Love thy Neighbor
A bit too long, a bit too much
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Soft, bitter chuckling echoed eerily across the empty bar as another shot of hard liquor was downed. He winced momentarily as the warm liquid burned his throat and blurred his mind. He didn't care how long he had been drinking, how many shots he had consumed or even how grumpy the bartender was for having to open one in the afternoon just for him. Inuyasha just couldn't give a shit in life anymore.
"Boy, I think that's enough." The middle-aged bartender spoke sternly.
Inuyasha showed no signs of acknowledging the warning, having ignored the same warning an hour ago, instead he lazily tapped the bar, silently signaling for another round of straight vodkas. The man had no choice but to cater to the hanyou's needs with a pointless shrug. Who was he to teach the boy some lessons in life? Plus the fact that said boy was under Naraku's wing gave him more reason to just keep quiet.
His head slumped forward and half his body was practically leaning across the stool next to him, and to the human eye, he looked like your average drunk. However, unbeknown to the bartender, or anyone else for that matter, his eyes continued to hold its intensity… although it held no hope. Whilst his hanyou senses were only beginning to gradually succumb to the effects of the outrageous amount of alcohol he had already consumed that morning, the thoughts running thought his mind was still clear and vicious enough to suffocate his conscience.
The burning sensation every time he took a shot offered him a vague moment of salvation as it put his mind to a complete blank. But once the feeling evaporated, he was again left with his internal demons. It was a losing a battle, he knew it, he would never be able to defeat his demons… because perhaps, they weren't actually demons, but in fact a reality that was so harsh and cruel to him, that he had given up on life itself.
He chuckled again, a sound so dark that the bartender couldn't help but glance worriedly at the half-demon. This was the path he had chosen, so in some twisted way or another, everything was partly his responsibility, his fault to blame.. and was it all really worth it? He didn't want to think anymore.
"Inuyasha," Miroku said happily, "I've got some good news for you."
The golden-orbed hanyou merely gave him a distracted nod as he continued to flick through the early morning paper.
"You, my friend, have made it through the next round!"
Inuyasha shook his head. He should have known then that Miroku's voice was too happy, because even for a chirpy personality like his, it still sounded rehearsed.
He had paused completely, his mind failing to grasp onto the idea. The newspaper had slipped through his fingers and he had simply listened to Miroku's ranting, in which he was by then sure that it was a forced cheerfulness.
"Once you are done with that, with ease of course, you are into the quarter finals."
Either Miroku really didn't realize Inuyasha's stationary stance or he was simply ignoring it, either way, he continued pointlessly ranting on. Little did he know, the more he spoke, the more uncomfortable his demeanor was looking.
"From the quarter finals onwards, for every win, a party will be thrown for the victor, courtesy of their sponsors – but whether you attend or not is entirely up to you since I know you get kind of, shall I say, busy, with your women." Even with the suggestive look, it was obvious Miroku was getting a bit on edge.
Inuyasha's senses were blurring more and more as the burning taste was beginning to drastically numb. Good, maybe this way he would stop feeling too… maybe even stop breathing?
"Miroku," Inuyasha finally spoke. His voice was low and completely serious.
But said friend simply dodged the confrontation, "Since your name is back in the tournament-"
"How?" He asked, equally as low and serious.
But Miroku showed no indications of hearing him, "-the betting odds have once again changed drastically- in your favor."
He was starting to subtly make his way towards the door, but Inuyasha remained calmly sitting on his kitchen bench stool.
"We're talking millions here. Naraku, Sesshomaru, Hiten brothers, you name it, they've all-"
"What has happened to Jiro Aoi?"
Inuyasha had been in the business for too long to not know the tricks and trades, and suddenly, Miroku's façade dropped as his face was replaced with a distressing look. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he spoke, "Inuyasha," he sighed tiredly, "what difference will it make if you knew? You're in-"
"Yes," Inuyasha interrupted hotly, his patience finally snapping, "I'm in by default! I understand that-"
Miroku's temper flared a bit as well as he retaliated, "You were also out by default too!"
It went quiet for a bit, before Inuyasha calmly although dangerously spoke, "Don't make me repeat myself."
Miroku looked defeated and tired as he sighed and shook his head. He was not only a manager, but the closest thing to a friend Inuyasha had, there was no way of hiding it.
"The kid was in a fatal car crash. He died last night."
The boy who replaced Inuyasha in entering the next round dies. What a coincident.
Inuyasha downed another shot.
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"I'll answer it!" Rin squealed as she bounced from the kitchen towards the entrance marble doors.
Sesshomaru leisurely made his way down the stairs of his enormous estate as he purposely ignored the desperate look of help from the door-boy. Entering the kitchen the way he normally does, silently and with poise, his chef was quick to serve him with the finest foods for breakfast. But just like usual, Sesshomaru spared the food not even a glance as he opted to pick up the newspaper, leaving the chef, once again, crestfallen and confused. What exactly did Sesshomaru like to eat?
"Miss Rin, perhaps I should assist you in openi-"
"Thank-you, but no thanks. Rin can do it herself." She smiled up in all her toothy glory.
The doorbell rang again, impatiently, as Rin struggled to open the door. The door-boy looked on in confusion. Did Sesshomaru not want the door open? Her little hands were wrapped tightly around the golden handle as her body dangled loosely.
"Sesshomaru open this door right now!"
Sighing lowly and closing his eyes, he quickly prayed to get out of this morning unscathed. Giving his hand a vague flick, the door-boy nodded quickly and opened the door, Rin and all. In all her Prada glory, Kagura stormed into the house, heels clicking loudly on the marble floors.
"Oh hello Miss Kagura." Rin greeted politely as she let go of the handles and landed on the tiles with a dull thud.
"Hi honey," She replied quickly and distractedly before turning sharp eyes at the poised, and very ignorant mighty dog sitting at the head of the table, most likely pretending to read the paper just to ignore her. "Have you read the papers?!" She demanded hotly, throwing her newspaper on the table.
He briefly shuffled the papers, silently implying that 'yes, what do you think I'm doing right now?'
"Tell me you have something up your sleeves! Tell me we haven't-"
"Miss Kagura, would you like some orange juice?" Rin asked chirpily as she bounced around her.
"-just thrown a few million dollars down the drain!" She pleaded angrily, before turning to Rin and replying quickly albeit kindly, "No thank you sweetheart."
So he replied monotonously and dully, "We haven't."
She breathed in deeply as she rolled her beautiful mascara coated eyes. If he wasn't the damn CEO or the owner of the entire empire, she would've strangled him long ago, "We haven't?" she asked skeptically and disbelievingly, striking a rather sexy but mainly dominant pose.
"No."
She felt small hands tugging at her fur coat before she looked down to find Rin's enormous eyes staring adoringly up at her, "Miss Kagura? We have jelly beans, would you like some jelly beans?"
She smiled patiently with the girl seeing as though Rin wasn't the one she wanted to murder, "Maybe later?" Her answer was reciprocated with a nod from the child and a flick of Sesshomaru's gaze that went by unnoticed.. thankfully.
"I hope you know what you're doing Sesshomaru," she turned her attention back onto him, "Because your brother is proving harder to handle. As his sponsors, we've already thrown millions to get him to this stage, which you know, is fine!" She waved her hands dramatically for an added effect.
All the while, Sesshomaru kept his gaze firmly in the comics section of the newspaper, "But he represents our brand," she continued hotly, "and our brand needs to continue to hold its healthy and first-rate reputation, and let me tell you this," Kagura rubbed the bridge of her nose, pausing to take a deep breath, "drugs is NOT a healthy and first-rate reputation, and it is definitely not something we should have our clothing line mixed up with!"
"Suku will not be mixed up with drugs-"
"Your brother-"
"I know what happened to my brother, and so will the tabloids tomorrow. He was drugged, plain and simple."
Kagura went silent for a while, seemingly contemplating what Sesshomaru just said. "So are you telling me Inuyasha didn't willingly take the drugs?"
"What I'm telling you is that the truth really doesn't matter that much so long as the tabloid believes what you want them to believe… but if it makes you rest easy at night.. then no, he didn't take them willingly."
"Ahh." And she sat down, which only meant one thing to Sesshomaru.. she wasn't going to leave anytime soon.. dear god..
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"Kouga," She chuckled extremely forcefully, holding onto the phone with a death grip, "I don't think I quite understand."
A heavy sigh followed by quick, hurried typing was heard on the other line, "What's there to understand?" He asked distractedly, still typing away on his keyboard, probably now in his office, "The message is simple and clear."
"I don't believe this," Kagome grounded out in disbelief, "I don't believe this!" She repeated in amplified volume, continually slapping her forehead with the palm of her hand.
She glared at the phone when no reply or any sort of consolation came from Kouga. Obviously he didn't think it was a big deal. Men. "You understand that this is inhumane right? It goes against all my civil rights!"
"Sweetheart, you're on speaker and you're scaring my secretary.. Margaret, isn't she a scary witch?" The last part was muffled as Kouga had probably really made the effort to go out of his way just to further piss Kagome off.
"Good! Let everyone know how I'm being mistreated by my own family!" She declared indignantly, "And you Kouga, you traitor!"
The typing ceased instantly, "Hey! These are specific orders from your mom, so technically, I'm just the messenger boy!" He jabbed a finger at his Versace clad chest.
It went quiet, eerily quiet when there were no reply or explosive comebacks. Maybe she had hung up? Nah, no dial tone. "Kago-"
"Kouga," She grounded out lowly and dangerously, instantly gaining his undivided attention, "I thought you said my mother was going to cut my credit cards-"
"Well yes-" he spoke uneasily, only to be completely ignored.
Showing no indication that she had in the slightest acknowledged him, she continued without pausing, "-so explain to me why my gas and electricity has just been cut off." Her voice was like the calm before the storm.
"Ahhh.." Kouga tried to remain collected; he was after all the man in this… a man having to deal with a psychotic explosive volcano who had just conveniently realized that she'd also have to pay for her own bills. Lovely.
"Must have slipped my mind! Your mom also informed me to tell you that as of today, she will discontinue all payments made towards the apartment.. I do believe her precise words were 'kindly let my daughter know that she needs a job.' Which explains-"
"I hate you so much Kouga." She hissed.
"What?! I didn't make this decision! It-" but it was too late, she had hung up.
Throwing his hands in the air as he leaned back into his leather chair, he cried "Typical!"
Turning her head and peeking into his office, Margaret his secretary asked cluelessly and a little air headed, "Yes Mr. Hiroshima?" How she had mistaken 'typical' and 'Margaret' was completely beyond Kouga.
"Uhh.. keep up the good work!" And he gave her his cheesiest smile.
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"Miss Kagura, would you like to see Dr.Zeus, I made him myself?" She asked shyly.
Kagura caught a glimpse of the gangly bunch of sticks she was holding in her hands and refrained from making a face, "Oh that's beautiful honey."
"Yes. But papa says it reminds him of you.. I don't think so, do you?"
Sesshomaru nearly choked as he subtly lifted the newspaper higher to cover his face the moment Kagura turned cold sharp eyes on him. "Mm." She smiled forcefully, "Why don't you get me those jelly beans you promised earlier?"
With a sharp giggle, Rin walked off to retrieve the confectionary as Kagura glared passed the newspaper. Choosing to ignore Rin's comment she asked, "What about the Jiro Aoi boy?"
Finally placing the newspaper down and for the first time since her arrival making eye contact with Kagura, Sesshomaru spoke, "Let Naraku worry about that."
"But-" she tried to intervene, knowing the bad implication and the linkage of Jiro Aoi's death and Inuyasha.
"What Naraku chooses to do in his spare time is none of our concern."
Before she could have another word, Rin had made her way towards her with a large bowl of jelly beans that seemed like she was having trouble holding up.
"Here you go."
Kagura looked on awkwardly. Sweets wasn't exactly her thing, "Oh, thank you Rin."
"That's alright, but you can't have any of the red ones, those are papa's favorite."
Sesshomaru almost died.
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After having cursed at anything and everything she could possibly think of, from her current situation to that dent in the wall, she decided that her apartment had noticeably dropped a few degrees. Shivering visibly and quickly glancing at the clock, she grudgingly grabbed her raincoat and decided to, for once in her life, listen to her mother… she was going to find herself a job.
So here she was, trudging along the streets against the harsh winds and numerous people as they hurriedly made their way home from a day's work. The sky was progressively getting darker and the night air was fast approaching. She held her raincoat tighter against her body as she shifted her red scarf around her neck. She wanted to smack herself for her own stupidity. Shops were closing, not to mention she didn't exactly have a resume to hand to any of the employers. Great, now she was aimlessly strolling the streets, following the direction of the larger crowd before she realized she was heading close to their local beach.
She shivered just by looking at the enormous waves. Even the pier, as large as it may be, didn't seem sturdy enough to withstand the forces of nature. And just look at the bozo sitting like a loner at the edge of the pier. Freaks everywhere these days. Freaks with long silver .. hair?
Kagome's eyes widened instantly as realization hit her.
"Inuyasha?" she questioned softly to herself.
Ordinarily she would've simply ignored his weird doings, and especially from the joke he pulled yesterday on her and Kouga, she would've in fact stormed in the opposite direction just so she wouldn't have to see his smug face. But curiosity this time got the better of her and before she knew it, she was wobbly stepping onto the pier.
"If you fall, can I move into your apartment?"
His back stiffened visibly at the sound of her voice, but this went by unknown to Kagome as she was too focused on keeping herself steady as she walked very slowly towards him.
"No. Now go away." And he continued to stare out into the ocean.
As nervous as she was walking along the pier and being so close to the waves, she clicked her fingers, "Shame. What about your cable? Can I have your cable?" she asked off-handedly.
Still he didn't bother looking at her as he kept quiet. She stood behind him as she tensely peered over him and into the dark raging waters. "Mm," she hummed thoughtfully, "water looks kind of cold."
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Standing behind you so that if anything were to happen, you'd break my fall." She shrugged nonchalantly, although she was somewhat shaking in nervousness inside.
"How noble of you." He rolled his eyes, hoping she'd leave him in peace soon. "You know what I mean."
"Well," she pondered, "what are you doing out here?" She quickly glanced at his back, hoping she hadn't sound too suspicious. The waves were seemingly getting larger and fiercer and the sky had quickly become an eerie blue.
She shivered in the cold but he remained ignorant towards the dropping temperature around him, "I can't take it anymore." He breathed quietly, instantly capturing Kagome's attention, as shocked as she may be at having him take her so seriously. "I don't want to live anymore."
Kagome took a sharp intake of the cold air, as her body felt numb from both the cold and the depressing demeanor in front of her. It went silent for awhile, Inuyasha making it obvious that he wasn't going to elaborate anytime soon, so hesitantly, she spoke up, "What's happened?" she asked cautiously, moving to sit beside him, although instead of letting her legs hang over the pier like his were, she chose to cross them.
He breathed loudly, looking away from her, "Do you ever get the feeling of nausea every time you know you have to face something? The feeling of complete disgust because you just can't stand it?"
She shook her head 'no' without hesitation, "Can't say that I have."
"Well," he sighed, and then smiled sadly as he focused on her for the first time upon her arrival, "My neighbor makes me feel that way… she makes me want to die." His face remained calm and completely serious.
Kagome did an excellent impression of a fish as he left her momentarily speechless before her eyes grew to slits, "Tch, I should've known better than to have really taken you seriously." She crossed her arms against her chest and looked away. "Should've also known that you're still that jerky jerk even when you look like you're on the verge of committing suicide."
"Mm." he hummed casually, "That's what makes me insanely sexy." He leaned back onto his arms and stared at her.. with that hot intense stare. "Are you getting turned on yet? Because I am."
Choking on her saliva, she whipped her head at him, "What is the matter with you?!" Her look was nothing short of pure disgust and shock.
He shrugged, "You tell me, you're the one sitting here talking to me."
"F.Y.I Inuyasha," She growled, "I'm here because you," she pointed an accusing finger at him, "look like you're about to jump off this pier and die!"
"Yeah, you have that effect on people."
That was the last straw, because straight away, she stood up rigidly, trying her hardest to keep her composure. "Well then," she dramatically tugged at her coat, "good day to you!" And with that, she whipped around and forgetting that she was on a pier surrounded by a never-ending ocean of violent waves, marched towards the shore… not realizing the slippery surface that had formed because of the waves.
Before reaching her fifth step, her left foot skidded jerkily on the floorboards before her right foot tripped behind her. Had she not taken a seat besides Inuyasha, which therefore meant taking a seat right on the edge of the pier, she may not have fallen. And had the wind been a little less harsh, it would not have pushed her into the dark abyss of water.. of nothingness.
But she had taken a seat next to Inuyasha, and the wind was harsh. She fell.
She had fallen six meters from the pier and into the raging waters, with a fearful scream and a rather quiet splash before it went quiet again.
Inuyasha immediately turned around, squinting his eyes in the dark as he tried to make out the shape of the girl who had just been sitting next to him. Yes he had heard the scream and also the splash, but given all the embarrassing situations he had placed her in, he wouldn't be surprised if this was one of her paybacks. But still, he couldn't get that weird feeling in his stomach to go away.
"Wench?' He called out unsurely. No reply. Turning back around and facing the ocean once more, he spoke, "Keh, if you think your little joke is going to fool me, think again."
Still… no reply.
He frowned, that weird feeling in his stomach slowly rising to his chest as he once again turned back around, this time, steadily getting up.
"Wench?" He called out yet another time, slowly making his way down the pier, towards the shore.
His heart beat sped up as he was greeted by nothing but the waves crashing against each other, "Kagome?!" He yelled, this time with much urgency.
Then suddenly, it caught his attention, the ripples in the water below him.
"Shit!" He was suddenly struck with so much panic it nearly winded him. Without thinking, just doing, he tore off his thick leather jacket and pulled off his shoes, knowing that the heavy raincoat she was wearing must have dragged her down; he dived into the angry ocean without so much of a second thought.
The moment he hit the waters, all air was sucked out of him and it felt as though his body was being stabbed by a thousand knives. But his body kept going. His mind blurred from the intense coldness, yet for some reason, his body seemed to be acting on its on accord as it continually swam desperately deeper into the water.
Perhaps it was the sheer panic, because even though he knew it was futile and senseless, he called for her under water, "Kagome?!"
It was terrifyingly dark under the water, and given the amount of time that had passed, he knew for a mere mortal, it was starting to get dangerous. Kicking his legs as hard as demonly possible, he swam.. even though by now, there was no way he'd be able to see her, even with his hanyou abilities.
And then suddenly, he sensed her. He didn't know what it was but he was sure of it. It was like his body was being pulled towards her and he knew he had found her. His arms blindly thrashed around him, begging to come in contact with her body before his prayers were answered. His right arm hit something soft and he knew straight away, she was right there. Blindly maneuvering his hands all over her, he searched hurriedly for her head.
Wrapping one arm tightly around her waist, he pulled her securely towards his own body as his other hand grabbed the back of her head and drew it towards his own. Instantly he pushed his mouth onto hers and breathed into her. His lips forced hers to open as his tongue pushed her lower jaw downwards to allow him access to transfer his oxygen into her body. Her frame jerked a bit as he continued to simultaneously swim upwards and stimulate her breathing again.
Even as a hanyou, he was starting to lose his oxygen, but gratefully, he was starting to see the outline of the moon above the surface of the water.
Coming up dramatically with an incredible intake of air, Inuyasha instantly called for her again, "Kagome!" He shook her face a bit, but still urgently, as his other arm was still wrapped tightly around her waist.
"I know you're alright, okay?!" he spoke breathlessly, swimming hurriedly and desperately towards the shore, "Don't weasel out on me now!" he demanded.
Maybe it was to calm his own nerves, that if he spoke to her, it would seem like she was fine.. because she wasn't replying at all.
"Say something!".. it almost sounded like he was begging, as he lifted her bridal style and ran forcefully towards the shore once the waters were shallow enough.
She wasn't even moving. There were no signs that she was breathing anymore. Her body was cold and her face was horrifically pale.
He anxiously placed her on the sand upon arriving on shore as he brushed her wet hair away from her face. His heavy breathing and the deafening thumps of his heartbeat were the only sounds he could hear.
He shook her shoulders, "Kagome." He called out gently, but still out of breath.
She did not budge.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck. "No..."
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An: O.o …… "Sing hallejuah, sing it, sing hallelujuah, sing it! Yeah, sing hallelujuah" Try writing a chapter with that song in your head.
Thanks for reading, reviews, pm's and emails!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha etc.
Doll Secret