less than a thirty percent chance of survival and his sister, Sango, spent sleepless nights by his bedside, praying to any deity willing to listen and respond. Kagome had taken up extra shifts at the shop to keep the hospital billing at bay seeing how Kohaku's health insurance wasn't going to cover high risk activities and he was 100 percent out of pocket. But once Kohaku came out of his two week coma, he baffled doctors by how much fight he had to live and he improved better than what they were expecting.
Naraku stormed around his shop in a tizzy. Being in the peak of race season and having a totaled out race car found him losing out on a lot of money and that fouled his mood quite a bit. He even went as far as taking his anger out on Miroku, shortening his hours and giving him bogus jobs that barely paid and threw all warranty work his way which greatly impacted his paycheck. Kagome would often find herself hiding from Naraku when he was on a rampage and it wasn't until one day he pulled Miroku off the shop floor by his shirt did she decide something needed to be done. It was after all HIS car that almost killed Kohaku and put them in this predicament. She followed Naraku and Miroku into his office and barged in as Naraku started bellowing at Miroku and she couldn't even stop her voice as it left her lips.
"Stop it! It's not Miroku's fault! It's YOURS!" She gasped, covered her mouth and stared wide eyed at what she was sure to soon be her former employer. Nobody in the room moved or spoke so she decided to continue. "I personally checked that car. Kohaku did nothing wrong. I'm certain one of the new fuel lines or rails failed. You should have seen how it exploded. I told you I didn't trust parts from a company I never heard of, but you insisted I install them because they were saving you money. I went against my better judgment so I guess I'm partially at fault." Kagome cast her eyes down when she felt Naraku's own eyes burning through her. "So in that case, it should be I that you are mad at, not Miroku. I'll take the warranty work. I'll work extra hours and if you help us a bit with a few of Kohaku's medical expenses I'll work through the night off the clock to build a new race car and we can cut our losses on the Honda. Just please...we're desperate. I'll do what I must to help Kohaku, Miroku and Sango, they're all the family I have left. Please, we need this and you need me." Kagome's eyes filled with tears and she looked back up at Naraku who seemed to be contemplating what she was asking. He smiled a wicked smile and told Miroku to leave the office. Miroku hesitated for a moment but was told a second time to get out and get back to work. Behind the closed doors of that office, Kagome sold her soul to the devil.
A knock at the door pulled Kagome out of her revere. Her heart ached at the memory. She cleared the tears she didn't even know built in her eyes and with a steady voice said "come in".
Her doctor stepped in with a pleasant smile on his face. "How are you feeling today, Kagome? Ready to go home?"
"I sure am. I don't know how people can stand being here for more than a day." Kagome said.
"Yeah, well sometimes they don't stand it very well. But at times, it can't be helped." Jinenji said thoughtfully.
"I know how that goes." Kagome said, thinking back to the events she was remembering earlier.
"Well, everything looks great. Your tests show you're on the mend. Do you have someone who can come pick you up?" Jinenji asked.
Kagome nodded, she had several people willing to come grab her from the hospital. After the nurse came in and disconnected her from her iv and ekg monitoring pads she was free to get dressed and gather her belongings. She pulled out her cell phone which had sadly died during her short stay but thankfully one of the nurses had a charger she could borrow to turn it back on and make a few calls.
Of course she wanted to call Sango first, let her know she was ok and ready to leave the hospital. But then her mind wandered back to the night before with Inuyasha and the tender moment they shared. She smiled at her phone as she scrolled through her names to his and hit 'call' for his number.
Unfortunately it rang and eventually went to voice mail. 'Must be at work' Kagome thought. So she decided on calling Sango and asking for a ride. Thankfully Sango had an early shift and was more than happy to pick Kagome up after work so Kagome hadn't needed to wait long. She couldn't wait to tell Sango about her night at the hospital with Inuyasha visiting. She was giddy at the prospect of having a somewhat normal aspect of her life, but part of her was cautious about how close she should allow Inuyasha to get for fear of him getting caught up in the mess she had made of her life.
"Inuyasha, are you gonig to answer your phone?" An older man's voice broke through Inuyasha's thoughts as the young detective stared at a computer screen. He was deep in his paperwork and was sifting through mug shots and names on the computer. He was a man on a mission and hadn't even heard his cell phone go off. Frustrated, he rubbed his face with his hands and replied "they can leave a message. Myoga, did you get the files I asked for?"
"Right here partner." Myoga dropped what appeared to be a mountain of files on Inuyasha's desk and they landed with a resounding thud. The old man crossed his arms and stared coolly at his partner. "You know I'm aiming at retiring in exactly two months. I hope you're not planning on getting us killed. Tell me this isn't about a girl."
"Keh, you know me so well. Kinda. I'm still trying to get justice for Kikyo, just so happens my new flame is involved with my person of interest. I just wish I knew how deeply he had his meat hooks in her. But I really care for this stupid girl, Myoga. I don't want to see her hurt and she's so sweet and naive, I just know if I'm not careful, she'll end up paying the price. It is of utmost importance that I get the puzzle pieces together to put Naraku away for a very long time and bring down his inner ring. That will certainly clean some of the crime up off the streets." Inuyasha's voice was tired and he wore his stress like a wool sweater. Myoga looked the young man over. He had known Inuyasha's father for a very long time and felt he owed it to him to take care of his son, but Inuyasha wasn't at all like his dad. He was reckless and at times rude but he was passionate.
"Just don't do anything stupid. I'll have your back, no matter what, but please Inuyasha, be careful. Many men and women who have involved themselves with Naraku's dealings have perished as you have seen. He is ruthless and people are his play things. I'm sure your woman is nothing more than a mere puppet to Naraku. A puppet he'll cut the strings on the second he smells trouble." Myoga warned.
Inuyasha let out a long, drawn out sigh. "I know. I'm being as careful as possible. But this girl, Kagome, she was hospitalized after an 'accidental poisoning'. While I want to believe Naraku has yet to have reason to harm her, he can't be trusted. I will protect Kagome and I will free her and her friends from Naraku. If I have to spend every last cent of my father's inheritance to save them, I will."
"Like I said. Just be careful. It's quitting time, I'm out of here. Try not to stay all night." Myoga smiled warmly at Inuyasha and turned to make his leave.
"I don't intend on it. Kagome should be leaving the hospital today." Inuyasha said with a smile. He finally looked down at his phone and saw he had missed a call from Kagome and groaned. She was probably needing a ride home from the hospital and he completely ignored her call. In that moment, he felt like a real jerk.
Kagome smiled as she told Sango about her night with Inuyasha and the way he talked to her and even kissed her. Her cheeks blushed slightly at talking about the memory. Sango laughed when Kagome looked away and out the passenger window. The two girls had no secrets between each other and it warmed Sango's heart to know Kagome had met a genuinely nice guy who she knew would treat her best friend well. He seemed to only have the best intentions for Kagome. And better yet, had the same love for classic American import cars.
"I have to say, Kagome, it really seems that things are turning out for the better. You've met a guy who treats you well and who knows, may even get you out of this hell. Kohaku is doing remarkably well. He's even talking about returning to driving the race cars." Sango laughed. Kagome's eyes widened in terror at the thought of Kohaku back behind the wheel. Her expression hadn't gone unnoticed by Sango and the girl smiled wider and said "Kagome, don't look at me like that. Of course I told him he was forbidden to ever get behind the wheel of another race car ever again. I came too close to losing him once, I won't chance another."
"Good. Once he's better and doesn't need all the doctors and physical therapy we can work on getting ourselves out from under Naraku. Who knows, maybe we'll start a race shop of our own." Kagome smiled at the thought.
Sango stared sadly out the windshield as she pulled up to Kagome's apartment building. Her heart was burdened by how much Kagome suffered in their place. Kagome had told Sango once that Kohaku had suffered the greatest and she was more than happy to help share the burden as long as he got better. They were all the family they had left and all of their lives had turned upside down over the last four years. "Kagome, I want to tell you something and it doesn't leave this car. If you have the chance to get away from here, run like the devil himself is at your heals. Although that analogy is not far off. You do so much to help us. You let Naraku over work you for nothing...he's...violated you...just say the word and we'll get you out of here. I have a feeling that Inuyasha is a huge blessing in disguise and he may be the answer to all my prayers for you. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel as though we're caught in the calm before the storm. Do me a favor and keep your head down and don't let Naraku catch wind of your happiness. If he finds out you're dating a man who may very well take you away from him, well, I'd hate to think what Naraku may do." Something about the firm seriousness in Sango's voice made Kagome gulp hard.
"Sango...you're my only family here. I wouldn't dream of escaping without you. We'll find a way out together, you'll see." Kagome said solemnly.
"Just promise me Kagome, should the opportunity present itself, you get the hell out. You've sacrificed enough and I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you." Sango locked eyes with Kagome.
Kagome nodded and in a soft voice replied "I promise." And with that, exited Sango's car and made her way to her apartment.
Once inside her home, Kagome plugged in her phone and sighed loudly at the memory of the conversation that had just transpired in Sango's car. She was so wrapped up in her misery she hadn't noticed a presence in her home. The sound of her name made her jump out of her skin and her heart raced in terror at the sound of his voice. She gulped hard when she turned and met the eyes of the last person she had wanted to see at that moment in her home.
"Naraku...I didn't see you. What are you doing here?" Kagome asked evenly.
"I felt terrible about what had happened to you. I called the hospital to see how you were and was surprised to find you had already been released so I came here to wait for you to come home and see for myself how you were doing. I'm hurt you didn't call me for a ride." Naraku strode across her small apartment and met her in her kitchen. He put his hand against her face and feigned concern.
"I didn't want to disturb you. I know how busy you must be." Kagome's stomach dropped at the way he looked at her. She prayed he'd get his business over with and quickly leave. Just then her phone's high pitched ring tone sounded as it loudly knocked against the counter as it vibrated. She grabbed it up and sadly read the name on the screen. 'Inuyasha, you have terrible timing' she thought as she gave Naraku an apologetic glance and answered. "Hello?...yes I'm home...no, I'm feeling fine, I promise...no need for you to come over right now, let me give you a call later, I'm a little tired...yes...ok, I'll talk to you later." Kagome hung up the phone and felt the crushing weight of Naraku's glare on her.
"Who was that? A gentleman caller?" He asked suspiciously.
"He's a friend. Sango has been trying to set us up and he's a nice guy and all, but my life is far too busy for any real relationship." Kagome defended.
"You're right. You have far too many obligations to me to have time for a relationship outside of work. I suggest you keep your distance from this 'friend'. Speaking of obligations..." Naraku groaned as he grabbed Kagome by the shoulders and pressed a crushing, cold, kiss against her lips. She winced at the feeling of her lips being bruised, exactly the opposite of the kiss she shared with Inuyasha. Naraku smiled coldly against her. He relished in the control he had over her. "Don't you ever forget, you're mine." He snarled and pushed her back to her room.
After Naraku had left later that evening, Kagome sunk down on her couch feeling dirty and her soul crushed. She hated herself for how much she let Naraku control her. She felt undeserving of Inuyasha's affection and trust even though she knew her situation just couldn't be helped. Kagome was so confused at where to go from here. She hated admitting it, but she had fallen quite hard for the half American man. Part of her hoped he was the knight in shining armor come to take her away from the dragon's castle. The other part of her wanted to chase him away and keep him from getting burned by the flames of despair that had been her life for the last four years. She was broken and hurt and didn't know how to face him again.
She cried herself to sleep and found comfort in her dreamless state, free of pain and mounting debt and disgusting obligations that awaited her in the real world. Even if it was for a few fleeting hours, she was free of it all.
~End of Chappy~
(Author's note: I'm juggling reading a proofing previous chapters while adding more. We've recently had a tragedy here on New Year's Eve and I'm finding comfort and healing in my art and continuing with this fan fic. I really do appreciate my readers. I give to you a part of me with every chapter I put out and feel a bit vulnerable. Kinda like standing naked in front of total strangers. Sorry this chapter went by slowly. But character story build is a little necessary for the rest of the story. I'll try to get future chapters out as soon as possible. Let's see where this adventure takes our favorite pair ;) Thanks again everyone! Ja Ne!)
