Hate is Only Skin Deep by Simply Hopeless (FF)/ Assassin's Kiss (AFF)/ Devil_n_Blue (MMPH)/ Hopeless_Blue_Kiss (AO3). I am 1 writer w/ 4 usernames on 4 sites.
Warning: Language, Minor Character Death, Animagus (magical cat girl), Original Character, Het, Abuse, Angst, AU/AR, Pregnancy, WAFF Violence, and Work In Progress. These things may happen now or later as the story progresses. You have been warned.
Disclaimer: I do not own or make any profit from the anime/manga 'Inuyasha' and/or own any of the characters from it. This product is the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media. I am, however, the sole author of this fanfic and owner of the original characters that I created: Terry, Faith, Joy and Hope. So please do not steal them and/or my story. It's happened before.
Author's Note: Hello guys, I'm sorry I didn't update in the last two weeks. Unfortunately my internet went bye, bye and I didn't have a laptop to update anywhere else. Then I got sick the following week. But here I am again, yeah me, and I hope you enjoy and continue to tell me what you think. Things start getting really weird and spooky now XP. It's a conspiracy I tell you! A conspiracy!
Chapter Eleven: Reasons
Inuyasha looked over at the person sitting in the passenger's seat. Kagome's head was lulled to the side, away from him. Her black hair tugged gently in the wind with some strands covering the lower half of her face.
The only thing holding her upright was the seatbelt secured around her middle. She whimpered slightly in her sleep, her lips pulled into a frown. An innocent bystander would have just thought that this young woman was only suffering from an unpleasant dream.
'She looks so damn vulnerable,' he thought to himself and tried to pull her up into a sitting position. He sighed as she slumped over again and wondered again how Kagome always seemed to get herself into these situations.
He guided his guard into the police station parking lot and parked in the visiting section before he undid his seatbelt in opened his door. He slipped out and moved towards the other side to open Kagome's side.
She slid halfway out the car, her belt preventing her head from hitting the ground. Inuyasha swore under his breath and began to undo her seatbelt before picking her up.
He carried her into the police station, following the officers who had wanted Kagome. Ignoring the curious stares from officers and criminals he was guided into a small room and prompted to sit down till they were ready for them.
He silently complied and sat down then sat Kagome beside her only for her to almost fall off the bench. "God damn it Kagome," he growled under his breath and quickly lifted her up and settled her on his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her.
"Too much trouble."
A FEW MINUTES LATER
She was wrapped in warmth and smiled to herself at that feeling. She didn't want to wake up unless she would lose the warm, protective feeling that surrounded her. But her body didn't seem to want to listen to her mind's wishes as it woke slowly up.
Kagome opened her eyes enough to peer through her eyelashes to see who was holding her and could only see herself wrapped in black-sleeved arms. She shifted her head from its position against the person's chest and peered up into golden eyes.
"Inuyasha?" she looked up at him in confusion. 'Why is he here? Where are we? Why is he wearing a black suit?' But she didn't have to voice those questions before the memories came flooding back and she let out a small cry before burying her face into his shirt once more.
"You have to believe me Inuyasha. I would never kill her. Never," she said between sobs. 'Kami what did I do to deserve this,' she thought sullenly to herself but her sobs subsided into hiccups when Inuyasha rested his hands against her back.
"It's alright Kagome... I believe you," he lifted her chin up so she could see the sincerity there.
"You... you do? But Inuyasha you said to me yourself that I was the one killed Kikyou. What... what changed?" she looked up at him curiously her lips parted slightly in surprise.
"You just can't accept that I do. You need a reason. Damn your picky," Inuyasha retorted wanting to change the subject. 'I don't know why I believe she's innocent. It just that she looks like someone who wouldn't try to harm someone,' he thought to himself.
"Why did you become a doctor?" she turned her head slightly to look at him with those doe-like brown eyes of hers. She was willing to change the subject if it made Inuyasha uncomfortable talking about it.
"Why did you become a teacher?" Inuyasha retorted back frowning not liking where this was going either.
"But I asked you first." Kagome sighed before looking at him thoughtfully. He could see her eyes unfocused as she dove into her mind for the right answer.
Her lips eased into a small smile once she found one before focusing back on Inuyasha. "I became a teacher because I love children and I want to help shape their little minds." She laughed to herself before continuing. "Kouga says that won't I be sad when they grow older and forget their kindergarten teacher?"
"Well..." Inuyasha looked at her questioningly, "Won't you?"
Kagome closed her eyes and her smile widen slightly. "Of course I will Inuyasha but for now they are with me and I am content with just that."
Inuyasha was ready to spit out a negative retort but the sincere and peaceful look on her face froze his words on his lips. "So I see."
"So why did you become a doctor?" She quickly moved from his lap to sit beside him before she looked at her hands. "It's okay if you don't want to tell but I would like to—"
"It was because of my mother that I became a doctor," Inuyasha quickly cut off Kagome. He felt uneasy by the way that she stumbled around the issue.
"Your mother?" Kagome turned to look at Inuyasha with confusion. "Didn't she... didn't she—"
"Yes she's dead," he growled standing up quickly and combed his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"I'm so sorry," Kagome bowed her head in shame. 'I'm causing him more pain already and just when he helped me too,' she thought in frustration.
"Don't do that Kagome."
"Don't do what?" Kagome lifted up her head in confusion.
"Don't go crying on me," he winced at the thought. "Besides it happened a long time ago. She was stronger in spirit then she was in body. She died before I completed elementary school," he dug his claws into his palms trying to bite down the sadness that washed over him.
"She... she..." Then Kagome's eyes widen in realization. "That's why you were sad when Kikyou and I first met you?" Kagome couldn't help picturing a smaller version of Inuyasha looking helpless on his first day of school.
"To think you could remember from so way back," Inuyasha couldn't help but smile as he turned towards Kagome.
"How could I forget that was the first day we started our little hatred for each other," she smiled at that.
"It wasn't a little anything and you're the one that started it Kagome," his eyebrows came crashing down.
"Let's not fight today Inuyasha. Maybe later," Kagome sighed in. She didn't want her body taxed more then it already was by the argument that might ensue.
"Feh."
"I'll take that as an agreement then," Kagome brightened up visibly.
Inuyasha sighed and sat back down beside Kagome, refusing to look at her. "I became a doctor because I wanted to save peoples lives. I wanted to help people like I wasn't able to help her. She would have been alive if I would have just did something," he gritted between his teeth, frustrated at his helplessness.
He was surprised when he felt Kagome clasp his hand and smile warmly at him. "You did the best you could and I know she thanks you for that."
BACK AT THE FUNERAL
Sesshomaru golden eyes combed the room to look for any signs of his brother of the human miko Kagome. His eyes settled suspiciously on Naraku who was having a pleasant conversation with the young woman he had brought to the funeral.
"I can't believe my sister is seeing that asshole," mumbled Faith sleepily. She lifted her head slightly from its position on Sesshomaru's shoulders before letting out a wide yawn. "Man why is it I'm so damn sleepy?"
"I told you that you should have stayed home Faith. The midwives said that you should be in bed not walking around," he turned to frown at her and she only responded by kissing him quickly before giving him a crooked smile.
"I'm sitting so I'm not walking around and besides I wanted to be there for Kagome. She needs moral support," Faith let out another jaw splitting yawn before she laid her head back on her husband shoulders.
She looked at her sister talking to Naraku, clinging to his arm and hanging off his every word. The growl, that had already started to vibrate within her throat, was cut short when she felt her husband put a plaint kiss on her forehead.
"I think that it is time for us to go home," Sesshomaru stood up before holding out his hand to his reluctant wife.
"But Sesshy..." she began to whine as she got up with difficulty. 'Why do I bother sitting if I know I can't get up,' she thought; but as soon as she was on her feet her knees went weak. 'Oh... yeah that's why,' she didn't like the extra weight taxed on her poor legs.
"You are carrying triplets and—"
"It's all your fault," Faith growled low. She hated the fact that she now had to spend most her time in bed. "I mean I wanted to stay in case Kagome needed a shoulder to cry on," she frowned up at Sesshomaru in disappointment.
"You were only going to fall asleep on her anyway," Sesshomaru replied calmly as he began to walk her towards the exit. But his smirking vice president soon blocked his exit.
"Leaving so soon Sesshomaru-sama," Naraku looked curiously at him then saw the kitsune leaning heavily against Sesshomaru. "Ah, I see. Faith must be tired after a long day," his smirk turned into an easy smile that never reached his dark eyes.
"Can the chitchat Naraku. I don't care if you are my damn sister's new plaything. I don't feel like dealing with you now," hissed Faith in a low voice as she looked at both her sister and Naraku with disgust.
"Such language dear sister," laughed the young woman leaning against Naraku's arm. Half her sister's auburn hair was help up in a simple black clip while the rest pooled around her shoulders. Her simple black blouse did nothing to hide the fact that she wore a short black mini skirt and thigh high leather boots.
'Slut,' Faith thought frowning.
"Naraku doesn't mind being my play thing because I am his too. We get along beautifully, don't we baby?" Faith's sister smiled slyly up at Naraku.
Sesshomaru looked on in disgust as the young woman stood on tiptoe to kiss Naraku passionately before looking at her sister with a challenge.
'She's just envious of me because I still have a figure and she is waddling around like a bloated duck,' thought the young woman laughing to herself.
"I mean I don't actually mind if we have a foursome. It might actually be fun and—"
"That's enough Hope! I do know how to pick them," Naraku stroked Hope's cheek lovingly before looking at his boss with amusement.
'You're only my vice-president Naraku because my damn brother was too much of a coward to take up the position that my father wanted him to inherit,' thought Sesshomaru grimly to himself.
"Have you seen my brother?" his face, as usual, was closed to any expression of betraying his distaste for his vice president and his actions.
"Oh I just saw your brother carry a human miko down the temple steps just a while ago. He seemed to be following some police," piped up Hope with a nonchalant look before she smiled crookedly at Sesshomaru. "Are you a bad boy just like your brother seems to be?"
Sesshomaru had barely enough time to blink before he saw his wife's fatigue fade away and replace with an energy that was stirred by her short temper. "You little bitch!" growled Faith as she pounced on her unsuspecting sister knocking her down to the ground.
The other kitsune woman did her best to restrain her pregnant sister but it was no use. Already Hope's lips were turning blue as Faith began the process of sucking the warmth from her victim's body.
"If you lay one damn claw on my Sesshy I will slit you from head to toe without a thought to the fact that you're my sister. It's not like I don't have another sister who doesn't go in heat every time she sees a male she likes," her words came out in a steady hiss.
She lay astraddle her sister, each hand holding onto either of her sister's wrists. She watched with satisfaction as Hope's face began turning a very pale color, frost settling on her cheeks.
Even when Hope bit Faith's arm in hope of knocking off her angry sister she felt her sister's hands transferring from her wrist to her neck.
Hope gulped the air gratefully into her starving lungs as she felt her sister being lifted by Sesshomaru. She offered the president a grateful smile but it soon disappeared as she felt his gold gaze settle on her, burrowing into her soul.
She quickly looked away and frowned. Grateful when his attention settled back onto the charge in his arms.
"We will be leaving now. And Naraku it will do well that you keep your woman in check in the future," Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly before he walked slowly and confidently down the steps with Faith held comfortably in his arms.
"I'm so sorry Sesshy," he could hear his wife's voice come from the region of his neck, where her face was buried. "I lost control again... I always seem to be loosing control. You must hate me, don't you?"
Before he could respond he could feel her tears wetting his neck as her fingers clutched at his shirt in tight little fists.
"How could I possibly hate the mother of my future pups?" he offered Faith a small smile when she looked at him with her tearstained face. "This Sesshomaru thinks that you were in just cause to be offended by your sister's words. But it would do well to try other tactics to get your words across in the future."
"Of course Sesshy," she breathed before settling her head under Sesshomaru's chin before falling asleep. But before she fell completely asleep she thought to herself, 'What do the police want with Kagome and Inuyasha?'
AT THE POLICE STATION
"We can see you now Miss Kagome Higurashi... Mr. Inuyasha Taisho," the young police officer. He stood by the door and offered the two a nervous smile before he cleared his throat and walked back out the door and down the hall hoping they would follow.
Kagome looked from the retreating police officer's back to Inuyasha as she felt butterflies in her stomach and her mouth dry up.
"Come," Inuyasha stood up and made Kagome stand before guiding her out the door in down the hall after the police officer.
After a few twists and turns they found themselves led into another room where there were chairs settled around a long rectangular table, a television and a VCR.
"Please sit down," the older police officer, who was sitting at the head of the table, motioned for them to sit.
Kagome nodded her head dumbly before taking a seat next to Inuyasha.
"What is up with the television set? I thought you were going to ask Kagome a few questions," Inuyasha looked at both of the officers inquiringly.
"Well... you see..." The younger officer began before he trailed off and laughed nervously.
"We would like to show you this footage of car accident before we go into the questions. If you have any problems viewing the tape Miss Higurashi I would completely understand," the older officer said kindly.
Kagome opened her mouth to speak but was unable to form any words so she nodded her head instead.
"Okay then," the younger officer said and popped the tape in the VCR before turning on the television and setting on the play button.
Kagome and Inuyasha turned to focus their eyes on the television screen as the tape skipped slightly before it cleared showing the clear intersection.
"It won't be long," commented the older police officer but already they could see what he meant.
A car had pulled up a little from the intersection and stopped. A little girl had then stepped out of the car followed by a tall young woman holding a fan. With one quick swipe of her fan the place around the car began to fade into the mist that appeared from her fan.
Then the little girl held up her mirror and a blinding flash was seen issuing from the mirror before the girl turned from the car that had disappeared and looked at the young woman with the fan expectantly.
"As you see here the young woman and girl do not get back in the car that has vanished but simply walk away, their backs always to the camera so that we can't see their faces. And now you look you'll see how everything is calm and peaceful until your car pulls up..." he trailed off letting them see what he mean for themselves.
Kagome could see her car pull up clearly to the intersection. Her car waited for a few minutes waiting for the light to turn green. She could picture herself looking both ways to see if there were any cars in the way before she quickly tried to drive across the intersection on the red light.
Then out of nowhere the car reappears in time to speed towards Kagome's car and crash into it.
Inuyasha winced visibly as he saw how the car crashed, sending Kagome's car skidding a few feet before it completely stopped. He turned wordlessly to look at the older police officer but the police officer's eyes were trained on Kagome, whose eyes were misting up.
"You were set up Kagome," the police officer said but it was heard by death ears as Kagome looked on at the car that she and her best friend resided in.
The officer sighed and stood up from his seat. "We would like to show you some evidence found at the scene before going into any more details."
The older officer nodded to the younger one to go retrieve the evidence that they had placed in the cabinet earlier. Even as the officer laid The Ziploc bag holding the golem, demon puppet, and a license plate Kagome's attention was still focused on the television.
She sucked in her breath as she saw the images that appeared on the screen, but didn't say anything else as she stared in wonder.
The girl from earlier stared lifelessly into the camera for a few minutes. How she got so close to the camera was a mystery but she was clearly seen.
Her dull black eyes were the only color on the girl's entire person. Her lips, her hair, her clothes the flower, everything besides her eyes and the mirror were pure white.
Kagome wanted to turn away, her skin getting goose bumps at the sight of her but she couldn't look away.
The girl clutched her mirror tightly in her hands and took a deep breath as if she was preparing herself before speaking in a monotone voice. "Only death will bring you peace Kagome Higruashi. He will find you and when he does, he will kill you."
Kagome's breath began to hitch and she pushed from her chair only to fall onto the floor. She scrambled up and moved quickly to the door, trying to unlock it.
"Let me out! Let me out!" Kagome cried out as she pounded on the door seeing that it was useless. Tears welled in her eyes as she beat frantically against the door.
She felt someone wrapping his or her arms around her and she tried to fight off the reassuring presence.
"He's going to kill me. He's going to kill me!" she howled out in rage as she tried to pry the hands around her.
"Please Kagome calm down. What are you talking about?" Inuyasha said calmly, trying to guide the now limp form in his arms as she stood there in defeat.
Kagome turned her head enough so that she could look up at Inuyasha. "Didn't you see her? Didn't you see the girl all in white return? She said... she said..." she took a deep shuddering breath. "Only death will bring you peace Kagome Higurashi. That he will find me and he will kill me."
"Kagome there was no girl all in white in the video. Isn't that right police officers?" Inuyasha turned his head, slightly frowning wondering if he had missed something important.
The two police officers nodded. "The only person we saw was the young woman with the fan Ms. Higurashi. Are you okay?" the young officer said as he saw the blood drain from Kagome's face.
"Do I look it?" she said wryly but inside she was trembling.
"Maybe we should ask you the questions another day," said the older officer.
"Yes another day," echoed Kagome dully.
'Someone... someone wants me dead,' she thought.
IN THE PRIVATE OFFICE OF THE VP OF TAISHO CORP, LATER THAT DAY
Naraku grabbed his personal secretary by her throat and slammed her into the nearest wall before looking into her pained pink eyes. "Did you see the shikon no tama nestled in Kikyou's pale hands?" he questioned.
His gripped tightened on the young woman's throat, the balls of his fingers digging into her tender flesh. If he had done this to any human woman she would be dead right now from the pressure alone or if lucky unconscious.
Naraku narrowed his cold, darks eyes at his willful secretary who only offered him a reluctant whimper. "Did you see it!" he growled before slamming her bodily to the ground so that she lay sprawled on the floor.
Kanna watched this calmly from her seat in the corner. 'Why should I help my sister? She deserves our master's wrath,' she thought dully to herself. She could see her master calming visibly as he straightened up though his breath hissed angrily pass his lips.
"But Naraku you knew that I wasn't there at the funeral. Only you and that slut your now with could see your precious Kikyou laid in the ground," Kagura spit out to the ground. She hated him with all of her being; there was no denying the burning need she had to see him pay for the harm he caused her.
She cried out in pain as she was pulled up by her hair until she was looking once more into his cold eyes. "Do you dare question me Kagura?" he hissed and before she could say anything he slapped her. Then his hands released their grip on her short black hair and she fell to her knees bowing her head submissively to him.
"Of course not Naraku," she mimicked her younger sister's monotone voice. Her fingernails dug into her skin leaving crescent mark cuts in her palm. But she welcomed the pain that distracted her from the bigger one in front of her.
"Your useless Kagura. I don't know why I even keep you on," Naraku swept pass the secretary's bowed form and walked back to his oaken desk before settling down into his chair. His fingers formed a steeple as he thought of why he had killed Kikyou in the first place.
He smiled grimly. 'It was because I loved her... well the part of me that still clings to the past. But the jewel... the jewel was an unforeseen surprise. It was a surprise that I don't mind having at all.'
He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling as his mind slipped away to the yesteryears of his life. 'I had wanted Kikyou ever since I could remember,' the thought brushing against his mind to be swallowed up by a memory.
FLASHBACK
He had been standing there patiently, crouched behind the tree anticipating her arrival. His heart beat faster just thinking about the fact that she was in the same world as him, shared the same breath.
"Kagome stop day dreaming and catch up," a young girl scowled slightly at her friend before pushing her slightly to wake her up.
"Hmm... what... oh hi Kikyou," Kagome smiled dreamily at her best friend.
"Who do you have a crush on this time?" Kikyou sighed, waiting patiently for her to respond. She had to deal with her friend's heartsick sighs all week and she wanted some answers now.
"Hojo," breathed her friend and looked up at the slightly ruffled girl.
'Why does my Kikyou hang around that copy,' Naraku thought frowning before he stepped from behind the tree and walked over to Kikyou.
"Hi Kikyou," then he said as an afterthought, "Kagome."
Kagome frowned at Naraku, her body tensing at the site of the young boy with his messy black hair and dark eyes. She gripped Kikyou's hand ready to guide her friend past him but Kikyou smiled and shook Kagome's hand away.
"Hi Onigumo," Kikyou offered him a sweet smile that couldn't help but make him smile slightly at her. 'Only she can call me that,' he thought.
"Let's go Kikyou. I'm sure Inuyasha is terrorizing an unsuspecting person without your constant supervision," Kagome eyes were focused always on Naraku as she said this.
"Kagome that's not true." She sighed then smiled at Naraku. "Nice meeting you again Onigumo." And then they were off again down the sidewalk.
He wanted to watch Kikyou retreating back disappear around the corner but then he felt himself thrown against a tree and looked up to see a young teenage boy looking up at him, smiling in challenge.
"So it seems this little Onigumo has a crushed on the pale skinned girl. Maybe I should take her for myself and—" but before he could finish he felt himself tackled by Naraku.
"She's mine damn it!" He hissed low as he began to pound against the young man's face. "If I see you look at her I will kill you."
END FLASHBACK, ANOTHER FLASHBACK
"Kikyou be with me," he coaxed as he reached out to touch the young woman's cheek only for her to step away.
"Onigumo, why are you doing this to me? You know I already have someone," Kikyou frowned with disapproval at Naraku who only gave her a slow easy smile before stepping closer to her.
"I am better then that half-breed," he soothed trying to move closer to he only to be frustrated as she kept stepping back.
"You are a half-breed to, or have you forgotten so quickly," smirked Kikyou trying to distract the youkai. She searched frantically to see if there was any known exit to go to but her exit was completely blocked.
"But Kikyou you don't understand. I need you. I want you and I will have you," he growled and reached out to grab for her only to be punched away by Kagome who had come to see what was keeping Kikyou.
"Stay away from her Naraku," hissed Kagome and shook her hand that she had punched with before grabbing Kagome's arm. "Let's go Kikyou."
Kikyou nodded numbly and looked behind her at the fallen Naraku who was massaging his jaw, an amused smile on her face.
'You are mine,' he mouthed to her and let out a bark of laughter as Kikyou quickly turned away from him.
END FLASHBACK
His eyes focused back as he returned to the present and a vicious smile curled onto his lips. "Kagome soon you will be joining your friend in death," his smile widen at the idea and he began to chuckle softly to himself.
He looked around for Kagura expecting her to be still sulking on the floor but she had already left to return to her desk.
'Everything will work out in the end... I will have everything I wanted and more,' he thought and stood up to get started.
LATE THAT NIGHT, AT INUYASHA'S HOUSE
Kaede let out a surprising gasp as she shook herself from the remaining traces of her dream. She could now hear her heart thudding in her ears just as clearly as she could hear the frantic pounding against the door.
She sat up straight and wondered to herself why no one had answered the door yet. 'Maybe its because everyone is asleep at this time of night,' she thought bitterly to herself.
She slipped out of the bed and slipped her bare feet into her slippers. She pulled down her spaghetti strapped pajama top that had ridden up her stomach as she thrashed around earlier in her sleep.
The air was already cooling the fine sheen of sweat that clung to her skin.
She couldn't bear staying in the guesthouse alone after the funeral. It just made her realize how much she missed Kikyou. She paused her heart aching as she thought of her sister's reassuring smile and quiet ways.
"I miss you Kikyou," she whispered tearfully to the night's air and brushed back a tear that rolled silently down her cheek before she opened the bedroom door and squeezed through it.
She made her way silently down the hallway and down the main steps before she hurried quickly to the door. She threw the door open expecting to look her visitor straight in the eye but she saw no one.
"Maybe it was my imagination," she thought aloud and was ready to turn around close the door when she felt someone grab at her leg and tug gently on it. She looked down only to gasp in surprise at what she saw.
"Why are you... What happened to your... Do you know what time it is!" Kaede had no choice but to settle on that comment.
"We have come to see if you asked Master Inuyasha can he hire us," one of the six toad youkai's spoke and then all six of them bowed their bruised heads towards her.
"Please you must help us. We do not think we can survive Lady Faith's pregnancy," another one spoke up as he lifted his head to show an eye swollen shut.
"Oh my kami," Kaede gasped looking at them and began to laugh, falling over at the situation. 'Thank you kami, I needed a laugh,' she thought to herself, her eyes already misting with tears from laughing so hard.
'Grave Diggers,' is the next chapter. He saw it at the funeral, there could be know denying that Kikyou had possessed half of the Shikon No Tama. By any means necessary he will obtain it... any means. Well can't wait to hear your comments.
